ure of health and consequent discouragement, or from other causes, have been led to relinquish the object of pursuit.

So much has been done. And when we take into the account the time during which the Society has been in operation, and the means which it has had at its disposal; it must be acknowledged, that this result has exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its friends. It is to be remembered however, that a few years to come will, by the blessing of God, exhibit much greater visible effects of these labours, because a large number, who have passed almost through the preparatory stages of study; but are still in a great measure hid from public observation, will shortly some forward into the field of active service. When we consider the number of those who have just completed their education, and of those who are now drawing near its completion, for whom the greater part of the necessary expense has been already incurred; we may say, without boasting, much has been done already. And what is still more important is, that the experiment has fully demonstrated, that much more may be done. The practicability of furnishing a competent supply of christian teachers for our widely extended frontier and its growing population, is no longer questionable. All that is wanting is, the united persevering support of the friends of religion in our land. Indeed, it is entirely practicable for the American churches to furnish, and that promptly, their proportion of ministers and missionaries, for the evangelizing of the world.

The attention of the christian public will now be invited to a view of the method of proceeding, which the Directors have adopted in the prosecution of this design.

In the first place. It is the settled purpose of the Directors, to patronize none but young men who are really indigent, who are hopefully pious, and who possess promising talents. To these limits the constitution of the Society restricts every measure. And every precaution which could be devised, has been adopted, to prevent failure or imposition, in the execution of this part of the undertaking. That this may appear to the satisfaction of every candid mind, let us look for a moment at the standing

rules of the Directors, respecting the reception and management of their beneficiaries.

The following is one of these rules, viz." On the day preceding the quarterly meetings of the Directors, every candidate for the charity of this Society, in whatever stage of his education, shall, unless otherwise specially directed, be examined at. Boston, by a committee of the Board, as to the evidences of his personal piety, and his motives in wishing to engage in the ministry, as well as, to his talents and literary attainments. At the same time he must exhibit unequivocal testimonials, from three or more respectable persons best acquainted with him, and his circumstances, (for example his minister, instructor, and a magistrate or some other principal man in the vicinity,) stating his age, place of residence, indigence, moral and religious character, talents, learning, and serious desire to devote his life to the Gospel ministry. If his examination and testimonials are satisfactory, he may be placed on the foundation for such assistance as the Directors shall judge expedient; and upon trial for three months, at the close of which period he shall exhibit from his instructor or instructors, sufficient evidence that in point of genius, diligence, literary progress, and piety, he is a proper candidate to recieve this sacred charity.-Provided however, that except in extraordinary cases, no candidate shall be thus received, who is not fifteen years of age, and who has not studied the languages under an instructor at least three months."

The examination of candidates for this charity who live more than one hundred miles from Boston, is provided for by the appointment of a committee in some contiguous college, which committee certifies to the Directors its satisfaction.

Concerning the foregoing rule it is to be remarked, that every applicant for this charity is required to produce the testimony of at least three substantial witnesses, who must be supposed to be well acquainted with the facts concerning him, and who must be considered as impartial as any that can be found. These witnesses must concur in the testimony that the applicant is indigent, that he sustains the reputation of piety, and that he is promising as

it respects his talents and proficiency. This is the first precautionary step. The second is, that he is carefully examined by a committee appointed by the Directors, as to the evidence of his piety, his motives in wishing to engage in the ministry, and his talents and literary attainments until the committee are satisfied. -The third step is, that he is put upon trial for three months, under some suitable teacher, whose certificate, at the expiration of that period, that he continues to exhibit suitable traits of character for the ministry, is the requisite condition of his receiving further aid; and the same certificate must be repeated quarterly for the same purpose.-And a fourth precautionary step against failure in any subsequent stage of education, is the following rule. "The principal Instructor of all beneficiaries and the committee who examined them, are constituted their joint guardians, and are expected to watch with due vigilance over their conduct, to see that they receive a thorough education, to guard them against imprudence in their expenses or in contracting debts, and in general against every thing, which would tend to violate the rules or defeat the object of this institution; and finally to acquaint the Board seasonably and faithfully, with any thing manifestly faulty in their character or conduct.-This part of the subject is closed so far as the rules of the Directors are concerned, by the general rule that "Every beneficiary as a condition of enjoying charity shall, in the whole course of his education, conform exactly to the constitution of the Society, and the rules of the Directors."

