any theological schools in this church; and the greater part of their sons of the prophets was educated privately by their ministers. Hence the want of unity and energy which characterized their ecclesiastical organization, was every year becoming more apparent. The recommendation to the presbyteries produced little effect.

To the sessions of the general assembly in the following year, a letter was presented from the faculty of Princeton college signed by the president, the Rev. Samuel S. Smith, D. D. exhibiting the advantages for theological improvement, presented at that seminary. The object of this letter was plainly to prepare the way for other propositions rela tive to the establishment of a general institution for the whole church, and its location at Princeton. The ministers of the general assembly now began to be sensible that the public interests of religion demanded that something should be done to the purpose, by a general exertion of their whole strength; and in 1809, a proposition was laid before the assembly for the formation of a theological seminary, which should concentre and combine the influence of the whole. The presbyteries were ordered to report to the next assembly their views of the subject; and a committee was appointed to draft a plan, to be presented at the same time.

In 1810, the business came fully before them, and the report of the committee contained a plan, which was amended and adopted. The superintendents were appointed, and ordered to meet on the last Tuesday of June, of the same year, at Princeton; where they had resolved to locate their school. The course of study is a liberal one. It prescribes that, " every student, at the close of his course, must have made the following attainments, viz. He must be well skilled in the original languages of the holy scriptures. He must be able to explain the principal difficulties, which arise in the perusal of the scriptures, either from erroneous translations, apparent inconsistencies, real obscurities, or objections arising from history, reason, or argument. He must be versed in the Jewish antiquities, which serve to illustrate and explain the scriptures. He must have an acquaintance

with ancient geography, and with oriental customs, which throw light upon the sacred records. Thus he will have laid the foundation for becoming a sound biblical critic.

"He must have read and digested the principal arguments and writings, relative to what has been called the deistical controversy. Thus he will qualified to become a defender of the Christian faith.

"He must be able to support the doctrines of the confession of faith and catechisms, by a ready, pertinent, and abundant quotation of scripture texts for that purpose. He must have studied carefully, and correctly, natural, didactic, polemic, and casuistic theology. He must have a considerable acquaintance with general history and chronology, and a particular acquaintance with the history of the Christian church. Thus he will be preparing to become an able and sound divine and casuist.

"He must have read a considerable number of the best practical writers on the subject of religion. He must have learned to compose with correctness and readiness, in his own language, and to deliver what he has composed to others in a natural, and acceptable manner. He must be well instructed with the several parts, and the proper structure of popular lectures and sermons. He must have composed at least two lectures, and four popular sermons, that shall have been approved by the professors. He must have carefully studied the duties of the pastoral care. Thus he will be prepared to become a useful preacher and a faithful pas

tor.

"He must have studied attentively the form of church government authorized by the scriptures, and the administration of it as it has taken place in the protestant churches."

To carry this system into operation, the Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander, was chosen professor of theology. This gentleman had been principal of Hampden Sidney college, and was then pastor of the church in Pine street, in which the Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, is now his successor. Dr. Alexander is a genuine disciple of Calvin and Calvin's master; and indeed it is impossible that he should be otherwise and

be an honest man; for the professors of the seminary, by its constitution are bound by the following oath, and profes sion:-"In the presence of God, and of the directors of this seminary, I do solemnly, and ex animo adopt, receive, and subscribe the confession of faith and catechisms of the presbyterian church in the United States of America, as the confession of my faith; as a summary and just exhibition of that system of doctrine and religious belief which is contained in the holy scripture, and therein revealed by God to man for his salvation: and I do solemnly ex animo profess to receive the form of government of said church, as agreeable to the inspired oracles. And I do solemnly promise and engage not to inculcate, teach, or insinuate, any thing which shall appear to me to contradict or contravene, either directly, or impliedly, any thing taught in the said confession and catechisms, nor oppose any of the fundamental principles of presbyterian church government, while I continue a professor in this seminary."

