Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-06-27

presence Of this church is the best safe
guard OF nations, and it's growth and sta
bility the surest pledge Of their prosperity
and strength. IL has pleased God to place
an important section of this his church in
our favored land; and whether as chris
tians or as patriots we have deep concern
in whatever effects its welfare.
OF the church of God in these United
States, tba. portion under the care of the
General Assembly, constitutes large and
10 every point Of view highly important
part. Extending already over almost eve
~ portion Of the Union, and going on to
increase with rapidly continually aug
nenting, it presents TO the contempiative
mind spectacle of the deepest interest,
add 10 the christian heart an object of the
most solemn and SOLICITORS regard.
From the general view Of the state of
our church presented 10 the Assembly at
IFS present meeting, We perceive that the
numbers within its communion are increas-
ing daily. Eutire churches, and that in
large numbers, are yearly added TO those
already formed while, at the sane time,
these latter have in some cases more than
doubled the number Of their members
within single year. We are gratified to
observe growing attachment to Presby-
terrain church government: and We rejoice
10 believe that this has been produced by
the benign influence Of that fosa1.af govern
ment on the preservation OF order and
peace, and its happy adaptation to the
genius and habits of the American people.
The evidences Of ministerial fidelity ADD
zeal exhibited by the state of our congre-
cations generally,. afford an encouraging
ground Of hope for The interests of truth
and righteousness Throughout our land.
But what greatly strengthens that hope,
and gives it the aspect OF moral certainty,
is .heezzaaeepp and general a.icsion which
begins TO pervade the church on the sub
ject Of ministerial education. Christians
are at last awaking to that vital interest OF
gospel truth. the providing and perpetual
ting ia the church $50 far as this belongs
10 human means) of a well furnished and
able ministry. Societies with this design
are formed, or forming, in every part Of
our connection. the hand ef encouragement
hegins to be extended 10 youthful piefy
and ardour; and manga mind of genius
and power which would have been utterly
lost to the church's service is now rescued
from ignorance and obseurity, and rapidly
fitting for the most ifspSrtasAt stations 10.
her public veal. Our seminary at Prince
ton has numbered within the past year
seventy students, and many more are in
training throughout the church with an
ultimate view OF entering that seminary
exhibits whatever OF piety and of promise
its most ardent friends could reasonably
expect, and the students who have gone
forth from it have already proved blessings
to the church. The Education Society
in the western Presbyteries of New York.
and the General Board of Education or
ganized under the inspection of the Gene
raj Assembly, have eminentiy contributed
to the furtherance of this sacred cause !:
while the outpouring Of the Holy Spirit
on more than one of our colleges gives
cheering evidence that it is cause which
receives the notice aud enjoys the smiles
Of lions King. Ia Union College from
Twenty-Five to thirty students have within
The year become the hopeful subjects Of
converting grace: In the college of Athens
10 Ohio, twelve have been added to the
number before pious, making that number
upwards of thirty: Hamilton College con
tains fifty young men who are supposed
by its President to be religiousiy impress
ed: and We are happy to learn from GU
eastern brethren, that Dartmouth COLLEGE
exhibits much seriousness, aud that il
Williams College more than one half o
the entire number of its members are pre-
pairing TO enter on theological studies.-
Among this extensive corps of the futur
servants of the Cross, lei us not forge
about thirty students 10 the Mission Schoo
at Cornwall, 10 Connecticut, and seven il
the African School at Parsipany. 10 New
Jersey the former are children of variou
heather countries, the gift of very mark
ed and affecting providence to the chris
tians of America, and are destined to re
turn TO the shores and TO the forests iron
which they wandered, richly laden will
good for their native land; the latter ar,
descendants Of Africa, and hope one da,
to bring to their much injured mother
| with the tears and confessions of America
her offering Of recompense in the gospe
of the Son Of God.
But beside education directly minister
al, the Assembly are rejoiced to observ,
that religious instruction 10 general con
tinues to be increasingly provided for tn,
youth Of the church, Bible classes ar,
multiplying, and can never multiply TO,
much; while Sabbath schools, one of thu
happiest inventions of the age, are every