has placed us, dear friends, in stations of influence. It is in our power to give such an impulse to this cause, as it has has never yet received. And in the name of Him who died to save a ruined world, in the name of six hundred millions of our fellow creatures who are perishing for want of the bread of life; ⚫in the name of all that is sacred in our own vows and obligations, and transporting in our own hopes and prospects; I implore, that on returning to our respecive homes, under a sense of our individual responsibility to God our Maker, we bring to bear whatever of talent, whatever of energy, whatever of influence we possess, in favor of the cause I advo

cate. Brethren, I have done. If I have addressed you with plainness and earnestness, you have my apology in the occasion that convenes us. To me this has been one of the most solemn hours of my life. I have felt, that for the first and for the last time, we were all assembled under the same roof. I have felt that never again should I address the representatives of our Church on this momentous subject; and that when next we all meet together, it will be at the judgment bar. That meeting will disclose the feelings cherished and the resolutions formed to-night; and God, our common Judge, and our common hope, will award to us accordingly.

United States.

THE PRESBYTERIAN BOARDS.

Board of Education.

At a later period, or about thirty years ago, another advance was made, in order still further to secure the necessary intellectual attainments for the ministry of the

Any one who will carefully trace the history of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, must be struck with the constant and untiring efforts of the fathers of the Church to secure for her a learned ministry. Nor were their labors in vain. Who can estimate the amount of good which Princeton College in N. J., Jefferson in Pa., and Danville in Ky., have conferred upon the Church. These colleges are mentioned for illustration merely, not to the exclusion of many others exerting the same healthful influence on the destiny of the Church. Most of these institutions were commenced in weakness, but they were laid in faith, and the best men of the Church watched over them, and labored for them, and prayed for them, that a hallowed influence might go out from them among the churches, and throughout the country at large.

gical Seminary. Up to that period professors of divinity had been appointed in various Colleges, and many pursued the study of divinity with individual ministers, in such places as their circumstances made most convenient. The wisdom of this plan, after thirty years' trial, has been fully tested; and in the great outline of its features, little change will in future be needed. But in the number of our Theological Seminaries, the Church has fallen into a great mistake. Instead of two or at most three, we have six Theological Seminaries, not one of them properly endowed, or furnished with a sufficient library, and with not more students than could be fully instructed in two. In these Seminaries are fourteen of the ablest ministers of the Church, supported by her funds, and giving their time and talents to the instruction of those studying for the ministry. It is easier to point out this mistake, however, than to show, under existing circumstances, how it can be re

medied. It is not the purpose of these remarks to discuss this question; and the Theological Seminaries were referred to, as evidencing how deep the feeling of the Church has been, and still continues to be, in favor of an able and learned ministry.

But to meet the wants of the Church, and the country at large, it was necessary, not only that the ministry should have all necessary learning and qualifications, but equally so, that the number should be sufficient to fill up the ranks of those whose warfare was ended,-to provide for the vacant churches, to furnish a supply for the moral desolations where churches are not even organized, as well as for the hundreds of thousands, which the annual increase of the country adds to her population. Nor is this all. By the Board of Foreign Missions, the Church is brought into direct contact with two thirds of the whole heathen world, and hundreds of our ministers will be wanted, "to speak unto the gentiles that they may be saved." Here then we see an interest of Zion, second in importance to no other that can be named. Of what benefit to the Church will be her Board of Domestic Missions, if ministers cannot be obtained to seek out and supply her waste places? So also of her Foreign Board; if men are wanting, her Theological Seminaries, the Board itself, and every other bulwark and palace of Zion, to the poor benighted heathen will exist in vain.

For the last hundred years the Presbyterian Church, under every circumstance of embarrassment and discouragement, has prayerfully watched over and cherished both branches of this important interest; earnestly laboring to have men of education, and to have them in sufficient numbers for all her wants. At a later period, she has committed to the Board of Education, as a separate agency, under the direction of the General Assembly, the care of seeking out young men for the ministry, and where it is necessary, rendering them assistance from the funds contributed for that purpose. The blessings of God has richly followed the labors of his servants in this department of his work. More than one thou. sand young men have been taken by the hand, and assisted in their education.

Many of these have entered the ministry, some among the churches at home, and others have been sent to the heathen. The amount of good that has been done by them will only be known at the Judgment day; but we do know that every single minister, properly qualified, and having the spirit of his Master, is a blessing to the Church. When one and another and another, until they amount to a great number of such laborers are sent into the harvest, how greatly should the Church be encouraged to persevere in this great work.

