a а together with a review of common Greck Grammar, and the reading of select portions of the Greek Testament, for grammatical purposes ; Jahn's Biblical Archæology, accompanied with a free use at their own discretion, of Calmet's Bible Dictionary, and Harmer's Observations; Lowth's Lectures on Hebrew Poetry; Campbell's Preliminary Dissertations and Prefaces to the Four Gospels; Ernesti's Elements of Interpretation ; and the First Part of Newcome's Harmony of the Gospels in Greek, for purposes of Interpretation. To this Class there have also been delivered Lectures on Hebrew and Greek Manuscripts of the Scriptures, and on the most important editions and versions of the original Scriptures. Compositions in English have been frequently presented by this Class, and some attention has been given them in the preparing of Sermons. The Middle Class have been occupied principally in the Interpretation of the original Scriptures. They have read critically all the books of the New Testament in Greek. Three days of each week, for the principal part of the year, they have also had recitations, in connection with the Senior Class, in select portions of the Hebrew Scriptures, and in Jahn's Critical Introduction to the Old Testament. They have also attended to the Evidences of Revealed Religion, using as text books, Wilson's Evidences, Butler's Analogy, and other works of a similar character. By this Class, compositions in English have been frequently presented, and sermons have been prepared. 3. The Senior Class have attended to the Evidences of Revealed Religion, using Wilson's Evidences, and Butler's Analogy, and other works. They have also been carried through a regular series of Theological Subjects, forming a system of Biblical Theology. In connection with the Middle Class, they have also recited in Hebrew, and in Jahn's Introduction to the Old Testament, for the principal part of the year, three days in cach week. They have also studied select parts of Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric, the Young Preacher's Manual, Campbell's Lectures on Pulpit Eloquence, and Ware's Hints on Extemporaneous Preaching. The Young Minister's Companion was also read, and furnished occasions for familiar lecturing, on the various parts of Pastoral Duty. The preparation of sermons and of plans of sermons, has also occupied a considerable share of attention in the Senior Class. This Class entered also upon a course of Ecclesiastical History. To this Class, and to the Middle Class, in connection, were delivered Lectures on the Authenticity of the Canon both of the Old Testament and of the New. Frequent exercises have been had for all the classes in Rhetorical Reading and Speaking. At regular intervals, there has been performed by the students in the presence of the Professors an extemporaneous discussion of a subject selected by the Professors. III. ARRANGEMENTS FOR SALUTARY EXERCISE. To this subject we request the continued attention of the Trus. tees. We believe it is of vital importance to the Institution. The appearance of the ground in front of the brick building, shows that there is among the students a commendable spirit in relation to this subject. The furnishing of mechanics' tools, and of materials for work during the winter term, was of essential benefit. It will be gratifying to the students to be furnished with a larger supply of tools and materials for work, and, if possible, with a workshop; so that, while in the summer, and in pleasant weather, they are provided with exercise on the farm, they may also in winter, and in unpleasant weather, be provided with suitable accommodations for recruiting their health and mental vigor. IV. GENERAL DEPORTMENT AND RELIGIOUS FEELING. These have been such as to afford us gratification. For promoting the piety of the students, devotional exercises are conducted in the chapel every morning and evening; at regular intervals the Professors have a conference with the students; one evening in each week is occupied as a season of prayer and mutual exhortation by the students; and opportunities are afforded for them to have private religious conversation with the Professors. The attention of the students to practical piety is also promoted by their exercises in the Society for Missionary Inquiry, and in the Sabbath School and Bible Class Association, societies which they have voluntarily originated and maintained. V. EXERCISES OF THE STUDENTS IN PREACHING, IN CON FERENCE MEETINGS, SABBATH SCHOOLS, AND BIBLE a The requests for preaching have been constant. This is a subject which is attended with no little difficulty. While we desire to gratify the churches, we must also be vigilant lest envy and jealousy mar the peace of the students, and lest an undue portion of their time be occupied at a distance from their studies. It is doubtless known to every member of the Board, that we have not invariably given satisfaction to the churches which have solicited aid. We have aimed, however, to pursue what appeared to us an upright and a kind course on the whole; believing that dissatisfaction must either be regarded as a necessary and unavoidable, though exceedingly troublesome, appendage to this part of our duties; or that uncomplaining confidence would, at length, be cheerfully reposed in the integrity and the kindness of our intentions. We fear that we have not yet arrived at this latter result; still have the consciousness of endeavoring to deserve, even if we have not had the happiness of possessing, the entire approbation of our brethren. would seem to have been thought by some, that we have had it quite within our power to furnish help on various occasions, but that we possessed not the inclination. We wish the Board distinctly to understand that we are always ready to accede to the wishes of the churches so far as we consistently can; and whenever we fail to do this, either as to the amount or the quality of assistance, the failure on our part should be ascribed to any cause rather than to a want of disposition to render assistance. We always hold ourselves ready to assign to any suitable person the reasons for any part of our official conduct; and we desire the Board to feel themselves able in reference to any complaints, to say, that they have full confidence in the Professors, and that the Professors ought not to be carelessly censured. On this subject there is another point to which we request the attention of the Board. Applications for the services of students during term time, should be made solely to the Professors. Sometimes direct application has been made to a student. Sometimes even, persons have come to this place, and entered into arrangements with a student, without previously consulting either of the Professors; thus placing both officers and students in a most disagreeable condition, and interfering with arrangements which the Professors had already made. The Trustees, it may be presumed, fully understand this matter, as it is so distinctly stated in the printed Rules and Regulations of this Institution. We introduce it in this place, that they may also inform others what is the correct method of obtaining preaching from the students; namely, applying to the Professors previously to any conversation with a student on the subject. We will now present a detailed statement of the amount of preaching which has been obtained from the Institution during the year. Preaching was performed on all the Lord's days, forty in number. Charles-Street Church, Boston, was supplied 13 days; Woburn, 5; Upper Falls, Newton, 20; Mr. Grafton's, 11; Weston, 5; Watertown, 8; Roxbury, 4; Dedham, 2; Westborough, 5; Southborough, 3; Cambridgeport, 9; East Cambridge, 1; Lowell, 3; South Boston, 11; Charlestown, 4; Randolph, 4; Lexington, 3; first Salem, 1; second Salem, 7; Hingham, 2; FederalStreet, Boston, 2; first Boston, 3; Saxonville, in Framingham, 5; Brookline, 2 or 3 lectures. Besides the Lord's days, second Salem was supplied by a student on Fast Day; Mr. Grafton's, one part of Fast Day; and at Brookline, a student preached on Thanksgiving Day. 