in still greater magnitude, and at another adjourned meeting, in the Vestry of Park Street Church, where the neighbouring clergy and others had been invited to attend, the American Education Society was formed, August 29,1815; and the Act of Incorporation was ob tained, December 6, 1816. Fear and trembling then mingled with ardent hope. The difficulties to be anticipated from the novelty of the undertaking, and from the jarring elements of denominational and local feeling, assumed in the eyes of many an imposing aspect; and some sincere friends of the object more than doubted the practicability of uniting, in its favour, the energies of any considerable portion of the Church. But, the prov idence of God had proclaimed that "something must be done;" many hearts responded, "something shall be done." Heaven smiled on the incipient measures that were adopted, and in the first year of its existence, the Society received into its treasury $5,000; and the second year, $7,000; the third year, $6.000; the fourth year, $19,000; the fifth year, $9,000; the sixth, $13,000; the seventh and last, $17,000, besides a bequest of $2.500, and important aid to a large amount in board and clothing, tuition and classical books, making a total in cash, of $76,000. This Society has now a permanent fund of $21,800, and has afforded assistance since its organization, to three hundred and fifty-four young men. -GREAT EFFECTS RESULT FROM LITTLE CAUSES."

YOUNG MEN'S AUXILIARY EDUCATION SOCIETY OF

BOSTON.

In our last number we not only named the American Education Society as deserving to be noticed on our pages, but we engaged to introduce to our readers, a promising child of this beneficent Parent Institution. Since that time we have enjoyed the high gratification of attending the fourth anniversary of the Boston Young men's auxiliary Education Society. The Rev. Justin Edwards of Andover preached on the occasion from Neh. vi. 3.-" I am doing a GREAT WORK so that I CANNOT come down. The discourse was ABLE and ELOQUENT. leaving a deep impression of the importance of special exertions to perpetuate and increase the number of qualified and faithful labourers in the Gos

pel vineyard. Each friend to Zion, must bid this interesting Society Godspeed. With its present officers and members, and with the high and holy motives they have to press forward, we are confident, that it will not, it cannot languish. We rejoice in being able to present our readers with an epitome of its history, kindly handed us by one of its active members, sincerely hoping that its publication may induce many young men in other sections of the country to Go AND DO

LIKEWISE.

DURING the fall of 1818, a young gentleman* of this city started to his friend the idea of attempting to aid the American Education Society, by subscription, among the young men of Boston. These two individuals agreed to open a subscription paper, and to head it with their own names. This done, they procured the subscription of their fellow boarders; enlisted them in favour of the object; furnished them with similar subscription papers; and requested that an effort should be made by each to procure the membership of their friends. The hopes of the original projector brightened at every step; the subject heing proposed, met, the approbation of the young men generally. It was soon thought expedient to call a meeting, to explain more fully the object, for which the money was solicited.

Accordingly, after printed and verbal notice was extensively circulated, a meeting was holden, in the Vestry of Park Street Church, on Wednesday Evening, Dec. 16, 1818, for the purpose of taking measures to organize a society, auxiliary to the American Education Society. Mr. Noyes was here called to the chair. After a prayer, and a free discussion of the object for which the meeting was called, several resolutions were passed; among which was the following; "that the members of this meeting will do all in their power, during the time which shall intervene, previous to the adjourned meeting to procure the subscriptions of the young men, not exceeding thirty-five years of age, throughout the town.

An adjourned meeting was holden Jan. 20, 1819, at the Supreme Court Room; when a committee, previously appointed for the purpose, reported a constitution. The Society was now organized by adopting the constitution, and choosing officers. Francis C. Gray, Esq. * Mr. Daniel Noyes.

