Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. Connecticut (Diocese) Journal of the convention. Extracts, 1835. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION, DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT, MIDDLETOWN, FROM THE 13th TO THE 15th OF OCT. 1835 : APPENDIX, CONTAINING DOCUMENTS RELATING Ttt W&SHIJVGTOJY COJLJLE€fX, AMD THE CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP SOCIETY. PRINTED BV WILLIAM D. STARR. 1835. EXTRACTS, &C. AT a meeting of the Annual Convention of the Protestant Episco pal Church in the Diocese of Connecticut, the following Report and resolutions were adopted : The Rev. Mr. Paddock, from the Committee on Washington Col lege, made the following report : The Committee to whom was referred the Resolution to " report what further means shall be taken to promote the interest of Wash ington College," beg leave to report : That they are gratified to find a more united, and greatly increased interest in the Institutions of the Church, and particularly in Wash ington College, and that it may be rendered still more useful, they recommend the passage of the following resolution, in the hope that it may better subserve the great object for which it was established. Resolved, That it be strongly recommended to the Clergy of the Church to endeavor to excite the interest of their parishioners, upon the subject of Clerical education, to preach upon the same, and as an auxiliary measure to recommend Washington College, as afford ing all the advantages for the attainment of that object, and to pledge themselves to use all their influence to increase the number of its pupils. Whereupon, the above report, on motion, was accepted, and the resolution, as recommended by the committee was adopted. On motion, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to publish a pamphlet containing selections from the Journal of the present Con vention, with such documents relating to Washington College, and other Institutions of the Diocese, as they may deem expedient to in sert. The Rev. Dr. Croswell, the Rev. Messrs. Fuller, Paddock and Pyne, and J. S. Peters, R. Adams, and S. Tudor,'Esquires, were ap pointed. Resolved, That the Secretary be added to the Committee appoint ed to select and publish Documents relating to the Institutions of the Church in this Diocese. EXTRACTS FROM THE RIGHT REV. BISHOP BROWNEM/S ADDRESS. Perhaps no General Convention of our Church has ever been re. garded with deeper interest than that of the present year. Actua ted, as we trust, by the benign influence of the Holy Spirit, perva ding the hearts of its members, this venerable assembly has presented a spectacle of harmony, unity, and christian zeal, worthy of the early and best days of the Church. The only emulation seemed to be who should be most ready to manifest these virtues, and who should be most zealous to advance the cause of their divine Master, by the diffusion of his Gospel, and the extension of his Church. The leading measures adopted by the Convention, seem likely to become of vast importance to the welfare of the Church, and are not less worthy of our admiration than the spirit by which that body was animated. — Among the earli. est of these measures, was the reception of the new Diocese of Illi nois into union with the Church, with its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Phi- lander Chase, D. D. at its head : and the closing act consisted in the election of two Missionary Bishops, the Rev. Dr. Hawks, and the Rev. Dr. Kemper, to preside over the concerns of the Church in those Western and Southern portions of our country where Diocesses have not yet been organized. Provision is thus made for Episcopal superintendence over the Missionaries and other Clergymen who may repair to these remote regions, and the Church is exhibited under a favourable aspect by having men of eminence as its organs and representatives. A canon was passed authorizing the division of Diocesses, when the labour of Episcopal supervision should be come too onerous to be performed by a single Bishop. But, of all the measures of the Convention, that which occupied the greater por. tion of its deliberations, which shed a hallowed influence on all its other acts, and which promises to become the most momentous in its results, is the reorganization of the " Domestic and Foreign Mission ary Society" of the Church. Previously, this Society, though established by the General Con vention, was voluntary in its organization, and composed of all such persons as should contribute a certain sum to its funds. The primi tive ground is now taken, that Ihe Church, as such, is one great Mis. sionary Society ; and that every person toho is admitted within its pale by baptism, becomes, by that act, a member of the Missionary Society, in the highest sense of ihe term,. The General Convention, as the organ and representative of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, has now, openly, in the face of the Christian world, recognized this principle, and assumed the corresponding duties. Our Church, then, stands publicly pledged, henceforth to fulfil, ac cording to her ability, the injunctions of her divine Saviour : " go, preach the Gospel to every creature;" "go, make disciples of all illations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, »nd of the Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe ail things whatso ever I have commanded you." This is the very position sustained by the primitive Church at Jerusalem, when, on the first Pentecost •after our Lord's ascension, the Holy Ghost ascended visibly to guide, instruct and bless it. It is the appropriate