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CONSTITUTION OF THE PLYMOUTH AND NORFOLK BIBLE SOCIETY.

FOR the purpose of supplying the destitute, within our immediate vicinity, with Bibles and Testaments, and of contributing generally to the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures, we, the subscribers, and those persons who may associate with us, form ourselves into a Society, upon the following principles, and adopt the following

CONSTITUTION.

Article 1. The name of this society shall be, The Plymouth and Norfolk Bible Society.

2. Every person paying annually to the funds of the society seventyfive cents, shall be a member during the punctual payment of his or her .subscription; and every person giving to the society five dollars at any one time, shall be a member for life, and liable to no further assessment.

3. The funds of this society shall be exclusively devoted to the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures; and the objects of this charity are, the poor, actually destitute of whole copies of the Bible; the aged poor, who may be in want of fair and legible copies; and generally, all such as are embraced in the views of the Bible Society of Massachusetts.

4. The society may act in its own name, or as auxiliary to the Bible Society of Massachusetts; and it may either distribute Bibles and Testaments gratuitously, or supply them for sale at a reduced price, so as to render them easily attainable by the poor.

5. The officers of the society shall be, a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five Trustees, to be chosen annually by ballot.

6. The duties of the President and Secretary are indicated by their names, and they shall be, ex officio, members of the Board of Trustees,

in addition to the number above specified.

7. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all the monies of the society, and employ and apply them according to the direction of the Trustees. He shall give bonds in the sum of three hundred dollars, for the faithful execution of his trust; his accounts shall be always open to the inspection of the Trustees, and by them shall be annually examined.

8. The Trustees shall have the exclusive management of the funds and property of the society; of the purchase and distribution of Bibles and Testaments; subject to the instructions of the society at their annual meetings, when the Trustees shall make a detailed report of their proceedings, and of the state and application of the funds of the society. They shall meet semiannually, at such time and place as they may previously appoint. Any five of them, at such meetings, shall constitute a quorum, for the transaction of business.

9. The meetings of the society shall be annual, on the second Wednesday in September, at the hour and place determined, and publickly notified by the Trustees; when a sermon shall be delivered by some person appointed by the Trustees, and a collection made to aid the funds of the society.

10. It is understood that the meetings of the society shall be appointed at different times, in different parishes or towns; the Trustees, in the appointment of a place for the annual meeting, having a regard to the convenience of the members generally, and the advantage of the society.

11. This constitution shall not be subject to revision or alteration, but by consent of a majority of the whole number of Trustees, and the

vote of two-thirds of the members of the society, present at any anQual meeting.

At a meeting in Marshfield, of the gentlemen whose names are hereunto subscribed, on the 24th April, 1816, it was unanimously voted, that they would accept the above constitution, for the purposes therein specified; and that they would meet on the second Monday in June next, at twelve o'clock,' A. M. at Crooker's Tavern, near the Four Corners, in Hanover, Plymouth County, for the purpose of choosing the officers of the society, and adopting whatever measures may be necessary to its operation; at which time and place, all persons disposed to associate and co-operate with them in this benevolent and

excellent cause, are requested punetually to attend.

William Shaw.
Zephaniah Willis..
John Allyn.
Elijah Leonard.
Jacob Norton.
Nehemiah Thomas.
Nicholas B. Whitney.
Jacob Flint.
Morrill Allen.
Samuel Deane.

Henry Colman.

Attest,
SAMUEL DEANE,
Scribe of the Meeting.

N. B. The persons to whom this constitution may be sent, are requested to use their influence in obtaining members and subscriptions for the society.

EDUCATION OF AFRICANS. (Circular.)

SIR-We take the liberty of addressing you on a subject which, we have no doubt, you will consider interesting to humanity. A proposition was laid before some of the members of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, at their last session, for the establishment of a seminary to educate African youth for the Gospel Ministry, by giving them a classical and scientifick education, preparatory to theology. Mr. Mills, so well known as a zealous and successful missionary, interested himself warmly for the establishment of such an institution.

The subject has been long talked of among many enlightened and humane Christians: such a seminary has, however, been already commenced in the city of Philadelphia, among the Africans themselves.

