BV 4022 .H5 Copy 1 ^^g^ IlIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I * UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.^ ^3C>-^3> ^^s»_>,&* ^ 3«i^ JI»__iB':;>„I»3sT>'; ADDRESS THE CLERGY AND THE PEOPLE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, FROM THE MIDDIESEX MASSACHUSETTS AUXILIAKT SOCIETT=j Established June, A, D. ISir, I3r AID OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY TliWS YOUTH FOR THE GOSPEL MINISTST. CAMBHIHGE. FEINTED ET HILLIARD AND KETCALF. 1819. ADDRESS. Rerei-end and Beloved, The rapid population of the United States, at a ratio unknown in history, except in the case of the ancient Israelites in Egypt, has excited the solicitude of many friends of their country and of the gospel, for a competent supply of suitable religious instructers for the American community. The gratuitous circulation of Bibles and other re- ligious books, and the zealous efforts of Christian missionaries, spreading themselves in numerous and distant directions, in places usually destitute of pub- lic instruction, have been liberally blessed to excite a veneration for the Christian Sabbath, and a dispo- sition favourable to a preached gospel. The infor- mation, communicated through various respectable mediums, has increased their solicitude to meet the growing and pressing demands for learned and pi- ous missionaries, and for promising candidates for settlement in numerous sections of our country. In many of these sections there is a sufficient popula- tion, with adequate means for the decent or honour- able support of ministers, without the present possi- bility of obtaining them. Learning is spreading rapidly among the mem- bers of the American community, which calls more and more strongly for preachers and pastors, who, by the advantages of a liberal education, and experi - mental piety, shall be " apt to teach," and be capa^ 4 blc of refuting the arguments of unbelievers and gainsayers. The population of the American republic has risen almost to ten millions, whilst the whole number of living ministers, educated in domestic or foreign col- leges, does not exceed fifteen or sixteen hundred. This number furnishes less than the proptirtion of one clergyman of liberal education to si.v thousand souls. It is an estimate, far beyond the calculation of those who have gone before us, to suppose an equal num- ber of Christian preachers of all denominations, who, by the aid of academic or school or private instruc- tion, or who, by their own efforts, after the example of the indefatigable and learned Baptist Missionary, Dr. Carey of India, have acquired the grammatical knowledge of their own language, a facility and cor- rectness in English composition, or who have any critical acquaintance with the Hebrew or Greek ori- ginals of the Holy Scriptures. We would not affirm, that in every case a collegi- ate education is an essential requisite for the gospel ministry, or that such education is a sufficient quali- fication for the preacher's office, without real piety of heart, and purity of life. But all judicious persons must perceive and acknowledge the value of a learn- ed and regular theological education, for examining the Script'ires at the fountain head, and for perform- ing the arduous and diversified duties of the gospel ministry. The want of an early and regular preparatory ed- ucation is felt and acknowledged by several preach- I 5 ers of other detiominations than Congregational, of respectable character for piety, natural talents, and diligence in improving their means of knowledge. These are honourably engaged in recommending and aiding, by their utmost iofluence, plans for the learn- ed education of young men of piety for the ministeri- al office in their respective denominations. In many considerable sections of our country, the gospel has never yet been preached, through defi- ciency of religious instructers. In some places men profess to teach the gospel, who acknowledge their inability to read it. The wildest and most alarming errors in doctrine are propagated by crafty or en- thusiastic men. These by their sophistry or zeal, not according to knowledge, draw aside from the truth as it is in Jesus, many uninformed minds, which might have been preserved from their infiuence, if a learned evangelical ministry had been establish- ed near them. The third Report of the National Society furnish- es sundry illuminating facts and calculations. In North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, prob- ably containing at this moment one and a half mil- lion of souls,* the number of ministers who have re- ceived a liberal education does not exceed 110, or 1 such minister to 136,000 souls. ^^ The states of In- diana, Mississippi and Louisiana, with the adjacent territories, containing 350,000 souls, and which will very soon swell to half a million, are represented as having only 17 stated teachers of education. In eight counties west of the great Allegany Ridge in " 1,223,048 in 1813. k Virginia, 4^,000 out of 48,587 inhabitants are whol- ly unconnected with any religious