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 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 
 
 Princeton, N. J. 
 
 te 
 
 ** 
 
 Jjf Bequeathed by the Hon. E. BOUDINOT, LL.D. J 
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 ( Book,,, j 
 
 1 No. j 
 
 
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HIE 
 
 CONSTITUTION 
 
 AND 
 
 ASSOCIATE STATUTES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 IN 
 
 AXDOVER; 
 
 WITH A SKETCH OF ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEE*. 
 
 BOSTON ; 
 
 PUBLISHED BY FARRAND, MALLORY, AND CO 
 
 SUFFOLK BUILDINGS, STATE STREET. 
 
 Belcher and Armstrong, Printers. 
 
 1808. 
 
HISTORIC SKETCH, 
 
 exhibited at. the opening of the theological 
 institution. 
 
 :by eliphalet pearson, ll.d. 
 
 1 O gratify a common and salutary principle of hu- 
 man nature, it has been thought proper to introduce 
 the communications of the day with a brief account of 
 the rise, progress, and object of the Institution, now to 
 be organized. To arrive at its origin, it must be trac- 
 ed back to the pious Institution, more than thirty years 
 since founded in this place by the united liberality of two 
 brothers, the Hon. Samuel and the Hon. John Phillips, 
 sons 6f the first Minister of this Parish. In the Consti- 
 tution of their Academy they expressly declare " that 
 " the Jirst and principal object of their Institution is the 
 "promotion of true Piety and Virtue." They 
 have also accordingly made it the duty of the princi- 
 pal Instructor, "as the age and capacities of theschol- 
 " ars will admit, not only to instruct and establish them 
 " in the truth of Christianity, but also to inculcate upon 
 u them the great and important doctrines and duties of 
 " our holy religion." In promotion of the same sub- 
 lime object the Hon. John Phillips farther gave in the 
 year 1789, the generous sum of $20,000, "for the 
 " virtuous and pious education of youth of genius and 
 serious disposition" in this Academy. To complete 
 
his liberality, in his last Will he bequeathed to the Acad- 
 emy in Exeter, of which he was sole Founder, two 
 thirds and to the Academy in this town one third of the 
 residue of all his Estate, " for the benefit," as his ex- 
 pression is, " more especially of charity scholars, such 
 " as may be of excelling genius, and of good moral 
 " character, preferring the hopefully pious ; and such of 
 "these, who are designed to be employed in the great 
 " and good work of the gospel ministry, having acquir- 
 " ed the most useful human literature in either of these 
 " Academies or other Seminaries, may be assisted in the 
 " study of Divinity (if a Theological Professor is not 
 " employed in either of the two forementioned Acade- 
 " mies) under the direction of some eminent Calvinis- 
 " tic Minister of the gospel, until such time, as an able, 
 il pious, and orthodox Instructor shall, at least in part, 
 " be supported in one or both these Academies, as a 
 " Professor of Divinity ; by whom they may be taught 
 " the important principles and distinguishing tenets of 
 " our holy Christian religion." To this Fund the Hon. 
 William Phillips, late of Boston, also bequeathed 
 S4000 for the same pious design. 
 
 In the special appropriation of this Fund every one 
 must remark the expansion of the great object of the 
 Founders of the Academy, and its intimate connexion 
 ivith the Theological Institution now established ; and, 
 agreeably to the principal design of the Founders and to 
 the express object of this Fund, a considerable number 
 of theological Students, now settled in the ministry, 
 have been supported on this Foundation, while prose- 
 
cuting their studies under the direction of the Clergy- 
 man of this place. 
 
 On a well grounded expectation of liberal additions 
 to their theological fund, the Trustees in June 1807 
 applied to the General Court, to enlarge their power of 
 holding estate and obtained the following Act. 
 
 " Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; Whereas the 
 " Trustees of Phillips Academy have petitioned this 
 " Court for liberty to receive and hold donations of 
 " charitably disposed persons, for the purpose of a The- 
 " ological Institution, and in furtherance of the designs 
 " of the pious Founders and Benefactors of said Acade- 
 " my ; and, whereas it is reasonable, that the prayer 
 " should be granted ; 
 
 " Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
 " sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the 
 " authority of the same, that the said Trustees of Phil- 
 " lips Academy be, and they are hereby impowered to 
 " receive, purchase, and hold, for the purposes afore - 
 "said, real and personal estate, the annual income 
 " whereof shall not exceed 85000, in addition to what 
 " they are now allowed by law to hold ; provided the 
 " income of the said real and personal estate be always 
 "applied to said objects, agreeably to the will of 
 "the Donors, if consistent with the original design of 
 " the Founders of the said Academy." 
 
 The expectation, which gave rise to this enlargement 
 of power, we now see fulfilled in the broad foundation, 
 since laid for the support oi theological Professors and 
 Students in this Seminary. 
 
6 
 
 Such, as we have now represented, is the connexion 
 between Phillips Academy and the Theological Institu- 
 tion, whose birth we this day celebrate ; and justice as 
 well, as gratitude, requires us to recognize the former, 
 as the radix of the latter, and as the embryo of its fu- 
 ture manhood. 
 
 But, while we trace back the new Institution to the 
 pious benevolence of men now in Heaven ; we must 
 not, we cannot fail to acknowledge the immeasurable 
 goodness of God in raising up others to enlarge and 
 perfect, what they had begun. It is indeed the Lord's 
 doings and it is marvellous in our eyes. That so ma- 
 ny persons, in different sections of the community, 
 should at the same period, and without communication, 
 be impressed with the necessity of such an Institution, 
 an Institution unnamed in the annals of this country 
 and of Europe ; and that men, possessing the ability, per- 
 sonally unknown to each other, should at the same mo- 
 ment be moved, with almost unprecedented liberality, 
 to devote their property to the education of a pious and 
 learned ministry, must compel, one would think, even 
 atheism itself to acknowledge that there is a God in 
 heaven, who ruleth among the children of men. Those 
 especially, whose situation and agency have furnished 
 the best opportunity of observing the many striking 
 proofs of the interposing, guiding, and controlling hand 
 of divine Providence in the formation of this Institu- 
 tion, have had abundant cause to exclaim, in the lan- 
 guage of pious gratitude, " Not unto us, O Lord, not 
 l< unto us, but unto thy name give glory." 
 
As the nature and object of the Institution, togeth- 
 er with the motives, views, and expectations of the 
 Founders, will fully appear from their respective Stat- 
 utes, now to be read ; it is unnecessary to enlarge on 
 these topics. I shall only observe that, as the Semi- 
 nary originated in a conviction of the importance of a 
 learned and evangelical ministry ; so its primary object 
 is to lay such a foundation of sacred literature, as will 
 best support and protect the superstructure of gospel 
 truth against the open assaults and secret machinations 
 of atheism, infidelity, and error. Not the peculiarities 
 of any sect or party, but the great -system of revealed 
 truth, contained in the Bible, avowed by the Reformers, 
 embraced by our Fore-fathers, and expressed in the As- 
 sembly's catechism ; it will be the duty of the Profes- 
 sors to illustrate and maintain ; as must be evident from 
 the creed, which they are required to subscribe. Nor 
 will any force or influence, but that of tntth,be employ- 
 ed with the Students, to gain their assent to any system 
 or doctrine. And surely no man of understanding and 
 information can with propriety denominate that system 
 of Christian doctrine sectarian, which, as appears from 
 the Harmony of Confessions, has been received and 
 professed by all Protestant Churches in Europe ; which 
 was the faith of the first settlers of this country, and is 
 still the faith of the great body of their pious descend- 
 ants. It is true indeed, that some difference in opinion 
 and practice, relative to discipline, rites, and modes of 
 worship, early took place among Protestants in Europe 
 as well, as in this country ; which has given rise to sev- 
 eral denominations of Christians. Still however the 
 
8 
 
 great doctrines of the reformation continue to consti- 
 tute the public creed of our Churches and the faith of 
 most private Christians. If it be true, that some indi- 
 viduals, who call themselves Christians, have renounc- 
 ed the doctrines of the reformation in general, or any 
 cardinal doctrine in particular; such individuals, not 
 the body of Christians, still embracing those doctrines, 
 merit the epithet sectarian. These observations are 
 made, not to censure any, who on some points may 
 think differently from us ; but merely to exhibit this 
 infant Seminary in its proper attitude and true light ; 
 and to guard against those misapprehensions and fears, 
 which it is natural even for honest and serious minds 
 to entertain, concerning an Institution so novel and so 
 interesting. Conscious, that our object is to defend 
 and disseminate the pure gospel of Christ, we are soli- 
 citous, that so good a cause may not suffer from preju- 
 dice, and that through us divine truth receive no detri- 
 ment. Of the unbelieving and fearful we request, that 
 they judge nothing before the time ; and, when that ar- 
 rives, that we may be judged according to our works. 
 The tree is known by its fruit. Till that is formed 
 and matured, the wise man will suspend his judgment 
 and his fears, and the man of real candor will hope the 
 best. 
 
 In tracinsr the origin of the new Institution the ven- 
 erable Founders of the Academy, which bears their 
 name, have arisen to our view in grateful remembrance; 
 but even the tribute of justice has not been paid to the 
 prime mover as well, as active patron of that Seminary. 
 Let it then for once be publicly announced, and this 
 
without diminishing the merit of the generous Found- 
 ers, that to the sagacious, originating, and disinterest- 
 ed mind of the late patriotic Lieut. Governor Phillips, 
 is the world indebted for the conception of an Institu- 
 tion, from which so many blessings have already flow- 
 ed to the community. 
 
 What in this connexion merits particular notice, 
 because in this country without a parallel, this 
 gentleman at the early age of twenty-one, instead 
 of plans for personal wealth and aggrandizes ^nt, was 
 planning the Constitution of yonder Academy, and de- 
 vising the means of its future existence. Yes, this 
 singular young man, the only surviving son of his hon- 
 oured Father, and the darling of his childless Uncle, by 
 his pious representations induced them to devote to 
 this object of his heart no small portion of that prop- 
 erty, to which himself was a natural heir. Nor could 
 the anxieties and labors of public life, during our rev- 
 olutionary war, divert his attention from his favorite de- 
 sign. For in the midst of our national distresses he 
 hastened into actual existence his beloved Academy. 
 What an example to young men of talents ; what an 
 encouragement to all of every age ! May this monu- 
 ment of his wisdom and piety be as lasting, as time ; 
 and may the expansion of it stimulate many to come 
 and do likewise. 
 
 While we naturally regret, that this paragon of pub- 
 lic spirit so early took his upward flight ; we have to 
 bless God, that his mantle descended on those around 
 him ; and that a copious portion of the same spirit has 
 been granted to others, whom delicacy forbids me to 
 
10 
 
 name. These also have come, and joined themselves 
 to this sacred Institution ; and largely have they brought 
 of the gold of Ophir to the offerings of the Lord. May 
 the God of Heaven bless them ; may they long live to 
 witness the good fruits of their munificence ; and here- 
 after may they inherit durable riches and righteousness 
 in that Kingdom, which shall never be moved. 
 
 The silver and the gold are mine, saith Jehovah; and it 
 is the Lord, that giveth power to get wealth, and a 
 heart to employ it in his service. To Him therefore, 
 who worketh all things according to the counsel of his 
 own will, must we ultimately refer the origin and pro- 
 gress of this Institution ; and to that Almighty Being, 
 who is the sole Author of every good and perfect gift, be 
 ascribed all the honor and glory of this great work ; 
 and let the Founders and all the people say, Amen. 
 
