life, by a spirit of real kindness which went every where with him, by his humility and great meekness of wisdom, he has been, more than 23 years, an important bond of union among a people who had been disunited. It is hoped that their union will continue. The remembrance of him, will do much to maintain it. A general undissembled grief appears now to prevail among them: and it is presumed they will long remember him. It is certain, that if they so cherish his memory as to imbibe his spirit, they will be a most happy society."

At Franklin, on the 3d of June last, Miss DELIVERANCE EMMONS, second daughter of the Rev. Dr. Emmons.

The following extract is taken from a Sermon preached at her interment, by the Rev. Nathanael Howe, of Hopkinton, from Luke xii, 35, 36.

"In the view of this subject, and on this solemn occasion, it becomes us to consider the uncertainty of all worldly enjoyments. "Death is always an irksome consideration to the man of the world, who has his portion in this life, and who possesses no hope of a better: but the believer keeps up a familiar intercourse with death; he does not think of dying only when trouble embitters life, and forces him to say, I loath it, I would not live alway. He reflects upon it, when the world smiles, as well as when it frowns; whatever be his present circumstances, he feels, that he is, and he confesses himself to be, a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. He sees that the things of this world are fleeting in their nature, short in their duration, and unsatisfying in their enjoyment. But beyond the grave, he has an house not made with hands; a better, an heavenly country; more numerous, more endeared connexions. There his enjoyments will never fade; there his friends will never die.

"Hence, it sometimes happens, that persons possessed of riches, honors, friends, health, and surrounded with every thing which this world affords, have longed to die, and to be with Christ, which is far better. It is much more difficult, however, to maintain this state of mind in pleasing and prosperous circumstances, than in try ing and afflictive scenes. When we are surrounded with worldly enjoyments, we are in danger of saying, It is good for us to be here. How few, in such circumstances, are disposed to say, Arise, let us go hence.

"My Brethren, the time is short. We are constantly and irresistibly, though imperceptibly, gliding down the stream of time into the boundless ocean of eternity! Soon, very soon, we shall cease to occupy our present stations in this changing world.

It would be wise for us, therefore, often to take realizing views of death; it would check the pride of life which so often carries us away; it would sanctify our posses sions, and keep our prosperity from destroying us; it would lead us to use soberly and profitably those talents of which we must so shortly give an account; it would excite us to be rich in good works, and to lay up our treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal.

"Accustom yourselves, therefore, to reflections of this nature, and learn to die daily. When you walk over your fields, let every one say to himself, in a little time, the places that now know me, will know me no more. When you sit in your houses, let every one say to himself, in a little time the grave will be my house. When you return to your several habitations, and behold your children sitting around your tabies, say to yourselves, in a short time we shall be called to follow our children, one after another to the grave; or they will be cailed to follow us! And when you assemble in the house of God on the Sabbath, let each one say to himself, in a little season I shall be in the state of that person, to whose memory we are now paying our last respects!

"On this solemn and interesting occasion, it becomes me to turn my attention to the Parents of the deceased. God has graciously given you children; and the lives of your children have been preserved, till they have arrived to a state of maturity. Though one has lately been taken from you; yet the others have been preserved (as we humbly hope) to be the comfort of your declining years, and the joy of your old age. May God enable you to consider your children, not merely as formed for this world only, but as intelligent beings made for eternity! May God enable you to be far more concerned for their future happiness, than their worldly prosperity. And if you should be called, in future, to give them up one after another to the grave, may you have all that submission that is necessary to sustain and improve such repeated and violent shocks!

"Though God has now put forth his holy and bereaving hand, and taken from you an amiable and promising child; yet it was not an only child. Though you have lost a daughter, yet it was not an only daughter; and though you had, (a few years past) every reason to hope and expect her life, that she would continue to be a comfort to you while living, and follow you to the grave, and though her prospects in life were very engaging, yet God in his providence has cut them off. May you, in this time of bereavement, derive consolation from those divine sources,

which you have, in similar circumstances, so often exhibited to others. May I remind you, that one affliction truly sanctified, prepares the way for others to follow, and makes them both more tolerable, and more useful. He who has sought and found consolation in God under one affliction, is refreshed, braced, and armed for another combat. And as death has given you a shock, by making one breach in your family, be in readiness to receive another; for we know not what a day may bring forth.

"The Brothers and Sisters of the deceased, in this bereavement will remember, that the death of their Sister calls upon them to prepare to die. It reminds them, that no age is free from death. It teaches them, that there is no discharge in that war. For if the confidence of parents if the affection of brothers and sisters-if the benevolence of acquaintance and friends-if an amiable disposition and courteous deportment-if an uublemished character and an excellent education-and in fine, if a rational and scriptural hope of the eternal favor of God, in the near approach of death, could have saved her life, Delia had not died!

"Your deceased Sister was a person of unusual sprightliness; vivacity was a strik. ing trait in her character; and, what is very uncommon, this sprightliness and vivacity were connected with a sound judg ment, which she discovered in all her deportment. Her mind was well furnished with theological knowledge; she understood the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel thoroughly, though she often declared she did not relish them. The lingering and consumptive indisposition which ter minated her life; and which was of more than three years continuance, rarely dejected her spirits. She often said, she knew what people thought of her case, and how it would terminate.