attitude of the Church in every age. She is the depository, and dispenser of the divine Word. To the Jewish Church , of old, were committed the Oracles df God. To the Christian Church is committed the Gospel of Sal- vation. It is her duty to preserve it in its integrity and purity ; and, according as God may speed her efforts, to dispense its saving truths to every member of the human family. My brethren ; I know not that the great principle recognized by the General Convention, has been thus publicly avowed and practi ced on, since the early ages of Christianity ; but I devoutly pray that it may be sustained, and carried into practical operation, in every portion of our Church ; and I earnestly hope that this Convention. will not separate without devising some plan for its practical applica tion in the Diocese of Connecticut. I have the fullest conviction that such a provision would prove eminently auspicious to the spiritual welfare of the Church, and the high interests of religion. To say nothing of its beneficial influence in carrying the light and the bless ings of the Gospel to our destitute brethren, I am confident that it will produce the most salutary effect on the hearts of christians them selves. The appropriation of a small sum weekly, or monthly, or quarterly, as the case may be, and upon such a principle, is calculat ed to remind them of their covenant relationship to the great Head of the Church, and of the duties which they owe to him, as well as to their fellow-men. And the bestowment of such sums through the agency of their offspring, admonishes them of the christian charac. ter of their children, and incites them to rear those children " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Upon the minds of children themselves, such contributions for the dissemination of the Gospel, made upon the consideration of their own christian membership, can not fail to be highly beneficial, and must prove an important auxiliary in conducting their religious education. Nothing could more effect ually impress upon their minds the important truth, that when the waters of baptism were sprinkled on their heads, they were constitu ted members of Christ and children of God, and that they are amena ble to all the duties which pertain to the christian state. The sacra ment of the Lord's Supper was instituted " for the continual remem- brance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ," and its benefits to communicants are showed forth by the visible symbols of bread bro ken, and wine poured out. The contribution of money for the pro mulgation of the Gospel, on the ground of their baptismal character^ may be made a no less striking symbol to children of all their chris tian relations. The Church has made excellent provision for the re ligious nurture of her children ; but I sadly fear, that the course of discipline which she prescribes, has been too much neglected. Per haps the error may proceed, in some degree, from the effect of that popular prejudice, which has prevailed around us, of relying more upon some religious excitement for the conversion of children, than upon the efficacy of a christian education. But, however this may be, the course of our duty is plain : We are to train up our children in the way in which they should walk. And to this end, we have pledged ourselves to teach them, so soon as they shall be able to learn it, what a solemn vow, promise and profession they made, through their sponsors at their baptism ; and we are to see that, in all things, they be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a christian life. I know of no measure more likely to be blessed to this end, than the engaging their hearty co-operation in the diffusion of that religion into whose faith they have been baptized. Brethren, I entertain a strong conviction that, with your concur rence, the noble principle of christian duty, thus solemnly recognized and adopted by the General Convention of our Church, may be suc cessfully carried into practice in this Diocese. But it is not to be concealed, that its adoption and practice must depend mainly on the exertions and influence of the Clergy. Let them but faithfully per form their duty : Let them assert, explain, and enforce the principle : Let each one take the trouble to make out a complete census of his Parish, and assist in organizing all its baptized members into a Mis sionary Association, with the Pastor at its head, and he will find but little difficulty in securing the concurrence and co-operation, both of the parents and children belonging to his flock. I hope the Conven tion may be able to devise some general plan of organization, and so to arrange its details, that it may be applicable to all the Parishes of the Diocese. It is not for us to prescribe to individuals the precise measure of their charities. But we have a good right to inculcate the general duty, and its binding force upon every individual ; and we may refer, for the measure, to the rules prescribed by an Apostle — " everyone as God hath prospered him :" — " Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver." — A contribution of not less than one cent per month for every baptized Child under 14 years of age, and of not less than Jive cents per month for every baptized Adult, would produce an aggregate amount of great efficiency in the dissemination of the Gos pel, and the extension of the institutions of the Church. We would not preclude unbaptized persons from contributing to so good a work ; and we know that there are many such persons who are ready and willing to engage in it. But with them it must be regarded as a vol untary