CONSTITUTION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 
 
 It having pleased the Father of lights and Author of 
 all good to inspire the late Honorable Samuel Phillips 
 of Andover in the County of Essex and Common- 
 wealth of Massachusetts Esquire, and the late Honor- 
 able John Phillips of Exeter in the County of Rock- 
 ingham and State of New-Hampshire Esquire, with 
 the pious determination to make " a humble dedication 
 " to their Heavenly Benefactor of the ability, wherewith 
 u He had blessed them," by laying, in the year 1778, 
 in the South Parish in Andover aforesaid, the founda- 
 tion of a public Academy, for the instruction of youth,, 
 not only in the learned languages and in various useful 
 Arts and Sciences, but principally for the promotion of 
 true piety and virtue ; — it having also pleased the In- 
 finite Mind, at subsequent periods, to excite the said 
 John Phillips, and likewise the late Honorable William 
 Phillips, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and Com- 
 monwealth aforesaid Esquire, to make liberal provi- 
 sion, not only for " promoting the virtuous and pious 
 " education of indigent youth of genius, and of serious 
 " disposition, in said Academy ;" but " more especially 
 " for the benefit of charity Scholars of excelling genius, 
 " good moral character, hopefully pious, and designed 
 ei for the great and good work of the gospel ministry, 
 
12 
 
 " who, having acquired the most useful human Litera- 
 ture, may be assisted in the study of Divinity, under 
 " the direction of some eminent Calvinistic Minister of 
 " the gospel, until such time, as an able, pious, and 
 " orthodox Instructor shall be supported in the said 
 " Academy, as a Professor of Divinity, by whom they 
 " may be taught the important and distinguishing te- 
 " nets of our Holy Christian Religion" 
 
 In pursuance therefore of the same benevolent and 
 pious object, and with a desire to devote a part of the 
 substance, with which Heaven has blessed us, to the 
 defense and promotion of the Christian Religion, by 
 making some provision for increasing the number of 
 learned and able defenders of the gospel of Christ, as 
 well as of orthodox, pious, and zealous Ministers of the 
 New Testament ; being moved by the same Spirit, 
 which actuated the Founders and Benefactors afore- 
 said, and influenced, as we hope, by a principle of 
 gratitude to Go d and benevolence to man ; — 
 
 We, Phoebe Phillips of said Andover, Relict of Sam- 
 uel Phillips Esquire late Lieutenant-Governor of the 
 Commonwealth aforesaid, and John Phillips, son of the 
 said Samuel Phillips and Phoebe Phillips, do hereby 
 jointly and severally obligate ourselves to erect and 
 finish, with all convenient- dispatch, two separate build- 
 ings, one of which to be three stories high, and of such 
 other dimensions, as to furnish convenient lodging- 
 rooms for fifty Students ; and the other building to be 
 two stories high, and of such dimensions, as to furnish, 
 in addition to a kitchen and private rooms necessary to 
 a Steward's family,, three public rooms, one for a dining 
 
13 
 
 Hall, one for a Chapel and Lecture room, (each suffi- 
 ciently large to accommodate sixty Students) and a 
 third for a Library, the said buildings to be located by 
 direction of the Trustees of Phillips Academy ; — and 
 I Samuel Abbot of Andover aforesaid Esquire, with 
 the same views, and in furtherance of the same design, 
 do hereby give, assign, and set over unto the Trustees 
 aforesaid the sum of twenty thousand dollars, in trust, 
 as a fund for the purpose of maintaining a Professor 
 of Christian Theology (reserving to myself the right of 
 appointing the first Professor on this Foundation) and 
 for the support and encouragement of Students in Di- 
 vinity ; both the said buildings and the interest or 
 annual income of the said sum of money to be forever 
 appropriated and applied by the Trustees aforesaid for 
 the use and endowment of such a public Theological 
 Institution in Phillips Academy, as is herein after des- 
 cribed, and on the following express conditions, viz. 
 that the said Institution be accepted by the Trustees 
 aforesaid, and that it be forever conducted and govern- 
 ed by them and their Successors in conformity to the 
 following general Principles and Regulations, which 
 we unitedly adopt and ratify as the Constitution of the 
 same, reserving to ourselves, however, during our na- 
 tural lives the full right jointly to make any additional 
 regulations, or to alter any rule herein prescribed, pro- 
 vided such regulation or alteration be not prejudicial 
 to the true design of this Foundation, viz. 
 
 First. This Institution or Seminary shall be equal 
 ly open to Protestants of every denomination for the 
 admission of young men of requisite qualifications. 
 
14- 
 
 Second. Every candidate for admission into this 
 Seminary shall produce satisfactory evidence, that he 
 possesses good natural and acquired talents, has honor- 
 ably completed a course of liberal education, and sus- 
 tains a fair moral character. He shall also declare that 
 it is his serious intention to devote himself to the work 
 of the gospel ministry, (unless in certain peculiar cases 
 it appear to the Trustees, or a Committee of their ap- 
 pointment, that the object of this Institution will be 
 promoted by excusing a pious applicant from making 
 this declaration) and exhibit proper testimonials of his 
 being in full communion with some Church of Christ; 
 in default of which he shall subscribe a declaration of 
 his belief of the Christian Religion. 
 
 Third. The Students in this Seminary shall be 
 aided in their preparation for the ministry by able Pro- 
 fessors ; whose duty it shall be, by public and private 
 instruction, to unlock the treasures of divine knowledge, 
 to direct the Pupils in their inquiries after sacred truth, 
 to guard them against religious error, and to accelerate 
 their acquisition of heavenly wisdom. 
 
 Fourth. The public instruction shall be given in 
 Lectures on Natural Theology, Sacred Literature, Ec- 
 clesiastical History, Christian Theology, and Pulpit 
 Eloquence. 
 
 Fifth. In the lectures on Natural Theology, the 
 existence, attributes, and providence of God, shall be 
 demonstrated ; the soul's immortality and a future 
 state> as deducible from the light of nature, discussed ; 
 the obligations of man to his Maker, resulting from the 
 divine perfections and his own rational nature, enforc- 
 
15 
 
 cd ; the great duties of social life, flowing from the 
 mutual relations of man to man, inculcated ; and the 
 several personal virtues deduced and delineated ; the 
 whole being interspersed with remarks on the coinci- 
 dence between the dictates of reason and the doctrines 
 of revelation, in these primary points ; and, notwith- 
 standing such coincidence, the necessity and utility of 
 a divine revelation stated. 
 
 Sixth. Under the head of Sacred Literature shall 
 be included, lectures on the formation, preservation, and 
 transmission of the sacred volume ; on the languages, 
 in which the Bible was originally written ; on the 
 Septuagint version of the old Testament, and on the 
 peculiarities of the language and style of the new Tes- 
 tament, resulting from this version and other causes ; 
 on the history, character, use, and authority of the an- 
 cient versions and manuscripts of the old and new 
 Testaments ; on the canons of biblical criticism ; on 
 the authenticity of the several books of the sacred Code ; 
 on the apocryphal books of both Testaments ; on 
 modern translations of the Bible, more particularly on 
 the history and character of our English version ; and 
 also critical lectures on the various readings and diffi- 
 cult passages in the sacred writings. 
 
 Seventh. Under the head of Ecclesiastical History 
 shall be comprised lectures on Jewish antiquities ; on 
 the origin and extension of the Christian church in the 
 first three centuries ; on the various sects and heresies 
 in the early ages of Christianity ; on the character and 
 writings of the fathers ; on the establishment of Chris- 
 tianity by Constantine, and its subsequent effects ; on 
 
16 
 
 the rise and progress of popeiy and mahometanism ; 
 on the corruptions of the church of Rome ; on the 
 grounds, progress, and doctrines of the reformation ; 
 on the different denominations among protestants ; on 
 the various constitutions, discipline, and rites of wor- 
 ship, which have divided, or may still divide the Chris- 
 tian church ; on the state and prevalence of paganism 
 in our world ; and on the effect, which idolatry, ma- 
 hometanism, and Christianity have respectively produc- 
 ed on individual and national character. 
 
 Eighth. Under the head of Christian Theology 
 shall be comprehended lectures on divine revelation ; 
 on the inspiration and truth of the old and new Testa- 
 ments, as proved by miracles, internal evidence, fulfil- 
 ment of prophecies, and historic facts ; on the great 
 doctrines and duties of our holy Christian religion, to- 
 gether with the objections made to them by unbeliev- 
 ers, and the refutation of such objections ; more par- 
 ticularly on the revealed character of God, as Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost ; on the fall of man and the de- 
 pravity of human nature ; on the covenant of grace ; 
 on the character, offices, atonement, and mediation of 
 Jesus Christ ; on the character and offices of the 
 Holy Spirit ; on. the scripture doctrines of regenera- 
 tion, justification, and sanctification ; on evangelical 
 repentance, faith, and obedience ; on the nature and 
 necessity of true virtue or gospel holiness ; on the fu- 
 ture state, the immortality of soul and body, and the 
 eternity of future rewards and punishments, as revealed 
 in the gospel ; on the positive institutions of Christian- 
 ity ; on the nature, interpretation, and use of prophecy ; 
 
17 
 
 and on personal religion, as a qualification for the min- 
 istry ; each Lecture under this head to be preceded and 
 followed by prayer. 
 
 Ninth. Under the head of Pulpit Eloquence shall 
 be delivered a competent number of lectures on the 
 importance of oratory ; on the invention and disposi- 
 tion of topics ; on the several pails of a regular dis- 
 course ; on elegance, composition, and dignity in style ; 
 on pronunciation, or the proper management of the 
 voice and correct gesture ; on the immense impor- 
 tance of a natural manner ; on the rules to be observ- 
 ed in composing a sermon, and on the adaptation of the 
 principles and precepts of antient rhetoric to this modern 
 species of oration ; on the qualities in the speaker, in 
 his style, and in his delivery, necessary to a finished 
 pulpit Orator ; on the methods of strengthening the 
 memory, and of improving in sacred eloquence ; on 
 the character and style of the most eminent Divines and 
 Lest models for imitation, their respective beauties and 
 excellencies in thought and expression ; and above all, 
 on the transcendent simplicity, beauty, and sublimity 
 of the sacred writings. 
 
 Tenth. It shall be the duty of the Professors, by 
 private instruction and advice, to aid the Students in 
 the acquisition of a radical and adequate knowledge of 
 the sacred scriptures in their original languages, and of 
 the old Testament in the Septuagint version ; to direct 
 their method of studying the Bible and all other writ- 
 ings ; to superintend and animate their pursuits by 
 frequent inquiries and examinations, relative to their 
 progress jn books and knowledge ; to assign proper 
 
18 
 
 subjects for their first compositions, and to suggest a 
 natural method of treating them ; frequently and crit- 
 ically to examine their early productions, and in a free, 
 but friendly manner, to point out their defects and er- 
 rors, in grammar, method, reasoning, style, and senti- 
 ment ; to improve them in the important art of read- 
 ing, and to give them opportunities of speaking in pub- 
 lic, favoring them with their candid remarks on their 
 whole manner ; to explain intricate texts of scripture, 
 referred to them ; to solve cases of conscience ; to 
 watch over their health and morals with paternal solici- 
 tude ; and by every prudent and christian method to 
 promote the growth of true piety in their hearts ; to 
 give them friendly advice with relation to their neces- 
 sary intercourse among men in the various walks of life, 
 and especially with respect to the manner, in which it 
 becomes a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus to 
 address both God and man, whether in the assembly 
 of his saints, or in the chamber of sickness and of death. 
 Eleventh. Every Professor in this Seminary 
 shall be a Master of Arts, of the Protestant reformed 
 religion, in communion with some Christian church 
 of the Congregational or Presbyterian denomination,, 
 and sustain the character of a sober, honest, learned, 
 and pious man ; he shall moreover be a man of sound 
 and orthodox principles in Divinity, according to that 
 form of sound words or system of evangelical doc- 
 trines, drawn from the scriptures, and denominated the 
 Westminster- Assembly's shorter Catechism, and more 
 concisely delineated in the Constitution of Phillips 
 Academy. 
 
