Surely a band of Theological students might be expected highly to prize a Society formed for the perfectly free and unshackled discussion of truth, and which might be made every thing that the learning, zeal, enterprise, eloquence and piety of its members chose to make it. That there is enough of all these among them to render it highly interesting and profitable, no one who is acquainted with their character can doubt. Why, then, one is tempted to ask, is there not more--much more interest actually infused, from week to week, into its discussions? I have no doubt the true answer isPartly from indolence, or the want of that enterprise and decision of character, which are so indispensable to the accomplishment of much in any pursuit: and partly because the mass of the students do not take any thing like adequate views of what the Society in question might be made, and of the immense contributions to their improvement which might be drawn from it. It surely might and ought to be made a source of the richest advantage to all its members. Let me urge you to contribute as much as in you lies to the attainment of this advantage. Be inflexibly punctual in your attendance upon it. When you are appointed to introduce the debate, prepare for the duty, and endeavour to perform it in an able, and interesting manner. Surely when such a service occurs only once or

twice a year, you can afford to take some pains to perform it well; especially when you consider that every effort of this kind which you make, entirely coincides with your main pursuit. Let it be seen that you always take a deep interest in the discussions, by participating in them on proper occasions; by taking pains to bring forward suitable questions for consideration; and by labouring to give such a direction to every thing, as will render it at once attractive and profitable to your brethren. A small portion of such a spirit conscientiously kept up, would be far more efficacious than any system of fines and penalties, which can answer little other purpose than to tease and alienate.

15. Prize every opportunity of SPEAKING IN THE PRESENCE of your PrOFESSORS AND FELLOW STUDENTS, and always, with avidity, avail yourself of it. That some of your companions in study should consider the rule of the Seminary which obliges them to speak in publick, at stated times, as imposing a burden, rather than offering a privilege, is a fact not difficult to be accounted for. The want of that energy, and diligence, which fit young men. for high aims, and indefatigable efforts; and the want of that steady fixedness of purpose, which resolutely prepares in time for every prescribed task, are certainly among the princi

pal reasons why so many fail of performing this service as well as they are really able to do it; and, of course, why they are so reluctant to perform it at all. There are those, indeed, who are almost ready to deride the performance of this duty, as if they supposed it impossible, in the nature of things, to speak well in such circumstances. This, however, I take it, is an utter delusion. It is often dictated by laziness, rather than by enlightened judgment. That much practice, even though it be on a small scale, is greatly conducive to the discipline of the voice, and to the attainment of selfpossession in publick speaking, all good judges are agreed. And, if I am not deceived, all that is necessary to the production of many excellent specimens of eloquence in our Oratory, is, that due preparation be made, and due pains taken at the time, for the purpose.

Let me entreat you no longer to suffer the performance of this duty to languish in your hands. Never allow your name to appear among the delinquents; and address yourself to the work with the decision and diligence of one who highly appreciates its value. Let that which you speak be always perfectly committed to memory. The importance of this discipline of the memory may not now be seen in all its extent; but will be found to be great hereafter.

16. When called upon to CRITICISE THE

ness.

SPEAKING OF YOUR BRETHREN, always do it with respectfulness, delicacy and fraternal kindIn regard to this matter, there are two extremes. The one is, habitually to deal in the language of excessive and indiscriminate praise, in other words, of flattery. The other is, as generally, to employ the language of satire, sarcasm, or harsh, unmerited censure; to endeavour to place every thing commented on, in a ludicrous light and not unfrequently to turn the person, as well as the discourse of the speaker into ridicule. I hope I need not put you on your guard against either of these extremes. They are both unworthy of a gentleman; especially of a gentleman who also lays claim to the benevolence and magnanimity of a christian Let all your criticisms be marked by a truly respectful and fraternal spirit. Be candid and faithful; but at the same time, benign and delicate. In short, with an unfeigned spirit of brotherly kindness, let your aim be, not to gratify either spleen, or mirth, but to promote the real benefit and honour of him who is the object of your remarks.

17. Whether your PLACE OF BOARDING be in the publick edifice, or in a private family,

BE CAREFUL OF YOUR DEPORTMENT AT YOUR

MEALS, as well as at other times. It has been often observed, that little things frequently afford as decisive an indication of character as

greater; especially when it is considered that, with respect to the latter, we are apt to be on our guard; while, in reference to the former, we daily act without thought. Allow me to witness a man's deportment, for a single week, at his meals, and in his boarding-house, and I will tell you, with almost unerring certainty, what kind of a man he is whether he know any thing about the refinement and dignity of a christian gentleman; or whether he labour under that coarseness, vulgarity, or levity of character which cannot fail of making an unfavourable impression on the mind of every spectator. Let me entreat you to set a sacred guard over your tongue, and over your whole deportment, in the situations to which I allude mode of conversing, eating, &c. be all such as become a person of a serious, and cultivated mind. Let no one ever have occasion, from your deportment, to remark, that Theological students are not more grave, or more refined than others. I once heard of a gentleman, who had made his will, and left in it a handsome legacy to our Seminary. Soon afterwards, meeting with one of our students, at a publick house, where he stopped to dine-a student who, it must be acknowledged, was never in very good odour among his companions in study-the gentleman was so disgusted with his levity, coarseness, and epicurean feeding at the

Let your