of which are faithfully discharged, can claim a comparison in point of importance with that of a minister of the gospel.

It is an object of the christian ministry to lead men onward in the progress of truth. Some persons are afraid of innovation. This is an old fear. Bossuet lamented the decline of the Catholic religion in England; the progress of things was deplored, while God was letting in light through the crevices of the Gothic architecture of an established religion, that was rent in all its walls. Social and domestic improvement was the consequence, and such improvement will always be the result of inquiry, when properly directed and conducted. If however, this spirit become extravagant or turbulent it should be restrained; and here is another advantage of an educated and liberal ministry. The progress of opinion through the community must be controlled by enlightened minds, that it may not do harm rather than good. The influence of minds disciplined in theology is important and powerful. How is it in political affairs? They who have given their attention to the science of government are supposed to be more capable of guiding its operations than the poorly instructed. So it is in religion. They who have made it their study, as well as the subject of their experience, will be felt in their influence upon the people.

The claims of the Institution at Cambridge address themselves with great force to enlightened and opulent Christians. This Institution is now poor; its accommodations for students are insufficient for such a number as the demand for liberal ministers in the community requires; the means of instruction are far short of

what they ought to be; the plan of education which has been adopted there cannot be executed at present. For want of pecuniary means, the Institution cannot as yet send forth young men into the ministry, as thoroughly informed and disciplined for the sacred office as they should be to meet all its duties, and to bear with dignity all its cares. I conceive that scarcely any degree of liberality towards this infant Institution could be chargeable with extravagance, and that the patriotic, and especially those who have any solicitude for the temporal and eternal welfare of the generations to come, cannot exercise their munificence better than by contributing to enlarge the foundations of this School.

Mr Sullivan was followed by HON. JOSEPH STORY, Of Cambridge; who said, he wished also to bear testimony in favor of the Theological School in Cambridge.

I rejoice, Sir, at what I have this evening heard of the progress of correct opinion. Unitarianism must rest on the intelligence and learning of its advocates. It never has been supported by the State; it cannot be, for it teaches obedience to duty and to conscience, and not to human authority. The influence of the State has been unfriendly to it; look to England for examples -witness Priestley, with the injuries which he suffered from a mob, and the neglect which he experienced from the government. It is not on the civil arm, but on its own strength, the intellectual and moral power with which it endows its disciple, that Unitarianism must place its reliance.

We do not claim, Mr President, to have found all truth; we are seeking it, and for this end make con

stant exertions. We do not imagine that we have attained perfection, or can reach it here; but we would open a way, clear from the difficulties by which we are embarrassed, to them who shall come after us. Can we expect that truth will go on without encountering opposition? Prejudice will be arrayed against it. But we have evidences of a better state approaching. Men will not longer be ruled by their fears; they demand a reason for their faith. Reason is abroad in the world; books abound, and are read; religion will be examined freely, and must depend upon its own resources. We wish it to stand on no other ground. Men ought not to be required to believe what they cannot understand. Christianity should not, it need not, shrink from the severest investigation; it dreads it not. We may rejoice that infidelity is open in its attacks upon what we deem divine; for we can meet it with fair argument. Unitarians have the strongest motives and the most effectual instruments for opposing infidelity.

I feel no alarm at any progress that may be made by the Romish Church in this country. That Church must adapt itself to the character of our institutions and people; its principles will be moderated to meet the circumstances of its situation in the United States; its clergy will bow to the authority of truth. I have no fear for Protestantism. The Bible, and the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants' this maxim will be our safeguard. We profess to bring opinions and practices to the test of reason. Our fathers reasoned themselves into Protestantism, and we cannot reason ourselves out of it.

With these views of the nature and condition of our faith, I cannot but feel a deep interest in a seminary, which, having for its object the preparation of intelligent defenders of this faith, encourages free investigation, and a single love of truth. This feeling is strengthened by a recurrence to the example of our Puritan ancestors. The Pilgrims, Sir, when they landed on these shores, first built for themselves dwellings, then they directed their thoughts to the institutions of religion, and then to the means of educating a pious and learned ministry. I repeat their own words; they would have 'a pious and learned ministry.' A noble sentiment! Does it not speak from the grave to us? Do we not need to regard it? are we perfect? do we know all truth? Is there no rubbish to be cleared away? Will posterity claim nothing of us? We must follow the example of the Puritans; we must adopt their maxim, Let us have a pious and learned ministry. Let us then, Sir, cherish the Theological School at Cambridge.

What is the present state of this School? What has been its state? We can compare the means now enjoyed for theological education at Cambridge with those which were possessed there a few years ago. Then but few graduates remained to pursue their studies, under the comparative disadvantages of a residence at the College; now forty five names appear on the theological catalogue. Still, what are the means that may at present be used to secure the objects of the institution? Its progress has been rapid, but it has struggled against circumstances, which still depress it. The funds of Harvard College are appropriated to the support of its literary departments. Mr Ware, for

whose establishment at Cambridge exertions were successfully made a year or two since, and on whose account sufficient funds were raised to found a professorship, has been obliged to visit Europe, and is still detained there, by sickness. Meanwhile, the avails of this foundation have been so diminished, that the salary has already decreased. Professor Norton has been compelled by ill health to relinquish a large part of his duties. Dr Ware, one of the most able and faithful of instructers, is occupied by his engagements in the College. An assistant to Mr Norton is absolutely necessary, but so narrow are the resources of the School, that an insufficient salary only can be offered. What then, Mr President, I repeat, is the condition, and what are the prospects of this School? of the only Unitarian and catholic seminary for the education of young men for the ministry? It has received less patronage than other similar institutions. Turn to Andover, and see the apparatus of means for theological education, its liberally endowed professorships, its buildings, its library. The Cambridge School has risen without these helps; it has been sustained by the talents and efforts of its professors. Our wonder is, not merely that it has done. so much, but that, under its circumstances of discouragement, it has done anything.

Mr President, shall this School fall? Will our community see it decline? Three things are indispensable to the prosperity of such an institution. It must be supplied with professors; it must possess the means of bringing together you g men; and it must afford them facilities in finishing their education. We must have professors, talented and learned men, if we would have