THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT GETTYSBURGH.-&c.

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The committee appointed to compose a Liturgy, was instructed to make a full report at the next meeting of the Synod.

The Synod resolved to publish a Pastoral Letter to the Churches. The next meeting is to be held at Winchester, Va., in October, 1831. In the language of the Rev. Secretary," the brethren then united in prayer, commending themselves and the Church in general, to the protection and favor of Jesus Christ, God over all, blessed for ever, and adjourned."

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT GETTYSBURGH.

A meeting of the board of directors of this Seminary, was held during the session of the General Synod. The sum required for the establishment of another professorship, having been nearly raised, the board gave notice, that at its next semi-annual meeting, they will proceed to the election of an additional professor. A committee, of three lay members, was also appointed, to proceed to Gettysburgh, and determine the location of suitable buildings for the Seminary.

EVAN. LUTH. SYNOD OF MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

The members of this Synod convened at Williamsport, Washington county, Md., on Saturday, the 17th of October last. Fifteen elergymen and nine lay delegates were present.

Rev. Doct. KURTZ was elected Presilent, Rev. A. RECK, Secretary, and Rev. D. F. SCHAFFER, Treasurer.

The Editor of the Evangelical Lutheran Intelligencer presented his report, which was accepted by the Synod, and ordered to be printed. It was further resolved, that the Editor be requested to continue the publication, and that the different clergymen of our church in the United States, be solicited to furnish each a short discourse for publi cation in said work.

Information was communicated to the Synod, that the members residing in Virginia, bad held a conference at Woodstock, with a view of entering into the necessary arrangements, to form themselves into a separate Synod.

The Treasurer's accounts were examined, and the Parochial reports received, as usual.

A committee was appointed to prepare a form of a constitutions, for the future government of the Synod, to be submitted to the consideration of the members at the next annual meeting.

The Rev. J. G. MORRIS, of Baltimore, was appointed to preach a missionary sermon at the next meeting of the Synod, which is to be held at Taneytown, on the 3d Sunday in October next.

At a ministerial session, the Rev. H. Haverstick was received futs:

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connexion with this body; and the licenses of Rev. L. EICHELBERGER, H. BAGER and C. F. SCHEFFER, renewed for the ensuing year. The meeting was closed with prayer by the Rev. President, Doctor KURTZ.

DOMESTIC MISSIONARY AND EDUCATION SOCIETY OF THE SYNOD OF MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA. The first annual meeting of this Society was held after the adjournment of the Synod, on the evening of the 20th of October, at the same place where the Synod had met, and transacted its business. From the account given in the Evan, Luth. Intelligencer, it must have been a very interesting meeting. We hope that the proceedings on that oecasion, may be attended with many beneficial results to the interests of our church in that section of country.

After some devotional exercises, the following report of the board of managers was read:

First Annual Report of the Domestic Missionary and Education Society of the Synod of Maryland and Virginia.

In presenting the first annual report of this society, your managers have cause for gratitude and humiliation: For gratitude, that their exertions have not been altogether unsuccessful, and for humiliation, that their efforts have not been correspondent to the high responsibility of their office.

From the laudable spirit evinced at the organization of the society, at the last session of the Synod, it was expected that much would be accomplished in Lehalf of its noble object. We have not been altogether disappointed, and we have the pleasure to report that seven auxiliaries have been established in the following churches, from some of which very efficient aid has been received, which will be exhibited in the treasurer's report hereto annexed.

There have been two auxiliaries formed at Fredericktown, one composed of ladies, and the other of youths; one at Taneytown, one in Montgomery county, one in Winchester, Va., and two in the English Lutheran church at Baltimore, one of which is a ladies' sewing society. These are auxiliary to the parent institution. It affords us much pleasure to mention that societies have been established at Hagerstown and Funkstown, which are aiming at the praiseworthy object of founding a scholarship, which it is expected will be accomplished in the course of another year. We rejoice to see our brethren inanifesting so much zeal in their landable undertaking, and hope that many other churches will soon imitate their good example.

The parent society has now under its care as beneficiaries, four pious and promising young men, who are preparing to enter upon their theological studies in the classical school attached to the seminary.Messrs. Samuel Rothrock and Jesse Vogler, of North Carolina, were received upon our patronage in April last; Mr. Francis Springer, of Maryland, in June, and Mr. Abrahain Shuman, of Maryland, in July. To each of them $75 per annum are allowed as a loan without interest or security, payable at any period during life, if they ever become able.

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We cannot too highly commend the charitable zeal of the females of several of our churches, who are at present actively engaged in preparing articles of needlework, to be disposed of for the benefit of this society. The ladies of our churches at Hagerstown and Baltimore, and Taneytown, are setting an example which we expect soon to see imitated by all their sisters of our faith within the bounds of this syned. We pray that the divine blessing may rest upon them and their Jabors, and that they may never grow weary in rendering such essential aid to the objects of this society.