denomination. In two other districts in the same state, 73j000 people are in the same condition, except a very few Metho- dists and Baptists, and 60,000 are in like deplorable circumstances in a compact, rich and populous dis- trict ; making a total of 180,000 in one great section of the state) without public religious instruction. A handful of Methodists and Baptists are represent- ed as deserving much credit, for their zeal and exer- tions, ia a tract of country larger than all New Eng- land, west of Maine. " Half the adults in the western parts of Pennsyl- vania probably can neither read nor write ; and thousands never entered a school, nor saw a Bible, nor any other book, nor ever heard a sermon ; and this among a people who have extensive farms, in fine order, with large orchards, brick houses and stone barus. One district of that region has 40,000 people, with but one fixed pastor. A respectable missionary describes a tract of country in the same state, of one hundred miles in extent, with but one settled minister. "Two hundred organized congregations in the wes- tern district of New York are represented as unable to find ministers for settlement, through the great de- ficiency of well educated preachers.*^ Many towns, of New Hampshire and Maine, pos- sessing sufficient numbers and means, if united in one body, for supporting a regular pastor, are desti- tute of due instruction, and seldom hear a preacher, whose education has been sufficient to qualify him to explain, to teach or to defend tlie broad system of Revelation, in its variety of doctrine and precept. Many Cliristians of extensive and philanthropic views have been much alarmed at the evidence which appears, that the population and cultivation of our country are making so rapid advances, whilst tiie pro- portionate number of educated ministers diminishes by an awful ratio. <* Seventy years ago, New England had a minis- ter of collegiate education for every 628 souls, whilst the whole United States at the present moment have but one such minister to 6000 souls. " For the first eighty years, the colleges of New England furnished half of their graduates for the work of the ministry. Since the year 1770, or for about fifty years only, about one out of five or six have devoted themselves to the service of the churches. The population of the country has multi- plied eight fold within seventy years, whilst the number of its ministers has doubled only once with- in this long period. A proportional increase of pop- ulation for seventy years before us will furnish 7^ millions of inhabitants ; and should our liberally educated ministers be only doubled at the close of this period, the whole number will furnish only 1 to ^4,000." From such considerations and calculations, the American Society for educating pious youth of prom- ising talent for the ministry, was formed A. D. 1815. Its officers, including its honorary vice Presidents, are among the most distinguished citizens of Ameri- ca in point of moral and religious character, learning 8 and public spirit, aad belong to ten different states. The constitution is liberal and catholic. Episcopa- lians, iuclnding a bishop of apostolic purity and zeal, Presbyterians and Congregationalists, harmoniously sustain its offices.* A strict attention is paid to the examination of the talents and moral and religious character of these, who are candidates for their charitable aid, in ob- taining a suitable theological education. 0>e hun- dred AND FORTY SIX studeuts belonging to eleven DIFFERENT STATES, and of FIVE DENOMINATIONS, at the date of Sept. 1818, had been pursuing their stu- dies in eleven colleges, and in many private schools, under tlie patronage of this very respectable society. The present condition of our country calls for great additions to the number of its pious and enlightened teachers of religion. In behalf of many thousand souls in the United States, which may perish in their sins without immediate and great pecuniary aid, and other corresponding exertions, to provide them with suitable religious instructers, the American So- ciety has already contributed large sums for the ac- complishment of its interesting object. But their means, though enlarged by the collec- tions and contributions of sundry auxiliary societies, fall much short of the urgent calls on their charity, by the condition of millions of our fellow citizens. At the last auuiversary meeting at Concord, June 10, 1818, the Middlesex Auxiliary Education Society appointed the subscribers to address the clergy and the community of Middlesex generally, in order * See Apperdix. 