^ Si/ *W \ , V

u l^ t

^..'Cb^^ w Jii

7 o:^^v^-

■ ' .'i, * ; ^ , '
•■■'.**f5''.v '		Pe^^
•-.4 k-		Bl>-'4ais«iHv.
^ '^ 5^'S'A f	'^^^K	IJ^yV— 1 ,N^' ' ' 8^^H
B^T*^!	M	fc » : ...^ . .i-. ■■ .^3
■•^ "^flEt^-	fl	^^i=j . i vr^-
.■.H,.' V %at ■■
\;.- •.vlft'J	' ^1

'■^^r^^r'^^

,©'&Vt

y.>< V

'^^'(j;

s

#

Vol , 2.1.

«?*.:

ll

3

THE

CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES

OF THE

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

ANDOVER.

ANDOVER:

GOULD, NEWMAN AND SAXTON, PRINTERS.

1839.

CONSTITUTION

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

It having pleased the Father of lights and Author of all good to inspire the late Honorable Samuel Phillips of Andover in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Es- quire, and the late Honorable John Phillips of Exeter in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire Esquire, with the pious determination to make " a humble dedication to their Heavenly Benefactor of the ability, wherewith He had bles- sed them," by laying, in the year 1778, in the South Parish in Andover aforesaid, the foundation of a public Academy, for the instruction of youth, not only in the learned Languages and in various useful Arts and Sciences, but principally for the promo- tion of true PIETY and virtue ; — it having also pleased the IN- FINITE MIND, at subsequent periods, to excite the said John Phillips, and likewise the late Hon. William Phillips of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth aforesaid Esquire, to make libera! provision, not only for " promoting the virtuous and pious education of indigent youth of genius, and of serious disposition, in said Academy ;" but " more especially for the benefit of charity Scholars of excelling genius, good moral character, hopefully pious, and designed for the great and good work of the gospel ministry, who, having acquired the most use- ful human literature, may be assisted in tlie study of Divinity, under the direction of some eminent Calvinistic Minister of the gospel, until such time, as an able, pious, and orthodox Instruc- tor shall be supported in the 'said Academy, as a Professor of Divinity, by whom they may be taught the important and distin- guishing tenets of our Holy Christian Religion.''

In pursuance therefore of the same benevolent and pious ob- ject, and with a desire to devote a part of the substance, with which Heaven has blessed us, to the defense and promotion of the Christian Religion, by making some provision- for increasing the number of learned and able Defenders of the gospel of Christ as well, as of orthodox, pious, and zealous Ministers of the New Testament ; being moved by the same Spirit, which actuated the Founders and Benefactors aforesaid, and influenced, as we hope, by a principle of gratitude to God and benevolence to man ; —

We, Phebe Phillips of said Andover, Relict of Samuel Phillips Esq. late Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth aforesaid, and John Phillips, son of the said Samuel Phillips and Phebe Phillips do hereby jointly and severally obligate ourselves to erect and finish, with all convenient dispatch, two separate buildings ; one of which to be three stories high, and of such other dimensions, as to furnish convenient lodging rooms for fifty Students ; and the other building to be two stories high, and of such dimensions, as to furnish, in addition to a kitchen and private rooms necessary to a Steward's family, three public rooms, one for a dining Hall, one for a Chapel and Lecture room, (each sufficiently large to accommodate sixty Students) and the third for a Library, the said buildings to be lo- cated by direction of the Trustees of Phillips Academy ; — and I, Samuel Abbot of Andover aforesaid Esquire, with the same views, and in furtlierance of the same design, do hereby give, assign, and set over unto the Trustets: aforesaid the sum of twenty thousand dollars, in trust, as a Fund for the purpose of maintaining a professor of Christian Theology (reserving to myself tlie right of appointing the Srst Professor oirthis Foun- dation) and for the support and encouragement of Students in Divinity ; both the said buildings and the interest or annual income of the said sum of money to be forever appropr aled and applied by the Trustees aforesaid for the use and endow- ment of such a public Theological Institution in Phillips Academy, as is herein after described, and on the following express conditions, viz. that the said Institution be accepted

by the Trustees aforesaid, and that it be forever conducted and governed by them, and their Successors, in conformity to the following general Principles and Regulations, which we unitedly adopt and ratify as the Constitution of the same, re- serving to ourselves, however, during our natural lives the full right, jointly to make any additional Regulations, or to alter any Rule, herein prescribed; provided such Regulation or Alteration be not prejudicial to the true design of this Foundation.

Art. I. This Institution or Seminary shall be equally open to Protestants of every denomination for the admission of young men of requisite qualifications.

Art. II. Every Candidate for admission into this Semina- ry shall produce satisfactory evidence, that he possesses good natural and acquired talents, has honorably completed a course of liberal education, and sustains a fair moral character. He shall also declare that it is his serious intention to devote him- self to the work of the gospel ministry, (unless in certain pecu- liar cases it appear to the Trustees, or a Committee of their appointment, that the object of this Institution will be pro- moted by excusing a pious Applicant from making this declara- tion) and exhibit proper testimonials of his being in full com- munion with some Church of Christ ; in default of which he shall subscribe a declaration of his belief of the Christian Religion.

Art. III. The Students in this Seminary shall be aided in their preparation for the ministry by able Professors ; whose duty it shall be, by public and private instruction, to unlock the treasures of divine knowledge, to direct the Pupils in their in- quiries after sacred truth, to guard them against religious error, and to accelerate their acquisition of heavenly wisdom.

Art. IV. The public instruction shall be given in Lectures on Natural Theology, Sacred Literature, Ecclesiastical History, Christian Theology, and Pulpit Eloquence.

Art. V. in the Lectures on Natural Theology, the exist- ence, attributes, and providence of God, shall be demonstrated ; the soul's immortality and a future state, as deducible from the light of nature, discussed ; the obligations of man to his Maker,

resulting from the divine perfections and his own rational nature, enforced ; the great duties of social life, flowing from the mu- tual relations of man to man, inculcated ; and the several per- sonal virtues deduced and delineated ; the whole being inter- spersed with remarks on the coincidence between the dictates of reason and the doctrines of revelation, in these primary points ; and, notwithstanding such coincidence, the necessity and utility of a divine revelation stated.

Art. VI. Under the head of Sacred Literature shall be in- cluded Lectures on the formation, preservation, and transmission of the Sacred Volume ; on the languages, in which the Bible was originally written ; on the Septuagint version of the old Testament, and on tlie peculiarities of the language and style of the new Testament, resulting from this version and other causes ; on the history, character, use, and authority of the ancient versions and manuscripts of the old and new Testaments ; on the canons of biblical criticism ; on the authenticity of the several books of the sacred Code ; on the a])ocryphal books of both Testaments ; on modern translations of the Bible, more particularly on the history and character of our English version ; and also critical Lectures on the various readings and difficult passages in the sacred writings.

Art. VIL Under tlie iiead of Ecclesiastical History shall be comprised Lectures on Jewish antiquities ; on the origin and extension of the Christian church in the first three centuries ; on the various sects and heresies in tlie early ages of Chris- tianity ; on the character and writings of the Fathers ; on the establishment of Christianity by Constantine, and its subse- quent efiects ; on the rise and progress of popery and Moham- medanism ; on the corruptions of the church of Rome ; on the grounds, progress, and doctrines of the reformation ; on the different denon)inaiions among Protestants ; on the various constitutions, discipline, and ritesof worship, which have divided, or may still divide the Cliristian church ; on the state and pre- valence of Paganism, in our world ; and on the effect, w hich idolatry, Mohammedanism, and Christianity have respectively produced on individual and national character.

