of his remarks, however, are susceptible of | preparatory studies. It was admitted that a broader application. such an appropriation might be perfectly equitable; still it was believed that cirinjudicious to attempt it. cumstanced as the Board were, it would be The exclusive

"Until Christians become better informed as to the relation these several Christian objects bear to each other, and the mutual aid they give and receive, especially the object of the Board was, we were told, to essential aid which the Education Society support missions in foreign lands, and that renders to the rest, it will be necessary for many, taking this to be the exclusive object the Education Society to charge to the pis- of the Board, were now associated for the sionary societies the amount expended in support of foreign missions who were defitting their missionaries; and require that cidedly opposed to ministerial education. the churches or Christian friends become Hence the proposition which we had inresponsible for the beneficiaries, or so much formally submitted, could not, it was beat least as their board and all but tuition lieved, be acceded to. With this explanation fees. How can we live and try to get along the following conclusion, that those who we were perfectly satisfied, and it led us to with such enormous deficiencies every year? had seen the importance of foreign missions, Six thousand dollars to be made out by spe- though they see the importance of nothing cial effort every year!-This cannot be done. else, must be allowed to associate, and to And if the pastors and churches will not associate in their own way for the procome up to the work, and sustain the Edu-motion of that object. And that those who cation Society, it must so far abridge its have taken a more enlarged view of the efforts as to keep within its means. And then let it be known that many are deterred from preaching for want of qualifications, and others are poorly qualified because the churches will not help them. Yes! let it be known and confessed all over the length and breadth of our land, twenty-five hun

dred churches in our States, destitute of a

pastor, and this number increasing daily, and the churches, and they only, to blame for it. Brethren, when will the millennium dawn upon us? Surely, I should say not until this evil is corrected. Suppose the Education Society should now fail: how many more translations and revisions would be made? How much farther could foreign missions progress? Let the men now in the field sink, and we should have none to follow them and perfect their good work. If the Education Society does and must sustain and perfect all the rest, why should we not, like the intelligent mechanic, apply our power at the most effective place in the machine?"

In suggesting that the Education Society charge to the missionary societies the expense of fitting their missionaries, the writer speaks, we suppose, of what is equitable rather than what is practicable. Our thoughts were long since directed to this subject. The Northern Baptist Education Society, having received in 1832 more applications for patronage than the society, as was feared, were capable of sustaining, and a considerable number of the young men having either appointments as foreign missionaries, or having it in expectation to become foreign missionaries, we made special inquiries upon the subject, whether the Foreign Board could consistently appropriate funds for the support of those young men who had been accepted as their missionaries, but whose studies were yet unfinished. The result was, we were informed that the Board never appropriated funds for the support of their missionaries in their

subject of benevolent efforts for the conversion of the world, though they fully appreciate the importance of foreign missions, must leave the burden of that service to the support of ministerial education, &c. to others, and devote their special attention Many whom we know are acting on this the principle on which the late lamented principle. Such we know to have been Nathaniel R. Cobb acted. He once said to us, "I give ten dollars to education where that multitudes are prepared to contribute I give one to foreign missions; for I know for the support of foreign missions, who will not contribute a farthing to the education of young men for the ministry; but should the of foreign missions demands my attention time ever come when I think the interests more than ministerial education, I shall most subject interests my feelings so much as that cheerfully contribute for their support. No of foreign missions, I can never think of it without shedding tears."

This is the true philosophy. Foreign missions are needed-Education is neededHome missions are needed-and a variety of other instrumentalities, and let it be seen to, that none of these great interests suffer. The friends of education have abundant reason for gratitude for the attention that is now bestowed on that subject. Still it is an object of benevolence, that labors under many embarrassments; there is not, there never has been, and there probably never will be, any very strong tide of sympathy Its friends, however, are in its favor. faithful and true, and almost any degree of reliance can be placed upon them.