19 
 
 Twelfth. Every person therefore, appointed or 
 elected a Professor in this Seminary, shall on the day 
 of his inauguration, and in the presence of the said 
 Trustees, publicly make and subscribe a solemn de- 
 claration of his faith in divine revelation, and in the 
 fundamental and distinguishing doctrines of the gospel 
 of Christ, as summarily expressed in the Westmin- 
 ster Assembly's shorter Catechism ; and he shall far- 
 thermore solemnly promise, that he will open and ex- 
 plain the Scriptures to his Pupils with integrity and 
 faithfulness ; that he will maintain and inculcate the 
 christian faith, as above expressed, together with all 
 the other doctrines and duties of our holy religion, so 
 far as may appertain to his office, according to the best 
 light God shall give him, and in opposition, not only to 
 Atheists and Infidels, but to Jews, Mahometans, Arianc, 
 Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Unita- 
 rians, and Universalists, and to all other heresies and 
 errors, antient or modem, which may be opposed to 
 the gospel of Christ, or hazardous to the souls of 
 men ; — that by his instruction, counsel, and example, 
 he will endeavour to promote true Piety and Godliness; 
 that he will consult the good of this Institution and the 
 peace of the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ on 
 all occasions ; and that he will religiously observe the 
 Statutes of this Institution, relative to his official duties 
 and deportment, and all such other Statutes and Laws 
 as shall be constitutionally made by the Trustees of 
 Phillips Academy, not repugnant thereto. 
 
 Thirteenth. The preceding declaration shall be 
 repeated by every Professor in this Seminary, in the 
 
20 
 
 presence of the said Trustees, at the expiration of" ev- 
 ery successive period of five years ; and no man shall 
 be continued a Professor in this Institution, who shall 
 not continue to approve himself, to the satisfaction of 
 the said Trustees, a man of sound and orthodox princi- 
 ples in Divinity, agreeably to the system of evangelical 
 doctrines, contained in the aforesaid Catechism. Ac- 
 cordingly, if at any meeting regularly appointed, it 
 should be proved to the satisfaction of a majority of 
 the whole number of the said Trustees, that any Pro- 
 fessor in this Institution has taught or embraced any of 
 the heresies or errors, alluded to in the Declaration 
 aforesaid ; or, should he refuse to repeat the same, as 
 herein required, he shall be forthwith removed from 
 office. 
 
 Fourteenth. Every Professor in this Institution 
 shall be under the immediate inspection of the said 
 Trustees, and by them be removed, agreeably to the 
 will of his Founder, for gross neglect of duty, scanda- 
 lous immorality, mental incapacity, or any other just 
 and sufficient cause. 
 
 Fifteenth. Whenever a Professor in this Semi- 
 nary shall be removed by death or otherwise, the said 
 Trustees shall elect a successor within twelve months. 
 
 Sixteenth. The Trustees aforesaid, in conform- 
 ity to the statutes of every Founder, shall assign to the 
 Professors in this Seminary their respective departments 
 of instruction, the times for reading their lectures, and 
 their several public and private duties, in such manner, 
 as, after consultation with the said Professors, shall to 
 the said Trustees appear most convenient and useful ; 
 
21 
 
 provided however, that the course of lectures in each 
 department be always completed within the space of 
 three years. 
 
 Seventeenth. The necessary expences of indi- 
 gent Students at this Seminary, for board, lodging, 
 washing, fuel, and light, will be defrayed out of funds 
 appropriated to this purpose, agreeably to the regula- 
 tions, in such case provided, and as said funds may 
 permit. 
 
 Eighteenth. No person shall be admitted a Stu - 
 dent on the charitable Foundation, who is not distin- 
 guished by natural 'abilities? literary acquirements, un- 
 blemished morals, and hopeful piety ; a certificate of 
 which qualities will be required from known and res- 
 pectable characters, in order to the enjoyment of this 
 charity. 
 
 Nineteenth. To be entitled to the maintenance 
 aforesaid, each Student on the charitable Foundation, 
 unless prevented by sickness, must reside at this Semi- 
 nary nine months at least in each year, regularly at- 
 tending the exercises aforesaid as well, as diligently 
 prosecuting the studies prescribed, and in all respects 
 conforming to the rules of this Constitution, and to the 
 laws and orders of the said Trustees. 
 
 Twentieth. Whatever may be the number of 
 vacations, the aggregate thereof shall not exceed eight 
 weeks in any one year ; and the constant presence of 
 the Professors and Students will be expected in term 
 time. 
 
 Twenty-first. Every Student in this Seminary 
 shall constantly, punctually, and seriously attend the 
 
22 
 
 religious exercises of the chapel morning and evening, 
 and all the public lectures of the several Professors ; 
 and, to increase the reverence due to religious institu- 
 tions as well, as to give weight to public instruction, 
 it is expected, that the Professors not only frequent the 
 chapel at morning and evening prayers, but that they 
 constantly attend each other's public lectures. 
 
 T w e n t y - s e c o n d . Every Student in this Semina- 
 ry is required to devote so much time to the study of 
 the learned languages, as shall increase his knowledge 
 of them, especially of the Greek and Hebrew lan- 
 guages ; to pay due attention to Philology, Rhetoric, and 
 Oratory ; to read the best treatises on natural and re- 
 vealed Religion, and on the fundamental doctrines of 
 the Gospel ; to make himself master of the principal 
 arguments and evidences of the truth of Christianity ; 
 to pay due attention to ecclesiastical History, and to 
 the canons of biblical Criticism. But above all, it is 
 required, that he make the Bible the object of his most 
 attentive, diligent, and prayerful study. 
 
 Twenty-third. It will be the duty of the Pro- 
 fessors in this Seminary to prepare a list of such books, 
 and to point out such a course of study, as in their 
 opinion may be most congenial to the true design of 
 this Institution, and most beneficial to the Students in 
 it ; which list of books and course of study, being ap- 
 proved by said Trustees, said Students shall pursue ; 
 they shall also frequently ask the advice and assistance 
 of the Professors with reference to their studies ; and 
 often submit their theological compositions, especially 
 
23 
 
 their first essays, to the friendly inspection and faithful 
 remarks of one or more of the said Professors. 
 
 Twenty-fourth. Each Student, once at least in 
 every year, shall acquaint the Professors with the books, 
 he has read, and with his course of study, during said 
 year ; and shall also be examined in the original lan- 
 guages of the old and new Testament, and in the 
 Septuagint version of the former ; also with reference 
 to the leading sentiments and arguments of the princi- 
 pal authors, he has perused ; but especially with res- 
 pect to the style, character, and design of those sacred 
 writers, which agreeably to direction he has particu- 
 larly studied. 
 
 Twenty-fifth. If upon due and impartial ex- 
 amination it be found, that any Student on the charita- 
 ble Foundation aforesaid, has not made reasonable pro- 
 ficiency in the studies prescribed him, he shall be con- 
 tinued thereon no longer ; and, if any Student whatever 
 in this Seminary shall be guilty of any gross immorali- 
 ty, or of any insult or oppugnation to the said Trustees, 
 or to any Professor or Officer of this Seminary, he shall 
 be cut off from all the advantages and benefits of this 
 Institution, unless he make reasonable and immediate 
 satisfaction for his offence. 
 
 Twenty-sixth. Whenever a Student shall have 
 honorably finished his term and course of study under 
 the direction of the Professors, and such Student shall 
 request it, a Certificate, signed by the Professors, speci- 
 fying how long such Student has studied under the 
 direction, and attended the lectures of the Professors, 
 that he has prosecuted his studies with diligence, and 
 
24 
 
 sustained a good moral character, shall be given him : 
 provided always, that his conduct, and his proficiency 
 in theological knowledge be such, as to merit the same. 
 
 Twenty-seventh. After the expiration of the 
 first three years from the opening of this Institution, it 
 will be required of all persons, who may wish to enjoy 
 the advantages of the same, that they statedly reside at 
 the Seminary three full years, vacations excepted ; a 
 period scarcely sufficient for acquiring that fund of 
 knowledge, which is necessary for a minister of the 
 gospel. No Student therefore, after the expiration of 
 the first three years of the Institution, shall be entitled 
 to the Certificate aforesaid, nor can any one leave the 
 Seminary in an honorable manner, within the term of 
 three years of such residence, except by permission, 
 specially obtained of the Trustees, in case of necessity. 
 
 Twenty-eighth. Every morning and evening, 
 during term time, religious exercises shall be performed 
 in trhe chapel, and these exercises shall usually be, as fol- 
 lows. The divine assistance and blessing shall be first 
 implored in a short prayer ; a devotional chapter or 
 psalm shall then be read, accompanied with pious and 
 practical reflections ; or, instead of this, once at least 
 in every week, an exposition shall be given upon some 
 deeply interesting passage of scripture ; to this shall 
 succeed a piece of genuine psalmody ; and the services 
 be concluded by an appropriate prayer. In these ex- 
 ercises the Professors shall preside and ordinarily offi- 
 ciate ; but Students of two years standing may occa- 
 sionally perform them in whole or in part, according to 
 
25 
 
 the desire and direction of the Professors. Moreover, 
 as soon as circumstances will permit, a regular church 
 will be formed in this Seminary, consisting chiefly of 
 the Professors, Students, and families, connected with 
 this Seminary and Phillips Academy ; after which, if 
 not before, divine services will be publicly celebrated 
 in the chapel of the Seminary, in the forenoon and af- 
 ternoon of every Lord 's-day , during term time. These 
 services shall be usually performed by the Professors, 
 but sometimes by such senior Students, as may have 
 obtained permission of the Professors to preach occa- 
 sionally ; and they shall be attended by all the Students 
 of this Institution, and by as many of the families of 
 the Professors and Officers, connected with it, or with 
 Phillips Academy, as may wish for this privilege, and 
 by as many pupils of said Academy, as may be deem- 
 ed expedient by the Trustees aforesaid. 
 
 Twenty -ninth. The senior Students will be re- 
 quired, not only to prepare sermons, but occasionally 
 to deliver them in public, both in the Seminary and in 
 neighbouring congregations, as may be judged expe- 
 dient by the said Professors. No Student, however, 
 shall presume to preach, before, upon thorough ex- 
 amination of his qualifications and motives for preach- 
 ing, he shall have obtained a written permission there- 
 for, subscribed by the Professors, or the major part of 
 them. This permission, however, is never to super- 
 sede die customary approbation or license of some re- 
 gular Association or Presbytery. 
 
26 
 
 Thirtieth. Sacred Music, and especially Psalm- 
 ody, being an important part of public, social worship, 
 and, as it is proper for those, who are to preside in the 
 assemblies of God's people, to possess themselves so 
 much skill and taste in this sublime art, as at least to 
 distinguish between those solemn movements, which 
 are congenial to pious minds, and those unhallowed, 
 trifling, medley pieces, which chill devotion ; it is ex- 
 pected, that serious attention will be paid to the culture 
 of a true taste for genuine Church Music in this Semi- 
 nary ; and that all Students therein, who have tolerable 
 voices, will be duly instructed in the theory and prac- 
 tice of this celestial art ; and, whenever it shall be in 
 the power of either of the said Professors, it shall ac- 
 cordingly be his duty to afford this necessary instruc- 
 tion ; and, whenever this shall not be the case, it is 
 expected, that an Instructor will be procured for this 
 purpose. 
 
