terial qualifications are necessary. The reasons are too numerous to be numbered. I can only give a few of them. One reason is, the infancy and unsettled state of the churches. An established and well regulated church has many in it, who are capable of directing all its common concerns, and even of giving an inexperienced minister such advice as he often needs. To keep a church together, which is already built up, and strongly cemented, does not demand that ability which is necessary to build up and cement one. This is particularly the case, when the materials to build with are in their rudest state, and must be wholly made over. In the older churches, let but the Holy Spirit convert men, and they are in general prepared to unite with the church. But here, a long course of instruction in the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion is necessary-instruction amidst powerful efforts to darken the understanding. Another reason is, the impossibility of much counsel. In most of the older churches, by a ride of one or two hours, a young minister may see a veteran in the christian army, who can give him all needful counsel. But here, in many cases, months must roll away, without seeing another minister. For sixteen months past, but two ordained and educated ministers have been in this town, and these came to preach by way of exchange. Besides these, two candidates have called here. A minister thus situated must in all emergencies plan and execute without any advice. He must stand ever ready to defend the church from the concealed, or the open attack. Another reason is, the ignorance of pretended preachers of the gospel. This is deplorable beyond all my expectations. I have heard a sermon from a minister, whom many supposed to be of the first order, whose church is said to be three times as large as mine, and in the same town. This man it is said cannot read the scriptures, and it is certain that he could not read his text correctly. His pretensions are, that God tells him what to say. He denies the Deity of Jesus Christ, and is filled with fanaticism, and yet he has in his church two children of a Presbyterian deacon. Noless than three, of this character for ignorance, reside in this township, which is six miles square. Another reason is, the prevalency of dangerous errors. At the head of these stands Universalism. Men of this sect compass us about on all sides. Many of them are not ignorant. Some are men who have been awakened in some eastern revival, and have fled here, thrown off restraint, and equipped themselves thoroughly with the adversary's weapons. While they meddle not with looser ministers, it will be very difficult for one of ours to avoid an open at tack from these men, unless they are constrained to feel, that, on any ground, he is prepared to meet them to their disadvantage; and even then, he must constantly be guarded against their plans. This requires ministers, whose minds have been trained to close thought. They have had preachers here, whose skill in perverting scripture, exceeds all that I have ever seen at the East. What adds to the difficulty is, that not a few have learnt to tell that the scriptures which speak against their favorite errors, are wrongly translated, and to give them a translation to suit themselves. But perhaps the greatest difficulty of all is, to counteract the influence of erroneous books, that are circulated far and wide. I find books filled with deadly poison, left by some specious friend, for members of my church to read. The truth is, that Satan, plotting the destruction of our nation, and the overthrow of Christianity in it, has fixed his eye on our New Settlements, and there erected and fortified his strong holds; and if they are not wrested from him, his object in a few years is inevitably attained. I have watched his movements for fifteen months, and I conclude that they are in general similar in all the territory west of the Alleghany mountains; and fearful as I have been of the influence of Unitarianism in Massachusetts, I have seen nothing there alarming like this. Where now I ask are the most able ministers of Christ needed? Were an army of five hundred thousand veterans desolating our country, where would be the place for the greatest generals? Let the church look to the West, and answer these inquiries. If for want of better, men of small attainments, whose judgement science has not improved, must be clothed with the sacred functions of the ministry, I beseech you, keep them at home-settle them over the best informed congregations in New England, but send them not here, where churches under their influence must wither, and die. These churches must be sustained, or before the millennium, our land will, we may fear, resemble that of Asia Minor, and from these wilds some new Mohammed rise, and, with fire and sword, sweep all before him. The eastern churches may contribute their millions-their treasures may be wafted over these western waters to support the gospel, but what can it avail, if entrusted to unskilful men? Without an able, a learned, and a holy ministry here, all is lost. With my views of the subject, I should deprecate nothing so much as a host of unlearned, unskilful ministers, sent