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likewise." We have participated largely in the guilt of this vile traffic; and we owe this injured portion of our race, our best efforts to promote their temporal and eternal happiness.

I would next turn your thoughts to the uncommon and increasing exertions, which have been made for years past, and are still making, to diffuse the knowledge of the blessed gospel of Jeeus Christ. A rich and vastly extended field here opens to our view and contemplation. Great things have been done in our own country. Societies for the dissemination of religious truth, by various means, by sending out missionaries, dispersing books, and establishing schools, have been wonderfully multiplied and patronised. In

consequence,

frontier and other portions of our country, long destitute of religious instruction, have been made to rejoice in the light of the gospei; and the gladdening sound of salvation is fast penetrating the wilderness on our borders, and cheering the hearts and civilizing the manners of the wild and roving inhabitants.

The extended, ripened, and promising harvest has occasioned a loud call for more labourers. This has excited to the establishment and liberal endowment of theological seminaries, in the middle states, and lately in our own, for the education of pious and promising youth for the work of the ministry. Prospects in regard to these institutions, and the benign influence they are to shed over the Christian community, are cheering and enrapturing to those pious souls, who have been long praying for the prosperity of Zion.

Vol. III. No. 7.

But ours is the day of small things, compared with what has been done and is still doing on the other side of the Atlantic. Amidst all the din, expense, and desolations of wars, wonderful in their extent and effects, millions on millions of money have been contributed by the pious and wealthy for the propagation of the gospel. The secret, combined and formidable efforts, which, for the last half century, were made to "crush" the Redeemer and his cause, have alarmed and awakened his friends to make corresponding exertions for their support; and the effects produced have confounded the enemies of the cross, comforted and animated the hearts of its friends, and astonished the world. The heralds of the meek and lowly Jesus are now proclaiming his gospel on the islands of the Western Ocean, in South America, in the heart of Africa, on the islands in the Indian Ocean, among the populous nations of India, in China, in Tartary, and along the northern regions of Europe and North America. Yet a little while, in the present course of events, and the gospel shall literally be preached to every creature under heaven.

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In aid of this wonderful spread of the gospel, a great number of learned and pious men,* ported and assisted by missionary supand other religious societies, and the liberal contributions of individuals, in our own as well, as in other Christian countries, are now actually, and very successfully employed in translating and publishing the holy scriptures in the languages of many of the

Particularly the celebrated Mr. Carey and others at Calcutta.

most populous heathen nations, embracing nearly two thirds of the human race, who hitherto have remained in gross ignorance of the book of life. These nations are, we trust, speedily to read and hear the glad news of salvation, "each in his own tongue."

In this noble work of disseminating the Bible in different languages, much has been done by The British and Foreign Bible Society," established in England, in 1804. Already has this very respectable society expended more than 60001. sterling, in the purchase and transmission of the Bible in various languages, among the Mohawks in our own country, among the inhabitants of Iceland, of Tartary, in New South Wales, at the Cape of Good Hope, and South America, in France, and various other European nations, and among their colonists in various parts of the world abroad; and among their prisoners of war, and the various classes of poor in their own country. They have also effected great good, indirectly, by their example, in exciting to the establishment of similar societies in other parts of Europe; and in aiding their infant exertions from their own funds.

In all these schemes and exertions for extending the knowledge and influence of the gospel, the Jews, the ancient Israel of God, a people once near to him, but long since forsaken of him, dispersed and degraded, have not been forgotten. To them the gospel has been preached, and by numbers has been embraced.

But the time would fail me to bring into view all the plans, which have been adopted, and

are now in successful operation, in almost all parts of the Christian world, for spreading the savour of divine truth. It is indeed a day of God's power. He is working wonders on the earth. He is causing the hearts of his people to tremble and rejoice. The prophecies seem to be rapidly fulfilling. And the indications are fast multiplying and brightening, that "the set time to favour Zion" is at hand; and the happy period near, "when the Jews shall be brought in, with the fulness of the Gentile nations," and when all nations shall see and rejoice in the salvation of God. The good Lord hasten it in his own way and time. OBSERVATOR.

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SINCE the apostasy of man no object has been, or can be, equally important and interesting to every thoughtful mind, with that which brought the Son of GOD from heaven. The gospel is indeed tidings of great joy to all people. It is the foundation of our hopes, the charter of our privileges; and to every person, duly convinced of his sin and misery, welcome as the light of heaven. But this conviction implies knowledge of the truth, excellence, and importance of the gospel; and this necessarily presupposes instruction. The divine Author of our salvation accordingly appointed an order of men, to maintain the truth, explain the doctrines, and enforce the duties of his religion, who in the

first age of Christianity were endued with powers to control the elements, heal the sick, and raise the dead. By these powers they gave sensible, irresistible evidence of the truth, and thus compelled belief. But since the apostolic age the defence and propagation of the gospel have been committed to men, destitute of miraculous power and uninspired, whose qualifications for this work are to be derived from deep study, superior science and literature, sanctified by divine grace, and consecrated to this service. But when we hear the great apostle of the Gentiles, though educated by Gamaliel, and endued with power from on high, under the weight of his labours and difficulties exclaiming, "Who is sufficient for these things!" we are more than convinced, that every possible advantage ought to be furnished to those, who in succeeding ages are called, without the aid of inspiration or miracles, to defend and propagate the same gospel, in opposition to the passions of men and the powers of darkness. Or, if we reflect on the immediate object of the ministry, the reconciliation of sinners to God, the same conviction forces itself upon us. For where is the man of adamant, who would deny to the ambassador of Christ any advantage necessary to save even one immortal soul from endless perdition? But the eternal state, not of one only, but of millions of our fellow beings, may, and probably does, in a very serious sense, depend upon the qualifications as well, as fidelity of the ministers of Christ. It is therefore easy

to see that the present and future generations are deeply interested in the preparatory education of candidates for the gospel ministry.