'Í'he number of places mentioned is 24. The number of times, including one or two evening lectures not noticed, is 134; of this, 46 were services on part of a day, or lectures in an evening, and 88 were of services during whole days. During the principal part of the year, weekly conference and prayer-meetings have been attended at the Upper Falls, and at Mr. Grafton's, Newton; a conference meeting once a fortnight, at Mrs. Dana's in Brighton ; and the monthly concert of prayer at the Upper Falls and at Watertown, besides the meeting at Mr. Grafton's. Sabbath Schools have been conducted at Watertown and Newton; and Bible Classes in Newton, Boston, and Brookline. VI. STATE OF THE LIBRARY. The number of books has been slowly increasing. The Institution possesses, however, as yet, only the germ of a library. We would recommend a speedy furnishing of the library room with additional book shelves. A few are wanted immediately; others can probably be prepared and erected by the students in their seasons of exercise the ensuing winter term. We have to acknowledge with gratitude the liberality of several individuals, who have furnished the means of procuring some of the most valuable works in theological and general literature; and it is gratifying to remember the munificence of a generous friend which recently added to the library an extensive collection of the early Greek and Latin Fathers, selected with much care in Europe. May others that have it in their power soon place us under similar obligations. VII. ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE STUDENTS. Hitherto this has been performed at an early hour in the morning of the Anniversary, and has necessarily occupied by far too small a portion of time. We would recommend that the day preceding the Anniversary be devoted to the annual examination, and that a Committee of the Trustees be appointed to be present at the examination in the chapel of the Institution. VIII. PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. The smallness of the number of students must be to the Trustees a cause of regret, if not of disappointment. It is very natural for them to ask, Why is the number so small ? The answer to this inquiry brings us at once to the subject which has long occupied our minds; we mean, a Preparatory Department to be connected with this Institution. That the deficiency of the Institution in regard to such a Department prevents the number of students from being larger, is manifest, not only from the nature of the case, but also from the fact that almost every letter we receive making inquiries respecting our arrangements for instruction, comes from persons who need precisely that kind of preparation which the proposed Department would furnish. The reply which we have hitherto been compelled to make to such letters has operated as a discouragement. We beg leave therefore to lay before the Board a statement of our views respecting this Department. In respect to its provisions, it should have reference to men whose age and other circumstances forbid their enjoying the advantages of a college ; and it should present for them such a course of study, longer or shorter according to circumstances, as would enable them profitably to enter upon the regular studies of the Institution. There is also another class of men called to the ministry, whose a age renders it unsuitable for them to study the original languages It is important that this Department be established at Newton. 1. In no other place can it be so advantageously situated. At Newton is a suitable building, of which more than half the rooms are unoccupied ; and here is a suitable boarding establish. ment. At no other place can there be so intimate a connection between the Professors and the instructer of this class of young men as is obviously desirable; as such young men will be of very different grades in intellect and attainment, the opinion of the Professors respecting the course and the extent of their studies would be important. A residence at Newton, it is believed, would also be more favorable in respect to moral and religious influence. 2. Such a Department would increase the number of students in the regular course at Newton. A preparatory department would doubtless contain a large number of persons. These being resident at Newton, and belonging to a professedly preparatory department, would not so easily be diverted from their purpose, as if connected with an academy, or instructed by a private individual. Being also under the general superintendence of the Professors as well as of their immediate instructer, they would be more carefully guarded against circumstances unfavorable to their continuance in study. It is highly important to increase the number of students at Newton. By this means the Professors and the patrons of the Institution would be encouraged, and pecuniary assistance could more easily be procured. The same amount of money which is now requisite for sustaining the Institution, would accomplish vastly more good. The pecuniary supporters of the Institution at Newton, cannot be expected to expend cheerfully, year after year, so large sums of money at so little apparent advantage. They will very naturally wish to see fruits corresponding to the labor and the donations which are bestowed. Some persons who are not accustomed to literary pursuits may consider it unreasonable that so much money should be spent at Newton for so few students. Hence, it does not at all surprise us that efforts for the pecuniary support of the Institution with merely its present arrangements, meet with but very partial success. We trust indeed that those individuals who have thus far generously sustained the Institution will not withhold their aid, even should discouragement continue. Still, should the number of students continue to be small, and that through deficiency of arrangements, the Institution will come to be regarded as a small affair, the office of a Professor as a mere sinecure, and the benefactions of the wealthy may be expected to seek some other place of deposit. 3. Such a Department would prevent a great waste of moral power. The Institution furnished with it would provide appropriate instruction for almost every grade of talent in men called to the 1 |