impoverish your hearts, and rob you of the elegant commerce and rational enjoyments of human life. The sour scowl of a hypocrite is as offensive to heaven as the open profanity of an infidel. The present age is the age of reason and philosophy. It knows no government but freedom, no sovereign but God. The huge fabric of ecclesiastical tyranny, long supported by gloomy superstition and blind fear, is tumbling in ruins. The beauty of true religion will not much longer be deformed by the intrusion of civil power, nor her shining mantle torn by the rash hand of persecution. The black heavens are rolling away with a great noise, and a firmament of light blazes on the world.

In all your intercouse with men, be plain, benevolent and candid. Never stoop to that mean artifice, which requires a continual effort of concealment to preserve in the minds of others an opinion of your integrity. Suffer not your feet to be decoyed from the path of rectitude, by the splendid baits of ambition, nor your hearts to be corrupted by the inconsiderate violence of party rage. Let judgment and decision in public affairs mark all your conduct. This will not only require, but it will secure esteem and confidence. He who "halts between two opinions," whose ardor for popularity rages with such violence as to suppress the suggestion of an honest, unprejudiced mind; he who prostitutes public justice to private emolument, who sacrifices his judgment to his ambition; he will become an object of contempt; and by exciting suspicions in all will secure the attention of none. Let your conduct, therefore, be always upright; that your character may appear fair and unblemished in the eyes of the public.

You, gentlemen, go from this institution, with the best wishes of its patrons and officers. You have the pleasure to reflect, that you leave behind you a fair example which has secured to you the affection and esteem of all your instructors. The diligence with which you have pursued your studies, the peculiar regard you have discovered for the laws of this college, lead us to expect and to wish the continuance of your friendship. We doubt not you will feel interested for the prosperity of the place of your education. Do not imagine that your present discon

nection with this institution, will diminish our affection, or stifle any exertions in our power to assist you in rising to honor and respectability. May the path of your future life be luminous. with virtue. May every promotion with which you meet, be the reward of merit, and be brightened by a monument of true glory. Impressed with these sentiments, Gentlemen, it is with a reluctant pleasure I bid you FAREWELL.

AN

ADDRESS,

DELIVERED TO THE GRADUATES

OF RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE,

AT THE ANNIVERSARY COMMENCEMENT,

IN THE BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE

IN PROVIDENCE,

SEPTEMBER 5, 1798.

39