Art. VIII. Under the head of Christian Theology shall be comprehended Lectures on divine revelation ; on the inspiration and truth of the old and new Testaments, as proved by miracles, internal evidence, fulfilment of prophecies, and historic facts ; on the great doctrines and duties of our holy Christian Reli- gion, together with the objections, made to them by unbelievers, and the refutation of such objections ; more particularly on the re- vealed character of Goo, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; on the fall of man and the depravity of human nature ; on the cove- nant of grace ; on the character, offices, atonement, and media- tion of Jesus Christ ; on the character and offices of the Holy Spirit ; on the Scripture doctrines of regeneration, justification, and sanctification ; on evangelical repentance, faith, and obedi- ence ; on the nature and necessity of true virtue or gospel holi- ness ; on the future state, the immortality of soul and body^ and the eternity of future rewards and punishments, as revealed in the gospel ; on the positive institutions of Christianity ; on the nature, interpretation, and use of prophecy ; and on personal re- ligion, as a qualification for the ministry ; each Lecture under this head to be preceded and followed by prayer.

Art. IX. Under the head of Pulpit Eloquence shall be de- livered a competent number of Lectures on the importance of oratory ; on the invention and disposition of topics ; on the several parts of a regular discourse ; on elegance, composition, and dig- nity in style ; on pronunciation, or the proper management of the voice and correct gesture ; on the immense importance of a natural manner ; on the rules, to be observed in composing a ser- mon, and on the adaptation of the principles and precepts of an- cient rhetoric to this modern species of oration ; on the qualities in the speaker, in his style, and in his delivery, necessary to a finish- ed pulpit Orator ; on the methods of strengthening the memory, and of improving in sacred eloquence ; on the character and style of the most eminent Divines and best models for imitation, their respective beauties and excellencies in thought and expression ; and above all, on the transcendent simplicity, beauty, and sub- limity of the Sacred Writings.

Art. X. It shall be the duty of the Professors, hy private

8

instruction and advice, to aid the Students in the acquisition of a radical and adequate knowledife of the sacred Scriptures in their original languages, and of the old Testament in the Sep- tuagint version ; to direct their method of studying the Bible and all other writiu'^s ; to superintend and animate their pursuits by frequent inquiries and examinations, relative to their progress in books and knowledge ; to assign proper subjects for their first compositions, and to suggest a natural method of treating them ; frequently and critically to examine their early productions, and in a free, but friendly manner, to point out their defects and errors, in grammar, method, reasoning, style, and sentiment ; to improve them in the important art of reading, and to give them opportuni- ties of speaking in public, favoring them with their candid re- marks on their whole manner ; to explain intricate texts of Scrip- ture, referred to them ; to solve cases of conscience ; to watch over their health and morals with paternal solicitude ; and by every prudent and christian method, to promote the growth of true piety in their hearts ; to give them friendly advice with relation to their necessary intercourse among men in the various walks of life, and especially with respect to the manner, in which it becomes a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus to address both God and man, whether in the assembly of his saints, or in the chamber of sickness and of death.

Art. XI. Every Professor in this Seminary shall be a Mas- ter of Arts, of the Protestant reformed religion, in communion with some Christian Church of the Congregational or Presbyteri- an denomination, and sustain the character of a sober, honest, learn- ed, and pious man ; he shall moreover be a man of sound and orthodox principles in Divinity, according to that form of sound words or system of evangelical doctrines, drawn from the Scrip- tures, and denominated the Westminster Assembly's shorter Cate- chisn), and more concisely delineated in the Constitution of Phillips Academy.

Art. XII. Every person therefore, appointed or elected a Professor in this Seminary, shall on the day of his inauguration into oflice, and in the presence of the said Trustees, publicly make and subscribe a solemn Declaration of his faith in divine

revelation, and in the fundamental and distinguishing doctrines of the gospel of Christ, as summarily expressed in the Westmin- ster Assembly's shorter Catechism; and he shall furthermore sol- emnly promise, that he will open and explain the Scriptures to his Pupils with integrity and faithfulness ; that he will maintain and inculcate the Christian faith, as above expressed, together with all the other doctrines and duties of our holy religion, so far as may appertain to his office, according to the best light, God shall give him ; and in opposition, not only to Atheists and Infi- dels, but to Jews, Mohammedans, Arians, Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Unitarian?, and Universalists, and to all other heresies and errors, ancient or modern, which may be oppo- sed to the gospel of Christ, or hazardous to the souls of men ; — that by his instructions, counsels, and example, he will endeavor to promote true Piety and Godliness ; that he will consult the good of this Institution and the peace of the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ on all occasions ; and that he will reli- giously observe the Statutes of this Institution, relative to his official duties and deportment, and all such other Statutes and Laws, as shall be constitutionally made by the Trustees of Phillips Academy, not repugnant thereto.

Art. XIII. The preceding Declaration shall be repeated by every Professor in this Seminary, in the presence of the said Trustees, at the expiration of every successive period of five years ; and no man shall be continued a Professor in this Insti- tution, who shall not continue to apjirove himself, to the satisfac- tion of the said Trustees, a man oi sound and orthodox prin- ciples in Divinity, agreeably to the system of evangelical doc- trines, contained in the aforesaid Catechism. Accordingl}^, if at any meeting regularly appointed, it should be proved to the sat- isfaction of a majority of the whole number of the said Trus- tees, that any Professor in this Institution has taught or em- braced any of the heresies or errors, alluded to in the Declaration aforesaid ; or, should he refuse to repeat the same, as herein re- quired, he shall be forthwith removed from office.

Art. XIV. Every Professor in this Institution shall be under the immediate inspection of the said Trustees ; and by 2

10

them removed, agreeably to the will of his Founder, for gross neglect of duty, scandalous immorality, mental incapacity, or any other just and sufficient cause.

Art. XV. Whenever a Professor in tliis Seminary shall be removed by dcaili or otherwise ; the said Trustees shall elect a Successor within twelve months.

Art. XVI. The Trustees aforesaid, in conformity to the Statutes of every Founder, shall assign to tlie Professors in this Se^iinary their respective departments of instruction, the times for reading their lectures, and their several public and private duties, in such manner, as. after consultation with the said Profes- sors, shall to the said Trustees appear most convenient and use- ful ; provided however, that the course of lectures in each de- partment be always completed within the space of three years.

Art. XVil. The necessary expenses of indigent Students at this Seminary, for board, lodging, washing, fuel, and light, will be defrayed out of funds, appropriated to this purpose, agreea- bly to the Regulations, in such case provided, and as said funds may permit.

Art. XVIII. No person shall be admitted a Student on the charitable Foundation, who is not distinguished by natural abili- ties, literary acquirements, unblemished morals, and hopeful piety ; a certificate of which qualities will be required from known and respectable characters, in order to the enjoyment of this charity.

Art. XIX. To be entitled to the mainte«ance aforesaid, each Student on the charitable Foundation, unless prevented by sick- ness, must reside at this Seminary eight months at least in each year, regularly attending the exercises aforesaid as well, as dili- gently prosecuting the studies prescribed, and in all respects conk- forming to the Rules of this Constitution, and to the Laws and Orders of the said Trustees.

Art. XX. Whatever may be the number of vacations, the aggregate thereof shall not exceed twelve weeks in any one year ; and the constant presence of the Professors and Students will be expected in term time.

Art. XXI. Every Student in this Seminary shall constantly, punctually, and seriously attend the religious exercises of the

11

chapel morning and evening, and all the public lectures of the several Professors ; and, to increase the reverence, due to reli- gious institutions, as well, as to give weight to public instruction, it is expected, that the Piofessors not only frequent the chapel at morning and evening prayers, but that they constantly attend each other's public lectures.

Art. XXII. Every student in this Seminary is required to devote so much time to the study of the learned languages, as shall increase his knowledge of them, especially of the Greek and Hebrew languages; to pay due attention to Philology, Rhetoric, and Oratory ; to read the best treatises on natural and revealed Religior>, and on the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel ; to make himself master of the principal arguments and evidences of the truth of Christianity; to pay due attention to ecclesiastical History, and to the canons of biblical Criticism. But above all, it is required, that he make the BIBLE the object of his most attentive, diligent, and prayerful study.