The Report for the last year shows a decrease in the funds, and a more than usual decrease in the number of young men received under the care of the Board. If this interest be decreasing, it is time the attention of the whole Church were drawn distinctly to it. Some indeed seem to view this as a small matter, saying it is only the Board of Education that is declining; and the other interests of the Church are prosperous. This feeling of indifference is believed to be founded in a vital and fatal mistake. When the Church at large ceases to labor and pray and travail, that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers to his harvest, there is something wrong at the root,—something diseased at the heart, which if not removed will soon reach every other vital function.

There are some remote causes, which are always exerting a deadening influence against the great work of the Church; and in seasons of darkness and declension within the Church, or of temptation and trial without, these causes acquire increased strength for evil.

One cause for the small number of ministers, and of those preparing for the ministry, is the inadequate support generally received from the churches, for the support of the gospel. This evil affects other important interests; and it is a subject on which the members of the Church are slow to learn their true interests. It is a painful task for ministers to do their duty in relation to this subject, in making known the whole counsel of God, and for the most part they suffer in silence. Many of the best interests of the Church are suffering from this lack of service; and we would entreat the

churches to examine this subject by the light of God's holy word. The gospel ministry was instituted by the Saviour himself; and a woe is pronounced against them if they neglect to preach the gospel, by turning aside to any other pursuit. The same divine authority requires that they be supported by the gospel, that they may give themselves wholly to their work. How are these requirements observed amongst us? Throughout the whole length and breadth of the Church are hundreds and hundreds of faithful and laborious ministers, in circumstances so straitened, with a support so limited, that their minds are perplexed with secular cares, their feelings are pained and mortified for want of the ability to discharge their engagements, en-, tered into even from pressing necessity to support their families. In very many churches the small amount promised, is not paid with any regard to punctuality; and whilst they are bound to preach the doctrine, to owe no man anything, they are not able to practice it in their own dealings.

Great as this evil is, and injurious to the best inrerests of religion, it is not so difficult to remove as many would at first suppose. In almost every church, however, there are a few men, who, by their influence, by their counsels and example, by united systematic action with others, could with the blessing of God remove this root of bitterness which has so long shed its blighting influence over the dearest interests of

the church.

What, it may be asked, has this to do with the decreased number of young men seeking the ministry? Much every way. The whole tendency of this state of things is to lower the standing of the ministry, to restrict and lessen their usefulness, and above all to lower the tone of piety in the Church. In this state of general feeling, it is natural even for pious young men to come to the conclusion, that whilst there is such a large majority of faithful ministers inadequately supported, the wants of the Church for more cannot be great, and that they can be more useful in other pursuits.

Another cause of evil influence to this subject has been the spirit of speculation,

the morbid and idolatrous love of money, which has been predominant, not only in the community generally, but has found favor in the sacred enclosures of the Church, and reached many a heart, professing outwardly to be strangers and pilgrims in the world. Within a few years past almost every city, town and village, in the country, have been carried away by this covetousness which is Idolatry; and what was alas the darkest picture in the enemy's triumph, the members of the Church were scarcely to be distinguished from others. Who can calculate the force for evil of this state of things on the minds of young men? They heard on every side, from their fathers, from elders in the church, from all who were esteemed respectable in the community, little besides the rise and value of property, the best way of securing it, and of acquiring more! It would have been strange indeed if such a state of things had not resulted in apathy to the best interests of Zion.

Another cause of evil is found in the recent extensive and violent political excitement. For a whole year the entire community was thrown into a state of feverish anxiety, injurious to the common pursuits of lawful business, and hostile in the extreme to vital piety and godliness. When men of age and standing, members of the church, elders, and in some cases even ministers of the gospel, yielded to the wild excitement, it was not to be expected that young men would be the only class able to resist its influence.

It is objected by some that we have ministers enough already; and for proof a reference is made to the number on the roll of the General Assembly marked "without charge." It must be recollected that this list contains many employed in spheres of great usefulness. The professors in the theological seminaries,-presidents and professors in many of the colleges,-the se cretaries and agents of the boards of the church,-all the foreign, and many of the domestic missionaries. Some are laid aside by age, others by want of health, and some of them probably never ought to have been in the ministry. Those of them who are men of the right spirit, are serving the