quire a knowledge of the arts and sciences, that they may be qualified
to engage in whatever profession their views and feelings shall dictate.
The funds of the University, according to a report of the Treasurer
in 18 ri, were over fifteen thousand dollars; and as the establishment
has, for some time past, supported itself, they are yearly accumulating.
The foundation for these funds was laid by the collections of Mor-
gan Edwards, Dr. Hezekiah Smith, and others. Two thousand dol-
lars of it were granted by Congress in consideration of the damages
the edifice sustained during the Revolutionary War. This grant was
obtained by means of John Brown, Esq. wno was at the time a Rep-
resentative from the State.*
Exclusive of these endowments is a foundation for a Professorship
f Oratory and Belles Lettres, which was laid in 1804, by Nicholas
Brown, Esq. in consequence of which the University received its
same.f This was at first five thousand dollars; in 1811 it had ia-
* For six years during the war, this Seat of the Muses became the Camp of
Mars ; that is.from December 1776 to June 1782, the college edifice was used,
by the French and American troops, for a hospital and barracks ; so that the
course of education was interrupted during that period. No degrees wtre cun-
lerred from 1776 to 1786.
t The institution had no specifick name previous to this period ; it had been cul-
Ictl Rhode-Hand College, the College at Provjder.ce, See. The privilege of
448 Literary Institutions , sV.
creased to dver seven thousand. A Professor is to be appointed when
the interest of this fund shall be sufficient to afford him a competent
salary.
This institution has had three Presidents. Dr. Manning, its foun-
der, held this office about twenty-five years. His character lias been
given in the biographical department.
Successor to him was Jonathan Maxcy, D. D. now President of
the College at Columbia, South-Carolina. He was born at Attlebo-
rough, Massachusetts, a few miles from Providence, 1768, was chosen
President of this institution soon after Dr. Manning's death, and held
the office about eleven years, when he was chosen President of Union
College, Skenectady, (New- York) where he officiated a few years before
his removal to his present situation.
Asa Mt-sser, D. D. LL. D. was elevated to the presidential chair
in 1802. He was born in Methuen, near Haverhill, Massachusetts,
1769, and was brought up under the ministry of the late Dr. Htze-
kiah Smith. He has now been in the University in different stations,
twenty-six years, that is, from the age of eighteen.
In speaking of the other literary institutions, which it. may be prop-
er to notice, we shall pursue the order) of the States, beginning with
The District of Maine.
In the winter of 1812, the Baptists in this District obtained of the
Massachusetts Legislature a grant of a township of publick unsettled
land, for the purpose of erecting a College. The township contains
over 20,000 acres, which it is expected will sell for as m;>ny thousand
dollars. This was a new thing under the sun, and is believed to have
been the first publick grant, that was ever made by any court or legis-
lature to our denomination. The Baptists, as citizens of the Com-
monwealth, had a righteous claim for their part of its publick proper-
ly; but their petition was much opposed, and it is doubted whether
it would have been granted, had it not been for the assiduous exertions
of Rev. Daniel Merrill, of Sedgwick, who was, at that time, a member
of the House of Representatives.
Sums of considerable amount had been subscribed towards this in-
tended College, before the grant was obtained ; but I do not learn
that much has yet been done towards setting it in operation.
Mr. Williams 9 s Academy.
In 1776, Mr. William Williams, pastor of the church in Wrentham,
Massachusetts, one of the first graduates of Brown University, open-
ed an Academy for teaching the Languages, Arts and Sciences, &c.
Mr. Williams has had over a hundred scholars under his tuition, most
of whom have finished their education at the University at Provi-
giving it a name was reserved for some generous benefactor. The sum had
never before been specified ; but at the date above mentioned, the Corpora-
tion fixed it ;it rive thousand dollars, which was immediately presented by
Mr. Brown, who conferred on the institution his own name.
Literary Institutions, &c. 449
dence. Among these students were President Maxcy, and the Hon.
David R. Williams, of South-Carolina. About twenty out of the
whole number, have become Baptist ministers, most of whom are yet
living. A tew have enicred the ministry in the Congregational connex-
ion, and most of the remainder studied physick or engaged in the law.
Mr. Eaton's Academy^ at Hopewcll, New-Jersey.