benefaction, or a tribute of gratitude for the common blessings of the Gospel ; while with those who are baptized, it is a duty arising out of their covenant relationship, and from their province as the keepers and promulgators of the christian faith. Perhaps the recog- nitionofthis distinction, which can be considered in no wise invidious, may have some tendency to admonish our unbaptized brethren of the great duty in which they are yet lacking, and to encourage reflections which may ultimately lead them to its performance. Under the new organization of the General Missionary Society, its field is regarded as one — the Woeld ; and the terms domestic, and foreign, are only designations of the locality of its operations. The department of it, which maybe organized in this Diocese, should have no narrower limits. The funds which may be raised through its agency should be appropriated according to a sound discretion. — They will be, in strictness, " christian offerings," designed for the ad vancement of the christian religion. Any individual may designate to what particular object his benefaction shall be applied ; and when no such designation is made, the funds should be distributed between the two departments of the General Missionary Society, and the So ciety for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge in this Diocese, in such proportions as this Convention may determine. I confidently trust, that if such an organization should prevail through every Dio cese in our Union, the funds of the General Missionary Society would be greatly enhanced ; while a portion might be retained in the sev eral Diocesses, in some degree adequate to their local necessities. But, my brethren of the Convention, the General Missionary So ciety has its Executive Committees and Agents, men of influence and zeal, who will not fail to make its wants known to the Church, and whose calls will always be certain to receive a ready response. To us are more especially confided, the interests of the " Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge," in this Diocese. In my last annual Address I took occasion to state my conviction that there has been no period, since my connexion with the Diocese, when this So- ciety could pursue its objects with such encouraging prospects of suc cess. I stated my belief that, under the present aspect of religious affairs, there is hardly a populous town in the State, where the Church is not already planted, but might furnish a sufficient num ber of persons, unattached to the existing denominations, to form a respectable Congregation. In most of these places, I expressed my opinion that Episcopal Clergymen would be cordially received, and that, with incipient Missionary aid, new Parishes might soon be established. There has been no change in the religious condition of the community calculated to alter these deliberate opinions. No thing but the want of funds has prevented us from occupying the fields of usefulness which lie open before us. Brethren ; it has af- forded me unfeigned satisfaction to see the Missionary spirit kindling, and spreading, from year to year, through every part of the Diocese ; and it has been peculiarly gratifying to me, to see the hearts of the Clergy so thoroughly pervaded by this spirit. But I am constrained to say, that I do not find my clerical brethren, generally, sufficiently alive to the importance of extending the institutions of the Church, 8 to the unoccupied portions of this Diocese. Perhaps- 1, have not been sufficiently urgent on this point, and their minds- have not been suf ficiently called to the subject. Perhaps it is because the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, has not been, so organized a» to enlist their interest in its operations. But, whatever the cause- may be, I must now beseech them to come up to the work with a. spirit adequate to the urgency of the times. I might point to the no ble example, in this respect, set by the Clergy of the Diocese of Rhode Island, and to the corresponding results. Similar efforts are- now in a course of successful operation in the Diocese- of Massachur setts. Indeed, the Diocesses of New York, New Jersey, and Pennr sylvania have set the examples of Missionary operations within their own borders, which put to shame our feeble efforts, and meagre con tributions. It is certain, that there is nothing in this department of Missionary operations, which addresses itself strongly to» the imagination. It i» no region of romance. The results of our labor will not be magni fied by distance, nor derive interest from associations- with strange manners and a foreign language ; yet they may not be less salutary to the souls of men, nor productive of less- substantial benefit tothe cause of Christ. — It is not sufficiently considered,, that in building up the Church in this Diocese, we are subserving the general cause-of Missions as effectually, though not directly, as though we were la bouring among our scattered and destitute Brethren of the West, or ¦among the heathen of foreign lands. The whole Church of Connect-. icut has long been, in point of fact, a Misssionary Church. Her Lay-emigrants who have removed to adjacent States, and to the remoter West, have not failed to carry with them their love for the Church, and have ever been the first to rear up her institutions in the land of their adoption. She has, moreover, been a fruitful nursery of Clergymen ; and there is hardly a State in the Union where we may not find some of her sons ministering at the altar. Let it be borne in mind then, that in extending the Church within our own borders, we are, at the same time, advancing