HISTORY OF SPRING HILL COLLEGE, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

THIS theological institution had its origin in the Christian liberality of the late George Storer Mansfield, Esq., and of his sisters, Mrs. Sarah Glover and Miss Elizabeth Mansfield. Its object is to provide a sound and comprehensive theological education for pious young men preparing for the Christian ministry. It is for the benefit, more particularly, of the Congregational denomination in the Midland counties of England. It commenced operations in September, 1838. The following is the list of officers:

Rev. JOHN ANGELL JAMES, Birmingham, Chairman of the Board of Managers.
Rev. R. S. M'ALL, LL. D., Manchester,

Rev. GEO. BEDFORD, D. D., LL. D., Worcester,

Rev. JOHN BURDER, M. A, Stroud,

Rev. J. GAWTHORN, Derby,

Rev. JOSEPH GILBERT, Nottingham,

Visitors and Examiners.

Rev. FRANCIS WATTS, Professor of Christian and Pastoral Theology and Church

History.

Rev. T. R. BARKER, Professor of Biblical and Classical Philology.

-, Professor of Natural, Mental and Moral Philosophy.

Rev. JOHN HAMMOND, Handsworth, Honorary Secretary.

Rev. BENJAMIN BROOK, Birmingham,

Rev. JAMES DAWSON, Dudley,

Rev. TIMOTHY EAST, Birmingham,

Rev. JOHN JONES,

do.

Rev. JAMES MATHESON, D. D., Wolverhampton, Members of Educational Board.
Rev. R. M. MILLER, Atherstone,

Rev. J. G. GALLAWAY, M. A., West Broomwich,

Rev. JOHN HILL, Gornal,

Rev. ROBERT Ross, M. D., Kidderminster,

Rev. JOHN SIBREE, Coventry,

In order that the evangelical object which the founders had in view may be as effectually secured as possible, and to preserve the funds from being perverted to any other object, it is expressly provided in the deed of trust, that "no person shall, at any time, be deemed eligible to be a member of the committee, unless he profess and declare, by writing under his own hand, that he believes in the unity of the Godhead, in the Divinity of Christ, in the atonement made by his death for sin, the divinity and personality of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of the Spirit's influence for the illumination of the understanding and the renovation of the heart, and the plenary inspiration of the holy Scriptures."

The theological course embraces four years, the completion of which will be indispensable to a student's honorable dismission from the college, and which it will be the sincere desire of the committee to render comprehensive in its outline, biblical and scientific in its course and evidences, practical in its bearings on ministerial labor, and liberal, devout and conscientious in its spirit. To this course no student will be admitted, except under very special circumstances, who has not completed his eighteenth year, or is unable to pass a creditable examination in the elements of the Hebrew language, a few select authors in Greek and Roman literature, ancient geography and history, both sacred and profane, and the principles of mathematics and intellectual philosophy.

It has been determined to establish an initiatory course, consisting of from one to three sessions. Into this, young men of piety, suitably recommended, may be admitted in their seventeenth year, provided they can read the Æneid of Virgil and are acquainted with the elements of the Greek language. The following is a general outline of the theological course. 1. Exegetical Theology, including portions of the historical, devotional, prophetical and doctrinal portions of both Testaments in their original languages. 2. Synthetical Theology, including natural theology and introduction to revealed theology, Christian

dogmatics, Christian ethics and comparative theology. 3. Historical Theology, comprising history of the Christian church, history of Protestant missions, and a course on ecclesiastical antiquities. 4. Pastoral Science, comprehending a general survey of the whole course of pastoral qualifications, pastoral didactics, pastoral liturgics and church government. Students of distinguished character are permitted to reside at the college, at the discretion of the committee, for one or two additional sessions, without charge. Two scholarships on the foundation will be constantly reserved for candidates recommended by the London Missionary Society.

The trustees, professors and students, who are appointed or received in pursuance of the trust provisions, are required, in addition to the declaration made by the members of the committee, to profess themselves Pædo-Baptists, and also Dissenters from the established church. Any trustee may be required to renew such a profession on the application of one-third of his co-trustees; any professor or student on the application of the committee or any three trustees.

HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION AT STEPNEY, ENGLAND.

