for cultivating in later years those purely professional studies which will fit them for the sacred ministry. In these cases, therefore, the studies which are recommended in general as occupying the two years immediately preceding the first degree, may be deferred without risk of inconvenience from increased expense. It is probable also that the persons who pursue this plan, would adopt a line of theological study, differing in some respects from that which may be regarded as necessary for the parochial clergy. The situations in which they are placed, the advantages which they possess, may induce them to cultivate, in the learned leisure of colleges, those branches of divinity for which the minister of a parish has neither leisure nor opportunities. The criticism of the sacred text, the refinements of controversy, would properly form the occupation of those who remain attached to the university, and the literature of religion would become the natural pro

vince of those who are exempt, by residence in college, from the cares and avocations of common life. At the same time, those who, from various causes, are less drawn to follow their example, and give up all idea of competition for academical honours, might be turned into a path more profitable than that in which they are at present wasting their time; and might be adopting, under the sanction of their superiors, a line of reading which would be the foundation of their future usefulness as parochial ministers.

It is, therefore, hardly possible to conceive that any injurious effect should arise from such a plan, to general study; but it is obvious that it would offer to many, who, from despair of excelling in literary attainments, are now sinking into habits of most pernicious languor, a new line of pursuit, better fitted perhaps to their habits of mind, and rendered more attractive, from its manifest bearing on their ultimate employments in life. That mass

of unprofitable indolence which now forms the shame of our public seminaries, as it unquestionably forms the burden of those who conduct them, might in this way be diminished. Studies of undeniable necessity might be placed before every individual, and the general standard of clerical attainments might be raised by no less a measure than that of two years' systematic and directed study. The bishops then might insist without fear on a higher degree of theological attainments than they are now compelled to admit. Cases of gross and deplorable insufficiency would no longer occur; many scandals might be prevented, more might be obviated; and the younger clergy, instead of shrinking from the high and important posts which they are called to fill, and sinking into despondency under the burdens of an office for which they are not prepared, would be found capable of meeting all and bearing all, through the resources which they had already accumulated

There is reason to hope that this lamentable defect in our system is in the way of being retrieved. The subject was ably and judiciously brought before the notice of the university of Cambridge by Dr. Adams, in the sermon which he preached at the commencement, 1830; and the strong and decisive language held by the Bishop of London in his charge, can hardly be read with indifference. Dr. Adams suggests anticipating the batchelor's degree by one term, and giving a full year of three terms to the study of divinity alone. The expense implied by this extension of residence will probably offer difficulties which cannot be surmounted; but the fact that such a representation has been made in such a quarter, is alone a circumstance that may encourage hope for the future.

NOTE.

IT may seem desirable to throw into the form of a note some remarks which it is necessary to introduce at this point, as to the line of study pursued by candidates for the ministry in other countries, or in other denominations among ourselves. Of the course required in the German churches I am unable to speak particularly; but no one who knows the state of German theology will suspect that any defect in erudition is included among its failures. An excess in learning, rather than a deficiency, a want of something very different from human power, is apparently needed there; and their wanderings from the truth are not the result of indolence, but of proud, self-sufficient exertion. In the Swiss churches, two years are given, at the close of the academical course, to the exclusive study of theology; and every candidate for orders is supposed capable of reading the Scriptures in their original languages, aperto libro. In the American episcopalian church, the full course of study in the seminary at New York