the general interests of Missions. Indeed, I may truly add, that with us every faithful Parish Minister is, in fact, a labourer in the Missionary cause. But it is not through the medium of emigrations alone, that our building up the Church at home, contributes to promote its advance ment abroad. By multiplying the number of our congregations, and by increasing their strength, we not only augment the number of those who will spread abroad the institutions of the Church, but we increase our own direct ability to add to the amount of her Missionary funds. This is another consideration that is not sufficiently borne in mind, because the effect is not so immediate, direct, and' obvious ; but it well deserves the attention of reflecting and judicious Churchmen. It is true, the field of Missions is " the world :" ' But we eannot reach the whole world at once. We must operate in the fields, that 9 are most accessible to us, and in the places where our labours will, ultimately, turn to the best account. , By extending the Church in our own State, and in our own countay, we increase our ability to carry the light and the blessings of the Gospel to the heathen nations. We may grieve at the slowness of our progress, and be impatient to leap from the means to the end. But both should be kept in view by the discreet christian. Next to Uie salvation of our own souls, our great concern should certainly be to spread abroad the knowledge of the Gospel, and to assist in building up the Christian Church, as it was originally founded upon the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Whenever we are conscien- tiously engaged in this work, in whatever field it may be, we may rest assured, that we are in the performance of our duty, and we may confidently look to the great Head of the Church, for his blessing on our labours. Brethren ; there are some other topics to which it had been my purpose to invite your attention ; but I have already encroached so much upon your time, that I may not indulge in further discussions. The subject of religious education is, of all others, the most import ant to the future welfare of the Church in this Diocese, and throughout our Country. The institutions within our own State, which are the most intimately connected with this subject, are the Church Scholar ship Society, Washington College, and Cheshire Academy. I trust you will not fail to regard them all with a lively interest, and that you will cheerfully co-operate in all such measures as may be calculated to promote their prosperity and usefulness. It is not improbable that the concerns of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, may demand your attention, during the present session. The act of the late General Convention, in regard to the division of Dioceses, is connected with a proposed alteration of the Consti tution of the Church, and as it is necessary that all such alterations should be made known to the several Diocesses, I herewith present to you a communication from the Secretary of the Convention, embracing the whole matter. I also avail myself of the present occasion, to lay before you an official opinion of the House of Bishops, expressed at the instance of the House of Clerical and Lay-Deputies in General Convention, in regard to certain points connected with public worship, left unsettled by the Rubries. The opinion of the Bishops was unanimous, and goes to the determination of the following points, viz : " 1. That in the General Confession, in the Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, the people should follow the Minister, not by para graphs, as has been usual, but in the same manner as they unite with him in the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Confession in the Communion Service. " 2. That in all joint acts, where the people are to unite audibly, 2 10 as in the Confessions, the Creeds, and the Lord's Prayer, the Trisagion, and the last of the proper Collects for Ash-Wednesday, the word Amen should be pronounced by both the minister and the people ; its use by the people alone being considered as then only proper, when it is a response by them to an act of worship, which has been audibly repeated by the Minister alone. " 3. That there should be no prayer, in the pulpit, before the Sermon." As uniformity is highly desirable is the performance of all the offices of public worship, and as the proposed changes seem to be founded in propriety, as well as recommended by venerable authority, I trust that the Clergy and Churches of this Diocese, will all concur in their adoption. I therefore recommend that, on the next Sunday morning, the Clergy explain the proposed changes to their respective Congregations, and that they be carried into effect in the afternoon of the same day. Brethren ; I will detain you no longer. Let us then proceed with the business of the Convention, humbly depending on the protection and' blessing of the great Head of the Church ; devoutly beseeching him that he would grant to us the abundance of his grace, that with one heart we may desire (he prosperity of his holy Apostolic Church, and, with one mouth, profess the faith once delivered to the Saints, that he would save us from all error, ignorance, pride, and preju dice, and that of his great mercy he would vouchsafe so to direct, sanctify, and govern us in our present work, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed, in all places, to the breaking down of the kingdom of sin, satan and death." THOMAS CHURCH BROWNELL. October 13, 1835. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS. The report of the Committee on Missions, was called up for con. sideration, when, after sundry alterations and amendments, proposed by the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, it was adopted as follows : — The Committee to whom was referred that part of the Bishop's Address, which relates to Missionary operations, present, by way of Report, the following preamble and resolutions : Whereas, the principle has been publicly acknowledged, and practically adopted, by the general council of the Church, that every individual, admitted by baptism into the congregation of the flock of Christ, is bound to assist in the propagation of the Gospel throughout all the world ; and whereas, in the judgment of this Convention, that principle is perfectly just and scriptural ; it becomes also, in their 11 judgment, the duty of every Diocese, Parish, and individual, to endeavor that, in their respective spheres, it be borne into full, imme diate, and universal operation. To this end, the following resolutions are adopted — the Convention relying simply, for the success of every plan, on the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, shedding abroad, in the hearts of the people of this Diocese, that divine charity, without which even success would be nothing worth. Resolved, That the above principle, now avowed by the Church, be recommended to the devout and conscientious consideration of all its members, within the Diocese of Connecticut. Resolved, That each parochial Clergyman, in this Diocese, be requested to read to his congregation, on some occasion of public worship, that part of the Bishop's Address to the present Convention, which relates to the subject of Missions, and to the operations of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge ; and to take the '^rliest opportunity of carrying the principle above referred to, into effectual operation, in such way as he may deem expedient. Resolved, That it be recommended to each parochial Clergyman, to provide a book, in which the name of every baptized person within his cure, shall be enrolled ; and to exhort all who are under four teen years of age, to contribute not less than one cent per month for missionary purposes ; and all who are over that age, to contribute as God hath prospered them : the contributions being regarded as the offerings of the Church, for the diffusion of the Gospel. REPORT OP THE JOINT COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS OF WASHING TON COLLEGE. The Examining Committee of Washington College, Hartford, in discharging the duty committed to them by the Convention of the Diocese of Connecticut, and by the Trustees of the College, have not been satisfied with a formal attendance on the public exami nations of the College, but, with the sanction and encouragement of the President, have endeavored to obtain such information as would enable them to place the institution before the public in a fair light. They have directed their inquiries to the discipline of the institu tion, and the proficiency of the students ; and it is their aim in con- elusion to give a brief and plain statement of the results. I. With respect to the discipline, the Committee were happy to observe the parental character of the government of the College. They were struck especially by the cordial unanimity that prevails between the professors and the students. The manners of the stu dents toward their superiors in office were frank, manly and respect- 12 ful : and though the Committee feel that there would be a want of delicacy in expressing an opinion in reference to the professors, yet they would fail injustice to the students were they not to add, that the deportment of the latter evinced a ruling desire to reciprocate the good feelings of the former ; and that the temper and manners of the students were such as were evidently inspired by a conduct on the part of the professors, at once firm and conciliatory, dignified and decisive, without being in any way harsh or repulsive. From further inquiries which they instituted, the Committee are perfectly satisfied, that the discipline of the College is as effective as College discipline can be, in preventing the introduction of dissipa tion among the students. They have received explicit assurances that nothing of the kind at present exists, and that no pupil, whose character could be impeached in this respect, would be permitted to remain in the institution. * On this subject they forbear to go into de tails, and they will only add that the vigilant supervision of the Presi- dent, and the solicitude with which he is seconded by the professors, are, to the minds of the Committee, a sufficient pledge that the gene ral purity of the inmates of the institution will be such as to sustain the religious character which it has assumed. The Committee hope that it will be deemed neither too minute or irrelevant, if they add, that an inspection of the College building's gave an additional and gratifying evidence of a pervading spirit of neatness and propriety. They consider this point is not without im- portance in indicating the actual state of discipline ; and they are happy in being able to say that they saw nothing to weaken, but much to strengthen, the conviction that the institution is placed under a wholesome and effective regimen. II. The effects of the discipline of the College were obvious in the proficiency of the students. Their performances were, for the most part, distinguished by a promptness and freedom of expression, and an evidence of a familiar acquaintance with the subjects of in struction, which could only have been induced by those habits of studious application, which nothing but an efficient discipline