" Mr. Laton was the first man among the American Baptists, who
opened a school for the education of youth for the ministry." This
school was began in r 756, and closed in 1767. Towards the support
of it the churches in the Philadelphia Association raised a fund of
about four hundred pounds, which was afterwards mostly annihila-
ted by the ravages of continental money. Among the ministers who
received the rudiments of their education at this Academy, were
President Manning, Dr. Samuel Jones, Dr. Hezekiah Smith, Dr.
Isaac Ski.ll man, and Messrs. David Thomas, John Davis, William
William, Robert Keith, Charles Thompson, David Jones, John Sut-
ton, Dai'Id Sutton, James Talbot, John Blackwell, Joseph Powell,
William Worth, and Levi Bonnell.
A considerable number of his students engaged in the professions
of T in-sick <md law, and of this last class was Judge Howel of Provi-
dence, Rhode-Island.
Dr, Jones's Academy, at Lower-Dublin, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Jones, we have seen, was one of Mr. Eaton's students ; he fin-
nished his education in the College at Philadelphia, opened the Acade-
my in question in 1766, and closed it in 1794. The number of his
students amounts to 69 in all ; fourteen of them became Baptist preach-
ers. Dr. Jones, out of the abundance of his wealth, has, as he informs
me, resolved on leaving a thousand dollars in the hands of the trustees
of his church and congregation, with directions to apply the interest
towards educating young men, who are promising for the ministry.
Baptist Education Society of the Middle States.
THIS Society was formed at Philadelphia in 1812. "Its avowed
and explicit design is, with a divine blessing, the assisting of young;
men in obtaining such literary and theological aid, as shall enable
them, with greater ease to themselves and usefulness to the churches,
to fulfil the duties of the Christian ministry. Such persons only shall
be considered as eligible to the privileges of the society as are regular
members of Baptiit churches, and as have been licensed to the min-
istry, and are by the trustees of the society considered as possessing
t -.lents likely to contribute to ministerial usefulness." This society-
has collected funds to the amount of about fifteen hundred dollars.
Dr. Staughron, of Philadelphia, has been chosen tutor, and a small
class of young gentlemen of the character above described are study-
ing at his house. A building, suitable to the designs of this Society,
is in contemplation, and should the brethren of the Middle States
VOL. 2. -57
4,50 Education Funds.
make a liberal advance of the abundant means they possess, tins in-
stitution may prove a valuable acquisition to the churches, whose bene
fit it has in view.
Mr. Roberts'* Academy ^ at Sfatesburg, South-Carolina.
THIS seminary was opened in 1800. Some accounts of its students
will be given in the history of the Education Fund belonging to the
Charleston Association. Mr. Roberts is a graduate of Brown Uni-
versity, and was approbated as a preacher by the church in Provi-
dence.
Mount Emn Academy.
THIS Academy is not far from the city of Augusta, in Georgia, 149
miles from the Atlantick. It was begun about 1806, principally by
the exertions of Dr. Holcombe, now of Philadelphia, by whom collec-
tions to a considerable amount were made indifferent parts of the
State. This Academy is under the direction of a board of trustees,
who have obtained an act of incorporation. They have funds to the
amount of about three thousand dollars, besides unsold lots on Mount
Enon, supposed to be worth about a thousand dollars. The Presi-
dent of this institution ib Mr. Thomas H Dixon, the number of stu-
dents is about forty. Should the Georgia brethren increase in their
relish for literature, and contribute freely of their pecuniary means,
this seminary may, at some future day, arise into a College, according
to the original design of its founders.
Besides the Academies we have named, Mr. Stanford's in New-
York, Dr. Burgis Allison's of Bordentown, Mr. Nelson's at Mount
Pleasant,* and a number of others, have been conducted by Baptist
ministers, and in them many, who are now preachers of the denomi-
nation, received much literary assistance. Buildings have been erect-
ed for Academies at Westfield and Middleboiough, both in Massa-
chusetts, which have just began their operations.
Education Funds.
THE one belonging to the Charleston Association, on many accounts,,
demands our first attention.
" This institution, which has for < its object the gratuitous education
of pious young men for the ministry,' commenced in 1791. In con-
sequence of previous recommendation and arrangement by the Associ-
ation, nine churches, viz. Charleston, Ewhaw, WeLh Neck, Ebenezer,
High-Hills of Santee, Lynch's Creek, Cheraw Hill, Black Swamp, and
Luwer Fork of Lynch's Creek, sent delegates and contributions to the
annual meeting held that year at the Welch Neck. Mr. Furman was
chosen Chairman, and Mr. Holcombe, Clerk.
