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historian, begins his narrative of the bloody scene, with describing the antecedently flourishing state of the Churches; but, growing out of their prosperity, a corruption of manners which was greatly on the increase, when the calamity overtook them. If the opinion of baptismal regeneration had been generated by the expectation of universal sanctity of manners, there happened enough to correct the supposed error: which, however, is acknowledged to have prevailed, through the long tract of time in question.

Parishioner. However compara tively pure the faith of the primitive Church, we know, that the seeds of erFor were laid at a very early period.

Minister. The doctrine maintained by me, is considered by its opponents as destructive of piety, and as productive of a very low theory of Christian obligation. And yet, within half a century after the decease of the Apostles, Justin Martyr, in his apology addressed to the Roman Emperor, and professedly written to give information of what was the faith of the then persecuted Christians, identifies regeneration with baptism. This was a transaction so public, that at least some voices would have been raised against him, had he made any material misrepresentation of the body, of which he was a distinguished member.

Parishioner. From the facts which you have stated to me concerning the primitive ages, I find-for I have no suspicion that you would mislead me-that the contrast exhibited to me of those times with the present, in order to prove the necessity of a change of language, has been drawn without due allowance for exceptions. But after all I have heard of the virtues then abounding, and all I have seen of the corruption of manners among ourselves; especially, the educating of baptized persons without a particle of instruction in religion; and perhaps, with the bad lives before them of their parents and their sponsors; I cannot reconcile myself to the idea, that they have received any benefit from their baptism.

Minister. They have not received any; although it may perhaps ensue from future recurrence of the weight of

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an obligation, from which they are not disengaged, whatever may be their own ideas on the subject. But I see no legitimate consequence of what you have now said; except that we should deplore the evil, and endeavour the correcting of it in our several places. In the mean time I suspect, that in consequence of the law of association of ideas, the disgust properly excited in your mind by frequent delinquency in this matter, has been a mean of detaching you and others from scriptural truth. This unhappy effect should be reckoned an aggravation of the so frequent neglect of parents and of sponsors; and sbould be a powerful call on them to remember, as the service expresses, "what a solemn vow, promise, and profession," the presented infants have made by them.

But to return to our subject, from which we have digressed-the sense of our Church. Let me intreat you to consider, whether the hypothetical and charitable constructions which you have been taught to apply to her services, might not, by the same latitude of construction, be applied to every thing you have occasionally heard from me in the course of my ministry, so as to prove me to hold nothing inconsistent with your opinion: and yet were I to claim consent with you on that ground, it would lessen me in your estimation.. Further, I ask you to consider, whether, under the charge brought against my theory of detracting from inward piety, it ought not to fall with greater weight on the early Church; so as to prove. her guilty of having led us into this deteriorating error. And to a mind hesitating between a membership of our Church and that of some other, ought not language so liable to mislead, in a concern so weighty, be sufficient to turn the balance?

Parishioner. It is language, which, if I should retain my sense of the subject, I shall never think of applying to it. But you will allow, that Scripture is the rule of faith; and I should not like that our intercourse should be dis continued, without a reference to that paramount standard.

Minister. I agree with you in the position now made; still believing, that

in interpreting Scripture, not only his tory and cotemporary custom may help, but the practice of the succeeding times may be had recourse to for the same purpose: it being incredible, that an essential change should have taken place at the same time, and over the whole of Christendom, without there being a voice raised against it. I accede to your proposal of further conference, and to be confined in it to the sense of Scripture: but in consideration of the length of the present conversation, and to give you time to take a view of the passages having relation to the subject, we will defer the interview to another day.

(To be continued.)

W. W

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THE Professors of the Theological Seminary, established in the city of New-York, under the authority of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society, in the State of NewYork, respectfully report to the Board of Managers of the said Society, that they commenced instruction in their respective branches about the middle of last May. The students who then presented themselves were-George M. Robinson, A. M.; Thomas K. Peck, A.B.; William S. Irving; and Samuel Seabury; all of this diocess. These, with the exception of Mr. Seabury, the state of whose health, and the circumstance of his having charge of a school on Long-Island, have rendered it necessary for him to suspend his theological studies, continued through the first session, and now compose the first class.

There have entered, this session, into the second class, Thomas T. Groshon, John Dick, and Levi S. Ives, A. B. of this diocess. Four or five others have been named to the Professors, as de

signing to enter this fall, but they have not yet presented themselves.*

The following reports of the respec tive Professors will throw more parti cular light on the state and prospects of the institution :-

"Bishop Hobart, in pursuance of his appointment as Professor of Systematic Divinity and Pastoral Theology, confined his attention, during the short session of last summer, to the latter branch, by occasional instructions in the nature, qualifications, and duties of the ministerial office, by causing the students to submit to him ser mons of their own composition, and by attending to their delivery of those sermons, and to exercises in reading, in one of the churches. A course of instruction in Systematic Divinity will be commenced the present session."