can form and secure. In the Classical Department, the examination comprised several books of the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer, the entire second volume of the Collectanea Majora, (with the except. ion of the extracts from Puridan,) the Anabasis of Xenophon, five books of Livy, the satires of Juvenal, and the odes, epistles and sat ires of Horace. In this course of study, more extensive, it is be lieved, than is usual in most of our Colleges, the students were ex- amined indiscriminately, on any part, at the opening of the book. In Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, the course of study was equally liberal, the higher branches of Geometry, Algebra, and the Conic Sections, Mechanics and Dynamics, being successively brought under review. Here again the Committee would be unable 13 to express their opinion of the performances of the students, or the character of the examinations, without adverting to the evidences which they witnessed of the skill and ability of the professors. It was evident from the examination, that the course of instruction in the Classical Department had been directed with a view to train the student to ease and fluency in the perusal of his author, to inure his mind to the exercise of rigid criticism, and to cultivate a taste for the refinements of philology : while in the Mathematical and Philosophi cal course it had evidently been Ihe aim of the professor to render acquirements, valuable in themselves, subsidiary to the more impor- tant end of forming the mind to habits of rigid analysis and patient investigation. Indeed, it is evidently the great aim of the instruct ors, not so much to impress upon the memory of the young gentle. men under their tuition, a mere series of mathematical truths, and of classical and literary words and phrases, as to discipline their intel lectual and moral powers, and thus qualify them to take a successful part in the concerns of active life ; to become able and judicious, practical, efficient, and, in a word, useful members of society. It is, in other words, the leading object of the President, professors and tutors, to establish intellectual principles, and to form habits of cor rect thought and sound reasoning ; so that every student who may be fairly brought under the wholesome influence of their full course, will not fail, before his graduation, to think well, to write well, and to ¦speak well. The Committee are prepared to state further, that there is through out the studies and operations of the College, a pervading spirit of religious propriety and seriousness, which, while on the one hand it has never run into extravagance, has on the other hand proved to be the guardian of the moral habits of the institution, fostering the most precious sentiments of holiness unto the Lord. During the last -eight years, a very large proportion of the members of the College have been communicants in good standing, and more than one-third ¦of the whole number of its graduates, as appears from a printed ¦catalogue, have actually become clergymen, or are candidates for Holy Orders at the present time. To all parents who desire to have their sons not only well trained, as regards their intellectual powers, but brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to all the members of the Protes- taut Episcopal Church more especially, this institution offers numer ous and powerful considerations to induce them to foster it by every demonstration of their confidence that can be afforded. If sustained as it should be, by Episcopalians, it must become more and more an important nursery of our Church, sending forth, year after year, ac complished clergymen and laymen, with well-regulated, well-stored minds and exemplary characters, such as should at all times be found the defenders and representatives of her sound doctrines and salu- 14 tary discipline, illustrating in their lives and conversation, the holy influence of their primitive and apostolic faith. Ambrose S. Todd, Enoch Huntington, S. B. Paddock, Ebenezer Jackson, Jr. J. Andrews, M. D., Committee on behalf of the Convention of the Diocese. J. F. Schroedeb,. S. Seaburv, Committee on behalf of the Trustees. APPENDIX. STATEMENT COURSE OF STUDY AND INSTRUCTION PURSUED AT WASHINGTON COLLEGE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT; OCTOBER, 183S. The Charter of Washington College was granted by the Legi'sPa*- ture of Connecticut, in 1823, upon the petition of " sundry inhabitants- of the State, of the denomination of Christians called the Protestant Episcopal Church." The memorialists were actuated, not only by a desire to advance the " general interests of learning and science,"* but also by the wish to afford to those persons, who are attached to; the principles and usages of the Episcopal Church, an opportunity of' placing their sons under the care of instructors of the same com,. munion. It was also hoped that the institution might open to the Church the> means of more effectually promoting the cause of religion. The numbers of its clergy were inadequate to the wants of its. vacant parishes, and this inadequacy in a great measure checked its CO' operation in the missionary enterprise : nor could they be usefully augmented, without laying the literary foundations, which in all ages have proved the nurseries of the sacred order. 16 FACULTY. Rev. NATHANIEL S. WHEATON, S. T. D. President. Rev. SAMUEL F. JARVIS, S. T. D. Professor of Oriental Languages and Literature. J. SMYTH ROGERS, M. D. Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy. WILLIAM M. HOLLAND, A. M. Professor of Ancient Languages. Rev. SILAS TOTTEN, A. M. Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. DUNCAN L. STEWART, A. M. Adjunct Professor of Ancient Languages- GEORGE SUMNER, M. D. Professor of Botany. Hon. WILLIAM W. ELLSWORTH, A. M. Professor of Law. AMARIAH BRIGHAM, M. D. Lecturer on Anatomy. ABRAHAM HALSEY, A. M. Lecturer on Zoology. Rev. SILAS TOTTEN, Librarian. UNDERGRADUATES. Senior Class, 10 Junior Class, 15 Sophomore Class 13 Freshman Class 14 Students of the Partial Course 4 Students in the Preparatory Class, 5 Total, 61 COURSE OF STUDY, AND JttETHOlf OF INSTRUCTION. LANGUAGES. Provisionals at present made in the College for instruction in the following Languages, viz : — Greek, Latin ; Hebrew, and other Ori ental Languages ; French, Italian and German. The Department of Greek and Latin is committed to two of the Professors, and is conducted in the following manner : — In the first two sessions of the Freshman year, the attention of the student is particularly directed to pronunciation, grammatical analy sis, and literal translation. For this purpose, the grammars are thoroughly revised ; the reading of the student is confined to a single author in each language, (Livy in Latin, and Xenophon in Greek,) with reviews at short intervals ; and at each exercise, the principles of grammar are carefully applied to the text. During the course, there are occasional exercises in writing Latin, and examinations in Adams' Roman Antiquities, and in Cleveland's Grecian Antiquities. In reading Horace and Homer, the rules of Prosody are learned and applied. A thorough foundation in grammatical knowledge having been laid during the first year, the classical course is thenceforward rather rhetorical and literary, than critical and philological. It is intended to be auxiliary to the improvement of the pupil in belles-lettres. For this purpose, he is carried more rapidly through considerable portions of the Historians, Rhetoricians, and Poets ; and in the more difficult studies, particularly the Greek Tragedies, he is aided by the prelections of the Professor. As one of the best means of acquiring accuracy and copiousness in the use of the English language, elegance in translation is now made a principle object of attention ; and it is the aim of the teachers to omit no part of the ordinary duties of classical instructors, in illus trating the principles of universal grammar, in comparing idioms, and in examining the rhetorical merits of the authors read. During the last session of the Senior year, in connection with ex ercises in Latin and Greek, it is intended, in a course of Lectures, to furnish a general view of the literature of Greece and Rome; espe cially embracing notices of those works, which the pupil may not have studied in the regular course. The Hebrew class, consisting of twenty members, of whom eighteen belong to the Senior and Junior Classes, attend the Pro- 3 18 fessor three evenings in the week. As they are not excused from any of the regular studies on this account, their attendance is volun tary ; and it is some evidence of the interest they take in the study, that they are punctual, where punctuality depends on their own will. The system of instruction is one which simplifies greatly the study of the vowel-points, and renders an employment interesting which, without such help, would be necessarily dry. The progress they have made in three weeks encourages the Professor to believe, that by the end of the first term they will understand the construction of the language, and be able to read prose with some degree of ease. As soon as a class can be formed, the Professor proposes to give a course of lectures in Chaldee and Syriac. In the mean time, occa sional illustrations of Hebrew idioms, from the affinities of those lan guages and of Arabic, will be introduced ; and the derivation of Western from Eastern Alphabets, and the influence of Oriental Lit- erature upon modern languages, from time to time, exhibited. BELLES-LETTRES AND ORATORY. In the department of English literature, the Professor to whom it is now assigned proposes to exercise the four Classes in the following order : The Freshman, principally in the art of pronouncing well. And here the principles of elocution so philosophically explained by Dr. Rush, and so ably acted upon by Dr. Barber, will be applied and con tinued. The Sophomore, more particularly in the art of reading and speaking well ; with preparatory exercises on the philosophy of Ian- guage. The Junior, in the art of writing well, with which must of course be connected logic or the art of thinking well, and an analysis of style. The Senior, in the art of judging well of the writings of others; which will therefore include criticism and the history of English Literature. In so extensive a course, the ground-work only- can be laid in the course of four years ; but enough may probably be done to enable the student to follow it out in after life as oppor tunities may permit. Instruction is given in the French, Italian, and German Languages to such students as desire it. MATHEMATICS. In pure mathematics, regular and definite lessons are given from the books mentioned in the course, and the students required, in their recitations, to draw the diagrams on the black board, and demonstrate the propositions, without the aid of questions from the instructor. Algebraic and Trigonometrical formulae, theorems, problems, and in general, all mathematical investigations, whether in pure mathematics or its applications to natural philosophy, are 19 required to be written at length on the black board, and the whole process of investigation given by the student without questions. Having thus recited the