BOARD OF EDUCATION. PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION ROOMS, Business Officers of the Board. C. VAN RENSSELAER, D. D., Corresponding Secretary. extent of religious instruction in colleges." The oath of office was administered to Dr. Scott by the Hon. J. Black, Chief Justice of the Commonwealth. The good influence of Synodical supervision was never more signally exhibited than in the revived prospects of Washington College. The town of Washington is healthy, beautiful, and orderly; and is eminently adapted to a literary institution. Dunlap's Creek Presbyterial Academy was the Letters and Communications for the BOARD OF EDU-next institution visited. It is located four miles CATION on the subject of Ministerial Education, or of east of Brownsville, in Fayette county, and is under Schools, Academies and Colleges, may be addressed to the supervision of the Presbytery of Redstone. It the Rev. C. VAN Rensselaer, D. D., Corresponding Secrewas commenced by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Wilson, an tary, No. 265 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Remittances of money may be made to WILLIAM MAIN, is a large brick building, two stories high, with two instructor after the good old order. The Academy Esq., Treasurer, 265 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. EDUCATIONAL EXCURSION. REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. large rooms on each story, erected at a cost of about $2000. The examination was conducted with tact and precision; and I was struck with the entire confidence the teachers had in the ability of their classes Having been invited by a Committee of the Synod to stand any test ad aperturam libri. The two of Wheeling to deliver an address at the inaugura- points about the Academy which appeared most tion of Dr. Scott as President of the Synodical Col-prominent were, 1st. Accuracy of scholarship, lege at Washington, Pa., I promptly accepted the founded upon thorough drilling and familiarity with invitation. As the excursion gave me the oppor- rudiments; and 2d. the prompt, wide-awake, educatunity of visiting several of the institutions of our tional vivacity which pervaded the institution. The Church in Western Pennsylvania, I thought it might | Principal, Mr. J. C. Power, is decidedly a man of be interesting to the Board to learn something of their condition. My thoughts are somewhat in the form of a Journal. note in his profession; and his assistant, Mr. Downs, bears a marked family resemblance. The Academy has about seventy students, and among them some youth of special promise. The subject of my address to the students and audience was "the charac ples, its discipline, and its spirit." Washington College, Pa.-On September 28th, I left Pittsburgh in the company of Dr. Elliott, with whom I had much delightful and profitable inter-teristics of an old-fashioned education-its princicourse. We reached Washington the same afternoon, and were most hospitably received by brother Jefferson College. On Saturday, the 24th, I left Brownson. In the evening, I attended a meeting of brother Wilson, and rode to Canonsburg, thirty-five one of the Literary Societies of the College, and miles. In the evening I had a meeting for prayer, enjoyed the performances which brought to mind counsel, and exhortation with the candidates for the college life at my own Alma Mater. Washington ministry under the care of the Board of Education. College, now under the care of the Synod of Wheel- The young brethren are about twenty in number; ing, is evidently destined to a career of prosperity, they are highly esteemed by the Professors of the with the blessing of God upon its plans. The College, and without exception bear a "good reendowment of $60,000, undertaken by the Synod, port." On the Sabbath, I preached in the morning has been substantially completed through the labours at the old Chartiers Church, about a mile from Canof Drs. Scott and Chester, and the next session of onsburg, where father McMillan, of precious memthe College will be opened on the scholarship basis. ory, officiated in old times. In the afternoon, I had The friends of the institution are now aiming at the privilege of addressing a large and attentive doubling the endowment. This increase seems to audience of students, on "the religious work of pious be necessary to secure entire financial soundness of students in colleges;" and in the evening preached condition. The Rev. John Kerr has been appointed in the Chapel on a subject which had some adaptation to undertake the completion of the good work. to the young. At Canonsburg, I had much converThe inaugural exercises were witnessed by a large sation with President Brown and Dr. Smith. Jeffer audience in the College Chapel, on the 20th ult. son College is a valuable institution to the Church, Addresses were delivered by Dr. Elliott, President of and ought to be sustained by Presbyterians. In my the Board of Trustees, by Dr. Scott, inaugurated judgment, its prospects were never better. The President of the College, and by the Corresponding unfortunate juxtaposition of Jefferson and WashSecretary of the Board of Education. The subject ington Colleges, which are only seven miles apart, of my own address was "the importance, nature, and has always given rise to some jealousy, which has by no means subsided. Since the two institutions north-west of Blairsville, where I found a beautiful cannot at present be united, the true policy is