"With the Professor of Biblical Learning, the students, on the opening of the seminary, entered imme diately upon the study of the Hebrew language; and, on the 1st of August, when the session ended, they had read, in that language, the first eighteen chapters of Genesis. In the course of this reading, their attention has been directed to such annotations of Patrick and Lowth, and other commentators, as appeared most interesting and im portant."

"In the introductory part of the course of study pursued with the Professor of the Evidences of Revealed Religion, the mode of instruction adopted has been that of preparation and examination in certain text-books in the course of which, the subjects therein treated are discussed, enlarged upon, and illustrated by references to or reading passages from other authors, together with occasional dissertations or lectures read by the Professor on such points as seemed to demand more particular investigation, either from their having been made the subject of controversy, or because they are not treated with sufficient fulness or cor

*The Professors beg leave to state, that, since their report, there have been added to the second class, Henry N. Hotchkiss, A. B. and Seth W. Beardsley of this diocess. (October 17th.)

rectness in the books in the hands of the students.

"In this manner, Paley's Evidences, Leslie's Short Method, and Campbell on Miracles, were read during the first session, so as to give the students a general outline of the evidences of Christianity, together with such views of the philosophy of evidence, and the laws of belief, as are more immediately connected with the subject of historical testimony.

"As an exercise for the students in this course, a summary and popular view of the external evidences of Christianity, in one or more sermons, was required to be prepared during the vacation."

"The Professor of the Nature, Mimistry, and Polity of the Church, to whom has also been assigned the department of Ecclesiastical History, deemed it the best and most natural order to commence with the latter. Accordingly, the class of the last session prosecuted the study of that branch, with Mosheim's history for the textbook, as far as the close of the fourth century: the errors of Mosheim having been noticed by the Professor, upon the authority of Eusebius, and others equally unquestionable. There the Professor designs they shall suspend the study of history, agreeably to the plan recommended by the House of Bishops, for the purpose of pursuing the subject of the constitution of the ministry; it being presumed that the light thrown on that subject by the practice of the Catholic Church in the first four cen turies, is the fairest possible interpretation of what the Scriptures contain concerning it. This class has, therefore, commenced the present session, by taking up the Epistles and Apologies of the earlier fathers, with the very learned and judicious remarks upon them by the Rev. William Reeves, and by Archbishop Wake.

"The class now just commencing, will begin Ecclesiastical History with the view of pursuing the same course." In attending to the duties of the several branches, as above detailed, during the last session, the students met one or other of the Professors, every day but Sunday, with the exception of an occasional intermission of Monday.

Agreeably to the powers vested in them by the Board of Managers, the Professors, with the approbation of the Bishop, have adopted the following Statutes:

1. The Professors of the Seminary shall form a Board, and meet for such purposes, connected with the concerns of the Seminary, as may properly come within their sphere, at such times and places as they may from time to time appoint. Any three shall form a quorum, and the Bishop, or, in his absence, a chairman specially appointed, shall preside.

2. The Professors, in their respec tive departments, shall pursue such a course of instruction, and direct the at tention of the students to such books, consistent with the Canons of the Church, as the Bishop may approve.

3. The Seminary shall be accessible to persons duly admitted, according to the Canons, as candidates for holy orders, and to others who shall exhibit to the Professors satisfactory evidence of moral and religious character; the Professors being, at all times, competent to the expulsion of any student for causes which, to them, may appear sufficient.

4. There shall be, in every year, one session for the business of instruc tion in this Seminary, namely, from the first Monday in October, to the last Saturday in the July following, inclusive; the remainder of the year being considered as vacation.

5. The full course of study in this Seminary shall occupy three years. Persons entering the Seminary at the commencement of a session, shall be considered as forming a new class, so that the whole number of students shall ultimately be comprised in three classes, each continuing for one session; it being understood that those who entered the Seminary at its commencement are considered as having closed, at the ter mination of the then current session, their first year of study; and provided, farther, that any applicant for admission, at any time, into either of the higher classes, and any applicant for admission into either class, after the commencement of the session, shall be admitted to the same, and be placed on

an equal footing with its other mem bers, if, upon examination by the Professors, he be found duly qualified.

6. There shall be an examination of the students, in presence of the Board of Professors, at such times, not less than once in six months, as shall be, from time to time, appointed by the said Board; and an examination in presence of the Managers of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Educa tion Society in the State of New-York, at such period in every year as may be appointed by the Board of Professors.

7. When any student shall have prosecuted the full course of study pre scribed by this Seminary, to the satisfaction of the Board of Professors, he shall receive a certificate from the said Board to that effect. Students shall be allowed to attend any portion of the course, without being compelled to complete it; but such shall not be entitled to any testimonials from the Board of Professors.

Respectfully submitted.
New-York, October 9th, 1821.

From a report of the Professors in Geneva, it appears that two of them commenced their duties in June lastthat there are now ten students under their care-and that a building is in progress, which will contain thirty rooms for students, and a chapel, to "be ready for the reception of theological and classical students on the first of May next." The report of these Professors is also added.