In May last, a Board of Superintendants was organized, for the establishment of an institution of the

nature contemplated. A Committee was appointed to procure funds, by subscription among the coloured people, and ascertain what number of pupils could be had to epter the school. The Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden, a graduate of Princeton College, and a pupil in theology of the celebrated Dr. Nesbet, was elected Principal of the seminary, which has been styled, Augustine Hall. Mr. Snowden accepted the offer, and, for a small compensation, devoted himself to this laudable undertaking.

On the 1st of June, the seminary was opened, with prayer, by the Rev. Absalom Jones, pastor of the Episcopal Church in this city, and the Principal entered on the duties of his office. The smiles of Providence have, in a remarkable manner, rested on our humble endeavours. Some Africans, who have no children to educate at present, havẹ

subscribed, and paid liberally for the establishment and support of Augustine Hall. There are already, though the seminary has been opened but one month, five remarkably promising African youth engaged in the study of the Latin tongue, English grammar, geography, &c. We had an examination, which was attended by a great number of coloured people, and several other respectable people of this city, among whom were the Rev. Dr. Janeway, Rev. Messrs. Jones, Allen, and others, who expressed very great satisfaction at the progress which the youth had made. The names of the boys are, Richard Allen, son of the Rev. Richard Allen, pastor of the Methodist Church in the city; Jeremiah Gloucester, son of the Rev. John Gloucester, member of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and pastor of the African Presbyterian Congregation in Philadelphia; William Gordon, William Thomas, and Philip Perkins. Many more are expected soon to enter the seminary. Could the funds be procured, many, who are unable to defray the expense, would willingly devote themselves to the Ministry.

This is surely the true way to strengthen the African missions. Let youth, instructed in a knowledge of the original Scriptures, and in general science, be raised up, to display the banners of the Cross, from the mouth of the Nile to the Cape

of Good Hope, and from the Straits of Babelmandel to the mouth of the Gambia, where there are 50,000,000 of our fellow-creatures destitute of the word of life.

There have been combined in this city, many circumstances highly favourable to this object. Through the benevolent exertions of the pious of different denominations, and particularly of the Society of Friends, nearly all the slaves in Pennsylvania have been liberated. Many Africans possess very considerable wealth and very liberal views. There are twelve English schools, in which there are 500 coloured children acquiring the elements of learning. These will be leaders to Augustine Hall. There are three flourishing Christian congregations. One, in six years, has from six to two hundred communicants; and, on a late communion season, there were thirteen adults added to the same church. Truly, we behold Africa stretching out her hands to God.

We hope you will be willing to as ist us in collecting funds for the promotion of this, which, we trust, you will consider a laudable, charitable, and pious undertaking.

Resolved, That this circular shall be published in the papers of those who are willing to insert it gratis. JOHN GLOUCESTER, Pres't. JAS. R. WILSON, Sec'ry.

Phil, Gaz.

PHILADELPHIA ORPHAN SOCIETY.

THIS Society was formed on the 20th of December, 1814, by a number of Ladies. The first Orphans were received March 3, 1815: the number is increased to twenty-five. The subscriptions have been unusually generous: four individuals presented a large lot of ground for the Orphan House; between eight

and nine thousand dollars are subscribed to defray the expence of the building. The officers of the Society are females. The Female Societies for benevolent objects, both in Great Britain and the United States, are deserving of particular attention and support.

LIVING ON VEGETABLES.

MORE than sixty individuals in London have, for above three years, subsisted wholly on vegetables, fruits, and distilled water; enjoying, during that period, robust health, and an exemption from those maladies which, under the direction of Dr. Lambe, led to their adoption of this simple regimen.The Editor of the Monthly Magazine, from considerations of a different nature, has abstained from all animal food for three and thirty years;

but Dr. Lambe carries his abstinence still further, by abstaining from all stimulants which excite thirst, so that we are told he does not drink a pint of any liquid in a month. One of the disciples of Dr. Lambe, Mr. Newton, of Chichesterstreet, has published, under the title of "A Return to Nature,” a very ingenious and able illustration of the system, which merits the notice of the inquisitive and philoso phical part of the publick.

ORDINATIONS.