"She was sometimes solemnly impressed with a sense of divine things, knew, and

felt, that she was a sinner; that eternity was approaching, and that she had no time to lose!

"There were seasons, some months before her death, in which she entertained a degree of hope in the mercy of God, through Christ: but these seasons were so interspersed with others, in which her spiritual views were interrupted, that she dared not believe herself a Christian: This darkness, however, subsided a few days before her death, and she possessed those consolations which the world can neither give, nor take away.

"The last night she lived, it was observed by one standing near her bed, that she smiled. When asked the occasion, she said, "it was because death appeared so near." She died in the full possession of her rational powers; in high hopes, and joyful expectations of the everlasting enjoy. ment of God!

"Let me intreat, then, the Brothers and Sisters, to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. Wisely improve the precious moments as they pass. In the decline and death of Delia, God is teaching you that the most favorable prospects are no security against the approach of the king of terrors; and in this event he is speaking to you, in a voice louder than thunder, to prepare immediately to die.

"When God speaks, do you hear. When God calls, do you answer. For he says, I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me."

Near Coosawhatchie, Dr. JOHN WITHER SPOON RAMSAY, eldest son of Dr. David Ramsay of Charleston, (S. C.) aged 30.

At Newbern, (N. C.) Mrs. HANNAH GASTON, wife of the Hon. William Gaston, Member of Congress, aged 27. This lady was so deeply affected by the news of the approach of the enemy, that she fell into convulsions and survived but 7 hours.

SIR,

TO ALEPH.

THE friends of the Institution, against which you object, hold themselves bound, in love to the Christian public, to give information of their proceedings and views, in a matter of this nature, and consequence, when they thus learn that their measures are ¡disapproved.

It will, therefore, be my first object, in undertaking their cause, to make to you a brief statement of facts.

In the year 1810, a Society was formed, in this district, and, on the 24th of June 1812, was organized under an act of incorporation, by the name of "The Society for Theological Education," not "Theological Society," as stated by a correspondent in

VOL. IX.

the Panoplist. The design of this body is to assist pious, promising, though indigent, young men, in preparing for the Gospel ministry. Our funds are the produce of our own annual subscriptions, and of contributions. We are confined to no particular method; but render pecuniary assistance to young men in prosecuting either their literary or theological studies, at academies, at Colleges, or with private ministers, as circumstances require. It is, however, a principle with us, that a collegiate education, though desirable, is not indispensable in qualifying a man for the ministry; especially in those new settlements, whose wants we have most in view.

We have done but little. Still we hope and believe that our labor will not be in vain in the Lord.

It has, however, been for some time the desire of this Society to attempt something more systematic and permanent with regard to the same object. We have wished to establish a Seminary.

The means of accomplishing the purpose have been wanting; and a plan for the school has not been fully matured. But a Board of Trustees were ap

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pointed June 24th, 1812, and the outlines of a plan adopted. The school is intended to afford the means of instruction to indigent students wholly or in part with out expense to them, as circumstances require; to comprise both literary and theological instruction; to give all the students at least what is termed an academical education; to receive into the theological department graduates from Colleges; to as sist, in their preparatory studies, such young men as prefer to enter a College, and have property to maintain themselves while there; to receive them a second time to prosecute a theological course; and not to refuse applicants who are not subjects of charity. This board, though first appointed by the society, is now independent of it; will

fill its own vacancies, and manage the concerns of the Semina ry without rendering account to

us.

The Society and the Seminary are therefore distinct, though aiming at the same object. The society patronize the school; and whenever it shall be established, engage to place their students in it, (except in particular cases,) "so long as the Instructors in said school shall maintain and teach the doctrines of grace." It is yet uncertain to mortals whether our wishes will ever be gratified in the establishment of the school. We have encountered some trials; the war has darkened our prospects exceedingly; our faith and patience are tried; yet we hope. Meanwhile the Society continue their exertions. Both the Society and the school are exposed, Sir, to your objections, both having the same object, and both

intending to introduce men into the ministry with acquirements which you deem insufficient.

I shall, therefore, state in the second place, the motives or reasons which have induced us to take these measures.

1. Notwithstanding all the present means of supply, there is a great want of ministers in the new settlements of this district. There are above 200 incorporated towns, besides many other settlements which are rap. idly advancing to that rank. Only seventy-five towns are supplied with Congregational or Presbyterian ministers. Of the vacant towns, 12 contain more than 1500 souls each; 31 between 1000 and 1500 each; 38 between 500 and 1000; 14 between 400 and 500; and 17 between 300 and 400; making 112 towns, each of which has more than 200 souls. In ordinary cases, 300; at most 400 souls, in a new settlement, would, if united, be able to support a preacher. This vast region, however, comprehending more than 110,000 immortal and precious souls, is destitute of any stated preaching, except by sectarians. Whatever regard we may have for such Baptists and others as preach essentially the truth; and whatever hope we may entertain of the good intentions of some others; it will be agreed in the present discussion, that sectarian preaching is generally illiterate, and unworthy of the servants of Christ, who has required that his stewards be well instructed into the things of the kingdom of God, and capable of bringing out of their treasures things new and old. This field then lies waste. Sectarians, have