And whereas many of the students of this Academy may be devoted to the sacred work of the gospel ministry; therefore, that the true and fundamental principles of the Christian religion may be cultivated, established, and perpetuated in the Christian church, so far as this institution may have influence, it shall be the duty of the instructors, as the age and capacity of the scholars will admit, to teach them the principles of natural religion; as the being of God and his perfections, his universal providence, and perfect government of the natural and moral world, and obligations to duty resulting from thence.
Also to teach them the doctrines of revealed religion, as they are contained in the sacred Scriptures of divine authority, being given by inspiration of God. The doctrine of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; particularly the doctrine of Christ, as true God, the only begotten of the Father, with all the truths they declare relative to his office of mediator, and work of redemption and salvation from the state of sin, guilt, and depravity of nature man has fallen into. The necessity of atonement by the blood of Jesus Christ; and of regeneration by the Spirit of God. The doctrine of repentance towards God; and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, considered as duties and gifts of God's grace; and the doctrine of justification by the free grace of God through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whose righteousness in his obedience unto death is the onlv ground and reason of the sinner's pardon and acceptance as righteous in the sight of God. The doctrine also of the Christian's progressive sanctification, in dying unto sin and living unto God in new obedience to all the commandments of Christ, proceeding from gospel motives and views, supremely to the glory of God; and the doctrines of the resurrection from the dead, and of the great and final judgment, with its consequences of happiness to the righteous and misery to the wicked. These and all the doctrines and duties of our holy Christian religion, not being founded on human authority, will be proved by Scripture testimony.
And, whereas, the most wholesome precepts, without frequent repetitions, may prove ineffectual, it is further required of the instructors, that they not only urge and re-urge, but continue from day to day to impress these instructions; and let them ever remember that the design of this institution can never be answered without their persevering, incessant attention to this duty.
Protestants only shall ever be concerned in the trust or instruction of this Seminary, and they, having severally approved the constitution, their government and instructions, conformably thereto, must appear steady, cordial, and vigorous. The election of the officers of this Academy shall be by ballot only. And it shall ever be equally open to youth of requisite qualifications from every quarter, provided that none be admitted till, in common parlance, they can read English well, excepting such particular numbers as the trustees may hereafter license. And in order to prevent a perversion of the true intent of this foundation, it is again declared that the first and principal design of this institution is the promoting virtue and true piety; useful knowledge, in the order before referred to (in the act of incorporation), being subservient thereto.
And I hereby reserve to myself, during any part of my natural life, the full right to make any special rules for the perpetual government of this Academy, which shall be equally binding on those whom they may concern with any clause in those regulations; provided no such rule shall be subversive of the true intent of this foundation. I also reserve a right to appoint one person to succeed me in the trust, after my decease or resignation, to whom shall be transferred the same right of appointment, and to his successors in the said trust forever.*
The foregoing regulations, forming the constitution of the Phillips Exeter Academy, shall ever be read by the president, for the time being, at the annual meeting of the trustees of said Academy, that they and their successors may be fully acquainted with and in all future time reminded of their duty. And, considering them as true to their trust, I, the said John Phillips, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, do hereby covenant, grant, and agree to and with the said trustees and their successors, that I will warrant and defend the beforegranted premises to them forever, against the lawful claims and demands of any person or persons whomsoever, holding from, by, or under me. Likewise Elizabeth, my wife, doth hereby freely and voluntarily relinquish all right of dower and power of thirds in the premises.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the seventeenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one.
JOHN PHILLIPS.
ELIZABETH PHILLIPS.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of
P.WHITE
JACOB ABBOT.
ROCKINGHAM, SS., Jan. 9, 1782.
John Phillips, Esq., and Elizabeth, his wife, ownd this instrument to be their free act and deed, before me,
PHILLIPS WHITE, J. Peace.
ROCKINGHAM, SS.
Received and recorded March 11, 1782, Lib. 113, Fol. 499.
SAM’L BROOKS, Rdr.
STRAFFORD, SS.
Rec'd March 29, 1782. Recorded Lib. 4, Fol. 176. Examined.
THOS. WK. WALDRON, Recorder.
*John T. Gilman, the appointee of John Phillips, surrendered this right.