Art. XXin. It will be the duty of the Professors in this Seminary to prepare a list of such books, and to point out such a course of study, as in their opinion may be the most congenial to the true design of this Institution, and most beneficial to the Stu- dents in it ; which list of books and course of study, being ap- proved by said Trustees, said Students shall pursue ; they shall also frequently ask the advice and assistance of the Professors with reference to their studies ; and often submit their theological compositions, especially their first essays, to the friendly inspec- tion and faithful remarks of one or more of the said Professors.

Art. XXIV. Each student, once at least in every year, shall acquaint the Professors with the books, he has read, and with his course of study, during said year; and shall also be examined in the original languages of the Old and New Testament, and in the Septuagint version of the former; also with reference to the lead- ing sentiments and arguments of the principal authors, he has perused ; but especially with respect to the style, character, and design of those sacred writers, which agreeably to direction he has particularly studied.

AR*r. XXV. If upon due and impartial examination it be found,

12

that any Student on the charitable Foundation aforesaid, has not made reasonable proficiency in the studies, prescribed him, he shall be continued thereon no longer; and, if any Student whatev- er in this Seminary shall be guilty of any gross inmiorality, or of any insult or oppugnation to the said Trustees, or to any Pro- fessor or Officer of this Seminary, he shall be cut oft' from all the advantages and benefits of this Institution, unless he make rea- sonable and immediate satisfaction for his offence.

Akt. XXVI. Whenever a Student shall have honorably fin- ished his term and course of study under the direction of the Pro- fessors, and such Student shall request it ; a Certificate, signed by the Professors, specifying how long such Student has studied under the dii-ection, and attended the lectures of the Professors, that he has prosecuted his studies with diligence, and sustained a good moral character, shall be given him ; provided always, that his conduct, and proficiency in theological know ledge be such, as to merit the same.

Art. XXVII. After the expiration of the first three years from the opening of this Institution, it will be required of all persons, who may wish to enjoy the advantages of the same, that they statedly reside at the Seminary three full years, vacations excepted ; a period scarcely sufiicient for acquiiing that fund of knowledge, which is necessary for a minister of the gospel. No Student therefore, after the expiration of the first three years of the Institution, shall be entitled to the Certificate aforesaid ; nor can any one leave the Seminary in an honorable manner, within the term of three years of such residence, except by per- mission, specially obtained of the Trustees, in case of necessity.

Art. XXVIII. Every morning and evening, during the ternt time, religious exercises shall be performed in the^ chapel, and these exercises shall usually be, as follows. The divine assistance and blessing shall be first implored in a short prayer ; a devotional chapter or psalm shall then be read, accompanied with ))ious and practical reflections ; or, instead of this, once at least in every week, an ex|)osilioi) shall he given upon some deeply interesting passage of scripture; to tliis shall succeed a piece of genuine psalmody ; and the services be concluded by an appropriate prayer.

13

In these exercises the Professors shall preside, and ordinarily officiate ; but Students of two years standing may occasionally perform them in whole or in part, according to the desire and di- rection of the Professors. JMoreover as soon, as circumstances will permit, a regular Church will be formed in this Seminary, consisting chiefly of the Professors, Students, and families, con- nected with this Seminary and Phillips Academy; after which, if not before, divine services will be publicly celebrated in the chapel of the Seminary, in the forenoon and afternoon of every Lord's day, during term time. These services shall be usually performed by the Professors ; but sometimes by such senior Stu- dents, as may have obtained permission of the Professors to preach occasionally ; and they shall be attended by all the Students of this Institution, and by as many of the families of the Professors and Officers, connected with it, or with Phillips Academy, as may wish for this privilege, and by as many pupils of said Academy, as may be deemed expedient by the Trustees aforesaid.

Art. XXIX. The senior Students will be required, not only to prepare sermons, but occasionally to deliver them in public, both in the Seminary and in neiglibouring congregations, as may be judged expedient by the said Professors. No Student how- ever shall presume to preach, before, upon thorough examination of his qualifications and motives for preaching, he shall have ob- tained a written permission therefor, subscribed by the Professors, or a major part of them. This permission however is never to supersede the customary approbation or license of some regular Association or Presbytery.

Art. XXX. Sacred Music, and especially Psalmody, being an important part of public, social worship; and as it is proper for those, who are to preside in the assemblies of God's people, to possess themselves of so much skill and taste in this sublime art, as at least to distinguish betu'een those solemn movements, which are congenial to pious minds, and those unhallowed, trifling, med- ley pieces which chill devotion ; it is expected, that serious atten- tion will be paid to the culture of a true taste for genuine Church Music in this Seminary ; and that all Students therein, who have tolerable voices, will be duly instructed in the theory and practice

14

of this celestial art ; and whenever it shall be in the power of either of the said Professors, it shall accordingly be his duty to afford this necessary instruction ; and whenever this shall not be the case, it is expected, that an Instructor will be procured for this purpose.

Art. XXXI. All Professors, Officers, and Students in this Seminary, and all other persons, employed in its service, together with the Lands, Buildings, Library, Funds, and all other Property, thereto belonging ; shall be under the immediate inspection and government of the Trustees aforesaid ; and be regulated and managed by them in strict conformity to this Constitution, and to the Statutes and Will of every Founder of a Professorshij), or B en efactoj- o( this Institution. And the said Trustees are hereby authorized and empowered to make such additional Regulations, (not inconsistent with the Regu- lations, established in this Constitution , nor with the Statutes or Will of any Founder or Donor, nor w ith the object of this In- stitution, nor in any degree avoiding them or either of them) as they in their wisdom shall deem necessary to give the fullest efficacy to these provisions, or to the consistent provisions of future Benefactors ; whether such Regulations may relate to the conduct of the Professors, the government of the Students, their various duties and exercises, their lodging and diet, the prevention and punishment of offences, the preservation of health, the promotion of order, peace, and harmony, to the safety of the Buildings, or to the security of the Funds, which last are to be effectually guarded against all loss and diminution ; in a word, to do every thing, under the foregoing limitations, which, upon serious and mature deliberation, may appear to them necessary to secure and promote the true object of this Institution.

Art. XXXIl. Notwithstanding this Seminary is placed by this Constitution under the immediate caie and government of the Trustees of Phillips Academy ; it is always to be under- stood, and it is hereby expressly declared, that every Founder of a Professorship, Scholarship, or any other Living whatever, in this Institution, will have the exclusive right of prescribing the

15

Regulations and Statutes, to be observed by the said Trustees in conducting the concerns of the same, said Regulations and Statutes being always consistent with the principles and oi)ject of this Institution ; and also the right, for the term of his life, of appointing in the original deed or grant, such local Visitor or Visitors, as he may think proper, and to endow hiin or them with all visitatorial powers and authorities, necessary to secure and enforce due observance and execution of his said Regulations and Statutes.

Art. XXXIII. Whereas the necessary business of this Seminary will be sufficient to employ the said Trustees one day at least in every year ; they are requested to hold an annual meeting for transacting the same, on such day in each year, as they may appoint ; and likewise to meet as much oftener, as the good'of said Seminary may require ; and at each annual meeting to read this Constitution. The rules and modes of doing busi- ness at all such meetings shall be the same, mutatis mutandis, which are prescribed in the Constitution of Phillips Academy. Decent, not extravagant entertainment shall be made for the Trustees, while attending such meetings ; reasonable compen- sation made to the Treasurer of said Academy for his services ; and other necessary expenses of this Institution defrayed out of the income of its Funds. It is also particularly requested, that all the transactions of the said Trustees, relative to the said Theological Institution, be recorded in a distinct book ; and likewise that all property given, devised or bequeathed for the support of this Seminary, be separated, and forever kept dis- tinct from all other property, to the Trustees aforesaid in any way or for any other purpose entrusted, being never blended therewith, in any part or degree, by loan or purchase ; and that the said Treasurer accordingly keep all his accounts and entries, relative to these Funds, in distinct books ; and all monies, evi- dences of property, receipts, papers, and books of account, ap- pertaining to this Institution, in a separate trunk or chest, pre- pared for prompt removal on any emergence ; and that the ac- ".ounts of said Treasurer be annually audited by a Committee, "jr this purpose appointed, who shall report to the said Trus- tees in writing.

