23. No alteration or addition shall be made to this Constitution, without a vote of three fourths of the members of the Association, nor until such alteration has been proposed to the Association at least 1 week. *** The hours of work the last terın were 5 o'cl'k and half past 11 o'clock A. M. and 5 o'clock P. M. except Saturday, when they were 5 and 11 A. M. No conversation is allowed in the shop, except what relates necessarily to the work. NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS. A Discourse pronounced before the Maine Branch of the American Education Society, at its annual meeting in Hallowell, June 27, 1827. By Asa Cummings. "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary." Isaiah 50: 4. In the introduction, the preacher shows that the words of the text belong preeminently to Christ. But, as in every respect in which comparison is admissible, Christ is the great pattern for ministers in all ages, he employs the text to illustrate the connexion between sound learning, and simplicity, and adaptedness in communicating divine truth. It is an obvious fact, that no one can communicate clearly what he does not himself fully apprehend. Simplicity, then, in communicating truth, depends on a clear perception of the truth. The author finds an illustration of this part of his subject, in the admirable history of Joseph, which was written by one "skilled in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." Another he finds in the instructions of Christ. The same is true, in a high degree of the Apostles. Instead of being ignorant men, in the modern sense of the word, they were fully qualified for their office by the personal counsels and instructions of Christ, and by supernatural gifts. who are patronised by Education Societies. "Far be it from me, by any thing that has been said, to countenance for a moment the idea, that any human attainments of a teacher can serve as a substitute for an experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified He must have that knowledge of God and the Saviour, which is eternal life; and from his own experience of a pilgrim's life, must be able to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Without this, all other attainments are inadequate. If his '-learning, like the lunar beam, affords Light, but not heat; and leaves him undevout, Frozen at heart, while speculation shines,' it will fail of leading the burdened soul to Him, who has provided complete and 'eternal rest for the weary.' If he knows not the conflicts of a spiritual mind, struggling against its internal corruption, what aid can he bring to the souls of his fellow creatures, when ready to sink under the severity of similar conflicts? If he has never resisted the power and the arts of the god of this world, how shall he teach others to ward off the fiery darts of the wicked one? How shall he sympathize in the distresses of an awakened, convicted, anxious soul, if the commandment has never come' with power to his own? How can he adequately desire the deliverance of others from the guilt and misery of sin, if he has not felt what it is to groan under the intolerable severity of its bondage? How can he bring the strength of faith, the ardour of prayer, the unwearied application of divine truth, to the case of a perishing fellow creature, if he has not formed some proper estimate of the worth of the soul, and been permitted to sing a new song, even praise to our God, for the deliverance of his own?" "Our subject throws some light upon the character of that class of men, whom Education Societies are striving to raise up and send abroad through the land and through the world. It is not a race who are to arrogate to themselves a questionable superiority-not a race to domineer over their fellow creatures in the ordina The limits of this brief notice do ry walks of life--to look down upon them not admit of introducing at length the with scorn-to trample upon their natural rights to walk through society in the argument of Mr. Cummings on this in- strength of unfeeling pride and mock at teresting topic. The following ex- the woes and sufferings of their fellowtracts will show however, that he is creatures. --No-It is men who shall far from including all the qualifica- know how to speak a word in season to tions of a minister in 'sound learning, him, that is weary-who shall possess a tender and sympathizing heart, be more and may correct some erroneous im- forward to endure misery than to inflict pressions, which are sometimes enter-it-who shall condescend to men of low tained, in regard to the kind of men, estate, and treat the weakest and feeblest of their species as fellow-creatures, trav-cating young men of piety and pro elling to the same immortality with them selves. "It is not the design of the Education Society to raise up an Ecclesiastical aristocracy, who shall bind the consciences of men, or lord it over God's heritage; but such as show out of a good conversation their works in the meekness of wis dom-as shall be ensamples in word, in conversation, in doctrine, in faith, in purity. Such as shall go and search out the scattered remnant of Christ's fold, and invite sinners from the highways and hedges to the Gospel feast;-such as will not shrink from arduous, humble, self-denying service, but cheerfully undergo any thing which a human being can be expected to sustain, in subserviency to the great object of bringing many sons to glory;--such as shall feed the flock, and seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and bind up that which was broken, and strengthen that which was sick.' " It is not a race of mean spirited youth, who can find no other employment, or whose mental resources are so limited, that they cannot rise to eminence in another profession, or engage with fair prospects in another pursuit; whom we are moved by pity to themselves to help.--No -it is men of magnanimity, as well as christian piety; men who have bowels of compassion, as well as greatness of soul; and are willing to give up themselves to the service of Christ and his church." Ninth Report of the Directors of the Western Education Society of the State of New York, presented May 2, 1827.