his obligations? Will he not exert the energies of his mind? What better plan than this can be adopted to produce an energetic ministry?-distinguished for energy of body and of mind; able and willing to bear privations and sufferings to endure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ?' And what influence will the system of the American Fducation Society have, to raise up an independent ministry-to give the beneficiaries peculiar qualifications to become ministers in new settlements, and missionaries among the heathen? Will any Inode of education, or any class of men, give promise of greater usefulness, in these trying events and important fields of labor, than those who have been aided by the funds of your society? How many of the brightest beneficiaries of the church have been among the number of those who have been educated by the hand of charity? Such as Doddridge, Buchanan, Martyn, Milue, and a catalogue of other names too numerous for particular notice. More than three-fourths of the missionaries, that have ever been employed by the American Board, in Foreign Mission service, have been assisted by the benevo lent, in obtaining their education. Can any one longer doubt, whether this society is well adapted to produce an efficient ministry? | ans, and Schwartzes, and Martyns! How many Halls, and Newells, and Parsonses, and Judsons, must be raised up for this work! "The exigencies of the times will not only need men of the above character, but men of more distinguished and eminent qualifications, proportioned to the difficulties that may yet be increased, and to the magnitude of the work, that must and will be done. But Such men are needed, sir. They must be had, and they will be had. The church is pursuing her onward march. The day of her deliverance and her glory is at hand. And the men will be furnished to conduct this mighty enterprise. where are they to be found? and from whence shall they come? For a solution of this question, sir, let us turn our eyes to the Education Society. And let this society come forward-let it take the pious and indigent young men of our land by the hand, and mould them under the influence of its salutary operations; by its funds let it aid in defraying their expenditures; by its discipline, prepare them for privations and hardships; and by its pastoral supervision, let it elevate their views; deepen their humility, and inspire them with apostolical zeal and energy. "How invaluable! how indispensable must be the efforts of this society, as connected with the accomplishment of this high and holy enterprise! It is a wheel within a wheel in the moral machinery that exists in the world. It is a main-spring in the mighty engine that is moving forward in so many ways, enlightening and convert But do the exigencies of the times require such a ministry? What are the exigencies of the times in which we live? Look through the length and breadth of our own land. See abundance of iniquity, and ignorance, and error; the wide spreading moral desolations among us! Look at the mountains of difficulty in the way of bringing the world. How vast the responsibility ing this vast population under the influence of the gospel! Then look into the heathen world. See three-fourths of the whole family of man covered with Egyptian dark ness-slaves to the inost debasing, and filthy, and cruel superstitions! Think of bringing these hundreds of millions to enjoy the blessings of the gospel, and of fitting them for a holy heaven! What a work is here to be done! And what the agents there must be to accomplish it! And are we sure that this work will be accomplished? Shall the gospel, indeed, be published to all people?' Shall the world be filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord, as the waters fill the depths of the sea?' We have not only the assurance, sir, that this work will be done, but the evidence is abundant, that the time is fast approaching. The predictions of the Bible and the signs of the times, all conspire to give us assurance, that we are now on the eve of this auspicious and glorious day. And is this vast work to be accomplished by human agency? What a host of missionaries, furnished with adequate qualifications, and glowing with apostolical zeal, must be brought forward into this field of labor! How many Brainerds, and Buchan devolving upon the Directors and Agents of this society! How much they need the prayers, and sympathies, and co-operation of the whole Christian community! And shall this be suffered to languish for the want of this co-operation? The liberality with which it has been thus far sustained, forbids such a foreboding. It leads us, with confidence, to cherish the expectation, that it will not only be sustained hereafter, but that its resources will be greatly augmented. Was there ever a time when its aid was more needed? when the calls were more imperious for enlarging its operations? Hear the cries at home and abroad-from every quarter of our own land, and from every portion of the heathen world, wafted on every breeze, send us able and faithful ministers.'' 1835.] WESTERN RESERVE BRANCHI. 