TO THE Friends of Religion DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. RECEIVED FEB 24 1904 LELAND STANFORD IN BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. Andover PRINTED BY FLAGG AND GOULD. ADDRESS. THE Directors of the AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY have been engaged for several years past, in applying the charity of the christian public, for the promotion of the great object proposed in the formation of this charitable institution. This Society is but the medium, through which public beneficence reaches and effects its object; it is merely the almoner of public bounty. It is therefore manifest, that while, on the one hand, the Directors look with the deepest interest, to the effects of their labours; they must, on the other hand, look with no less. interest, to the friends of religion in the community, for those supplies which their operations continually demand. For, it ought to be distinctly understood and remembered by all, that the objects of this Society are no local or private concern. Its benefits do not rest upon its members, or its Directors. They individually incur sacrifices, and make efforts, in attending to its concerns, and watching over its interests; for which they expect no earthly remuneration. It is the honour of Christ, in the advancement and prosperity of his Church, which stands forth as the object of our labours and charities in this undering. The Directors therefore, do not appear before the public to ask alms for themselves, or for the promotion of any private interest; but they present the Education Society to public attention, as an association, duly organized and prepared to receive the fruits of christian charity, and appropriate them to purposes, in which every friend of Christ must feel an interest. It is the cause of every minister, of every church, and of every sincere friend of Christ, which we plead. The object in view, can never be accomplished by individual exertion. It requires the vigorous cooperation of the friends of the Redeemer. Therefore, chris tian brethren, we ask you to unite with us in furnishing ministers, for the destitute churches and congregations in our country; and in preparing messengers, who may go forth and declare the unsearchable riches of Christ, in the destitute regions of our world. But, while this Society offers itself as the channel, through which christian charity may flow and take effect; it seems proper, that the public should be made acquainted with the result of its past labours; that they should understand its methods of proceeding; and that they should take a fair view of the importance of its object. For, in this way only can they be enabled to judge, how far it merits confidence, and affords encouragement for increasing support.-To these points then, the attention of all the friends of the Saviour, and of man, is respectfully solicited. From a statement published by the officers of the Society, soon after its institution, it appears that, "during the summer of 1815, a few individuals in Boston, becoming deeply impressed by the necessity of greater efforts than had heretofore been made, to increase the number of pious and learned ministers; invited a number of clergymen from neighbouring towns to meet with them for consultation. At this meeting which was held the last week in July, and opened with prayer, a more full exhibition of the deficiency of qualified christian teachers in our land, clothed the subject with a solemn interest; and impressed on every one present a strong conviction, that all good men are called to unite in immediate and vigorous efforts to provide a remedy. Under this impression it was voted to be expedient, that a Society be formed for the purpose of aiding indigent young men of talents and hopeful piety, in acquiring a competent education for the Gospel ministry; and a committee of six clergymen and four laymen, was appointed to frame a constitution to be reported at a future meeting."* At this subsequent meeting, which was holden at Boston. August 29, 1815, and attended by about fifty gentlemen, the constitution was reported, and after deliberate discussion, article by * See Appendix to Dr. Worcester's Sermon delivered October, 1816. article, was unanimously adopted. The Act of Incorporation is dated December 4, 1816. From these facts it appears that this Society has existed, as legally constituted, but about nine years. Consequently, the public will not expect that it can yet number among its beneficiaries many, who have come forward upon the stage of public action. Excepting a limited number of the early objects of its patronage, who were somewhat advanced in their studies when that patronage commenced; the beneficiaries have not had time to finish their prescribed literary and theological course, preparatory to active service. Still, in the catalogue of ordained ministers, who have pastoral charges, or who are labouring as evangelists; in the bands of Missionaries, who have gone forth to preach the Gospel in the regions of moral darkness; and among the Agents, who are employed in promoting the interests of various charitable institutions; we already see the names of some, who are enrolled on the records of the American Education Society as her sons, and who have been raised by her instrumentality, to a sphere of active and extensive usefulness. A larger number still, have just completed their collegiate course, and are now engaged in the instruction of Academies, or, are pursuing professional studies in our Theological Seminaries. But the greatest number is still found in the first and second stages of their education, attached to Academies and Colleges in different parts of our country. The whole number of young men who have received assistance from this Society since its first establishment, is 527.—Of these 13 are ordained Ministers, 10 are Missionaries, or in the employ of charitable Societies, and 11 are licensed Candidates for the ministry; making the whole number of those who preach the Gospel in one way or another, 33. Two hundred are now members of Colleges, and forty two are members of Academies preparing for College. The remaining number, so far as their present situation can be ascertained, is composed of those, who have just graduated, and are employed as instructors of our youth, or are pursuing professional studies. In this calculation however, we must make allowance for a small number, who, from the fail |