It may be proper to state, that James Wilson, Samuel Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands, four of the Trustees named in the Charter of Incorporation, in consequence of not living in the town, never attended any of the meetings of the Board, and their places becoming vacant, the Rev. Peter Lowe, Garrit Martense, Peter Stryker and Cornelius Bergen were elected members of the Board.

The seminary was, from its commencement, opposed by many of the inhabitants of Flatbush, who entertained a strong and decided attachment to the village school, and consequently their influence and means had a great tendency to retard the rise and progress of Erasmus Hall. Several amusing anecdotes might be told touching this. Some were disposed to ascribe all their misfortunes to the erection of the Academy. One worthy old gentleman, when unloading; some bags, unfortunately slipped, and fell from his waggon. He rose greatly incensed, and cried out, "that Academy will never do."

The Trustees of the Institution however, though laboring under a heavy debt, and incumbered by various difficulties, were assiduous in their duty. They devised a system of instruction, rules and regulations by which the Hall should be governed, and employed the ablest and best teachers in the different departments of instruction. This last measure however, while it lessened the spirit of opposition, consumed the whole income of the institution, as all was annually expended in paying the salaries of these teachers and other expenses incidental to all literary establishments. The debt of the Hall, notwithstanding the most persevering exertions on the part of the Trustees, mounted still to $1,250. The Trustees by farther voluntary contributions, reduced somewhat this amount, so that on the 12th of September, 1789, it was $1,064.94. On the 17th day of June, 1794, application was made to the Trustees, for the purchase of the remaining part of the commons which had not been disposed of at the first sale. The proposals were accepted, and the conveyances accordingly executed. With the money arising from this sale, the debt of the Hall was reduced to $900. In this situation it remained till the year 1808, when a donation el $100, was granted by the Regents of the University to the Trustees of Erasmus Hall, and the same was applied, in conjunction with other exertions of the Trustees, towards discharging the debt, and on the 13th of May, 1809, it was reduced to $668. It remained nearly at this amount, till the year 1825, when the debt was entirely liquidated.

At a session of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church, held at Albany, in June 1794, they resolved to locate their Divinity Hall in Flatbush. Their professor of divinity, the Rev. Dr. Livingston, had preciously resided here, and had given instruction to such students in theology as put themselves under his charge. It is to be regretted that the General Synod of the church ever removed their Theological School from this place, and located it in New-Jersey. Had it been continued in Flatbush, Erasamus Hall would long ere this, have grown into