THE most considerable institution of this kind among the Baptists in America was formed at Boston in 1802. It must be considered as an appendage of the Warren Association, as its principal promoters were members of that body. Since the Boston Association has been formed, it has been patronized by both of these communities. About the time this society arose, there were many Macedonian cries from different parts of the country, and a number of zealous preachers stood ready to go forth to labor among the destitute, provided they could have some assistance to bear them on the way. In this posture of affairs, proposition was made by Dr. Baldwin and others for establishing a society upon a missionary plan.

Many were fearful of engaging in the undertaking, but an attempt was made, which has been crowned with abundant success. The first year they received but about 150 dollars, but their receipts have increased yearly, so that they have now in eleven years received about 12,000 dollars; most of which has been expended in sending missionaries in the District of Maine, in Nova-Scotia, in the Canadas, and in the back settlements of New- Hampshire, Vermont, New-York, and some other States.

The ministers who have been employed by this society, are Elders Isaac Case, Joseph Cornell, Peter P. Roots, Lemuel Corel, John Tripp, David Irish, Jesse Hartwell, Phinehas Pilsbury, Henry Hale, Barnabas Perkins, Samuel Rowly, Clark Kendrick, Samuel Ambrose, Stephen Parsons, Hezekiah Pettet, Samuel Churchill, Samuel Nelson, Simeon Coombs, John Chadburn, Henry Kendall, and others. Of these missionaries, Messrs.

Case and Roots have been almost constantly in the employ of this society for six or eight years past. The first has labored mostly in the District of Maine, New-Brunswick, and Nova-Scotia; the other in the back settlements of New-York and in Upper Canada. This society, in 1811, had twenty missionaries in its employ; they labored upon an average almost four months each, and the sum total of their services was over six years; their salaries amounted to 1600 dollars, that is, 160 dollars a year, or five dollars a week, for each missionary.

This society received at one time 600 dollars from the late Richard Devens, Esq. a Congregationalist of Charleston. Besides this, very considerable assistance was received at other times from that liberal gentleman. A number of Female Mite Societies have been distinguished auxiliaries of this evangelical institution. The first society of this kind was formed in Boston in 1809. This has contributed 500 dollars; the Boston Cent Society about 400; and a society of little children in the same town 85 dollars. The Providence Mite Society has forwarded to this missionary board about 550 dollars; the one in Salem over 400; and another in Haverhill 394. Similar Societies have been formed in Newton, Atticborough, Rehoboth or Seckonk, Warren, Newport, and other places, by which sums of considerable amount have been contributed. These Societies are formed of religious women, and of those who are favourably disposed towards the propagation of the gospel abroad; their rule is to give a cent a week, that is fifty-two cents a year: those who are disposed, give more. They make their collections quarterly, and by their laudable exertions, by this new and unprecedented economy of saving money in a way which no one can feel, these societies have, together, within a very few years past, contributed for missionary purposes between two and three thousand dollars.

The Baptists in New-York began to exert themselves in the missionary cause, in connection with the Presbyterians in that city, about the beginning of the present century. By their united efforts, sums of considerable amount were raised, and missionaries were sent out in different directions. Mr. Holmes, of the Baptist order, was stationed among the Six Nations, where he labored a number of years to some effect.

But our brethren not finding matters to go on according to their minds, in 1806 withdrew, formed a society by themselves, and very good success has attended their exertions. Since they began their operations, the sum total of their receipts amounts to about 5500 dollars. They expect, in the spring of 1814, to receive a thousand dollars, lately bequeathed the society. The missionaries they have employed are Messrs. Charles Lahatt, Elkanah Holmes, Luke Davis, William Pierce, Daniel Steers, Samuel West, James Harris, Enoch Ferris, and Edmund J. Reis.

Since the late unhappy divisions in New-York, the First church in that city has operated in missionary affairs in a distinct, individual capacity, and has collected between four and five hundred dollars.

The Philadelphia Association set on foot a missionary plan about 1800.

Their receipts for some years at first were not large, but there has been a promising increase of their means; so that they have been enabled to send the Gospel to many destitute places in the back parts of Pennsylvania and in the north-east parts of Ohio. They have employed as missionaries Messrs. Thomas G. Jones, Thomas Smiley, Henry George, William West, and others.

The New-Jersey Association, at the time that it came cut of the Philadelphia, established a Missionary Society within its bounds; and in the year 1812, its receipts from different sources amounted to about dollars. What it has received this present year I have not learnt, but it is hoped not a less sum.

The Virginia Baptists, with all their ample means, do not yet seem to have interested themselves in missionary concerns.

