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which caused them. For instance, he protests against paying 1257. per annum per student, as an exorbitant waste of money. Agreed. But will from 701. to 951. (according to his proposal) be a frugal expenditure for each student annually?

He would have the first three years of education-the very time when good habits of patient study should be formed, by pursuing some one branch of learning at least to its furthest limits-occupied in desultory reading on many elementary subjects, with but one tutor to aid him in them all; while the last two years, he seems to think, might be efficiently divided between the university finishing classes, theology, and preaching, our present colleges would then be only preparatory seminaries, while the University, which is undoubtedly the fittest place to acquire a firm groundwork, and to inspire a philosophic, far-searching, literary bent of mind, would be ill introduced at the close of the course. In short, the plan retains the chief radical errors of our English system, which has, from time to time, provided some new, isolated, small, feeble institution, oppressed and weakened by the board-lodging and entire maintenance, as well as education, of a few students, for a limited period; which small number of students have lived in all the ease of dependence, on a charity which, had it been better distributed, might have assisted to secure a more complete education to some three or four times their number.

We now want (for the times call on us for it) some enlarged effort for this object, to unite in a strong body the separated friends of education. The principle of such a movement must be rigid frugality of funds, in order to be the more liberal in the number educated, and in the quality of education provided. Why not form another society, for the purpose of educating pious young men for the ministry? "What," is the common-place objection, "another society! we have too many already." But this objection cannot be valid where it can be shown that the work which the new society is intended to effect must be done in some way, and that, by forming a new society for it, our labour and expense would be in reality diminished, even for the present, while in no other way whatever can we hope to provide for the demands of the future.

Again, this is no mere original theoretic suggestion. A similar society already exists in America. The twenty-second and twenty-third annual reports of its proceedings lie before me, and from them I am prepared to show the practical effects of the system. The American Education Society" was founded in 1815, when the rapid increase of VOL. XVII.

population compelled the religious public of the States to vigorous and economical measures for the supply of pastors to the destitute churches of their country. Its board of directors examine the candidates, and watch them in their studies through a probation of three months and a course of seven or eight years. The principle of assistance is, to give " as little help as possible consistently with the health and good education of each student." Every student applies for his allowance quarterly, by filling up a printed form, in which he states that he holds to his original intention of devoting himself to the work of the ministry, and details his expenses for board, tuition, &c.; his receipts from friends, his own labours, and his present debts. This form is certified by the signature of the president of his college, and by means of it the society can judge how much it is really necessary to afford him. The usual provision is from 157. to 201. per annum; which sum in America (though it certainly could not be so in England) is found in most cases sufficient, added to other resources, for all who are willing to help themselves.

This allowance is not proffered as a gift of charity, but as a loan; for which the student gives a promissory note that he will refund it in the course of his future life. The committee have power to cancel these obligations when they deem it right, as in the case of foreign missionaries, or students settled over feeble churches. All students have their option as to the place where they will receive their education, subject, of course, to the approval of the committee. If the student's character be satisfactory, and his circumstances, at each quarter's return, appear to require assistance, they receive it for seven years, on condition that they spend the first four years at some general institution for classics and literature, and the last three at a theological college.

Such is the rude outline of the plan. Now, let us compare its economy and results with our own :

I. As to the number of students.

In 1834 the society had 912 students at various colleges; in 1837, 1,125; in 1838, 1,141.

There were admitted as new students, in 1836, 237; in 1837, 289; in 1838, 203.

This last year was one of great pecuniary embarrassment all through the union.

In 1837 it had educated, since its formation, 2,790; in 1838, 2,993.

On an average this total increases at the rate of about 100 per annum, several not being enumerated who required assistance only during a part of their course.

N.B. Besides this society, there is an

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other in the Presbyterian church, which had, in 1834, as many as 436 students; as well as others in the Baptist and Reformed Dutch churches, to whose reports I cannot refer.

In order to compare this total with the number educated at our Dissenting colleges, it is a startling fact that we have no statistics of our own; but are compelled to have recourse to the reports of this very society, whose agents have obtained by letter, from the tutors of our colleges, the results which, together with the inferences of Americans on them, I copy with some sentiments of shame :

"The following is a list of the theological institutions among the Dissenters in Great Britain. All these institutions have educated only 2,270 ministers, though some of them are a century old, and all of them but one older than the American Education Society; while this society alone has been the means of introducing into the ministry. about 1,200, and has now under its patronage more than 1,100 students, a large part of whom are soon to commence preaching the Gospel. These are all charity institutions, except Coward College, and are sustained somewhat in the way in which the Education Society is sustained.

We ac

knowledge with gratitude that the Dissenters have done much for the cause of Evangelical religion by these institutions; still it is a serious question whether they would not have done far more had they taken a higher ground in reference to the education of their ministers."

Founded. Sent out. Contains.

