The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-03-18
MISCELLANY.
| From the Bangor Register.
BANGOR THEOLOGICAL LNSIIY'UTTO.N


BANGOR THEOLOGICAL LNrSIIYUTTO.M
Mr.. Editor-As several communications have been
received, BY the instructors in the Institution al BAN
gor from gentlemen in different parts Of the country
requesting information relative to the state of this
Seminary It's presumed that, by giving the following
statement place IN your paper, you will crafty
some OF your readers.
This Institution Incorporated by the Legislature
OF Massachusetts. in 1914 In 1916 went into oper-
alton at Hampden. on the Penobscot River In 1919
It was removed from Hampden, aud permanently To-
Gated al Bangor.
The literary qualifications for entrance are knowl-
edge oil the English Grammar common Arithmetic
four books Of Virgils Ened four Orations of Cicero
against Catalina III Latn and the four Evangelss in
Greek There are, however, exceptions in exraordin-
airy cases. Testimonials required of Christian
character and promising natural talents and likewise
el idenCe Of indulgence in order to receive charity
The term for regular education in this Institution is
fouryears. The course Of study in Classical Litera-
ture IS the same, III general, is pursued in the
Colleges and Universities in this country. Through
the whole term particular reference is had TO the es-
sentia qualifications Of good minister and in the
two last years. special attention is given systematic
Theology, and the composition and delivery Of SER
mons.
Pious young gentlemen. who have rec. Ned b cole
gal education may be admitted 10 study Theology in
this Seminary, and remain one years, as their
circumstances may render eXpedeut. All Theologi-
cal students receive instruction grauitously and such
further aid from the funds be given. and the
circumstances OF individuals may render necessary.
Twelve young men have Enished their course Of
studies this Seminary, aud preachers Of the gos-
pei. 1t is expected thai six will receive license
to preach in few weeks. The whole number of the
present members IS twenty seven. Tie greater part
of them benehciaries.
The benevolent exertions Of few individuals. A..
tended by the smiles of a merciful God, were the
means of the establishment Of this Seminary. The
destitute of many thousands Of their fellow be-
ngs around them, excited their pity, their prayers and
their efforts. They were convinced that unless extra
ordinary means used to educate pious young
men for the ministry, generation after generation
would lie without instruction that neglect those
who were ready TO perish until ministers OF tile nigh
est qualifications could be furnished from older Theo
logical Semnaries, would be to neglect their duty 10
God and the souls of their fellow men, until death
would place multitude OF unbelievng parents with
their unenghtened and impenitent ffsprng, beyond
the reach OF divine mercy,
The patrons Of this Institution do not undervalue
thorough education, would they diminish the num-
Der Of those who may find it convenient 10 pzrsue a
nine years course of study. and 10 meet the expense
OF sucn a course. But they would patronise pious
young of talents, whose hearts fixed upon the
ministry and who, considering their age and circum-
stances, think that nine years is too long time for
them TO spend in preparing TO preach the gospel and
that the expense Of such course is not necessary
for them. But should this Institution be the means Of
preventing some from going TO College, and of their
engaging tile ministry after studying five years in
stead d nine, would the of Christ he injured by
this 1t is probable that two may be educated at
Bangor, in five years for sum. not larger than would
be necessary 10 educate at other Institutions ID
nine years. In this case there would be two pTepaT-
cd to begin their labor in the ministry in hye wears
instead OF one IN nine years, and the Two former will
each of them, have lahol ed four years making eight
years labouT, before the latter i'll be prepared to
begin his work and should they all three live and be
able 10 preach twenty years from the time that the
latter viii be prepared TO begin, the church will have
received from the two former weight years ser
wee, and from the latter only twenty. Now, it is
possible that the twenty years service of the one on
account OF his better education would be as useful 10
the church, as the forty-eght years service Of the
two How ought the almoneTs of the public charity
to view this subject and, considering the present
pershng state Of the destitute. and the immediate call
for ministers, would not those who contribute ANIMAL
y for tine education Of pious young men for the minis
try do more good to the cause OF Zion. were thev 10
appropriate part of their charity 10 The support or
pious young men at the Bangor Seminary
il is hoped that the friends Of Zion will not withhold
cuniary aid from this Institution through fear Of in
JuEns the cause, by encouraging young men to engage
in the ministry without sufficient education. The
time and means OF acquiring literary and theological
education at this seminary probably equal TO those
enjoyed BY considerable part of the respectable and
useful ministers in our country. Is il necessary that
all CHRISTIAN ministers should possess high attachments
in ancient Literature and biblical criticism Ii is very
important that should be as learned as the most
subtle opposers of christianity. But do ministers in
general find 1t necessary make frequent use of cti-
cal learning in preaching the gospel? Is dspay.of
Learning the means by which serious and solemn
preachers make deep aud lasting impressions on the
minds of their hearers' Does the interest Of Gods
kingdom require that pious young men shall receive
charity TO aid them in their preparation for the minis
try unless they will devote sufficient time for the high
est atainments in learning, before they begin hai.
great woIk.