The views of the Editor of the Christian Watchman as expressed above are such, it is believed, as all Christians should entertain on this subject. The practice of the Directors of the American Education So

ciety is, to cancel the notes of all bene- | family. I had ever indulged the pleasing

ficiaries who are employed as foreign missionaries, in the following manner:

"Voted, That the Secretary be authorized and directed to inform the Rev.

that having devoted himself to the service of Christ, among the heathen, he is released from his pecuniary obligations to the American Education Society, while he continues in this holy and self-denying work.”

LETTER

To the Secretary of the American Education Soci-
ety, dated Bankok, Siam, March 8, 1836.
REV. AND DEAR SIR,-I received a few
days since, your letter bearing date July 13,
1833, enclosing a certificate releasing me
from pecuniary obligations to the American
Education Society, while I remain a mis-
sionary on heathen ground. This letter was
thus long detained at Batavia, probably in
consequence of the death of our lamented
brethren, Messrs. Lyman and Munson.

hope, that in some way I should be able to refund the money received, but when duty seemed to call me to go without delay to the heathen, I could think of no other way of showing my interest for the Society, but to use my feeble endeavors to perpetuate my obligations. Four young men commenced study for the gospel ministry, all of whom, I believe, except one, have been assisted by your Society. Two of these, I have heard, graduated with honor in 1834, and the other two were pursuing their collegiate course. The Lord grant they may all, and many more, be faithful ministers of the New Testament; for truly, "The harvest is great and the laborers few."

Since writing the above, I have again and again thought of erasing it; but if it can be the means of inciting any to increase the number of your beneficiaries, I shall rejoice.

The great desideratum has ever been, and still is, pious young men for the ministry. Why is it that so few pious young men in our favored country, are willing to prepare themselves for this great and good work? Are they not all bound, by the most sacred obligations, to make the best use of their powers, and employ them only in the service of Christ? And in what country have they such a price put into their hands to get wisdom as in ours?

But though nearly three years have since elapsed, the kind assurance it contained that "the benedictions of multitudes rest upon me, and continual intercessions in the churches will be offered in my behalf," filled my soul with joy and gratitude; so that If they engage in commerce, trade, or even in this dark land I could not refrain agriculture, when they might do more for from saying, surely they that are for us are the salvation of the world in some other more than they who are against us. To way, will they not be guilty of burying their return the Society my most hearty thanks talent in the earth? for their pecuniary favors, and my constant prayers and efforts for its prosperity, were cold and formal; but for those assurances of Christian love, words would be but mockery. Permit me, however, to state, that I should not now have been on heathen ground, had it not been for the assistance of your Society. My connection with it I have ever esteemed a special providence. I had for a number of years earnestly desired to preach the gospel, especially to the perishing heathen; but no way appeared to be opened. I endeavored to make it a subject of daily prayer, and frequently consulted my friends on the subject; but my way seemed hedged up. My desires constantly increased, till at length they became almost insupportable. In this state of mind I one morning endeavored to commit my cause to God alone, and firmly resolved to commence my studies, and pursue them till prevented by Providence. That morning the Rev. Louis Dwight, an agent of the American Education Society, called upon me and offered the assistance of your Society.

From that time I was enabled to pursue my studies, though with frequent interruptions, owing to the almost constant sickness and straitened circumstances of my father's

But these are lawful employments, it may be said. They are, to a certain extent. But every employment must be unlawful for the Christian, in which the utmost extent of his powers cannot be engaged for the glory of God and the salvation of men. I would entreat every pious young man, as he values the souls of men, as he regards the decisions of that day to which he is rapidly hastening, before he enters into business for life, that he would look at the condition of the world, and with his Bible open to such passages as these, "Ye are not your own, for ve are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are his;" "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; "Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple;" "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death;" and on his knees before God, let him ask, " Lord what wilt thou have me to do?"