33 53 when he made the gospel plan one of grace. Feelings of servility are prevented by the exercise of the stronger feelings of gratitude. Let me state a fact. About the year 1740, should labor to establish it in the world; we know its history: this knowledge has all grown up with us. If our own times were not in any sense peculiar, the church ought to have for its ministers those of the charac-a preacher from the back counties of Virter described in the resolution. But now great events are hastening to their accomplishment, and crowding faster than ever before; more must be done in shorter time; the battle waxes hotter; our enemies have learned more skill by previous conflicts; and our own armies-some are impatient to engage with the enemies, and some not bold enough.-Sir, if ever independent, energetic, efficient men were needed, they are needed now-men in the church, what Washington and others were at the head of the American armies; now bold, now cautious and maintaining a vigilant eye; now seeming to yield, and now pushing onward in vigorous attack, until success is made certain, and the cause triumphant. ginia preached for a time in Hanover county. That "Sir, I could also name over some of our first statesmen, who were poor young men, but who had patrons. The Education So who seek the ministry. It is the agent of the church, to adopt worthy sons, who may be trained up for her service, and the service of mankind. "I proceed to show that the American Education Society is adapted to raise up such men for the service of the church. "It encourages proper self-reliance-ciety is the patron of our pious young men and self-reliance subordinate to the will of God, is independence. Aid is not wholly gratuitous. Capital is loaned, which is to be converted by the individual into mental furniture and skill; which again will be to him a productive capital, to refund the first, to earn his daily bread, and to benefit the generation in which he lives. The beneficiary of your society is a young merchant, with noble aims, set up in the world by his patron; and while self-reliance is promoted, the discipline is such as will also promote energetic, efficient action. Let me add here that measures are adopted to obtain the best young men. "This system saves that delicacy of feeling which young minds have, and have the more because their motives and feelings are suspected by a wicked world around. Doubtless the loaning system is to be preferred to entire charity on that account. "The loaning system delivers from the embarrassment of entire self-dependence. Nothing is more depressing than pecuniary difficulties. Some magnify the benefits of self-dependence too much. The voice and plans of Providence are all against it. It is like commending, and persuading to universal adoption, the hard manner in which Indian children are brought up, when one half die in the severe training. "The loaning system promotes gratitude -benevolence; than which no principle is more energetic, no feelings more calculated to make one live for the church, and if need be, even die for the church. "But should any one say, that it is charity, after all, and that of some it is never required to refund; let it be considered that charity has no necessary tendency to produce servility. God knew well how to touch the spring of human renovated action, VOL. VII. "I remark again, that the American Education Society requires its young men to obtain a liberal education. It is right in doing so. "He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves beside.' "Knowledge makes a man independent. Were young men ever so strong in body, they would not have the right sort of energy and independence, unless they also had the discipline of regular education. They must have knowledge, or their minds will never be truly free. Less cannot be exacted of young men, than what is a collegiate course, or what is equivalent. "Many of our colleges and theological seminaries now afford sufficient exercise. Schools that require more than two or three hours labor, do not furnish the right men as to attainments. They are not even what they promise. And what if certain schools are established that promise to take students along by their own exertions, free from debt? What if this could be done? Your beneficiaries can soon free themselves from debt, and then have a decided advantage over their independent neighbors who choose to go on without aid. They have minds better furnished and disciplined, and all the bodily vigor that is necessary for purposes of extensive action in the world, and owe men nothing but love. "Moreover the people will not now be satisfied with mere superiority of physical energy. They must be fed with knowledge. The action of the church is moral H action, and reliance upon any other will produce disappointment. "I will only mention here the influence of the schedule, in which the young men record their expenses, earnings, &c. Whoever shrinks from minute responsibility, is not the man whom the church wants. He that is faithful in little will be faithful also in much. Independence and energy must be husbanded, economized, to be efficient. Here young men begin to learn economy. Other influences are also most salutary. Besides pastoral visits and letters, the memoirs of Cornelius and Brainerd are given; men whose qualities united, form our ideal of a minister such as is