from New England to preach the gospel throughout these New Settlements. I should, the moment I saw them, consider the ruin of these churches, and as a final consequence, the destruction of true religion in our favoured land, inevitable. Learned men, full of piety, glowing with 1829. EXAMINATION OF STRICTURES UPON THE AMERICAN ED. Soc. love to Christ, who are ready to deny themselves for his cause the conveniences and comforts of older places-ready to traverse the wilderness, and content themselves with coarse entertainment, who can sleep in a log-cabin, and write their sermons in the room where all the business of the family is transacted-men that will kneel with the family upon the slab-floor and pray with the same earnestness, and delightful interest, that they would upon the carpet of a New England parlor-who can make the | 79 broken down tree in the deep wilderness their closet-men who have consecrated all to Christ, and who are ready to watch, and pray, and labour for souls under all the prospects of an early grave marked by no stone to tell the traveller the result of their labors-such are the men that we must have-such are the men that under God we shall have, and these churches will risehere will be revivals of religion, and multitudes of souls will be fitted for heaven. EXAMINATION OF STRICTURES UPON THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. The nature of the following discussion is a sufficient reason for republishing the article in the Quarterly Register and Journal. It is written with candour, as well as ability; and the important facts and arguments which it furnishes will amply repay the labour of an attentive perusal. The friends of the American Education Society will find new ground for confidence in the wisdom and utility of the principles which they have adopted. They have only to go forward with a firm trust in God, and diligently use the means which He has given them, and the object at which they aim will speedily be accomplished, to the joy of thousands and millions of perishing men. An Examination of the Strictures upon the American Education Society, in a late number of the Biblical Repertory, originally published in that work. By Moses Stuart. To the Editors of the Biblical Repertory. MESSRS. EDITORS, In the third number of the new series of your Work, dated July, 1829, I have met with a piece, on the General Assembly's Board of Education, and the American Education Society, which has deeply interested my feelings. Whoever the writer of that piece may be, I take the liberty to tender him my most sincere and hearty thanks, for the very valuable considerations which he has suggested, at the commencement of his strictures, respecting the present aspect of the moral and religious world, and the duties and obligations of Christians which result from it. I do most entirely concur with all his remarks, respecting the past failure of the churches to perform their duty in regard to spreading the knowledge of the gospel abroad and in regard to their error in seeking, at any time, to sustain themselves by leaning on the arm of civil power. For one, I rejoice that God has taught them so instructive lessons on this subject; for we may now venture to hope, in this country at least, that they will not again seek for help from a quarter which will never afford it; and which, if at any time it condescends to put on the appearance of affording it, exacts more as a return for its favours, than conscience can allow, or the interests of religion permit without injury. The picture of the religious wants of our country; the call for pastoral labours, made from thousands of places that are destitute of the word of life; the interest which Christians are taking in this subject, the importance of immediately furnishing our new settlements with faithful, spiritual guides; the necessity of having these well instructed and disciplined for their great work; and the imperious duty of all Christians, who are praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers, to be active in furnishing all the means of training up such labor ers; are drawn, described, and urged in a manner which satisfies the most ardent feelings and wishes of my heart. I fully concur with the writer, also, in the directions which he gives, as to the manner in which our spiritual wants are to be supplied. It is true, that our first duty is, to raise our humble and earnest cries to the great Lord of the harvest, that he would multiply the number of laborers; and equally true, that the Christian church is under the highest obligations, while she prays for this, to do all in her power to promote it, by taking pious and indigent youth under her care, and providing for their education in an adequate manner. sion. There is scarcely a salary in this country, at least among the Presbyterian and Congregational churches, which could be the object of ambition to any man of a worldly spirit, and of talents above mediocrity. It would give me much pleasure, if I could proceed through the whole piece, on which I have commenced making remarks, and find nothing which I could not sincerely commend, and with which I do not fully agree. But when the writer comes to make his remarks on the