In North-Carolina a few years since an institution was formed by the name of the Philanthropick Baptist Missionary Society; but it does not appear that any thing considerable has yet been effected by it.

By the Charleston Association a Missionary Society was begun in 1803.

It had for its principal object the sending of the gospel to the Catawba Indians, who inhabit their State, of whom, and also of the success of the mission to them, some account is given in Vol. 2. p.46-47. In 1810, this society had collected by annual contributions $1896.60 of which $1850.78 had been expended in paying the salaries of their missionary and schoolmaster, purchasing books, etc. 1 It has probably received about $200 a year since, which would now (1813) make the sum total of its receipts, about $2500. It appears by the Minutes of the Association for 1812, that in that year $122.50 were received from the Wadmalaw and Edisto Female Mite Society, by the hands of Mrs. Eliza A. Adams, and Mrs. Hepzibah Townsend.

When we go back from the seaport towns, we find a considerable number of missionary establishments. The Shaftsbury Association, early in the beginning of this century, began to make exertions to send the Gospel to the destitute. Elders Blood, Warren, Corel, and others of their most distinguished preaehers, before that period, had made many evangelical excursions into remote regions on their own expense. In 180I, it appears by their minutes, that Mr. Covel made “a proposition for raising a fund, by contribution, for sending missionaries to preach the Gospel in destitute parts of the frontier settlements, and as far as they should have opportunity, among the natives of the wilderness.” The next year some small sums were sent in; the year after, their contributions amounted to almost 80 dollars; and from that period they have made annual collections from churches, mite societies, and individuals, from 90 to 180 dollars. The sum total of their contributions, from 1802 to the present time, must amount to upwards of 1500 dollars.

In the bounds of the Otsego, Madison, and Franklin Associations, has been formed an institution for missionary purposes, by the name of the Hamilton Missionary Society. It was begun in 1807, and had, in 1811, sent out missionaries into different parts, to the amount of almost seventy weeks. Auxiliary to this is a society of religious and benevolent ladies, in the town of Hamilton, who, by taking hold of the distaff, have furnished clothing for their missionary brethren. In February 1812, they presented the missionary board with twenty yards of fine woollen cloth of their own manufacture. In the town of Carenovia a similar society has been formed, who have, with their own hands, manufactured thirty yards of fine linen, and about as much of woolen, for the clothing and the comfort of their brethren, who expose themselves to the summer’s heat and winter’s cool, to bear the glad tidings of peace to those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. When these accounts were received, similar societies were forming in Fabius, Onondaga, Pompey, German, Homer, etc.

On the west of this region an institution was formed some years ago, called the Lake Missionary Society’; but of its origin and movements I have obtained no accounts. There is also a missionary establishment in the District of Maine, called the Maine Missionary Society, which was formed in 1804. By the year 1810, they had collected, in various ways, between five and six hundred dollars, which they had appropriated to the design of their institution.

In addition to these societies, the several Associations of Sturbridge, Leyden, Woodstock, Vermont, Saratoga, Cayuga, and Black-River, in New-England and New-York, have some years past made annual collections of from about forty to considerably over a hundred dollars.

About eighty dollars a year are generally collected. These monies they generally appropriate to their own ministers, who are disposed to itinerate, in places remote and destitute. All these institutions are called missionary; though most of them more properly deserve the name of itinerant.Their effects have been peculiarly useful and promising. Many, who had previously a zeal for itinerating, have been enabled to do it without injury to their families or embarrassment to themselves. Many new and destitute places in this wide-spread country have been blessed with the dispensation of the precious word of life; many of the saints, who have removed far from their brethren, have been refreshed; many sinners have, by the labors of the missionaries, been hopefully born into the kingdom of God, and by their means a considerable number of churches have been planted.

As near as I can ascertain there has been collected by all the different Baptist Missionary Institutions since about 1803, that is, in the ten last years, not far from thirty thousand dollars. In this sum I do not include what the New-York brethren contributed while they were in connection with the Presbyterians, nor the monies, which have been sent to India formerly, or have lately been raised towards supporting Messrs. Judson and Rice in that region. More that one third of this sum, we have seen, has been raised by the Massachusetts Baptist Society, and very few of our brethren comparatively have been concerned in raising the remainder. What might we expect if they would unite their efforts in this evangelical undertaking?