" A system of rules submitted to the Chairman was taken into con-
sideration, and underwent several amendments. The ratification was
deferred till the next meeting, and a proposition for the incorporation
* Ai this Academy the author began his classical studies, in 1P02.
Education Funds. 451
>
of the committee referred to the association for its concurrence. Mr.
Matthew M'Cullers was recommended by Mr. Holcombe as a candi-
date for the patronage of the Committee, examined and approved. The
Chairman was requested to contract for and superintend hi education.
A part of the money collected was appropriated to assist in the edu-
cation of the late Rev. Joseph Cook's son, who it was agreed should
afterwards be examined whether he came under the ' description of
persons to be benefited by this institution.' Mr. Cuttino of George-
town was requested to act as Treasurer till the next meeting.
"In 1792 the rules were re-considered, and after some further
amendments, ratified and signed. A petition to the Legislature for
incorporation was also signed, and committed to the Chairman to be
forwarded. It was accordingly presented and incorporation obtained.
A SUMMARY OF THE RULES.
" This Committee shall be known and distinguished by the name of
the General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Education Fund."
" Once a year, a Charity Sermon shall be preached in each church ;
at which time and place, collections shall be made from the congrega-
tion, and the money so collected, together with any donations or be-
quests received for the purpose, shall be applied towards forming and
supporting a fund, to assist pious young men, designed for the work
of the ministry, and destitute of other assistance, in obtaining educa-
tion ; together with such other religious and publick uses, as may be
approved by the churches, should the fund finally prove sufficient."
" A committee consisting of a delegate from each church, chosen
for the purpose, shall convene at the same time and place with the
Association. They may be members of that body, but invested with
distinct powers as members of the committee. They shall receive the
collections, determine on the manner of applying the fund, according
to the foregoing Rule, and examine candidates for the churches' boun-
ty. The management of the fund is exclusively invested in those
churches which contribute to it. The committee thus formed is to
Continue one year, or to continue till a new election. A President,
Secretary, and two Assistants, shall be annually chosen, and form a
select committee to transact, when the General Committee is not in
session, such business as the General Committee shall judge necessary."
" The President shall contract for the education ef such persons as
are taken on the churches' bounty, and the expenses consequent there-
on shall be paid by the Treasurer, on the President's written order."
" The Treasurer shall give bond to the President, in double the value
of all monies or specialties in- his hands."
" No person shall be admitted on the bounty, but such as come well
recommended, and appear, on examination, to be truly pious, of evan-
gelical principles, of good natural abilities, and desirous of devoting
themsslves to the work of the ministry. Each person so admitted,
shall be under the Committee, while pursuing a course of studies, ani
be liable to refund the money, expended on his education, within four
years after the completion of it, if he does not, within that time, enter
on the ministry to the satibfaction of the Committee. When there are
more candidates than can be received on the bounty, preference will
be given to those who are members of churches in this Association r
452 Education Funds.
>
secondly, to those who are most promising. If any person, while ob-
taining education under the patronage and direction of this body, shall
embrace principles subversive of the great truths of the gospel, or
abandon himself to an irreligious course ot life, he shall, on proper evi-
dence of the fact, and after suitable endeavours to reclaim him, if inef-
fectual, be dismissed."
" It shall be the duty of the Committee to use its best endeavours to
obtain and apply for the general benefit of the churches, all property
of the churches in this union, u'hen the said churches are become ex-
tinct, and the property liable to revert to the public k or become pri-
vate property. And in making such appropriations, they shall consult
the Association. The Committee shall have no power to interfere in
any concern of a church, either spiritual or temporal, where power is
not expressly delegated to them by the churches."
" Signed Nov. 7,1792, by Richard Furman, Henry Holcombe,
Edmund Botsford, Alexander Scott, Bradley Khame, Benjamin Mcse.
ly, Stephen Nixon, Isham Gardiner, James Sweat.
" Bitter the adoption of these rules, the following officers were cho-
sen Reverend Richard Furman, President ; Rev. Henry Holcombe,
Secretary ; Cci. Thomas Screven, Treasurer ; Messrs. Thomas Kiv-
ers, sen. and John Gourlay, Assistants.
