1833.] CIRCULAR. — FUNDS. 73
ren, if you would have these young men come into the ministry with the spirit of Payson, of Fisk, of Martyn, of Brainerd, and of Paul, and prepared to go and plant the gospel in Greenland, in Africa, or in China, then pray for them;—pray that the Spirit of Almighty God may pervade their minds wherever they may be."
American Education Society.
(Circular to Clergymen.)
Rev. and Dear Sir,
The object of this communication is to invite your special attention to the selecting and inducing of young men of suitable qualifications, to prepare for the Christian ministry. While there are six hundred millions of Pagans and Mohammedans destitute of a preached gospel; while there are six millions in our own beloved country, destitute of an evangelical ministry; while there are between three and four thousand churches, connected with the evangelical denominations of Christians in this land, which have no settled ministers; while the call for pastors, from vacant churches in New England and at the south and west is so urgent; while the demand for ministers from the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies is so great and imperious, and the Christian community seem disposed and determined to sustain these benevolent institutions in their operations; what minister of Jesus can be but deeply affected at the consideration, that these operations must be retarded, if they should not languish and die, because heralds of the cross cannot be obtained! Distressing thought! Is the preaching of the gospel, the grand instrument which God has appointed for the conversion of the world? Why, then, is no more zeal manifested in raising up preachers of salvation? The revivals of religion have brought into the churches multitudes of young men, who, were they educated, would be able and faithful teachers of righteousness. Much the larger proportion of these, will bury their talents in secular occupations, unless pressed into the service of the ministry. More efforts should be made to lead young men to reflect upon this subject, and to dedicate themselves to this blessed work. Will not the ministers of the gospel preach upon it on the Sabbath, present it at their social meetings, at the monthly concert, especially the concert on Tuesday evening, immediately succeeding the first Monday of each month? Will they not converse particularly with those young men, who are of good natural talents, and "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," and urge upon them their duty? Will they not be persuaded to do this by the injunctions of the Great Head of the Church, by the happiness of man in his present state of existence, by the never ending felicities of those "who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises," and by the interminable agonies of those who perish in their sins?—Dear Sir, is there not in your church, or within the circle of your acquaintance, one young man or more, of suitable qualifications, whom you can induce to prepare for the ministry of Christ? Should the pecuniary circumstances of such, render them unable to educate themselves, assistance may be obtained from the American Education Society. This institution has pledged assistance to every applicant of the requisite qualifications. These are respectable natural talents, unquestionable piety, real indigence, and good promise generally in respect to the ministry. To all such, and only such, the Society, in the name of the churches, proffers assistance.
At the late meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts, held at Dorchester, it was unanimously
"Resolved, That, in view of the immense want of ministers to supply the destitute churches of this country, and to meet the increasing and imperious demand of the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, and in view of the intimate and inseparable connection there is between the preaching of the gospel and the prosperity of every religious enterprise, it is the solemn duty of every minister to exert himself to look up at least one young man, suitable to prepare for the ministrations of God's word, and induce him to commence immediately a course of education for the ministry."
Dear Sir, this subject is respectfully submitted for your consideration, prayers and efforts.
Your brother in the bonds
and service of Jesus Christ,
WILLIAM COGSWELL,
Sec'ry Am. Ed. Soc.
FUNDS.
Amherst. N. H. on acco. Aiken Schol. (additional) by R. Boylston, Esq. Tr. Hillsboro' Co. Aux. Ed. Soc. 9 75
Antrim, N. H. by R. Boylston, Tr. of do. 6 00
Charleston, S. C. fr. Mrs. Jane Keith, Mrs. George Barksdale, and Mrs. John Gadsden, $5 each, ann. subs, by H. Hill, 15 00
Deering, N. H. by R. Boylston, Tr. 6 00
Guildhall, Vt. fr. "an orphan," a string of gold beads, which have been sold for 3 00
Hillsboro' N. H. fr. Ladies, by R. Boylston, Tr. 6 00
Hancock, N. H. by R. Boylston, Tr. 17 08
Hollis, N. H. by R. Boylston, Tr.do. 34 50
Jaffrey, N. H. bequest of the late Miss Margaret Gray, by Asa Parker, Esq. Ex'r. 104 54
Lyndeboro', N. H. fr. Dea. William Jones, ann. subs. by Rev. J. D. Farnsworth, Agent, 2 00
Mason, N. H. from Gent, by R. Boylston, Tr. 26 00
Mont Vernon, N. H. by R. Boylston, Tr.do. 22 00
Merrimack, N. H. by R. Boylston, Tr.do.
