wanderings of men, to reconcile them to the principles of eternal justice, and to unite in one vast community all virtuous beings, whether of human or an gelic nature, is the great object of the christian religion. It hath pleased the Father, that in Christ all fulness should dwell, and by him to reconcile all things unto himself, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Unite your interests to those of this honourable and vast fraternity. Unless you possess the spirit of christianity, that principle of moral life, by which this community is animated, you are, this day, going unshielded into a world, which is unfriendly to virtue. Without the spirit of christianity, you are now embarking on the ocean of life, without a line, or chart, or compass;-an ocean, where you are liable to be allured by Sirens, or agitated by boisterous winds. But, possessing this, you shall pass, in safety the enchanted shores, and survive every storm, cheered and directed by the star of Bethlehem.

Of the class, which, three years ago, I addressed, on an occasion similar to the present, part of whom participate the honours and exercises of this day, two,* alas, will return no more. The fresh earth on their graves has now been moistened by the tears of friendship. Nothing remains for me, but to suggest to you that rational and pious use, to which, events

*George Freeman and William Pilsbury,

We wish you, good pleasure,

of this nature ought to be improved. Let me not
be accused of throwing a gloom on the cheerful as-
pect of this day, by reminding you that you are
mortal. This is forced upon your recollection, less
by any remarks of mine, than by the Providence of
God, and by the anniversary itself.
indeed, if such be your Creator's
many years of joyous prosperity. But even one is
more than we can promise you; so is a month,
when we reflect, that, of those, who immediately
preceded you, one almost literally descended from
this stage to the grave! Whatever claims reli-
gion has upon you, they are imperious, and demand
to be immediately satisfied.

"To man's false optics, (from his folly, false,)
Time, in advance, behind him hides his wings,
And seems to creep, decrepit with his age;
Behold him, when pass'd by! What then is seen,
But his broad pinions, swifter than the winds?
And all mankind, in contradiction strong,
Rueful, aghast, cry out on his career."

15

* James Cargil.

ADDRESS,

DELIVERED AT THE COMMENCEMENT IN 1816.

Young Gentlemen,

***

In these remarks, which are doubtless the last, in which it will ever be in my power to address you, I should hardly be excused, were my object any other, than your improvement, either moral or intellectual. Human powers are given first to be cultivated, and then to be used for the great purpose of individual and public happiness. In pursuing the former of these objects, you have already made some advancement; while the latter has scarcely yet been presented to you in its full dimensions. In regard to both, it is important to possess a knowledge of the human mind,-an acquaintance with intellectual philosophy. To operate successfully on

matter, the qualities of matter must be known. For a similar reason, if we are endeavouring to strengthen, polish, and direct the mind, in relation either to ourselves or others, it is necessary to be acquainted with its nature and powers, and with the manner, in which application is to be made to it, in order to effect the change or improvement desired.

No man studies, or adopts a course of intellectual discipline with so much certainty of advantage, as he, who knows most of mind in general, and the particular structure of his own.

But my object, at present, is not so much to illustrate and enforce this idea, as to show the value of intellectual philosophy to persons in public life. By public life, I mean the condition of every man, who has extensive influence on the morals or opinions, the pursuits or happiness, of many around him. This influence, which one person has over the character and situation of others, is chiefly effected through the medium of mind; it is an influence on their partialities, their aversions, their determi nations and habits. If, therefore, men would effect much good in society, they must be well acquainted with this medium. So far is it from being true, either that researches of this kind are fitted only for the recluse; or that the philosophy of mind is unconnected with the business and purposes of life.