No. 11.]

EPISCOPAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

To the Members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. THE Committee of the said Church appointed at the last General Convention on the subject of a Theological Seminary, being now assembled in the city of Philadelphia, address the Members of their Communion on the important subject; and in the discharge of this duty, they enjoy the advantage of a unanimity of opinion among themselves, manifested on the first comparison of their respective views of what had been committed to their consideration.

They perceive the importance of carrying the design into effect, at all events; although, doubtless, it will be with a degree of usefulness, bearing some proportion to the means with which they may be supplied, by the liberality of those who may consent with them in the object of their solicitude. The most essential supply of the exigences of the Church in this institution, will be the appointing of three Professors, whose respective services may be applied to so many different subdivisions of Theological Science. Biblical learning, comprehending the exposition of the Holy Scriptures, with whatever relates to the authenticity of the Sacred Books, and the correct translation of them-Systematic Theology, giving correct views of the doctrines of Scripture, with the authorities sustaining them, and what may be called Historic Theology, give ing correct information of the state of the Church in all ages, and of the Church of England in particular, from the period of the Reformation. In this subdivision will be embraced a knowledge of the opinions of the earVOL. II.

[VOL. II.

ly Fathers of the constitution of the orders of the Ministry. It is desiraChristian Church, and of the various ble that provision may be made for the maintenance of the Professors; so as to detach them from all concerns of parochial cure; without which the design may be carried into operation, but not with equal prospect of benefit to the Church. It is not improbable that the system may be hereafter improved, by the appointment of additional Professors, especially in some of the learned languages; but whose subsistence may not be altogether dependent on their Professorships.

The appointment of a professor, whose services shall be devoted to the exercising of the students in composition and delivery, will be highly expedient. In the mean time, such important objects are not to be unattended to. But whether they may be the most usefully attached to one of the three professorships defined, or be attended to by each Professor in his sphere, in exercises bottomed on the subjects which will be before him, may be left to future deliberation.

The next object of expense oocurring to the Committee, is, the erecting of a building for the different lectures, and for a library, the apartment for which may serve as a place of wor ship for the professors and the students. The Committee do not contemplate the appropriation of any part of the funds to the erection of a building for the residence of the students. The accommodation of the Professors with houses, which may constitute a part of their mainte nance, is, however, deemed desirable. But while the Committee calculate that this institution will furnish the means of theological attainments on 21

an extensive scale, to all classes of candidates for orders; they regard as an object of peculiar importance, the education for the ministry of young men of piety and talents, who may be destitute of pecuniary resources.

When the General Convention sanctioned the establishment of a Theological Seminary, they cominissioned three Reverend Gentlemen to solicit subscriptions in the different departments of the United States. Two of the Reverend Gentlemen have been prevented by other occupations from entering on the work; and the only Gentleman who undertook it, found his district disproportioned to the fulfilment of the expectations of the Church.

Accordingly the Committee have found it necessary to make new arrangements. The persons appointed in consequence of these arrangements, will be furnished with the necessary evidences of their authority.

The Committee will finish their present session, without those details of the projected seminary which, according to a provision of the General Convention, must be submitted to the Bishops of this Church, and obtain the consent of the majority of them before the plan can go into operation. They defer those details until there shall be ascertained the amount of the collections; which must govern in determining the amount of the expense to be incurred. Those details have been the subject of serious deliberation with the Committee; but from their great importance, the Committee are desirous of bestowing on them still farther consideration, and they entertain. the confident expectation, that the plan, in its principles and details, will he satisfactory to the members of the Church; and agreeable to the views of the General Convention, as expressed in their resolutions on the subject.

The Committee ought not to conclude this address without earnestly entreating every member of their communion, whom Providence may have blessed with abundance, or with competency, to consider the proposed institution as of the utmost importance, for the sustaining of its reputation,

and for the giving of due effect to the labours of its ministry. They would also earnestly impress the necessity of extraordinary liberality towards an institution, the establishment of which is so fundamentally connected with the interests and the prosperity of the Church.

The Committee, although not unaware that there are some, who conceive of the clerical calling, as requiring but a slender furniture of intellectual information, accommodate this address to persons who know, that for the defending of the Christian fortress against the assaults of Infidelity, the ministerial combatant must be possessed of weapons of defence, drawn from the same stores which they abuse, of History, of Chronology, of Criticism, and of Natural Science, and that the same preparation is required for the defending of the doctrines of the Reformation against traditionary imposture; and for the vindicating of the Faith of the earliest and best ages of the Church, against innumerable novelties of modern times.

In all exertions for the purpose which have been disclosed, this Church will be treading in the steps of the Mother Church of England; and will be aiming at an imitation of attainments, which have rendered her the most distinguished Church of the Reformation. By the act of transmitting to us her Episcopacy, she has deposited a trust in the matter in question, and in some degree committed her reputation on the event of a due discharge of it.

Even in the circumstances of a great and increasing measure of literary improvement, in a considerable proportion of the members of this Church, there may be perceived a motive for a proportionate improvement of the literary qualifications of those who are to officiate among them in the ministry. For it is naturally the effect of the contrary want of qualification, that men of cultivated understanding, exchange their religious connexion for some other, in which they are no longer witnesses of what they consider dishonour done to religion in general, and to the Church in

A Female Religionist-An Extract.

WHAT do ye more than others? is a reproach with which the enemies of Christianity have, in all ages, but too successfully assailed its votaries. Would that the "religious world," (as it is called,) had never given just occasion for the inquiry, by the inconsistency of their lives with their profession. Yet, let the observer be candid-the Christian, though a renewed, is an imperfect creature still; and the true Israel is not the less holy, because some foreigners have assumed the garb, and learned the dialect of Canaan.