16

Art. XXXIV. Confiding in the wisdom and fidelity of the said Trustees and their Successors in office, and with the pleasing hope and expectation, that they will religiously appro- priate the aforesaid Buildings, and the income of the aforesaid Fund, and of all future Donations for the same pious purpose, to the great object of supporting a Theological Seminary, such as herein contemplated and described, agreeably to the Princi- ples and Regulations, contained in this Constitution ; we do now under God cheerfully commit this our Foundation to their pious and watchful care ; trusting that no exertion on their part will be wanting to the success of an Institution, so intimately con- nected with the glory of God, the advancement of the Redee- mer's kingdom, and the salvation of their fellow men.

But, while we thus express our conviction of the necessity and utility of this Institution, it is our earnest prayer, that our own minds, and the minds of the Trustees, Professors, Students, and all connected therewith, may be ever penetra- ted by a deep sense of the necessity of the Divine direction, influence, and blessing, to render even the wisest provisions and the best human instructions ultimately successful.

To the Spirit of truth, to the Divine Author of our faith, to the only Wise GOD, we desire in sincerity to present this our humble offering ; devoutly imploring the Father of lights, rich- ly to endue with wisdom from above all his servants, the Trus- tees of this Seminary; and with spiritual understanding the Professors therein ; that, being illuminated by the Holy Spirit, their doctrine may drop, as the rain, and their speech distil, as the dew ; and that their Pupils may become trees of renown in the courts of our God, whereby He may be glorified.

In witness whereof we, the Subscribers, have hereunto set our hands and seals this thirty-first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven.

Signed, scaled, and dc PHCEBE PHILLIPS, (S.)

Hvf.red in prr.sniCR of

fo"™ p'r,"'' JOHN PHILLIPS, Jan. (S.)

AmosB.«ch.h,>. SAMUEL abbot. (S.)

17

ADDITIONAL STATUTES.

We, the Subscribers, having made some provision for the es- tablishment of a Theological Institution in connexion with Phillips Academy, by covenanting to erect certain Buildings therefor, and by laying a Foundation for a Professorship of Chris- tian Theology therein ; and having given a Constitution, con- taining Principles and Regulations for the management of the said Institution, which has been accepted by the Trustees of said Academy ; in which we *' reserved to ourselves, during our natural lives, the right jointly to make any additional Regula- tions, or to alter any Rule, therein prescribed, provided such Regulation, or alteration, be not prejudicial to the true design of said Foundation." — We do now, agreeably to the said reserved right, and in furtherance, as we trust, of our original design, therein expressed, make and ordain the following Articles, to be added to, and taken, as a part of our said Constitution ; Provi- ded the said Trustees shall accept the Statutes and Founda- tion of the Associate Founders, so called, viz. of Moses Brown and William Bartlet Esquires of Newburyport, and the Honorable John Norris Esquire of Salem, which are now executed, and to be laid before the said Trustees, at their ap- proaching meeting, for their acceptance ; and to continue of full force, as a part of our said Constitution, so long, as the said As- sociate Foundation shall continue attached to our said Institu- tion, and no longer.

Art. I. Having provided in the twelfth Article of our said Constitution, that " every person, appointed or elected a Profes- sor in the said Seminary, shall on the day of his inauguration in- to office publicly make and subscribe a Declaration of his faith in Divine Revelation, and in the fundamental and distinguishing

3

18

doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, as summarily expressed in the Westniinster Assembly's Shorter Catechism ;" We now ordain the following addition, to be inserted in said Article, in connex- ion with the said clause, viz. ' and as more particularly express- ed in the following Creed, to wit,

' 1 believe that there is one and but one living and true God ; that the word of God, contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the only perfect rule of faith and practice ; that agreeably to those Scriptures God is a Spirit infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth ; that in the Godhead are three Persons, the Father, tlie Son, and the Holy Ghost; and that these Three are One GOD, the same in substance, equal in power and glory ; that God created man, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness ; that the glory of God is man's chief end, and the enjoyment of God his supreme hap- piness ; that this enjoyment is derived solely from conformity of heart to the moral character and will of God ; that Adam, the federal head and representative of the human race, was pla- ced in a state of probation, and that, in consequence of his diso- bedience, all his descendants were constituted sinners; that by nature every man is personally depraved, destitute of holiness, unlike and opposed to God ; and that, previously to the renew- ing agency of the Divine Spirit, all his moral actions are ad- verse to the character and glory of God ; that, being morally in- capable of recovering the image of his Creator, which was lost in Adam, every man is justly exposed to eternal damnation ; so that, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ; that God, of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting life, and that he entered Into a cove- nant of grace, to deliver them out of this slate of sin and misery by a Redeemer ; that the only Redeemer of the elect is the eternal Son of God, who for this purpose bccan)e man, and con- tinues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever ; that Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth tlie oflice of a Prophet, Priest, and King ; that, agreeably to the covenant of redemption, the Son of God, and he alone, by his sufferings and

19

death, has made atonement for the sins of ail men ; that repen- tance, faith, and holiness are the personal requisites in the Gos- pel scheme of salvation ; that the righteousness of Christ is the only ground of a sinner's justification ; that this righteousness is received through faith ; and that tliis faith is the gift of God ; so that our salvation is wiiolly of grace ; that no means whatever can change the heart of a sinner, and make it holy ; that regenera- tion and sanctification are effects of the creating and renewing agency of the Holy Spirit, and that supreme love to God con- stitutes the essential difference between saints and sinners ; that by convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds, working faith in us, and renewing our wills, the Holy Spirit makes us partakers of the benefits of redemption ; and that the ordinary means, by which these benefits are communicated to us, are the word, sacraments, and prayer ; that repentance unto life, faith to feed upon Christ, love to God, and new obedience, are the appropriate qualifications for the Lord's Supper; and that a Christian Church ought to admit no person to its holy commu- nion, before he exhibit credible evidence of his godly sincerity ; that perseverance in holiness is the only method of making our calling and election sure ; and that the final perseverance of saints, though it is the effect of the special open operation of God on their hearts, yet necessarily implies their own watcliful dili- gence ; that they, who are effectually called, do in this life par- take of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits, which do either accompany or flow from them ; that the souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory ; that their bodies, being still united to Christ, will at the resurrection be raised up to glory, and that the saints will be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity ; but that the wicked will awake to shame and everlasting contempt, and with devils be plunged into the lake, that burneth with fire and brimstone forever and ever. I moreo- ver believe that God, according to the counsel of his own will, and for his own glory, hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and that all beings, actions, and events, both in the natural and moral world, are under his providential direction ; that God's

20

decrees perfectly consist with human liberty ; God's universal agency with the agency of man ; and man's dependence with his accountability ; that man has understanding and corporeal strength to do all, that God requires of him ; so that nothing, but the sin- ner's aversion to holiness, prevents his salvation ; that it is the prerogative of God, to bring good out of evil, and that he will cause the wrath and rage of wicked men and devils to praise Him ; and that all the evil, which has existed, and will forever exist in the moral system, will eventually be made to promote a most im- portant purpose under the wise and perfect administration of that ALMiGiixy Being, who will cause all things to work for his own glory, and thus fulfil all his pleasure.'