In serious minds therefore this question naturally arises, do candidates for the ministry enjoy those advantages for being thoroughly furnished for their great work, which the difficulties, duties and responsibility of the sacred function require, and which the flourishing state of our country might easily supply? Every pious, well informed Christian is doubtless ready to admit, as a melancholy fact, pregnant with evils inconceivable, that the advantages, commonly enjoyed by students in divinity, are inadequate to the great object of furnishing that knowledge of things human and divine, which is desirable, if not necessary, for the edification of believers, and for the conviction of infidels, and which would render their office respectable, as it ought to be, among friends and foes, and their public instructions in the highest degree useful. If, in addition to a college education, three years study under the direction of some able lawyer or physician is found necessary to qualify a young man to defend the property or heal the bodies of men, can it be thought, that less time and inferior advantages will suffice to qualify a student in theology to preach the gospel of the Son of God, and to take the charge of immortal souls? A transient view of this subject would satisfy every one, that less mental furniture will not qualify a man for the desk, than for a sick room, or for the bar. To a knowledge of the arts and sci

ences in general, especially those immediately connected with the office of a public teacher of religion, as grammar, logic, rhetoric, metaphysics, and ethics, must be added a radical and critical acquaintance with the languages, in which the holy scriptures were originally written, as indispensably requisite to ascertain the true intent of divine inspiration in many important passages; also some acquaintance with the history of the formation, preservation, and transmission of the sacred volume; with the character and use of ancient versions and manuscripts, the canons of biblical criticism, ecclesiastical history, the various religious sects in ancient time, the character and writings of the fathers, the grounds, progress, and doctrines of the reformation, and the great points of controversy, which have divided the Christian world; to say nothing of the various constitutions and forms of discipline and worship, which have existed, and do still exist in the Christian church.

Here it will be recollected, that this necessary information is not to be found collected and arranged in one huge volume; but lies scattered in a multitude of books in various languages, and difficult to be procured, the expense of which alone places them at an inaccessible distance from the young student in theology. But, were they collected in one place, still, without the means of residence there, and even with those means, they would be in great part useless to him, without the assistance

of an able guide to direct the course of his researches, and to regulate his studies.

It is also to be remembered, that the knowledge derived from the preceding sources, however useful and necessary, is no more than auxiliary. Theology, that is, the knowledge of God and of his will, must be derived from the Book of God. The BIBLE therefore is the object to which the student in divine things must direct his first, his last, his constant attention. This divine. book must he study, on this must he meditate day and night, comparing spiritual things with spiritual; until by diligent, persevering, and prayerful examination, he shall be able to ascertain the meaning, scope, and reasoning of the sacred writers, and in this way to make scripture the interpreter of scripture. But in doing this, not only much time and patience will be necessary to the young theologian, but such is the style of scripture, such are the allusions to ancient rites and customs, and such the mysterious nature of many subjects and doctrines of revelation, that he will often need the help of a well informed and judicious instructor.

With respect to the opportunities of preparation for the desk, at present enjoyed, it is well known, that, after the expenses of a public education, the pecuniary circumstances of most candidates will permit but a short time for this purpose; and this short period, when not passed alone, as it often is, with little or no advice, is commonly spent with some clergyman, whom

proximity, economy, or accident may dictate. Happy is it, when the clergyman, thus selected, possesses the talents, leisure, and any considerable part of the books necessary for the direction and instruction of his pupil. But is it not a serious fact, that the preparatory education of many clergymen was itself so narrow, that their libraries are so small, and their avocation so numerous, that it is impracticable for them to afford much assistance to those who may place themselves under their direction? The natural consequence is, that the instructor feeling his pupil a burden, and the pupil remaining a stranger to the extensive walks of sacred literature, and desirous perhaps of proving his talents, a few sermons are written, the pupil commences preacher; and, if he possess popular talents, soon obtains a settlement. Thus are his preparatory studies terminated, and, in many instances, all opportunity of calm, uninterrupted research into the deep things of God. The only season for acquiring a copious fund of appropriate knowledge is lost forever; and parochial duties, domestic cares, and social obligations scarcely permit him opportunity from week to week to prepare two hasty compositions for the Sabbath, instead of the "beaten soil of the sanctuary."

Is it not then apparent, that some farther provision is necessary, and ought to be made for the education of Nazarites for the service of the gospel temple? And what better provision can be made, than a well regulated theological seminary, under the immediate

care of able, learned, and pious professors, in which candidates for the ministry may spend a competent number of years under wise direction and salutary guidance; in which also the indigent may receive needed pecuniary assistance? Such seminaries are said to have been established in the early ages of Christianity; such now exist in Europe; and one such has been recently established by the " Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church" in our own country. Can any reason be assigned, which will satisfy us, that such an institution is not equally necessary, and would not be equally useful to Congregational Christians and churches? But the importance of a theological seminary will be still more apparent, if we contemplate some of the advantages, which may be reasonably expected to result from such an institution. These naturally divide themselves into three classes; those which respect the ministers of the gospel, the people of their charge, and the interests of religion in general.

I. Of the advantages to be derived to ministers themselves from a well endowed theological seminary, the following may be given, as a sketch. Students in divinity may there enjoy a public library, which, in addition to treasures of common science, will be furnished with a rich variety of books in the several branches of sacred literature ; many of which, though of primary importance, such as are seldom, if ever, found in the libraries of clergymen. Their course of study also being directed by judicious professors,

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