NOTES. NOTE A. A file of the Boston Recorder, from January 1822, to Sept. 1823, was examined for the purpose of comparing the number of deaths, among Clergymen, with the number of ordinations and installations; and also to ascertain, as accurately as possible, the mean period of the lives of clergymen. By this examination, it appears, that the whole number of deaths, among clergymen, recorded within the time specified, was sixty two, and the number of ordinations and installations sixty two; from which an ar gument is derived for increased exertion to educate pious young men for the ministry, if we would do more than supply the places made vacant by death. It also appears, from the age to which those clergymen lived, whose deaths are recorded, in the time specified, that the mean period of the lives of clergymen is sixty two years, from which another argument is derived in favour of Education Societies; since there is good reason to believe, that those educated will live to be useful many years. NOTE B. Samuel Walcut was a native of Danvers, Mass.; and at the time of his death, a student in Phillips Academy; and a member of the church, in the Theological Seminary, in Andover. He died of typhus fever, after a sickness of 10 days, aged 22 years. He was an amiable youth, much beloved by his Instructors and companions. One of his class mates, there is reason to hope, was led to repentance, in consequence of seeing him, in the agonies of death; and the address, which was made to the school, over the corpse, in the Chapel of the Theological Seminary, was the means of leading many of the students, in the Academy, to serious reflection, and of turning some of them, it is believed, to righteousness. It is worthy of remark, that this is the third or fourth instance, within a few years, in which the death of a Student, in a literary Institution, has been the means of promoting a revival of religion. This was true, in the last revivals of religion, in Union and Dickinson Colleges. In all these cases, the students were assembled around the corpses, and affectionately urged by their Instructors, to prepare for death. The funeral solemnities of Walcut were made a blessing, not only to his fellow students, but to the youth in his native place. The corpse was attended by his classmates, from Andover, to Danvers, where it was buried; and this melancholy event was the first step, in a revival of religion, among the companions of his childhood. NOTE C. The embarrassments of the Beneficiaries have been such, in numerous instances, as to lead the most liberal friends, of the Society to feel, that the quarterly appropriations were too small. This circumstance induced the Directors to write to the Presidents of Colleges, and the Instructors of Academies, where the young men are placed, to ascertain their opinion, on this subject. Their opinion was one; viz. that the present rate of appropriation is the best. At least, no one expressed an opinion that it should be raised. And the reason assigned, why it should remain as it is, was this; that character formed under such circumstances of trial is likely to be valuable. N. B. The seven months spoken of in the Report are the months from January to July inclusive. NOTE E. This table exhibits the Synods, Presbyteries, Ministers, Congregations, and the excess of Congregations above the number of Ministers, in the Presbyterian Church, in 1819. This information can be obtained only once, in five years. N. B. It will be perceived, that the excess of congregations, NOTE F. This table is made from the Eighth Annual Report of the Board |