doubtless other institutions may still be added, why will increase the effect of those already existing. To one connected, as I have been, with our Fore Missionary enterprize from the beginning, and 1 mately acquainted with all those who have belonged this Society of Inquiry, it must be a source of pecul. gratification to reflect on its progress from year to year and to contemplate the salutary effect which it has pre duced upon the minds of its members, and throug them upon others. This Society, and the cause which it has labored to promote, have always been of great and essential value to the interests of this seminary.-May its exercises from month to month excite a deeper and deeper interest, and ever make a part of the system oi theological education here enjoyed; and through the divine blessing, may the Society continue to prosper in all future time, till the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Theological Seminary, LEONARD WOODS. SOCIETY OF INQUIRY. PART I. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE SOCIETY. Phillips Academy was founded, April 21, 1778, by Hon. Samuel Phillips, Andover, Mass., and Hon. John Phillips, Exeter, N. H., sons of Rev. Samuel Phillips, An act of incorporation was obtained, October 4, 1780.— In June, 1807, the Trustees obtained liberty from the Legislature of Massachusetts, to receive and hold donations for the support of a Theological Institution, intended to furnish a professional education, to youth destined for the Christian ministry. The Institution was opened in October 1808, for the reception of students, and thirty-six received instruction the first year. For several years, the Institution was commonly known by the name of 'Divinity College.' On Tuesday evening, January 8, 1811, the following persons, members of Divinity College, united in forming a "Society of Inquiry on the subject of Missions," and adopted a Constitution. The names are arranged in the order in which they signed the Constitution. SAMUEL NOTT, .Wareham, Massachusetts. LUTHER RICE, Washington City. *ROBERT CHAUNCY ROBBINS, Colchester, Conn. The motives which led to the formation of the Society, are briefly stated in the preamble of the Constitution, which is as follows: "Feeling the importance of a more extensive acquaintance with the subject of Missions to enable us to ascertain our duty, and prepare us to promote the glory of our Redeemer and the eternal happiness of our fellow-men; we, the undersigned, looking to our Heavenly Father for direction, do form ourselves into a Society, and adopt the following Constitution." The object of the Society, according to the second article of the Constitution, was, "to inquire into the state of the heathen; the duty and importance of missionary labors; the best manner of conducting Missions, and the most eligible places for their establishment; also, to disseminate information relative to these subjects, and to excite the attention of Christians to the importance and duty of Missions." The germ of this Society can be distinctly seen in the Missionary Society which was formed by Mills, Richards, and two or three others at Williams College, in the fall of 1808. The objects of the two Societies were in some respects the same. The one at Williams College however, was composed exclusively of such as had already devoted their lives to the cause of Missions. Its object was, to effect a Mission to the heathen in the persons of its members. The Society at Andover, seems to have been planned by the same individuals, for the purpose of exciting inquiry, and enlisting others in the same cause. The following extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Ide, one of the founders of the Society, makes some interesting disclosures on this subject. "The causes which led to the formation of the Society, are perhaps all comprised in an anxious desire which then existed in the minds of a number of the students, to obtain, and diffuse information on the subject of Missions. When I first entered the Seminary, which was in the winter of 1810, I found that this subject lay, with great weight, upon the minds of a number. They were very anxious to know what was their personal duty. They conversed much on the subject with each other, and with other members of the Seminary who had before thought little upon it. They appeared to be very anxious, that everyone should, as soon as practicable, settle this point of duty for himself. The spirit of Missions was there. This special influence upon the minds of a goodly number, was distinctly perceived, for some time, before this society was formed. though at the time, and have often thought since, that God then sent his Spirit into the Seminary, to convert the students to the subject of Missions. For seldom have I ever seen a more evident movement of the Spirit upon the minds of sinners, to awaken, to convince, and to convert them, than was manifest in the Seminary, in turning the attention and hearts of the students to the condition of the perishing heathen." I From this extract, as well as from many circumstances which might be mentioned, it is evident, that there existed in the Seminary at this time what may be emphatically called a missionary spirit. Several members of the Seminary had come to the solemn resolution of spending their lives in heathen lands. There was however, no missionary society in this country, to which they could look for assistance and direction. Nothing deterred by seemingly. insurmountable obstacles, they applied to their fathers in the church for advice. At a meeting of the Massachu setts Association, held at Bradford, June 27, 1810, the following paper, written by Mr. Judson, was presented; "The undersigned, members of the Divinity College, res pectfully request the attention of their reverend fathers, convened in the General Association at Bradford, to the following statement and inquiries: "They beg leave to state, that their minds have been long impressed with the duty and importance of personally attempting a mission to the heathen; that the impressions on their minds have induced a serious, and they trust, a prayerful consideration of the subject in its various attitudes, particularly in relation to the probable success, and the difficulties attending such an attempt; and that after examining all the information which they can obtain, they consider themselves as devoted to this work for life; whenever God in his providence, shall open the way. "They now offer the following inquiries, on which they solicit the opinion and advice of this Association. Whether, with their present views and feelings, they ought to renounce the object of Missions as visionary or impracticable; if not, whether they ought to direct their attention to the eastern or the western world; whether they may expect patronage and support from a Missionary Society in this country, or must commit themselves to the direction of a European Society; and what preparatory measures they ought to take previous to actual engagement? "The undersigned, feeling their youth and inexperience, look up to their fathers in the church, and respectfully so. licit their advice, direction, and prayers. ADONIRAM JUDSON, This document occasioned the appointment of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The same spirit which prompted this application to the Massachusetts Association of ministers, a few months after |