Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-31

Seminary ollie Protestant Episcopal Chuc Oh in
Tnginia, to ITS friends and supporters.
DEAR BRETHREN:
The undersigned having received at your
hands the care of an institution vitality impor-
tant to the interests Of religion and the Church
in thar section of country; which comes within
its influence, and being bound TO leave no means
untried which may give the most effrctual agen-
cy 10 il, are constrained to make another appeal
10 your zeal and generosity in behalf of our
Theological Seminary at Alexandria.
II must be well known 10 those whom we adj
dress, that this institution for some years past
has had its location in the town OF Alexandria,
where the Professors and students have resided
in private families. To those who are at all
acquainted with Literary and Theological insti
tutons, it is needless to say any thing as 10 the
many disadvantages Of such location. To
those who have no such acquaintance, the board
would briefly state, that During the few years of
the operation Of our Seminary in lis present ST.
tuation, we have become fully satisfied that ma
ny and unavoidable evils and Inconvenience
must attend its location in any such place, and
that it is the duty of its friends 10 make an i'm.
mediate and vigorous effort for its removal.
Among the objections 10 its present location
may be mentioned the increased expense ofliv-
course between the students aud professors,
of observing slric, regularity as 70 the times Of
meeting for recitation and religious exercises;
the various interruptions 10 which both profess
sors and students are liable; AID other circum-
stances unravorable to the prosecution of study
and the successful cultivation of the divine life
within the soul
To avoid these, and to attain many and great
advantages, the prote ,sors, students, and other
friends, have for some lime been persuaded OF
the disturbances Of an establishment a, con
venien, distance from the town, which should
be entirely devoted to the accommodation oi all
with the institution. Although this
has been the opinion cormed xexpressed to the
board from year to year, by those Iestqdalihed
10 judge,vet were the trustees unwilling TO take
any step in so important business without the
most mature deliberations; or TO make any new
calls upon its friends without the most assured
conviction Of It's necessity. Having thus deli
bera:ed, and being thus assured, we can no lon
ger delay TO present this important object be-
fore those TO whom we may with propricty and
confidence appeal.
AT late meeting Of The board in Fredericks-
burg, at The time Of our state convention, 1t
was unanimously resolved TO purchase, in the
neichborhood Of Alexandria, but within the
state of Virginia, suitable situation, and TO
erect al! the necessary buildings for The Semi
nary A committee having been appointed Tor
tina, purpose, repaired 10 Alexandra on the
Goth Of June, and after some days spent III VI
sting the most eligible situations in the viclni.
~, and consulting together as to the duty en-
trusted 10 them, has performed that duty IN
such manner as il is confidently believed VIII
give satisfaction to all our friends, aud secure
the permanency and prosperity Of the ins'isu-
ZION. A purchase has been made within two
and half miles Of Alexandria, of one OF the
most convenient, he alihy and beautiful situa-
tons in all that region. II Is in full view OF Al
tx andria, Washington, the heights oil George
town, the Potomac river, and large extent OF
The surrounding country. II is far enough from
Alexandria TO avoid the inconvcnienclea above
mentioned, but near enough TO receive most oil
the conveniences OF town. 1t contains about
sixty acres of land, the larger half Of which is
cleared, and divided INFO handsome lots, whlch
have been carefully Improved by the late owner;
the remainder is in wood. A new and very
commodious brick house, amply sufficient Tor
prore ssor's family, with all the needlul build
ings and conyeniencies, are already upon the
farm. A house only is wanted for the residence
Of the students, to enable the institution TO SO
into full operal ion the ensuing fall, and that is
already in progress, with every prospect OF
comple,ion I'm due time In such situation as
this, which, with the neighborhood around II,
has long been resor, for health and comfort
during the summt :, our professors and students
NAV continue through the year, and not be drl'
ven away by the distress OF heat or the apprs-
hension of sickness
The object Of this address is to inform our
friends and the members Of the church general
" of VIVA, has been done, and to call upon them
10 render US hat pecuniary assistance which is
indispensable to NEE, the engagements ih'o
which we have entered. For the farm ana
buildings thereon we have engaged to pay the
sum of FIVE thousand dollars. What may be
required for the Seminary house and o'mer
buildings, which, though not absolutely neediui
At This lime, form par, Of the plan, and ought
10 be erected as soon practicable, it Is I'M
possible TO say, But it must be evident thar no
;nconsidersble sum will be needed, and that our
,ve,,,b;er friends will here find an interesting
object for the exercise Of their generosity.
Trivial indeed is the SUM ever deman"ed ior =
with fhp OF