Art. II. That the trust aforesaid may be always executed agreeably to the true intent of our said Foundation ; and that we may effectually guard the same, in all future time, against all perversion, or the smallest avoidance of our true design, as therein expressed ; — We do hereby constitute a Board of Vis- itors, to be, as in our place and stead, the Guardians, Over- seers, and Protectors of our said Foundation, in manner, as is expressed in the following provisions; that is to say, we appoint and constitute the Honorable Caleb Strong Esquire, late Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Rever- end Timothy Dwight D. D. President of Yale College, and the Reverend Samuel Spring D. D. of Newburyport, Visi- tors of the said Foundation ; who with their Successors in office, to be chosen, as herein after directed, shall be a perpetual body for this purpose, with all tiie powers and duties, in them herein vested, and on them enjoined ; but we do nevertheless reserve to Samuel Abbot, one of the Subscribers, the right of visiting, in connexion with the said Board, and during his natu- ral life, the said Foundation ; and we do moreover confer on INIosF-s Brown and William Bartlrt Esquires of Newbury- port, and the Honorable John Norris Esquire of Salem, the Associate Foundkrs, above named, the right of visiting the said Foundation in the same manner with the said Samuel Ab- bot, during their natural lives respectively ; each of the said four Founders, so long, as he shall retain his seal at the Board,

21

shall possess and exercise all the rights and powers, herein given to a Visitor of the said Foundation ; though upon the resigna- tion or demise of either of the said Founders, his place shall not be supplied by election of a Visitor, to succeed him ; and, after the demise or resignation of the said four persons, last above named, as Founders, the said Board shall never consist of more than three members ; and it is farther expressly provided, that the perpetual Board of Visitors, first herein named, shall con- sist of two Clergymen and one Layman, all of whom shall be men of distinguished talents and piety.

Art. III. We do farther provide and ordain, that no per- son shall be eligible, as a Visitor, under the age of forty years ; nor shall any person, except the seven, herein just na- med, hold the office of Visitor after the age of seventy years ; and whenever, with the exception aforesaid, any Visitor shall have completed the sixty-ninth year of his age, the Board shall, within the year next ensuing, choose some suitable person, to succeed him ; but the Visitor elect shall not take his seat at the Board, before his said Predecessor shall have completed his seventieth year, or formally resigned his office of Visitor ; and no resignation of any member at an earlier age shall be accepted by this Board, before a Successor shall have been chosen.

Art. IV. The Board of Visitors shall meet on the seven- teenth day of May current at Andover, and ever after once in every year at the aforesaid Theological Institution, to ex- ecute the business of their appointment, on such day, as they shall assign ; also upon emergencies, when called thereto, as herein after directed ; and a majority of the Visitors, when regularly convened, shall be a Quorum, of which Quorum a ma- jor part shall have power to transact the business of their com- mission ; and, in case of an equivote, the question shall deter- mine on that side, on which the presiding member shall have voted.

Art. V. There shall be annually chosen by ballot a Presi- dent and Secretary, as Officers of the Board, out of their own number ; who shall continue in their respective offices, till their places be supplied by new elections ; and, upon the decease of

32

eitlior of tbem, anotlier shall be chosen in his room at the next mealing.

Art. VI. The President, or in case of his death, resigna- tion, or absence from the country, the Secretary shall, upon all necessary occasions, call s])ecial meetings of the Board ; and his notifications shall express the business, to be transacted at such meetings, and be given as early, as possible ; and in the ab- sence of the President, at any meeting, the Secretary shall pre- side.

Art. VII. The Secretary shall keep a fair record of all the transactions of the Visitors at every meeting of the Board, in- serting the names of the members present ; and in his absence another shall be appointed in his room.

Art. VIII. The Visitors shall remove any member of their Board for immorality, incapacity, or signal neglect of duty.

Art. IX. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of a Vis- itor, (except only upon the demise or resignation of a Foun- der) the Board of Visitors shall at their next meeting, by bal- lot, elect another in his stead ; and ever after from time to time, as a vacancy shall take place in this Board, they shall supply it ; and every person, so elected, previously to his taking his seat at the Board, shall make and subscribe the following Declaration, namely ; " Approving the Constitution of the aforesaid Theolo- gical Institution, I solemnly declare in the presence of Goi> and of this Board, that I will faithfully exert my abilities to carry into execution the Regulations, therein contained, and to promote the (^reat object of the Inst'itution ;" — And he shall moreo- ver in like manner subscribe tiie same theological Creed, which €very Professor elect is required to subscribe ; and a Declaration of his fiit!) in the same Creed shall be repeated byhim at every successive period of five years ; and, if in the course of events the number of Visitors shall, by any special providence of God, be reduced to one, the remaining Visitor shall have power to appoint one suitable person, to be a Visitor of the said Foun- dation ; and these two Visitors shall at their first regular meet- ing supply the remaining vacancy in the Board.

Art. X. The power and duties of the Board of Visitors,

23

thus constituted and organized, shall be, as follows, namely, to visit the said Foundation once in every year, and at other times, when regularly called tljereto ; to inquire into the state of the said fund, and the management of the said Foundation with respect to the said Professor ; to determine, interpret, and explain the Statutes of the said Foundation in all cases, brought before them in their judicial capacity; to redress grievances with respect to the said Professor ; to hear appeals from decisions of the Board of Trustees, and to remedy upon complaint, duly exhibited in behalf of the said Professor ; to review and reverse any censure, passed by said Trustees upon any Professor on said Foundation ; to declare void all Rules and Regulations, made by the said Trustees, relative to said Foundation, which may be inconsistent with the original Statutes thereof; to take care, that the duties of each Professor on said Foundation be intelli- gibly and faithfully discharged, and to admonish or remove him, either for misbehaviour, heterodoxy, incapacity, or neglect of the duties of his office ; and in general to see that our true intentions, as expressed in our said Constitution, in relation to said Professor, be faithfully executed ; always administering justice impartially, and exercising the functions of their office in the fear of God, ac« cording to these Regulations, the Provisions of the said Constitu- tion, and the Laws of the land.

Art. XI. Every election of a Professor on said Foundation shall within ten days be presented to the Visitors ; who are hereby vested with the power and right of approving or nega- tiving, at a regular meeting, every such election. But if any such election be not either approved or negatived by the said Visitors within twelve months from commencement of a vacancy in said Professorship ; such election shall be considered, as approved by the Visitors, and shall accordingly be deemed constitutional and valid ; provided always, that such election shall have been regu- larly communicated to the President or Secretary of the Board of Visitors ten days at least previously to the expiration of the twelve months aforesaid.

Art. XII. The Board of Visitors in all their proceedings are to be subject to our Statutes, herein expressed, and to those,

24

contained in our said Constitution, and to conform their measures accordingly ; and, if they shall at any time act contrary thereto, or exceed the limits of their jurisdiction and constitutional power, the party aggrieved may have recourse by appeal to the Justi- ces of the Supreme Judicial CoI'Rt of this Commonwealth, for the time being, for remedy; who are hereby appointed and authorized to judge in such case ; and, agreeably to the determi- nation of the major part of them, to declare null and void any de- cree or sentence of the said Visitors, which upon mature con- sideration they may deem contrary to the said Statutes, or be- yond the just limits of their power, herein prescribed ; and by the said Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, for the time being, shall the said Board of Visitors at all times be sub- ject to be restrained and corrected in the undue exercise of their office.

Art. XIII. At all meetings of the Visitors decent enter- tainment shall he made by direction of the Board, and at the expense of the Foundation.

Finally. Commending the said Institution, and all con- cerned in the management thereof, to the blessing of Heaven ; and in witness of what is contained in this and the seven preced- ing pages, we hereunto set our hands and seals, this third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight.

Signed, sealed, and deliv- SAMUEL ABBOT, (S.)

ered in presence of us,

Amos b'™bi,. PH(EBE PHILLIPS, (S.)

JOHN PHILLIPS, Jun. (S.)

25

THE STATUTES

ASSOCIATE FOUNDATION

THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION

IN ANDOVER.

