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plan, formed by a genius equal to the task, should
be drawn for uniting all the Reformed Churches in
America into one national Church — which, notwithstanding the seeming difficulties in the way, I
humbly apprehend will be practicable and, consistent with the outlines drawn by Professor Witsius
for King William the Third, I yet hope to see accomplished. But until something of that kind is proposed,
what has been mentioned above stands
with its full force."
"The last of the three proposed plans, remains to
be considered. At first blush, it is evident that if
it can be put in practice, it will distinguish our
Churches as singularly concerned for maintaining
the truths of the Gospel, and instead of absorbing
them into other denominations, will fix their character in a point of view, which will hand down the
efforts of the present generation with honour to
posterity. While others have laboured with success and praise for the cultivation of learning in
general, it seems to be reserved in Providence, as
the peculiar province of our churches, to employ
their whole influence in teaching and establishing
the Reformed religion."
"Before I mention the difficulties which have
occurred to my mind, permit me to premise the
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arguments in its favour. 1. If we erect a respectable professorate and Divinity-Hall at Brunswick,
we shall have our institution wholly under our own
control; every difficulty can be canvassed, and redress obtained without the interposition of other
denominations, or any appeal to different boards. 2.
The name and estimation of the Dutch Churches
among the various churches in America, are in such
repute for orthodoxy, that our institution will bid
fairer to be universally useful when we stand alone,
than any union with any that can be named, could
possibly promise. 3. The local situation of Brunswick seems to be a proper centre for the States of
New-York, and Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in the last
of which there are perhaps as many congregations
of the Reformed Churches as in both the former.
4. But what ought to be a principal consideration is,
that all the donations and assistance we are to expect for this undertaking, will be given by those
who belong to the Dutch Churches (as every other
denomination has plans of their own, which call
forth their whole abilities,) and it is evident the
benefactors for our professorate would give with
greater freedom, and feel more happy in promoting
a work, which they were assured would remain
under the sole inspection of the Dutch Churches,
than by any combination of ecclesiastic interests
with Princeton, or political with New-York, could
possibly be effected."
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