put on the Van Benschoten Fund, it is recommended that the case be referred to the Executive Committee of the Education Society, to make the necessary inquisition in his case.

As it is desirable that there should be a uniformity in the amount allowed to beneficiaries, aided by all the funds appropriated for the education of young men for the ministry, the Committee recommend to the Board of Trustees, to set the amount appropriated annually to beneficiaries, on the fund at their disposal, at one hundred dollars, according to the proposition of the Executive Committee of the Education Board, to fix their allowance at the same amount. Resolved, That the consideration of this subject be referred to the next General Synod.

It appearing, that in some instances the Board of Trustees have required interest on the money refunded by the young men whom they have aided from the funds at their disposal, the Committee are of opinion, that no interest ought to be required of those who continue in our church; and that from those who settle in other churches, the interest required should not exceed five per cent.; and that it be required only from the time when they connect themselves to other churches.

In compliance with a request, communicated by the Faculty of the College, through the Board of Superintendents of that institution, to appoint a Committee of Repairs, it is recommended that Mr. Peter Spader be appointed to superintend such repairs as may be necessary to the College edifice.

The Committee are impressed with the great importance to the interest and prosperity of the College, that means should be raised to place the institution on the same footing with other neighboring institutions, as to the course of instruction; and, particularly, that a lecturer should be procured on chymistry, mineralogy, &c. The Committee would recommend that strenuous exertions should be used for the accomplishment of this object; and if the mode of raising money, hereafter suggested in this report, viz. in connexion with the collections for the Theological School, should not be deemed advisable, it is desired that General Synod may devise and adopt such other mode as they may consider best calculated to secure the end proposed.

1.

It appears from the reports of the Boards of the Superintendents of the College and the Theological School, that these institutions are going on successfully. That the instructors, both in the theological and literary departments, are laboring faithfully in advancing their interests. Nothing is wanting, but an adequate support, to establish these institutions on a permanent foundation, and give them a character not surpassed by any in our land. As they are peculiarly our own, we ought to rally around them; for with their permanent establishment, we either stand or fall as a denomination.

The subject of deepest interest submitted by the report of the Board of Direction, is that which relates to funds necessary to the support of the Theological College. This has been a subject of deep solicitude for years past, and has occupied a large portion of the attention of the successive General Synods. It had been hoped, that when the plan to establish permanent funds, for the support of Professors in the institution, should be completed, our churches would be relieved from any farther burden in sustaining it; and the expectation held out, that this would be the case, when the obtaining subscriptions was in progress, has tended to increase the subsequent embarrassment. A strong effort was made to carry the plan into full operation; and much has been accomplished towards the permanent maintenance of that important institution by the endowment of funds. But the impulse has passed off; and the consummation so earnestly desired, and confidently expected, has not been fully realized. The subscriptions to the third professorship, were never fully completed; and it was to have been expected that much of the money subscribed would fail to be collected. This has been the case to a considerable amount. This failure is not difficult to be accounted for. The spirit excited by the first effort, naturally subsided. It became an old matter. The collection of the subscriptions was confided to the hands of committees, who had other concerns, requiring their attention; and they naturally postponed attention to a business, at all times unpleasant, in favor of engagements more pressing and immediately interesting. In the lapse of time, some subscribers have been removed by death; some have, by a change of circumstances, become unable, and others unwilling to pay.

The Board of Direction have been, during the last two or three years, directing their attention to the subject, and by the employment

of agents and other means, have been strenuously endeavoring to fill up the permanent fund, by collecting the old, and obtaining new subscriptions. In this nothing has been accomplished answerable to their hopes. From the necessity of applying all the moneys collected for defraying current expenses, little or nothing has been added to the amount invested. And, from their past experience, they seem now to be convinced, that the filling up of the permanent fund, is, for the present at least, out of the question. This object, therefore, however desirable in itself, must be relinquished, until a more favorable crisis shall arrive. The Board also seem to be convinced of the impropriety of continuing to pursue a system, which subjects them to the necessity of applying moneys, collected expressly for the Permanent Fund, to an object diverse from that for which they are obtained.

They therefore appear to direct the attention of Synod, on this occasion, chiefly to the adoption of some system, by which the deficiency arising from the failure to complete the Permanent Fund, may be annually supplied. This will now be necessary to be promptly done, as it is also stated, that the last grant of the Consistory of New York, of $1500 for one year, expired in November last. To this end it will be necessary to secure an income in addition to that now arising from permanent sources, at least $1500, to which, if we add what may be necessary to secure to the literary institution, instruction in chymistry, and the kindred sciences, (an object warmly urged by the Faculty and Board of Superintendents of the College,) $2000 will be required. That our churches are either unable or unwilling to contribute this amount annually, would be an injurious insinuation. But to effect it, union and co-operation will be necessary. That past efforts have been unsuccessful, has been owing to the fact, that in no plan heretofore adopted, have all our churches been brought to co-operate; and that while frequent changes have been made in the mode of operation, none has been generally, much less universally, approved. Very few of our churches have therefore come up to this work. If all should be induced to contribute to a reasonable amount, the aggregate would be abundantly sufficient. It is to be regretted, that the various resolutions of General Synod on this subject, have been productive of so little benefit. This will continue to be the case, as long as individuals and churches shall persist

in adhering to their own views, and refuse to do any thing, because it is recommended to be done in a way which they do not approve.

The present exigencies of the Church require union of feeling and effort. If there is not united exertion, our institutions must necessarily be embarrassed, and must finally sink. Something must be done. In some plan the churches must harmonize, which shall be perseveringly pursued. It is hoped by the Committee, that whatever system of collecting funds may be adopted on this occasion, it may be duly matured, fully executed, and not relinquished until sufficiently tested; and that it be pressed on the churches, and consistories, and ministers, to give every facility, and use every effort, to carry it into execution. Our denomination is too weak and too small to be divided; but with union of purpose and exertion, it may arise in its strength, and accomplish all that is necessary to its establishment, and the complete success of our institutions.

Whereas Synod have adopted the plan of a general agent, there

fore

Resolved, That the General Agent appointed by Synod, be charged with the business of raising the necessary funds for supporting the Theological College, and for the literary institution, as far as may be necessary to procure instructions in chymistry, &c.

The Committee, in compliance with the request of the Board of Direction, submit the following resolution.

Resolved, That the Board of Direction be authorised, if they shall deem it necessary, to appoint an agent or agents, to solicit subscriptions and collect funds.

Resolved, That so much of the above report, as relates to the raising of funds, be read from the pulpits by the respective pastors. All of which is respectfully submitted.

WILLIAM M MURRAY, Chairman.

ARTICLE XV.

Students in Theology.

Whereas, the General Synod feel a deep interest in the beneficiaries supported by the funds of the church, and do cherish towards them a paternal regard,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Board of Education of the Reformed Dutch Church, to depute one or more of their number to New Brunswick, to meet with said beneficiaries, at the commencement of every session of the Literary and Theological Institution, or at such other times as they may deem proper, to make such inquiries, and to afford such counsel and advice, as in their judgment may conduce to their highest and best interests.

ARTICLE XVI.

Church Visitation.

Nothing occurred.

ARTICLE XVII.

Prevailing Sins.

Resolved, That this Synod recommend to the churches under their care to observe the second Thursday in November next, as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, on account of the prevailing profanation of the holy Sabbath in our land.

ARTICLE XVIII.

Missions.

The eighth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church, was presented to Synod, and referred to the Committee on Missions.