to sustain both. brick academy, with cupola and bell; the first story is a large school-room; the second story is divided Alleghany Theological Seminary. On Monday the into two rooms for the two literary societies. The 26th, I rode to Pittsburgh with President Brown; examination, when I arrived, was going forward in and was met there by the Rev. Dr. A. D. Campbell, Horace. The Rev. Alexander Donaldson is Princi who drove me over to the Seminary, where I was to pal of the Academy. To him belongs the credit of hold a meeting with the students at 4 P. M. The its establishment; and a more successful enterprise subject of my address was "the candidate warned was never undertaken within our Church. It is and encouraged," in which I endeavoured faithfully under the supervision of the Presbytery of Blairsboth to probe the conscience and to administer heal- ville. The number of students for the year has ing truth. The students, notwithstanding the plain- been 113. One of the assistant teachers was absent ness of speech, listened with attention, and seemed at Court, and the other was sick, so that I had not to appreciate the importance of the subject. The a good opportunity of judging of their methods of prospects of the Seminary are good. The old num- instruction. The students, however, appeared reber of students, about fifty, are expected to attend, markably well. In the evening an interesting and and perhaps more. The number at Princeton having considerably decreased, I was led to expect a corresponding decrease at Alleghany. But the general diminution throughout the Church, which (with other causes) has affected Princeton, has not so seriously affected Alleghany. Indeed to retain the old number of students is, under the circumstances, a relative advance. The financial affairs of Alleghany Seminary are in a good state; and the two houses for Professors Elliott and Jacobus are nearly completed. A Female Academy at Pittsburgh. At Dr. Campbell's beautiful mansion, a mile or two below Alleghany, the subject of a female academy was discussed by a clerical party, who enjoyed the hospitalities for which that country-seat is famous. The ministers present were McGill, Jacobus, Howard, Annan, and Conrad, with Dr. Campbell and myself. The subject had been talked over before, and had already elicited much interest. Brother Paxton has it much at heart. A public meeting to take initiatory measures is to be held at Pittsburgh to-night, (Oct. 6th.) Blairsville Female Seminary. On the 27th, I visited Blairsville, where brother Hill has been instrumental in establishing a large female Academy. The number of scholars during the last term was eighty. The examination was well sustained, and exhibited much proficiency on the part of the young ladies; the class in Butler's Analogy, under the instruction of Mrs. Shepley, commanded especial attention. The Rev. S. H. Shepley is the Proprietor and Principal of the institution, and is assisted by his accomplished lady and other excellent teachers. In the evening, having been previously invited to deliver an address, I took for my subject "the true principles of female education, and our country as a field for their application." Elders' Ridge Presbyterial Academy was the next and last institution I was enabled to visit. On the 28th I rode to Elders' Ridge, about fourteen miles refreshing prayer-meeting was held. On the next day, the 29th, the annual exhibition took place. A procession marched from the Academy to the church, about a quarter of a mile. A very large concourse of people were assembled from the surrounding country, so that the building was literally crammed; pews, aisles, platform, window-sills, &c., being occupied to the utmost. The performances by the young gentlemen were all that could be desired; decidedly good. Very creditable music was dis coursed at short intervals by a band of the students. At the close of the exercises I delivered an address before the two Literary Societies, on "The Common School and the College;" the subject having been suggested by the two leading objects of the Academy, which are to supply the common schools with teachers, and to prepare young men for college. I ought to add, that Indiana county, where Presbyterianism has an immense predominance, has now four flourishing Academies. I shall close this Report by a few reflections, naturally suggested by the objects and incidents of the excursion: 1. The inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania form as noble a Presbyterian population, probably, as there is on the face of the globe. 2. The educational wants of that section have not been adequately supplied as regards academies. The tendency to improvement is, however, strong and manifest. Within a few years, several very flourishing institutions have been established, and the spirit that is abroad will soon occupy every prominent position. 3. The claims of the two Colleges, one of which is managed by a private corporation and the other by a Synod, threaten to produce divisions and alienations, which neither true religion nor sound policy can sanction. Where religion is definitely taught in a college, the mere fact that the institution is not under the care of the Church ought not to excite enmity. On the other hand, the determination of the friends of Synodical supervision to support and in ten years from one hundred and sixty thousand endow a college of their own, is perfectly lawful and innocent. This is a free country. As there are two sides to the question, let individuals and churches be left to their own choice. There is no reason why both Colleges may not flourish. The old rivalry between them, if duly moderated, will be healthful; but if allowed to take the form of open hostility, and to break forth into personal bitterness, the most injurious consequences must be experienced. May God watch over both institutions and "send prosperity." 