Beneficiary Education [pp. 236-264]

1876.] BENEFICIARY EDUCATION. 257
it has become necessary to originate new and more efficient meaSoreS for
carrying on this great and important work; to systematize and unite the efforts that are now making within our bounds;
"And whereas, it is desirable that a fund be established, under the direction of the General Assembly, which, among other objects, might afford assistance to thse Presbyteries and parts of the church that may require the
same;
"Therefore, Resolved: 1st. -That the General Assembly establish a general Board of Education;
"~d.-That it be recommended that boards of education be formed
within our bounds, auxiliary to the Board of the General Assembly, as extensively as possible
"~d.-That it be recommended to the several Presbyteries to form themselves into education societies, auxiliary to the Board, and to adopt the most
vigorous efforts to accomplish this important object;
"4th-That it be the object of this Education Board, and its auxiliaries, to
assist the young men, under their patronage and direction, to obtain all~arts
of an education necessary to their introduction into the pulpit, including
both their classical and theological course." (Id., pp. 226-7.)
Thus there was consummated an organization toward which
the Holy Spirit, at work in the church from the first, had been
prompting, and the Providence of God preparing the way-a
body, the only life and efficiency of which is this same Spirit
that worketh all in all.
And here we might leave the subject. But we desire to do
more. ~Ve desire to make impressive not only the fact, that
both the aim and methods of the Educational Board are authorized by the ~Vord of God and the practice of the church in
all ages, but that such an agency is nccessarj' to sustain the
church and carry forward to ~ompletion and perfection the work
that the Great Head of the chureh has given her to do-of
perfecting her own body and disciplining the nations to her
Lord.
And this we might argue from the history already given.
From this it clearly appears. that these provisions for raising
up an efficient ministry have been a chief object of the divine
care and direction under both the Mosaic and Christian economy; that they have always received the heartiest support
from the great leaders and teachers, and from the brightest
ornaments in the church. "Ever since there has been a C/iristia~t ministry on earth," are the well-chosen words of Dr. J. W.
Alexander, in his thoughtful article on`The Increase of the