We have reason to believe that several others of our sister synods will co-operate in this most excellent work, and place the means of education into the hands of many of our pious, but indigent young men, who are longing to preach the gospel to their perishing fellow sinners. The demands of our church for missionary assistance, are pressing in upon us from every quarter. The destitute congregations are crying for help, but how can we send them laborers, when there are so few young men amongst us, who devote themselves to the ministry? During the last winter, tw nty-five applications were made to the seminary for missionaries, chiefly from the south and west, and but six young men have completed the prescribed course of studies! They are already actively engaged in the field, but many, many more laborers are required, to cultivate the waste places of Zion Doubtless there are many indigent young men amongst us, whose hearts are warm with love to God, and are ardently desirous of entering the ministry, but who have not the means of acquiring the necessary theological education. Our object is to bring them out from their retirement, and present limited sphere of usefulness, and prepare them for the arduous work; but we cannot accomplish it, unless the more highly favored sections of the church contribute liberally to the fonds of this society. We believe that if the subject were fairly represented to our people, they would cheerfully assist us in this benevolent enterprise. The subject needs but to be understood, to be duly appreciated. What then remains to be done? Is it not a cause that lays claim to all our zeal and devotedness? to our most strenuous and untiring exertions? It is the cause of saving immortal souls; the cause of God and of truth. The cry of destitute churches has come up to us, it has been loud and long, and frequent! We have resolved, and hesitated, and talked long enough, the day for action has come; benevolent wishes and sighs and tears will never extend our borders, and we must now act, or nothing will be accomplished. Our responsibility is tremendous; God will require an account. The people must know the wants of their destitute brethren, and the immense obligations they are under to carry the gospel to them. An auxiliary society, if possible, should be established in every congregation, and then our treasury would afford ample support to at least twelve indigent students.

Let church councils engage in this cause with an earnestness that becomes their office. Let every private member be deeply and personally interested. Without their co-operation we can do nothing.We want their support, their continuance, and their prayers. Let us all regard this subject as one of the highest importance, and cheerfully step forward to assist in its promotion. Let us engage with heart and hand in this noble work. Let us listen to and obey the call of our brethren, "Come over and help us.”

MR. LECHNER'S CONGREGATION IN MINDEN. In perusing the minutes of the General Synod of the German Reformed Church of the United States, convened at Lebanon, Pa. on the 27th of September last, we were somewhat surprised in observing the following notice: "A call from a congregation in Minden, Montgomery county, N. Y., for Mr. Adam Lechner. The call was subscribed by many persons of various denominations, who have associated as a church, and wish to be taken under the care of this Synod, and to have Mr. Lechner ordained for their pastor. Resolved, that this call be referred to a committee, for the purpose of makinginquiries, &c. Messrs. Scholl, Helfenstein and Brunner were appointed." We noticed this statement with surprise, because we happen to be somewhat acquainted with the circumstances of the place where this Associated German Reformed Church is said to be formed. All we know of this Mr. Adam Lechner, is, that he has occasionally been suffered to preach in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Minden, by the indulgence of the Minister and congregation. How he was at first introduced, and by whose request he preached, we cannot say. We have always disapproved of the custom in some congregations, of opening their churches for every vagrant preacher, without inquiring whence he cometh, and whither he goeth. We presume, however, that this indulgence was not granted to Mr. Lechner by the Minister and congregation of the Lutheran Church at Minden, with a view that he should organize in the congregation, a church, “to be taken under the care of the German Reformed Synod, and have Mr. Lechner ordained as their pastor." of what Mr. Lechner's congregation in Minden, &c. consists, we do not know. We never heard of it before we saw the above notice. Doubtless, the people in Minden will be as much surprised as we were, to hear that Mr. Lechner has a congregation there. "The call was subscribed by many persons of various denominations." We think with the Synod, that coming from "many persons of various denominations," it comes from a suspicious source, and in rather a questionable form. At all events, they acted very prudently in appointing a committee of inquiry into this strange call upon Mr. Lechuer, from many persons of various denominations, who wish to be taken under the care of the German Reformed Synod.”

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WESTERN CONFERENCE.

The Members of the Western Conference of Lutheran Ministers and Candidates in the state of N. York, will convene in St. Paul's Church, Schoharie, on Thursday the 31st of December next.

OF THE NEW BIRTH-John iii, 1, 13.-St. Paul declares, 1 Cor. ii, 14, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." A clear proof of this assertion we have in the subject of the New Birth, of which the words of our text speak. Our Saviour reproached Nicodemus, that he, as a ruler of the Jews, could not comprehend the nature and necessity of being born again; what then, ought we to think of so many christians, nay, may we not say of many spiritual teachers, who to this day are equally as ignorant and unwilling to understand wherein the new birth consists? If the chapter from which we have selected our text, was the only place to be found in the New Testament which treats on the subject, we might be led to suppose that it was a figurative expression, and induced to inquire what our Lord intended by it; but we have various passages of similar import and of different writers. St. John, speaking of the children of God, (Chap. i, 13,)" which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God;" and in his first Epistle, v, 1, he says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God; and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him;" i. e. his brother. And again in verse 4, "Whatsover is born of God overcometh the world." To this St. Peter agrees in his 1 Epistle, i, 23, when speaking of believers, he says that they are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." St. James testifies likewise, Chap. i, 18, "of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures." Finally, Paul declares the same in substance, though in other words, 2 Cor. v, 17, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;" but it is impossible to be in Christ, united with him in spirit, and to be one with Him and the Father, (John xvii, 21,) while ́ and as long as we remain in our natural state.

Any person, therefore, gifted with ordinary understanding, may easily discover that it is not our body and outward man that is here intended, but must be convinced that it relates to the inner man, which Paut describes in Rom. vii, 22, and of which he writes, Eph. iv, 24,