9 to solicit their attention to the literary and religious preparatory education of pious American youth for the gospel ministry. We transmit the Constitution and the observations which we have offered, and which we believe supported by suitable authority, for the serious and attentive consideration of both sexes and of all classes. The liberal attention paid to our charitable design by Woburn, furnishing jS154 of the total of 8^70 for the county of Middlesex, and by Littleton, and the generous repeated contributions of the county of Norfolk to the national society, lead us to hope, that the present address and statement will lead, in the respective towns, to plans and asso- ciations in behalf of our object, which has such an important bearing on the immortal interests, as well as on the moral character and the civil good of born and unborn millions. "We cherish the fond hope, that when the profess- ed designs of our society are well understood through the county, they will excite a more general attention among its citizens. We appeal to the charitable, patriotic and pious feelings of persons of both sexes, and solicit their immediate and cordial aid by con- tribution, by subscription as regular members, or by associated bodies. Individuals and numerous socie- ties of the female sex, organized with appropriate officers annually chosen, have contributed a very lib- eral proportion to the funds hi'herto raised for the education of pious youth for the gospel ministry. The American Bible Society, and the American Society for educating pious youth, happily harmon- 10 ize in their objects and their plans. As the copies of the Holy Volume are multiplied and attentively read, enlightened teachers are prized and sought, to explaiu and apply scripture truth to its saving and sanctifying purpose. Experiment hath proved, that the word -preached is valued, in proportion to the at- tention of the public mind in its perusal. AYe have the privilege of living in these times, in which '' many run to andfro,''^^ to circulate the Scriptures, and to preach the everlasting gospel among Heathens and Mahometans, and among the poor and the ignorant in Christendom. Thus " knowledge," the most sub- lime and interesting, *^^is increased ;" and we are led to hope, that by the agency of the word and its min- isters, and by the enlightening and renewing influ- ence of the Holy Spirit, ^' all men may soon know the Lord, from the least to the greatest." To this let our Christian brethren and sisters of whatever name in the county of Middlesex — say, Amen. We are, with Christian respect, your obedient servants, JONATHAN HOMER, C rn.«r«^fu. JOHN WHITE, 'iCommittee. APPENDIX. officers of the Jlmerican Society for Educating Fiaiis Fouth for the Gospel Ministry, chosen Sept. 30, 1818. His Honor Yv'illiam Phillips Esq, Presiderd. William Bartlet Esq. Vice Fresident, Honoimry Vice Presidents. Hon. William Reed. Hon. Caleb Strong LL. D. Hon. John C. Smith LL. D. Con, Gen. Charles C. Pinckney, S. C. Hon. Elias Boudinot LL. D. wY. J. Robert Ralston Esq. Pa. John Bolton Esq. Ga. Rev. Ashbel Green D. D. Pres. Missaii Rait. Rev. Jeremiah Day LL. D. Pres. Yale Coll. Rev. Jesse Appleton D. D. Pres. Botvdoin Coll. Rev. Samuel Austin D. D. Pres. Burlington Coll. Rev. Eliphalet Nott D. D. Pres. Union Coll. Rev. Henry Davis D. D. Pres, Hamilton Coll. Rev. Zephaniah S. Moore D. D. Pres. Williams Coll. Rev. Joshua Bates, Pres. Middlebury Coll. Rev. Francis Brown. Pres, Dartmouth ColL Rt. Rev. Alexander V. Griswold D. D. Bishop of the Prot. Epis. Church, in the Eastern Diocess. Rev. Charles Coffin, D. D. Pres. Greenevilk Coll. Hon. Edward H. Robbins. Rev. Asa Eaton, Clerk. Aaron P. Cleveland Esq. Treasurer, Pliny Cutler Esq. Auditor. Birectors. Rev. Abiel Holmes D. D. Rev. Ebenezer Porter D. D. Rev. Samuel Worcester D. D. Rev. Leonard Woods D. D. Rev. Brown Emerson. Rev. Asa Eaton. Rev, Sereno E. Dwight. - . ±2 LO^STITUTION 0¥ THE MIDDLESEX AUX. SOCIETY, We, whose names are under written, highly approving the object of " The American Society for educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry," and desirous of cotitiibuting to its support, do hereby form ourselves into an Association, by the name of the " Middlesex Auxiliary Society for educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry," and adopt the follow- ing Constitution : I. The object of this Society shall be the enlargement of the funds of the Parent Society, by paying the monies col- lected, to the Treasurer of that Society, and by establishing Branch Societies in the several towns and parishes in the county, for the same purpose, as more fully expressed in the sixth article of the Constitution of the said " American So- ciety." II. Any person, being an inhabitant of the county of Mid- dlesex, may become a member of this Society, by subscrib- ing this Constitution, and engaging to pay annually, on or before the first day (.f June, a sum not less than one dollar; and shall continue a member, so long as he shall make such annual payment. Any person also, in the county aforesaid, who shall subscribe and pay into the treasury of this Socie- ty a sum not less than fifteen dollars, may be a member for life ; and any member of the Parent Society, living within the county, may become a uiember of this Auxiliary Society, by simply subscribing this Constitution. III. The officers of this Society shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Auditor, who shall be annually chosen by ballot; and these officers, togeth- er with four Directors, to be