If the persons depended on for information in the recommendation, and subsequent instruction of beneficiaries, are faithful to their trust; it seems that the rules of the Directors leave little room for imposition or failure. It is true, that man, who looketh on the outward appearance, may be deceived, or may misjudge, after all possible precaution. To guard against miscarriage, so far as human prudence can do it, is what the Directors propose; and more than this, a candid public will not demand.

Again. It is a settled part of this design, merely to assist young men of the above description in obtaining their education.

The Directors do not expect nor desire to afford them a full support, so as to supersede the necessity of exertion and economy on their own part. It is doubtless best that the beneficiaries should learn to depend principally on their own efforts. The assistance which the Directors afford them, is designed to be barely sufficient to help out their own exertions, and keep them from sinking in despondency. To effect this purpose, the quarterly appropriation to the beneficiaries, has been reduced from time to time, as experience has directed; and one half of the sum now appropriated, is merely a loan; which they are obligated to refund, when their education is completed.-Though there may be some instances of indiscretion in the use made of these benefactions, still it is a known fact; that in most cases the beneficiaries, after receiving their allowance from the Society, are under the necessity of making great personal exertions, and of struggling with many difficulties and discouragements, to accomplish their object.

The President of one of the Colleges in New England, in reply to the charge, that charity scholars are proud and extravagant, speaks in the following terms.

"There may be now and then an instance, which furnishes some ground for these remarks; but in general they are by no means wanting in point of economy.-Judge for yourselves.The American Education Society allow their beneficiaries but six

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ty dollars a year. This will do but little more than clothe them. Most of the young men have no parents to aid them, and no funds of their own. There is then their board, and washing, and fuel, and books, and stationary, and several other items, to be provided for; even though all their college expenses are given in.—And these exertions they are not backward to make. Eight beneficiaries in our College last year, received for school keeping, near three hundred dollars. Could you see all the straits to which these dear youth are reduced, in their struggle to get forward to

This was the sum then allowed at most of the colleges. Now, the allowance is seventy two dollars a year, and the same at all the colleges, one half of which is a loan to be refunded.

the service of Christ and his church, could you see all their discouragements and their shifts; I am sure it would touch your heart. Their love to Christ and the souls of men, will not suffer them to go back; and yet I have seen them go forward, with an eye lifted to heaven, and encountering difficulties which I am sure would make your compassions bleed. Some of them, for the sake of saving thirty or forty cents a week, which they know not how to provide, board themselves in their own rooms, and dress their own food; which is but scanty fare. Those rooms, which daily witness their prayers for a dying world; witness also the dry morsel which they consume alone. I have sometimes wished that the wealthy christian could look in upon that devoted youth at such a moment; and I am sure he would think it a luxury, to do something to relieve a child of God, sustaining all this, for his love to Christ and the souls of men."

In addition to the consideration, that the beneficiaries of this Society, from the small allowance which they receive from the funds; are under the necessity of using all possible economy, to meet unavoidable expenses; the Directors are disposed to encourage their engaging in personal labour, to provide for their own wants. The business of teaching school in vacations, or at other seasons, when they can obtain leave of absence from College; has been most frequently resorted to, and has probably been found most productive. But, as this practice is some interruption of study, and is attended with hazard to health; it seems very desirable that some kind of labour should be pursued, which will not interfere with the regular hours of study, at the same time that it affords the necessary exercise for the preservation of health. At one of our Colleges, the indigent students saw and split most of the wood for the whole College; by which means they earn four or five hundred dollars a year. Some wait in the college hall, and thus save their board.

The question, whether some system of agriculture might not be adopted, in connexion with the assistance of Education Societies; which would be productive and highly salutary, has for a considerable time occupied the attention of the Directors: and their views on this subject are expressed in the following vote, viz.