very glad to have the Association ignore, as it has hitherto done. W. come together not for the purpose of being driven further assunder, but for the purpose of being drawn together and assimilated by the free interchange of paternal thought. I think that whenever the Association departs from that policy, and undertakes to pass resolutions by mere majorities, upon matters with regard to which the wisest minds still pause and hesitate, we shall lose our whole power of moral influence, and our dignity will have gone. It has been upon this principle, I believe, that hitherto, whenever this question has been brought up, as at Newark, and at Pittsburg, the subject has first been freely and frankly talked about and then, the resolution itself passed by, laying it upon the table, or disposing of it in some other way, without intending any possible disrespect to the Bible, but simply on account of our firm conviction that it is not the province of this Association to enter into a question of that kind.

MR. W. H. WELLS, of Massachusetts, said, that he believed no one had yet spoken from his state; and if any part of the Union might be sensitive with regard to the exclusion of the Bible from the schools, it would be Massachusetts. Yet, he did not believe that Massachusetts would desire the Convention to pass a resolution here, requiring the reading of the Bible, when there might be questions in various quarters as to the expediency of such a resolution. For one, he would be perfectly satisfied with the moral effect of the discussion which had taken place, if it should be reported. That would accomplish all that could be accomplished by passing resolutions, and he believed it would be satisfactory to every section of the country. He believed that all were agreed, that moral and religious instruction ought to be given in our public schools. He should prefer to leave the whole matter to the teacher.

PROF. AGNEW, said, that having given away to Bishop Potter last night, and afterwards been prevented from making any remark, by the previous question being called. he thought it due to himself to explain his position. His views had been so clearly expressed by Bishop Potter, that he should almost be satisfied to adopt that as sufficient explanation. He wished it to be understood that he was not opposed to using the Bible in the schools. He used it constantly in his own instructions, and should be glad if all could do the same. But he did not consider the question as settled There might now be a quiet calm; but soon the storm and the earth quake might be upon us from this very question. He could not there fore consider it wise to enter into the question, and to attempt to pass either of the resolutions; for they could not agree upon any of them. He would therefore move that the further consideration of the whole subject be indefinitely postponed.

The motion was rejected ;

On motion by Mr Scott, the resolution, (with the amendments,) was laid upon the table.

XI. WILLISTON SEMINARY.

EAST HAMPTON, MASS.

WILLISTON SEMINARY, located in the village of East Hampton, Mass., owes its existence to the munificence of SAMUEL WILLISTON, who has at various times since 1841, given the sum of fifty-five thousand dollars* ($55,000) toward "the establishment and endowment of an Institution for the intellectual, moral, and religious education of youth." The founder has set forth in a written and published instrument, his wishes for the guidance of those who are, or may be entrusted with the management of its concerns. From this remarkable document, entitled "Constitution of Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Mass.,” we make such extracts as set forth clearly the motivest which actuated the founder, the objects he had in view, and the way in which he hopes to have his objects accomplished. It will be borne in mind by the reader, that these extracts do not contain all that the founder has written under the several heads, but only a portion of the provisions and suggestions which we think may prove serviceable to others who may feel a disposition "to go and do likewise."

Believing, that the image and glory of an all-wise and holy God are most brightly reflected in the knowledge and holiness of his rational creatures, and that the best interests of our country, the church and the world are all involved in the intelligence, virtue, and piety of the rising generation; desiring also, if possible, to bring into existence some permanent agency, that shall live, when I am dead, and extend my usefulness to remote ages, I have thought I could in no other way more effectually serve God or my fellow-men, than by devoting a portion of the property which he has given me, to the establishment and ample endowment of an Institution, for the intellectual, moral and religious education of youth.

Adapting the Institution to the existing wants of the community, and the times in which my lot is cast, I have designed it to be neither a common Academy or an ordinary College, but a Seminary of intermediate grade, which shall combine all the advantages of a Classical Academy of the highest order with such other provisions as shall entitle it to the name of an English College, and which shall be sacredly consecrated with all its pecuniary and moral resources to the common cause of sound learning and of pure and undefiled religion.