LITERARY INSTITUTIONS, AND EDUCATION FUNDS Brown University is the most important literary establishment among the Baptists in America. It was projected, according to Morgan Edwards, in 1762, by the Philadelphia Association. The year after, Mr. James Manning, who afterwards became its president, landed at Newport on his way to Halifax, Nova-Scotia, “and made a motion to several gentlemen of the Baptist denomination, (of whom Colonel Gardner, the Deputy- Governor was one,) relative to a seminary of polite literature, subject to the government of the Baptists. the motion was properly attended to, which brought together about fifteen gentlemen of the same denomination at the Deputy’s house who requested Mr. Manning to draw a sketch of the design against the day following.” The plan was formed according to desire, and the next day Governor Lyndon and Colonel Job Bennet were appointed to draw a charter; but they pleading unskilfulness in the business, solicited the aid of Rev. Ezra, afterwards Dr. Styles, president of Yale College, New-Haven. Before the business was matured, Mr. Manning was obliged to go on board the vessel for Halifax. “The object for fixing on Rhode-Island for a Baptist College was, that that Legislature was chiefly in the hands of their denomination, and was therefore the likeliest place to have one established by law.” But so unauspicious were the Baptists, that they came very near being defeated in their design. The charter was so artfully drawn by Dr. Styles, that the Presbyterians would have had the power of controlling the institution, had it received the sanction of the Legislature in its original form. “When Governor Lyndon inquired of the Doctor, why he had perverted the design of the charter? he answered, I gave you timely warning to take care of yourselves, for that we had done so with regard to our society, observing at the same time that he was not the rogue.” The history of this sectarian intrigue is thus stated by Daniel Jenks, Esq. “While I attended the business of the Assembly, (held August, 1763) Capt. William Rogers came to the council chamber and presented me with a paper, with a design I should sign it, adding, “that as it was a petition for a Baptist College he knew I would not refuse.” Business not permitting me to attend to him immediately, I requested he would leave with me the petition and charter. Meanwhile the sergeant made proclamation, requesting the members to take their seats; in my seat I began to read the papers, but had not done, before the petition and charter were called for, which I gave to the sergeant, and he to the speaker at the board. The petition being read, a motion was made to receive it and grant the charter. After some time I stood up to oppose proceeding; immedately on the petition, giving my reason in words to this effect. “I understood that the college in question was sought for by the Baptists, and that it was to be under their government and direction, with admission only of a few of other religious denominations, to share with them therein, that they might appear as catholic as could be, consistent with their main design; but on the contrary, I perceived, by glancing over the charter while I sat in my place just now, that the main power of government and direction is vested in twelve fellows, and that eight out of the twelve are to be Presbyterians, and that the others may or may not be of the same denomination, but of necessity none of them is to be a Baptist. If so, there is treachery somewhere, and a design of grossly imposing on the honest people, who first moved for the institution; I therefore desire that the matter may lie by till the afternoon.” This was granted. In the afternoon the matter was resumed, with a seeming resolution in some to push it through at all events; but I had influence enough to stop proceeding then also. That evening and next morning I made it my business to see Governor Lyndon and Colonel Bennet, and to inform them of the construction of the charter.

They could not believe me, for the confidence they had in Dr. Styles’s honor and integrity, until seeing convinced them. What reflections followed may he better concealed than published. However, we all agreed to postpone passing the charter into a law, and did effect our purpose for that session, notwithstanding the attempts of Mr. Ellery and others of the Presbyterians to the contrary. Before the breaking up of the Assembly, the House, at my request, directed the speaker to deliver the charter to me, after I had made a promise it should be forth-coming at the next meeting of the Assembly. I took the charter to Providence, and showed it to many who came to my house; others borrowed it to peruse at home. Meanwhile the messengers 2 from the Philadelphia Association arrived in Newport, which occasioned the committee of Newport to send to me for the charter.

I asked for it of Dr. Ephrahim Bowen, who had borrowed it last. The Dr. said he lent it to Samuel Nightingale, Esq. Search was made for it there, but it could not be found; neither do I know to this day what became of it.