THIS institution was founded in 1810. Stepney is a parish in London, having a population, in 1831, of 67,872 souls. The original prospectus of the seminary was written by the late Robert Hall. It may be found in the London edition of his works, vol. iv. pp. 407-414. In the first volume of Mr. Hall's works, p. 227, we find the following statements: "The institution is under the immediate superintendence of the Rev. William Newman. The Baptist denomination, having by the munificence of a generous individual, been presented with a house and premises well adapted to academical purposes, could feel no hesitation in accepting so noble a gift, or in seconding the pious and benevolent design of the founder. The institution is yet (1811) in its infancy, and subsists on a small scale. Its friends look to the smiles of Heaven, and to the liberality of a Christian public, and, especially to the piety and opulence of the professors of religion in the metropolis, who have never been wanting in the zealous support of institutions tending to promote the glory of God and the best interests of mankind, for such an enlargement of their funds and resources as, seconded by the efforts of its worthy tutor, shall render it a permanent and extensive blessing." "To the Bristol Academy, the only seminary the Baptists possessed till within these few years, they feel the highest obligations, for supplying them with a succession of able and faithful pastors, who have done honor to their churches; and few things would give the pastors and founders of the institution for which I am pleading, more concern, than the suspicion of entertaining views unfavorable to that academy. They feel as little jealousy for the seminary recently established in Yorkshire, which has already produced good fruits, under the culture and superintendence of the excellent Mr. Steadman."

The course of study pursued at Stepney is as follows:

In the first year, the students are instructed in the Greek and Latin classics, Algebra, Geometry, Latin and English Composition, Rhetoric and Logic, Jewish Antiquities, Hebrew, and Historical Lectures. In the second year, the students are instructed in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, Trigonometry, Mental Philosophy, Biblical Criticism and Evidences of Divine Revelation. In the third year, Latin, Greek and Hebrew are contiued, the higher Mathematics, Ecclesiastical History, Theology and Sacred Rhetoric. In the fourth year, the same studies are pursued, with the addition of the mixed Mathematics and Moral Philosophy. We observe among the text books, Stuart's Hebrew Grammar and Chrestomathy,

Mill on the Human Mind, Juvenal, Persius, and some portions of Sir Isaac
Newton's Philosophy. The Epistle to the Hebrews, in Syriac, is also read.
The expenses of the institution are about £1,600 per annum.

are,

Rev. W. H. MURCH, D. D., Theological Tutor.

Rev. SAMUEL TOMKINS, Mathematical and Classical Tutor.
W. B. GURNEY, Esq., Treasurer.

The following ministers have been educated at the institution:

Report.

HISTORY OF THE WESLEYAN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, AT HOXTON, ENGLAND.

THE want of some additional provision for the education of the junior preachers had long been felt and acknowledged by the more intelligent members of the Methodist connection in Great Britain. Attention was indeed directed to this object from the oldest periods of Methodism. So early as the meeting of the first two Conferences, which were held in the years 1744 and 1745, the establishment of a "Seminary for Laborers" was made a topic for consultation and inquiry. Mr. Wesley appears, however, not to have been able to realize his original views; yet, by the use which he not unfrequently made of Kingswood school for the instruction of his preachers; by the various works which he compiled or abridged for their special advantage; by the pointed admonitions which he addressed to them on the importance of a close application to study, some of which are inserted in the earlier minutes; and by his personal supervision and occasional assistance, he constantly testified the deep convictions which he cherished as to the necessity of a diligent and scriptural training for the most momentous of all services.

Since the death of Mr. Wesley, the supporters of Methodism have repeatedly expressed their sentiments and wishes concerning the proper tuition of ministerial candidates. More than thirty years ago, a pamphlet, embodying the suggestions and wishes of several well informed and judicious friends, was prepared and printed by order of the Conference. It was resolved by the Conference of 1815, that every preacher on trial should be annually examined at his district meeting, respecting the course of theological study which he might have pursued during the preceding year; and as this measure proved comparatively ineffectual, it was further determined at a subsequent meeting, that the Rev. Messrs. John Gaulter, Jabez Bunting, Thomas Jackson and Richard Watson, should meet as a select committee, and furnish a report of their deliberate and united judgment on that mode of ministerial education which seemed best fitted to the circumstances and wants of Methodism. A report was accordingly presented by the Conference of 1823. In consequence, a committee of education was chosen, which continued for several successive years. No definite action, however, resulted.