also chosen annually by ballot, shall cimstitute a Board of Direction. lY. It shall be the duty of the Board of Direction to use their best endeavours for increasing the number of subscri- bers to this Society, and to transmit to the Treasurer and Secretary their names and the sums subscribed ; and, in their collective and individual capacity, to encourage and aid the formation of Branch Societies and other charitable associa- tions in the several towns and parishes within the county. V. The Treasurer shall be required to keep a distinct ac- count of the sums received by him from the members of this Society, and of all donations ; and also of the several sums 13 from time to time received by him from the respective Treas- urers of the several Branch and other Societies connected with this ', to pay all incidental expenses, as ordered by the Board of Direction ; and to transfer, once a year at least, (or quarterly, if required by the Board,) all monies in his hands to the Treasurer of the Parent Society. The payment of all monies shall be made by order of the Board. VI. The Auditor shall examine the Treasurer's accounts, and make Report of the same in writing, at every annual meeting of the Society. VII. There shall be an annual meeting of the Society on the second Wednesday in June, in such place as the Society may determine, for the puipose of choosing officers, hearing the Auditor's Report, and transacting other necessary busi- ness, VIII. This Constitution, but not its object, may, at any annual meeting of the Society, be altered by a vote of three fourths of the members present, provided said alteration be recommended by the Board of Direction. The Article of the Constitution of the Amesicas SociEfr, re- f erred to in the first of the above Jlriides, makes it the duty of the Board of Directors of that Society " to superintend the manage- " meat of the funds and other property of the Society ; and to ef- '■'■feet, to the utmost of their powers the enlargement of the same,^^ "6?/ establishing auxiliary societies, and other charita- " hie female associations of various kinds, as also of young men of '' different occupations, especially of such as have themselves enjoy- " ed the advantages of a liberal education . . . . " Sfc, OFFICERS. Samuel Hoar, Esq. President. James Winthrop, Esq. V. President. Rev. Josepli Cbickering, Secretary. Dea. Jolm White, Treasurer. Dr. Amariah Preston, Audlto7\ Rev. Paul LitcMeld, ■>. Rev. Jonathan Homer, f -^. Rev. Samue! Stearns, Y^ivectors. Rev. Rufus Hurlbutj -^ 14 Br, The Middlesex Auxiliary Society for educating isir. June U. To cash paid Hilliard & Metcalf for printing gl5,50 To " for stationary .... 2,50 1818. May. To " for printing advertisements . 3,00 June 10. To " for printing circulars for said Socle- ? _, „ ty to Rev. J. Chickering, Woburn 5 ^'^" To " for tracts for said society . . 1,90 Ocit. 19. To « paid A. P.Cleveland, Boston, Treasur-") er to the American Society for educating Pi- 1 190,00 1819. ous Youth (as per receipt) J May 12. To cash paid to the American Society by the Rev. Mr. Homer 10,00 Balance in Treasury .... 40,54 §270^94 10 Pious Youth in aecH with John White, Treas. Cr, 1817. Aug. 26. By cash received of Rev, Joseph Chick- "j ering, Woburn, from members of his L 45,00 Society J 5gjjf. 26. " " of Miss. Mary Merrick, Sec-") retary and Treasurer of the Female ! |^ /-/? Auxiliary Society for educating Pious f ' Youth, Concord . . . J Dec. 1. « " of Samuel Hoar Esq. . 5,00 1818. Jan. 26. " " of Dr. Amariah Preston, Bedford, 7 c« 05 from members in Woburn . 5 ^' " " of Dr. Preston from Woburn 7 , ^. 47- in addition .... S ^' « « of Dr. Preston from Bedford 2,03 June 10. " " of Rev. J. Chickering from 7 e i~ Woburn for 1817 . . 5 ^'^' « " for 1818 . . . . 37,30 " " of Branch Society in South ^ ^^ ^^ Reading S ' « « of Rev. Jonathan Homer, Newton 2,00 « " of Dea. Samuel Farrar, Lincoln 1,00 « « of James Farrar, Lincoln . 1,00 " " of Rev. Dr. Ripley, donation (Concord) 3,00 « " of Elijah Stearns, Esq. Bedford 1,00 « « of Dr. A. Preston « 1,00 " « of Dea. Moses Fitch " 1,00 « « of Michael Crosbv « * 1,00 « « of J. White for 1817 and 1818,7 ^ ^^ Concord . . . ' 3 "' " " of David Lawrence, Esq. Littleton 1,00 « " of Alden Wheeler for 1818 . 1,00 June 11. « « of Rev. Paul Litchfield, for 1817 7 and 1818 .... 5 " " " " as donation 5,00 Aug. 14. « " of Mary Merrick, Sec'y and"^ Treas, of the Middlesex Auxiliary »! ■joo'i Society for educating Pious Youth for j ' the Gospel Ministry, in Concord J Oct. 14. " " of the Rev. Joseph Chickering,? . ^„ from Members . . . ^J ^'^O Amount carried over, ^-319,94 2,00 16 Amount brought over, 219,94 By casli refunded from Hilliard & Metcalf 1,00 <• « ofS.Hoar, Esq. 18ir, Concord 5,00 « « « " 1818 5,00 « « of E. Lawrence Esq. 1818, Lit- > 1819. tleton J May 12. « " of Miss Mary Munroe, Treas- "] urer of the Cambridge Female Benev- L 10,00 olent Society . . . , J 30,00 8270,94 Errors Excepted. JOHN WHITE, Treasurer^ May 12, 1819, I I ^ o^ ■d'^'^ 3 :>?>*>. ^>> iP> ;«s? ^>:^s^^^ iiimm »s« mmi ¥^,JLJ»J>'JA>^^^P3D ; '^i^#^&?«£* M^LsM