 Thirty- first. All Professors, Officers, and Stu- 
 dents in this Seminary, and all other persons employed 
 in its service, together with the Lands, Buildings, Li- 
 brary, Funds, and all other property, thereto belong- 
 ng shall be under the immediate inspection and gov- 
 ernment of the Trustees aforesaid, and be regulated 
 and managed by them in strict conformity to this Con- 
 stitution, and to the Statutes and Will of every Foun- 
 der of a Professorship, or Benefactor of this Institu- 
 tion. And the said Trustees are hereby authorized and 
 empowered to make such additional Regulations, (not 
 inconsistent with the Regulations established in this 
 Constitution, nor with the Statutes or #7/7 of any Fotm- 
 
27 
 
 der or Donor, nor with the object of this Institution, noi 
 in any degree avoiding them or either of them) as they 
 in their wisdom shall deem necessary to give the fullest 
 efficacy to these provisions, or the consistent provisions 
 of future Benefactors ; whether such Regulations may 
 relate to the conduct of the Professors, the government 
 of the Students, their various duties and exercises, their 
 lodging and diet, the prevention and punishment of of- 
 fences, the preservation of health, the promotion of or- 
 der, peace, and harmony, to the safety of the buildings, 
 or to the security of the Funds, which last are to be 
 effectually guarded against all loss and diminution ; in 
 a word, to do every thing, under the foregoing limita- 
 tions, which, upon serious and mature deliberation, may 
 appear to them necessary to secure and promote the 
 true object of this Institution. 
 
 Thirty-second. Notwithstanding this Seminary 
 is placed, by this Constitution, under the immediate 
 care and government of the Trustees of Phillips Acad- 
 emy, it is always to be understood, and it is hereby 
 expressly declared, that every Founder of a Professor- 
 ship, Scholarship, or any other Living whatever, in this 
 Institution, will have the exclusive right of prescribing 
 the Regulations and Statutes, to be observed by the 
 said Trustees in conducting the concerns of the same, 
 said Regulations and Statutes being always consistent 
 with the principles and object of this Institution ; and 
 also the right of appointing, in the original deed or 
 grant for the term of his life, such local Visitor or 
 Visitors, as he may think proper, and to endow him or 
 them with all visitatorial powers and authorities, neces- 
 
28 
 
 sary to secure and enforce due observance and execu- 
 tion of his said Regulations and Statutes. 
 
 Thirty-third. Whereas the necessary business 
 of this Seminary will be sufficient to employ the said 
 Trustees one day at least in every year ; they are re- 
 quested to hold an annual meeting for transacting the 
 same, on such day in each year, as they may appoint ; 
 and likewise to meet as much oftener, as the good of 
 said Seminary may require ; and at each annual meet- 
 ing to read this Constitution. The rules and modes of 
 doing business at all such meetings shall be the same, 
 mutatis mutandis, which are prescribed in the Consti- 
 tution of Phillips Academy. Decent, not extravagant 
 entertainment, shall be made for the Trustees, while 
 attending the said meetings, reasonable compensation 
 made to the Treasurer of said Academy, for his ser- 
 vices, and other necessary expenses of this Institution 
 defrayed out of the income of its funds. It is also par- 
 ticularly requested, that all the transactions of the said 
 Trustees, relative to the said Theological Institution r 
 be recorded in a distinct book ; and likewise that all 
 property given, devised, or bequeathed for the support 
 of this Seminary, be separated and forever kept distinct 
 from all other property, to the Trustees aforesaid in 
 any way or for any other purpose entrusted, being 
 never blended therewith in any part or degree, by loan 
 or purchase ; and that the said Treasurer accordingly 
 keep all his accounts and entries, relative to these 
 Funds, in distinct books, and all monies, evidences of 
 property, receipts, papers, and books of account, ap- 
 pertaining to this Institution, in a separate trunk or 
 
29 
 
 chest, prepared for prompt removal on any emergence ; 
 and that the accounts of said Treasurer be annualh 
 audited by a Committee, for this purpose appointed, 
 who shall report to the said Trustees in writing. 
 
 Thirty-fourth. Confiding in the wisdom and 
 fidelity of the said Trustees and their Successors in 
 office, and with the pleasing hope and expectation, that 
 they will religiously appropriate the aforesaid buildings 
 and the income of the aforesaid Fund, and of all future 
 Donations for the same pious purpose, to the great 
 object of supporting a theological Seminary, such as 
 herein contemplated and described, agreeably to the 
 principles and regulations contained in this Constitution ; 
 we do now, under God, cheerfully commit this our 
 Foundation to their pious and watchful care, trusting 
 that no exertion on their part will be wanting to the 
 success of an Institution, so intimately connected with 
 the glory of God, the advancement of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom, and the salvation of their fellow men. 
 
 But, while we thus express our conviction of the 
 necessity and utility of this Institution, it is our earnest 
 prayer, that our own minds, and the minds of the 
 Trustees, Professors, Students, and all connected 
 therewith, may be ever penetrated by a deep sense of 
 the necessity of the divine direction, influence, and 
 blessing, to render even the wisest provisions and the 
 best human instructions ultimately successful. 
 
 To the Spirit of truth, to the divine Author of our 
 faith, to the only wise God, we desire in sincerity to 
 present this our humble offering : devoutly imploring 
 the Father of lights richly to endue with wisdom from 
 
30 
 
 above all his servants the Trustees of this Seminary, 
 and with spiritual understanding the Professors there- 
 in, that, being illuminated by the Holy Spirit^ their 
 doctrine may drop as the rain, and their speech distil 
 as the dew ; and that their Pupils may become trees 
 of renown in the courts of our God, whereby He may 
 be glorified. 
 
 In witness whereof we the subscribers have hereunto 
 set our hands and seals this thirty first day of August 
 in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
 and seven. 
 
 PHCEBE PHILLIPS, (S) 
 JOHN PHILLIPS, Jun. (S) 
 SAMUEL ABBOT. (S) 
 
 Signed, sealed, and delivered 
 in presence of 
 SAMUEL STEARNS, 
 JOSEPH PHELPS, 
 AMOS BLANCHARD. 
 
ADDITIONAL STATUTES. 
 
 We the subscribers, having made some provision for. 
 the establishment of a Theological Institution in con- 
 nexion with Phillips Academy, by covenanting to erect 
 certain buildings therefor, and by laying a Foundation 
 for a Professorship of Christian Theology therein, and 
 having given a Constitution, containing principles and 
 regulations for the management of the said Institution, 
 which has been accepted by the Trustees of said 
 Academy, in which we " reserved to ourselves, during 
 " our natural lives, the right jointly to make any ad- 
 " ditional regulations, or to alter any rule therein pre- 
 " scribed, provided such regulation or alteration be not 
 " prejudicial to the true design of said Foundation" — 
 We do now, agreeably to the said reserved right, and 
 in furtherance, as we trust, of our original design there- 
 in expressed, make and ordain the following articles, to 
 be added to, and taken, as a part of our said Constitu- 
 tion ; Provided the said Trustees shall accept the Sta- 
 tutes and Foundation of the Associate Founders, 
 so called, viz, of Moses Brown and WilliamBart- 
 let Esquires of Newbury Port and the Honorable 
 John Norris Esquire of Salem, which are now exe- 
 cuted, and to be laid before the said Trustees, at their 
 
approaching meeting, for their acceptance ; and to con- 
 tinue of full force, as a part of our said Constitution, so 
 long as the said Associate Foundation shall continue 
 attached to our said Institution, and no longer. 
 
 First. Having provided in the twelfth Article of 
 our said Constitution, that " every person, appoint- 
 ed or elected a Professor in the said Seminary, shall 
 " on the day of his inauguration publicly make and 
 " subscribe a declaration of his faith in divine revela- 
 " tion, and in the fundamental and distinguishing doc- 
 " trines of the Gospel of Christ, as summarily expres- 
 " sed in the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Cate- 
 "chism ;" We now ordain the following addition, to 
 be inserted in said Article, in connexion with the said 
 clause, viz, ' and as more particularly expressed in the 
 following Creed, to wit, 
 
 * I believe that there is one and but one living and true 
 God ; that the word of God, contained in the Scrip- 
 tures of the Old and New Testament, is the only per- 
 fect rule of faith and practice ; that agreeably to those 
 Scriptures God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and un- 
 changeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, jus- 
 tice, goodness, and truth ; that in the Godhead are 
 three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost ; and that these Three are One God, the 
 same in substance, equal in power and glory ; that 
 Go d created man after his own image in knowledge, 
 righteousness, and holiness '; that the glory of God is 
 man's chief end, and the enjoyment of God his su- 
 preme happiness ; that this enjoyment is derived solely 
 from conformitv of heart to the moral character and 
 
will of God ; that Adam, the federal head and repre- 
 sentative of the human race, was placed in a state of 
 probation, and that in consequence of his disobedience 
 all his descendants were constituted sinners ; that by 
 nature every man is personally depraved, destitute of 
 holiness, unlike and opposed to God, and that pre- 
 viously to the renewing agency of the Divine Spirit 
 all his moral actions are adverse to the character and 
 glory of God ; that, being morally incapable of re- 
 covering the image of his Creator, which was lost in 
 Adam, every man is justly exposed to eternal damna- 
 tion ; so that, except a man be born again, he cannot 
 see the kingdom of God ; that God, of his mere good 
 pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting 
 life, and that he entered into a covenant of grace to 
 deliver them out of this state of sin and misery by a 
 Redeemer ; that the only Redeemer of the elect is 
 the eternal Son of God, who for this purpose became 
 man, and continues to be God and man in two distinct 
 natures and one person forever ; that Christ, as our 
 Redeemer, executeth the office of a Prophet, Priest, 
 and King ; that, agreeably to the covenant of redemp- 
 tion, the Son of God, and he alone, by his suffering 
 and death, has made atonement for the sins of all men ; 
 that repentance, faith, and holiness are the personal re- 
 quisites in the Gospel scheme of salvation ; that the 
 righteousness of Christ is the only ground of a sin- 
 ner's justification ; that this righteousness is received 
 through faith ; and that this faith is the gift of God ; 
 so diat our salvation is wholly of grace ; that no means 
 whatever can change the heart of a sinner and make b 
 
34 
 
 holy ; that regeneration and sanctification are effects of 
 the creating and renewing agency of the Holy Spirit, 
 and that supreme love to God constitutes the essential 
 difference between saints and sinners ; that by con- 
 vincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our 
 minds, working faith in us, and renewing our wills, 
 the Holy Spirit makes us partakers of the benefits 
 of redemption ; and that the ordinary means, by which 
 these benefits are communicated to us, are the word, 
 sacraments, and prayer ; that repentance unto life, faith 
 to feed upon Christ, love to God, and new obedience, 
 are the appropriate qualifications for the Lord's sup- 
 per ; and that a Christian Church ought to admit no 
 person to its holy communion, before he exhibit credi- 
 ble evidence of his godly sincerity ; that perseverance 
 in holiness is the only method of making our calling 
 and election sure ; and that the final perseverance of 
 saints, though it is the effect of the special operation 
 of God on their hearts, necessarily implies their own 
 watchful diligence ; that they, who are effectually cal- 
 led, do in this life partake of justification, adoption, 
 and sanctification, and the several benefits, which do 
 either accompany or flow from them ; that the souls 
 of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, 
 and do immediately pass into glory ; that their bodies, 
 being still united to Christ, will at the resurrection 
 be raised up to glory, and that the saints will be made 
 perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all 
 eternity ; but that the wicked will awake to shame and 
 everlasting contempt, and with devils be plunged into 
 the lake, that burnetii with fire and brimstone forever 
 
35 
 
 and ever. I moreover believe that God, according to 
 the counsel of his own will, and for his own glory, hath 
 foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and that all 
 beings, actions, and events both in the natural and 
 moral world are under his providential direction ; that 
 God's decrees perfectly consist with human liberty ; 
 God's universal agency with the agency of man ; and 
 man's dependence with his accountability ; that man 
 has understanding and corporeal strength to do all, that 
 God requires of him ; so that nothing, but the sinner's 
 aversion to holiness, prevents his salvation ; that it is 
 the prerogative of God to bring good out of evil, and 
 that he will cause the wrath and rage of wicked men 
 and devils to praise him ; and that all the evil, which 
 has existed, and which will forever exist in the moral 
 system, will eventually be made to promote a most 
 important purpose under the wise and perfect adminis- 
 tration of that Almighty Being, who will cause all 
 things to work for his own glory, and thus fulfil all his 
 pleasure.' 
 