That young man, who dares enter into business without first asking direction of the Lord, may have to answer for the blood of souls! Hundreds of millions, the successive harvest of many generations, have perished for want of more laborers, and

hundreds of millions more are now in the same condition. Oh, will not the beloved youth in our favored country at least look at them, and make one effort for them before they sink forever? There is not a young man in our country who need be ignorant of the condition of the world; there is not one that has not an opportunity to exert all his powers in the noblest of all works, the salvation of the world. And if he fails to do this, is he not guilty of wasting his Lord's goods? Every one is not only accountable for the manner in which he employs his powers, but also for the improvement of them.

But to be more particular. That young man who has chosen a farmer's life, (perhaps without once asking direction of the Lord,) who might, by a course of study, so improve the powers that God has given him as to be able to do more for the salvation of the world as a minister of the gospel than he otherwise could, cannot be in the path of duty.

groan of six hundred millions, "bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh," a call?

Are not the wailings of six hundred times six hundred millions more, beseeching you to "go to their brethren, lest they also come to that place of torment," a call that should make every heart in Christendom break and bleed! Is not the last command of Him who poured out his life's blood for a sinking world, a call? Oh, it is to be feared that command will break upon the ears of many at the judgment, with more tremendous power than all the thunders of Sinai.

Oh, I tremble for the young men of America. What a land of privilege! what facilities for improving in knowledge and holiness! Let every one act in accordance with their high privileges, and improve and consecrate every power to that cause for which alone the world stands. And there will be no want of ministers of the gospel ; every nation will soon hail the jubilee of the earth's redemption.

Though I fear I have already extended my remarks beyond your patience, I cannot close without urging the importance of a thorough education, especially to those who are looking to the missionary work. A missionary needs to know every thing useful. He will be called upon every day to employ his knowledge in ways as various as are the improvements of a Christian nation, compared with the people among whom he dwells. A new language perhaps is to be formed, or an old one regulated; schools established, books made for all classes, new religious terms introduced and explained, false systems of religion confuted, which may have their foundation in false theories of the form of the earth or the motion of the planets.

Must I then (some may say) leave the employment in which Providence has placed me? Ah! that is the point. Are you sure that Providence and not your inclination has placed you in your present circumstances? Must I leave the inheritance of my ancestors, and commence a new employment? Yes, if you can thus do more for the salvation of the world. Must I leave my trade, forsake my aged parents, and spend years in preparing myself to labor in a sickly foreign land, and finally leave all? Yes, if this is the way in which you can do most for the salvation of the world. Must every one then become a minister of the gospel? Yes, every one that can in this way do the most for the salvation of the world. He must forsake every thing that hinders his doing the most for the cause of Christ. Otherwise, how can he be said to "forsake all" for Christ? Yet many seem to imagine that because they can do but little in their present sphere, they therefore have but little to do. Perhaps many a pious young man of fine natural abilities, but who is very diffident of them in looking to a higher sphere of usefulness, as for example, to the gospel ministry, instinctively shrinks from the responsibility of such a station, because he is now so incapable of being use-derstand every word. Let any one attempt ful in that station.

He compares his present attainments in knowledge and piety with what a minister of the gospel should possess, and immediately concludes that it is not his duty to engage in that holy work. But is it quite certain that it may not be his duty? May he not make such attainments in knowledge and piety, as to be more useful in this sphere than any other? If so, it is plain that he will be guilty if he engages in any other occupation.

But others may say, they have not had a call to the ministry. Oh, is not the death

But above all, a missionary needs a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures in the original languages-not only of every passage, but the exact shade of meaning in each word, in its proper place. He will find it very convenient to have all these points thoroughly fixed while at the Theological Seminary. Otherwise, when in the field, he may want for time, and the best means. Many may indeed be very useful without so critical a knowledge of the Bible; but he who is called to translate, must un

to translate a few chapters into another language, for example into Latin, and he will feel the importance of the above remarks.

It should never be forgotten, that it is impossible fully to understand the Bible without the constant teaching of the Holy Spirit. Every one who explains or translates that holy book, should, if I may so speak, be familiar with his teaching, that so he may know "what is the mind of the Spirit."