-pp. 30. The local situation of this Society is one of peculiar interest. Placed in the midst of a fertile country, rich in the productions of nature and of art, with an enterprising and teeming population, where the influences of God's Spirit are widely poured out, and numerous and flourishing institutions of learning are springing up, it can hardly fail of receiving a liberal share of patronage; while the wants of thousands within its own limits, and of tens of thousands in regions still more destitute beyond its bounds, open a wide and almost boundless field, for its efforts. We are happy to see, among a people thus situated, a lively and growing interest in the work of edu mise, for the ministry. The present efforts of the Western Education Society, as appears from the Report mentioned above, are chiefly directed to aid young men in Hamilton College, and to support a boarding establishment which has been put up in the vicinity of the College, by the Society, for this purpose. A large part of the donations acknowledged, consist of provisions and other articles for the boarding house, and of clothing for the beneficiaries. A Steward is appointed to superintend the concerns of the establishment; and a General Agent devotes his time to the interests of the Society, for which he receives a salary. The number of beneficiaries aided by the Society from Jan. 1826 to May 1827, the period embraced in the Report, is 26; the number aided at the boarding establishment, at Clinton, 16. The whole amount of cash and of property contributed during the same time, is estimated at $2881, 38. The debts of the Society amount to $1550,00. A plan has been adopted, which has been found to be successful, of appointing agents in every town, to solicit donations and make collections for the Society; and 170 agents are thus appointed who reside in 130 towns and societies, extending from the St. Lawrence to Pennsylvania, and from Montgomery to Cayuga counties. One thousand and eighty individuals, belonging to 85 different congregations, contributed in various ways to the Society, during the period stated in the Report, besides 34 societies where the individuals are not named. Twenty six of those aided in past years are preaching the Gospel, and some of them have been distinguished instruments of good. The Society is auxiliary to the Presbyterian Education Society, which has lately become a Branch of the A E. S. The following extract presents in a just and striking manner the connexion which the cause of Education Societies has with the success of other benevolent objects. "After all that has been done, and all the efforts now making to increase the number of able and devoted ministers, it is a notorious fact, that the number of waste and destitute places in our country is very fast increasing. From the report of the Western Domestic Missionary Society we learn, that within fourteen adja can be circulated where there is no ministration of the word; but how little will they be read; and how much less regarded? The Sabbath itself connot be long maintained, where there is no regular preaching. If other institutions for promoting religion and morality are not accompanied with the regular ministrations cent counties in this section of the state, ❘ of the gospel, they will shortly languish eighty ministers are needed, more than are now labouring in this district, if we only number one minister to each town; and even this portion of country must be considered as well supplied, when compared with any given portion of the territory that lies west of us. A single glance over our western country, with a population increasing almost beyond a parallel, when we consider its prospects in a moral point of view, fills the mind with most alarming apprehensions. The moral desolations which overspread the western states; the flood of error and the deluge of wickedness that result from the want of religious instruction, threaten to sweep away not only the blessings of true religion, but the boasted freedom of our republican institutions. That none but a virtuous community can be free, and that virtue cannot be supported without religious institutions, are maxims universally acknowledged. But how can religious institutions be supported, without an adequate number of able and devoted ministers? And where are these ministers to be obtained? The present number is not adequate to the present demand. Societies can be named, that have been for months without a minister, solely because no suitable men could be obtained for them. The young men from our seminaries are generally engaged for weeks, and often months, before they are licensed to preach. Seldom, indeed, do we find a devoted candidate, who has not more calls than he is able to supply. Where then, can we look for a supply to meet the necessities of the rapidly increasing population of our country? "Vigorous and increasing efforts are making, to extend the interest of domes tic missions, of Sabbath schools, of bible and tract societies. We rejoice in these exertions, and would gladly co-operate in every thing that may encourage them. But how far can they be extended; and how long will they continue without Education Societies? What can missionary Societies accomplish without suitable missionaries? How difficult it must be to establish Sabbath Schools, and how nearly impossible to maintain them permanently, where there is no stated preaching of the gospel? Bibles and tracts, it is true and die. But where are the ministers, to carry into effect, so far as preaching the gospel is concerned, all the extensive plans of benevolence that are moving on and annually increasing, not only in this, but in most other parts of our country, and of the christian world? They are not in the field of labour. They are not in our Theological Seminaries or Education Societies. All that are here pursuing their preparatory studies bear but a small proportion to the demands that are