they so run into one another, that occasional repetition is unavoidable. Nor is it, for various reasons, undesirable. The impression is thereby reiterated, and perhaps deepened.

In reviewing the various details to which your attention has been called, I trust you will often be ready to exclaim"Who is sufficient for these things?" Who can hope, in the diversified situations and duties of a minister of the gospel, in public and private, to avoid the numberless faults to which he is exposed on every side, and to exhibit in regard to all the points which have been specified, a blameless example?—I answer, truly no one who is not favoured with that divine wisdom and aid, which are promised to those who unceasingly ask for them. The sentiments, therefore, which I should wish to see reigning in your mind in reference to this whole subject, are those which recognize your own weakness, the number and power of the temptations which surround you; the extreme arduousness of the task of doing well; your need of continual help; and the obligation which you are under to "watch and pray," that you may be enabled, in any tolerable degree, to observe the rules enjoined.

But, while I wish these sentiments to be deeply impressed on your mind, I am, at the same time, persuaded that the substance of all that I have recommended may be considered, with that divine aid which is promised to all who faithfully seek it, as fairly within the reach of every candidate for the holy ministry, who has decent talents, and genuine piety. Do not, therefore, by any means imagine, that the manners and habits which I have described, are such

as very few, and those only who have special endowments and advantages, can attain. There is not a student in our Institution who might not make the attainment, if he had the piety and the perseverance to use the proper means for the purpose. In this opinion, I am happy in being fortified by the venerable President of our Board of Directors,* with whose declaration, delivered to a body of your predecessors in the seminary, I shall take my leave of you.

"In this matter we are under no necessity of contemplating an impossibility.I maintain that there is a point in good manners, which every theological student, without exception, may and ought to reach; and which whoever reaches, will be acceptable and agreeable to persons of every rank and condition in life. The attainment requires little more in order to make it, than the meekness, and gentleness, and benevolence, and courtesy, which the gospel itself explicitly recommends and enjoins; and a failure in which must, of course, be reckoned a real defect in Christian character. The man who has reached the point I have in view, is as free from all that boorish roughness, all that reserved haughtiness or sullenness, all that clownish rudeness, and all those disgusting habits and actions, which are so generally and justly offensive, as the courtier himself. This man is neither forward nor sheepishly bashful; he is selfpossessed, but modest and retiring; he is kind and civil; he is social and pleasant; he is desirous to please, and willing to be pleased; he is respectful to age and station; he is never intrusive or officious; he is on all occasions accommodating and ready to do

* Rev. Dr. Green.

every good office in his power; and he never arrogates precedency of rank, nor demands an undue attention to himself. Now I affirm, that every minister of the gospel, and every theological student, may possess this character; and that, if he possess it, he will be offensive to no one in point of manners. Aim at the attainment which I have here described: aim at it constantly: consider it as a Christian duty to do so. It is, in the strictest sense, a Christian duty; for believe me, your usefulness, your ability to do good, will greatly depend on your visible demeanour."

That you, my dear sir, may have grace given you to attain this character, and thus to adorn the sacred office, and become an eminent blessing to the church of God, is the unfeigned prayer of

in my opinion, "casting pearls before swine," and adapted to dishonour rather than recommend religion.

17. In travelling, be not ready to entangle yourself with obtrusive or troublesome strangers. In almost every crowded public conveyance that you enter, there are passengers who answer this description; persons who, from vulgarity, from officiousness, or from some sinister motive, will be disposed to fasten themselves upon you, and endeavour to make you subservient to their convenience. They will, perhaps, oppress you with their conversation, pester you with their plans, and even lay a snare for your politeness, which may give much trouble afterwards. Be on your guard against such persons. Give no encouragement to their intimacy or their schemes, especially until you know something about them. The exercise of common civility to them may entangle you to a most inconvenient degree. To this class of travellers females are sometimes found to belong. Travelling without a protector, they may feel desirous of engaging a clergyman to act the part of one; whom, though a stranger to them, they consider as furnishing, in his profession, a pledge of fidelity and benevolence. Often have I known females travelling in these circumstances, impose themselves on clergymen travelling in the same direction, and form an incumbrance and impediment of the most serious kind. I have known ministers, young and old, on journeys for their health, really oppressed, and their movements most unhappily and injuriously trammelled, by these self-created charges. Guard against every such imposition. If you do not, you will never be without incumbrance. In travelling, be polite, accommodating and benevolent