The article below appeared in The New evangelical magazine and theological review for1824.
A Brief Account of the Origin, Character, and Expenditure of The Baptist Academical Institution At Abergavenny, connected with an Appeal on its behalf of the Friends of Education in England.
Since the arts and sciences, trade and commerce, have been so extensively cultivated in Great Britain, the aspect of society has sustained a visible alteration. An ardent zest for letters and intellectual improvement has been created and excited, the different sources of information are eagerly sought and grasped, and the people are raised to distinction and pre-eminence in knowledge and acquirement. Wales has more or less participated the change, as the country abounds with manufactories, and a considerable thirst for instruction and learning prevails. The English language is rapidly gaining ground, the youth very generally are taught that language; preaching is become frequent and indispensably necessary in it, and many English dissenting churches have been organized. Hence, nothing can be more obvious than the vast expediency that all Ministers of the Word in Wales, should be well versed in English; otherwise their sphere of usefulness is much contracted, and on the score of erudition, the instructors are liable to range far below the instructed.
Yet the Baptists in the Principality, though by no means inferior to other denominations in numbers and talent, property and respectability, did not till within these twenty years past, make any practical essay towards promoting the education of their ministers. Occasionally young men of taste and energy emerged from their state of native illiteracy, and sprang to seize the advantages kindly offered by the Bristol Education Society. But this was rather deteriorating than beneficial to their native land, as it served to translate its best talents to England.
About the year 1805. however, a few judicious and zealous friends of the Redeemer's cause in the town of Abergavenny, that deeply felt and lamented the deficiency in point of literary attainment which existed in the ministerial department, conferred on the urgent necessity of making some effort with a view to raise an Academy, in order to extend and strengthen the abilities of such pious and promising, young men as were, or might be, called out by the churches to exercise their gifts in the sacred office.
Their deliberations, matured and accompanied with many fervent prayers, were at length developed, to the ministers and congregations at large. The object contemplated
and brought forward, discussed, approved at different public meetings; and to the no small gratification of the original projectors, in the beginning of 1807, a Seminary was opened at Abergavenny.
The management of the Institution was assigned to a committee, consisting of ministers and laymen in and about the Town, whose proceedings from year to year have been reported and examined at the successive anniversaries of the Society. The Tuition and Boarding of the pupils were appointed to the Writer: and this intimation naturally leads to an investigation of two very material topics designed to be embodied and exhibited in this sketch - the course of instruction pursued; - and the annual amount of expenditure.
Concerning the former - as the term of residence at the Academy was limited to two years only, though now it is extended to three, and as the young men generally were unacquainted with any language except their own vernacular tongue, little beyond a course of English instruction could be anticipated. Consequently English grammar, logic, rhetoric, composition, and divinity, united with geography and the use of the globes, have in most instances constituted the objects of study. (The Treasurer, Mr. Wyke, has for several years delivered a course of Lectures gratis, on Chemistry, and other branches of Natural Philosophy to the Students). Still in many cases, especially where previous advantages had been realized, and superior skill, combined with ardent application, did exist, some progress has been achieved in the elementary parts of classical learning.
But supposing the maximum of improvement did not carry the students beyond a capacity to read, understand, and dispense the words of eternal life in English, an important object would be secured. More, however, has already been gained, and much more may in future be expected: first, as the period of study is protracted; and next, as the most rigid care is determined to be exercised, that only men of talent and some preparatory acquirements, shall be admitted into the Academy. Under these circumstances, it is calculated that the students will be so far initiated into a knowledge of the learned languages, as to be able with facility and success to make any farther advancement in them which they may feel inclined and anxious to accomplish.
Respecting the latter - the annual amount of expenditure, the greatest accuracy shall be observed; and to this subject particular attention is earnestly requested. But, be it premised, that as it regards other similar Institutions, no invidious comparisons are designed; and that it is completely a mistaken notion when it is imagined, that the expence of living in this country is much lower than what it is in England. Bordering on large iron and coal works, and
surrounded with an immense population, in this neighbourhood, at least, the price of provisions averages higher than in many of the English counties. Yet at no period has the Tutor realized more than twenty four pounds per annum for the board of each student supported by the Society; - forty pounds for his service in teaching and otherwise, wear and tear of furniture and bedding, house rent and taxes; - and two guineas to purchase coals for the use of the Library. During the first years, only twenty pounds were received for board, and nothing for coals. But for several years past, the expense of maintenance and tuition has been precisely and absolutely as stated above.
Mark, no complaint is intended, nor, as affairs now stand, is any wish of an increased allowance cherished. Nevertheless, it is hoped there will be no impropriety in stating the following indisputable fact: That with great economy, and without a family of his own, what the Reporter has hitherto derived both from his academical and ministerial employments, has hardly been sufficient to cover the regular expenses, and supply the common necessaries of life. Indeed, at the commencement of the Institution, and for some years, this was far from being the case.
More convenient premises are exceedingly desirable and requisite, and would greatly add both to the comfort and respectability of the Academy. Besides, the work of teaching, the number of pupils amounting to ten, as it now does, would be more efficiently executed in the hands of two than of one. But at present, without a much larger support than what has yet been furnished, these much needed acquisitions are entirely out of reach, and can only be contemplated as desiderata.
