be under the influence of those pure principles and elevated views which correspond with that sacred office, there be any individuals who stand in need of that minute inspection and regulation which are necessary in colleges; a theological seminary is no place for them, nor the gospel ministry an office which they ought ever to seek. The longer I have the opportunity of observing and reflecting on this matter, the more fully I am persuaded, that the petty details of academic or collegiate control cannot be considered as applicable to theological seminaries; and that the theological student, who, while in the enjoyment of health, needs to be frequently reminded of any prominent delinquency, in reference to the mild rules under which he has voluntarily placed himself, and which he has solemnly promised to obey, ought to be dismissed from the institution. He shows either a want of principle, or a want of consideration and circumspection, which affords a melancholy prognostic of usefulness as a minister. If there be a society on earth, the character of which may be supposed to supersede the necessity of a very extended code of personal regulation, surely it is a band of the sons of the church, assembled to put themselves under training for the ministry of reconciliation.

But still, a degree of regulation is indispensable. The fact is, that if a hundred clergymen of the maturest age, and of the most eminent piety and wisdom, could be supposed to be brought together, and placed in the situation in which you and your companions are placed, they would not only need a system of rules, but also a system of measures for enforcing them. The best men differ in their natural

temper, in their tastes, habits, and general casts of character. What one feels to be no inconvenience to him is intolerable to another. What an individual might do without sin or mischief, if done by half a dozen, or a dozen, might be extensively mischievous. A strict attention to some rules, then, even in the society of the most pious and exemplary, is altogether necessary. I should not, therefore, consider my system of advices by any means complete, as to its parts, if I did not offer you a few counsels in reference to your general deportment in the seminary. And in this, as in other cases, it is pleasing to reflect, that every good habit which you form here, will be likely to exert a favourable influence on your character as long as you live.

1. Ponder often and deeply in your mind the advantages which may be derived from such an institution. Many members of this, and of other theological seminaries, I have no doubt, entirely fail of receiving much of the benefit which they might receive, and certainly ought to receive, from their not taking just and adequate views of the advantages within their reach; and, of course, not habitually aiming to improve them to the utmost. No one will be likely to attain that which he does not contemplate or seek. It is certain that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in founding the seminary of which you are a member, formed large expectations of the benefits likely to result from it to their rising ministry, and, through them, to the Church over which they preside. In bringing together large numbers of theological students, under the same roof, and the same teachers, and placing them in circumstances calculated

to awaken every intellectual power, to kindle into a flame every holy affection, and to bind every one to his fellows by indissoluble ties, they fully expected to see a race of ministers rising up superior, as a body, to those who had not enjoyed the same advantages men of more profound, extensive and accurate knowledge, of more ardent piety, of more united views and plans, and prepared to act together in promoting the Redeemer's kingdom, with more harmony, zeal and efficiency, than those who had not been placed in a similar relation to each other. And, truly, when we contemplate what the society of such an institution might be, and ought to be; what pure and exalted friendships might be expected to reign among a hundred candidates for the sacred office, all engaged together in the pursuit of the best species of knowledge; what holy emulation in study; what mutual and delightful aid in the investigation of truth; what a bright and steady flame of piety; what unceasing stimulants to love and good works; what preparation to go forth as a band of brethren, united in every effort, and carrying light and blessing wherever they go; we shall readily conclude that the venerable Assembly did not expect more than was reasonable. And, certainly, so far as any have failed of attaining these rich advantages, and realizing all these expectations, it has been their own fault. For I can scarcely conceive of a society better adapted to promote the richest growth in knowledge, to nurture the most elevated piety, and to cement the firmest and most sanctified union of hearts, than that which is assembled at a theological seminary. And one great reason, I have no doubt, why it has proved to many who have

been connected with it, both less pleasant, and less beneficial than it ought to have been, is, that they have neither duly appreciated the advantages which were within their reach, nor aimed, with suitable diligence, or with a proper spirit, to avail themselves of these advantages. In vain are the richest treasures strewed around us, if we have neither the skill nor the disposition to make them our own.

If, then, you wish to gain the whole benefit which you ought to gain, from your connection with this institution, take large views of the advantages which may justly be sought and expected in such a society, and with a steady aim, and indefatigable perseverance, pursue the attainment of them. The opportunity which you have of contemplating different grades of talent, among your companions in study-some of them above, and others below your own, ought to teach you equally to avoid arrogance and despondency; and to operate as a constant stimulus to diligence. From all the varieties of taste, temper, and habits, displayed among your associates, you ought to be constantly endeavouring to draw lessons of practical wisdom. In such an interesting society, your knowledge of the world, and of the human heart, ought to be every hour increasing. From daily intercourse with companions from almost every part of the United States, you ought to aim at deriving, while stationary, some of the advantages of extensive travelling. By witnessing different grades and species of eloquence in others, you ought to be daily gaining materials for exciting, correcting and improving your own. By the gentle and Christian attrition of mind. against mind, both light and heat, of the most salutary

kind, ought to be continually stricken out. In social study, you enjoy the means of awakening and stimulating your powers to their best efforts, and of correcting and extending all your knowledge. Here the choicest bosom friendships ought to be formed, to cheer, aid and bless the whole of your subsequent life. Here, every one, by observing the foibles and mistakes of others, ought to learn to correct his own. And here the flame of piety, kindling from heart to heart, ought to burn with a brighter and purer flame from day to day.

Now, resolve, in the Lord's name and strength, that you will endeavour to keep all these advantages habitually in your own view, and to pursue them with undeviating aim, and unwearied diligence; and that you will constantly endeavour also to hold them up to the view of others, by all proper methods, but especially by the lustre of your example. Resolve, if you stand alone in the resolution, among all your brethren, that you will never cease your efforts, in your proper sphere, to promote, to the utmost, faithful study; profound and impartial discussion; Christian regularity and order; the mutual correction of errors; deep, lively piety; gentle, benign, fraternal deportment; and fervent brotherly love among all with whom you are connected; that you will labour without ceasing, and sacrifice every subordinate interest for the sake of attaining these great objects. A single student, in good earnest in adopting such a resolution; habitually animated with a corresponding spirit; and making all who approach him to feel, continually, the purity of his motives, and the elevation of his aims, might diffuse an influence over a whole institution, of which no one