 Second. That the trust aforesaid may be always 
 executed agreeably to the true intent of our said Foun- 
 dation ; and that we may effectually guard the same, 
 in all future time, against all perversion, or the smal- 
 lest avoidance of our true design, as therein expres- 
 sed — We do hereby constitute a Board of Visitors, 
 to be, as in our place and stead, the Guardians, Over- 
 seers, and Protectors of our said Foundation, in man- 
 ner, as is expressed in the following provisions, that is 
 to say, we appoint and constitute the Honorable Caleb 
 Strong Esquire late Governor of the Commonwealth 
 
36 
 
 of Massachusetts, the Reverend Timothy Dwight 
 D. D. President of Yale College, and the Reverend 
 Samuel Spring of Newburyport Doctor of Divinity, 
 Visitors of the said Foundation ; who with their 
 successors in office, to be chosen as herein after di- 
 rected, shall be a perpetual body for this purpose, with 
 all the powers and duties in them herein vested, and on 
 them enjoined ; but we do nevertheless reserve to 
 Samuel Abbot, one of the subscribers, the right of 
 visiting, in connexion with the said Board, and during 
 his natural life, the said Foundation ; and we do more- 
 over confer on Moses Brown and William Bart- 
 let Esquires of Newbury Port, and the Honorable 
 John Norris Esquire of Salem, the Associate Foun- 
 ders above named, the right of visiting the said Foun- 
 dation in the same manner with the said Samuel Ab- 
 bot, during their natural lives respectively ; each of 
 the said four Founders so long, as he shall retain his 
 seat at the Board, shall possess and exercise all the 
 rights and powers, herein given to a Visitor of the said 
 Foundation ; though upon the resignation or demise 
 of either of the said Founders, his place shall not be 
 supplied by election of a Visitor to succeed him ; and, 
 after the demise or resignation of the said four persons, 
 last above named as Founders, the said Board shall 
 never consist of more than three members ; and it is 
 farther expressly provided, that the perpetual Board of 
 Visitors, first herein named, shall consist of two Cler- 
 gymen and one Layman, all of whom shall be men of 
 distinguished talents and piety. 
 
37 
 
 Third. We do farther provide and ordain, that 
 no person shall be eligible, as a Visitor, under the age 
 of forty years ; nor shall any person, except the seven 
 herein just named, hold the office of Visitor after the 
 age of seventy years ; and whenever, with the excep- 
 tion aforesaid, any Visitor shall have completed the 
 sixty-ninth year of his age, the Board shall, within the 
 year next ensuing, choose some suitable person to suc- 
 ceed him ; but the Visitor elect shall not take his seat 
 at the Board, before his said Predecessor shall have 
 completed his seventieth year, or formally resigned his 
 office of Visitor ; and no resignation of any member 
 at an earlier age shall be accepted by this Board, be- 
 fore a Successor shall have been chosen. 
 
 Fourth. The Board of Visitors shall meet on the 
 seventeenth day of May current at Andover, and ever 
 after once in every year at the aforesaid Theological 
 Institution, to execute the business of their appoint- 
 ment, on such day, as they shall assign ; also upon 
 emergencies, when called thereto, as herein after di- 
 rected ; and a majority of the Visitors, when regularly 
 convened, shall be a Quorum, of which Quorum a 
 major part shall have power to transact the business of 
 their Commission, and in case of an equivote, the ques- 
 tion shall determine on that side, on which the presid- 
 ing member shall have voted. 
 
 Fifth. There shall be annually chosen by ballot 
 a President and Secretary, as officers of the Board out 
 of their own number, who shall continue in their res- 
 pective offices, till their places be supplied by new 
 
38 
 
 elections, and upon the decease of either of' them, an- 
 other shall be chosen in his room at the next meeting. 
 
 Sixth. The President, or in case of his death, re- 
 signation, or absence from the country, the Secretary 
 shall, upon all necessary occasions, call special meet- 
 ings of the Board ; and his notifications shall express 
 the business to be transacted at such meetings, and be 
 given as early as possible ; and in the absence of the 
 President, at any meeting, the Secretary shall preside. 
 
 Seventh. The Secretary shall keep a fair record 
 of all the transactions of the Visitors at every meeting 
 of the Board, inserting the names of the members pre- 
 sent ; and in his absence another shall be appointed in 
 his room. 
 
 Eighth. The Visitors shall remove any member 
 of their Board for immorality, incapacity, or signal 
 neglect of duty. 
 
 Ninth. Upon the death, resignation, or removal 
 of a Visitor, (except only upon the demise or resigna- 
 tion of a Founder) the Board of Visitors shall at their 
 next meeting, by ballot, elect another in his stead ; and 
 ever after from time to time, as a vacancy shall take 
 place in this Board, they shall supply it ; and every 
 person so elected, previously to his taking his seat at 
 the Board, shall make and subscribe the following De- 
 claration, namely ; " Approving the Constitution of the 
 " Theological Institution, I solemnly declare in the 
 " presence of God and of this Board, that I will faith- 
 tl fully exert my abilities to carry into execution the 
 " Regulations therein contained, and to promote the 
 " great object of the Institution ;" — And he shall more- 
 
39 
 
 over in like manner subscribe the same theological 
 Creed, which every Professor elect is required to sub- 
 scribe ; and a declaration of his faith in the same Creed 
 shall be repeated by him at every successive period of 
 live years ; and, if in the course of events the number 
 of Visitors shall, by any special providence of God, be 
 reduced to one, the remaining Visitor shall have power 
 to appoint one suitable person to be a Visitor of the 
 said Foundation ; and these two Visitors shall at their 
 first regular meeting supply the remaining vacancy in 
 the Board. 
 
 Tenth. The power and duties of the Board of 
 Visitors, thus constituted and organized, shall be, as 
 follows, namely, to visit the said Foundation once in 
 every year, and at other times, when regularly called 
 thereto ; to inquire into the state of the said fund and 
 the management of the said Foundation with respect 
 to the said Professor ; to determine, interpret, and ex- 
 plain the statutes of the said Foundation in all cases, 
 brought before them in their judicial capacity ; to re- 
 dress grievances with respect to the said Professor ; to 
 hear appeals from decisions of the Board of Trustees, 
 and to remedy upon complaint, duly exhibited in be- 
 half of the said Professor ; to review and reverse any 
 censure passed by said Trustees upon any Professor 
 on said Foundation ; to declare void all rules and re- 
 gulations, made by the said Trustees, relative to said 
 Foundation, which may be inconsistent with the origi- 
 nal Statutes thereof ; to take care, that the duties of 
 each Professor on said Foundation be intelligibly and 
 faithfully discharged, and to admonish or remove him, 
 
40 
 
 either for misbehaviour, heterodoxy, incapacity, or 
 neglect of the duties of his office ; and in general to 
 see that our true intentions as expressed in our said 
 Constitution in relation to said Professor, be faithfully 
 executed, always administering justice impartially, and 
 exercising the functions of their office in the fear of 
 God, according to these Regulations, the Provisions 
 of the said Constitution, and the Laws of the land. 
 
 Eleventh. Every election of a Professor on said 
 Foundation shall within ten days be presented to the 
 Visitors ; who are hereby vested with the power and 
 right of approving or negativing, at a regular meeting, 
 every such election. But, if any such election be not 
 thus either approved or negatived by the said Visitors 
 within twelve months from the commencement of a 
 vacancy in said Professorship, such election shall be 
 considered, as approved by the Visitors, and shall ac- 
 cordingly be deemed constitutional and valid ; provid- 
 ed always, that such election shall have been regularly 
 communicated to the President or Secretary of the 
 Board of Visitors ten days at least previously to the 
 expiration of the twelve months aforesaid. 
 
 Twelfth. The Board of Visitors in all their pro- 
 ceedings are to be subject to our Statutes herein ex- 
 pressed, and to those contained in our said Constitu- 
 tion, and to conform their measures accordingly ; and, 
 if they shall at any time act contrary thereto, or exceed 
 the limits of their jurisdiction and constitutional power, 
 the party aggrieved may have recourse by appeal to 
 the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of this 
 Commonwealth for the time being for remedy, who 
 
41 
 
 are hereby appointed and authorized to judge in such 
 case, and, agreeably to the determination of the major 
 part of them, to declare null and void any decree or 
 sentence of the said Visitors, which upon mature con- 
 sideration they may deem contrary to the said Statutes, 
 or beyond the just limits of their power, herein pre- 
 scribed ; and by the said Justices of the Supreme Ju- 
 dicial Court for the time being shall the said Board of 
 Visitors at all times be subject to be restrained and 
 corrected in the undue exercise of their office. 
 
 Thirteenth. At all meetings of the Visitors de- 
 cent entertainment shall be made by direction of the 
 Board, and at the expense of the Foundation. 
 
 Finally. Commending the said Institution and 
 
 all concerned in the management thereof to the blessing 
 
 of Heaven, and in witness of what is contained in this 
 
 and the preceding pages, we hereunto set our hands 
 
 and seals, this third day of May in the year of our 
 
 Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eight. 
 
 SAMUEL ABBOT, (S.) 
 
 PHCEBE PHILLIPS, (S.) 
 
 JOHN PHILLIPS, Jun. (S.) 
 
 Signed, sealed, and delivered 
 in presence of us, 
 
 MOSES WOOD, 
 
 AMOS BLANCHARD. 
 
PREFACE OF THE ASSOCIATE STATUTES. 
 
