The Constitution of the North-Western Branch of the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry

Every approved beneficiary, whether in an Academy, at a College, or with a private instructor, in any stage of his education, upon application to the Executive Committee, shall receive quarterly some assistance. No one, however, shall receive more than is deemed sufficient, with economy, personal exertion, and the aid of his friends, to enable him to pursue his studies without embarrassment. Every application to the Executive Committee for assistance, must be accompanied with a statement of expenses, and a certificate from the instructor of the beneficiary, testifying that he continues to sustain in all respects, the character which the constitution requires.

ARTICLE IX.

If any person, who has been assisted by this Society, shall not devote himself to, the Gospel Ministry, he shall, within a reasonable time, refund the sum expended for his education, with lawful interest; whenever required by the Directors.

ARTICLE X.

There shall be an annual meeting of the Society on the first Wednesday in February, at 10 o'clock, A. M. The place of holding each annual meeting, shall be designated by vote of the Society, at the meeting preceding. At each of these meetings a sermon or an address shall be delivered before the Society.

ARTICLE XI.

The Constitution may be altered by a majority of the subscribers, present at the first meeting for the organization of the Society; which shall be holden at Castleton, on the first Wednesday of February, 1820. But, after that period, no alteration shall be made without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.

THE MEETING FOR ORGANIZATION

Was accordingly holden by subscribers to the preceding constitution, at the time and place, proposed in the circular. After an appropriate discourse by the Rev. Thomas A. Merrill, the following gentlemen were duly elected, to fill the respective offices of the Society the current year.

JOSEPH BURR, Esq. Vice President for life, agreeably to a provision in the eleventh article of the Constitution.

DIRECTORS,

Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D. Rev. Jonathan Nye,

Rev. Thomas A. Merrill,
Rev. William Jackson,
Rev. Walter Chapin,
Rev. Jedediah Bushnell,

Rev. Abraham Brownson, Hon. William Slade, Jun. William Page, Esq. Secretary.

Ira Stewart, Esq. Treasurer.

Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to Joseph Burr, Esq. and Wait Rathbone, Esq. for their liberal donations to the funds:

That the first annual meeting of the Society be holden at Woodstock, North Parish, on the First Wednesday in February, 1821, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

That the Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D. be requested to deliv er a sermon on the first annual meeting; and that the Rev. Chester Wright be his substitute:

That the thanks of the Society be presented to the inhabitants of Castleton for their hospitality in entertaining the members of the Society:

That the thanks of the Society be presented to the choir of singers in Castleton, for their appropriate musick, for organization.

FIRST MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS.

The Directors of the N. W. B. Education Society convened at Castleton, on the first Wednesday of February, 1820, immediately after their election, pursuant to the provision of the Constitution.--Present, the Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D. Rev. Heman Ball, D. D. Rev Elijah Lyman, Rev. Jonathan Nye, Rev. Thomas A. Merrill, Rev. William Jackson, Rev. Walter Chapin, Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, Hon. William Slade, Jun. and William Page, Esq.

The President being absent, the Rev. Elijah Lyman was appointed Chairman, and William Page, Esq. Secretary of the Board.

Voted, That the Executive Committee be instructed to request the Treasurer to give bonds, with sureties, to them by name, for the faithful application of the funds of the Society.

Voted, That the Executive Committee do not allow to any beneficiary, more than twenty dollars a quarter, except in extraordinary cases; and that they reduce their grants below that sum, in all cases, where the beneficiaries or their friends are able to afford partial assistance, according to the circumstances of each case.

Voted, That the Executive Committee recommend to the beneficiaries, in each stage of their education, to employ, at least, two hours in a day, in productive labour, as far as they have opportunity; with a view, both to aid them in defraying the expenses of their education, and to promote vigorous health.

Voted, That the Executive Committee be instructed, publickly to request all the officers and members of the Society, to exercise a guardian care over the beneficiaries, within their observation respectively; and to give information to the Executive Committee of any failure in character, deficiency in study, or want of prudence and economy, which they may observe in any young man under the patronage of this Society.

On motion, proceeded to the choice of the Executive Committee, for the current year. The following gentlemen were chosen, viz :

Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D.

Rev. Thomas A. Merrill,
Rev. Walter Chapin.

Voted, That the Executive Committee be requested to prepare an address to the publick, respecting the concerns of the Society; and cause it to be published.

Voted, That the Board convene on the day previous to to the next stated meeting of the Society at 4 o'clock, P. M. at the Rev. Mr. Chapin's in Woodstock,

TRANSACTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The Executive Committee owe an apology to the members of the Society, for their delay in publishing an address, agreeably to the instructions of the Directors. It was early intimated to them, that some of the friends of the Society in the eastern part of the State were desirous of forming a separate Society. Indeed, it was represented to the Committee, from a highly respectable source, that the benevolent object of the Association, would probably be best effected, by the operation of two distinct societies in the State; or by such an alteration in the Constitution, as to provide for two separate Executive Committees with two Treasurers, under the same Board of Directors. But, which of the courses it would be thought expedient to adopt, the Committee could not ascertain. Of course, they felt themselves obliged to delay their publication, lest they should interfere with arrangements which might be made on the subject. We are now authorized to state, however, that a separate Society will probably be organized in the course of the season, adopting the same general principles and pursuing the same general object with this. Of course, it will be found expedient to change the place, designated for the first annual meeting, Due notice of this change of place will accordingly be given, after consultation with the Directors.

The Executive Committee feel justified in recommending to the Agents of this Society, who can more conveniently act for the Society about to be formed, to pay their collections into the Treasury of that Society; and make

their returns to its executive officers. Indeed, no precise limits can be assigned to either Society. Nor, since both are designed to promote the same object, and since they are intended to co-operate in this work of love, with perfect harmony, would it be desirable to fix on limits, which might subject some contributors to inconvenience. The direction of donations and the attachment of Auxiliaries will therefore be left to be determined at pleasure, as local situ ation, facility of communication, and other circumstances of convenience may dictate.

But, although the Executive Committee have been obliged to delay their publication, they have not been inattentive to the business and interests of the Society. Beside the stated quarterly meetings, they have held special meetings at Castleton, Middlebury, Randolph and Montpelier. At these meetings the following candidates for the charity of the Society have been examined and approved, as BENEFICIARIES: