m ;■•?% ^A Vn I THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, | Princeton, N. J. W^ $ Bequeathed by the Hon. E. BOUDINOT, LL.D. ^:^ j Cfise, Division /j SJu'lf, Sec+ion...... ■Z'4'2% )3 ADDRESS raoM THE y - PRESBYTERY OF NEW- YORK CHURCHES UNDER THEIR CARE, ON THE SUBJECT Off EDUCATING POOR AND PIOUS YOUTH GOSPEL MINISTRY. Printed by T. 8c J. Swords, No. 15b Pearl-street. 1805. The Presbyters) of New-York to the Churches under their care wish grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father^ andfrojn the Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Brethren, It has been, for several years, a source of grow- ing concern with many friends of our Church, that the interests of rehgion among us are greatly suffering for want of an additional number of pious, able, and faithful Ministers of the Gos- pel. While the population of our country has been rapidly extending; while new settlements have been forming ; and new Churches in quick succession rising to view ; the increase of the numberof ministers has been slow, and altoge- ther incommensurate with the increasing demand for their services. This deficiency has become serious and alarming. Important congregations, which have long enjoyed the ministrations of the Gospel, when they become vacant, arc, with the utmost difficulty, supplied with pastors. Large districts, within the bounds of old settlements, in which Churches might easily be planted, and where Ministers would meet with a cordial wel- ( * ) come, are lying waste for want of their labours; — . and more than one thousand congregations, on the extensive frontier of the United States, as well informed persons have asserted, are able and willing to support spiritual teachers, but cry for them in vain. A deficiency so long deplored, and so evi- dently growing, has at length engaged the seri- ous attention of the supreme judicatory of our Church. The General Assembly, at their last sessions, received, and directed the publication of an interesting Overture on this subject. This Overture, after stating in strong and affecting language, the deficiency complained of, recom- mends that exertions be made by the respective Presbyteries to remedy the evil. It proposes that each Presbytery should undertake to look out for the most promising characters among the pious youth within its knowledge; to conduct those who may be selected through their aca- demical and theological studies; and, during this course, to furnish them with the means of support, either in whole or in part, as their cir- cumstances may require, and as the resources of the Presbytery may render practicable. The Presbytery of New-York having taken this Overture of the Assembly into serious con- sideration, have resolved to adopt the plan which ( 5 ) it recommends. In the execution of this plan they are sensible that much prudence, circum- spection and watchfulness will be necessary; and they cannot be so unreasonable as to hope that an undertaking of such magnitude will be unattended with difficulty. But deeply affected with the pressing exigencies of the Church ; and convinced that the delay of even a single year may prove injurious to its best interests, they cannot forbear to go forward. In the name of Him who is set as King upon the holy hill of Zion, they lift up their banner ; in his grace and strength they confide for success ; and to those who love his cause they look for encouragement and aid. To facilitate the accomplishment of their ob- ject, the Presbytery have appointed a Standing Committee of Ministers and Elders, whose duty it is to look out for young men — to ex- amine their qualifications — 'to superintend their academick instruction — to direct their theologi- cal studies — and, in general, to do all those things which may be necessary for completing their education. This Committee is to be annually renewed; and, in all its proceedings, is to act under the direction of the Presbytery. This method of introducing young men into the Gospel Ministry willj it is believed, be at- ( 6 ) tended with important advantages. Chosen and educated by the Presbytery, they will be con- stantly under its inspection and control. Known to the ministers and congregations belonging to the judicatory, a more than ordinary interest will be taken in their support, character, and useful- ness. And the youth thus selected and che- rished will feel aa additional responsibility, and a peculiar excitement to gratify the just expect- ations of their patrons and benefactors. Nor is it a point of small importance, that while indi- viduals and congregations will be called upon to furnish the means of supporting this system of education, it will lie with them, either person- ally, or by their representatives, to direct the manner in which their pious liberality shall be appropriated. For defraying the large expenses which must necessarily be incurred in the execution of this plan, the Presbytery rely on annual collections in the Churches under their care — the liberality of wealthy and charitable individuals — and the bequests of those who may be inclined to remem- ber this object in their last wills. These sources of revenue, it is hoped, will be increasingly pro- ductive when the nature and importance of our undertaking shall be generally understood; and especially when it is considered, that if suitable < ■? ) encouragement be afForded^ there is every human prospect of the most gratifying success. Having thus, dear brethren, laid before you the plan suggested by the General Assembly, and on whichj after mature deliberation, wg have resolved to act, we must entreat your concur- rence and aid in its execution. We ask for your prayers and your pecuniary assistance. Without liberal contributions it will be impossible to con- duct our undertaking either with vigour or suc- cess. The arguments which address themselves to your liberality are of the most interesting and solemn kind. As the friends of vital religion^ you cannot be supposed either to forget or to dis- regard the importance of the Christian Ministry, to yourselves, to your families, to your country, and to the Church of God. But we wish you to be distinctly apprized, that without prompt and vigorous measures to add to the number of our pious and faithful Ministers, the best interests of our Church, in all human probability, must deplorably languish. Many congregations, now large and promising, must fall into decay and dis- solution 5 and thousands of immortal souls, now crying for help, must be left to perish for lack of knowledge. Ye who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity! in contemplating such an awful al- ternative, is not your tenderest compassion ex- ( 8 ) cited — your holy emulation roused — your zeal in- flamed — and your love to the Redeemer's king- dom called into lively and beneficent action ? To be unaffected with such melancholy prospects, would betray an insensibility of which yotj can- not be suspected. To repose in sloth when there is so much to be done, is unworthy of those w^ho consider themselves as not their own, but bought with a price, and bound to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are his. In this benevolent undertaking, we entertain no doubt that our Sister Presbyteries will cordi- ally and zealously co-operate with us. The call for exertion is so loud and solemn, that it is be- ginning to be heard by all our judicatories, and, we hope will speedily produce a " general move- ment" of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. And if it should please the great Head of the Church to smile upon our united efforts, by opening the hearts of Christians to devise li- beral things — by strengthening our hands in the arduous enterprise— and by crowning our endea- vours with success, what happy result may we not anticipate ? May we not hope that the ex- ertions now commenced will form a new and glorious era in the history of our Church ; — that the humble beginning now contemplated will prove the means of sending hundreds, and even { 9 ) thousands of pastors to hungering and thirsting souls--and that generations yet unborn will have reason to rise up and call you blessed ? To Pious Young Men. We feel an earnest desire to call your atten- tion to this important object. You are now just entering on the stage of action, and have arrived at an age when you must shortly choose some profession for life. You have often looked around you, with an anxiety inseparable from piety, and have inquired how you could best employ the powers which God created — the rational souls which Christ redeemed — to the honour of your Father and Saviour ? You have but one life to live, and how shall that life be spent most to the glory of God and the happiness of men? These questions, which have often arisen amidst your pious meditations, must, in a little time, be decided. The object of this Address is to sug- gest some considerations which may assist you in forming the great decision. Has it ever occurred to you, that it may per- haps be the will of God to employ you in the ministry of his Son } Is this a new thought? Yet let it not be dismissed as too extravagant to de- serve attention. Place it distinctly before your minds, and examine it on every side. The Church ( 10 ) needs, more than she needs any thing except larger supplies of the divine Spirit, many evan- gelical and apostolic men added to the number .of her present Clergy. If those men are found^^ they must be found among youth of your spirit. Only such as you can supply materials for future Ministers, such as the interest of the Church re- quires, such as her necessities pressingly demand. For want of such Ministers, immortal souls are perishing, in our land by thousands, in our world by millions. Let the thought interest and affect your hearts, that the blessed Saviour, who re- quires your service, has passed by other youth and set his love on you. By distinguishing grace he has separated you from your former compa- nions; and while they are left in sin and endless ruin, he has given you a title to the inheritance of the saints in light — and all this, that you might possess the spirit necessary to qualify you for the Gospel ministry. Why have you been thus dis- tinguished and qualified? Is it not that you might devote yourselves to this sacred work.? And what hinders you from sharing this glory } You possess the first and most essential qualifica- tion ', and provisions are now about to be made, we hope on an extensive scale, for carrying you through a course of academical and theological studies. There is a fair prospect, that such of you ( n ) as possess respectable natural talents, may be- come Ministers, and useful Ministers, if you are disposed to embrace the opportunity. Let this question then engage your deep and solemn con- sideration : To what other pursuit do so many and so sacred motives solicit you? Standing as you now do on the point of choosing a profession, whom will you set up for your example ? Can a better be found than the Lord Jesus Christ ? That august Personage passed the period of human life on this earth, and took a part in the active scenes of men. And to what profession did he devote himself? To that of preaching the everlasting Gospel to perishing men. Supported by the unequivocal declaration of such an example, may we not confidently pronounce, that human life can be spent in no manner so desirable, so noble, so godlike, as in the labours of the Gospel mi- nistry? We are aware, that our Saviour is not to be held up as an example, in this respect, to all men, since it is obvious that all cannot sustain the Pastoral office ; but we are firmly persuaded, that while such an example shows the superior importance of the Gospel ministry, it ought, under the present necessities of the Church, to have a binding influence upon young men who possess piety and talents, and other qualifications for the sacred work. ( 12 ) In what other way can the powers of the soul be so directly applied to promote the glory of God, and the best interests of men ? The Gos- pel mmistry is the principal mean appointed by heaven to advance the truest happiness of men on earth, and their glory beyond the grave. Those who conduct the interests, and decide the fate of nations, have it, indeed, in their power to confer important benefits on the world. Those whose professional business it is to defend the property and lives of men — those who fill the seats of justice — those who practise the healing art — all claim our respect and gratitude. But in no employment can men render such essential and eminent service to the human rac^e, as in a course of ministerial labours, appointed by God to pluck immortal spirits as brands from evcr^ lasting burnings, to prepare them for the hap- piness of heaven, and to promote that grand cause for which the world was made, for which the world was redeemed, for which the world is preserved and governed. Could any one of you be the instrument of saving a single soul, he would achieve infinitely more than by subserving the convenience of men in the mechanic arts; by settling any questions relating to temporal estates ; or by conquering and governing nations. Could any one of you be favoured with as much ( 13 ) usefulness to the Church as falls to the lot ol many faithful Ministers, he might enjoy the thought of having been the instrument of rescuing hun- dreds from eternal woe, and raising them to everlasting joys. Casting the eye down the ages of eternity, what an incalculable amount of hap« piness will he have been the means of produc- ing ! Transport yoursefves for a moment to the solemnities of the final judgment. Behold a band of blessed spirits, redeemed from death by your instrumentality, shouting salvation, and taking in the prospect of immortal joy, who otherwise would have been crying to rocks and to moun- tains to cover them — behold them coming to em- brace you, to pour their thanks into your bo- som, and to bend with you, adoring, at the throne of God ! — -What are now the emotions of your souls ? — Would the glitter of wealth, or the glory of empire have filled you with joy like this? In the light of the final judgment, the importance of all other employments is lost in comparison with the Gospel ministry, as time is swallowed up in eternity. Consider further, that this blessed work will furnish you with the best means of your own sanctiiication and spiritual enjoyment. Engaged ardently and affectionately in this, every day will bring you the delights of a holy sabbath ; — and. ( 14 ) in the room of other toils, the labour of your life will be in those studies which open the won- ders of God to the mind, and in those pleasing exercises which other Christians are thankful for being permitted to enjoy one day in seven. Such a manner of life cannot fail to advance your pre- sent peace, and to give a brighter lustre to your immortal crown — a crown in which every soul, redeemed from death by your means, shall con- stitute a new and splendid jewel. An hundred ages hence you will bless God for having in- creased the glory of your eternity, by putting you into the ministry of his Son. Grand and de- lightful is that promise. They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. Urged by all these motives, come — we af- fectionately invite you to come — and take part with us in the ministry of the grace of God. The example of Christ invites you to come — ■ the tears of bereaved Churches, who can find none to break unto them the bread of life, plead with you to come — the miseries of wan- dering souls, who find none to lead them to hea- ven, press you to come. Come then, and take part with us in the labours and rewards of the ministry of reconciliation ! We conclude, with a short address ( 15 ) To Pious Parents, Who among you have any Sons to devote to Christ for the service of his sanctuary? Who among you have any young Samuels, the chil- dren of prayer, whom you have lent unto the Lord with ardent desires, that as long as they live they may be the Lord's ? Can you better dispose^ of them than by training them up for the Gospel ministry, to bear the vessels of Him to whose service you have solemnly consecrated them in baptism ? Would it not fill you with sub- lime joy to know that you had brought children into the world to be the instruments of large ac- cessions to the assembly of the redeemed, to the everlasting kingdom of Messiah ? When a nu- merous company of celestial spirits should hail you as the blessed parents of the beloved instru- ments of their salvation, would you not feel greater joy than you would have done in be- holding your sons seated on earthly thrones, en- -circled with the wreaths of fame ? If you love your pious sons, give them to the Church, and increase their everlasting happiness. If you love your Saviour, whose bowels yearned and bled for you, from your own bowels give him Minis- ters — give to his service those whom he died to redeem, to soothe and comfort your parental hearts. If each of you can give a pious Minis- ( 16 ) ter to the Church, the whole Church will have reason to thank God for your existence, and you yourselves may bless him for ever that you have not lived in vain. Brethren, farewell. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your sph'its! Amen. Signed bi; Order of the Preshvterij^ Mx\rTiiEw La Rue Perrine, Moderator. John M'Dowell, Clerk. Orange-Dale, Oct. 2, 1805. ' -V' I r k JB^i-' J •sflr^::.,. V/'^ * r-^=^*s*^ ;- ..^ '' p- . ■^'■:'^''' % |: " - ..,■.-■ ■- . ,,:. »'-,\ -r-'Jt.*; ^- ■ .^ ><* -^ ■ .^•^ ; -Hij^, , -^yit^ ;, '-' *^' '-^ti. ■■ ' fc^, ■■.C^-: , S*!-- i^. ;t. 51 c ^-^. f«* ^■^'4^^^'