ADDRESS 
 
 FROM TB& 
 
 Presbytery of orang& 
 
 TO TK3 
 
 CHURCHES UNDER THEIR CAfl£> 
 
 • IT THI SUBJECT Ot 
 
 EDUCATING POOR AND PIOUS YOXJTfcJ 
 GOSPEL MINISTRY. 
 
 ^MINTED BY WILLIAM BQTLlty 
 ^306} 
 
T-6ff Presbytery of Orange, In North- Carolina, to the Chur- 
 ches under their care, and to oil others, with grace, mer- 
 cy and peace Jro>n God the Pother, fr*m t/14 Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and from the Dtvlne Spirlh 
 
 Dear Brethren 
 
 It has been, for many years, a fource of growing 
 concern with numerous friends of our Church, that 
 the interefts of religion among us are greatly iuffering 
 for want of an additional fupply of pious, faithful, and 
 able Minifterg of the Gofpel. It is well known that 
 many parts of our itate has long been wholly deftitute 
 of Evangelical inflruclion; that thcfe parts in which 
 congregations are regularly formed, have been inade- 
 quately fupplied with the means of grace and Spiritu- 
 al improvement; that the population of our country 
 is rapid iy increafing, and that new churches, in quick 
 fucceflion have been rifing into view ; while the num- 
 ber of our Minifters has been but flowly enlarged, and 
 is altogether incommenfurate with the growing de- 
 mand for their fervices. This deficiency has become 
 ferious and alarming. Important congregations which 
 have long enjoyed the miniftrations of the Gofpel, 
 when they become vacant, have been with the utmoO: 
 difficulty fupplied with pafiors. Large diltricls, with- 
 in the bounds of old fettlements, in which CBuTcfaes 
 might eafily be planted, and where Ministers would 
 meet with a cordial welcome, are lying wade for want 
 of their labours ; and more than one thoufand congre- 
 gations, on the extenfive frontier of the Untied States, 
 as wefl informed perlbns have affened, are able and 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 willing tofupport fpiritual teachers, but cry for them 
 in ?ain. 
 
 A deficiency fo long deplored, and fo evidently 
 growing, has a! length engaged the ferious attention 
 of the fupreme judicatory of <*>ur Church. The Ge- 
 neral AiTembly, at their lafl fefiions, received, and di- 
 rected ihe publication of an interesting Overture on 
 this iuhject. This Overture, after ftating in flrong 
 and affecting language, the deficiency complained of, 
 recommends that exertions be made by the refpective 
 Prefbyteries to remedy the evii. It propofes that each 
 Prefbytery mould undertake to look out for the raoft 
 piomifing characters among the pious youth within 
 its knowledge ; to conduct thofe who may be fele£U 
 ed through their academical and theological ftudies | 
 and, during this courfe, to furnifh them with tha 
 means of fupport, either in whole or in part, as their 
 circumftances may require, and as the rei'ources of 
 the Prefbytery may render practicable. 
 
 The Prefbytery of New-York having taken this 
 rerture of the AfTembly into ferious confideration, 
 have refolyed to adopt the plan which it recom- 
 mends. 
 
 The Prefbytery of Orange, animated by a flrong 
 folicitude to do what is in their power in promoting 
 an object fo full of Chriftian love, and piows concern 
 for the extenfion of the Redeemer's kingdom, have 
 refolved at their laft feftion, to conform without de- 
 lay to the benevolent directions they have received 
 from the General AfTembly, and to imitate fo worthy 
 an example as has been exhibited by their brethren 
 of New-York. In addreffing themfelves to the con- 
 gregations which are under their charge, and to o- 
 
thers who may be difpofed to favor their willies, ther 
 havethought it proper to adopt the language of their 
 brethren, than -which they can find none more appro- 
 priate, or more fully to exprefs the objecl and the mo- 
 tives of their determination. In the execution of this 
 plan they are fenfible that much prudence, circum- 
 fpe£lion and watchfulnefs will be neceffary ; and they 
 cannot be fo unreafonable as to hope that an under- 
 taking of fuch magnitude will be unattended with dif- 
 ficulty. But deeply aixecled with the preffing exigen- 
 cies of the Church ; and convinced that the delay of 
 even a Tingle year may prove injurious to its belt in- 
 terefts, they cannot forbear to go forward. In the 
 name of Him who is fet as King upon the holy hill of 
 Zion, they lift up their banner; in his grace and 
 ftrength they confide for fuccefs ; and to thofe who 
 loye his caufe they look for encouragement and aid. 
 
 To facilitate the accomplishment of their objecl:, the 
 Prefbytery contemplate the appointment of a Stand- 
 ing Committee of Miiiiftfers and Elders, whofe du- 
 ty it mall be to look out for young men—to examine 
 their qualifications — to fuperintend their academick 
 inftruction— to direel their theological ftudies— and, 
 in general, to do ail thofe things which may be necef- 
 fary for complenng their education. This Commit- 
 tee is to be annually renewed ; and, in all its proceed- 
 ings is to aft under the direction of the Prefbytery. 
 