The inhabitants of the Principality too generally, are not so sensible of the inestimable value of an educated ministry as probably they ought to be; and it is with labour, almost herculean, annually performed, that the supply hitherto drawn from the major part of the country, has been procured. Also with regret it is remarked, that future prospects are not so encouraging as could be wished, but on the contrary, rather desponding. Still, to their honour be it recorded, that many pastors, churches and individuals, have very steadily and laudably exerted themselves in favour of the Institution.
Many English friends likewise have demonstrated their accustomed benevolence and firmness; and to those, of them that do now patronize, and such particularly as have not yet done so, but it is hoped will, when informed of the character and exigencies of the Institution, the preceding account, and the subsequent appeal, are most affectionately and respectfully submitted.
Brethren of England: The Abergavenny Academy has never yet been made sufficiently known to you, or recommended to your consideration; consequently you have not had opportunity to estimate its value,
of inducement to afford it your aid. Be assured that on the point of utility, though humble in its pretensions, silent in its operations, and effecting its march without observation, it has, beneath the auspices of a gracious providence, been a source of incalculable benefit. Yet the circumstances of it are such as to awaken some concern for its perpetuity. And are there none amongst you, besides those worthy individuals who do now generously befriend it, disposed to enrol their names upon the list of its regular and permanent supporters? Are there no feelings of interest capable of being roused, excited, and impelled to action! Is it not to the credit of the Baptist denomination in England, that there is an Institution formed in Cambria, to raise the ministers of the same persuasion to a degree of literary respectability? And is it not of moment, that, in this part of the empire, the churches and congregations, so numerous, so growing, so powerful, and therefore so capable of becoming subsidiary to the spread of the gospel at home and abroad, should accompany others in the honourable career of knowledge and information? Upon these interrogatories, a negative cannot be fixed.
Then permit the Narrator, or rather the cause which he has the honour to represent, to urge and press you into a service that guarantees so ample a reward and extensive an advantage. To witness the failure and annihilation of an Establishment of some public importance, with which he and a few of his coadjutors have from its commencement been identified, and over which they have so long watched and prayed, is Too Much. But they cannot, they dare not, conceal their apprehensions. Except a larger influx of foreign aid in the shape
Of DONATIONS and ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS be brought unto it, they fear for the result; unless you stretch out a fostering wing and an upholding hand to cherish and sustain it, their hopes must be paralyzed; unless you become its advocates and benefactors, at length discouragement must quench the glowing embers of praise-worthy zeal, and despair succeed to the place of fond and sanguine expectation.
One of you, whose "work of faith and labour of love," are widely diffused and duly appreciated, has for some years supported three pupils in this Academy; and withal, is a liberal annual contributor. And as a body, you are never deaf to the calls which any scheme projected to enhance the interests of Christianity, presents to your notice, and commends to your attention. Therefore it is presumed, that now you will not be singular, that note you will not depart from your usual mode; but agreeable to your wonted liberality, will kindly and promptly step forward to the assistance of an Institution, the character and struggles of which, are no longer immanifest, - the approved usefulness and farther contemplated advantages of which, entitle it to your esteem and patronage.
The Seminary proposed to your beneficent regards, is not absolutely of a local character. Though established for the education of Welshmen, and ostensibly for the benefit of the Principality, its beneficiaries are shackled with no restrictions, but are at full liberty to exercise the work of the ministry in what country soever they please. Out of more than fifty who have already enjoyed its privileges, there are several now reputably and efficiently discharging the pastoral functions amongst you. And whenever it may be agreeable and convenient to any of your churches to draw upon it for supplies, no impediment intervenes.
Hence it is conceived, that on various grounds, the Institution thus pleaded for, deserves a portion of your munificence, and is worthy of your co-operation. Its general objects - established utility - small expenditure - all combine to enforce its claims.
Micah Thomas.
At a Committee Meeting, held Oct. 1st, 1824: - Mr. Thomas read his Historical Sketch of the Institution over which he presides, together with the accompanying Appeal to our Friends in England; and being fully approved, it is now ordered to be printed and circulated among them. But we beg leave to add, that there is no funded properly whatever belonging to this Establishment: - J. Wyke; W. H. Stucley; John Daniel; Seth Evans; Ebenezer Harris; Nathaniel Richards; J.H. Morgan.
A Scale of Expenditure.
There are seven Students now upon the
foundations of the Society.
To Board of the above one year
at £24 each .................168 0 0
To Tuition, House Rent, Taxes,
&c ................................40 0 0
To Coals for Library.........................................................2 2 0
Total expenses of Tuition and every Accommodation .....210.2s
£210. 2s. divided by seven, the
number of Students educated
this year by the Society, leaves
for each ...................................................................................30 0 3.
It was resolved at the yearly meeting of the Society in September, that personal application be made to the Friends of the cause in England, with a view to obtain donations and annual subscriptions.
The following Gentlemen will kindly receive contributions: Mr. Stephen Marshall, No. 181, High Holborn, London; Mr. W. W. Phillips, No. 2, Back, Bristol: Thomas King, Esq. Birmingham; and the Rev. Daniel Jones, Liverpool.