There is an opinion among candidates for the ministry, which, in determining their field of labor, has considerable influence.

wearing out many of the 220 "laborers." We might mention some of our former number who have entered prematurely the grave, some in youth, some in middle life; and we could point you to some in our midst who bear evident marks of a wasting constitution, and of a dissolution not far off. Who among the thousands of our Lutheran youth, impressed by these solemn facts, will come boldly out and up to the work of the Lord? We want that all our synods would, in due form and as soon as possible, connect aux

It is, that men of popular talents should re- | main at home. The reverse of this appears to have been the case in the age of the Apostles. In an enlightened community, sterling worth is appreciated wherever seen, though the person who possesses it should exhibit nothing extraordinary in his personal appearance or address. But the case is quite different in an ignorant community. A sermon, however excellent, if delivered as many are in a Christian land, would hardly be listened to by a heathen people; while one of far less intrinsic merit, de-iliaries with "the Parent Education Socielivered with feeling and energy, might arouse and fix the attention of every hearer. These qualifications, it may be said, are of minor importance. They are so, compared with the gifts of the Spirit. Yet, it is to be feared, they have so much importance as to keep many from the missionary field, who might do more for the salvation of the world abroad. One with sterling worth and popular talents will be useful any where, and certainly no less in a heathen, than in a Christian land. In short, every gift of nature or grace should be cultivated and employed for the highest good of mankind.

Permit me to state one fact in relation to these people. It is this. Almost every individual in the nation, from the king to the slave, is a member of their Education Society. The number of their beneficiaries is estimated at one hundred thousand, who are daily supported by voluntary contributions. Their food is given them ready cooked; and their clothing, which is generally more expensive than that of any other class, is ready made. They reside in temples, which for the most part are more costly than any of our churches. And yet the people cheerfully do this, and much more, to support a soul-destroying system of religion, and an indolent and worse than useless priesthood. Oh, when will these deluded pagans enjoy the light and liberty of the gospel! Oh, when will Christians come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, with any thing of the zeal which the principles of their religion should inspire? We earnestly call for more laborers in this interesting field. Who will come and fill the four hundred temples of this city with the praises of our God?

With my constant wishes and prayers for the prosperity of the Society, to which I shall ever feel deeply indebted, I subscribe myself your much obliged fellow-laborer in the gospel,

CHARLES ROBINSON.

PRESSING WANTS OF THE CHURCH. Extract from a Pastoral Address of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States, to the ministers and churches in their connection.

We want more Ministers. The 800 congregations and the 70,000 members are

ty," and put forth all efforts to raise a fund. For of what avail will be such a society without a good, heavy, and permanent fund. Without this, expectation will soon be cut down, confidence in the society lost, and the whole concern wither away. Let, therefore, we would suggest, whatever else may be done, a special effort be made-it is more necessary than a subscription for a church

let every Lutheran in the United States worth $500, pay, during the two years ensuing, half a dollar each year, to be appropriated to missionary or education purposes, after the plan each synod may think best to adopt said money to be collected in the week time by the officers of each church. Under $500, let them pay in proportion as they can afford, down to "two mites;' above the $500, some may possibly feel to pay - or more dollars. Dear brethren, the Master calls us all to make one great effort.

We want the blessing of which Malachi (iii. 10.) speaks, to be poured out upon all our churches. So that during the two following years all our people will have grown more pious and godly, and our members have increased 10,000; so that our 800 congregations will have become 50 stronger; so that our ministers will have induced one hundred young men to step forward as candidates for the ministry. O what might not, by the blessing of God, be accomplished in two years by 220 pious and active ministers, and 60 or 70,000 pious and active members. The blessing, beloved brethren, can be obtained, for God has promised it. Only bring all the tythes into the store-house, and prove me herewith, saith the Lord, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to contain it.

SUPPLY OF MINISTERS.

AT a late meeting of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, the following resolutions were passed. We would particularly call the attention of the church and parents to them; and beg that they will ponder, and pray over them, and then act accordingly.

"Resolved, That it be earnestly and solemnly enjoined upon all our churches, and especially upon the ministry and eldership, to give this subject a place in their