to those which in our consciences we believe to be alone conformable to the gospel, alone adapted to elevate the church and to save souls. None, doubtless, can deny that this is our conviction, and, with this conviction once impressed, our course was clear. Could we be silent, when others spoke so boldly? Could we remain unmoved, when others were displaying such activity? And since there were at least three schools, where young men from France and from Geneva, could be instructed in doctrines which we believe to be merely human, ought there not to be at least one, where those who wished it, might be instructed according to the scriptures? One of the members of your committee declared amongst you the desire which he felt to promote the foundation of a new college. It was sufficient to make this proposition, for it to be acknowledged by every heart amongst you. The wants of the church spoke more forcibly than long discourses. Your committee voted unanimously that the institution was needed. At the same time, in order to put the work into execution without delay, the committee wrote to two pastors, whom they considered eligible to take a part in the tuition of the new college. One of these is he who now speaks to you, and who after having sought the will of the Lord, felt it right to accept the call which was addressed to him. The other has not thought it his duty to accede to the wishes of your committee.

But, gentlemen, an enterprise more or less resembling institutions which even governments themselves only maintain at great expense, an establishment quite new, and which did not seek any support from secular power, needed that sacrifices should be made.

Although the college, as having in view other churches besides the church of Geneva, might joyfully accept foreign supplies, your committee wished that the first funds should be from Geneva: very soon one of its members offered ten thousand francs on credit; then other offerings succeeded each other in its bosom, each one acting according to the measure given to him. The committee received these presents with lively gratitude to the Lord, who delighted thus to bless the opening of the work. Thus, gentlemen, all is free in your institution: it is supported, under God, by the free and voluntary affection of the friends of the gospel, of our own day.

2. COMMUNICATION MADE TO THE CHURCHES.

But, gentlemen, it is not Switzerland alone that the Evangelical Society has in view in its feeble efforts. In founding a school of theology, your committee especially desired the welfare of the Protestant churches in France, of those churches so interesting for their long reverses, and from which have descended the families of several among us. Your committee has received from the pastors of France several precious testimonies of Christian regard: "Dear brethren," writes a venerable pastor of a church of the south, in the name of several other friends, "feeling that the same spirit animates us, the spirit of Christ, we have felt our hearts united with yours; and we extend to you a humble, but fraternal hand of friendship, for all the works done to the glory of our common God and Saviour, according as he shall vouchsafe to call you to them.

Dispose of us as your auxiliaries in any thing in which you think we could co-operate with you." Another pastor of the south writes thus: "I share in all your views of the gospel; I shall devote myself to the same work, with the help of the Lord. Your institution has a part in all my prayers." Other

pastors of the south of France, being met together, write thus: "We have learnt with great interest, and with the most lively satisfaction, that your committee had taken the resolution of founding a school of theology, in which the Bible should be the basis of the instruction given, and we have fervently implored the blessing of the Lord in a work which we feel to be of the utmost importance. Our prayers have ascended frequently for you to the throne of grace, convinced as we are, that the best way of working with you for the advancement of the reign of Christ, is to pray fervently for his aid, who can alone give success to the efforts of his children. The harvest is great, beloved brethren, but there are few, very few labourers: new fields for action are opening upon us, and no one presents himself, to spread among these wandering people the good word of our God. Oh when shall the time come when faithful young men, instructed by faithful pastors, shall proclaim in our churches, and even in the midst of the Catholic population of our beloved country, the gospel of our redemption." "Your Christian undertaking will be warmly approved by all the friends of Christ," writes a minister from the east. "If our churches knew the lively interest which you bear to them, and the immense advantages which they might draw from your valuable establishment, they would praise the Lord, and feel the deepest gratitude. May

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your beginning be in the name of God, by his Son Jesus Christ, and very soon your society shall be as a grain of mustard-seed, becoming a great tree, and like a little leaven which leaveneth the whole lump. May the Saviour grant that you may press forward.' In him you shall be more than conquerors in all things." My eyes," writes another pastor from the east, "turn with great pleasure towards Geneva, and especially towards your house: my heart is warmly attached to it, and my prayers shall ascend for it, without ceasing, to the Father of mercies." "With what joy," writes one of the ministers of the north," do we hail the birth of your school of theology! With what gratitude to God, and with what confidence, do we see opening at Geneva, a source from whence truth shall flow on your churches and on our own! Our eyes are toward you; our love is with you; our prayers are for you." 66 'May the humble beginnings of your work," writes another pastor of the north, soon change into a great and glorious design, which shall make glad the city of our God.'"

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But it is particularly from our brethren in Paris that we have received the most touching proofs of regard and of Christian sympathy. They have given in their religious journal testimonies of this, too public for this report to need lengthening, in order to confirm by extracts from letters what is known to all. They are one with us. At Paris and at Geneva the same prayers are offered for our school at the throne of grace.

3. THE STUDIES OF THE STUDents.

As to the studies, there are two points which have particularly engaged the attention of your committee. The school has been mainly founded for the support and propagation of a pure faith. We have already said, in our address to the churches, that the school would profess with regard to the state of man and the grace of God; the nature of Christ; the work which he has done, and that which he is still doing, for the salvation of his people,-the doctrines which the Protestant churches proclaim with one accord in their confessions of faith. Your committee had selected these points, rather than others, because they seemed to be the most disputed. But it was not thought necessary to distinguish this or the other confession. There are consciences which are startled by such human expressions, and which are willing to receive the truth, when presented in another manner. These scruples must be respected, and minds be allowed to move freely through the whole 'field of truth.

Now, gentlemen, the instructors who are actually engaged in the school, animated by the same faith, filled with the same hopes, and feeling that the friends of Christianity who interest themselves in our institution may wish to know their sentiments, judge it their duty to declare the faith which will be the soul of their instructions. It is not a confession of faith, properly so called, that we wish to make, for a college is not a church; but we desire to make known, with frankness and openness, the fundamental and

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