The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-06-04
Rev. John codman,s corresponding

Rev. John Goldman, corresponding secretary.
 MT. Aaron P Cleveland, treasurer.
 Deacon John E. Tyler auditor.
 Directors
 Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, D. D,
 Rev, Abial Holmes, D. D..
 Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D.
 Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D. D.
 Rev. Joshua Bates.
 Rev. Brown Emerson.
 Rev. Asa Eaton.
 The society thus organized was legal ly incorporated December 4, 1916.
 The state of feeling as to the inpor- tance of the work proposed by the so- ciety was indicated by the tenor of the opening sermon by Dr. Pearson.
 It was devoted in considerable part to statistical exhibit of the country's condition as to the supply of the min- istry.
 The preacher affirmed that in the nine western states and territories there was a population of 1,07S,S ,S15, among whom, all told, there were but 116 ministers; thus leaving, at the rate of one minister for 1000 people, 962,S15 inhabitants in that vast district desti- ute of a regular ministry. On the same principle he also affirmed that there were 2,071, ,670 similarly destitute in the southern states, 1,S63,945 in the middle states, and 1, ,471, ,670 even in New England. Or, as presented in the sum- mary, out of $500, 900, the entire popula- tion of the United States and territories at that time, 6500, 900 were destitute of an educated ministry In view of this, it was the solemn declaration of the preacher that in the whole Christian world there is not another country, con- taining one-fourth part as many innab- itants, so deplorably destitute of relig- ious instruction as the people of the United States"
 Under the impulse of such conviction there could have been no delay in en- tering vigorously upon the work for which the society was founded. During | the first eleven months S4,000 for ipne- diate use were raised by solicitation amongst the churches and forty voung g men of hopeful piety,' belonging to | different states between Nova Scotia i and the Mississippi territory, were un- | der assistance in different seats Of l learning.
 The second report of the society l showed the existence of wide and 1 generous enthusiasm for the cause. l Auxiliary soceties of young and old were formed in many counties in Mas i sachusetts and other New England states. Special praying circles, reading circles and cent societies came into be- i ing for the promotion of the object, and l the poor as well as the rich gave with l willing hearts. In one case there was an entry in behalf of the cause of a 1 pair of gold earrings equal to $t.25; !" 1 in another, "a string of gold beads equal to S7;" and still another, "s2 from two young ladies at school out of their i pin money
 l Information aud interest concerning the work were promoted not merely by the circulation of printed matter, but by the personal voice and labors of competent and faithful agents of the ] society. In many instances services of 1 this character were voluntarily render ed by some of the most distinguished | ministers and professors of the land. ! Thus Dr. Ebenezer Porter while on a i visit to the south gave many weeks to ! the presentation, among the churches of South Carolina and Georgia, of the