 The interesting object now before us requires serious 
 and impartial consideration. The open volume of na- 
 ture is full of divine instruction ; but, destitute of the 
 more luminous volume of inspiration, the whole world 
 must have remained in pagan darkness and supersti- 
 tion. Both the present and past state of heathen na- 
 tions manifestly evinces the necessity of special revela- 
 tion. It is the word of God ; it is the gospel of 
 Christ, which in the course of divine administration 
 makes the moral difference between rude pagans and 
 devout Christians. What benevolent mind, while con- 
 templating the superior advantages of the church, does 
 not weep over the millions of ignorant men, who are 
 perishing for lack of vision ? What Christian does not 
 commisserate the destitute in all sections of the globe, 
 and devoutly pray that, agreeably to Christ's injunc- 
 tion, the gospel may soon be preached to every crea- 
 ture ? How long, alas, shall the greatest part of the 
 human race remain unacquainted with the gospel ! 
 How long shall they continue unbelievers ! " But how 
 shall they believe in him, of whom they have not 
 heard ? And how shall they hear without a preacher ? 
 And how shall they preach, except they be sent ?" 
 And how can preachers be consistently sent ? unless 
 
44 
 
 properly qualified ? And, at this day of increasing er- 
 ror and delusion, how can they acquire proper qualifi- 
 cations to stem the torrent of infidelity and corruption, 
 unless furnished with greater theological advantages, 
 than have been generally enjoyed in our country ? The 
 numerous obstacles, which some eminent men have 
 laboriously surmounted, in qualifying themselves for 
 the sacred office, and the numerous difficulties, which 
 Others have been unable to remove, present a powerful 
 argument for the establishment of a Theological Insti- 
 tution. The church at this day of boasted light, though 
 in reality a day of great moral darkness, spreads forth 
 her trembling hands, and in plaintive accents asks for 
 help. She greatly needs and urgently requests more 
 able candidates, missionaries, and pastors ; and shall 
 her pressing request, supported by the Lord of the 
 harvest, be disregarded ? Is it not an impressive, hu- 
 miliating consideration, that many young men are in- 
 ducted into the sacred office, who are furnished with 
 much less appropriate information, than is reputable, 
 or admissible in the other learned professions ? To the 
 lasting honor of the bar and of the medical faculty they 
 neither admit, nor recognize any, except men of talents 
 and erudition. Property and health are deemed too 
 precious to be trusted in the hands of weakness or 
 ignorance. But what is the value of property, health, 
 or life, compared with that of immortal souls ? Alas, 
 shall the pulpit sigh and groan ? Shall infidels sneer 
 and triumph ? And shall Satan take advantage of heed- 
 less sinners, because authorised teachers depreciate the 
 gospel by their inability to defend it ? God forbid ! 
 
45 
 
 The priests' lips should keep knowledge, and the am- 
 bassadors of Christ in their official capacity ought not 
 to be inferior to the ambassadors of temporal princes. 
 Their office is sacred, and involves much higher res- 
 ponsibility. They plead and administer for Christ 
 and immortal souls. They stand between heaven and 
 earth, and must be qualified to honor God by correct- 
 ly delivering his message to man. Who is sufficient 
 for these things ? Who can render to God the things, 
 that are God's, and rightly divide the word of truth to 
 the different classes of men, unless properly qualified ? 
 But by what eligible, effectual measure can ministerial 
 and evangelical influence be reclaimed and supported ? 
 How can devout candidates most successfully acquire 
 theological reputation ? By what means can they be 
 qualified to magnify the pastoral office ? The question 
 is highly interesting to Zion and the souls of men. 
 The answer is ready, if not anticipated. By gratuitous 
 theological establishments they must have ample op- 
 portunity and advantages to pursue their studies. Up- 
 on due reflection this appears a correct expedient, and 
 the best measure, that can be adopted at the present 
 day. Merely to glance at the deep and sublime things 
 of divinity six months, or a year, is not sufficient to 
 qualify young men for the gospel ministry. To fill 
 the pastoral office with dignity and utility, by wisely 
 unfolding and applying the truth to saints and sinners, 
 much previous study and information are requisite. 
 Three years unwearied application to theology, which 
 is only half the term required by the church of Scot- 
 land, is barely sufficient. The extensive field of 
 
46 
 
 divinity, so full of hidden treasures, cannot be duly 
 explored by young men of piety and ability within a 
 shorter term. And what youth, of genius and grace 
 can more profitably employ his time ? No considerate 
 young man, who wishes to spend his life in dispensing 
 truth to others, will think three years too long for lay- 
 ing the foundation of theological science. To those, 
 who desire to excel in doing good, the term will ap- 
 pear but a.few days. 
 
 The common embarrassments of theological Stu- 
 dents, the pressing and imperious demand for qualified 
 laborers to reap the extensive and increasing harvest, 
 which opens before us, compel us to contemplate the 
 necessity and utility of a gratuitous theological Institu- 
 tion. To raise up a long and uninterrupted succession 
 of able, devout ministers for the defense of the gos- 
 pel, to adorn the church, and to honor Christ, by 
 cooperating with him in reclaiming sinners, is the true 
 design of the Institution. 
 
 Motives to unite the hearts of all devout and orthodox 
 men in promoting the interest of the Institution are 
 numerous. The daring strides, made at the present 
 day by infidels and other erroneous men ; the urgent 
 necessity of a learned and pious ministry, to check and 
 countervail their dangerous influence, is no inferior 
 motive to combine the efforts of all the faithful. But 
 there are other considerations equally impressive. For 
 is it not worthy of grateful notice, that the concurrent 
 events of the present period induce a belief, that the 
 set time to build up Zion is at hand ? If we do not 
 greatly mistake the import of prophecy and correspond- 
 
47 
 
 ing events, we live near the termination of the dark- 
 ness, which has long enveloped the church and the 
 world ; and as near the commencement of Zion's 
 permanent prosperity and glory. The numerous mis- 
 sionary and humane Institutions, lately established and 
 crowned with signal success, are indications, that 
 Christ is preparing the way for the millenial ex- 
 pression of his benevolence. Shall we therefore see 
 his star in the east ? Shall we behold the glorious Re- 
 deemer coming to collect the precious fruits of the 
 cross ? Shall the Lord of the harvest call for able and 
 faithful laborers ; and shall we not concur with his 
 gracious requisition ? Surely a wide and effectual door 
 is open to do good. And shall we disregard the mani- 
 fest call of Providence ? If we withhold our exertions, 
 deliverance will arise to the church from some other 
 quarter ; for God will build up Zion, and appear in 
 his glory. 
 
 The Theological Institution we consider, as the re- 
 sidence of Christian love and harmony, and the resi- 
 dence, we hope, of the Sun of Righteousness, who will 
 make it a light of the church, and a distinguished lu- 
 minary in our hemisphere. 
 
 Finally, while we survey the gloomy state of the 
 church and the world, in connexion with the numerous 
 embarrassments and disadvantages, under which theo- 
 logical students labor, while qualifying themselves for 
 the ministry ; we cannot but hail the rising Institution ; 
 which will afford the indigent opportunity to pursue 
 their studies several years without expense ; and will 
 readily embrace those, who choose to defray the ex- 
 
48 
 
 pense of their theological education. Under the pat- 
 ronage of Christ, to whom the Institution is dedicat- 
 ed, we cannot but entertain a pleasing hope, that it 
 will flourish ; and that it will meet the cordial appro- 
 bation of well informed Christians, and realize the in- 
 effable benefit of their devout and persevering prayers. 
 
THE 
 
 STATUTES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ASSOCIATE FOUNDATION 
 
 IN THE 
 
 THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION 
 
 IN 
 
 AN DOVER. 
 
 Seriously reflecting upon the fatal effects of the 
 apostasy of man without a Savior, on the merciful ob- 
 ject of the Son of God in assuming our nature and 
 dying for our salvation, and upon the wisdom of his 
 appointment of an order of men to preach his Gospel 
 in the world ; considering also that, notwithstanding 
 this appointment, by far the greatest part of the human 
 race is still perishing for lack of vision, and that even 
 in countries, where the Gospel is enjoyed, infidelity, 
 error, and immorality greatly abound ; feeling it to be 
 our duty to conspire with the benevolent design of this 
 appointment, and being desirous of contributing ac- 
 cording to our ability toward its success, and of ex- 
 pressing in this imperfect manner our sense of obliga- 
 tion to our compassionate Redeemer ; We, Moses 
 Brown and William Bartlet, both of Newbury 
 Port, Merchants, and John Norris of Salem Esquire, 
 
50 
 
 all of the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Mas- 
 sachusetts, being influenced, as we hope, by a princir 
 pie of gratitude to God and benevolence to man, have 
 determined to devote a part of the substance, with 
 which Heaven has blessed us, to the defense and pro- 
 motion of the Christian Religion, by making some 
 provision for increasing the number of learned and able 
 Defenders of the Gospel of Christ as well, as of or- 
 thodox, pious, and zealous Ministers of the New Tes- 
 tament ; and we do accordingly hereby give, assign, 
 and setovertothe Trustees ofPHiLLiPs Academy, 
 and to their successors in office, the sum of ten thou- 
 sand dollars each, amounting to thirty thousand dol- 
 lars ; to which sum I William Bartlet add the 
 farther sum of ten thousand dollars,* for the purpose 
 of supporting one of the two Professors, herein after 
 named, the whole amounting to forty thousand dollars, 
 in Sacred Trust, as a capital Fund, to be disposed 
 of in the manner and for the purposes following ; that 
 is to say, the said sum of money to be kept out at in- 
 terest on good security, or otherwise in whole or in 
 part vested, as the said Trustees shall deem best, in 
 productive real estate, or in sure and permanent funds ; 
 and the interest or annual income of said capital Fund 
 to be applied to the maintenance of two Professors in 
 the Theological Institution or Seminary, late- 
 ly founded in the Town of Andover, and County afore- 
 said ; who shall, agreeably to the permanent Creed, 
 herein after mentioned, faithfully teach that revealed 
 
 * To this sum an addition of ten thousand dollars has been made by 
 the Founder since the execution of these Statutes. 
 
51 
 
 Holy Religion only, which God constantly teaches man 
 by his glorious works of Creation, Providence, and 
 Redemption ; whose professional duties shall be as- 
 signed, according to the Constitution of the Seminary, 
 in such manner, as shall most directly and effectually 
 promote the great object of the Institution ; reserv- 
 ing to ourselves the right jointly to make the first ap- 
 pointment of one of the said Professors, and to the said 
 William Bartlet severally, the right to make the 
 first appointment of the other of the said Professors ; 
 and also toward the maintenance of such Students in 
 Divinity, as may be proper candidates for gratuitous 
 support, and shall be approved and recommended by 
 the Board of Visitors, herein after constituted, or by a 
 committee of their appointment, agreeably to the fol- 
 lowing Statutes, namely, 
 
 First. The Fund aforesaid shall be kept distinct 
 from all other property, to the same Trustees belong- 
 ing, being never blended therewith by loan or purchase ; 
 and their Treasurer shall accordingly keep all accounts 
 relative thereto in distinct books, and all monies, evi- 
 dences of property, receipts, papers, and books of ac- 
 count, appertaining to said Fund, in a trunk, or chest, 
 prepared for prompt removal. 
 
