which our youth will probably acquire in the prosecution of these studies, nay, even the very difficulties which may sometimes obstruct their progress, will gradually prepare their understandings for the admission of still nobler ideas, and sublimer contemplations. In their pursuit, more especially, of moral and religious truth, they will find, as I before remarked, so much wanting to give complete satisfaction to the mind, that they cannot but see the absolute necessity of some more perfect system of doctrines and of duties, to supply the many defects of natural religion, to strengthen its obligations, to enforce it with proper sanctions, and to give it a vital and effectual influence upon the heart.

Under the impression of such reflections as these, it is obvious that there cannot be a more proper time for carrying the young academic still one step farther, and giving him some insight into the nature, the design, the evidences, and the precepts of the

CHRISTIAN REVELATION.

But here unfortunately we are obliged to stop. For this most important part of education no adequate, no public provision is yet made

made in this University. Revealed religion has not yet a proper rank assigned it here among the other initiatory sciences; is not made an indispensable qualification for açademical honours and rewards; has not, in short, all that regard paid to it, which its own intrinsic worth, and the peculiar circumstances at present attending it, seem to demand.

It is well known, that an unbounded freedom is now indulged to the publication of the most licentious opinions; and that these are not, as formerly, confined to bulky volumes of infidelity, or to dull and phlegmatic reasoners; but are dispersed throughout the nation in the most commodious and pleasing vehicles, in works of fancy and amusement, and even useful information, which diffuse irreligion almost imperceptibly through the kingdom, and .on which men of real genius do not scruple to waste their time and misapply their talents. These are the books most likely to fall into the hands, and to captivate the hearts, of young men of rank and fortune, at that very dangerous period of life, when they first leave their colleges to mingle in the great world; and on these, if they have not

here

here been taught sounder principles and better things, they will most probably form their notions of religion, and regulate their future conduct. Add to this, that a very great part of those who are bred up among us to the church, and from whose pious labours we must chiefly hope for a remedy to these evils, are frequently obliged, by the straitness of their circumstances, to enter on the ministerial office within a very short time after they have taken their first degree, and are, many of them, immediately engaged in large and laborious cures. If, therefore, they have not before this time acquired some tolerable knowledge of their profession, how can they undertake to explain the Gospel to others, and defend it against so many formidable opposers? In the two other learned professions, LAW and PHYSIC, a regular course of study in the theory of each is generally deemed requisite, before those who engage in either think it safe or creditable to venture on the practical part of their business. And it will be difficult, I conceive, to assign a satisfactory reason, why a competent fund of profes sional knowledge is not equally necessary

to

to the divine, previous to his embarking in the various and laborious functions of his sacred calling; unless it be maintained, that the future salvation of mankind is a matter of less importance than their temporal property or their bodily health.

Does it not then seem highly advisable for us to turn our thoughts a little more towards this great object than has been hitherto deemed requisite? It is true, indeed, that some acquaintance with the abstruser sciences may be a very proper foundation even for theological learning. But it cannot surely be necessary to lay this foundation so exceedingly deep as is here generally done. It cannot be necessary to consume the flower and vigour of the youthful mind, in the very first stage as it were of its literary progress; to occupy it wholly for three entire years in these preparatory studies, when it should be going on to the

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principles" and elements at least “ of the "doctrine of Christ*" should be advancing gradually from the foundation to the superstructure; should be learning, under wise

VOL I.

* Heb. vi. 1.
O

and

and experienced "master-builders," to erect that sacred edifice of divine knowledge which must be its strong hold and fortress against the many adversaries it will soon have to contend with. If this great work is not carried on to a certain point, during the course of education in this place; when can we hope that it ever will? They who come here with a view to the means, not of acquiring, but of adorning a fortune, no sooner quit this literary retirement, than they engage with ardour in the various pursuits of fashionable life, and have seldom either inclination or leisure for studies of a serious nature. They who are destined to secular professions, or other active employments, find themselves, after leaving this place, so fully occupied, first in learning, and then discharging, the duties of their respective vocations, that they can scarce ever bring themselves to bsetow that degree of attention on religious inquiries which their importance deserves. It is here, then, or nowhere, that this great object must be brought home to their thoughts, and made a part, an essential part of their academic acquirements. And this necessity (as I have already re

marked)