" Agreeably to a resolve of the last year, Mr. Joseph B. Cook was
examined. He was regularly received on the establishment ; and in
the year following Mr. John M. Roberts. In 1794 they were ient to
Rhode-Island College, (now Brown University) where the latter
graduated in 1796, the former in 1797. Rev. Jesse Mercer, of Geor-
gia, was assisted, in 1792, with jT 10, and afterwards supplied with
books.
" In 1800, Mr. Sydenham Morton and Mr. William Jones were ad-
mitted, and placed at the Academy of Rev. Mr. Roberts, near State-
burg. The same year a legacy of 100 was left the fund by Mrs.
Prances Legare, a member of the independent or Congregational
church in Charleston.
" In 1 802 it was resolved to fix the period of students' continuing
at their studies, at the time of their admission.
"In 1803 Rev. Samuel Eccles was admitted, and Rev. Davis Col-
lins, who had been some time studying under the patronage of the
committee, retired. In this year a valuable library, consisting of
works of theology and general science, was purchased lor the use of
students, and deposited with the Rev. Mr. Roberts for that purpose.
Mr. Ezra Courtney, reccommended by the Ebenezer church, was ex-
amined and approved ; 100 dollars was voted for his use this year.
" In 1804 died Col. Screven, who, from the first choice of officers,
had acted as Treasurer. The Committee testified respect for his
memory, approbation of his conduct, and sorrow for the loss of " so
excellent a man, who did honour to his Christian profession, by a life
of eminent piety and extensive usefulness."
"In ioj, Mr. William T. Brautley, who had been studying at
Mr. Park's Academy, at JeiFer's Creek, was recommended by Mr.
Woods and Gen. Thomas ; on which it was agreed, that the expenses
of his education and board for the current year should be paid. Mr.
BraaUey was scon after examined in Charleston, by the Special Com-
Education Funds. 453
niittee ; approved, and placed under the care of Mr. Roberts. In
the course ot the year following he was admitted into the South-Caro-
lina College, where he graduated in 1808.
" Mr. Richard Todd, of Lune's-Creek church, was examined and
approved in i ^:o6. The thanks of the Committee were presented to
Rev. Mr. Roberts for his gratuitous instruction of the students, placed
under his care by the Committee.
" In 1808, Mr. James M'Kellar was examined as a candidate for
the churches' bounty, and unanimously approved.
14 In 1809, Messrs. Jesse Pope and John Ellis were admitted ; and
Mr. Belcher in 1810.
STATE OF THE FUND.
Dols. CtF.
" Contributions from the churches from 1791 to 1810 6831 : 63
Donation from the Religions Society - 161 : 61
Donation from individuals - - - 21 : co
Legacy by Mrs. Frances Legare - - - - 428:57
7450:81
Interest 10/9:21
" Expended in the purchase of a library, and in the edu-
cation, board, &c. of students
" Amount of the Fund in money, bonds, and notes,
Nov. 1810
" Besides the above amount are two tracts of land on Little
Pedee, the gift of Jeremiah Brown, containing together
near 2000 acres, and valued at upwards of
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE GEXKRAL COMMITTEE, FROM ITS FOR-
MATION.
" President, Richard Furman.
" Treasurers, Thomas Screven, William Inglesby, Henry Jones.
" Secretaries) Henry Holcombe, John Waldo, John M. Roberts.
" s!*sis(ants, Thomas Rivers, John Gourlay, John Hart, Henry In-
glesby, William Ingle^by, David Adams."*
By the Minutes of this Association for 1811, it appears there were
received for this fund for that year, 436 dollars. In 1812, the collec-
tions amounted to 292 dollars. The receipts for this year I have not
learnt, as the Minutes have not yet come to hand.
The Philadelphia Association, as we have seen, began to raise a
fund for the assistance of promising young men, <Scc. about half a
century ago. In 1 763, Mis. Elizabeth Hobbs bequeathed to this fund,
or to the Association by whom it was managed, three hundred and
fifty pounds. Fifty more pounds were raised probably by contribu-
tion, and a number, whose names I have not obtained, were assisted by
it. Had it not been for what Edwards calls the Tempera of the war,
and the Mores of continental money, this fund, in 1790, would have
* Furman's History of the Charleston Association, p. 44 51.
4o4 Education Funds.
amounted to eight hundred pounds.* What remains of it, which is a
little over a thousand dollars, will probably he used as an auxiliary to the
Education Society already described.