Coward College, Lon-
don
1729 probably 400
Homerton College... 1730
Independent College

(Rotheram)

Countess of Hunt

ingdon (Cheshunt) 1768

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Baptist Academy

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N.B. See Report of American Education Society, for 1838. Appendix. Note C. p. 77. With the exception that Exeter College and some preparatory institutions are omitted, we believe this list is very correct.

I have annexed to this list the number which each college can receive; by which

it seems that, in 1838, our Congregational colleges were educating only about 176 students, while the American Education Society had 1,141! We send out yearly from 30 to 40; they supply their churches with from 200 to 300; and at what expense?

II. Funds. It will be necessary to remember the different rate of value between England and America, and that an equal amount of money will obtain about twice as much there as it will here. Your correspondent states that we pay about 1257. per annum for each student. This estimate is, I think, on the whole, a low one. However, our Independent colleges altogether will hold 176 students. Now, at the rate of 1251. for each, our total expense is 22,0007.

What are the expenses in America? Their allowance per student is 157., or about as much as 307. in our country.

In 1834, the Education Society supported 912 students for 57,000 dollars (11,4007.); in 1837, 1,125, for 66,161 dollars(13,2007.); in 1838, 1,141, for 68,861 dollars (13,7327.)

N.B. I have taken five American dollars to a pound English to avoid the fraction.

If we double this sum to get its English value, we find that 1,141 students are educated for 27,4001.; while for 177 we pay 22,000l.

Their supply is about 301. per annum ; ours 1257., each student.

Also, we must notice the amount refunded by the students, which was, in 1834, 1,947 dollars (3897.); in 1836, 4,332 dollars (8667.); in 1837, 7,644 dollars (1,5287.); in 1838, 4,467 dollars (8937.)

Thus from this loan system, which is found to cherish among the students so wholesome a spirit of independence, about one-tenth or one-eighth of the whole income of the society may be expected.

On this system, also, the young men have a longer term, and a superior course of education.

III. Let us now consider the effect of such a society on our existing establishments. They would be gradually relieved of the burden of providing board, &c., gratuitously for the students; and might direct the greater part of their income at once to the education of their inmates. The colleges would be filled by beneficiaries of the Educational Society; they would be able to afford, and would be stimulated to provide, better means of instruction, by giving higher salaries to instructors. A spirit of progressive reform and of emulation would be created by the desire of obtaining pupils from such a society. Besides, the character of the young men for perseverance and piety has been such in America, that many of the tutors of colleges have agreed that

they are usually the life of the whole institution, that their removal would be ruin, and that, if all of them were to die immediately on leaving college, still the church would be amply repaid by the happy influence they exert whilst there.

How far this reform would proceed; what fresh institutions would be created; whether ultimately a central theological college would be formed, by means of which those lectures, which now benefit only one college with its 10 or 20 students, might be made available to all, and those exertions of the separate tutors, which each now expends on the whole field of theological science, might be concentrated on the special province wherein each excels; are speculations the soundness of which I will leave time to test. But, certainly, there ought to be no fear lest the plan I have proposed should be in the least degree detrimental, but rather it appears certain to improve and establish, on more liberal and widely-useful principles, all existing institutions.

IV. There remains only one other great advantage of this plan to be mentioned. At present the object of the education of pious young men to preach the Gospel in this or other countries is separated, and mingled up with many different societies. A new society, expressly to provide for it, would bring the scattered parts into one prominent whole. By it such societies as the Home and Foreign and Colonial Missionary Societies would be relieved of that which is not one of their direct objects, and which has constantly encumbered their operations, viz. the education of their own missionaries. If once relieved of so great a hinderance, they might act on a wider scale than at present prudence will allow, and would be sure of agents better qualified to carry out their intentions.

On the whole, therefore, it appears that some such plan would, if adopted, enable us to educate more thoroughly a far larger number of students at a less expense than the religious public is at present sustaining; that the existing colleges would be greatly benefited; that the class of young men whence students would chiefly come forward are found to make more persevering, determined, and spiritual ministers than any other; that societies which require agents and missionaries would be provided with an abundance of men well educated to achieve their work, and would therefore be relieved of a very heavy expenditure.

Surely some one will be found with energy sufficient to set on foot such a society; and I feel certain that (whoever he may be) at some future day he will feel thankful to God for permitting him to take any part in an effort which will then appear

to have so extensively blessed his country and the world. R.

POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY, October, 1838.

This society, formed but little more than two years ago, to promote the cause of evangelical religion among European emigrants, and their posterity, in the British colonies, has already entered upon extensive operations, and is invited to urge onward its progress, and occupy fields which widen as it advances. This representation the following statements will fully sustain.

Upper Canada contains more than five hundred thousand souls. The spiritual destitution of this numerous and widely dispersed population is undoubted. Witnesses of all parties unite to testify that it is most deplorable. In this province the society is sustaining twelve ministers. The most accurate estimate that can be formed of the strength of other religious denominations, would seem to show that there are, in Upper Canada, about fifty Episcopalians, forty Presbyterian, fifty Baptist, and eighty Wesleyan ministers. But it should be remembered, that among a popu lation so widely dispersed as that of Upper Canada, not less than double the number of ministers sufficient for the same amount of inhabitants in a densely-peopled country, are indispensable.