When the next General Assembly met (last Wednesday in October, 1763,) the second charter was presented, which was much faulted and opposed by the gentry, who concerned themselves so warmly about the other. And one in particular demanded that the first charter, which had been entrusted with me, might he produced. Then I related (as above) that it was lost, and the manner how it was lost; but the party, instead of believing this, very rudely suggested, that I had secreted the charter, and, in the face of the court, charged me with a breach of trust, which brought on very disagreeable altercations and bickerings, till at last I was necessitated to say, “that if there had been any foul dealings, it was among them of their own denomination at Providence.” Their clamours continued, and we gave way to them that session, for peace sake. Meanwhile, Dr. Bowen, who is a man of strict honor and integrity, used all means to recover the former charter, posting an advertisement in the most public places of the town, and making diligent inquiry, but to no purpose. At the next Assembly, which met in February, 1764, the new charter was again brought on the carpet, and the same clamor against it, and unjust reproaches against me, were repeated. It was said that the new charter was not like the old; and was constructed to deprive the Presbyterians of the benefit of the institution. To which it was replied, “That it was agreeable to the design of the first undertakers; and if calculated to deprive the Presbyterians of the power they wanted, it was no more than what they themselves had attempted to do to the Baptists.” After much and warm debate, the question was put, and carried in favor of the new charter, by a great majority.” The charter is too lengthy to be transcribed, but the following is a summary of its contents. The institution was named the “Trustees and Fellows of the College or University, in the English Colony of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.” The corporation consists of two separate branches, with distinct, separate, and respective powers. The number of Trustees is thirty-six, of whom twenty-two are Baptists, five of Friends or Quakers, five Episcopalians, and four Congregationalists, frequently called Presbyterians. The same proportion of different denominations to continue in perpetuum. The number of Fellows, (including the President, who is a Fellow, ex offcio) is twelve, of whom eight are Baptists, the others may be chosen indiscriminately from any denomination. The concurrence of both branches by a majority of each is necessary for the validity of an act, except the adjudging and conferring degrees, which exclusively belongs to the Fellowship as a learned faculty.

The President must be a Baptist; Professors and other officers of instruction are not limited to any particular denomination. The annual commencement is on the first Wednesday of Sept. when there is a general meeting of the Corporation.

For a few years after the charter was granted, the institution moed on but slowly towards maturity. Mr. Manning was chosen President, and in 1766, began with a small class at Warren, where it was at first proposed the college should be located. The year after, Mr. Morgan Edwards, of Philadelphia, set sail for England, to collect money towards paying the salary of the President and his assistant, for as yet they had no funds. Mr. Edwards met with very good success, “considering,” as he says, “how angry the mother country then was with the colonies for opposing the stamp-act.”

Afterwards, the late Dr. Hezekiah Smith and others collected sums of considerable amount for the purpose of endowing the institution.

In 1769 proposals were made for building a college edifice; but serious difficulties arose respecting the place where it should be erected. The four towns of Warren, Providence, Newport and East-Greenwich, in four different counties, were named as eligible situations. In this posture of affairs, it was proposed by the Corporation, that the county, which should raise the most money, should have the college. Providence bid the highest, and of course obtained it. Here an edifice was begun in May, I770, which was roofed in the autumn of that year. It was built under the superintendence of “the adventurous and resolute Browns,” of Providence, viz. Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses, who were then united in trade under the firm of Nicholas Brown & Co. They each subscribed two hundred pounds, L.M. ($666-67.00) but in the end, the building cost them much more.

The college edifice is of brick, four stories high, exclusive of the cellar, which is partly above ground, 150 feet long, and 46 wide, with a projection of ten feet on each side. It has an entry lengthwise, with rooms on each side. There are 52 rooms for the accommodation of students, and four larger ones for public uses.

This elegant building, which was erected wholly by the generous donations of individuals, mostly of the town of Providence, is situated on a hill to the east of the town, has a pure salubrious air, and commands a delightful prospect of the town of Providence, the Narraganset Bay and the islands, and of an extensive country around, variegated with hills, dales, plains, wood. lands, etc. 4 The college lot contains about five acres, originally the property of Chad Brown, 5 one of Roger Williams’s associates and his successor in the care of the church of which they were both constituent members. Near the college are the President’s house, a commodious brick building for a Grammar School and the Medical Lectures, and out-buildings for the accommodation of the President and steward.

The Library belonging to this University amounts now to near three thousand volumes, many of which were collected by Morgan Edwards in England, and many others have been presented by the Baptists in that kingdom, and by benefactors of different denominations, both there and in different parts of the United States. A valuable Law Library, supposed to be worth about eight hundred dollars, is the gift of Nicholas Brown, Esq. who has presented besides a great number of books of different kinds. We ought furthermore to add that this distinguished benefactor, a few years ago, agreed to give five hundred dollars towards increasing the Library, if the corporation would appropriate as much more. This liberal proposition was accepted; a part of this thousand dollars has been expended, but a considerable sum yet remains to be laid out.

Fifteen or twenty volumes of Grammars and Translations of the Scriptures in the Oriental languages, have lately been received from the Baptist Missionaries in India.

