The Portland gazette., 1819-03-09

ed, that il does not II is believed, that ID
the present state Of the country, it is not ex
pedient 10 attempt the establishment Of two
considerable universities in the District OF
Maine. Every consideration then, Of econo-
my, and ofpublic good, requires, that The pub
lie funds destined TO that object should be con,
centrated in one nourisbing institution, and
not be divided between two that are ineffi
cient Where there is one large united fund
the instructors ale usually better selected
and being associated, the students meeting
them in one place have supeEgr advantages
to what they could have, if he instructors
were divided between two institutions. Bat
your committee learn from numerous peti
tons. presented in aid of the institution. under
consideration, that the object Of the petition
ers i 10 establish an institution, particularly
for the benefit of one denomination of chris
tians. viz. Tie Baptists. This denomination
il certainly entitled to public respect, on ac-
count OF its numbers, aud the character ofma-
nv, who bear its name and may always be
assured Of the equal protection which The con-
sliiution extends to all orders OF christians
But il is not permitted, by that constitution,
nor conformable TO the usages Of our govern
ment. that distinction should be made be-
tween different classes Of citizens, nor that a
preference should be given 70 one denomina-
ton Of christians. over another. Next to the
persecution of any sect, would be the evil Of
making an invidious discrimination between
christians. and patronizing one, to the excu
sion of another While, therefore, the Leg
stature viii not withhold from the petitioners
rights. equal to other orders, they cannot ad-
nit their claim TO greater.
The practice of our government has been
uniformly regulated by these principles. The
University established by our ancestors has
had its doors constantly open for the free ad-
mission Of christians Of every name. The
object of its pious founders was 70 inculcate
true piety and good learning; but not To take
side in controversies on the minor points
which distinguished different classes Of chris.
tians This object your committee behave
has been conscientiously pursued by the gov
ernment of that University. In illustration
Of the catholic spirit, which has there prevail
ed, it is worthy ofremark, that the foundation
for the professorship Of divinity, was there laid
bv Mr. Hollis, Baptist. and that the first
professor, appointed aoith has opProbation, was
a congregational clergyman
The committee believe that, as the other
two Colleges were established Cr the general
good, SO The impartial disposition Of the Leg.
islaure has not been frustrated by their res
pective governments. Freedom from reli-
gous restraint, liberty of free inquiry, and
equal aids in the discovery Of truth, have,
your Committee believe, been afforded by
them 10 all christians, ,ndiscriminately Should
however, there be any reason 10 complain Of
abuses on these subjects, and should it appear
that equal privileges are actually withheld
from Bapists, it is proper to take measures
for correcting such abuses, but not to sanction
them by the public endowments OF an institu-
ton which is avowedly to practice on the
same principles of exclusion, complained Of
in Others.
Your committee. in conclusion, remark,
that it has not been, and ought not to be,
the policy Of government to endow religious
Institutions and SO far from giving prefer
ence to one denomination over another, the
institution at Andover was not permitted TO
receive additional prlpate funds but on con-
dition that no such preference should he toll
Grated by said institution If there is any
thing which can be entrusted TO private mu
nifcence, it is certainly the support Of estab
lishments, which interest most powerfully,
(particularly if they have a sectarian charac-
ter) the strongest passions Of the heart.
Should, however, The Legislature now estab
lish a precedent of such poIiry, it is not diff
cult TO anticipate the consequences. It would
be impracticabe and unjust TO refuse appIi-
cations FROM AL the different orders of chris
tians, from every part Of The State, for the
same degree Of patronage The Treasury
would he exhausted long before tlis new spe
cies Of demand upon It would be satisfied.
Your committee, therefore, are Of opinion,
that il is inexpedient TO grant the prayer Of
the petitioners and that they have leave to
withdraw their petition.
DUDLEY L. PlCKMAN, Per Order.
Dedication Of Freeport clearinghouse,
On Thursday, the 25th ult. the new Meeting
house in Freeport was solemnly dedicated to the
service Of Almighty God.-The consecratng
PRAYER was made by Rev. Doct. Appleton-The
concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Mitchell, of
Waldoboro-The services were highly gratifying
to large and respectable audi tory.
TO THE PUBLIC.
THE Committee for rebuilding the Meeting
house in Frpeport lately destroyed ~ fire, on be
half Of the first parish in that town, acknowledge
the receipt cf f,centg faco hundred and nineigfre
dollars md fifth fire cents from public contributions