The visitors at Mr. Clifford's house were few and select; yet even in this limited circle there were some whose conduct might provoke the interrogative reproach; and in whose extenuation charity herself can plead no more.

We had not risen from the breakfast-table one morning, when a female, rather young, and fashionably dressed, entered the room. After a few common-place civilities, she turned to Mrs. Clifford, saying, 'I called to tell you that Mr. S-is in town; he preaches to-day at -, and you must positively put on your things, and go with me to hear him.' Could I consistently do so,' replied her friend, I should be very happy to accompany you; but excuse me if I say, that were this excellent man to see the dear little group by which I am surrounded, he would be the first to forbid my leaving them to listen to his sermon.'

Perhaps the conscious recollection of some duty unperformed at home, just then stung the feelings of our fair devotee; or it might be purely a misguided zeal which reddened on her cheek, as she retorted, somewhat sharply, When, like Martha's, the heart is "careful and troubled about many things," it is easy to find a pretext of duty, to prevent our listening to the words of Jesus.'

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Mrs. Clifford mildly answered, 'I hope I am aware of this plausible deception, but in the present instance I am not conscious of meriting the rebuke. You may remember, my dear Mrs. Hammond, that Martha was not censured for a necessary attention to her ordinary and relative duties; but for an undue anxiety, an ostentatious and ill-timed desire of providing "things more than hospitably good." Perhaps, too, I may remind you, that there subsists a visible difference between her neglecting to hear the words of the Redeemer, when he honoured her roof with his sacred presence, and my declining to attend the discourse of one of his servants, when such an attendance would necessarily involve a neglect of duties more strictly enjoined on me.'

You have always a great deal to say about duties, my dear,' resumed the lady; but if I read my Bible àright, no duties are so acceptable with God, as an affectionate reception of his Gospel, and a desire to see his kingdom advanced in our own hearts, and in the world around us.' She

then magnanimously declared her resolution to persist in her attachment to the word preached,' although it continued to expose her to many domestic sacrifices, and involved her in several petty persecutions.

I believe Mrs. Clifford could have evinced to her fair friend, that she had not 'read her Bible aright;' but as a spirit of recrimination certainly was not the temper by which she sought to maintain the honour of religion, she thought it better to drop the subject than to expose her visitor to the imminent risk of losing her temper.

A short silence, therefore, ensued, till Mr. Clifford inquired of Mrs. Hammond, Whether she had yet had an opportunity of visiting the sick woman whose case he recommended to her? No, really,' she replied, 'I have not had one moment of leisure since you named her to me, On Monday, I was at a Bible Society's meeting; Tuesday, I went to hear Mr. preach; Wednesday, I dined at Mrs. Nelson's, where a select number of serious friends were assembled to meet the Rev. Mr. H-; all Thursday I was occupied in endeavouring to procure subscribers to our Dorcas Society; and to-day I shall hardly have time to swallow my dinner, on my return home, before the arrival of a lady who has promised to go with me to hear a sermon for the benefit of our Sunday School.'

As Mrs. Hammond paused, I asked my friend, in a low voice, If it were possible to be religiously dissipated? I fear it is possible, though not, I should hope, a very frequent case,' he observed; then turning to the lady who had given birth to the supposition, he said, As your engagements are already so numerous, I fear your intended charity will come too late for poor Susan. Our Emma saw her on Wednesday; she was then almost incapable of receiving any nourishment; and, I believe, that in a few days her sufferings and her wants will cease."

If I mistake not, Mr Clifford designed to convey a practical reproof to this wandering star,' and perhaps for a moment it was felt as such; but soon the salutary effects of her regret

evaporated in extravagant expressions of sorrow. 'Surely, she exclaimed, there never was so unfortunate a being before. I would have made any sacrifices rather than have lost the opportunity of hearing the dying language of this poor but pious creature!' Then addressing Emma, How I envy you, Miss Clifford! it must be a sweet satisfaction to reflect on the many hours which, for this year past, you have spent in reading to the aged sufferer. Perhaps, my dear, you will write a short narrative of her; it would be a charming obituary: send it to me when it is drawn up, and I will get it published next month. Don't you think it would be very interesting, Mrs. Clifford?' she continued, turning to her, before she had given Emma time to reply.

Emma bit her lips to prevent a smile, though the mention of Susan's name at other times might more easily have drawn a tear to her eyes.

Mrs. Clifford replied, "To us, who have so long witnessed her patient sufferings, every circumstance of Susan's death would be highly interesting: but I doubt whether it would be equally so to the public eye. I agree with you, however, in thinking that Emma has been highly privileged in reading to her from that sacred volume, which has furnished the comfort and support of a long life. In witnessing the triumph of a faith like Susan's, at once so humble and so strong, she has enjoyed an opportunity of instruction, which may never again occur, and which, I trust, she will not fail to improve. A tear, which involuntarily started in Emma's eyes, seemed to promise that she would not.

'Nor shall I forget, mamma,' said Harriet, a sprightly girl, not twelve years old, how cheerful and thankful poor Susan was the last time I went with you to see her. Don't you recollect, mamma, how she shook my hand when I toasted the bread, and put the spice and sugar in her watergruel?' Harriet would have gone on, but her mother prevented it, by saying,

Since you have so much to say about yourself, Harriet, I must, in future, take Sophia or little Jane with me.'