The Philosophical Apparatus, though not so large as those of older Universities, is yet respectable for its extent. It consists of an Orrery, a Theodolite, a reflecting Telescope, solar and double Microscopes, convex and concave Mirrors, Lenses, Globes, an Air Pump, the gift of the late Nicholas Brown, Esq. Machinery for Hydrostatics, Electricity, and Mechanics, together with such other articles as are necessary to a respectable course of experiments on modern philosophy. A number of these articles were purchased with a donation of five hundred dollars from the late Samuel Elam, Esq.

The officers of this University are as follow:

Hon. Jabez Bowen , LL.D. Chancellor Rev. Asa Messer , S.T.D. LL.D. Pres.

Hon. Dav. Howell , LL.D. Prof. Law Rev. Calvin Park , A.M. Professor Moral Philosophy and Metaphysics William Ingalls , M.D. Professor Anatomy and Surgery Solomon Drown , M.D. Professor Materia Medica and Botany John Bailey , A.M. Tutor and Librarian Josephus Wheaton , A.B. Tutor George Fisher , A.B. Preceptor of the Grammer School.

William C. Bowen , M.D. former Professor of Chemistry, has lately resigned. It is expected a new Professor will soon be appointed.

The Medical Establishment was begun in 1810, and bids for to be an important acquisition to the Institution. A Professorship of the Theory and Practice of Physick has been established, but a Professor has not yet been appointed. A Botanical Garden is in contemplation.

The number of students is over a hundred and twenty; in the summer of 1813, they were a hundred and thirty-five, of all denominations; and the same religious freedom reigns in the College as in the State. The students do not repair here to study divinity, but to acquire a knowledge of the arts and sciences, that they may be qualified to engage in whatever profession their views and feelings shall dictate.

The funds of the University, according to a report of the Treasurer in 1811,were over fifteen thousand dollars; and as the establishment has, for some time past, supported itself, they are yearly accumulating.

The foundation for these funds was laid by the collections of Morgan Edwards, Dr. Hezekiah Smith, and others. Two thousand dollars of it were granted by Congress in consideration of the damages the edifice sustained during the Revolutionary War. This grant was obtained by means of John Brown, Esq. who was at the time a representative from the State. Exclusive of these endowments is a foundation for a Professorship of Oratory and Belles Lettres, which was laid in 1804, by Nicholas Brown, Esq. in consequence of which the University received its name. 7 This was at first five thousand dollars; in 1811 it had increased to over seven thousand. A Professor is to be appointed where the interest of this fund shall be sufficient to afford him a competent salary.

This institution has had three Presidents. Dr. Manning, its founder, held this office about twenty-five years, this character has been given in the biographical department.

Successor to him was Jonathan Maxcy, D. D. now President of the College at Columbia, South-Carolina. He was born at Attleborough, Massachusetts, a few miles from Providence, 1768, was chosen President of this institution soon after Dr. Manning’s death, and held the office about eleven years, when he was chosen President of Union College, Skenectady, (New-York) where he officiated a few years before his removal to his present situation.

Asa Messer, D. D. LL. D. was elevated to the presidential chair in 1802.

He was born in Methuen, near Haverhill, Massachusetts, 1769, and was brought up under the ministry of the late Dr. Hezekiah Smith. He has now been in the University in different stations, twenty-six years, that is, from the age of eighteen.

In speaking of the other literary institutions, which it may be proper to notice, we shall pursue the order of the States, beginning with THE DISTRICT OF MAINE In the winter of 1812, the Baptists in this District obtained of the Massachusetts Legislature a grant of a township of public unsettled land, for the purpose of erecting a College. The township contains over 20,000 acres, which it is expected will sell for as many thousand dollars. This was a new thing under the sun, and is believed to have been the first public grant, that was ever made by any court or legislature to our denomination.

The Baptists, as citizens of the Commonwealth, had a righteous claim for their part of its public property; but their petition was much opposed, and it is doubted whether it would have been granted, had it not been for the assiduous exertions of Reverend Daniel Merrill, of Sedgwick, who was, at that time, at member of the House of Representatives.

Sums of considerable amount had been subscribed towards this intended College, before the grant was obtained; but I do not learn that much has yet been done towards setting it in operation.

MR. WILLIAMS’ ACADEMY In 1776, Mr. William Williams, pastor of the church in Wrentham, Massachusetts, one of the first graduates of Brown University, opened an Academy for teaching the Languages, Arts and Sciences, etc. Mr. Williams has had over a hundred scholars under his tuition, most of whom have finished their education at the University at Providence. Among these students were President Maxcy, and the Hon. David R. Williams, of South-Carolina. About twenty out of the whole number, have become Baptist ministers, most of whom are yet living. A few have entered the ministry in the Congregational connection, and most of the remainder studied physics or engaged in the law.

