Litchfield enquirer., 1830-09-09
MANUAL LABOR HIGH s c HI OOL, LITCHFTELD COUNTY.

nature ana design ot the above contemui l. fted Institution, beg leave to present the following statements.
 l And in this they wish it to be distinctly understood that the design is not sectarian nor is it designed to interfere with other established Seminaries of learning, or to impede the operations of any existing be- nevolent institution. This will be evident by the simple statement of the OBJECT, the MEANS, and ADVANTAGES of tie proposed Seminary.
 I. THE OBJECT. This, as it's name i'm ports, is to combine Manual Labor with Study; and thus afford facilities to young men of competent abilities and of good uoral character for qualifying themselves to enter College, teach School, or engage in other active employments. And while 1t is expected that indigent and pious young men will especially avail themselves of it's advantages in their preparation for the gos- pei ministry or general school instruction, it is intended that these advantages shall be equally open to dv whose talents and moral character entitle them to their reception.
 II. THE MEANS. II is manifest that an application to the enlightened and benevo- lent public for their cooperation must be the first step that can lead to any thing eff ficient or successful. It is proposed to raise the sum of SlO,OOO, in shares of $2O each, for the purpose of purchasing farm, erecting suitable buildings, and obtaining the requisite stock, furniture, utensils, Sc. the procuring of competent instructors, and a practical farmer to oversee the depart ment of labor, which are to be under the supervision of a Board of not more than nine nor less than five Trustees appointed by the stockholders. This is necessary to the commencement of its operations. It is confidently believed that the productive labor of the students themselves will to the institution, while the residue of expen- ses must be defrayed by the parents or guardians of the pu pills. The avails of from three to four hours labor per day ,judicious- ly directed, are much greater than would perhaps by many be anticipated. At si mlar institution in Whitestown, Oneida county. N. Y. the following statement is furnished :-" Thirty-three was about the average number of those boarded and em- ployed in the institution. From the com mencement of the spring to the close of the fall term, the whole amount of labor was 17,5O5 hours, for which they were allowed five cents per hour, or the sum of $S75 Al cents. This has in most cases paid their bill of board. In general they have shown perfect willingness, and we may add alac- rity, in performing the daily task of manual labor. It has been gratifying to see the growing interest which has apparently been felt in this department among the students" Their work shops for the winter have been of recent construction, but have already in- creased the profits of their labor. While the students have thus, to great extent, supported themselves by their own exer- tions, it has been found that the amount of labor does not retard their progress in study.
 TIT. THE ADVANTAGES. These are sum- marily included in the printed Report of Joint Committee of the two Consociations of Litchfeld County, the substance of which is as follows:
 1. It's assistance in supplying the aodnfs
 0f many portions of our country.
 Ttis obvious that whatever has tenden- cy to enlighten the understanding and purl- fy the morals of the community is highly beneficial. This, it is universally admitted, is the only safeguard of our republican l1I- sttutions. But nothing more efiectually secures this than an enlightened and rious ministry ,and competent instructors of com mon schools. The charitable education of pious young men, in direct reference to this object, has engaged the attention and enlis- ted the charities and prayers ot no small portion of the christian community for sev- eral years. It seems 10 have been admitted by general consent, that pious young men, l educated for the gospel ministry and for teachers of schools, must be. sent into the west and southwest of our extensive Re- public, or in less than fifty years the great CT part of our population will be under the deadly influence of principles hostile to the reformation and all the virtuous and civil institutions of free and enlightened peo- pie. The proposed institution will be all efficient auxiliary in supplying this increas- ing demand-because,
 2. It ,oiH bring into the feI of usetut-
 ness great increase of numbers.
 "It will bring forward young men of ge-
 nius and enterprise from the obscurlty o
 indulgence, and will induce plain men IT
 moderate circumstances to give their sons better education, and render them more
 useful" There are hundreds of virtuou' and promising young men, of limited pecu'
 n;arv resources, in our own little State
 whose modest independence will not per Al.