6.

was chosen President. By this time, the Society had already the names of four hundred members; and ever since, with onward" for its watch-word, it has increased in stability, firmness and resources. Experience however has proved, that, to continue a large society in this city, especially among this class of the community, constant vigilance and activity is requisite. Young men, generally, are not permanently located; and therefore however ready, and disposed, they may be, to aid in an object so laudable, as that tor which this Society was instituted, yet, their frequent removal from town, must eventually render a society almost extinct, unless its friends are constantly employed in procuring members, to fill the places thus vacated. The first year's labours, enabled the directors to pay to the Parent Society $500; and the report* presented, and the speeches made, at the first anniversary, were well calculated to excite the members to renewed exertions. The second year $500, was paid; and at the anniversary, a report, written by the individual who first projected the Society's formation, was read; Rev. Samuel Farmar Jarvis, Ď. D. was now called to the presidency. A subscription was opened during the autumn of 1821, to afford an opportunity to those who were di-posed to contribute more than their yearly subscription; and in a short time over $200 was subscribed: so that the Society's third payment to the Parent Institution was swelled to 8714. The anniversary of the last year was celebrated, by an appropriate sermon from the Rev. President. This year William P. Green, Esq. has been chosen President, and Rev. Benjamin B. Wisner vice President. By the Treasurer's report, presented at the annual meeting, in January last, it appears that $1000 has been paid to the American Education Society, the last year: making the total amount contributed since the organization of the Society. 82714. Worthy as this sum is of the young men of this City, and conclusive as may be the inference drawn from the foregoing statement, that there are in this numerous class of our citizens, many who possess a highly becoming zeal for the promotion of the best of causes; yet it is no less evident to those who have attended to the subject, that if suitable exertions * By Mr. David Hale, Jr.

were made a much larger number of subscribers could be obtained, and the annual resources of the Society be increased to a degree that would surprize all.

In the field of MISSIONARY ENTERPRIZE, the labours and fruits of every succeeding month, are deepening the conviction that much ought to be attempted and that by the blessing of "the Lord of the harvest" much may be accomplished, for enlightening and reclaiming an apostate world.

BIBLE CLASSES.

In our last uumber we alluded to the efforts of several Ministers in Boston and the vicinity, for the religious improve ment of the young in their Congregations; particularly by means of Bible Classes; and promised to notice the subject again in future numbers. The first of these was established in Park-Street Congregation, of which the Pastor, at our request, has furnished the following account.

"The Bible Class in Park-Street Congregation, was commenced in the latter part of September; and consists of both males and females of twelve years of age and upwards. It was formed, and has been conducted, by the Pastor, in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Wilbur At the preparatory meeting, thirty-six females and eighteen males were present. The present number associated is two hundred and thirty-six ;* of whom sixtysix are males and one hundred and seventy females; the great body of whom are between 15 and 25 years of age. They meet on Wednesday evening, once in a fortnight. The following mode of instruction is adopted. WILBUR'S Biblical Catechism is made the Text-book. The pupils are divided into six classes: four of females, and two of males. Six questions are given out every evening, one to each class; the answer to which, some one member of each class is called upon to repeat from

The number actually present usually exceeds 300; though but 236 are actually associated.

memory. The repetition of the answer is followed by remarks from the Instructors, either critical, explanatory, doetrinal or practical, as the subject suggests and requires. A principal object, however, has been to make a direct and personal application of the passages recited and the truths taught to the conscience and the heart. Every Lecture commences and closes with prayer.

It was originally proposed that the meetings should be held every week, as soon as the number, who would thus associate, should be ascertained; and that, every other week, the pupils should study the historical books of the Old and New Testament. This latter course was to be commenced with a series of lectures on the lan guages of the original Scriptures and their early ver sions; their authenticity and genuineness, the truth of their history, and the Nature and Evidences of their inspiration. These were to be followed, as the successive books occurred, by appropriate lectures on the plan and subject of each book, its age, author, history, &c. &c. When these shall have been given, it is intended to begin the study of the historical books themselves—one or more chapters being appointed for a lecture, as the case may require. In this course, the pupils will be advised to procure the historical catechism of EMERSON; and at each lecture, will be first questioned as to the facts recorded, and the instructions which they communicate. It will then be the design of the Instructors to furnish such information as may appear necessary, concerning the geography of the country referred to, its government and laws, and the character, manners and customs of its inhabitants; to remove apparent difficulties and objections; and to render the leading truth taught in the giv en passage directly practical. The pupils will be advised to take notes of what they hear; and at each subsequent lecture will be examined s to the important features of the preceding.

The course of historical instruction has hitherto been prevented by the religious state of the Congregation and particularly of the Biblical Class itself. At the preparatory meeting, an unexpected solemnity and tenderness were discoverable in all who were present. The intruc tors, though believing that God would bless his own