fast increasing. And how can we hope to supply these demands? How can we do any thing towards effecting this object, except by means of Education Societies? If these are suffered to languish; if special efforts are not made to increase their operations, all other religious and charitable institutions must be proportionally retarded. That these views accord with the sentiments of the religious community, appears from the increasing efforts now making, extensively to promote the object of these societies." The following are the officers of Western Education Society. HON. THOMAS R. GOLD, President. REV. JAMES EELLS, Corresponding Sec'ry. To the above notice of the Western Education Society, the following resolutions may be properly subjoined. CONVENTION AT AUBURN. A convention for inquiry, on the subject of raising up a competent number of ministers of the gospel, held an adjourned meeting, in the chapel of the The ological Seminary in Auburn, on Wednesday evening, August 15, 1827. The Rev. John Brown D. D. was appointed chairman, and the Rev. Samuel T. Mills, secretary. Prayer was offered for the divine blessing and direction. The Committee appointed the last year by this Convention made a report, which was accepted Whereupon, Resolved, That each member of this convention use his individual influence, to carry into full and vigorous operation the system of the Am. Ed. Society, as arranged with the Presbyterian Ed. Society. The Committee introduced to the Convention the subject of a school, which is in contemplation to be established in the western district; "which, while it shall combine all the modern improvements in education, shall have as its great and leading object, to which all its regulations and instructions shall be subservient, the inculcation of evangelical principles and the promotion of vital piety." Resolved, That the establishment of schools of this character be approved; and that in the opinion of this Convention, the duty of parents, and the interests of the church and the world, demand that those who are employed in the education of children and youth, so far as is practicable, be persons of decidedly christian character and evangelical sentiments; and that the course of instruction pursued schools be, as much as possible, such, as continually to present to the view of the pupils the truths and duties of the Christian religion, and to bring them under the governing influence of the gospel. Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to procure the publication of the minutes of this convention in the religious journals of the western district. Resolved, That this Convention be adjourned, meet at this place on Wednesday evening succeeding the next annual examination in this seminary, for the purpose of deliberating on such subjects of general haterest to the cause of evangelical religion, as may be then introduced. The meeting was closed with prayer. SAMUEL T. MILLS, Sec'ry. MISCELLANEOUS. The following notice appeared a short time since in the Christian Mirror of Portland. The alterations to which it refers are exceedingly important, and such as the circumstances of a flourishing and rapidly increasing state, like that of Maine, evidently demanded. It cannot be doubted, that they will have a happy influence upon the Seminary, and secure for it a more ample and general patronage than it has heretofore received. BANGOR THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Mr. Cummings,-At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Theological Institution, at Bangor, August 2, 1827, some important alterations were made in the course of study which has heretofore been pursued at this Seminary, which you are requested to make public through the medium of your paper. Whereas this Institution is authorized by its charter to provide the means of instruction both in Literature and Theology, the Trustees, desirous of fulfilling the purposes of the charter, with reference especially to those who contemplate the work of the ministry, and desirous of providing chiefly for their Theological instruction, do hereby adopt the following resolutions. Resolved 1st-That the regular course of study for members of this Institution shall be a three years' course of Theological study-comprising Biblical Literature, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Duties, and Sacred Rhetoric. Resolved Adly-That for the present there shall be two Instructers, one of whom shall instruct in Systematic Theology and Pastoral Duties, and the other in Biblical Literature and Sacred Rhetoric. Resolved 3dly, That in order to make suitable provision for persons desirous of receiving the benefits of this institution, who may not have received a collegiate education, an additional Instructer shall be appointed, and appropriations, when needed, shall be made from the funds, to assist such persons in the necessary preparatory studies." It will be seen from the preceding resolves that this Seminary has now assumed a form corresponding with that of other Theological Seminaries of our country. It will be seen also, that, in accordance with its original design, provision has been made for the necessary preparatory instruction of such persons as may not have enjoyed the advantage of a regular academic course of study. It is, however, the fixed determination of the Trustees to encourage none to enter upon Theological studies without a collegiate education except in peculiar cases. At the same meeting of the board, Mr. Geo. E. Adams, late of Andover Theol. Seminary, and Classical Instructer in this Institution the past year, was unanimously elected Professor of Biblical Literature and Sacred Rhetoric; and a committee was raised to procure an instructer in the literary department. S. L. POMROY, Sec'ry of the Board. Bangor, Aug. 7, 1827. It is expected that the way will be prepared for beginning the three years' course of theological study, contemplated by the Trustees at the commencement of the next term. Provision will then also be made for those, who may wish to pursue a preparatory course. Charitable