Report of the Professors of the Branch

Theological School at Geneva. To the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, President of the Board of Managers of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society in the Diocess of New-York, the Professors in the Branch Theological School at Geneva respectfully report, that

The Branch Theological School was opened in the vestry school-house of Trinity Church, Geneva, on the 11th day of June last, and the following young gentlemen, intending to enter the ministry of the Church, have been admitted members of the school, viz.Marvin Cady, Richard Salmen, Wil

liam Bostwick, Orsimus H. Smith, Burton H. Hecock, John A. Clark, Jolm Gavott, Thaddeus Garlick, and Ira White. In addition to which, Henry Gregory, Alanson Bennett, and SethDavis, are daily expected.

The Trustees of Geneva Academy are now erecting, in an eligible situation, on the bank of Seneca Lake, a commodious stone building, containing thirty rooms for students, besides convenient chapel. The building will be ready for the reception of theological and classical students on the first of next May.

DANIEL MCDONALD, Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Scripture Interpretation. ORIN CLARK, Professor of Systematic Theology.

The Board of Managers have also directed their attention to the munificent bequest of the late Mr. Sherred. They have made arrangements for appropriating it in such manner as shall most securely effect the objects intended by the liberal donor; $20,000 are appropriated to the support of a professorship in the school of the city of New-York, which shall bear his name; $10,000 to the support of a professorship in the branch interior school at Geneva, also to bear his name. And, further, (should the Board of Trustees approve the measure) two sums of $5,000 each are appropriated to complete the establishment of the two first professorships of $20,000 each, towards each of which $15,000 shall be paid by any congregation or society, or individual or association of individuals, in the city of New-York, on or before the first of May, 1822; and two further sums of $3,000 each (should the Board of Trustees approve) are appropriated to complete the establishment of the two first professorships of $10,000 each, in the interior school at Geneva, towards each of which $7,000 shall be paid by any congregation or society, or individual or association of individuals, not resident in the city of New-York, on or before the first of May, 1822: the interest only of these sums to be applied to the above objects respectively.

The Board of Managers have also directed that a portrait of this revered benefactor be procured for each of the schools, and that a tablet to his memory be erected in Trinity Church, NewYork.

Since these appropriations, certain questions have been raised on the subject of this bequest, and the Board of Managers have deemed it prudent to intrust the matter to a Special Committee, who have taken legal opinions; which, with their report, are here added. (To be continued.)

Abstract of the Proceedings of the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity, of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in a Special General Convention, held in St.

Peter's Church, in the City of Philadelphia, from October 30th to November 3d, inclusive, A. D. 1821,

(Continued from page 48.) THE following report of the Trustees of the Theological Seminary was read:

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The Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary, to prepare a report of the proceedings of the Board, and of the state of the Seminary," and lay the same before the General Convention, beg leave respectfully to offer the following statement :

The Board of Trustees met at NewHaven, on the 13th day of July, 1820, and pursuant to the powers vested in them by the General Convention, proceeded to form a plan for the organization of the Seminary. A copy of this plan is herewith presented to the Con

vention.

On the 7th of September, 1820, the Seminary was publicly opened, with an inaugural discourse by the Rev. Professor Turner. Ten students presented themselves at the opening of the institution, and four others joined it in the course of the first session. Two of these were obliged to retire before the close of the session, on account of ill health, and another obtained leave of absence, and has not since returned.

During the second session, which

terminated in July last, there was an accession of seven new students, though one of the former number was obliged to leave the institution early in the session, on account of ill health. Since the close of the session, two of the students who had spent a year in the institution, and had been for two years previous engaged in their theological studies, have been admitted to the holy order of Deacons.

During the present session, which commenced in September, seven new students have entered the Seminary 3 so that, at present, the institution numbers twenty-two pupils. The following is an alphabetical list of the names of all who have entered the institution, and of the diocesses from which they

came.

From Connecticut, David Botsford; New-Hampshire, Franceway R. Cos sit;t New-York, Augustus L. Converse; New-Jersey, Robert Croes; Vermont, Palmer Dyer; New-York Manton Eastburn; Connecticut, John M. Garfeild, Bennet Glover,* Richard Haughton, Lemuel Hull, Edward Ives, William Jarvis; New-York, William L. Johnson, Samuel R. John son, Isaac Low; Pennsylvania, Henry M. Mason, Samuel Marks, Matthew Matthews; Virginia, Sylvester Nash Connecticut, Seth B. Paddock; Massachusetts, William Potter; South-Carolina, Francis Rutledge; Connecticut, William Shelton; Maryland, Frederick Schroeder; South-Carolina, Martin Snell, Edward Thomas; Pennsylvania, Peter Van Pelt, jun.; New-York, J. Lawrence Yvonet.

The course of studies pursued by the students has been conformable to that prescribed by the House of Bi shops. The progress which they have made in this course will be seen by the following extracts from the reports of the Professor :

"During the first session," he says, "the pupils of the institution have pur

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