sentiment, that the people will not long support a minister who is not active and laborious, manifesting a greater zeal for their spiritual interests than for his own private emolument. In these circumstances, when a gifted, and well educated young man, regards his own ease, or is ambitious of rising in the world, he usually turns his attention to some secular profession. And when we see a young man in independent circumstances, entering the gospel ministry, as is sometimes the case, we have strong presumptive evidence that he is governed by other motives than those of a worldly character. In the next place, many liberally educated young men lack piety; an essential and primary requisite in a useful minister. To introduce men destitute of piety into this sacred office, would be a curse, instead of a blessing to the Church, and to the world. If such men would answer, the cheaper and speedier way to supply the destitute with religious instruction, would be to raise the emoluments of the clergy. Then the same principle which preserves the equilibrium in secular employments, attracting labor where it is most needed and best rewarded, would operate, and we would have no cause to complain that the laborers were too few. Thus, where the Church is liberally patronized by the State, there is no lack of candidates for the gospel ministry. But such a state of things, when worldly-minded men, for the sake of filthy lucre are induced to intrude themselves into the sacred office, is pestilence and death to the interests of moral reformation, and vital piety. If then, the Church would preserve her holy doctrines pure and unadulterated, if she would hold forth the word of life to the multitudes perishing around her, and provide for the spiritual wants of the rising generation, she must bring into her service, by a course of intellectual discipline, these young men, whose hearts God has prepared for the work, by the operations of His Spirit.

This is no new and untried experiment. It has been

done in an unsystematic, and comparatively small way in the Presbyterian Church, for many years: and the result of the trial has been the most happy and encouraging. The mind of the Christian community seems now prepared to make a mighty and united effort, in this great cause on which every other Christian_enterprise is evidently dependent.

While we are agreed respecting the importance of the object contemplated, we may, it is believed, honestly differ respecting the best mode of accomplishing it. Some years ago, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, appointed a Board of Education, to which the management of this concern was committed. We are not informed respecting the plan of operation adopted by the Board, nor of the precise extent of their labors. We know, in general, that nothing worthy the importance of the cause, nothing commensurate to the resources and wants of the Presbyterian Church, has been done. At the late sessions of the General Assembly, a proposition was made and adopted, to re-organize and enlarge the Board of Education, so that it might proceed with greater energy and effect in this important business. It remains yet to be determined whether any thing effective will result from the new arrangement. We know that many intelligent and influential members of the Presbyterian Church are anxiously waiting to see what steps will be taken. Their wishes and their feelings are in favor of the Assembly's Board, in preference to any other. But if nothing decided and effective be done the present year, they will be compelled, although with reluctance, to abandon all reliance on that Body, and to act singly, or to connect themselves with some other Society, pursuing the same object. Others think that the Assembly's Board of Education is wholly unnecessary; that the object in view inay be attained more certainly and speedily, by the members of the Presbyterian Church, forming societies, auxiliary to the American Education Society. That Society, it is said, is

perfectly organized, is in successful operation, has intelligent, zealous, and efficient agents, has collected large funds, and established a great number of scholarships, and has given a solemn public pledge that no young man of piety and talent in the United States, shall want the means of obtaining a thorough collegiate and theological education: and further, a large and efficient portion of the Presbyterian Church in the States of New-York and New-Jersey, now auxiliary to the American Education Society, is laboring harmoniously and successfully in the great cause. Why in these circumstances, it is asked, should an attempt be made to destroy unity of counsel and action, so essential to success, in every noble enterprize? Why distract the attention of the Churches, and diminish the amount of contributions, by applications from different Boards, for the same great object?

We admit, that there is something very magnanimous and captivating in the idea of a great society, laying aside sectarian names, collecting and disbursing funds in educating pious indigent young men for the gospel ministry, regardless of sect or party. We admit the energy and success of the American Education Society, that it has done more in exploring the spiritual wants of our country, in enlightening public sentiment on this subject, in pressing home on the consciences of Christians, the indispensible duty of engaging heart and hand in this mighty work, than has been done by all others. With unqualified pleasure, we admit also, that the concerns of this Society are managed by men in whose intelligence, piety, and energy, we have the highest confi. dence. Yet we are persuaded, after the fullest consideration we have been able to give the subject, that the Presbyterian Church, in her ecclesiastical capacity, ought to provide the means, and to direct the education of those who are to be her future ministers, not depending on others to do that which she is abundantly able to do herself. This

may be done consistently with the kindest feelings, and best wishes towards others, who are seeking a similar object in a different way. That portion of the Presbyterian Church, now in no degree connected with the American Education Society, is a field sufficiently large to occupy the time and labor of one General Agent, and several asssistants.

The American Education Society has now two Secretaries, or General Agents, constantly and laboriously employed, aided by the secretaries and agents of numerous auxiliaries. And if its operations be extended so as to meet the wants of the whole United States, the labor, and consequently the number of agents, must be vastly increased. The expense of agencies could not, therefore, be saved by a connexion with the American Education Society.

It is believed, also, that the charter of corporation of the Presbyterian Church is amply sufficient for the security and management of the necessary funds. Indeed, we can conceive of no possible advantage to be attained by an union

with the National Society. And on the contrary, we think we foresee many appalling evils that would result from such an union.

To this conclusion, contrary to former partialities, we have been led by a recent examination of the fundamental principles of that Society, as well as by noticing, their practical effects, as far as time, would permit their developement. When the claims of the American Education Society were first presented, impressed with the importance of the object, without examining the bearings of its principles, we gave it our approbation, and feeble aid. A closer inspection of its peculiar features, has excited the most serious apprehensions that it may in the end injure the cause which it was designed to subserve.

We are constrained by a sense of duty, honestly to state our objections, and let the Christian community decide whether or not, they are well founded.

1. The details of expenses and receipts, of clothing, of books, of donations from other societies and friends, of profits of teaching and labor, of debts contracted and paid, which young men, under the patronage of this society, are required to make every quarter, are unnecessarily and painfully minute. The design of this requirement is doubtless to guard against extravagance and imposition. These ends, it seems to us, might be attained in a less objectionable way. The committees of examination, or the teachers, under whose inspection the youth are, could judge of these matters with sufficient accuracy. And after all, if imposition be intended, a false report not easily detected might be made. The plan holds out a powerful temptation to conceal the amount of receipts and expenses, so as to form a stronger claim on the aid of the Society; placing the beneficiary in the attitude of a common beggar, whose success depends on the dolefulness of his story. Young men of delicate and ingenuous feelings, shrink from this public developement of private and personal circumstances.

We know more than one young man of unquestionable piety, and of exemplary character, who cannot, for this reason, be persuaded to ask or accept the patronage of the American Education Society. We do not urge this objection, because it may be easily removed. We respectfully suggest it for the consideration of the Managers of that institution.

2. The principle of refunding the monies advanced to young men patronized, is a doubtful, if not a dangerous feature in this institution. The reasons of introducing it seem to us more specious than solid. They are two: first to relieve the beneficiary from the mortification of being considered a charity student; and secondly, to augment the means and perpetuate the benefits of the society. We regret, exceedingly, that men of such high intelligence and exemplary piety, as the Directors of the American Education Society,