assistance will be afforded on the same ground as formerly. EXTRACT FROM DR. PORTER'S SERMON, preached in Boston before the Pastoral Association of Massachusetts, May 29, 1827. The remarks below are as seasonable, as they are forcible. They relate to a subject of fundamental importance to the civil and religious prosperity of our country. Is it not time, and more than time, that the friends of good order and Christianity were rallying their forces around this common bulwark of our religion? A Society is loudly called for that shall concentrate the influence of the good, and bring public opinion to bear with steady and resistless energy upon this subject, as it is already beginning to do upon several kindred subjects. Dr. Porter is speaking of the importance of pastoral influence to counteract the growing vices of the land. "The time does not allow me to confirm these remarks, by any detail of reasoning or facts. We can look at one illustration only, the growing profanation of the Christian Sabbath. All my hearers know, as well as I, on what author-declamation among us. Allow to these ity this institution rests, and with what degree of sanctity, and of salutary influence, it has been observed by the past generations of New England. You know, too, that multitudes now, have come to discard, in theory, all obligation to keep the sabbath holy, beyond the obligation of human expediency; and that in practice a greater number still, throughout this christian country, including not a few of its legislators, and magistrates, habitually disregard this holy day. Ah,where will this current carry us? The force of law on this subject is gone. The force of ancient habit is dying away. The ship in full sail keeps on her course for a short time after her canvass is taken in; but if the propelling power is not renewed, she moves slowly,--stops,--and is drifted backward by the tide. Let me solemnly ask, brethren, if the progress of our declension is not stayed, who can undertake to say, that within fifty years, the carman and the ploughman will not prosecute their labour on the sabbath, under the very windows of the sanctuary: and its songs of devotion be drowned, by the revelry of the shooting match, or the noise of the military parade. Henceforth statutes will exert no influence to preserve our sabbath. It must be preserved by another influence, the influence of that gospel, which it is your business, brethren, to carry home with its sanctifying power to the hearts of men. And the call on you is for a combined influence; for when your efforts shall be as united and earnest, as the call is urgent, they will be little enough to achieve an object so momentous. "There is another thought, which gives to this subject a still more fearful interest. Suppose that, without this union and effort, Christian institutions might be preserved here, amid the graves of our Winthrops and Mathers; what is to become of those immense regions of our country, where no influence of a pious ancestry will ever be felt. We can only give a glance at the prospect, and yet that glance is appalling. A flood of emigration is rolling westward, from Europe and the Atlantic states. Where the forests of ages lately stood, cultivated fields, and commercial villages and cities appear, as by the hand of enchantment. Think of the unborn millions that will overspread these regions. Without christian institutions, what influence can fit them for eternity? What influence can control the fierceness of their passions, and make them good citizens? None. Tell me not of the lofty patriotism, the love of liberty, and of national glory, so often the theme of boastful principles in worldly minds their utmost efficacy; still they will sanctify no man's heart; they will restrain no man's tongue from purjury or blasphemy, - no man's hand from violence. To the multitudes that will throng that world at the west, some better basis will be needed for their morals, and their immortal hopes. They must have the sabbath;-they must be brought under the power of the gospel, or they will become abandoned men, the victims of their own licentiousness, and like the hosts of Attila, 'the scourge of God' to their country." We cannot forbear to add one more extract, since it is not only calculated to enforce what is said above, but to encourage Christians to unite their efforts in a thousand other objects. "Union is strength. A single hempen filament is snapped asunder by the gentlest touch; but multiply such siender filaments, and combine them together, and you have a cable, by which the ship may be held to its anchorage, amid the fury of the waves, and ride out the tempest in safety. Ten soldiers might defend a fortification, against a million of assailants, who should make their attacks one by one; while they could not resist, for a moment, the combined onset of an army with heavy artillery. The united efforts of five men may easily raise a weight, which no individual of the five could stir. The principle holds not more universally of mechanical than of moral power, that union is strength; and in the latter, the converse is especially true, that division is weakness. For here is not merely the loss sustained by each individual from the failure of a brother's agency to support, but often from its being opposed to his own. The difficulty lies not so much in want of cooperation, as in counteraction. "Union is strength, in our holy warfare. What soldier of the cross, must not feel invincible, when surrounded by fellow soldiers, who are inspired by one spirit, trained to the same holy discipline and marching under the standard of the same divine Leader. "Union is strength, in our work of faith and labor of love. A comparatively feeble band of pious Jews under Nehemiah, in fifty two days, built the walls of a city, from a heap of rubbish. How difierent must have been the result, if each laborer, while he worked with one hand, had used the other, not to wield a weapon of defence against the common enemy, but to annoy his fellow laborers, and throw down their work." |