Lower Canada contains nearly seven hundred thousand inhabitants, of whom more than half are Roman Catholics, sunk in the deepest darkness of that apostate church. In this province the society has as yet but four missionaries. It is not easy to ascertain with any degree of accuracy the numbers of the protestant ministers who may be now labouring in Lower Canada. Mr. M. Martin's work on the colonies, it is stated, that "the Church of England establishment consists of a bishop and forty clergymen; that the Presbyterians of the church of Scotland are about fourteen in number; and that there are twelve Wesleyan ministers."

In

New South Wales contains, in round numbers, eighty thousand inhabitants. The society has not yet one missionary in that extensive region, nor is it known that a single Congregational minister is labouring there. In this colony there are twentyseven Episcopalian ministers, seventeen Presbyterian, and one Baptist minister.

Van Diemen's Land contains forty-one thousand people. The committee have recently sent out two missionaries to that island, who are now on their voyage thither. On their arrival, there will be six Congregational ministers labouring in this

island. Since the embarkation of these two brethren, a distinct request from another party has been received, desiring two additional ministers. The writer states, to illustrate the state of the country, and to enforce his application, the two following facts" In one district of the island, containing two hundred and sixty-six inhabitants, there had been but three religious services during a period of nine years. In another place, a settler brought his assigned servant before the magistrate, charging him with not having performed a sufficient quantity of work on the preceding day; and when informed that that day was the Sabbath, both the master and the man were surprised, having been, until then, ignorant of it. I leave," says the writer, as well he might, "these two facts to speak for themselves."

In the new South Australian Colony, so auspiciously commenced, the society has a zealous and able missionary; and another has been sent to the rising settlement of Port Philip, on the south-eastern coast of New Holland.

The committee have now before them, among others, the following applications :

From Lower Canada for two ministers. One of these claims has been before the committee nearly two years: the other, though more recent, is of many months' standing, and for a most important and promising station. Besides these, several other places in Lower Canada have been named by the agent of the society, as wanting ministers; and though not yet so strongly pressed on the immediate attention of the committee, as soon as previous demands are supplied, they will follow in urgency of application.

For three important townships in Upper Canada, ministers have been distinctly desired; while indefinite, but urgent appeals are made for many labourers, with the assurance that in any numbers in which the society can send them, they will be immediately absorbed by the wants of a widely scattered population, destitute, almost to famine, of the word of life.

For Sydney the important and rapidly rising capital of New South Wales, already containing twenty-four thousand inhabitants, but among whom there is not one Congregational minister, the committee are pressed to send out at once a missionary of superior qualifications and energies.

For Van Diemen's Land application has been made for two missionaries, with the assurance that if the committee can procure suitable men, and be at the charge of their outfit and voyage, immediately on their arrival, they will be fully sustained without any further aid from the parent country.

The anxiety of the committee is great to meet, at the earliest practicable period, a wise and generous proposal of a friend in Hobart Town, to give a house and garden, in that metropolis of Van Diemen's Land, valued at a thousand pounds, for a college for the education of young men for the ministry in Australia, if the committee will send out and assist in sustaining some devoted well-qualified tutor.

The committee are already under engagements to contribute upwards of 1,5007. per annum towards the support of nineteen ministers labouring in the colonies.

More than 1,000l. will be annually required to send out additional missionaries. During the present summer five have been sent forth, and yet the committee find themselves, at the close of the season, under more numerous and pressing applications than at its commencement. As more ministers are sent out, the annual charge for their support will, of course, increase.

Such are some of the claims for extended efforts now before the committee; and what are their circumstances and prospects in a pecuniary point of view? If 2,000l. shall be raised between this time and the close of the present year's operations, on the 31st of March next, that amount will barely meet the society's engagements to the same date; and will leave the committee at the commencement of another season, (when they ought to be prepared to send forth six or ten labourers, and will need at least 1,2007. to effect the object,) without a shilling applicable for the purpose.

Under these circumstances, the committee feel compelled to employ an urgency of appeal to their brethren, the religious public, and all who are interested in the prosperity of the British colonies, which they hope will be not only excused, but responded to with cheerful and sufficient liberality. They appeal to their more wealthy friends, for immediate and liberal donations, to meet the present most pressing want of funds. They appeal to their brethren and the churches, for those permanent resources, absolutely necessary for extended operations, which can only be obtained by annual subscriptions, penny a-week associations, and organised auxiliaries and associations.

Contributions will be very thankfully received by the treasurer, J. R. Mills, Esq., 30, Milk-street, Cheapside; and by the secretary, the Rev. A. Wells, Congregational Library, Blomfield-street, Finsbury; where also may be obtained reports, and brief views of the society, as well as collecting cards, by any friends desirous to employ them in procuring pecuniary aid for the society.

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