Seriously reflecting upon the fatal effects of the apostasy of man without a Savior, on the merciful object of the Son of God in assuming our nature and dying for our salvation, and upon the wisdom of his appointment of an order of men, to preach his Gospel in the world ; considering also that, notwithstanding this appointment, by far the greatest part of the human race is still perishing for lack of vision ; and that even in countries, where the Gospel is enjoyed, infidelity, error, and immorality greatly abound ; feeling it to be our duty, to conspire with the benevo- lent design of this appointment ; and being desirous of contribut- ing according to our ability toward its success, and of expressing in this imperfect manner our sense of obligation to our compas- sionate Redeemer; We, Moses Brown and William Bart- let, both of Newburyport, Merchants, and John Norris of Sa- lem Esquire, all of the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being influenced, as we hope, by a principle of gratitude to God and benevolence to man, have determined to devote a part of the substance, with which Heaven has blessed us, to the defence and promotion of the Christian Religion, by making some provision for increasing the number of learned and

4

26

able Defenders of the Gospel of Christ, as well as of orthodox, pious, and zealous Ministers of the New Testament ; and we do accordingly hereby give, assign, and set over to tiie Trustees of Phillips Academy, and to their Successors in office, the sum of ten thousand dollars each, amounting to thirty thousand dol- lars ; to which sum, I, William Bartlet, add the farther sum often thousand dollars,* for the purpose of supporting one of the two Professors, herein after named, (the whole amounting to forty thousand dollars,) in Sacred Trust, as a capital Fund, to be dispo- sed of in the manner and for the purposes following ; that is to say, the said sum of money to he kept out at interest on good secu- rity, or otherwise in whole or in part vested, as the said Trus- tees shall deem best, in productive real estate, or in sure and permanent Funds ; and tiie interest or annual income of said cap- ital Fund to be applied to the maintenance of two Professors in the Theological Institution or Seminary, laielv founded in the Town of Andover, and County aforesaid ; who shall, agree- ably to the permanent Creed, herein after mentioned, faithfully leach that revealed Holy Religion only, which God constantly teaches man by his glorious works of Creation, Providence, and Redemption ; whose professional duties shall be assigned, accord- ing to the Constitution of the Seminary, in such manner, as shall most directly and effectually promote the great object of the In- stitution ; reserving to ourselves the right, jointly to make the first appointment of one of the said professors, and to the said William Bartlet severally the right, to make the first appoint- ment of the other of the said professors ; and also toward the maintenance of such Students in Divinity, as may be proper Candidates for gratuitous support, and sliail be approved and recommended by the Board of Visitors, herein after constituted, or by a committee of their appointment, agreeably to the follow- ing Statutes, namely.

Art. I. The Fund aforesaid shall be kej)! distinct from all other property, to the same Trustees belonginir, being never blended therewith by loan or purchase ; and their Treasurer shall

* To this sum an addition often thousand dollars was made by the Founder Boon after the execution of these Statutes.

27

accordingly keep all accounts, relative thereto, in distinct books ; and all monies, evidences of property, receipts, papers, and books of account, appertaining to said Fund, in a trunk, or chest, pre- pared for prompt removal.

Art. II. Every Professor on the Associate Foundation shall be a Master of Arts, of the Protestant Reformed Religion, an ordained Minister of the Congregational or Presbyterian de- nomination, and shall sustain the character of a discreet, honest, learned, and devout Christian ; an orthodox and consistent Cal- vinist ; and after a careful examination by the Visitoks with re- ference to his religious principles, he shall, on the day of his in- auguration, publicly make and subscribe a solemn Declaration - of his faith in Divine Revelation, and in the fundamental and dis- tinguishing doctrines of the Gospel, as expressed in the following Creed ; which is supported by the infallible Revelation, which God constantly makes of Himself in his works of creation, prov- idence, and redemption ; namely,

' I believe that there is one, and but one living and true God ; that the word of God, contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the only perfect rule of faith and practice ; that agreeably to these Scriptures God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal; and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth ; that in the Godhead are three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and that these Three are One GOD, the same in substance, equal in power and glory ; that God created man, after his own image,, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness ; that the glory of God is man's chief end, and the enjoyment of God his supreme hap- piness ; that this enjoyment is derived solely from conformity of heart to the moral character and will of God ; that Adam, the federal head and representative of the human race, was pla- ced in a state of probation, and that, in consequence of his diso- bedience, all his descendants were constituted sinners ; that by nature every man is personally depraved, destitute of holiness, unlike and opposed to God ; and that, previously to the renew- ing agency of the Divine Spirit, all his moral actions are ad- verse to the character and glory of God ; that, being morally in-

28

capable of recovering the image of his Creator, which was lost in Adam, every man is justly exposed to eternal damnation ; so that, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ; that God, of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting life, and that he entered into a cove- nant of grace, to deliver them out of this state of sin and misery by a Redeemer ; that the only Redeemer of the elect is the eternal Son of God, who for this purpose became man, and con- tinues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever ; that Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the office of a Prophet, Priest, and King ; that, agreeably to the covenant of redemption, the Son of God, and he alone, by his sufferings and deatl), has made atonement for the sins of all men ; that repen- tance, faith, and holiness are the personal requisites in the Gos- pel scheme of salvation ; that the righteousness of Christ is the only ground of a sinner's justification ; that this righteousness is received through faith ; and that this faith is the gift of God ; so that our salvation is wholly of grace ; tl)at no n)eans whatever can change the heart of a sinner, and make it holy ; that regenera- tion and sanctification are effects of the creating and renewing agency of the Holy Spirit, and that supreme love to God con- stitutes tlie essential difference between saints and sinners ; that by convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds, working faith in us, and renewing our wills, the Holy Spirit makes us partakers of the benefits of redemption ; and that the ordinary means, by which these benefits are communicated to us, are the word, sacraments, and prayer ; tiiat repentance unto life, faith to feed upon Christ, love to God, and new obedience, are the appropriate qualifications for the Lord's Supper ; and that a Christian Church ought to admit no person to its holy commu- nion, before he exhibit credible evidence of his godly sincerity ; that perseverance in holiness is the only method of making our calling and election sure ; and that the final perseverance of saints, though it is the effect of the special operation of God on their hearts, yet necessarily implies thc^ir own watchful dili- gence ; that they, who are effectually called, do in this life par- take of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several

29

benefits, which do either accompany or flow from them ; that the souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory ; that their bodies, being still united to Christ, will at the resurrection be raised up to glory, and that the saints will be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity ; but that the wicked will awake to shame and everlasting contempt, and with devils be plunged into the lake, that burneth with fire and brimstone forever and ever. I moreo- ver believe that God, according to the counsel of his own will, and for his own glory, hat!) foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and that all beings, actions, and events, both in the natural and moral world, are under his providential direction ; that God's decrees perfectly consist with human liberty ; God's universal agency with the agency of man ; and man's dependence with his accountability ; that man has understanding and corporeal strength to do all, that God requires of him ; so that nothing, but the sin- ner's aversion to holiness, prevents his salvation ; that it is the prerogative of God, to bring good out of evil, and that he will cause the wrath and rage of wicked men and devils to praise Him ; and that all the evil, which has existed, and will forever exist in the moral system, will eventually be made to promote a most im- portant purpose under the wise and perfect administration of that Almighty Being, who will cause all things to work for his own glory, and thus fulfil all his pleasure. — And furthermore I do so- lemnly promise that 1 will open and explain the Scriptures to my Pupils with integrity and faithfulness ; that 1 will maintain and inculcate the Christian faith, as expressed in the Creed, by me now repeated, together with all the other doctrines and duties of our holy Religion, so far, as may appertain to my office, accord- ing to the best light, God shall give me, and in opposition, not only to Atheists and Infidels, but to Jews, Papists, Mohammedans, Arians, Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Sabellians, Unitarians, and Universalists ; and to all heresies and errors, an- cient or modern, which may be opposed to the Gospel of Christ, or hazardous to the souls of men ; that by my instruction, coun- sel, and example, 1 will endeavour to promote true Piety and Godliness ; that I will consult the good of this Institution, and

30

the peace of the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ on all occa- sions ; and that I will religiously conform to the Constitution and Laws of this Seminary,, and to the statutes of tiiis Foundation.