MR EATON’S ACADEMY, AT HOPEWELL, NEW-JERSEY “Mr. Eaton was the first man among the American Baptists, who opened a school for the education of youth for the ministry.” This school was begun in 1766, and closed in 1767. Towards the support of it the churches in the Philadelphia Association raised a fund of about four hundred pounds, which was afterwards mostly annihilated by the ravages of continental money. Among the ministers who received the rudiments of their education at this Academy, were President Manning, Dr. Samuel Jones, Dr. Hezekiah Smith, Dr. Isaac Skillman, and Messrs. David Thomas, John Davis, William Williams, Robert Keith, Charles Thompson.

David Jones, Johm Sutton, David Sutton, James Talbot, John Blackwell, Joseph Powell William Worth, and Levi Bonnell.

A considerable number of his students engaged in the professions of physick, and law, and of this last class was Judge Howel of Providence, Rhode-Island.

DR. JONES’S ACADEMY, AT LOWER-DUBLIN, PENNSYLVANIA Dr. Jones, we have seen, was one of Mr. Eaton’s students; he finished his education in the College at Philadelphia, opened the Academy inquestion in 1766, and closed it in 1794. The number of his students amounts to in all; fourteen of them became Baptist preachers. Dr. Jones, out of the abundance of his wealth, has, as he informs me, resolved on leaving a thousand dollars in the hands of the Trustees of his church and congregation, with directions to apply the interest towards educating young men, who are promising for the ministry.

BAPTIST EDUCATION SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE STATES This Society was formed at Philadelphia in 1812. “Its avowed and explicit design is, with a divine blessing, the assisting of young men in obtaining such literary and theological aid, as shall enable them, with greater ease to themselves and usefulness to the churches, to fulfill the duties of the Christian ministry. Such persons only shall be considered as eligible to the privileges of the society as are regular members of Baptist churches, and as have been licensed to the ministry, and are by the trustees of the society considered as possessing talents likely to contribute to ministerial usefulness.” Ths society bas collected funds to the amount of about fifteen hundred dollars. Dr. Staughton, of Philadelphia, has been chosen tutor, and a small class of young gentlemen of the character above described are studying at his house. A building, suitable to the designs of this Society, is in contemplation, and should the brethren of the Middle States make a liberal advance of the abundant means they possess, this institution may prove a valuable acquisition to the churches, whose benefit it has in view.

MR. ROBCRTS’S ACADEMY, AT STATESBURG, SOUTH-CAROLINA THIS seminary was opened in 1800. Some accounts of its students will be given in the history of the Education Fund belonging to the Charleston Association. Mr. Roberts is a graduate of Brown University, and was approbated as a preacher by the church in Providence.

MOUNT ENON ACADEMY THIS Academy is not far from the city of Augusta, in Georgia, 140 miles from the Atlantic. It was begun about 1806, principally by the exertions of Dr. Holcombe, now of Philadelphia, by whom collections to a considerable amount were made in different parts of the State. This Academy is under the direction of a board of trustees, who have obtained an act of incorporation. They have funds to the amount of about three thousand dollars, besides unsold lots on Mount Enon, supposed to be worth about a thousand dollars. The President of this institution is Mr. Thomas H Dixon, the number of students is about forty. Should the Georgia brethren increase in their relish for literature, and contribute freely of their pecuniary means, this seminary may, at some future day, arise into a College, according to the original design of its founders.

Besides the Academies we have named, Mr. Stanford’s in New-York, Dr.

Burgis Allison’s of Bordentown, Mr. Nelson’s at Mount Pleasant 8 and a number of others, have been conducted by Baptist ministers, and in them many, who are now preachers of the denomination, received much literary assistance. Buildings have been erected for Academies at Westfield and Middleborough, both in Massachusetts, which have just began their operations.

EDUCATION FUNDS THE one belonglng to the Charleston Association, on many accounts, demands our first attention. “This institution, which has for its object the gratuitous education of pious young men for the ministry, commenced in I791. In consequence of previous recommendation and arrangement by the Association, nine churches, viz. Charleston, Ewhaw, Welsh Neck, Ebenezer, High-Hills of Santee, Lynch’s Creek, Cheraw Hill, Black Swamp, and Lower Fork of Lynch’s Creek, sent delegates and contributions to the annual meeting held that year at the Welch Neck. Mr. Furman was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Holcombe, Clerk. “A system of rules submitted to the Chairman was taken into consideration, and underwent several amendments. The ratification was deferred till the next meeting, and a proposition for the incorporation of the committee referred to the association for its concurrence. Mr. Matthew M’Cullers was recommended by Mr. Holcombe as a candidate for the patronage of the Committee, examined and approved. The Chairman was requested to contract for and superintend his education. A part of the money collected was appropriated to assist in the education of the late Reverend Joseph Cook’s son, who it was agreed should afterwards be examined whether he came under the ‘description of persons to be benefited by this institution.’ Mr. Cuttino of Georgetown was requested to act as Treasurer till the next meeting. “In 1792 the rules were re-considered, and after some further amendments, ratified and signed. A petition to the Legislature for incorporation was also signed, and committed to the Chairman to be forwarded. It was accordingly presented and incorporation obtained.

