THE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF The Presbyterian Church. PRESENTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS SESSIONS SECOND EDITION. PHILADELPHIA: RUSSELL AND MARTIEN, PRINTERS, WALNUT STREET. ........ THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, in presenting to the General Assembly a brief report of their operations during the year which is now closing, desire to express their unaffected sorrow that so little has been done by them, in comparison of the duty of the Church, or the wants of our country and world. And yet it would be wanting in gratitude to the God of Zion, if we did not devoutly acknowledge his continued goodness to us, and his repeated interposition in behalf of the great cause in which we are engaged. As soon as practicable after filling the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of our late respected Secretary and General Agent, the Rev. William Neill, D. D., they proceeded so far to re-organize their system, as to adapt it to a more extended, uniform, and efficient mode of operations. The original scheme of the Board of Education, though so constructed as to be susceptible of indefinite extension, without violence to the Constitution, was designed to be, or, in fact became, only a passive organization or depository for the reception and distribution of education funds. Indeed, the Presbyterial and other auxiliaries were expected to deposit their surplus funds alone; and continued from year to year without concert as to plan, or uniformity as to rates, to make their own appropriations. As few auxiliaries had surplus funds, and as those which furnished the smallest means had often the most candidates for the ministry under their care, so the wants of the auxiliaries, as a whole, constantly and greatly exceeded their contributions. The consequence was, bankruptcy in the treasury, rejection of applicants, the destruction of the centre of action, discredit to the Board, and unspeakable injury to the great cause of Education, with all the other evils necessarily attending such a system. Under this arrangement the Presbytery of Philadelphia in effect sustained the Board of Education; and the Board was made virtually responsible for the wants of the Church, without any adequate access to the means of supplying them. |