principles and proceedings of the American Education Society, I am constrained to differ from him here, and cherish views materially diverse from those which he has disclosed. With the writer I do also sympathize most entirely, on the subject of I take it for granted, that a man, of beneficed livings in the church. If a such an able mind and excellent spirit graceless ministry is to be raised up; as is developed in that part of the if the church is to be thronged with piece on which I have been remarkaspirants after her favours, whose ing, will very readily concede to othhearts are rankling with enmity at the ers the liberty which he has himself strictness of her principles, and filled taken, in the free remarks which he to overflowing with insatiable desires has made on the principles and proafter worldly and sensual pleasures; ceedings of the American Education then let her provide livings which will Society. He will cheerfully grant me afford the means of ease and luxury. the privilege of examining the facts She will thus hold up a premium to and principles which he has brought men of secular views, who are desi- forward, by way of supporting his obrous of enjoying these; and will nev-jections to the Society in question; er fail to have at least as many minis- first, because he himself wishes only ters, as she has benefices to bestow to come at a correct view of the upon them. whole ground, and to know what can In view of the deadly evil which be said in its defence, as well as asuch a course has occasioned in oth-gainst it; and secondly, because the er countries, it seems to be the plain duty of all sincere Christians in ours, to pray that the clergy may always continue to have very moderate incomes; to see to it that they never can become rich; at least never become so by means of what the church bestows upon them in the way of salary. In respect to the usefulness of ministers of the Gospel, I can truly say, that their poverty appears to be great matter of congratulation. None but the most prejudiced and bigotted opposers of religion can now accuse them of selfish and pecuniary views, in choosing the ministry for a profes public, who have now had one side of the question placed before them, are entitled to know what answer the friends of the American Education Society have to make to the allegations thus produced against their measures. I enter with much reluctance on this task. It is always unpleasant to entertain, or to express differences of opinion, when these differences have respect to men for whom we cherish a high and Christian regard. It is an unwelcome task, also, to come before the Christian public in a kind of polemic attitude. Many Christians. I can subscribe most heartily to the noble and generous concession, which the Reviewer of their proceedings makes p. 354, and which I beg permission here to quote. shrink instinctively from every thing which looks like dispute. The world are very ready to speak with exultation, on what they are pleased to call the quarrels of the church. Distrust, unkind feeling, alienation, coldness, "We admit that there is something very or suspicion, are very apt to creep in, magnanimous and captivating in the idea of while the professed disciples of Christ a great society, laying aside sectarian names, are engaged in discussion, (not to saying pious indigent young men for the goscollecting and disbursing funds in educatdispute); and especially is this the pel ministry, regardless of sect or party. case, when discussion grows animat- We admit the energy and success of the ed, and the cause stands committed American Education Society, that it has before the world. done more in exploring the spiritual wants timent on this subject, in pressing home on of our country, in enlightening public senthe consciences of Christians, the indispensable duty of engaging heart and hand in this mighty work, than has been done by all others. With unqualified pleasure, we admit also, that the concerns of this Society are managed by men in whose intelligence, piety, and energy, we have the highest confidence." On all these accounts, I advance to the task before me with undissembled reluctance; fearing, lest the declaration of opposing sentiments, or the correction of mistaken facts, may possibly be understood by some as an exhibition of feelings which are unfriendly, or as a manifestation of party spirit, which, reckless of truth or union, or peace, seeks to defend its own views at all adventures. I cast myself, therefore, after these remarks, on the generosity of the writer in question, and that of his friends who sympathize with him; trusting, that while I endeavour strictly and faithfully to examine the allegations made respecting the American Education Society, they will not do me the injustice to believe, that I have any personal motives in view, or am seeking the interests of any supposed party in that quarter of the country to which I belong. I am, indeed, a friend of the American Education Society; and I have been so from its very rise. But it is not because I have been in any way connected with it, or have ever received, or expect to receive, any direct benefit from it, nor am I in any way responsible for its measures. It is