required in these latter days. And then also the influence of being connected with such a society, accomplishing so great things, and embracing among its officers and patrons, some of the first men in the church and in the nation. "I will close with a brief view of fact, to show that the Education Society has actually accomplished, and is accomplishing, what it seems adapted to accomplish. "The officers of our colleges and theological seminaries say, that of all the students, none give you higher promise of usefulness than the young men aided by the American Education Society." On presenting the resolution, Resolved, That the brightening prospects of Christianity throughout the world, the strong desire of some pagan nations to receive religious instrucministers to meet the wants of our fellow-men, call loudly for a vigorous prosecution of the glorious enterprise in which this Society is engaged; tion, and the lamentable deficiency in the number of President Pierce said, "I will not take up your time, in showing how inadequate the present number of ministers and missionaries is, to occupy the fields which God has laid open. I will not attempt to estimate the many millions who must go down to their graves in all their darkness, before we can prepare young men to preach among them the gospel. I will only ask, what duty now devolves upon the church? What duty devolves on us, as among those who are pledged to the cause of our Redeemer? In view of a world lying in wickedness a world redeemed by the blood of Christ and waiting to receive his gospel; in view of pleasing indications that the time to favor Zion has come-what can we do? Some of us can give ourselves to the enterprise of evangelizing the nations. Yes, sir, there are those who now hear me, who, if the church is faithful in sustaining them in their course of preparation, and sending them forth, will, with their own lips, tell to the heathen the history of redeeming love-young men ardently panting for the privilege of preaching Christ, where he has not been named. Some of us, who are ministers of the gospel, may examine anew our duty, in relation to the appropriate field of labor-and forsake the endearments of home and kindred, and what is more, a beloved church and people, to preach the gospel in parts more destitute. Some of us can encourage young men of piety and talents, to gain an education and prepare for the ministry of the gospel. To such young men the way often appears dark, and the question of duty doubtfuland a little influence judiciously applied, may result in giving to the church of Christ a faithful minister. And to whom will young men of piety and talents so readily look for guidance, as their pastor? And let me ask, in the spirit of Christian kindness, whether brethren in the ministry are doing all that they ought, to search out young men of the right character, and give them the needful encouragement, that they may enter a course of preparation for the ministry? I am not one of those, who take delight in publishing the faults of my brethren. And if what I say may imply censure, I would take a full share of it to myself. Having within twelve years admitted not far from an hundred young men to the church, I know not one of the number who is now on his way to the ministry. And coming among the churches of the Western Reserve, where God has poured out his Spirit of late in the most wonderful manner, and gathered multitudes of youth into the fold-and seeing how few young men are now in a course of preparation for the ministry-I have been led to fear that others, like myself, have been neglectful of Christian obligation. Some of us are parents, and may consecrate our sons to Christ, and pray for their sanctification, and train them for the ministry. And what higher privilege can the parent desire, than that of giving his sons to Christ, for the work of the ministry? For my sons, I ask not wealth: I ask not the honors or pleasures of the world. I only ask the high privilege of seeing them sanctified, and training them for the ministry of Christ, wherever he may require their service, in Christian or in heathen lands. Some of us have property, which we may consecrate to the Lord, and make it instrumental in preparing young men to preach the Gospel of Christ: And it is required of us according to our ability. The law of God adapts itself, with perfect precision, to the abilities of men. And if we have done what we could-if we have rightly employed the talents committed to us, be they two, or five, or ten-we shall receive the sentence of approval." 1835.] WESTERN RESERVE BRANCH. 