 This method of introducing young men into the* 
 Gofpel Miniftry will, it is believed, be attended with 
 important advantages. Chofen and educated by the 
 Prefbytery, they will be conftantly under its infpe&i- 
 on and control. Known to the Minifters and congre- 
 gations belonging to the judicatory, a more than or- 
 
oinary intercfl will be taken in their fupport, charac- 
 ter, and ufefulnefs. And the youth thus felecteJ and 
 cherifhed will feel an additional responsibility, and a 
 peculiar excitement to gratify the juft expectations of 
 their patrons and benefactors. Nor is it a point of 
 fmall importance, that while individuals and congre- 
 gations will be called upon to furnifh the means of 
 Supporting this fyftem of education, it will lie with 
 them, either personally, or by their representatives, 
 to direct the manner in which their pious liberality 
 (hall be appropriated. 
 
 For defraying the large expenfes which mufl necef- 
 furily be incurred in the execution of this plan, the 
 Prefbyrery rely on annual collections in the Churches 
 under their care — the liberality of wealthy and charit- 
 able individuals— and the bequeR-S of thofe who may 
 be inclined to remember this object in their laft wills, 
 Thefe Sources of revenue, it is hoped, will be increas- 
 ingly productive when the nature and importance of 
 our undertaking Shall be generally underfiood ; and 
 cfpecially when it is confidered, that if f unable en- 
 couragement be afforded, there is every human prof- 
 pect of the mofl gratifying fuccefs. 
 
 Having thus, dear brethren, laid before you the plan 
 fuggefted by the General ASTembiy, and on which, af- 
 ter mature deliberation, we have refolved to aft, we 
 muft entreat your concurrence and aid in its executi- 
 on. We aft for your prayers and your pecuniary af- 
 fiftancf J Without liberal contributions it will be im- 
 polfible to conduct our undertaking either with vigor 
 or fuccefs. The arguments which adilrefs themfelves 
 to yc ■ v liberality are of the moft sntexefting and So- 
 lemn kind. As the friends of vital religion, you can- 
 
 p 
 
not be fuppofed cither to forget or to difregard thfi 
 importance of the Chriftian Miniftry, to yourfeives^ 
 to your families, to your country, and to the Churcli 
 of God. But we wifh you to be diftinctly apprized, 
 that without prompt and vigorous meafures to add to 
 the number of our pious and faithful Minifters, the: 
 beft interefts of our Church, in all probability, muft 
 deplorably languHh. Many congregations, now large 
 and promifmg, rauft fall into decay and diffolution ; 
 and thoufands of immortal fouls, now crying for help;, 
 mud be left to perifli for lack of knowledge. Ye who 
 lore the Lord Jefus Chrift in finceriry! in contem- 
 plating fuch an awful alternative, is not your tender- 
 eft companion excited— your holy emulation roufed 
 —your zeal inflamed —and your love to the Redeem- 
 er's kingdom called into lively and beneficent action ? 
 To be unaffected with fuch melancholy profpecli, 
 would betray an infenfibility of which you cannot be 
 fufpc&ed. To repofe in floth when there is fo much 
 to.be done, is unworthy of thofe whoconfider then:- 
 felyes as not their own, but bought with a price, and 
 bound to glorify God in their bodies and fpirits, which 
 are his. 
 
 In this benevolent undertaking, we entertain no 
 doubt that cur Sifter Prelbyteries will cordially and 
 zealoufly co-operate with us; The caH for exertion 
 is fo loud and foleinn, that it is beginning to be 
 heard by all our judicatories, and, we hope will fpee- 
 di!y produce a "general movement" of the Preiby- 
 terian Church in the United States. And ii ir mould 
 pleafe the great Head of the .Church to fmil'e upon 
 our united efforts, by opening the hearts of Christi- 
 ans to dtvlsc liberal things — by ftrengthening our hatida 
 
in the arduous enterprise—and by crowning our eri* 
 deavors with fuccefs, what happy refult may we not 
 anticipate ? May we not hope that the exertions now 
 commenced will form a new and glorious era in the 
 hiftory of our Church ; — that the humble beginning 
 now contemplated will prove the means of fending 
 hundreds, and even thcufands of paftors to hunger-* 
 Ing and thirfting fouls— and that generations yet un- 
 born will have reafon to rife up and call you blefled ? 
 
 To Pious Young Men. 
 