At length it became imperative upon the Conference to employ more decisive measures. Solicitations and inquiries, urged from all quarters, claimed a consideration which could no longer be denied. To these was added an encouraging incident. An Irish gentleman bequeathed a legacy of £1,000, in order to promote the improvement of the junior preachers in Ireland. The trustees of that gentleman applied to the Conference of 1833 for advice with regard to the disposal of that legacy, and signified that if some general and efficient scheme of ministerial tuition could be adopted, they would greatly prefer the plan of uniting a certain number of students intended for Ireland with those intended to labor in other parts of the connection, and would, on their behalf, gratefully appropriate the bequest to the support of such a scheme. The Conference thereupon selected a committee of twenty preachers, and directed them to meet in London, on the 23d of October, 1823, and arrange such a plan of education as they might deem most expedient. The committee accordingly assembled, and devoted above a week to mutual consultation. They examined every scheme that was mentioned, with all the caution and impartiality in their power, and drew up a plan which was published, with copious introductory and accompanying statements, in a separate pamphlet. In 1834, the plan was matured, and adopted by the Conference almost unanimously. The Institution is denominated "The Wesleyan Theological Institution for the Improvement of the Junior Preachers." The students are allowed to remain in it for two or three years, as may be found most consistent with the claims of the connection for the immediate supply of the circuits and missions, and with the capacity and

attainments of the students themselves. The following subjects are embraced in the plan of studies, 1. English Grammar, Geography, History, Logic, Rhetoric, the elements of Mathematics, Natural and Mental Philosophy and Chemistry; 2. Theology, including the Evidences, Doctrines, Duties and Institutions of Christianity; 3. Elements of Biblical Criticism, the best methods of critically studying the Scriptures, the Rules and Principles to be observed in their interpretation, Hebrew, Greek and Roman Antiquities, and the outlines of Ecclesiastical History; 4. the most useful methods of direct preparation for the pulpit, and general instructions for the composition and direct delivery of sermons; 5. such instruction in the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages, as may enable the students to read and study the Scriptures in their original tongues.

We here subjoin the list of officers:

Rev. JABEZ BUNTING, D. D., President of the Conference, President of the Institution.

Rev. ROBERT NEWTON, Secretary of the Conference.

Rev. JOSEPH ENTWISLE, Senior, House Governor.

Rev. JOHN HANNAH, Senior, Theological Tutor.

Rev. SAMUEL JONES, M. A., Classical and Mathematical Tutor.

THOMAS FARMER, Esq., Treasurer.

Mr. PETER KRUSE, Financial Secretary.

Rev. JOHN BOWERS,

Rev. GEORGE CUBITT, Secretaries.

The above, together with fifty other clergymen and laymen, constitute the committee of management.

From the last Report of the Institution, which we have seen, we learn that the number of students resident in the Institution is 32, of whom 12 are candidates for the missionary service. It was intended to make provision as speedily as possible for 60 persons. Indeed this is not to be regarded as the ultimatum. It is thought that every candidate for the ministry, before he enters on his labors, should enjoy the benefit of the Institution. The expenses are about £3,000 per annum. The Institution is established at Hoxton, in the buildings formerly occupied by the London Missionary Society as an academy for the instruction of their candidates for the missionary service.

NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

1. Annual Election Sermon, delivered before the Legislature of Massachusetts, Boston, Jan. 2, 1839. By Mark Hopkins, D. D., President of Williams College. pp. 40.

The text of this sermon is Acts v. 29, "We ought to obey God rather than man.” Dr. Hopkins first states the grounds on which all men are bound to adhere to the principle implied in the text, and then adverts to the consequences of such adherence, on the part, both of subjects and of rulers. We are to obey God rather than men, because human governments are comparatively so limited and negative in their bearing upon the great purposes, first of individual, and second, of social existence. Human governments regard man solely as the member of a community; whereas, it is chiefly as an individual, that the government of God regards him. The influence of human governments upon the formation of individual character, is chiefly negative. It is mainly a system of restraint for the purpose of protection. God's government is not only a system of restraint and protection, but also, and principally, of inducements to excellence. It is only incidentally that human government is necessary to man as a social being at all. Government is not an end but a means. Society is the end, and government should be the agent of society, to benefit man in his social condition. An effect of an adherence to the principle in the text, on the part of subjects is, that it brings the moral nature