55 arms, and we will receive it with a warm and distinctly announced it. And all this heart, and a strong embrace, and wash her Society desires, is, that we follow out this sweet and lovely face with the tears of arrangement. He has furnished mind. We penitence; for penitence becomes us, that must take this mind and cultivate it. It is we have not more valued her object, and only by the practice of a generous and an better sustained her modest, but just and inflexible Christian principle, that difficulreasonable claims. This society should be ties can be overcome. Every minister allowed the credit of expressing a correct should search out and bring forward candigospel faith, for she acts upon honest con- dates for the sanctified, reserved recruits, fidence that God is true to his word.' GO from which the churches are to be supplied. YE, into all the world and preach the gos- The best minds and the best spirits are often pel to every creature.' The go, is as retiring, and need to be invited. Parents essentially a part of this command as the must cheerfully give their children, hones preach. Preachers, in sufficient numbers, and sinews, as well as silver and gold. are not now in the field. Nor are they Shall parents glory in making sacrifices forthcoming from the means now in requi- upon the altar of patriotism, and yet shrink sition. The call for their increase comes in from the self-denial, and think diminutively from every part of Christendom, and from of the honor of giving their sons to the every post in pagan lands where institutions church? A lovely mother once said to me, of the gospel are placed, and where its in 1814, when the call was loud for young operations are anticipated. Every enter- men for the army, Oh, may kind Heaven prise of benevolence repeats the call. All spare me from bearing sons, if they must our societies are crippled by the want of be hurried to the tented field." Her preachers, and the population of the nation prayer might have been reversed, had she increasing at the rate of 1,000 a day-mak-contemplated the deficiency of ministers. ing thus 365 new congregations every year. Give me sons, and I will give them back I am aware that these statements have been to thee as ministers of the New Testament. often repeated-and long before the public. Why do they forget that God has made the But they should be felt especially by the agency of the living preacher, indispensachurch. The Education Society has all ble to the conversion of the world. To these facts distinctly before her. She finds furnish this agency, is the distinct and happy in her enlarged heart a lodgment for all province occupied by the Education Sotheir bearings, and confident that the defi-ciety; and she is the happiest when she is ciency may be supplied, she appeals to the made the almoner of the liberal and the church for a prompt and an efficient co- constant bounty of the church-and when operation; and this is the hour for us to Christians, by the use of the appropriate yield ourselves up gratefully, and unhesita-means, so multiply the number of converts, tingly to this appeal. Rather should we be carried away by the impulse, and permit this Society this evening, to fill our vision, and to enlist unalienably our energies in her interests. Not that I would forget, or even overlook, the claims of other institutions. But each in its own order. And whilst I thus magnify, this evening, the Education Society, let not the agents of the other benevolent institutions, stand in fear of being robbed. There can be no clashing between them. They are sisters, and while a father's heart is given to one, it is reserved for the other; and each in her place has the whole of a father's love. and thus so increase the number of beneficiaries, that she is compelled to say to the churches, the more you pray, and the more you labor for the conversion of sinners, the more must you give to prepare for the ministry your spiritual children, and the more you give, the greater the success which will attend your labors, and the more emboldened shall I become, to make larger and still larger drafts upon your charity. "It is as much our duty to educate pious youths for the ministry, as it is to pray, thy kingdom come. And the state of feeling, among Christians, which indicates a healthful pulse, is that, and that only, which sustains the doctrine that men of the right spirit, and in great and rapidly increasing numbers, must be forthcoming to meet the exigencies of the church, and of the world. Christian enterprise is paralyzed without them. The world does not become Christian but by the energies of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit does not found and build churches without the co-operation of the living preacher. You have it then, from the groans and agonies of a world under condemnation, as well as from the divine "In the midst of these associations, sir, I arrangement, that next to the Holy Spirit, can scarcely fail of saying, that the vigor-nothing is so much needed for our lost race ous prosecution of this enterprise is a matter as men, thoroughly educated, and fitted for of course. God has made the arrangement, the work of the ministry. "Let this enterprise be consummated, and you witness the accomplishment of the divine promise; the gathering of this world's population into suitable congregations, and each consigned to particular pastoral supervisorship; and thus secured to the whole family of man, the instructions, the restraints, the transforming power of divine truth-a world regenerated, a race redeemed-the ranks of Heaven replenished by the forgiven and sanctified children of men. And is not this glory? "Some ministers would be out of employ' if the number were one hundred fold less than it now is, provided the ministry, as a body, had as little of heaven and as much of earth as they now have. Supernumeraries are never in themselves a sure