pleasure, all extraneous objects; to go from step to step without interruption; and to keep fast hold of the thread which you first seize un

til

you trace it to the end. From the moment that you open a book, or take your pen in hand, give undivided attention to what you are about, until you close the one, or lay down the

other.

4 Endeavour HABITUALLY TO STUDY WITH A DEVOUT SPIRIT. By this I mean that you endeavour always to study under the deep impression, that the subj cts which you are engaged in examining, are sacred subjects, and the knowledge which you are labouring to acquire, is consecrated knowledge; that the great and the only proper end of all, is practical usefulness, in promoting the glory of God, and the welfare of men; and that for all your privileges and opportunities, you are hastening to a solemn account. The motto of an old Spanish Catholick divine-Oculus ad Scopum-ought to be continually fixed in your mind. Such impressions will give you a deeper interest in your studies; will promote diligence in them; will serve to fix that which you acquire more firmly in your mind; and will prevent your wasting your time in frivolous pursuits. O my young Friend, if every hour spent in your study, were spent under the practical recollection,

that you are not your own; that the eye of your Master is upon you; and that every mental effort may be considered as a seed of eternity, both with regard to yourself and others;— with what fixedness and solemnity of spirit would your studies be conducted !

5. Constantly implore THE AID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN STUDY. The duty of humbly and importunately asking the blessed Spirit's influence, to sanctify our affections, and to aid us in cultivating all the graces and virtues of the christian life, will not, I suppose, be disputed by any one who has the smallest tincture of piety. But I fear it is not so universally recognised, even by pious students, that the same gracious aid ought to be solicited and expected, in all intellectual culture, and in all investigation of truth. Is it either unreasonable or unscriptural to believe, that the Spirit of God can, and often does, enlarge and invigorate the intellectual faculties, extend the scope of their vision, and give them deeper and clearer views than without this aid they could have taken? It were, it seems to me, a species of atheism to doubt it. "Think with yourself how easily and how insensibly, by one turn of thought, the Father of lights can lead you into a large scene of useful ideas. He can teach you to lay hold on a clew which may guide your thoughts with safety and ease through all the difficulties

of an intricate subject. By his secret and supreme government, he can draw you to read such a treatise, or converse with such a person, who may give you more light into some deep subject in an hour, than you could obtain by a month of your own solitary labour."* You remember, I presume, that Milton, in preparing to enter on the composition of the Paradise Lost, recognised, in the most explicit manner, his desire and expectation of the Divine help of which I speak. This is not to be obtained," says he, "but by devout prayer to that Eternal Spirit that can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his seraphim with the hallowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases." Did the poet speak thus of his work? And shall the divine, or the candidate for the sacred office, hesitate to adopt similar language concerning his infinitely momentous inquiries and employments? Nay, did even heathen poets frequently begin their compositions by invoking the aid of their fancied deities; and shall christian ministers, who know that they have an omniscient and omnipresent God, who is "able and ready to help," neglect to apply day by day, for that help? I you wish, then, to investigate profoundly an profitably; if you desire to avoid the deplora

*Watts's Improvement of the Mind, chap. 1.

ble delusions into which others have fallen, and to be preserved from that pride and presumption of intellect which have ensnared some of the gr atest men that ever lived; "pray without ceasing," that the Spirit of all grace may enlighten your mind; may strengthen all its powers; may inspire you with wisdom and diseernment; and may deliver you, in your search after truth, from the influence of that pride, vanity, prejudice, bigotry, and passion, which are so apt to blind the perceptive faculties, and control the judgments, even of good men. Especially do this, with more than usual care and solemnity, when you are entering on a new study, or engaging in the perusal of a new book. Does every christian implore the blessing of God when he sits down to a social meal? And can a christian student sit down to an intellectual feast, or effort, without importunately asking of Him who gave him his mind, and supports it every moment in exercise, to preside over all its operations, and to crown them with his abundant blessing?

AND

6. Never imagine that any valuable amount of knowledge, and especially of accurate knowledge, is to be obtained WITHOUT Labour,MUCH LABOUR. I do not forget that you have a mind, to a very respectable degree, vigorous and active. But, notwithstanding this, rely upon it, if you will not consent to apply your

self to the acquisition of knowledge, laboriously, patiently, and indefatigably, you will never attain much. I have directed close attention to this subject, ever since my connexion with the Seminary; and the result, without one solitary exception is, that I never knew an individual gain any considerable mass of really digested and valuable knowledge, without UNWEARIED INDUSTRY. The maxim, Μελετη το Tav, of Periander, the old Grecian sage, i worth its weight in gold. Patient application is, literally, every thing. Without it, you may have a number of half-formed ideas floating in your mind; but deep, connected, large and consistent views of any subject, you will never gain.

But, in relation to this point, I suspect there is a very prevalent error. It is, that these deep views of particular subjects, are to be obtained. by one, or a few mighty efforts. Be assured, whatever may be the case with a rare genius, now and then, it is, commonly, not so. The old French proverb, "Pas à pas on va bien loin," i. e. "Step by step one goes very far," affords the real clew to the proper course. A mountain is not to be passed at a single leap; or a deep and rich mine to be explored by a single stroke of the spade. But a sufficient number of slow, cautious, patient ef