A valuable property has been purchased, adjoining Covington, Ky., opposite Cincinnati, and measures have been put in train to found a theological seminary by the Baptist denomination. The executive committee of the "Western Baptist Education Society," have this object in charge. The "Alton Theological Seminary," located at Upper Alton, Illinois, is under an organization distinct from that of Shurtleff College, already noticed. This institution has 50 acres of valuable land, and a stone edifice of respectable size, occupied at present in joint concern with the college, and a valuable library of several hundred volumes. Its organization has been but recently effected. Rev. L. Colby, is professor, with 8 students. Other institutions, having theological education, either in whole or in part, their object, are in contemplation.
Two remarks, by way of explanation are here necessary. 1. Most of the colleges and theological schools of the Western Valley have facilities for manual labor, or are making that provision. In several, some of the students pay half, and even the whole of their expenses, by their own efforts. Public sentiment is awake to this subject, and is gaining ground. 2. In enumerating the students, the members of the preparatory departments are included, many of whom do not expect to pass through a regular collegiate course. The circumstances and wants of the country, from its rapid growth, seem to require the appendage of a large preparatory department to every college.
It may be well to observe here, that a great and increasing demand exists in all the Western States, and especially those bordering on the Mississippi, for teachers of primary schools. Hundreds and thousands of moral, intelligent, and pious persons, male and female, would meet with encouragement and success in this department of labor. It is altogether unnecessary for such persons to write to their friends, to make inquiries whether there are openings, &c. If they come from the older States with the proper recommendations as to character and qualifications, they will not fail to meet with employment in almost any quarter to which they may direct their course. There is not a county in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, or Indiana, where persons would not meet with constant employment in teaching, and especially where teachers in Sabbath schools are needed. Persons desirous of such a field, of humble, yet useful labor, should come here with the fixed purpose to mix with, and conform to the usages of the Western population, to avoid fastidiousness, and to submit to the plain, frank, social, and hospitable manners of the people.
III. Deaf and Dumb Asylums.
There are two institutions of this description in the West,—one at Columbus, Ohio; the other at Danville, Ky. The one in Ohio contains about 50 pupils.
IV. Medical Institutions.
The medical department in Transylvania University, Kentucky, has six professors, and usually about 200 students to attend the lectures. Fees for an entire course, with matriculation and library, $110. Two medical institutions of respectable standing exist in Cincinnati,—one connected with the Miami university, the other with Cincinnati college.
The Ohio Reformed Medical School, was established at Worthington, 9 miles north of Columbus, in 1830. No specified time is required for study, but when a student will pass examination, he is licensed to practice.
V. Law Schools.
The law department of Transylvania University, is under the charge of two able professors, who hear recitations and deliver lectures. The average number of students is about 40.