 We feel an earned defire to call your attention to 
 this important object. You are now juft entering' 
 on the ftage of action, and have arrived at an age 
 when you muft fhortly choofe fome profeflion ibr-life. 
 "You have often looked around you, with an anxiety 
 infeparable from piety, and have enquired how you 
 could beft employ the powers which God Greated — 
 the rational fouls which Chriit redeemed — to the ho- 
 nour of your Father and Savior ? You have but one 
 life to live, and how lhall that life be. fpeni moft to 
 the glory of God and the happinefs of men ? T hefc* 
 quellions, which have often arifen amidit your pious 
 meditations, muft, in a little time, be- decided. The ' 
 object of this Addrefs is to fuggeft fome considerati- 
 ons which may afTiit you in forming the great deci- 
 iion. 
 
 Has it ever occurred to you, that it may perhaps be 
 the will of God to employ you in the miniihy of mV 
 Son I Is this a new thought I Yet let it not be difmificd 
 as too extravagant to deferve attention. Place it dif- 
 thctly before your minds* and examine it on ever/ 
 Mc. The Church needs, more than fiie needs anj 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 thing-except larger fupplies of the divine Spirit, ma- 
 ny evangelical and apoftoiic men added to the num* 
 ber of her prefent Clergy. If thole men are found, 
 they mud be found among youth of your fpirit. On- 
 ly fueh as you can fupply materials for future Minif- 
 fers, fuch as the interefi of the Church requires, fuch 
 as her neceflities pr effing ly demand. For want of 
 fuch Mini Hers 3 immortal fouls are perlfhing, in our 
 land by thcufands, in our world by millions. Let the 
 thought intereff and and affect your hearts, that the 
 bleffed Savior, who requires your fervice, has pafled 
 by other youth and fet his love on you. By diitm- 
 guifhing grace he has feparated you from your former 
 companions ; and while they are left: in fin and end- 
 lefs ruin, he has given your title to the inheritance 
 of the faints in light— and all this, that you might 
 poffefs the fpirit necelfary to qualify you for the Gof- 
 pel Mini ft ry. Why have you thus been diftinguifhed 
 and qualified ? Is it not that you might devote your* 
 felves to this facred work ? And what hinders you 
 from fharing this glory ? You poffefs the firft and 
 mod effential qualification ; and provifions are now 
 about to be made, we hope on an extenfive fcale, for 
 carrying you through a courfe of academical and 
 theological flu dies. There is a fair profpect, that 
 fuch of you as poffefs refpe&able natural talents, may 
 become Ministers, and ufeful Miniilers, if you are 
 difpofed to embrace the opportunity. Let this qucf- 
 tion then engage your deep and folemn confideration : 
 To what other purfuit do fo many and fo facred mo- 
 tives foHcit you ? Standing as you now do on the 
 point of choofing a profeflion, whom will you ft- up 
 for your e*a:r:?te i Can a better be found umx the 
 
 s 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 Lord Jcfus Chiift ? That augufl Perfonagt lancd 
 the period of human life on tint earth, and took a 
 part in she active fecnes of men. And to what pro- 
 
 fcCion did he devote himfelf ? ' To that of preaching 
 the evenafiing Gofpel to perifiring men. Supported 
 by the unequivocal declaration or fuch an example, 
 may we not confidently pronounce, that human life 
 can be fperit in no manner fo defirablc, fo ncble, fo 
 godlike, as in the labours of the Gofpel Miniftry ? 
 We arc aware, that our Saviour is not to be held up 
 as an example, in this refp'ecl, to *// men, fince it is 
 cbvious that all cannot fulfcain the Pafioral office; but 
 we are firmly perfuaded, that while fuch an example 
 fhows the luperior importance of the Gofpel Minif- 
 try, it ought, under the prefent neceilities of the 
 Church, to have a binding influence upon young men 
 who pMIefs piety and talents, and other qualifications 
 for the tacred work, 
 
 tn what other way cm the powers cf the foil 1 be fo 
 circcYiy applied to promote the glory of God, and the 
 Left hitetfefts of men? The Gofpel Miniitry it the 
 principal mean appointed by heaven to advance the 
 n ueft happfeefs of rrien on earth, and their glory be- 
 5 ond the grave Thofe w ho cond ucl the interefb, and 
 decide im fate of nations, have it, indeed, in their 
 power to confer important benefits cn the world, 
 'i hofewhefe prcfelTional bufrnefs it is to defend the 
 property and lives of men — thofe who fill the feats of 
 jjflice— thoie who practice the healing art—all claim 
 ouV lefpect and gratitude. But in no employment 
 can men render fuch eftenilal and eminent fervice 
 to the human race, as in a courie or minifteriai la- 
 Louri, ai:pgin:ed Dy God to pluck immortal fpirits 
 
