CHAPTER II.

OF THE PLAN OF THE SEMINARY.*

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Sect. 1. The design of the Seminary,†

INASMUCH as the obtaining of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, to the glory of the eternal God, is the chief object which claims the attention of man; and considering, that in the attainment of this object the dispensation of the Gospel is principally instrumental; it is manifestly of the highest importance, that the best means be used to ensure the faithful preaching of the Gospel, and the pure administration of all its ordinances. With this view, therefore, institutions for the education of youth intended for the holy ministry, have been established in all Christian countries, and have been found, by long experience, most eminently conducive to the prosperity of the Church. Hence the founders of the Presbyterian Church in the

*This Plan was adopted in 1811, and is published as amended by future Assemblies.

To preserve uniformity in this volume, what has heretofore been dedominated ARTICLES in the Plan is denominated SECTIONS; and the former sections are distinguished numerically.

United States of America, did, from its very origin, exert themselves with peculiar zeal to establish and endow colleges, academies, and schools, for the education of youth for the Gospel ministry. So rapid, however, has been the extension of this Church, and so disproportionate, of late, has been the number of ministers educated, to the call which has been made for ministerial service, that some additional and vigorous efforts to increase the sup ply are loudly and affectingly demanded. Cir. cumstances also do imperiously dictate, not only that the labourers in the vineyard of the Lord should be multiplied, but that they should be more thoroughly furnished than they have ordinarily been for the arduous work to which they must be called. Influenced by the views and considerations now recited, the General Assembly, after mature deliberation, have resolved, in reliance on the pa tronage and blessing of the Great Head of the Church, to establish a new Institution, consecrated solely to the education of men for the Gospel ministry, and to be denominated, The Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. And to the intent that the true design of the founders of this institutionn may be known to the public, both now and in time to come, and especially that this design may, at all times, be distinctly viewed, and sacredly regarded, both by the teachers and the pupils of the Seminary, it is judged proper to make a summary and explicit statement of it.

It is to form men for the Gospel ministry, who shall truly believe, and cordially love, and therefore endeavour to propagate and defend, in its

genuineness, simplicity, and fulness, that system of religious belief and practice which is set forth in the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and Plan of Government and Discipline of the Presbyterian Church; and thus to perpetuate and extend the influence of true evangelical piety, and Gospel order.

It is to provide for the Church an adequate supply and succession of able and faithful ministers of the New Testament; workmen that need not be ashamed, being qualified rightly to divide the word of truth.

It is to unite, in those who shall sustain the ministerial office, religion and literature; that piety of the heart which is the fruit only of the renewing and sanctifying grace of God, with solid learning believing that religion without learning, or learning without religion, in the ministers of the Gospel, must ultimately prove injurious to the Church.

It is to afford more advantages than have hitherto been usually possessed by the ministers of religion in our country, to cultivate both piety and literature in their preparatory course: piety, by placing it in circumstances favourable to its growth, and by cherishing and regulating its ardour; literature, by affording favourable opportunities for its attainment, and by making its possession indispensable.

It is to provide for the Church, men who shall be able to defend her faith against infidels, and her doctrines against heretics.

It is to furnish our congregations with enlightened, humble, zealous, laborious pastors, who shall truly watch for the good of souls, and con

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sider it as their highest honour and happiness to win them to the Saviour, and to build up their several charges in holiness and peace.

It is to promote harmony and unity of sentiment among the ministers of our Church, by educating a large body of them under the same teachers, and iu the same course of study.

It is to lay the foundation of early and lasting friendships, productive of confidence and mutual assistance in after-life among the ministers of religion; which experience shows to be conducive not only to personal happiness, but to the perfecting of inquiries, researches, and publications advantageous to religion.

It is to preserve the unity of our Church, educating her ministers in an enlightened attachment, not only to the same doctrines, but to the same plan of government.

It is to bring to the service of the Church genius and talent, when united with piety, however poor or obscure may be their possessor, by furnishing, as far as possible, the means of education and port, without expense to the student.

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It is to found a nursery for missionaries to the heathen, and to such as are destitute of the stated preaching of the gospel; in which youth may receive that appropriate training which may lay a foundation for their ultimately becoming eminently qualified for missionary work.

It is, finally, to endeavour to raise up a succession of men, at once qualified for and thoroughly devoted to the work of the Gospel ministry; who, with various endowments, suiting them to different stations in the church of Christ, may all possess a portion of the spirit of the primitive propagators

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the Gospel; prepared to make every sacrifice, to endure every hardship, and to render every service which the promotion of pure and undefiled religion may require.

Sect. 2. Of the General Assembly.*

1. As this institution derives its origin from the General Assembly, so that body is to be considered at all times as its patron, and the fountain of its powThe Assembly shall accordingly ultimately sanction all its laws, direct its instructions, and appoint its principal officers.

ers.

2. The General Assembly shall choose a Board of Directors, consisting of twenty-one ministers and nine ruling elders, by whom the Seminary shali be inspected and conducted. Of this number, onethird, or seven ministers and three elders, shall be chosen annually; to continue in office three years. And if any vacancy shall occur in the Board, by death, resignation, or incapacity to serve, the Assembly may annually fill up such vacancies.

3. All professors of the Seminary shall be appointed by the Assembly. But in cases of necessity, the Board of Directors may employ a suitable person to perform the duties of a professor, till a meeting of the Assembly shall take place.

4. The General Assembly shall, at all times, have the power of adding to the Constitutional Articles of the Seminary, and of abrogating, altering, or amending them; but, in the exercise of this power, the contemplated additions, abrogations, alterations,

*This is Article I, in the original Plan.