4. Candidates for the ministry will, by divine grace, be multiplied by establishing good Academies. Already some precious youth, connected with the institutions visited, have been led on towards a preparation for the ministry by influences connected with their academical training. 5. How sweet and refreshing is ministerial communion! Never have I enjoyed, with more heartfelt delight, intercourse with my brethren in the Lord, than during this excursion. Memory has furnished many new and pleasant associations of men and things. to two hundred and ten thousand. But where are the fifty thousand? What impression have they made on the increase of the ministry? None. They have scarcely prevented a decline. It is true all are not Israel who are of Israel; nor does the same amount of piety prevail in different periods of the same outward administration. If the latter were the case, an increase of candidates might be naturally expected with an increase of communicants. If our Church had 250 theological students, with 160,000 members, the rate of increase of the latter would give at the present time 310 theological students. And why are there only 240? Let our ingenuous youth answer before God for this decline of zeal for the sanctuary, on a comparison with past periods, and explain why ten years of additional privilege, and opportunity, and general increase, should witness diminished resources for preaching the word of salvation. SCARCITY IN THE BAPTIST CHURCH. SCARCITY OF MINISTERS.-Rev. T. F. Caldicott, in an appeal to the Baptists of New England, in behalf of ministerial education, makes the following statements: 6. The slander, or carelessly conceived notion, that minister's wives are not generally suitable help1. There are now four thousand more Baptist mates, has received on my late tour the most effec-churches than there are Baptist ministers. tual refutation. Never have I come across more congenial, accomplished, pious, and ministerial wives than those of my brethren, who shall be nameless. 2. The number of newly organized Baptist churches has for some two years exceeded the number of men ordained as Baptist ministers. 3. There never was a time in our denomination when there was such a demand for educated minis 7. Educational interests are at the foundation of ters as the present; but unless the number of stuall other interests. The great subject of training dents for the ministry be vastly increased, this deup youth, from the cradle to the college and semi-mand cannot possibly be met. nary, and of training them up on the principles of Christian nurture, has relations with Church and State, with home and country and world, of inconceivable magnitude. The Board of Education, as now organized, has a work before it which angels would love to be agents in carrying forward. Alas! my brethren, that we possess so little love, selfdenial, perseverance, enterprise, large heartedness, and piety! Help, Lord; help the whole Church to sustain Education throughout the length and breadth of our borders! All which is respectfully submitted. C. VAN RENSSELAER, Cor. Sec. From the Christian Observer. EFFECTUAL PRAYER. "Have poured out my soul."-1 SAM. i. 15. she had fasted. But all had been of nought avail. She was in bitterness. She had wept sore, and Her adversary still provoked her, and the desire of her heart was yet unfulfilled. Again she will go up to the house of the Lord, and seek anew the fulfilshe goes, and while there, pours out her soul before ment of her long proffered petition. And thither the Lord. She pours out her soul. How beautifully significant! Like some gushing crystal stream, long pent up beneath the earth's surface-long struggling and striving to be free-at length bursting its barriers, pours itself like a flood around; so, just so, her strugglingstriving-woe-embittered spirit, throwing aside every barrier and restraint, poured itself out before its God. How many Christians pray, but O, how few Christians pour out their souls before God. Before we can expect a blessing upon Zion-before we can expect a blessing upon our own souls-we must first DECREASE OF CANDIDATES AND INCREASE learn to pour out those souls before God. Much is I. MINISTERIAL EDUCATION. "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest." OF MEMBERSHIP. The deficiency of candidates is IN STRIKING CONTRAST WITH THE GENERAL INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Our communicants have advanced implied in the expression; and İst. An insatiable longing for the thing we request. The publican's was no half-framed desire. The jailor's cry to be saved, was one of terrible anxiety, and most unutterable desire; and poor been learned during the week, by all the pupils, takes place on Saturday. Hannah's soul almost broke for the longing it had. The Psalmist in his prayer, was no stranger to this longing, so essential to the fulfilment of the Chris- The branches of literature taught are such as are tian's petition. How beautifully he describes it. taught in the best schools, rating no higher during "My soul waiteth for the Lord," says