are designed to move, it finds nothing, on which to repose with pleasure. Neither by precept nor example have the duties of morality and the solemnity of religion been enforced. All that influence, which he might have had on the side of order, and virtue, and piety, has received an opposite direction. In the contemplations of those around him, ideas of a lax morality, of talents, and erudition, have been most unhappily associated. Many, who respected him for the latter qualities, have been consoled under the lashes of conscience, and confirmed in vice, by the authority of his example. For the evil done, and the good neglected, he is now required to account before the Eternal! Young Gentlemen,-A very few years will now fix the character, which you are to sustain through life. Those, further advanced in age, are often surprised at the rapidity, with which the habits and feelings of the collegian are exchanged for those of the citizen. We witness young men, taking leave of the places of their education, and, if habits of regularity and diligence are formed, we are soon reminded of our own progress in years, by recognising them in the pulpit, at the bar, or on the bench. The blossoms are scarcely fallen, before the fruit is seen swelling into ripeness. In this address I have had occasion to observe, that the mind is enlarged and elevated by the habitual contemplation of an object, so full of splendour and majesty, as the Supreme Being. But the effect hereby produced, is less important on the intellectual powers, than on the heart. On your moral resemblance to Him depends, not only your usefulness in life, but your security or ruin through all the periods of unmeasured duration. Towards Him let your views be habitually directed, with reverence, humility, and hope. To establish an intercourse between heaven and earth, and to diffuse over this world, something of that light, which encircles the divine majesty, the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among men: they beheld his glory, the glory, as of the only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth. You cannot duly appreciate this religion, even as a system of duties and motives, without contemplating that palpable gloom, which had, for ages, enshrouded the world. But I will not, on this occasion, repeat remarks, which your course of education has rendered familiar. My object is less to eulogize christianity, than to leave on your minds a practical sense of the connexion, which it has with your peace, your honour, and salvation. In the spirit of this holy religion, and relying on the atonement and intercession of its Author, may you, amidst all the changes of human affairs, but especially at the present interesting moment, prefer to Heaven the poet's prayer. "Father of light and life! Thou Good Supreme! From every low pursuit! And feed my soul ADDRESS, DELIVERED AT THE COMMENCEMENT IN 1815. *** Young Gentlemen, In all those parts of the universe, which are subject to human remark, we recognise the effects of divine legislation. That there are certain laws, agreeably to which all changes in the material world are effected, is acknowledged by atheists; the inconsistency of admitting laws without a lawgiver notwithstanding. It is no more denied by the infidel, than by the religious philosopher, that similar causes uniformly produce similar results. If Deity has suffered no particle of matter, however worthless, to exist, uncontrolled by laws, it will hardly be questioned, that intelligent beings have some kind of designation; in other words, that the object of their existence will be answered by |