true, that having lived near the centre of the Society's operations, and having an intimate acquaintance with all who are actually concerned in the immediate and principal management of its interests, I have been, from the very first, acquainted with its principles, measures, and proceedings. From a sincere approbation of these, Agreeing most fully with this writer, in his views of the men to whom the management of the American Education Society is entrusted; and cherishing these views, after having for a score of years been intimately acquainted with almost all of them, and with the remainder ever since they have come upon the stage of action; I acknowledge that it is not without some degree of pain and reluctance, that I perceive the measures they have taken are virtually called in question, and our country is warned against the dangers to which they are thought to be exposing it. But it becomes their friends, and therefore myself among them, to examine the charges preferred against their principles and proceedings with impartiality; and to listen to every sober and friendly suggestion which may be made by any, who are disposed to call in question the wisdom or the correctness of their measures. I have endeavoured to do this. The result I beg leave to communicate in the following order; viz. I. I shall examine the facts alleged, in regard to the measures and principles of the American Education Society. II. I shall make some remarks on the fears which are expressed with | Society; receipts from the Society respect to it. And, III. I shall briefly consider the method which the Reviewer has chosen in order to accomplish his object. In examining the facts alleged by the Reviewer, I shall proceed in the order in which he has presented them. It is my design to leave no material circumstance out of view; for on a question of so great importance as the present, the public are entitled to information minute and circumstantial enough to lead them fully to make up their opinion. during the quarter; receipts from any other source, either of money, or of clothes or books; the number of weeks in which the beneficiary has been engaged in teaching school during the quarter, with the receipts for the same; receipts for labour in any other way; together with a general summary at the close, of the whole debts due, exclusive of those due to the American Education Society. The applicant subscribes, also, a declaration of his intention to devote his life to the ministry of the Gospel, and he asserts that he solicits patronage for this end. Printed schedules of all the items are furnished for the use of the beneficiary, who makes his returns under each head. This is handed by him to the Principal of the Academy or College with which he is connected, who exam The first allegation of the Reviewer is, that "the details of expenses and receipts, of clothing, of books, of donations from other societies and friends, of profits of teaching and labour, of debts contracted and paid, which young men under the patronage of the Society are required to make, every quarter, are unnecessari-ines it as minutely as he pleases; and ly and painfully minute," p. 356. The chief grounds of this objection are, "that the plan holds out a powerful temptation to the beneficiary, to conceal the amount of receipts and expenses, so as to form a stronger claim on the aid of the Society," and that "it places him in the attitude of a common beggar, whose success depends on the dolefulness of his story." Young men of delicate and ingenuous feelings," it is averred, "shrink from this public developement of private and personal circumstances," p. 356. 66 then certifies his belief as to the correctness of it. In addition to this, he certifies that the beneficiary in question sustains, in all respects, such a character as is required by the Constitution and Rules of the American Education Society in order to receive their aid. This is forwarded every quarter, to the Directors of the Society; and on these is predicated their vote in relation to the aid that is sought for. Where the distance of the school or college is very great, however, it is forwarded only once in six months. Such are the facts, in relation to the details in question. Let me now, make some remarks on these facts, and the proper tendency of them. On this subject, I would remark, that the details required of beneficiaries in Academies and Colleges, and which are in some respects more minute than those required of Theological Students, may be summed up (1.) It is obvious, that as the Sociin general, under the following heads, ety is called upon to aid those who viz. stage of study; number of weeks stand in need of aid, and as it was inengaged in study during the quarter; stituted solely for this purpose, so it price of board, with its amount; tui- can, with fidelity to its trust, bestow tion; expenses for washing, room, fu- aid only on such as afford adequate el, lights; also for books and station- and satisfactory evidence of such ary; incidental expenses; debts at the need. But how is this evidence to be beginning of the quarter, exclusive of obtained? The answer is, By a those due to the American Education | knowledge of the character and en |