Art. in. The preceding Creed and Declaration shall be repeated by every Professor on this Foundation at the expiration of every successive period of five years ; and no man shall be continued a Professor on said Foundation, who shall not continue to approve himself a man of sound and orthodox principles in Di- vinity agreeably to the aforesaid Creed.

Art. IV. Professors on this Foundation shall be allowed an honorable maintenance, regulated, as circumstances may require, by the current prices of the necessaries of life, agreeably to ori- ginal contract.

Art. V. It is required, that every public Lecture be preced- ed and followed by prayer ; that the Associate Professors in their preaching to the Students of the Institution on the Lord's Day be devout, practical, doctrinal, and pungent, rather than specula- tive and metaphysical ; and no Professor on this Foundation shall ever preach for hire, or take the pastoral charge of any church or congiegation. And it is furthermore expected, that the Profes- sors on this Foundation shall faithfully devote their time and talents, to qualify their Pupils for able ministers of the Gospel. Beside, therefore, guiding them in the peaceful ways of wisdom and dis- cretion by Christian precept and example, directing the course of their reading the Scriptures and other instructive books, critically inspecting and correcting iheir theological compositions, and teach- ing them the appropriate style and manner of pulpit address, it is confidently expected, that the Professors confer with them free- ly and frequently on those subjects, which are calculated to ex- pand and enrich the minds and hearts of the theological Students, and prepare them for the work of the Ministry.

Art. VI. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of a Pro- fessor on this Foundation, a Successor shall be chosen by the Trustees aforesaid within six months, and the choice presented to the Visitors for their approbation. But, if this choice be negatived, another election shall in like inanner be presented, and toties quotks, till an election be made, which shall be approved

31

by the Visitors ; and this within twelve months from the com- mencement of a vacancy in either of the said Professorships.

Art. VII. All Applicants for the advantages of this Foun- dation shall be introduced by letters of recommendation from de- vout and influential characters, and shall exhibit satisfactory evi- dence of their distinguished abilities and gracious sincerity ; and by an examination in the learned languages shall evince that in these respects they are qualified to enter upon theological studies.

Art. VIII. Every Applicant, after examination by the stand- ing Committee, to be appointed, as herein after provided, and after reading the Constitution of the Seminary and the Statutes of the Associate Founders, shall make and subscribe the fol- lowing Declaration, viz, ' Deeply impressed with the importance of an extensive fund of knowledge and prudence to the min- isterial character, and of being correctly instructed in the doc- trines of the Gospel, and consequently of attending a regular course of theological education, I solemnly promise, by the aid of Divine grace, to improve in a faithful and Christian manner the advan- tages, furnished by this Institution; to be uniformly subject to the authority and laws of the same, with a single view to my being qualified for the Gospel Ministry.'

Art. IX. Strict and devout attention to the Sabbath and all stated solemnities is required of the Associate Students ; and every neglect of the means of grace or religious improvement wilf be duly noticed by the Professors.

Art. X. It is strictly enjoined upon the Associate Students, to treat the Professors, Trustees, and Visitors with due re- spect ; and each other and all persons with friendship and deco- rum ; any failure in these and similar instances will be deemed censurable ; and, if persisted in, a forfeiture of the privileges of the Institution.

Art. XI. Tuition and room shall be gratis to all approved Applicants and Students on this Foundation ; and other gratui- tous aid, such as diet, fuel, light, washing, and lodging, shall be granted, in whole or in part, according to the direction of the Visi- tors, and as the state of the said Funds may permit ; and no Student in the Seminary may ever be charged for the Instruc- tion of any Professor on our Foundation.

32

Art. XII. That the Trust aforesaid may be always exe- cuted agreeably to the true intent of this our Foundation ; and that we may effectually guard the same in all future time against all perversion, or the smallest avoidance of our true design, as, herein expressed ; We, the aforesaid Founders, do hereby con- stitute a Board of Visitors, to be as in our place and stead the Guardians, Overseers, and Protectors of this our Foundation in manner, as is expressed in the following Provisions, that is to say, We appoint and constitute the Honorable Caleb Strong Esquire, late Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Rev. Timothy Dwight D. D. President of Yale College, and the Rev. Samuel Spring D. D. of Newburyport aforesaid, Visitors of the said Foundation ; who with their Successors in office, to be chosen as herein after directed, shall be a perpetual body for this purpose, with all the powers and duties, in them herein vested and on them enjoined ; but we do nevertheless re- serve to ourselves the right of visiting in connection with the said Board, and during our natural lives respectively, this our Founda- tion. And we do moreover confer on Samuel Abbot Esquire,* one of the Founders of the Theological Institution afore- said, the right of visiting this our Foundation in the same manner with ourselves, during his natural life ; each of the said four Foun- ders so long-, as he shall retain his seat at the Board, shall possess and exercise all the rights and powers, herein given to a Visitor of this Foundation ; though upon the resignation or demise of either of the said Founders his place shall not be supplied by election of a Visitor to succeed him ; and after the demise or resignation of the said four persons, last above named as Foun- ders, the said Board shall never consist of more than three mem- bers ; and it is farther expressly provided, that the perpetual Board of Visitors, first herein named, shall consist of two Cler- gymen and one Layman, all of whom shall be men of distinguish- ed talents and piety.

Art. XIII. We do farther provide and ordain that no person shall be clii^ible, as a Visitor, under the age of forty years ; nor shall any person, except the seven herein just named, hold the

* Who had previously resigned his seat at the Board of Trustees.

33

office of Visitor after the age of seventy years ; and whenever, with the exception aforesaid, any Visitor shall have completed the sixty-ninth year of his age, the Board shall, within the year next ensuing, choose some suitable person to succeed him ; but the Visitor elect shall not take his seat at the Board, before his said Predecessor shall have completed his seventieth year, or for- mally resigned his office of Visitor ; and no resignation of any member at an earlier age shall be accepted by this Board, before a Successor shall have been chosen.

Art. XIV. The Board of Visitors shall meet on the sev- enteenth day of May next at Andover, and ever after, once in every year, at the aforesaid Theological Institution, to exe- cute the business of their appointment, on such day, as they shall assign ; also upon emergencies, when called thereto, as herein after directed ; and a majority of the Visitors, when regularly con- vened, shall be a Qiiorum, of which Quorum a major part shall have power to transact the business of their Commission ; and in case of an equivote, the question shall determine on that side, on which the presiding member shall have voted.

Art. XV. There shall be annually chosen, by ballot, a Presi- dent and Secretary, as Officers of the Board, out of their own number ; who shall continue in their respective offices, till their places be supplied by new elections ; and upon the decease of either of them, another shall be chosen in his room at the next meeting.

Art. XVI. The President, or in case of his death, resignation, or absence from the country, the Secretary shall, upon all neces- sary occasions, call special meetings of the Board ; and his notifi- cations shall express the business to be transacted at such meetings, and be given as early as possible, and in the absence of the Presi- dent, at any meeting, the Secretary shall preside.

Art. XVII. The Secretary shall keep a fair record of all the transactions of the Visitors at every meeting of the Board, insert- ing the names of the members present ; and in his absence anoth- er shall be appointed in his room.