A SUMMARY OF THE RULES “This Committee shall be known and distinguished by the name of the General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Education Fund.” “Once a year, a Charity Sermon shall be preached in each church; at which time and place, collections shall be made from the congregation, and the money so collected, together with any donations or bequests received for the purpose, shall be applied towards forming and supporting a fund, to assist pious young men, designed for the work of the ministry, and destitute of other assistanee, in obtaining education; together with such other religons and public uses, as may be approved by the churches, should the fund finally prove sufficient.” “A committee consisting of a delegate from each church, chosen for the purpose, shall convene at the same time and place with the Association. They may be members of that body, but invested with distinct powers as members of the committee. They shall receive the collections, determine on the manner of applying the fund, according to the foregoing Rule, and examine candidates for the churches’ bounty. The management of the fund is exclusively invested in those churches which contribute to it. The committee thus formed is to continue one year, or to continue till a new election. A President, Secretary, and two Assistants, shall be annually chosen, and form a select committee to transact, when the General Committee is not in session, such business as the General Committee shall judge necessary.” etc. “The President shall contract for the education of such persons as are taken on the churches’ bounty, and the expenses consequent thereon shall be paid by the Treasurer, on the President’s written order.” “The Treasurer shall give bond to the President, in double the value of all monies or specialties in his hands.” “No person shall be admitted on the bounty, but such as come well recommended, and appear, on examination, to be truly pious, of evangelical principles, of good natural abilities, and desirous of devoting themselves to the work of the ministry. Each person so admitted, shall be under the Committee, while pursuing a course of studies, and be liable to refund the money, expended on his education, within four years after the completion of it, if he does not, within that time, enter on the ministry to the satisfaction of the Committee. When there are more candidates than can be received on the bounty, preference will be given to those who are members of churches in this association: secondly, to those who are most promising. If any person, while obtaining education under the patronage and direction of this body, shall embrace principles subversive of the great truths of the gospel, or abandon himself to an irreligious course of life, he shall, on proper evidence of the fact, and after suitable endeavors to reclaim him, if ineffectual, be dismissed.” “It shall be the duty of the Committee to use its best endeavors to obtain and apply for the general benefit of the churches, all property of the churches in this union, when the said churches are become extinct, and the property liable to revert to the public or become private property. And in making such appropriations, they shall consult the Association. The Committee shall have no power to interfere in any concern of a church, either spiritual or temporal, where power is not expressly delegated to them by the churches.” “Signed Nov. 7, 1792, by Richard Furman, Henry Holcombe, Edmund Botsford, Alexander Scott, Bradley Rhame, Benjamin Mosely, Stephen Nixon, Isham Gardiner, James Sweat. “After the adoption of these rules, the following officers were chosen: Reverend Richard Furman, President; Reverend Henry Holcombe, Secretary; Colonel Thomas Screven, Treasurer; Messrs.

