ANDOVER THEOLOGICAL ACADEMY. 179 ishing condition. It was founded in 1808; and had its origin in the liberality of three or four wealthy individuals, who not only bestowed funds sufficient for the commencement of the academy, but as it was observed to rise in usefulness and reputation, gradually enlarged the amount of their munificent contributions, till it has become possessed of several commodious buildings, and of four endowed professorships, worth it is said from £300 to £400 sterling a year. The branches for which they are appointed, are biblical literature, sacred rhetoric, ecclesiastical history, and systematic theology; with these they combine the other departments of a theological education, and the establishment is probably as practically useful as if the professorships were more numerous. The chairs are said to be reputably filled;-one of them indeed by a gentleman of high celebrity throughout the whole Union. Besides these advantages Andover possesses about forty Scholarships, which are, however, less in individual amount than the two at Princeton. At present there are in all upwards of one hundred students.* Among theological seminaries the Foreign Mission School' at Cornwall in the State of Connecticut is particularly worthy of notice; the more A very valuable correspondent, on whose accuracy I have good reason to place implicit reliance, writes me (1822) that the private benefactions to the Anaover Theological Academy since its foundation, have already amounted to very nearly the sum of £100,000 sterling so, that there is not in Britain, so far as I know, any similar institution. This academy is devoted 'to the instruction of young natives of foreign countries, with the view of qualifying them to return home as missionaries or teachers. It was founded in con-sequence of what, în usual language, would be called the accidental arrival in America, in 1809, of Obookiah, a native of Owhyhee; a young man who showed an ardent thirst for useful knowledge, and who falling under the care of some benevolent and enlightened individuals in New Haven, was, through their instrumentality, made acquainted with the important truths of the gospel. Obookiah made considerable progress in literary studies, and soon evinced an earnest desire to return to his native country as a missionary; and some other individuals of his countrymen having been discovered in America, they were brought together, that they might preserve an acquaintance with their native language, and receive such an education as would be useful to them, should any of them be found qualified and disposed to accompany Obookiah. The providence of God, however, has disappointed The number of students is rapidly increasing, as the following abstract indicates: Summary of the Andover Catalogue for 1821-2. FOREIGN MISSION SCHOOL AT CORNWALL. 181 the high expectations which were formed of that young man's future usefulness;-he was carried off by a fever in the early part of this year, shortly before the intended period of his return to his native country. The school continues to flourish, and several boys belonging to the aboriginal tribes of this continent have lately joined it.5 1 Such an institution is in the highest degree praiseworthy; not only on account of the philanthropic and benevolent views of its founders, but because of the wisdom of its leading principle, and because, if prudently conducted, it promises to be a most efficient instrument of good, to nations which are now in the grossest darkness. Native teachers, and preachers, and translators, are no doubt to be the grand means of enlightening and civilizing the heathen world; they are familiar with the language, the customs, the prejudices, the modes of thinking, and the theology of their countrymen, and they are 5 A very interesting narrative of Obookiah's eventful life, has been reprinted here in a cheap form, and is sold by Mr. Lang, Wilson Street, Glasgow, Mr. Johnston, Edinburgh, and Mr. Nisbet, Lon The Foreign Mission School contained in September 1822, eighteen pupils, namely, 6 Sandwich Islanders, 1 Malay, 1 Chinese, 1 New Zealander, 1 Cherokee, 1 Oneida, 1 Tuscarora, 1 Caughnawaga, and 2 Stockbridge Indians; 3 natives of the United States, intending to be foreign missionaries. Seven of these were professors of religion. An Owhyhean was expected soon. In March 1823, two young Greeks reached America from Malta, one 15 years of age, the other 11, who had come over for the sole purpose of enjoying the benefit of the school. exempt from the operation of that feeling of dislike, which necessarily exists in a large degree among all men, to the interference of foreigners, with their religious belief and worship. The extensive commercial intercourse of America with foreign nations, brings many of their young men to its shores; and can Christian benevolence more happily take advantage of this circumstance, than by qualifying such persons, to return as instructors to 'their father's house,' even although this instruction should reach no farther in the first instance than a knowledge of letters and the useful arts? The Bible and all its blessings will necessarily follow. Might not our countrymen take a lesson in this matter from their western brethren, and establish such a school in Britain, where there is a still greater influx of foreigners? |