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beneficial. It is, indeed, leaving the institution precarious; but it renders it immediately dependent upon those for whose use it is intended, and may prove a proper stimulus to industry and faithfulness. At any rate, I conceive it to be the only mode that is now practicable, and less calculated to cheapen the institution than to raise, by personal applications, a fund. I mention it without reserve now to you, that you may digest it, and make such improvements upon it, as a mature consideration may suggest. May the Lord direct to such measures as shall preserve the engagements of Synod inviolate, and prevent those who have relied upon its sacred honour, and risked every thing upon it, from being made ashamed!"

Whatever solicitude or zeal particular individuals may have manifested, to effect a redemption of the pledge which had been given by the Synod to the professor, and there no doubt were a few who exerted themselves to this end to the utmost of their ability, it is certain, that a very culpable indifference with respect to it, pervaded the Church as a body. Nothing of any consequence was done; and when but little more than a year had elapsed since his removal to Bedford, at the request of the Synod, the Doctor found himself placed very unexpectedly, by another act of Synod, in a situation

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at once mortifying and embarrassing in no small degree.

The General Synod met again in June, 1797; and the following is a copy of the record of part of their proceedings:

"The General Synod having minutely inquired into the measures pursued time after time, in order to raise a fund for the support of the professorate, and the success of those measures, the following question was taken: Is it expedient, under present circumstances, to take any further measures for the support of the professorate? — which was answered in the negative."

"The General Synod then appointed a committee on this business, who brought in a report, which, after being amended, was agreed to, and reads as follows, viz."

"The committee appointed on the professorate, report: that Professor Livingston ought to be immediately informed of the determination of Synod, that it is not expedient under present circumstances, to take any further measures for the support of the professorate; that they express to him the sense which they entertain of the important services which he has already performed; that it will be