which they can poorly meet, as the rent of their rooms at present absorbs a considerable part of the pecuniary aid, which they receive from the University. But we propose a higher benefit. At present, they are dispersed through the college edifices and private houses in town, and having consequently little union with one another, and being merged and lost in the literary institution which encompasses them on every side, they are in danger of imbibing more of the spirit of the University than of the spirit of their profession. There are indeed great advantages in connecting a Theological School with a University, which offers so valuable an apparatus of books and lectures as that at Cambridge, which collects so many learned men, and furnishes ample means for a general culture of the mind. But the spirit of such an establishment is apt to become almost exclusively literary, and students of theology, who belong to it, are in no small danger of feeling that preference of literary distinction which their colle. giate life tended to foster, and consequently of regarding their profession as an occasion of intellectual exercise and display, rather than a means of doing good to all classes in the community. To remedy this evil, and to secure other advantages, we desire to erect an edifice, in a retired situation, as remote from the other buildings as is consistent with easy access to the library and lectures. Such an edifice will take the Theological student out of the great establishment through which they are now scattered; will separate them from connexions and associations unfriendly to zeal and seriousness; will favour concentration of mind; will bring them near each other, and increase the power of the most engaged and exemplary over the whole body; will give them a more habitual sense of their separation to a great and peculiar work, will facilitate and encourage their meeting for religious purposes, and will give to the whole institution a distinctness and prominence, which will impress its importance, attract notice and patronage, and increase the number of students. Considering the need of this edifice as pressing, we are desirous to obtain means for its immediate erection."

We do not fully assent to all the views and sentiments expressed in this paragraph; and we think it a subject of deep regret, if the spirit of the college be so unfavourable to the spirit of religion, as it is here represented. Still we think the erection of an edifice for the Theological Students of the highest importance to the prosperity of the school.

But there is one part of the circular to which we strongly object. It is fixing the sum which is said to be wanted. We do not believe that the sum mentioned will be sufficient for the specific purpose proposed. But there are other pressing

wants of the Institution. The means of affording pecuniary assistance to its students are comparatively very small; and the theological department of the library of the University, as well as every other department of it, requires great additions. In the building to be erected, there should likewise be a Library Room, and a separate library containing copies of books, most in use and most wanted for frequent reference. We think also that it should contain a refectory for the students. We see no object to be gained by limiting public liberality; and, as every one knows, a very much larger sum than that mentioned is necessary to place the Institution at Cambridge on the same foundation with that at Andover; or, what is much more to the purpose, is necessary to its producing all the good which it might be the means of effecting. We have known repeated instances in which students have left the Institution at Cambridge, or been deterred from joining it, on account of the expenses of residence in that place, and the want of funds to grant them the assistance required. It is we believe the principal cause which prevents the growth of the school, and believing this, we are solicitous that means for assisting a more considerable number of students should be immediately provided.

At the same time, however, that we wish to see the charitable fund increased, we think it in the highest degree important that the present expenses of residence should be diminished. This is desirable, not merely that the advantages of the Institution may be much more widely extended; but, also, because far the greater number of students at this, or at any other theological school, will hereafter be placed in circumstances, in which economy and frugality will be necessary virtues; and their education should be so conducted as to form those habits. The present price of board as provided by the College, for graduates and undergraduates, is $2,50 per week; and not long since, it was very considerably higher. Respecting the expense at other institutions we find the following statements in a late article of the Boston Recorder.

"At Amherst, the Trustees offer to furnish the students, tuition, board, and lodging, for $1 per week, that is for $39, per year during term time."

"At Williams College, board can be obtained in respectable families for $1 per week."

"The price of board at Yale College has been as low as $1,50 per week, and the term-bills about $40 per year. The estimate of the necessary expenses, per year, without including apparel and pocket-money, as stated in the Connecticut Register, for 1820, is $180."

"At Union College, board is $1,50 to $2 per week."

We desire to see the expenses of a Theological education at Cam

bridge diminished; and sufficient charitable means provided to defray a considerable proportion at least of what may then be the necessary expenses of those who may need its assistance. The erection of a building for their residence, in which there shall be a separate hall for meals, will, under proper manage. ment, contribute essentially to these important objects.

In order that the Institution may flourish, we think it likewise of fundamental importance, that its concerns should not be blended as they are at present with those of the College. The management of the Institution is now principally under the controul of the gentlemen, who constitute the Corporation, as is that of the College. The concerns of the latter, should it flourish, as we most earnestly desire it may, will be continually increasing in importance, and extending their relations, and consequently demanding more time and care in order to their proper regulation. We are convinced, that it is a serious evil to the College, that its legislative body, and that which exercises control over all its concerns, should consist with the sole exception of the President of the University,* of gentlemen, who are not resident in Cambridge, not officers of instruction, nor of the Immediate Government, who are liable, individually, to little public responsibility for the state of the College, who have, by personal experience, no intimate knowledge of its interests, who are drawn away from attending to them by other pressing concerns of a public and private nature, and who with the best intentions and the best abilities, must often want not merely time for giving them due attention, but what is, if possible, of still more importance, that thorough acquaintance with the existing state of things, which is necessary to form a correct judgment respecting different measures which may be, or which ought to be adopted. We do not know why the time and attention of this body should be still further occupied by the interests of the Theological Institution; and we cannot help fearing that the latter may be postponed to those of the College, as only a secondary concern. We see no reason why they should not, with the exception of what relates to pecuniary transactions, be confided to the immediate officers of the school, to those who in public estimation will be solely regarded as responsible for its character. If any new and better arrangements are to be adopted, it seems now a proper time to call the public attention to the subject.

We regret that the Circular Letter itself was not sent out in

* Besides the President, the Corporation consists of six other gentlemen, three clergymen and three laymen, chosen from the community at large. It fills its own vacancies.

the name of the Trustees of the "Society for promoting Theo logical Education in the University at Cambridge," rather than in that of the Corporation. This Society was formed sometime since; and we think it would contribute essentially to the progress of theological knowledge and true religion, if it would afford not merely pecuniary aid, as it already has done; but likewise give its countenance and encouragement to the School, by ma nifesting a constant interest in all its concerns. Members are admitted for life upon paying a subscription of fifty dollars. Yearly subscribers to the amount of five dollars if laymen, and two dollars if clergymen, are likewise members during the continuance of their subscription. The subscription now proposed should, we conceive, hold out the same privileges of membership in that Society.

Several articles of Intelligence are necessarily deferred. See the second page of the covers.