THE DIRECTORS

OF THE

PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING,

HELD IN THE

WITH THE CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE SOCIETY.

BOSTON:

PRINTED BY PERKINS & MARVIN.

1840.

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Reprint and digital file December 9, 2000.

This document was scanned from an original copy of the American Education Society’s Quarterly Register, which served as a digest of the diverse facets in American Education and its outflowing effects worldwide. The society was comprised of leading Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Princeton Alumni, and served to promote the work both in the U.S. and abroad for educating the people in the Reformation’s worldview of the Bible serving as the only infallible rule of life, which, of course, was the purpose for which these schools were founded.

HON. SAMUEL HUBBARD, LL. D., PRESIDENT

WILLIAM BARTLETT, ESQ., VICE PRESIDENT.

Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, LL. D. Sharon, Ct.

Rev. ASHBEL GREEN, D. D., LL. D. Philadelphia.

Rev. JEREMIAH DAY, D. D., LL. D. Pres. Yale College.

Rev. ELIPHALET NOTT, D. D., LL. D. Pres. Union College.

Rt. Rev. ALEXANDER V. GRISWOLD, D. D. Boston.

Rev. JOSHUA BATES, D. D. Middlebury.

Rev. HENRY DAVIS, D. D. Clinton, N. Y.

Rev. DANIEL DANA, D. D. Newburyport, Ms.

Rev. WILLIAM ALLEN, D. D. Northampton, Ms.

Rev. NATHANAEL EMMONS, D. D. Franklin, Ms.

Rev. JAMES RICHARDS, D. D. Prof. Theol. Seminary, Auburn.

Rev. LYMAN BEECHER, D. D. Pres. Lane Seminary.

Rev. HEMAN HUMPHREY, D. D. Pres. Amherst College.

Rev. NATHAN LORD, D. D. Pres. Dartmouth College.

Rev. FRANCIS WAYLAND, D. D. Pres. Brown University.

Rev. LEONARD WOODS, D. D. Prof. Theol. Seminary, Andover.

Rev. JAMES M. MATTHEWS, D. D. New York.

Rev. SERENO B. DWIGHT, D. D. New Haven, CL

Rev. JOSEPH PENNY, D. D. Pres. Hamilton College.

Rev. JOHN WHEELER, D. D. Pres. University of Vermont.

Hon. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, LL. D. Chanc. N. Y. Univ.

Rev. ROBERT H. BISHOP, D. D. Pres. Miami University.

Rev. GEORGE E. PIERCE, D. D. Pros. Western Reserve College.

Rev. BENNET TYLER, D. D. Pros. Connecticut Theol. Institute.

Rev. ENOCH POND, D. D. Prof. Theol. Seminary, Bangor.

Rev. EDWARD BEECHER, Pres. Illinois College.

Rev. JUSTIN EDWARDS, D. D. Pres. Theol. Seminary, Andover.

Rev. THOMAS McAULEY, D. D. New York.

Rev. BROWN EMERSON, D. D. Rev. RALPH EMERSON, D. D.

Hon. SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG. Rev. EBENEZER BURGESS,D.D.

Rev. JOHN CODMAN, D. D. Rev. GEORGE W. BLAGDEN.

Rev. WM. COGSWELL, D. D. I

HARDY ROPES, Esq., Treasurer. Hon. PLINY CUTLER, Auditor.

Rev. JOHN CODMAN, D. D. Rev. GEORGE ~V. BLAGDEN,

Rev. WILLIAM JENKS, D. D. and the SECRETARY.

Rev. JOY H. FAIRCHILD.

JOHN TAPPAN, Esq.

HON. WILLIAM J. HUBBARD, and the TREASURER

Hon. SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG.

[ The following is a short history as quoted in the Twenty-Third Annual Report of 1839, Ed.]

After remarking, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few," the Saviour enjoined upon his disciples, "Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." In obedience to this injunction, efforts have been made by individuals and associations, to raise up and send forth spiritual reapers; but the work has never been prosecuted with that zeal which its importance demands. In this country, limited and local associations, rather indefinite in their character, but having principally in view the education of indigent pious young men for the Christian ministry, had existed here and there, especially in the neighborhood of some of our colleges and literary institutions; but there was no large association of the kind previous to the establishment of the American Education Society. Something more comprehensive and efficient seemed to be needed; and this Society was accordingly formed to meet the exigency. The reason then of its formation, was the great and increasing demand for pious and learned ministers of the gospel.

The first formal and systematic efforts in Boston and vicinity, to assist pious, indigent young men in obtaining an education for the ministry, were made by females. March 26, 1815, an association of ladies was formed, and called "The Education Society of Boston and Vicinity." The second and eighth articles of their Constitution were— "The object of the Society, is to aid such indigent and pious youth as may be received under the stated care of the Directors in acquiring a classical education with a view to the gospel ministry."— "No candidate is to be taken under the care of the Board but such as give evidence of distinguished talents and piety, and exhibit a sound and orthodox faith, according to that excellent summary of Christian doctrines contained in the Westminster Assembly’s Shorter Catechism, nor to be continued under the care of the Board, longer than they preserve such character and faith."

