SECOND REPORT OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF COLLEGIATE AND THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AT THE WEST. WITH AN APPENDIX. NEW-YORK: No. 33 ANN-STREET. PROCEEDINGS CONNECTED WITH THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY POR THE PROMOTION OF COLLEGIATE AND THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AT THE WEST. THE Board of Directors, according to adjournment, met in the Lecture Room of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, N. J., on Wednesday, October 29th, 1845, at 5 o'clock, P. M. In the evening, by previous appointment, a discourse was delivered before a crowded audience, by the Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia, from Prov. 19: 2. That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good. The discourse was characterized by comprehensive views, accurate discrimination, and practical wisdom, while beauty of language and energy of delivery carried its weighty considerations with great power to the intellect and the heart. A copy has been requested for publication. On Thursday evening, October 30th, the Anniversary services were attended at the Third Presbyterian Church. In the absence of the President, the Rev. Prof. Goodrich, of Yale College, one of the Vice Presidents, took the chair, and opened the meeting with prayer, followed by a few impressive remarks. The Society, he said, had its origin in wise forethought and genuine benevolence. Several years since, there were five institutions at the West, manned by learned and capable officers, located in the most promising positions, and endowed with lands and prospective funds. High hopes were indulged of their eminent success and large usefulness. But in God's good providence, these expectations were destined to be disappointed. A series of commercial reverses and disasters, unparalleled in the history of the country, swept over the West, clouding the brightest prospects and destroying the most stable possessions. These institutions were the first to feel the shock. The lands of which their endowment consisted, became valueless; the pledges which had encouraged them with abundant resources were unfulfilled, and the very means of subsistence were destroyed. The cry for help came back to us, and one after another these institutions presented themselves at our doors for aid. At length, for the sake of systematizing and concentrating these efforts, which have now become necessary in order to preserve these institutions from utter extinction, this Society was formed, designed to present the claims of all. The effect has been as life from the dead. In two short years, between $20,000 and $30,000 had been raised for their aid, and this had been the means of raising a still larger sum on the Western field itself. Never had the application of a similar amount, accomplished more. It was safe to say, that property to the amount of $400,000 had been saved from ruin. Nor is this all the moral influence of thus stretching out the hand to help their brethren has been most beneficial to the churches; and a new spirit has been given to the friends of education throughout the land. In every point of view the influence of this Society has been most beneficial and important; and should it expire to-morrow, we should have occasion to bless God for what it has accomplished. But we believe it will not expire; that it is not to subserve a mere temporary purpose; but that, as these institutions grow beyond the need of its help, others are to be taken under its care, until the whole West is supplied with colleges and seminaries of learning. There never yet was a young people able to furnish themselves with the literary institutions they needed. It was true of New-England: her Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth owed their existence to foreign munificence; and if ever similar institutions are to rise up in the West, and exert a like power in molding the character of that vast empire, they must receive their first impulse from abroad. This is what the Society aims to do. It would call forth new Harvards, Yales and Dartmouths at the West; and he could not conceive of a more noble office or rational charity. The glory of founding the literary institutions of a great nation is worth more to Governor Yale than the Presidency of the East India Company, and more honorable to the Earl of Dartmouth than the dignity of peer of the realm. We would repay the boundless debt of gratitude we owe to them, by giving the same institutions to the West which they gave to us. Let it not be thought that this is an institution for sectarian purposes. Far from it. We would provoke to love and good works other denominations that are so numerous and powerful, and so well able to sustain similar institutions. We shall rejoice to see them coming up, as they doubtless will, to this glorious enterprise. We would unite the mind of the East, in forming the mind of the West. Prof. G. closed his remarks by adverting to the eminently religious character of the colleges already planted, and hoping that the combining of religion with learning, which constitutes so marked a feature of American education, would render this the missionary nation of the world. An abstract of the Annual Report of the Directors was read by Rev. Theron Baldwin, Corresponding Secretary. On motion of Rev. N. S. S. Beman, D. D., of Troy, N. Y., it was Resolved, That the Report now read, be adopted, and published under the direction of the Board. Dr. Beman, sustained this resolution by an eloquent address, and was eloquently followed by Rev. Leonard Bacon, D. D., of New-Haven, Ct., and Rev. S. H. Cox, D. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y. The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Dr. Goodrich; after which, the Society proceeded to elect Officers for the ensuing year. The following Officers were chosen : President. HON. JOSEPH C. HORNBLOWER, Newark, N. J. Vice Presidents. REV. C. A. GOODRICH, D. D., New-Haven, Conn. REV. N. S. S. BEMAN, D. D., Troy, N. Y. J. M. ATWOOD, Esq., Philadelphia. CYRUS P. SMITH, Esq., Brooklyn. REV. G. W. BLAGDEN, Boston. REV. E. BEECHER, D. D., " REV. H. N. BRINSMADE, D. D., Newark, N. J. REV. A. D. EDDY, D. D., Newark, N. J. REV. T. H. SKINNER, D. D., New-York City. REV. S. H. COX, D. D., Brooklyn. REV. WM. B. LEWIS, HON. T. W. WILLIAMS, New-London, Conn. REV. HORACE BUSHNELL, D. D., Hartford, Conn. HON. SAMUEL H. WALLEY, JR., Roxbury, Mass. G. W. CROCKETT, Esq.,' " HENRY EDWARDS, Esq., Boston. Treasurer. ANDREW WESSON, Esq., Brooklyn, N. Y. Corresponding Secretary. REV. THERON BALDWIN. Recording Secretary. REV. ASA D. SMITH, New-York City. The Society then adjourned, to meet in the City of New-York, in the month of May, 1846. |