Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-07-31
RICHMOND. JUN IN. I95I-
TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER
| Genaemen--l have perused with emotions
| oil sorrow and surprise, the address contained
inthe Enquirer fast Friday, signed "a DIS
sENTING FARMER" The Theological School,
which the Convention of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church contempates establishing in
Williamsburg, he considers to be opposed to
the equal rights OF our citizens and calls
upon the public to withhold their assistance
from the friends of the institution
from the tenor of the address alluded TO-,
an lnattentlve observer might he led TO believe,
that the teacher of Theology who perhaps
may be located in Williamsburg, will be con-
nccted with the College and derive part of
ms support from the funds belonging to that
institution. The Circular, which has been
published by the trustees of the school, CON
talns an application to the friends of the Epis-
copal Church for money, with which TO sup
port the teacher of Theology, and TO delray
the expenses of such pious, INDECENT young
men, as may he disposed to prepare for holy
orders fact which proves incontroverliby,
| mat the school expects no pecuniary aid
from the College, but will depend altogether
upon the assistance it may derive from the
benevolent.
| 1t is true, that the Professors of William
ana Mary, except in one instance, have indi-
cidudty promised to instruct the candidates
for holy orders, in those branches of science
they teach, Tree of all charge; and that the
students of divinity shall have the benefit of
reading such Theological works. as are CON
tanned in the college library Can such a pro-
| ceedlng be construed into an invasion of the
rights OF other denominations Shall the
fplscopal Church be prevented from locating
ther Theological Seminary in Williamsburg.
because other societies will not adopt a similar
measure Shall the Professors be prevented
from teaching the students of Theology. be-
longing to the Church, gratis, because there
are no students OF other denominations TO
share their berality?
| it Is proper for me to observe, that the
Episcopal Clergy and all the members of the
Church, are the decided friends of true Philo-
sophy. They are sensible that some of the
greatest Philosophers have been the greatest
christians, and it is from sincere wish that
the divlnes of the Episcopal Church may oh
tam those aids which Science and Philosophy
are calculated to produce, that we have called
upon the public To assist us in the education of
plons and INDECENT young men.
The opportunities of obtaining Theological
information by the students of divinity i'm the
Episcopal Church, has hitherto, been very cir
cunlscrbed. We are all sensible of the fact.
and most sincerely DESTROYS to see the evil re-
iheuieu. we have therefore adopted the plan
| f'Sfo"'N IA oui SHCuidT, us Ille one winch
promises the greatest benefit. We claim no
exclusive right TO the attention of the profess
sors. we claim no exclusive right TO the H.
orary but when the Professors, with a
generosity which does them honor, offer
us their help, and when the books are
Wondering upon the shelves for want of
use, we think that the youth of VirgI-
MIA, have legitimate right to the succor
winch may be derived from William and Ma
ry, and also TO accept the instruction of the
faculty. The Professors are appointed for
the instruction OF the young, and the books
were gwen for the same purpose, and lament
that there should be a man in existence. who
for moment could feel disposed to deprive
the INDECENT of privilege, thus placed within
their reach
Ii has been suggested by the" DISSENTING
FARMER" that the plan is inconsistent with
the 18th acticlc OF the bill of rights. That this
cannot be the case am well assured, having,
received from one of the Judges of the Court
OF Appeals, letter approving our PLAN and
requesting me TO direct MIR. Nelson to call up
ON INN for his contribution, toward SO lau-
dable an institution"
That the public may be fully acquainted
with the merits of the school i'm question. |
have subioined to the above observations. ihe
| proceedings of the last Convention relative
to the subject by which it will appear evil
dent that the Governors or Visitors of VIM.
and Mary have nothing to do with the appoint
ment or support of the Theological Teacher ;
but that the power TO make the appointment,
and the weight OF his support centers in the
Convention of the Church, and i'm that alone.
have drawn up the above statement, in
order TO furnish the public with Just view
OF the Theological School, and trust that
have fulfilled the duty without dropping an
expression calculated to injure the feelings of
any person.
EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAST
/ ~ EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
The Report of the Committee on the state of the
Church, was on motion, taken up, and again read as
follows ' '
The Committee on the state of the Church. taking
into consideration the deficient condition of the
| Diocese as respects the means of Theological In
stiucton and the Importance of retaining among orr
serves Tor Education, those young men who may be
disposed TO devote themselves the sacred office OF
ihe ministry, recommend to this Convention the es-
adjustment OF Theological School in Williams.
Durg II being understood that the society of the Col
ege IN that place is willing that such step should
be taken and that the faculty have generously offered
to afford, gratuousy,o all boa fe students of Thelo
gy course OF lectures, for the support such school
II IS therefore recommended that a board of Trus
tees, consisting of the following Clerpvmcn and Law
men, to wlt--the Right Rev. Bishop Moore the Re
yerend John ,. Rayenscroft, the Rev. William III
winner, the Reverend William Meade the Reverend
Reue Keith and Doctor Augustine Smith the Ionora
bic Burwell Bassett, the Honorable Bushrod Wash
ingon, Colonel Hugh Mercer and William MAYO ESQ
any thiee oil whom, shall constitute quorum, be ap
pointed to adopt the most efficient means for establish
ing the same, by raising funds, and selecting one OF
more Professors; the proceedings Of which Board
shall be subject 70 the decision of the next Conyen
ton
is also recommended, that the Board Of Trustee,
enter into correspondence with the Standing
Committees of the Dioceses of Mary land and NorrI