In the summer of 1815, eight young men of Boston, who were associated in a prayer meeting, had their attention called to the education of pious, indigent youth for the Christian ministry. As they met together, and poured out their supplications for a world lying in wickedness, they said, " Where, oh where, shall men be found to carry the gospel to those dying millions ?" "Who knows," said one of them, "but a Society may be formed to aid the indigent Sons of the church for this great work ?" The thought expanded, brightened and beamed with hope ; and efforts towards the object were immediately made. The first document in relation to the subject follows:

"We, the subscribers, do agree to meet at J. B. Winn’s, on Monday evening next, (July 3,) to take into consideration the expediency of forming ourselves into an association, for the purpose of raising funds to educate pious young men for the ministry.

The above agreement is signed by eight individuals. After prayer and consultation, this band of young men perceiving the subject immensely to expand, and feeling their incompetency to the work before them, met in the study of the Rev. Joshua Huntington, and adopted measures for calling a general meeting of clergymen and laymen, to consider and act upon it.

The following minutes are inserted in the book of records of the American Education Society:

"In consequence of the emission of a Circular Letter, signed by Rev. Jedediah Morse, D. D., Rev. John Codrnan, Rev. Joshua Huntington, Dea. John E. Tyler, Mr. Pliny Cutler, Mr. Richard Pierce and Mr. J. B. Winn, as a Committee, designated for the purpose of requesting a number of the clergy, with such of the parishioners as they might think it proper to invite; to assemble in Boston, at the Vestry of Park Street Church, on Thursday, July 20, 1815, at 3 o’clock, P. M., to confer together on the subject of making some special exertions to increase the number of pious and able preachers of the gospel ; and should they think it advisable, to form themselves into an organized association for the above purpose; a meeting, composed of a respectable number of clergymen and laymen, was held at the time and place specified in the Circular.

"The object of the meeting having been distinctly presented, by reading the Circular Letter, accompanied with explanatory remarks by Dr. Morse, Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, LL. D. was called to the chair, and Rev. Brown Emerson was chosen scribe. The throne of grace was addressed by Rev. Dr. Holmes. The meeting thus organized, and having supplicated the blessing of God upon their doings, proceeded to business. After a free discussion, to a considerable length, of the general subject before them,

"Voted, That a Committee of ten be appointed to frame a Constitution, to be reported at a future meeting. Rev. Eliphalet Pearson,

LL. D., Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., Rev. Ebenezer Porter, Rev. Joshua

Bates, Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D. , William Thurston, Esq., Henry Gray, Esq.,

Dea. John E. Tyler, Mr. John Jenks, and Rev. Moses Stuart, were elected as this Committee.

"Voted, That previous to the next meeting, the members of this Committee and of the meeting generally, take such measures as they may deem expedient to promote the objects of the proposed Society.

"Voted, That this meeting be adjourned, to meet on Thursday preceding the next Commencement at Cambridge, in the Vestry in Park Street Church, in Boston, at 9 o’clock, A. M."

According to adjournment, the Society met in the Vestry of Park Street Church, in Boston, on Thursday, August 29, 1815, at which time a Constitution was adopted, and the Society was formed. The Society then adjourned to meet again, for the choice of officers, October 26—at which time a meeting was held, a sermon was delivered, and a collection taken in behalf of the object; but the organization of the Society by the choice of officers, was for important reasons still deferred.

The name of the Society at its formation, was, "The American Society for Educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Ministry;" and by this name it was incorporated and made a body politic by the General Court of Massachusetts, December 4, 1816. As this name was found to be inconvenient, a petition was preferred to the Legislature for its alteration; and, January 31, 1820, its name was changed to that of "The American Education Society." The articles of the Constitution in respect to membership, first adopted, were— "Any person who shall subscribe, and annually pay into the Treasury a sum, not less than five dollars, shall be a member of this Society; and shall be holden to make such payment, until by written notice to the Treasurer he shall have dissolved his connection with the Society; any clergyman, however, to whom, in his own opinion, it may be inconvenient to pay this sum, may be a member, who shall annually pay, as above, the sum of two dollars only; and should any member, for three successive years, neglect to pay his subscription, unless excused by the Society, his membership shall cease."

" Any person who shall pay at one time a hundred dollars, shall be a member for life."

As the Society had greatly enlarged its operations, and, by the Christian beneficence of a number of individuals, had obtained permanent funds to a considerable amount, it was thought advisable at the annual meeting, May 29, 1826, to change the above articles of the Constitution, so as to read as follows :—" Any person who shall subscribe and pay into the Treasury at one time, one hundred dollars, and if a clergyman, forty dollars, shall be an honorary member, and shall have a right to sit and deliberate in all meetings of the Society. But all members hereafter added to the Society, who shall be entitled to vote, shall be chosen by ballot at an annual meeting." At the annual meeting, May 28, 1827, the Constitution of the Society was changed, so as to enlarge the Board of Directors by the addition of four, making the whole number eleven, and to create the office of Secretary of the Society.