Classes, with what you mention to have been in your's of January last, we may readily anticipate that nothing will, in this way, be done; and, perhaps, it is become altogether impracticable, in the present state of the public mind, to raise a fund at all. . The want of zeal in promoting a cause so interesting and influential to the welfare, and even existence, of our reformed Churches, is greatly to be lamented, and may constitute a neglect, for which, as a people, we shall be severely responsible. He who walketh in the midst of the golden candlesticks, and holdeth the stars in his right hand, will know and judge, with unerring precision, respecting motives, excuses, and conduct."

"Solemn and repeated resolutions, formed upon mature deliberation and clear conviction, have cer tainly produced obligations too strong and binding to be now lightly abandoned. Notwithstanding delays and frequent discouragements, we are still bound by every principle sacred to conscience and character, to make the most decisive trials, and not despair of the divine blessing and concurrence upon earnest and faithful efforts. plan, in one form, will not at present prevail, is it not possible to devise another mode, in which it may, for some time at least, prove successful?If it be impracticable to raise a whole fund, whose

*

If the

interest would suffice, may it not be easy to ob tain, annually, from all the churches, what would amount, at least, to as much as that interest? This, if punctually executed, would serve as a temporary expedient, and leave the fund where it now is, in the possession of the people."

"I have, for some years, considered an alternative as very practicable and, perhaps, proper; but from a determination of remaining as long as possible, passive and silent in all that relates to this busi ness, I do not remember that I have ever communicated it to you. Whether it would be found as easy in its operation, and sufficiently productive as it appears in theory, or whether some consequences would not arise from it, which would prove injurious to the very object in view, I do not know. It is simply this-that, instead of collecting a sum which shall amount to a capital, as at present contemplated, we only determine to raise, every year, a small dividend from each congregation, which can be effected without any particular effort on the part of the people, and may, if properly appropriated, in some measure answer the purpose of the Synod."

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Upon contemplating this alternative, I think I find, instead of insuperable objections, something which may, in its consequences, even prove benefi

cial. It is, indeed, leaving the institution precarious; but it renders it immediately dependent upon those for whose use it is intended, and may prove a proper stimulus to industry and faithfulness. At any rate, I conceive it to be the only mode that is now practicable, and less calculated to cheapen the institution than to raise, by personal applications, a fund. I mention it without reserve now to you, that you may digest it, and make such improvements upon it, as a mature consideration may suggest. May the Lord direct to such measures as shall preserve the engagements of Synod inviolate, and prevent those who have relied upon its sacred honour, and risked every thing upon it, from being made ashamed !"

Whatever solicitude or zeal particular individuals may have manifested, to effect a redemption of the pledge which had been given by the Synod to the professor, and there no doubt were a few who exerted themselves to this end to the utmost of their ability, it is certain, that a very culpable indifference with respect to it, pervaded the Church as a body. Nothing of any consequence was done; and when but little more than a year had elapsed since his removal to Bedford, at the request of the Synod, the Doctor found himself placed very unexpectedly, by another act of Synod, in a situation

at once mortifying and embarrassing in no small degree.

The General Synod met again in June, 1797; and the following is a copy of the record of part of their proceedings:

"The General Synod having minutely inquired into the measures pursued time after time, in order to raise a fund for the support of the professorate, and the success of those measures, the following question was taken: Is it expedient, under present circumstances, to take any further measures for the support of the professorate ?-which was answered in the negative."

"The General Synod then appointed a committee on this business, who brought in a report, which, after being amended, was agreed to, and reads as follows, viz."

"The committee appointed on the professorate, report that Professor Livingston ought to be immediately informed of the determination of Synod, that it is not expedient under present circumstances, to take any further measures for the support of the professorate; that they express to him the sense which they entertain of the important services which he has already performed; that it will be

highly acceptable to them, if he can still continue to discharge the duties of the office under the discouragements that exist; and that a minute of the determination referred to, with this report, be transmitted to him for the purposes above-mentioned.”

At this session, the Rev. Dr. T. Romeyn, and the Rev. Solomon Froligh, were appointed additional professors of theology. These gentlemen had been authorized, at least since the year 1794, to act as assistant teachers of theology, probably at first for the accommodation of young men who could not well afford the expense of boarding in New-York; but their students could not be admitted to an examination for licensure, without having previously obtained the certificate of the regular professor, and to supersede the necessity, which had been often attended with much inconvenience, of applying for such certificates, they were now duly invested with the professoral office.

This measure being adopted by the Synod, which amounted in fact, for a time, to a complete desertion of the seminary, the Doctor, of course, returned to the city, and resumed all his pastoral duties. Such young men as wished to prosecute their studies under his direction, were still cheerfully and faithfully attended to; but, for several suc