 Second. Every Professor on the Associate 
 Foundation shall be a Master of Arts, of the Pro- 
 testant Reformed Religion, an ordained Minister of the 
 Congregational or Presbyterian denomination, and shall 
 sustain the character of a discreet, honest, learned, and 
 devout Christian ; an orthodox and consistent Calvin- 
 ist ; and, after a careful examination by the Visitors 
 
52 
 
 with reference to his religious principles, he shall, on 
 the day of his inauguration, publicly make and sub- 
 scribe a solemn declaration of his faith in Divine Re- 
 velation, and in the fundamental and distinguishing 
 doctrines of the Gospel, as expressed in the following 
 Creed, which is supported by the infallible Revelation, 
 which God constantly makes of Himself in his works 
 of creation, providence, and redemption ; namely, 
 
 I believe that there is one and but one living and true 
 Gon ; that the word of God, contained in the Scrip- 
 tures of the Old and New Testament, is the only per- 
 fect rule of faith and practice ; that agreeably to those 
 Scriptures God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and un- 
 changeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, jus- 
 tice, goodness, and truth ; that in the Godhead are 
 three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost ; am! that these Three are One God, the 
 same in substance, equal in power and glory ; that 
 God created man after his own image in knowledge, 
 righteousness, and holiness ; that the glory of God is 
 man's chief end, and the enjoyment of God his su- 
 preme happiness ; that this enjoyment is derived solely 
 from conformity of heart to the moral character and 
 will of God ; that Adam, the federal head and repre- 
 sentative of the human race, was placed in a state of 
 probation, and that in consequence of his disobedience 
 all his descendants were constituted sinners ; that by 
 nature every man is personally depraved, destitute of 
 holiness, unlike and opposed to God, and that pre- 
 viously to the renewing agency of the Divine Spirit 
 all his moral actions are adverse to the character and 
 
53 
 
 glory of God ; that, being morally incapable of re- 
 covering the image of his Creator, which was lost in 
 Adam, every man is justly exposed to eternal damna- 
 tion ; so that, except a man be born again, he cannot 
 see the kingdom of God ; that God, of his mere good 
 pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting 
 life, and that he entered into a covenant of grace to 
 deliver them out of this state of sin and misery by a 
 Redeemer ; that the only Redeemer of the elect is 
 the eternal Son of God, who for this purpose became 
 man, and continues to be God and man in two distinct 
 natures and one person forever ; that Christ, as our 
 Redeemer, executeth the office of a Prophet, Priest, 
 and King ; that, agreeably to the covenant of redemp- 
 tion, the Son of God, and he alone, by his suffering 
 and death, has made atonement for the sins of all men ; 
 that repentance, faith, and holiness are the personal re- 
 quisites in the Gospel scheme of salvation ; that the 
 righteousness of Christ is the only ground of a sin- 
 ner's justification ; that this righteousness is received 
 through faith ; and that this faith is the gift of God ; 
 so that our salvation is wholly of grace ; that no means 
 whatever can change the heart of a sinner and make it 
 holy ; that regeneration and sanctification are effects of 
 the creating and renewing agency of the Holy Spirit, 
 and that supreme love to God constitutes the essential 
 difference between saints and sinners ; that by con- 
 vincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our 
 minds, working faith in us, and renewing our wills, 
 the Holy Spirit makes us partakers of the benefits 
 of redemption ; and that the ordinary means, by which 
 
54 
 
 these benefits are communicated to us, are the word, 
 sacraments, and pra)- er ; that repentance unto life, faith 
 to feed upon Christ, love to God, and new obedience, 
 are the appropriate qualifications for the Lord's sup- 
 per ; and that a Christian Church ought to admit no 
 person to its holy communion, before he exhibit credi- 
 ble evidence of his godly sincerity ; that perseverance 
 in holiness is the only method of making our calling 
 and election sure ; and that the final perseverance of 
 saints, though it is the effect of the special operation 
 of God on their hearts, necessarily implies their own 
 watchful diligence ; that they, who are effectually cal- 
 led, do in this life partake of justification, adoption, 
 and sanctification, and the several benefits, which do 
 either accompany or flow from them ; that the souls 
 of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, 
 and do immediately pass into glory ; that their bodies, 
 being still united to Christ, will at the resurrection 
 be raised up to glory, and that the saints will be made 
 perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all 
 eternity ; but that the wicked will awake to shame and 
 everlasting contempt, and with devils be plunged into 
 the lake, that burnetii with fire and brimstone forever 
 and ever. I moreover believe that God, according to 
 the counsel of his own will, and for his own glory, hath 
 foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and that all 
 beings, actions, and events, both in the natural and 
 moral world, are under- his providential direction ; that 
 God's decrees perfectly consist with human liberty ; 
 God's universal agency with the agency of man ; and 
 man's dependence with his accountability ; that man 
 
55 
 
 has understanding and corporeal strength to do all, that 
 God requires of him ; so that nothing, but the sinner's 
 aversion to holiness, prevents his salvation ; that it is 
 the prerogative of Go d to bring good out of evil, and 
 that he will cause the wrath and rage of wicked men 
 and devils to praise him ; and that all the evil, which 
 has existed, and which will forever exist in the moral 
 system, will eventually be made to promote a most 
 important purpose under the wise and perfect adminis- 
 tration of that Almighty Being, who will cause all 
 things to work for his own glory, and thus fulfil all his 
 pleasure. — And farthermore I do solemnly promise that 
 I will open and explain the Scriptures to my pupils 
 with integrity and faithfulness ; that I will maintain 
 and inculcate the Christian faith, as expressed in the 
 Creed, by me now repeated, together with all the other 
 doctrines and duties of our holy religion, so far as may 
 appertain to my office, according to the best light, God 
 shall give me, and in opposition, not only to Atheists 
 and Infidels, but to Jews, Papists, Mahometans, Arians, 
 Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Sa- 
 bellians, Unitarians, and Universalists, and to all 
 heresies and errors, antient or modem, which may be 
 opposed to the Gospel of Christ, or hazardous to the 
 souls of men ; that by my instruction, counsel, and 
 example, I will endeavour to promote true Piety and 
 Godliness ; that I will consult the good of this Institu- 
 tion, and the peace of the Churches of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ on all occasions ; and that I will religiously con- 
 form to the Constitution and Laws of this Seminary, 
 and to the Statutes of this Foundation. 
 
56 
 
 Third. The preceding Creed and Declaration shall 
 be repeated by every Professor on this Foundation at 
 the expiration of every successive period of five years ; 
 and no man shall be continued a Professor on said 
 Foundation, who shall not continue to approve himself 
 a man of sound and orthodox principles in Divinity 
 agreeably to the aforesaid Creed. 
 
 Fourth. Professors on this Foundation shall be 
 allowed an honorable maintenance, regulated, as cir- 
 cumstances may require, by the current prices of the 
 necessaries of life, agreeably to original contract. 
 
 Fifth. It is required, that every public lecture be 
 preceded and followed by prayer ; that the Associate 
 Professors in their preaching to the Students of the 
 Institution on the Lord's Day be devout, practical, 
 doctrinal, and pungent, rather than speculative and 
 metaphysical ; and no Professor on this Foundation 
 shall ever preach for hire, or take the pastoral charge 
 of any church or congregation. And it is farthermore 
 expected, that the Professors on this Foundation will 
 faithfully devote their time and talents, to qualify their 
 pupils for able ministers of the Gospel. Beside, there- 
 fore, guiding them in the peaceful ways of wisdom and 
 discretion by christian precept and example, directing 
 the course of their reading the Scriptures and other in- 
 structive books, critically inspecting and correcting 
 their theological compositions, and teaching them the 
 appropriate style and manner of pulpit address, it is 
 confidently expected, that the Professors confer with 
 them freely and frequently on those subjects, which are 
 calculated to expand and enrich the minds and hearts 
 
57 
 
 of theological Students, and prepare them for the work 
 of the Ministry. 
 
 Sixth. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of 
 a Professor on this Foundation, a successor shall be 
 chosen by the Trustees aforesaid within six months, 
 and the choice presented to the Visitors for their appro- 
 bation. But, if this choice be negatived, another elec- 
 tion shall in like manner be presented, and toties quoties, 
 till an election be made, which shall be approved by the 
 Visitors ; and this within twelve months from the com- 
 mencement of a vacancy in either of the said Profes- 
 sorships. 
 
 Seventh. AH Applicants for the advantages of 
 this Foundation shall be introduced by letters of recom- 
 mendation from devout and influential characters, and 
 shall exhibit satisfactory evidence of their distinguish- 
 ed abilities and gracious sincerity ; and by an exam- 
 ination in the learned languages shall evince that in 
 these respects they are qualified to enter upon theologi- 
 cal studies. 
 
 Eighth. Every Applicant, after examination by 
 the standing Committee, to be appointed as herein af- 
 ter provided, and after reading the Constitution of the 
 Seminary and the Statutes of the Associate Founders, 
 shall make and subscribe the following Declaration, 
 viz, ' Deeply impressed with the importance of an ex- 
 1 tensive fund of knowledge and prudence to the minis- 
 ' terial character, and of being correctly instructed in 
 'the doctrines of the Gospel, and consequently of at 
 * tending a regular course of theological education, 1 
 solemnly promise, by the aid of divine grace, to Im- 
 
58 
 
 c prove in a faithful and christian manner the advanta- 
 ' ges, furnished by this Institution ; and to be uniiorm- 
 ' ly subject to the authority and laws of the same, with 
 ' a single view to my being qualified for the Gospel 
 ' Ministry.' 
 
 Ninth. Strict and devout attention to the Sabbath 
 and all stated solemnities is required of the Associate 
 Students ; and every neglect of the means of grace or 
 religious improvement will be duly noticed by the 
 Professors. 
 
 Tenth. It is strictly enjoined upon the Associate 
 Students, to treat the Professors, Trustees, and Visitors 
 with due respect ; and each other and all persons with 
 friendship and decorum ; any failure in these and simi- 
 lar instances will be deemed censurable ; and, if per- 
 sisted in, a forfeiture of the privileges of the Institu- 
 tion. 
 
 . Eleventh. Tuition and room shall be gratis to 
 all approved Applicants and Students on this Founda- 
 tion ; and other gratuitous aid, such as diet, fuel, light, 
 washing, and lodging, shall be granted in whole or in 
 part, according to the direction of the Visitors, and as 
 the state of the said Funds may permit ; and no Stu- 
 dent in the Seminary may ever be charged for the In- 
 struction of any Professor on our Foundation. 
 
 Twelfth. That the T r u s t aforesaid may be always 
 executed agreeably to the true intent of this our Foun- 
 dation ; and that we may effectually guard the same 
 in all future time against all perversion, or the smal- 
 lest avoidance of our true design, as herein expres- 
 sed ; we, the aforesaid Founders, do hereby constitute 
 
59 
 
 a board of Visitors, to be as in our place and stead 
 the Guardians, Overseers, and Protectors of this our 
 Foundation in manner, as is expressed in the follow- 
 ing Provisions, that is to say, We appoint and consti- 
 tute the Honorable Caleb Strong Esquire, late Gov- 
 ernor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the 
 Reverend Timothy Dwight D. D. President of 
 Yale College, and the Reverend Samuel Spring of 
 Newbury Port aforesaid Doctor of Divinity, Visitors 
 of the said Foundation ; who, with their successors in 
 office to be chosen, as herein after directed, shall be a 
 perpetual body for this purpose, with all the powers and 
 duties in them herein vested and on them enjoined ; 
 but we do nevertheless reserve to ourselves the right 
 of visiting in connexion with the said Board, and dur- 
 ing our natural lives respectively, this our Foundation. 
 And we do moreover confer on Samuel Abbot Es- 
 quire,* one of the Founders of the Theological Insti- 
 tution aforesaid, the right of visiting this our Founda- 
 tion in the same manner with ourselves, during his na- 
 tural life ; each of the said four Founders so long, as 
 he shall retain his seat at the Board, shall possess and 
 exercise all the rights and powers, herein given to a 
 Visitor of this Foundation ; though upon the resigna- 
 tion or demise of either of the said Founders his place 
 shall not be supplied by election of a Visitor to succeed 
 him ; and after the demise or resignation of the said 
 four persons, last above named as Founders, the said 
 Board shall never consist of more than three members ; 
 
 * Who had previously resigned his scat at the Board of Tr vstef.f 
 
60 
 
 and it is farther expressly provided, that the perpetual 
 Board of Visitors, first herein named, shall consist of 
 two Clergymen and one Layman, all of whom shall be 
 men of distinguished talents and piety. 
 
 Thirteenth. We do farther provide and ordain that 
 no person shall be eligible, as a Visitor, under the age 
 of forty years ; nor shall any person, except the seven 
 herein just named, hold the . office of Visitor after the 
 age of seventy years ; and whenever, with the excep- 
 tion aforesaid, any Visitor shall have completed the 
 sixty-ninth year of his age, the Board shall, within the 
 year next ensuing choose some suitable person to suc- 
 ceed him ; but the Visitor elect shall not take his seat 
 at the Board, before his said Predecessor shall have 
 completed his seventieth year, or formally resigned his 
 office of Visitor ; and no resignation of any member 
 at an earlier age shall be accepted by this Board, be- 
 fore a Successor shall have been chosen. 
 