Thomas Rivers, sen. and John Gourlay, Asssistants. “Agreeably to a resolve of the last year, Mr. Joseph B. Cook was examined. He was regularly received on the establishment; and in the year following Mr. John M. Roberts. In 1794 they were sent to Rhode-Island College, (now Brown University) where the latter graduated in 1796, the former in 1797. Reverend Jesse Mercer, of Georgia, was assisted, in 1792 with 10 pounds, and afterwards supplied with books. “In 1800, Mr. Sydenham Morton and Mr. William Jones were admitted, and placed at the Academy of Reverend Mr. Roberts, near Stateburg. The same year a legacy of 100 pounds was left the fund by Mrs. Frances Legare, a member of the Independent or Congregational church in Charleston. “In 1802 it was resolved to fix the period of students’ continuing at their studies, at the time of their admission. “In 1803 Reverend Samuel Eccles was admitted, and Reverend Davis Collins, who had been some time studying under the patronage of the committee, retired. In this year a valuable library, consisting of works of theology and general science, was purchased for the use of students, and deposited with the Reverend Mr. Roberts for that purpose. Mr. Ezra Courtney, reccommended by the Ebenezer church, was examined and approved; 100 dollars was voted for his use this year. “In 1804 died Colonel Screven, who, from the first choice of officers, had acted as Treasurer. The Committee testified respect for his memory, approbation of his conduct, and sorrow for the loss of “so excellent a man, who did honor to his Christian profession, by a life of eminent piety and extensive usefulness.” “In 1805, Mr. William T. Brantley, who had been studying at Mr. Park’s Academy, at Jeffer’s Creek, was recommendod by Mr. Woods and Genesis Thomas; on which it was agreed, that the expenses of his education and board for the current year should be paid. Mr. Brantley was soon after examined in Charleston, by the Special Committee; approved, and placed under the care of Mr. Roberts. In the course of the year following he was admitted into the South-Carolina College, where he graduated in 1808. “Mr. Richard Todd, of Lane’s-Creek church, was examined and approved in 1806. The thanks of the Committee were presented to Reverend Mr. Roberts for his gratuitous instruction of the students, placed under his care by the Committee. “In 1808, Mr. James M’Kellar was examined as a candidate from the churches’ bounty, and unanimously approved. “In 1809, Messrs. Jesse Pope and John Ellis were admitted; and Mr. Belcher in 1810.

STATE OF THE FUND Dollars Cents “Contributions from the churches from 1791 to 1810 6831 Donation trom the Religious Society 161 Donation from individuals 21 Legacy by Mrs. Frances Legare 428 TOTAL 7450 Interest 1029 TOTAL 8480 “Expended in the purchase of a library, and in the education, board, etc. of students. 3397 “Amount of the Fund in money, bonds, and notes, Nov. 5082 “Besides the above amount are two tracts of land on Little Pedee, the gift of Jeremiah Brown, containing together near 2000 acres, and valued at upwards of 900 00 LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL COMITTEE, FROM ITS FORMATION. “President, Richard Furman. “Treasurers, Thomas Screven, William Inglesby, Henry Jones. “Secretaries, Henry Holcombe, John Waldo, John M. Roberts. “Assistants, Thomas Rivers, John Gourlay, John Hart, Hem’y Inglesby, William Inglesby, David Adams.” By the Minutes of this Association for 1811, it appears there were received for this fund for that year, 436 dollars. In 1812, the collections amounted to 292 dollars. The receipts for this year I have not learnt, as the Minutes have not yet come to hand.

The Philadelphia Association, as we have seen, began to raise a fund for the assistance of promising young men, etc. about half a century ago. In 1763, Mrs. Elizabeth Hobbs bequeathed to this fund, or to the Association by whom it was managed, three hundred and fifty pounds.

Fifty more pounds were raised probably by contribution, and a number, whose names I have not obtained, were assisted by it. Had it not been for what Edwards calls the O Tempora of the war, and the O Mores of continental money, this fund, in 1790, would haveamounted to eight hundred pounds. 10 What remains of it, which is a little over a thousand dollars, will probably be used as an auxiliary to the education Society already described.

About 1791, a proposition was laid before the Warren Association for raising a fund for the same purpose as the others we have mentioned. The measure was approved of, but not much appears in have been done until two years after, when the patrons of the undertaking obtained an Act of Incorporatlon.

By bequests, donations, and contributions, etc., this fund has been augmented to about three thousand dollars: it is nominally more, but it is doubtful whether some notes will be collected. A thousand dollars of this fund came from the late Richard Devens, Esq. a member of Dr. Morse’s church in Charleston, the same liberal gentleman who gave so much to our Missionary Society. Generous donations have also been made to this institution by Nicholas Brown, Esq. of Providence, Colonel Dana, of Newton, Dea. Goodwin, of Charleston, Ebenezer Seccomb, Esq. of Salem, and many others. The names of those who have been assisted by it, are Joshua Bradley, Thomas Rand, Jeremiah Chaplin, Nathaniel Kendrick, David Curtis, Thomas Power, Charles Wheeler, Samuel Glover, George Phippen, David Pease, and Joseph Briley, all of whom, except the two last, finished their educations at Providence. Messrs. Power, and Bailey have engaged in secular pursuits; the other ten are acting a respectable part in the Christian ministry. Although the dividends of this fund have not been great, yet they have afforded peculiar assistance to those above named towards defraying the expenses of their education. Elijah F. Willey and Herbert Marshall, now members of Brown University, are under its patronage.

A few years since, Levi Peirce, Esq. of Middleborough, presented to the Trustees of this fund an Academy, which he had built at his own expense.