It is my wish, that the young men, who repair to it for the purpose of fitting themselves for College, may be thoroughly drilled in all the preparatory studies, particularly in the elements of accurate scholarship in the Latin and Greek * Besides the liberal endowment of the Seminary which bears his name, Mr. Williston is the largest pecuniary benefactor of Amherst College, having given to that Institution the sum of fifty thousand dollars.

† It would be interesting and instructive-and we think impulsive to others, to lift the veil from the first inception, and gradual development of such an institution as this, in the mind of the founder, until we find it a glorious reality in beautiful grounds, substantial buildings, and a well selected library and apparatus, faithful trustees, competent teachers, and diligent and improving pupils.

Languages, and at the same time faithfully disciplined in all those habits, not only of study, but of thought, feeling and action, which are so easily formed at this early stage of their education, and yet so likely to follow them in all the intricate windings of their pathway through life, and even down the trackless ages of eternity.

It is believed, that three years may advantageously, and should usually, be spent in studies preparatory to College, and it shall be the effort of the Trustees and Teachers to encourage by all suitable means the completion of a regular course of three years. To this end, certificates of graduation shall be given by the Principal to those students, and those only, who shall have completed the entire course to his satisfaction and at the same time have maintained an unblem ished moral character.

It is expected moreover, that the standard of attainment in this Department will be elevated from time to time, as the standard of Classical Education rises in our best Colleges, and in the literary community. It is also my particular de sire, that the Teachers examine the pupils of the Classical Department as to their attainments in the branches of a common English education, and, if they be found deficient, supply the deficiency. Bad orthography, bad penmanship or bad grammar-bad habits in any of the rudiments-if they be not corrected in the preparatory school, will probably be carried through College and not unlikely extend themselves to other studies and pursuits; whereas the habit of doing every thing well, so far as he goes, will likewise follow the student as long as he lives, and give completeness to whatever he does, and therefore cannot be too earnestly inculcated by the Teachers, or too carefully cultivated by the students.

My object in connecting an English_Department with the Classical has been, partly, to supply the deficiencies in the English education of the Classical students, but chiefly, that those, who intend to pursue the various occupations of business, and have not the time, or the means, or the inclination to go through a regular Collegiate course, may obtain a better discipline and a wider acquaintance with the various branches of science and English Literature, than are now placed within their reach. The design therefore embraces ample instruction in English Grammar, Geography and Arithmetic, together with Reading, Writing, Orthography and Orthopy; in Rhetoric, Logic and Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, and in the several branches of Mathematics and Natural Science.

Nor can I omit to mention here Sacred Music, particularly Vocal Music, as a branch, which I would have always taught by a well qualified Teacher, and would have every pupil urged to cultivate, as an important means at once to improve the voice, to refine the feelings, to assuage the passions and to soften the heart.

Believing that the education of the two sexes together, so far as their appropriate studies coincide, is in accordance with the constitution and design of nature, and, under proper regulations, not only safe from serious evils, but connected with positive advantages, I have made provision in the arrangement of the public rooms, and in the employment of a Female Teacher, for the admission of Females to all the privileges of the Seminary, which may be becoming or desirable for their sex. And it is my wish, that this arrangement should be continued under the watchful guardianship and care of the Trustees; unless after longer trial, or under a change of circumstances, it should prove manifestly detrimental to the main design of the Seminary, as above described.

TRUSTEES.

The board of Trustees shall consist of Clergymen and Laymen, in nearly equal proportion, of whom the Principal shall always be one, ex officio. The majority of the board shall never be residents of East Hampton, neither should persons be appointed Trustees, who reside at such a distance from East Hampton, as to preclude their punctual and regular attendance on the meetings of the Board. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the Board, it shall be filled from a list of names propounded at a meeting held at least two weeks previous. Such elections and all others shall be by ballot. The Trustees shall hold an annual meeting at East Hampton, at the close of the Academic year, to examine into the condition of the Seminary, to look after the safety of the funds; to observe the manner in which the officers of trust and instruction perform their duties, and to transact such other business as may come before them.