portion assigned him, he is carefully examined by the instructor, and his errors and misapprehensions rectified. In Natural Philosophy, text-books are used ; the lesson is first recited by analysis, and afterward, when necessary, familiarly ex plained by the professor ; and its application to the arts and to the phenomena of nature pointed out. Those branches of the science which admit of it, are illustrated by experiments, either at the close of the recitations in those branches, or in formal lectures. NATURAL SCIENCE. In the Chemical department, the students are examined daily, during the two terms in which that science is taught ; and each day's recitation from a text-book is accompanied by a lecture, illus trated by experiments. The members of the class are called upon to assist in the preparation for the experiments, and have access to the laboratory at other hours, under proper restrictions. By this method of instruction, difficulties are obviated as they occur, and the students have also an opportunity to become familiar with chemical manipulation. Particular attention is given in the lectures to the application of Chemistry to the arts, and to the various natural phe nomena connected with chemical changes. The science of Mineralogy is taken up in connection with Chem. istry at different parts of the course, and treated rather as a division of the same subject, than as a distinct study. Access to the Cabinet is afforded to those students, whose tastes or future destination may render desirable a more full acquaintance with mineralogy, than can be acquired in the period devoted to the lectures . In addition to the Lectures heretofore delivered on Botany and Anatomy, will be given a course of Lectures on Zoology. PARTIAL COURSE. For the accommodation of those students, who wish to attend to a portion only of the studies laid down in the regular course, the following provision has been made in the College Statutes. " They may apply themselves to any of the studies contained in the regular course, with the privilege of attending the Lectures ;" and they " may also be prepared to join any of the higher classes in the regular course. Such students of the partial course, as pursue their studies for a period of not less than two years, to the satisfaction of the Faculty, will, on leaving the institution, receive an English Diploma, as a testimonial of their good conduct and proficiency in learning." 20 INTRODUCTORY CLASS. Candidates for admission into College, who are deficient in the preparatory studies, have rooms assigned them in the College build ings, and pursue their studies under the direction of the Faculty, until they are qualified to join one of the regular classes. They are charged the same rate for tuition and room-rent as in the case of regular students, and are required to conform themselves in all re spects to the regulations of the institution. The same supervisory care is extended to them as to other students ; but they are not con sidered as members of the College, until admitted to recite with the regular classes. This provision has been recently adopted, from an experience of the embarrassment often occasioned by defective preparation in the young men who offer themselves for examination. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. No course can be deemed complete, which leaves the pupil igno rant of the grounds of moral and religious obligation, or of the nature of moral duty, as displayed in the revealed will of God. To inform his intellect, without placing it, as far as human means will avail, under the influence of religious principle, would be arming him with a fearful power, which is as likely to be exerted for the destruction as the conservation of the best interests of society. How far the Sacred text should be incorporated into a professedly classical course, is a question not yet decided even by those, who justly ap preciate the value of biblical instruction to the youth in our colleges. In some way or other, either as a voluntary study, or as a classic, the Bible ought to receive the attention to which it is entitled, by the sublimity of its origin, and by the authority with which it speaks to the hopes and fears of man. While the writings of such authors as Paley and Butler are studied in the classical course, and illustrated by references to the Scriptures ; the principles of revealed religion are more directly inculcated in lectures, by a member of the Faculty, before a biblical class ; when connected portions of the Bible are read in the original, their doctrines explained, and the students questioned on the portions under comment. A large number have also formed themselves into an association, holding weekly meetings for religious exercises, serious reading, and the discussion of theological subjects, in which they are not only allowed, but encouraged, by the Faculty. At their missionary meetings, an evangelical spirit is awakened and kept alive, by the reading of missionary intelligence, and by the interchange of thoughts on this subject, so interesting to the christian world at the preseut day. A considerable fund is annually raised and applied to mis sionary objects, under the direction of the young men composing the association. These institutions, together with a Temperance Society, 21 which includes most of the students, have existed in the College for ¦a considerable length of time. — Within the last year, the students ¦have conducted a Sunday School in the College chapel, composed of children gathered from the population in the neighbourhood ; with the most gratifying results in regard to the influence, both on the]chil-