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, whose name has been before mentioned, is professor of ecclesiastical history and church government. For his orthodoxy which is unequivocal, he has lately been violently attacked by the pamphleteers of the Hopkinsian school in New York. No degree of moderation, no amiableness of character, no reputation, however well earned, nor any respectability of attainments can shield from their attacks, those who do not adopt the dogmas of these gentlemen. But the reputation of the professors, as scholars and divines, stands on a foundation not to be shaken by the missiles of such forces, as those arrayed against them.

The text book in theology adopted in this school of the prophets is Turrettin, whose character in relation to orthodoxy, has been before drawn, and which the reader will have an opportunity of appreciating from the translations contained in the following pages. This circumstance places in the strongest light, the opinions of our professors, and secures, as far as human means can secure the alumni of the institution from the contamination of Hopkinsian, Ar

minian and other heresies. This establishment forms a bar. rier against the progress of those errors in New-Jersey, and their inroads upon the churches of the middle states, from the north; and is calculated to infuse a desirable vigour into the counsels of the church, which has erected it.

The leading traits in the character of the pupils of this school, are warmth of piety and a missionary spirit. It is surprising, however, that attention to the philosophy of mind forms no part of the course of study prescribed. To combat effectually the advocates of the prevalent mistakes of the times, we must be armed with those weapons, which they profess to wield with such dexterity. They must be met on their own ground, and vanquished there; and tro phies must be erected over them on those territories which they claim, as almost exclusively their own. It is known, however, that Dr. Alexander does not neglect to initiate, in his lectures, the pupils into the first principles of this important science.

As to the supply of this church with ministers, the remarks which we have made respecting the Dutch church, may be applied. There are in the church under the care of the General Assembly, five hundred and twenty ministers, and upwards of five hundred and fifty congregations, which in twenty-five years more, will amount, by natural increase, to eleven hundred congregations. In the Princeton seminary there are forty-six pupils; which number, as the term of study is three years, will supply fifteen ministers per annum, or three hundred and seventy-five in twenty-five years. Allowing that as many more should be educated privately, there would still be a deficiency of three hundred and fifty. Could we hope, however, that all the ministers, hereafter to be introduced into this branch of the church, would be orthodox, the interests of truth would rapidly improve. This we are not permitted to expect. On the state of orthodoxy, in New-Jersey, this school must have a favourable influence. The Presbytery of New-Brunswick, are said to be all antiHopkinsian, while in the Presbytery of Jersey, as we have already stated, the case is otherwise; and from their activi

ty, and the supineness of the friends of truth, the weight of this majority must increase.

The synod of New-York, is now in a great state of fermentation, and Hopkinsianism is gaining ground. The disciples of the northern school have seven ministers in the New-York Presbytery, and the orthodox five; their influence in the capital of the state must tend to advance it. The Presbytery of Albany have a majority of the Calvinistic creed. Emigrations from the New-England states increase the relative forces, favourably to error, in the western parts of the state. Hence, though there may be, and probably is a majority of orthodox members in the synod of Albany, it cannot be expected to continue so for many years.

The Associate Reformed Seminary, and the influence of Dr. M'Leod's lectures and publications, may be considered as auxiliary to the cause of truth, in the Synod of NewYork and New-Jersey. In the seminary under Dr. Mason's care, there are twenty-five alumni, some of whom may be expected to fall into this synod. Indeed there are some of the young men, in this institution, now in connection with the General Assembly.

Dr. Romeyn's character, popularity, and writings, arranged as they always have been, on the side of truth, are equal to a very considerable numerical force on the other side. This gentleman was educated in Schenectady and New-York, and was originally a member of the Reformed Dutch church. He afterwards joined the General Assembly. His labours in the congregation, in which he is placed in New-York, have been greatly blessed. He has lately published two volumes of valuable sermons, which are orthodox of course.

A minister of the Reformed Presbyterian church, the Rev. Gilbert M'Master, settled in the pastoral charge of a congregation at Galway, has published a valuable essay on the doctrine of the atonement, in which he combats the errors of Dr. Hopkins and his followers. This book is well written, and it is extensively read in the state of New-York. He has also published an Analysis of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, designed as a manual for the instruction