June 26. Rev. J. H. Fairchild was ordained to the pastoral care of the First Church in East Hartford. Introductory prayer, by Rev. T. Robbins; sermon, by Rev. A. Ely, from Acts xx. 24; consecrating prayer, by Rev. N. Perkins, D. D.; charge, by Rev. A. Flint; right hand, by Rev. E. B. Cooke; concluding prayer, by Rev.P.Hawes.

At Berlin, June 26. Rev. Royal Robbins, as Colleague with Rev. B. Upson. The officiating Ministers were, Rev. E. Ripley, Rev. C. J. Tenney, Rev. C. Chapin, Rev. B. Upson, Rev. J. Williams, and Rev. J. Brace.

In Arundel, Maine, Rev. George Payson. In Preston, (Con.) Rev. Gustavus F. Davis, July 13.

In Barrington, July 6. Elder N. Bercy.

At Lee, July 11. Elders, Israel Chesly and William Demerett.

At Cranston, the Reverend H. Tatem to the care of a Baptist Church.

At New-York, July 17, Rev. Bishop Hobart ordained to the office of Deacon, Mr. J. F. Hull, of NewOrleans, and Mr. S. Johnson, of the state of New-York.

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In Marshfield, Rev. William Shaw, D. D. aged 73, in the fiftieth year of his ministry.

In Waltham, Hon. Wm. Brown, Esq. of Boston, aged 66.

In Hampstead. (N. H.) Rev. Mr. Kimball, formerly Minister of Newbury.

In Beverly, drowned, John Abbot, son of Rev. Abiel Abbot.

Hanging and Murder.

On the 19th of April last, a Spaniard, named Jose Florentino Harra, aged 27, was executed in Havanna, for murder. Before his execution, he confessed that he had committed

SEVENTEEN MURDERS!

In New Orleans, a young man, by the name of Smith, was murdered in a duel. He was a man of large fortune, and was on a visit to New Orleans, to purchase articles for his wedding. Is there no remedy for this madness?

A striking Contrast between two rich Men. Died, near York, in Pennsylvania, Mr. Michael Baird, of German origin. Inheriting, from his father, a farm of five hundred acres, by industry, pains-taking, and parsimony, he acquired an enormous fortune. He never expended a dollar in the education of his family; managed all his concerns with his own means; never sold any thing, but for the highest price; and never gave a dollar in payment of any thing he wanted, when he could obtain it by barter. He never kept a bank-bill longer than till he could send and get specie for it, and he never lent á cent to any one. He kept his specie in an iron chest, until that became full, and then in

an iron-hooped barrel, in which, after his decease, were found two hundred and thirty thousand dollars in gold and silver. His whole estate is valued at four hundred thousand dollars.

His death was thus occasioned :A Virginian offered him twelve dollars a bushel, for one hundred bushels of clover seed; Baird asked thirteen, but the Virginian would not give it. Afterwards, the seed was sent to Philadelphia, where it brought but seven dollars per bushel. On receiving accounts of this sale, Baird visited his farm and distillery, gave orders to his workmen, then went into the waggon-house, and hanged himself.

Recorder.

Died lately at Brighton, (England) I. Solomon, Esq. a gentleman who was possessed of a most benevolent disposition. He left five hundred pounds, to be distributed to the poor on the day of his funeral; and the like sum annually, for fifteen years. He was the very pattern of economy; nothing in his manner of living, or style of dress, was descriptive of opulence. He gave to the poor what might have supported him in splendour. For several years previous to his death, one hundred and twenty-five widows received from him, through the agency of a friend, a weekly stipend; and were totally ignorant of their benefactor, until the period of his death. Notwithstanding his extensive charities, he died worth nearly one hundred thousand pounds, the greater part of which he has bequeathed to charitable purposes.

Philanthropist, Jan. 1813.

Candidates for the Ministry in Cambridge and its vicinity.

Mr. Thomas Prentiss, Cambridge.
Mr. Hiram Weston, Duxbury.

Mr. Samuel Clarke, Cambridge.

Mr. Ed. W. Andrews, Newburyport. Mr. Francis Jackson, Cambridge.

Mr. David Reed,

do.

Mr. Joseph Allen,

do.

Mr. Henry Ware,

do.

Mr. Jonathan P. Dabney, do.

Mr. Rufus Hurlbut,

do.

Mr. Samuel Gilman, do..

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