this subject. But it is further our duty to testify, that all encouragement of lotteries, and purchasing of lottery tickets; all attendance on horse racing, and betting on such, or on any other occasions; and all attempts of whatever kind to acquire gain without giving an equivalent, involve the Gambling principle, and participate in the guilt which attaches to that vice.

On the fashionable, though, as we believe, dangerous amusements, of Theatrical Exhibitions and Dancing, we deem it necessary to make a few observations. The Theatre we have always considered as a school of immorality. If any person wishes for honest conviction on this subject, let him attend to the character of that mass of matter, which is generally exhibited on the stage. We believe all will agree, that comedies at least, with a few exceptions, are of such a description, that a virtuous and modest person cannot attend the representation of them, without the most painful and embarrassing sensations. If indeed custom has familiarized the scene, and these painful sensations are no longer felt, it only proves that the person in question has lost some of the best sensibilities of our nature; that the strongest safeguard of virtue has been taken down, and that the moral character has undergone a serious depreciation.

With respect to Dancing, we think it necessary to observe, that however plausible it may appear to some, it is perhaps not the less dangerous on account of that plausibility. It is not from those things which the world acknowledges to be most wrong, that the greatest danger is to be apprehended to religion, especially as it relates to the young. When the practice is carried to its highest extremes, all

admit the consequences to be fatal; and why not then apprehend danger, even from its incipient stages. It is certainly, in all its stages, a fascinating and an infatuating practice. Let it once be introduced, and it is difficult to give it limits. It steals away our precious time, dissipates religious impressions, and hardens the heart. To guard you, beloved brethren, against its wiles and its fascinations, we earnestly recommend that you will consult that sobriety which the saped pages require. We also trust, that you will attend with the meekness and docility becoming the christian character, to the admonitions on this subject of those whom you have chosen to watch for your souls. And now beloved brethren, that you may be guarded from the dangers that we have pointed out, and from all other dangers which beset the path of life and obstruct our common salvation, and that the great head of the church may have you in his holy keeping is our sincere and affectionate prayer. Amen.

Sect. 8. The opinion and advice of the Assembly given in relation to the embarrassed state of things, in 1819.

The General Assembly viewing with deep interest the present state of our country, and more especially the commercial embarrassments which press upon every part of the United States, and the spirit of corrupt and mischievous speculation which is probably to be regarded as both a cause and an effect of these embarrassments-feel it to be their duty to take this notice of the unhappy state of things, and to express their opinion of the proper remedy, The Assembly then are persuaded, that

the evils, so general in the prevalence, and so severe in their pressure, primarily on the commercial and manufacturing portions of the community, but in a considerable degree, on all, owe their origin, in a great measure to that spirit of cupidity, of adventurous and unjustifiable speculation, of extravagance and luxury, which so unhappily prevails in our country; and also in no small degree to the want of that kind of education which is calculated to prepare youth for solid usefulness in the church and in civil society. The Assembly therefore are firmly persuaded, that the effectual remedy for these evils, under God, is to be found only in a recurrence to those principles and duties of our holy religion, which are not less conducive to the temporal welfare of men, than to their eternal happiness; and they have no hope, that general prosperity can be restored to our country, until there is a return to those habits of industry, temperance, moderation, economy and general virtue which our common christianity inculcates.

Under these impressions the Assembly would earnestly exhort the churches and people under their care, to take into due consideration the opinions above expressed; to cultivate in themselves, and to endeavour to promote in others, those simple, frugal, and regular pursuits, which cannot fail to exert a most benign influence on the best interest of society; and to train up their children in those principles and habits which will prepare them at once to be useful members of the church and useful citizens. They would especially entreat those individuals and families belonging to their communion, whom God has been pleased to favour with temporal wealth, to consider the peculiar import

ance of their setting an edifying example; so that their whole influence may be employed to discourage fashionable vices and amusements, and to promote the simplicity and purity of christian practice. And the Assembly would earnestly exhort all the ministers in their communion, to make these sentiments a subject of frequent and serious address to the people of their respective pastoral charges; and to endeavour, by all the means in their power, to impress on the minds of their hearers the all important truth, that the religion of Jesus Christ, in its vital power and practical influence, is the best friend of civil society, as well as essential to the well being of man.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE MONIES IN THE HANDS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE NEW-JERSEY COLLEGE.

Sect. 1. Lesly's Will.

AN extract from the will of Mr. James Lesly, deceased; attested by John Broom and John Bingham executors of said Lesly, was introduced and

read, and ordered to be recorded on the Minutes of the General Assembly—and is as follows:

Item. "I give and bequeath all the residue of my estate, real and personal, to the trustees of the college of New-Jersey, called Nassau Hall, and to their Successors, to be, by the said Trustees and their successors, constantly kept at interest on good security and it is my will that the interest arising from the said residue of my estate shall be appropriated to the Education of poor and pious youth of the Presbyterian denomination, for the work of the gospel ministry, and to no other purpose whatsoever provided nevertheless, that if it should so happen that the said interest should in any year be more than sufficient to pay for the education of such youth, in that year actually educated on this fund, then and in that case the said Trustees may and shall appropriate the surplus of such interest for such year, towards the support of a missionary or missionaries to preach the gospel and administer its ordinances to the frontier inhabitants of these United States; if the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in these states shall judge it necessary to send missionaries to the frontiers in the year in which such surplus shall arise; and provided that such surplus shall not exceed thirty pounds. But if the said surplus shall exceed thirty pounds New-York currency, in that case my will is that thirty pounds of it only be appropriated to the support of missionaries as aforesaid, and that the residue of such surplus be added to the principal sum, and put out at interest with it. And if it shall so happen that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church aforesaid shall not judge it necessary to send missionaries to the frontiers as aforesaid, in