About 1791, a proposition was laid before the Warren Associa-
tion for raising a fund for the same purpose as the others we have
mentioned. The mearure was approved of, but not much appears to
have been done until two years after, when the parrons of the under-
taking obtained an Act of Incorporation.
By bequests, donations, and contributions, &c. this fund has been
augmented to about three thousand dollars : it is nominally more,
but it is doubtful whether some notes will be collected. A thousand
dollars of this fund came from the late Richard Devens, E^q. a mem-
ber of Dr. Morse's church in Charlestown, the same liberal gentleman
who gave so much to our Missionary Society. Generous donations
have also been made to this institution by Nicholas Brown, Esq. of
Providence, Col. Dana, of Newton, Dea. Goodwin, of Charlestown,
Ebenezer Seccomb, Esq. of Salem, and many others. The names of
those who have been assisted by it, are Joshua Bradley, Thomas Rand,
Jeremiah Chaplin, Nathaniel Kendrick, David Curtis, Thomas Power,
Charles Wheeler, Samuel Glover, George Phippen, David Pease, and
Joseph Bailey, all of whom, except the two last, finished their educa-
tions at Providence. Messrs. Power, and Bailey have engaged in sec-
ular pursuits ; the other ten are acting a respectable part in the Chris-
tian ministry. Although the dividends of this fund have not been
great, yet they have afforded peculiar assistance to those above named
towards defraying the expenses of their education. Elijah F. Willey
and Herbert Marshall, now members of Brown University, are under
its patronage.
A few years since, Levi Peirce, Esq. of Middleborough, presented
to the Trustees of this fund an Academy, which he had built at his
own expense. It stands near his house, at a place called the Four
Corners, is 50 feet by 30, two stories high, and with the lot on which
it stands cost about 2500 dollars. This liberal gentleman has given
assurances of endowing this Academy with 2000 dollars, should the
patrons of the fund and the brethren generally make exertions to for-
ward his design. It is hoped that other funds will be added to the
princely endowment contemplated by this distinguished benefactor ;
that a library will be collected, and things set in order, that \e may
have just what we want, viz. an Institution where brethren, who are
not under circumstances to go the whole round of classical studies^
may devote to literary pursuits what time they can spare.
* Materials towards a History of the Baptists in Xe\v-Jersey, p. 47 49.
General Observations, &c. 455
CHAP. XX.
{General Observations, Miscellaneous Articles, &c.
THIS chapter will not be so lengthy as was expected, since many
tjf the observations and article^ which it was to contain, have been
anticipated in the preceding narratives.
M >rgan Edwards, about forty years ago, observed that the Bap.
lists were more agreed as to the credendl than the agenJl of their order ;
that is, they were more united in their doctrinal sentiments, than hi
modes of practice. At present there is some diversity on both of
these points. Bur when we consider that they are spread over an ex-
tent of country more than two thousand miles in length, and from
five hundred to more than a thousand in width ; that they have
rapidly increased from a small community to a numerous host j that
among them are persons from almost every nation in Europe, and
from nearly every religious persuasion in Christendom ; that they are
not hound to subscribe to any Articles or Confessions ; that every
church is a distinct, independent body, governed by its own laws and
amenable to no foreign tribunal ; that they admit of no dictating sy-
nods, nor controlling assemblies ; I say, when all theie things are con-
sidered, instead of being surprized at any diversity in smaller matters,
it is rather a subject of wonder that there is such an agreement in
their doctrinal views, and such a correspondence in their maxims and
modes of procedure.
It must be understood, that the observations we are here making,
regard the Associated Baptists, and those, who are in communioa
with them. The minor sects of baptized believers, have been describ-
ed under their respective heads.
Throughout America and in England and its dependencies, the
Baptists form but one body. A brother from the farthest churches
on the American continent, or from the rejnotest part of the British
dominions, need only produce a certificate of his regular standing,
to be admitted to the communion and fellowship of any church where
his lot may be cast. And by messengers from one Association to anoth-
er, by the interchange of minutes, by epistolary communications, &c.
there is a correspondence constantly maintained throughout tnis wide
connexion.
There is, generally speaking, a great similarity of manners among
all the churches on the American continent ; and the same, I con-
clude, may be said of them elsewhere; yet there are some differences
arising from local habits, and from that cameleon disposition of taking
the colour of the nearest object. In many parts of the New-England
States, there is a dull, unammating manner, among both ministers and
private Christians, which they seem to have borrowed tronj their