index that business is overdone in any department. to his church, they are as certain of his blessing in the attainment of their object, as they are that such portions of it will be accomplished as are to be performed by himself, separate from any finite agency. "In conclusion I ask, shall we now, in the spirit of this resolution, sustain the Education Society by a vigorous prosecution of the glorious enterprise she has commenced? Knowing that her plan is a judicious following out the divine instructions and ar "This prominence given to the call for men, should not lead any to conclude that the necessity for money has ceased. This society comes to us with an empty treas-rangement; assured, as we are, that her ury, and it is an essential part of her plan to keep it empty. As fast as the churches fill up, she deals out, and it is her policy to keep every cent in motion, and at compound interest by circulation. object is attainable-that the enterprise can be achieved, shall we close our eyes upon the facts, and harden our hearts against their influence? No. We have derived too much pleasure from the little we have "If this society has not liberal appropria- already done to permit us to say this. We tions of money, her angelic operations are are not prepared to give up our confidence hindered. And there is money enough in in God, nor to throw this beloved branch of the hands of the church. But to come in aid Christian charity upon others. We cannot of this enterprise, it must be transferred from feel indifferent to the spiritual wants of the the coffers of the rich and the savings of the millions, to whom, through this society, we poor, to the treasury of the Lord. This need- can extend the needful aid. I cannot but ed transfer is the certain result of prayer. believe that all present, are prepared to Nothing so surely thaws out the icy heart, yield to the associations which cluster and enlarges the soul, and directs the feel-around us this evening; and with the perings in the channel of liberal charity, as fer- ishing millions before them, truly to repent vent, importunate prayer. We have scarce- of their neglects of one of the most obvious ly begun to pray over the subject of benev-duties, to renew their pledge, to seize upon olent enterprise. There is a reciprocal every facility, and to go to the full extent influence in this matter. If a man prays he will give, and if he gives he will pray; and his reluctance at giving will of necessity operate upon his prayer. If he has deliberately made up his mind that he can give but little, he will not dare to let his feelings go out freely in prayer. You never, at the monthly concert, hear a man pray with a full soul for the spread of the gospel, unless he is prepared to give liberally, according to his means. If he go to the prayer-meeting, resolved to give only his sixpence for the conversion of the world, and as he prays, grasps his sixpence with one hand, while he raises the other towards heaven, will not that be a sixpenny prayer? of their means, to increase the number of teachers, who, well educated, thoroughly disciplined, and sustaining an elevated tone of piety, shall be able to detect error, to chase it from every lurking place, and to present, to proclaim, and to enforce the truth, the whole truth of the Bible. Sir, the churches are not at liberty to decline this service. No Christian has the moral right to say this demand reaches not to me. Aware of this, the American Education Society feels no misgivings when she presents and presses her claims. The interests she maintains, are the vital, dearest interests of the church, and she becomes loud, impassioned and unabating in her appeals, that this same beloved church may be kept back from suicide. Hence she has the right to say, deny me at your peril. Reject my claim and I will roll upon you the guilt of turning into disappointment the prospects of every other benevolent institution: Your denial will compel me to say to the destitute in our own land, and to all pagan nations, the church loves her money, more and better, than she loves her sons, or her Lord, or a ruined world." "The religious and successful prosecution of this enterprise, demands true, noble, and Christian consecration. On this subject the church may take some very profitable lessons from the world. Business men teach us what it is to be consecrated to the object they pursue. Military leaders easily persuade their soldiers to practice on the principle of entire consecration. National glory is the spring of action. Only let this spirit of consecration, excited indeed by a different cause, and directed to a different object, pervade the church, men and money would be supplied. In sustaining this society, the churches are not required to act without a sufficient warrant. It is not to be received in the light of an experiment. God has made known to us his purpose in respect to the redemption of our world, as also his arrangement. In fulfilling that part of his arrangement which he has assigned separably connected with the prosperity of NORTH WESTERN BRANCH. FROM the Fourteenth Annual Report of this Society, prepared by the Secretary, Rev. Mr. Mather, we make the following extract. The civil interests of the nation are in |