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and illustrated in the offices of the Church of their fathers? What
are we doing to vindicate the claims of our Church, as, in our
opinion, the most judicious mother of the young, under whose care
and tuition they are least likely to fall into the snares of infidelity,
or the extravagances of fanaticism, and at whose hands they are
most likely to be carefully brought up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord? And especially, it may be asked, the sons of the soil, men
who may preach “the unsearchabe riches of Christ” and sustain
and promote with wisdom and ability the great interests of the
Church of God?

Have we at all made conscience of taking those considerations
into our account, when making up our plans for the education of
our children? It may be all that these things have been with us,
hitherto, less a matter of choice than we desired, and that we
could no have gratified ourselves if we would. This apology is
true, only in part. And this brings us to the consideration of the
subject of this communication.

We think it must be now manifest, so far at least as our Church
is concerned, that there exists within the pale of our dioceses a
great Educational necessity, and a necessity to which we should
forthwith take steps to supply. This necessity is the one which is
common to all our dioceses alike.

In view of this condition of things, we, your Bishops, during our
sojourn in this city, in attendance on the General Convention, have
thought it expedient to take the matter into our serious considera-
tion, and have come to the conclusion, it is of so pressing a charac-
ter, that no time should be lost in relieveing it; and that for its
relief in the most effectual manner, no plan presents itself of so
promising a character, as that which would unite the energies and
resources of all our dioceses in one common effort. We have
therefore resolved, after mature deliberation and consultation, with
leading clergymen and laymen of our several dioceses, to propose
to you to unite our strength in founding an Institution upon a scale
of such magnitude, as shall answer to all our wants. This we propose
shall be a University, with all the Faculties—theology included--
upon a plan so extensive, as to comprise the whole course usually
embraced in the most approved Institutions of that grade, whether
at home or abroad.

We are aware of the magnitude of such an enterprise, in all its
aspects—the large amount of capital necessary for its foundation,
and the very weighty responsibility resting upon those who shall

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be charged with the duty of shaping its plans and conducting them
to a successful consummation. But when we think of the pervading
and far reaching influences such an Institution could not but have
upon the interests of the country and the Church, and reflect on
the extent of the field which we propose to draw, not only the
means for its establishment, but the minds to found and govern it,
we dare not hesitate to believe that all the resources necessary, of
whatever description, are within our reach, and will be forthcom-
ing so soon as they shall be needed. To say nothing of the well
known and ample wealth belonging to our communion generally,
we will not allow ourselves to believe that upon the presentation
of such an occasion for the employment of a part of that treasure
committed to our stewardship, we shall fail to find our Lawrences
and Stuyvesants, our Moores, and Kohnes, and Gores, and Dudlys,
ready to lend their aid in the consummation of so great a work.

In submitting this programme for your consideration, we have
deemed it proper to add a few particulars, which we have thought
it expedient to incorporate in our plan of operation.

1st. That the University should, in all its parts be under the
sole and perpetual direction of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as
represented by the dioceses, as indispensable to its success.

2d. That the Board of Trustees should be composed of the
Bishops of the dioceses, ex-officio, so uniting, and one clergyman and
two laymen from each of the said dioceses to be elected by the
Conventions of the same. The joint consent of the Bishops, as an
order, and of the clerical and lay trustees, shall be necessary to the
adoption of any measure proposed.

3d. That the sum of $500,000 shall be the least amount with
which the enterprise shall be commenced.

4th That there should be a Treasurer appointed in each diocese
to whom shall be paid the sums subscribed in that diocese, whose
duty it shall be to vest those sums in unquestionable public
securities, paying over annually to the Treasurer of the Corporation,
the interest of the amount subscribed.

5th. That there should be a Treasurer of the Corporation, who
should receive the interest annually from the diocesan Treasurer,
and expand it under the direction of the Board of Trustees.

6th. That the amount subscribed by any diocese, and secured
as above, should revert to the diocese subscribing it, in case of the
dissolution of the Association.

7th. That each Bishop shall bring the subject specifically before his
diocese and Convention, and shall also put into operation any
agencies he may think best for promoting the cause, in accordance
with the general principles here laid down.

8th. That the Senior Bishop by consecration, of the Association,
shall always be Chancellor of the University.

9th. It is deemed expedient to establish the University at some