Art. XVIII. The Visitors shall remove any Member of their Board for immorality, incapacity, or neglect of duty. 5

34

Art. XIX. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of a Visi- tor, except only upon the demise or resignation of a Founder, the Board of Visitors shall at their next meeting, by ballot, elect another in his stead ; and ever after from time to time, as a vacan- cy shall take place in this Board, they shall supply it ; and every person so elected, previously to taking his seat at the Board, shall make and subscribe the following Declaration, namely, ' Ap- proving the Statutes of the aforesaid Theological Institution, and those of the Associate Founders, I solemnly declare, in the presence of God and of this Board, that I will faithfully exert my abilities, to carry into execution the Statutes of the said Foun- ders, and to promote the great object of the Institution.' And he shall moreover in like manner subscribe the same theological Creed, which every Professor elect is required to subscribe ; and a Declaration of his faith in the same Creed shall be repealed by him at every successive period of [ive years ; and, if in the course of events the number of Visitors shall by any special providence of God be reduced to one, the remaining Visitor shall have power to appoint one suitable person to be a Visitor of this Foun- dation ; and these two Visitors shall at their first regular meet- ing supply the remaining vacancy in the Board.

Art. XX. The power and duties of the Board of Visitors, thus constituted and organized, shall be as follows ; namely, to visit the Foundation once in every year ; and at other times, when regularly called thereto; to inquire into the state of this our Fund, and the management of this Foundation, with respect both to Professors and Students ; to determine, interpret, and ex- plain the Statutes of this Foundation in all cases, brought before them in their judicial capacity ; to redress grievances, both with respect to Professors and Students ; to hear appeals from deci- sions of the Board of Trustees, and to remedy upon complaint, duly exhibited in behalf of the said Professors or Students ; to review and reverse any censure, passed by said Trustees upon any Professor or Student on this Foundation ; to declare void all Rules and Regulations, made by the said Trustees, relative to this Foundation, which may be inconsistent with the original Statutes thereof ; to take care, that the duties of every Professor

35

on this Foundation be intelligibly and faithfully discharged, and to admonish or remove him, either for misbehaviour, heterodoxy, incapacity, or neglect of the duties of his office ; to examine into the proficiency of the Students, and to admonish, suspend, or de- prive any Student for negligence, contumacy, or any heinous crime, committed against the laws of God or the Statutes of this Foundation ; and in general, to see that our true intention, as expressed in these our Statutes, be faithfully executed ; always administering justice impartially, and exercising the functions of their office in the fear of Goo, according to the said Statutes, the Constitution of this Seminary, and the Laws of the land.

Art. XXI. Every election of a professor on this Foundation shall within ten days be presented to the Visitors ; who are hereby vested with the power and right of approving or negativ- ing, at a regular meeting, every such election. But, if any such election be not either approved or negatived by the said Visitors, within twelve months from the commencement of a vacancy in any Professorship ; such election shall be considered, as approved by the Visitors, and shall accordingly be deemed constitutional and valid ; provided always, that such election shall have been regularly communicated to the President or Secretary of the Board of Visitors ten days at least, previously to the expiration of the twelve months aforesaid.

Art. XXII. The Visitors shall appoint a standing Com>- mittee, to ascertain the qualifications of Applicants for the advan- tages of this Foundation. Those, whom they approve may be recommended for admission, as resident Applicants on trial for two months ; and, if at the expiration of this term the Faculty approve them, they may be placed on the list of resident Stu- dents, till the next annual meeting of the Visitors ; and, if up- on examination by the Board of Visitors they be then appro- ved, they shall be registered, as associate Students ; but, if not approved by the Visitors, after careful examination and the best information respecting them, they shall be dismissed from the Foundation.

Art. XXIII. No Applicants, except Congregationalists and Presbyterians, shall be admitted upon this Foundation ; and a

36

Colle;fe education shall be ever deemed an essential condition of admission, except only in some rare case of distinguished talents, information, and piety.

Art. XXIV. At all meetings of the Visitors decent enter- tainment shall be made by the direction of the Board, and at the expense of the foundation ; and all other necessary expenses, attending the management of this Foundation, shall be defrayed out of the income of the said Fund.

Art. XXV. The Board of Visitors in all their proceed- ings are to be subject to our Statutes, herein expressed, and to conform tlieir measures thereto ; and, if they shall at any time act contrary to these, or exceed the limits of their jurisdiction and constitutional power, the i>arty aggrieved may have recourse by appeal to the Justices of the Sijpreme Judicial Court of this Commonwealili, for tlie time being, for remedy ; who are hereby appointed and authorized to judge in such case ; and, agreeably to the determination of the major part of them, to declare null and void any decree or sentence of the said Vsitors, which up- on mature consideration they may deem contrary to the said Stat- utes, or beyond the just limits of their power, herein prescribed ; and by the said Justices of the Supreme Court, for the time being, shall the said Board of Visitors at all times be subject to be restrained and corrected in the undue exercise of their office.

Art. XXVI. Every annual meeting of the Board of Visi- tors shall be introduced with prayer ; after which these Statutes shall be read by the President.

Art. XXVII. It is strictly and solemnly enjoined^ and left in sacred charge, that every article of the above said Creed shall forever remain entirely and identically the same, witliout the least alteration, addition, or diminution. But we reserve to' ourselves the right, as Founders, jointly to make, in concurrence with the said Trustees, and within the term of seven years, such amend- ments or additional articles, in perfect consistence with the true object of these Statutes, as upon experience and due considera- tion shall be deemed necessary, the more eirectually to secure and promote the real design of this our Foundation.

37

Art. XXVIII. Though the Founders, first above named, coalesce with the Founders of the aforesaid Theological In- stitution, in the manner herein described, with a view more effectually to promote the cause o[ Evangelical Truth, and with an ardent hope, that the -coalition will terminate in a perfect and indissoluble union ; yet, if after an experiment of seven years coalition, upon Visitatorial principles, it shall appear to the Board of Visitors, that the Visitatorial system is either unsafe or inex- pedient ; the coalition may nevertheless be continued upon such other principles, or system, as may be agreed on by the Trus- tees and Visitors aforesaid, in consistency with the original design of this our Foundation ; or the said Visitors may withdraw the said Fund, (the said Trustees however not to be responsible for any unavoidable loss from depreciation of the cur- rent medium, or from the Providence of God,) as upon mature consideration may to them appear most conducive to the glory of God. Or, if at any time within the said term of seven years, contrary to our most sanguine expectation, the said Visitors shall by the Trustees aforesaid be denied or deprived of the regular and proper exercise of the power, authority, rights, or privileges, in them hereby vested, agreeably to the true meaning of these our Statutes ; then the said Fund (saving any unavoid- able loss, as above expressed) shall revert to the said Visitors, to be appropriated by them, as they shall judge most consistent with the original design of this our Foundation. But, if at the expiration of the seven years' experiment, or within the said term of seven years, the Board of Visitors and the Trustees afore- said be well satisfied with the safety and expediency of the Visi- tatorial system, and that a perpetual coalition is important and de- sirable ; Union shall be established upon Visitatorial principles, to continue, as the Sun and Moon, forever.

Confiding in the prudent and faithful inspection of our Visi- tors, and in the wisdom and fidelity of the said Trustees ; and with the pleasing hope, that they will religiously appropriate the income of the Fund aforesaid to the great object of this Founda- tion, as herein described, agreeably to the Statutes, herein con- tained ; we do under God, cheerfully commit this our Founda-

38

tion to their pious care, under the limitations before mentioned, trusting that no exertion on their part will be wanting to the suc- cess of an Institution, so immediately connected with the sal- vation of men and the glory of God.

To the Spirit of truth, to the divine Author of our faith, to the only wise GOD, we desire in sincerity to present this our humble offering ; devoutly imploring the Father of lights, rich- ly to endue with wisdom from above all his servants, the Visi- tors of this Foundation and the Trustees of the Seminary, and with spiritual understanding the Professors therein ; that, being illuminated by the Holy Spirit, their doctrine may drop, as the rain ; and that their Pupils may become trees of renown in the Courts of our GOD, whereby He may be glorified.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and eight.

Signed, sealed, and ddiv- MOSES BROWN, (S.)

ered in presence of us,

ttZtuZl WILLIAM BARTLET, (S.)

JOHN NORRIS. (S.)

1

\

»^ATE DIJP"

H

- m

'lii-wy

	"ww
	1^

,^V^^^