he, "more the present session than_Grammar, Geography, than those that watch for the morning." "Yes, the Arithmetic, and Algebra. But we purpose, as occapoor fagged-out and weary sentinel, who the live-sion may require, to introduce all the branches of a long night has paced the battlements of my watch- sound and substantial English education. tower, longs not more for the breaking day, than I long, O Lord, for Thee." O! if all Christians had such a longing, what a pouring out of souls there would be; and what a pouring out of God's blessing, too, upon those souls in return! And it implies, too, something else. It implies 2d. A firm confidence in God. A confidence both in his ability and willingness. It is not upon the shifting sand that the gushing stream pours out its most copious flood, but where it has the everlasting rock for its channel and support. And so it is with the soul. It must feel that it has that whereon it can firmly base its hopes and desires, before it will throw open its flood-gates, and pour forth the full tide of all its wants and woes. David calls God a "rock"-a "strong tower"-and because he is such, able to defend, and ready to shelter, "therefore, ye people," he says, "pour out your souls before him." Here, then, we have the two essential elements of the effectual prayer-the prayer that availeth much. So Hannah longed, and trusted, and prayed. So the Psalmist, in his time, tells Christians to long, and trust, and pray; and so must Christians now, pour out their souls before God, ere they may hope for his blessing upon their souls-or the souls of those around them. T. R. G. P. II. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. The number of pupils on the roll during the ses‐ sion is forty-the average number in attendance, twenty-five. The average number for the last two months, thirty. Of these, thirteen are not connected with the Presbyterian Church, and two are the children of Roman Catholics. FORT WAYNE ACADEMY, INDIANA. The Rev. J. Edwards, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, writes as follows: "I have now transcribed the Basis and By-Laws of the Fort Wayne Academy, not knowing that they will have the least value in your sight, except to certify you that for the present at least it is sound. Such is the unhappy crudeness of Indiana legislation that we can count (legally) only upon the present. A change in the mind of the stockholders may effect at any time a change of the entire basis. But for the present we feel secure. The present stockholders honestly aim at securing a 'sound, liberal, and Christian education' for their youth." LEGAL BASIS. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he and they do hereby associate themselves together, is old he will not depart from it." for the purpose of founding, endowing, and maintaining in or near the city of Fort Wayne, an Institution designed to promote sound, liberal, and Chris EBENSBURG PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, PA. The following is the first Report of a new paro-tian education. chial school, founded by the Session of the Church at Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. The Rev. R. S. Morton is pastor of the church. We are glad to learn that a beginning has been made, under favourable circumstances. The session of the Presbyterian Church of Ebensburg present the following report to the Board of Education. The exercises of the school commenced about the first of June, and this day closed a session of four months. The school has been taught by Miss Nancy C. Barnett, who is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in full communion. All the exercises in the school have been under the direction and control of the session of the church. The religious exercises of the school are, Reading the word of God, singing his praise, and prayer, at the opening of the school each morning; and reading the Scriptures at the opening of the afternoon exercises. In addition to which, the Shorter Catechism is recited by all the pupils capable of learning it, on Monday and Wednesday mornings of each week, and the primary Catechism is taught at the same time to the young pupils. A rehearsal of all that has And for the greater assurance that this shall ever continue to be the aim and character of this Institution, the undersigned, its founders and original stockholders, do declare that the appointment of Teachers in this Institution by the Board of Government thereof, and the course of study prescribed by the same, shall be submitted to the inspection and approval of the Presbytery of Fort Wayne; said Presbytery being and continuing in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States: And in default of said connection, or in default of said Presbytery accepting or continuing such oversight, then it shall be subject wholly and for ever to the Board of its Trustees appointed aecording to law. The Institution of Learning thus constituted and characterized shall be styled the Fort Wayne Academy. The funds and possessions constituting the endowment of this Institution, exclusive of its Tuition fees, shall be derived from subscriptions, donations, bequests, or scholarships, as may at any time seem expedient or practicable to the Board of its Trustees. The whole amount of endowment proposed to be secured from all these sources, exclusive of Tuition, is not now intended to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars. The whole amount now due or donated to this |