 Fourteenth. The Board of Visitors shall meet on 
 the seventeenth day of May next at Andover, and ever 
 after, once in every year, at the aforesaid Theolog- 
 ical Institution, to execute the business of their 
 appointment, on such day, as they shall assign ; also 
 upon emergencies, when called thereto, as herein after 
 directed ; and a majority of the Visitors, when regular- 
 ly convened, shall be a Quorum, of which Quorum a 
 major part shall have power to transact the business of 
 their Commission ; and incase of an equi-vote, the ques- 
 tion shall determine on that side, on which the presid- 
 ing member shall have voted. 
 
61 
 
 Fifteenth. There shall be annually chosen, b} 
 ballot, a President and Secretary, as Officers of the 
 Board, out of their own number ; who shall continue 
 in their respective offices, till their places be supplied 
 by new elections ; and, upon the decease of either of 
 them, another shall be chosen in his room at the next 
 meeting. 
 
 Sixteenth. The President, or in case of his death, 
 resignation, or absence from the country, the Secretary, 
 shall, upon all necessary occasions, call special meet- 
 ings of the Board ; and his notifications shall express 
 the business to be transacted at such meetings, and be 
 given as early as possible. In the absence of the Pre- 
 sident, at any meeting, the Secretary shall preside. 
 
 Seventeenth. The Secretary shall keep a fair re- 
 cord of all the transactions of the Visitors at every 
 meeting of the Board, inserting the names of the mem- 
 bers present ; and in his absence another shall be ap- 
 pointed in his room. 
 
 Eighteenth. The Visitors shall remove any Mem- 
 ber of their Board for immorality, incapacity, or ne- 
 glect of duty. 
 
 Ninetee nth. Upon the death, resignation, or re- 
 moval of a Visitor, except only upon the demise or re- 
 signation of a Founder, the Board of Visitors shall at 
 their next meeting, by ballot, elect another in his stead ; 
 and ever after, from time to time, as a vacancy shall take 
 place in this Board, they shall supply it ; and every 
 person so elected, previously to taking his seat at the 
 Board, shall make and subscribe the following De c lar- 
 
62 
 
 at ion, namely, ' Approving the Statutes of the afore- 
 said Theological Institution, and those of the Asso- 
 ' ciate Founders, I solemnly declare, in the presence 
 'of God and of this Board, that I will faithfully exert 
 
 * my abilities to carry into execution the Statutes of 
 
 * the said Founders, and to promote the great object 
 1 of the Institution.' And he shall moreover in like 
 manner subscribe the same theological Creed, which 
 every Professor elect is required to subscribe ; and a 
 declaration of his faith in the same Creed shall be re- 
 peated by him at every successive period of five years ; 
 and, if in the course of events the number of Visitors 
 shall by any special providence of God be reduced to 
 one, the remaining Visitor shall have power to appoint 
 one suitable person to be a Visitor of this Foundation ; 
 and these two Visitors shall at their first regular meet- 
 ing supply the remaining vacancy in the Board. 
 
 Twentieth. The power and duties of the Board 
 of Visitors, thus constituted and organized, shall be 
 as follows ; namely, to visit the Foundation once in 
 every year, and at other times, when regularly called 
 thereto ; to inquire into the state of this our Fund, and 
 the management of this Foundation with respect both 
 to Professors and Students ; to determine, interpret, 
 and explain the Statutes of this Foundation in all cases, 
 brought before them in their judicial capacity ; to re- 
 dress grievances both with respect to Professors and Stu- 
 dents ; to hear appeals from decisions of the Board of 
 Trustees, and to remedy upon complaint, duly exhibit- 
 ed in behalf of the said Professors or Students ; to 
 
review and reverse any censure, passed by said Trus- 
 tees upon any Professor or Student on this Foundation ; 
 to. declare void all rules and regulations, made by the 
 said Trustees, relative to this Foundation, which may be 
 inconsistent with the original Statutes thereof ; to take 
 care, that the duties of every Professor on this Foun- 
 dation be intelligibly and faithfully discharged, and to 
 admonish or remove him, either for misbehaviour, he- 
 terodoxy, incapacity, or neglect of the duties of his 
 office ; to examine into the proficiency of the Students, 
 and to admonish, suspend, or deprive any Student for 
 negligence, contumacy, or any heinous crime, commit- 
 ted against the laws of God or the Statutes of this 
 Foundation ; and in general, to see that our true in- 
 tentions as expressed in these our Statutes, be faithfully- 
 executed, always administering justice impartially, and 
 exercising the functions of their office in the fear of 
 God, according to the said Statutes, the Constitution 
 of this Seminary, and the Laws of the land. 
 
 Twenty-first. Every election of a Professor oh 
 
 this Foundation shall within ten days be presented to 
 
 the Visitors, who are hereby vested with the power and 
 
 right of approving or negativing, at a regular meeting, 
 
 every such election. But, if any such election be not 
 
 ' either approved or negatived by the said Visitors, 
 
 within twelve months from the commencement of a 
 
 vacancy in any Professorship, such election shall be 
 
 considered, as approved by the Visitors, and shall ac-, 
 
 cordinelv be deemed constitutional and valid ; provid- 
 
 ed always, that such election shall have been regularly 
 
64. 
 
 communicated to the President or Secretary of the 
 Board of Visitors ten days at least previously to the 
 expiration of the twelve months aforesaid. 
 
 Twenty -second. The Visitors shall appoint a 
 standing Committee, to ascertain the qualifications of 
 Applicants for the advantages of this Foundation. 
 Those, whom they approve, may be recommended for 
 admission, as resident Applicants on trial for two 
 months ; and, if at the expiration of this term the Fa- 
 culty approve them, they may be placed on the list of 
 resident Students, till the next annual meeting of the 
 Visitors ; and, if upon examination by the Board of 
 Visitors they be then approved, they shall be register- 
 ed, as Associate Students ; but, if not approved by the 
 Visitors after careful examination and the best infor- 
 mation respecting them, they shall be dismissed from 
 the Foundation. 
 
 Twenty-third. No Applicants, except Congre- 
 gationalists and Presbyterians, shall be admitted upon 
 this Foundation ; . and a College education shall be ever 
 deemed an essential condition of admission, except on- 
 ly in some rare case of distinguished talents, informa- 
 tion, and piety. 
 
 Twenty-fourth. At all meetings of the Visitors 
 decent entertainment shall be made by the direction of 
 the Board, and at the expense of the Foundation ; and 
 all other necessary expenses, attending the management 
 of this Foundation, shall be defrayed out of the income 
 of the said Fund. 
 
 Twenty-fifth. The Board of Visitors in all their 
 
65 
 
 proceedings are to be subject to our Statutes herein ex- 
 pressed, and to conform their measures thereto ; and, 
 if they shall at any time act contrary thereto, or exceed 
 the limits of their jurisdiction and constitutional power, 
 the party aggrieved may have recourse by appeal to 
 the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of this 
 Commonwealth, for the time being, for remedy, who 
 are hereby appointed and authorized to judge in such 
 case, and, agreeably to the determination of the major 
 part of them, to declare null and void any decree or 
 sentence of, the said Visitors, which upon mature con- 
 sideration they may deem contrary to the said Statutes, 
 or beyond the just limits of their power, herein pre- 
 scribed ; and by the said Justices of the Supreme Ju- 
 dicial Court for the time being shall the said Board of 
 Visitors at all times be subject to be restrained and 
 corrected in the undue exercise of their office. 
 
 Twenty-sixth. Every annual meeting of the 
 Board of Visitors shall be introduced with prayer, after 
 which these Statutes shall be read by the President. 
 
 Twenty-seventh. It is strictly and solemnly 
 enjoined, and left in sacred charge, that every article 
 of the above said Creed shall forever remain entirely 
 and identically the same, without the least alteration, 
 addition, or diminution. But we reserve to ourselves 
 the right, as Founders, jointly to make, in concurrence 
 with the said Trustees, and within the term of seven 
 years, such amendments or additional articles, in per- 
 fect consistence with the true object of these Statutes, 
 as upon experience and due consideration shall be deem- 
 
66 
 
 ed necessary the more effectually to secure and pro- 
 mote the real design of this our Foundation. 
 
 Twenty-eighth. Though the Founders, first 
 above named, coalesce with the Founders of the afore- 
 said Theological Institution, in the manner 
 herein described, with a view more effectually to pro- 
 mote the cause of Evangelical Truth, and with an ar- 
 dent hope, that the coalition will terminate in a perfect 
 and indissoluble union ; yet, if after an experiment of 
 seven years coalition, upon Visitatorial principles, it 
 shall appear to the Board of Visitors, that the Visitato- 
 rial system is either unsafe or inexpedient ; the coali- 
 tion may nevertheless be continued upon such other 
 principles, or system, as may be then agreed on by the 
 Trustees and Visitors aforesaid, in consistency with the 
 original design of this our Foundation ; or the said 
 Visitors may withdraw the said Fund, (the said Trus- 
 tees however not to be responsible for any unavoidable 
 loss from depreciation of the current medium, or from 
 the Providence of God,) as upon mature consideration 
 may to them appear most conducive to the glory of 
 God. Or, if at any time within the said term of seven 
 years, contrary to our most sanguine expectation, the 
 said Visitors shall by the Trustees aforesaid be denied 
 or deprived of the regular and proper exercise of the 
 power, authority, rights, or privileges in them hereby 
 vested, agreeably to the true meaning of these our Sta- 
 tutes ; then the said Fund (saving any unavoidable loss, 
 as above expressed) shall revert to the said Visitors, to 
 be appropriated by them, as they shall judge most con 
 
67 
 
 sistent with the original design of this our Foundation. 
 But, if at the expiration of the seven years' experiment, 
 or within the said term of seven years, the Board of 
 Visitors and the Trustees aforesaid be well satisfied 
 with the safety and expediency of the Visitatorial sys- 
 tem, and that a perpetual coalition is important and de- 
 sirable ; Union shall be established upon Visitatorial 
 principles, to continue, as the Sun and Moon, forever. 
 
 Confiding in the prudent and faithful inspection of 
 our Visitors, and in the wisdom and fidelity of the said 
 Trustees ; and with the pleasing hope, that they will 
 religiously appropriate the income of the Fund afore- 
 said to the great object of this Foundation, as herein 
 described, agreeably to the Statutes herein contained ; 
 we do, under God, cheerfully commit this our Foun- 
 dation to their pious care, under the limitations before 
 mentioned, trusting that no exertion on their part will 
 be wanting to the success of an Institution, so intimate- 
 ly connected with the salvation of men and the glory 
 of God. 
 
 To the Spirit of truth, to the divine Author of 
 our faith, to the only wise God, we desire in sincerity 
 to present this our humble offering, devoutly imploring 
 the Father of lights richly to endue with wisdom 
 from above all his servants, the Visitors of this Foun- 
 dation and the Trustees of the Seminary, and with 
 spiritual understanding the Professors therein ; that, 
 being illuminated by the Holy Spirit, their doctrine 
 may drop as the rain, and that their Pupils may become 
 
6S 
 
 trees of renown in the Courts of our God, whereby Hz 
 mav be scorified. 
 
 In witnc - - reof we have hereunto set our hands 
 and seals this twenty first day of March, in the year of 
 our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight. 
 
 MOSES BRO\ X. (S.) 
 
 WILLIAM BARTLET, (S.) 
 JOHN NORMS. (S.) 
 
 Signed, scaled, and delivered 
 in the presence of 
 
 SAMUEL SPRING, 
 
 JED1DIAE MORSE. 
 
 

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