us brands from everlailing burnings, to prepare them 
 for the happinefs of heaven, and to promote that 
 grand caufe for which the world was made, for which 
 the world was redeemed, for which the world is pre- 
 ferved and governed. Could any one of you be the 
 Infframent of faving a fingle foul, he would achieve 
 infinitely more than by fubferving the convenience of 
 men in the mechanic arts ; by fettling any qucilions 
 relating to temporal eftates ; or by conquering and go- 
 verning nations. Could anyone oi you he favored with 
 as much ufefulnefs to the Church as falls to the lot of 
 many faithful Minifters, he migh! enjoy the thought 
 of having beef) the inuYrunjent of refcuing hundreds 
 from eternal woe, and railing them to everlafting 
 joys. Gaffing the eye down, the ages of eternity, 
 what an incalculable amount of happinefs will he 
 have been the means of producing ! Tranfport your- 
 felves for a moment to the folemnities of the final 
 judgment. Behold a band of bleffed fpirits, redeem- 
 ed from death by your mftrurnentality, ihouung fa!- 
 ration, and taking in the profped of immortal joy, 
 who otherwile would have been crying to rocks and 
 to mountains to cover them— behold them cording 
 to embrace you to pour their thanks int your bo- 
 fom, and to bend with ynu, adoring at the throne f 
 God ! - u hat are now che emotions of y^ur feufsf 
 Would the glitter of wealth, or the glory of empire 
 have filled you with j^y like this? In the light of 
 the final judgment, the importance of ail o?h-r em- 
 ployments is lott in companion with the Goipel Mi* 
 niflry, as time is fvvaliowed up in eternity. 
 
 Confider further, that this biefTed work will fut> 
 •nifh you with tkc bed means oi your owft ^nctificati- 
 
( is ) 
 
 on and fpmtual enjoyment. Engaged ardently and 
 affectionately in this, every day will bring you the de- 
 lights of a holy fabbath ; — and,, in the room of other 
 toils, the labour of your life will be in thofe ftudies 
 which open the wonders of God to the mind, and in 
 thofe pleating exercifes which Other Chriftians are 
 thankful for being permitted to enjoy one day in fe- 
 ven. Such a manner of life cannot fail to advance 
 your prefent peace, and to give a brighter luftre to 
 your immortal crown— a crown in which every foul, 
 redeemed from death by your means, mall conftitute a 
 new and fptendid jewel. An hundred ages hence 
 fou will blefs God for having increafed the glory of 
 S'our eternity, by putting you into the ^Vliniftry of his 
 Son. Grand and delightful is that promife, 77;??/ that 
 turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever 
 ami ever* 
 
 Urged by all thefe motives, come— we affection- 
 a'ely. invite you to come, and take part with us in the 
 MiuUiry of the grace of God. The example of Chrift 
 invites you to come —the tears of bereaved Churches* 
 who can find none to break unto them the bread of 
 life, plead with you to come — themiferies of wander- 
 ing fouls, who find none to lead them to heaven, 
 prefl ycu to come. Come then, and take part with 
 us in the labours and rewards of the Minjffcry of re- 
 conciliation ! 
 
 We conclude, with a fliort addrefs 
 
 To Pious Parents* 
 
 Who among you have any Sons to devote to Chrift 
 for the ferviceof his fan&uary? "Who among yom 
 have -any young Samuels, the children of prayer. 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 whom you have lent unto the Lord with ardent de- 
 fires, that as long as they live they may be the Lord's ? 
 Can you better difpofe of them than by training them 
 up for rhe Gofpel Miniftry, to bear the veilels of Him 
 to whofe fervice you have folemnly confecrated them 
 in baptifm? Would it not fill you with fubiime joy 
 to know that you had brought children into the 
 world to be the inftruments of large acceffions to the 
 aiFembly of the redeemed, to the everlafting kingdom 
 of Meffiah ? When a numerous company of ceieftial 
 fpirits fhould hail you as the bleffed parents of the 
 beloved inftruments of their falvation, would you not 
 f eel greater joy than you would hare done in behold- 
 ing yaur fons feated on earthly thrones, encircled 
 with the wreaths of fame ? If you love your pious 
 fons, give them to the Church, and increafe their 
 everlafting happinefs. If you love your Saviour, 
 whofe bowels yearned and bled for you, from your 
 own bowels give him Minifters— give to his fervice 
 thofe whom he died to redeem, to foothe and comfort 
 your parental hearts. If each of you can give a pious 
 Minifter to the Church, the whole Church will have 
 j-eafon to thank God for your exiftence, and you 
 yourfelves may bleL him forever that you have not 
 lived in vain. 
 
 Brethren, farewell. The grace of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift be with your fpirits ! Amen. 
 
 Signed by Order of the Presbytery. 
 
 LEONARD PRATHER, Moderator, 
 JAMES H. BOWMAN, Clkkk. 
 
 Burr aloe, Moore County 
 May 4>, 1806. 
 
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