These are the two propositions which it is my purpose to maintain, on this part of the case.

This scheme of instruction begins by attempting to attach reproach and odium to the whole clergy of the country.  It places a brand, a stigma, on every individual member of the profession, without an exception.  No minister of the Gospel, of any denomination, is to be allowed to come within the grounds belonging to this school, on any occasion, or for any purpose whatever.  They are all rigorously excluded, as if their mere presence might cause pestilence.  We have heard it said that Mr. Girard, by this will, distributed his charity without distinction of sect or party.  However that may be, Sir, he certainly has dealt out opprobrium to the whole profession of the clergy, without regard to sect or party.

By this will, no minister of the Gospel of any sect or denomination whatever can be authorized or allowed to hold any office within the college; and not only that, but no minister or clergyman of any sect can, for any purpose whatever, enter within the walls that are to surround this college.  If a clergyman has a sick nephew, or a sick grandson, he cannot, upon any pretext, be allowed to visit him within the walls of the college.  The provision of the will is express and decisive.  Still less may a clergyman enter to offer consolation to the sick, or to unite in prayer with the dying.

Now, I will not arraign Mr. Girard or his motives for this.  I will not inquire into Mr. Girard’s opinions upon religion.  But I feel bound to say, the occasion demands that I should say, that this is the most opprobrious, the most insulting and unmerited stigma, that ever was cast, or attempted to be cast, upon the preachers of Christianity, from north to south, from east to west, through the length and breadth of the land, in the history of the country.  When have they deserved it?  Where have they deserved it?  How have they deserved it?  They are not to be allowed even the ordinary rights of hospitality; not even to be permitted to put their foot over the threshold of this college!

Sir, I take it upon myself to say, that in no country in the world, upon either continent, can there be found a body of ministers of the Gospel who perform so much service to man, in such a full spirit of self-denial, under so little encouragement from government of any kind, and under circumstances almost always much straitened and often distressed, as the ministers of the Gospel in the United States, of all denominations.  They form no part of any established order of religion; they constitute no hierarchy; they enjoy no peculiar privileges.  In some of the States they are even shut out from all participation in the political rights and privileges enjoyed by their fellow-citizens.  They enjoy no tithes, no public provision of any kind.  Except here and there, in large cities, where a wealthy individual occasionally makes a donation for the support of public worship, what have they to depend upon?  They have to depend entirely on the voluntary contributions of those who hear them.