"Of the College he must be considered as the founder. He presided with the singular advantage of a superior personal appearance, added to all his shining talents for governing and instructing youth. Perhaps the history of no other college will disclose a more rapid progress, or greater maturity, than this, during the twenty-six years of his presidency. Although he seemed to be consigned to a sedentary life, yet he was capable of more active scenes. He paid much attention to the government of his country, and was honored by Rhode-Island with a seat in the old Congress. In state affairs, he discovered an uncommon sagacity, and might have made a figure as a politician.

"In classical learning he was fully competent to the business of his station. He devoted less time than some others to the more abstruse sciences; but nature seemed to have furnished him so completely, that little remained for art to accomplish. The resources of his genius were great. In conversation he was at all times pleasant, and entertaining. He had as many friends as acquaintance and took no less pains to serve his friends than acquire them."

Over the grave of President Manning, the Trustees and Fellows of the College have erected a monument on which is inscribed a faithful record of "his social virtues, classic learning, eminent patriotism, shining talents for instructing and governing youth and zeal in the cause of Christianity."

President Manning embodied in an enduring form, few of the productions of his noble mind. Of his writings, the Editor, after diligent inquiry for several years, has been able to obtain only two of his familiar letters, and the following Address, which is copied from the original manuscript. It was delivered by Dr. Manning to the Graduates of Rhode-Island College at the Commencement, September 2, 1789.

(6 Having completed your academical course, you now commence members of the great community of the world. Here, while your country offers you a fairer opportunity to display your abilities, and improve to advantage that knowledge which you have acquired, than any age or country ever before presented, it becomes my duty to point you to that line of conduct which will most probably insure your success. The narrow limits prescribed by the occasion, will allow me to hint at only a few general observations.

"The first attention of a youth, stepping forward into life, should be to acquire and preserve a good character. A destitution of this places him beyond the possibility of ever becoming eminent. For, bad as the world is, it has always paid a voluntary tribute to virtue;

and, though some vicious men have risen to a degree of respectability, it will be found on a nearer view, that they are indebted for that respectability to some virtuous traits in their character.

"To avail yourselves of this supreme advantage, I cannot recommend to you a subject more important and interesting than the Christian religion; of whose divine founder it was a favorite maxim, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you.

"This divine religion creates principles in the hearts of its subjects the most operative and the best adapted to regulate the life and conduct, that can possibly be conceived. This at once portrays in the strongest colors, the state, connexions and claims of man. It disrobes the world of all its imaginary glory, and presents it in its own fugitive, fading colors, the fashion of which passeth away; while it inspires that unassuming humility, which renders a man less vulnerable by the envenomed shafts of malevolence. It moulds the heart into a divine benevolence, and is the purest of that exquisite sensibility, which deeply interests itself in the fortunes of others so that it weeps with those who weep, and rejoices with those who rejoice.

"This divine religion carries forward our thoughts to futurity; contemplates as a reality our dissolution, and that awful, approaching judgment, in which we must all become a party; it places us in that new eternal world, reaping the fruits of what we have sown in this. In a word, it places us immediately under the eye of God, now the witness of our actions, and soon to be our Judge.

"Next to this attention to religion, let me earnestly recommend forming, betimes, the habits of industry. Man was made for employment. All his internal as well as external powers testify to this great truth. To comply with this great dictate of nature is of the utmost importance; and youth, of all seasons of life, is the fittest for this culture. That is the period to form and give a proper direction to the habits, on the right constitution of which depends, almost entirely, the happiness of man.

"In selecting a profession, consult the strong bias of natural inclination; for against this current, few if any, have made a figure; and be sure that the object lies within reach of your talents.

"Should the Christian ministry, with any of you become an object, reflect on the absurdity of intruding into it while strangers to experimental religion. See that yourselves have been taught of God, before you attempt to teach Godliness to others. To place in the professional chairs of our universities the most illiterate of mankind, would be an absurdity by far less glaring, than to call an unconverted

man to exercise the ministerial function. This is to expose our holy religion to the scoffs of infidels, and to furnish to their hands the most deadly weapons. I omit to insist on the account such must render

in the great tremendous day!

"May that wisdom which is from above direct your steps in your journey through life; and may you, after the discharge of the duties of good citizens, men of science and religion, meet the approbation of the Supreme Judge, and reap the harvest of immortal glory in the world above. With this devout wish I bid you farewell."

NOTE E.-P. 18.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF PRESIDENT MESSER.

Rev. Asa Messer, D. D., LL. D., was born in Methuen, Mass., in 1769. In 1790 he graduated at Rhode-Island College, and the next year he was chosen a Tutor in that Institution, and continued in that office, till he was elected Professor of the Learned Languages, in 1796. He was licensed to preach, by the first Baptist Church in Providence, in 1792, and received ordination in 1801. He was elected Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in 1799, and occupied this professorship till the resignation of President Maxcy, in 1802, when he was appointed President of the College. He presided over Brown University, for the period of twenty-four years, discharging most assiduously and faithfully the duties of that important station, for which his mental endowments and literary acquirements so eminently qualified him. In a short biographical sketch of Dr. Messer by Professor Goddard, of Providence, published in 1839 he observes, "During his administration, the College continued to flourish. An increased number of pupils resorted thither, and, at no antecedent or subsequent period of its history, have the classes ever been so large. After having been connected with the College, eith

Numerus alumnorum qui in anno singulo prímum ad gradum admissi

er as a pupil or an officer, for the term of nearly forty years, Dr. Mes ser, in the year 1826, resigned the office of President. Possessing a handsome competence, the fruit in part of his habitual frugality, he was enabled to pass the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of independent leisure. After his retirement from collegiate toils,his fellowcitizens of Providence, elected him, for several years, to responsible trusts; and these trusts he discharged with his characteristic punctuality and uprightness."

President Messer received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, from his Alma Mater, in 1806, and the same honor from Harvard University in 1820; and that of Doctor of Laws, from the University of Vermont, in 1812.

He expired at his mansion house, October 11, 1836, aged sixtyfive years. His death was deeply lamented not only by his family, towards whom his conduct was ever marked by the kindest and most endearing consideration, and who felt the magnitude of their loss, but also, by his numerous pupils and friends, and the community in which he lived, who appreciated his sterling integrity, strong and discriminating mind, and energy of Christian principle.

"Semper honos, nomenque tuum, laudesque manebunt."

Among the testimonials to his worth, and the regret manifested for his death, the following is here inserted:

"At a special meeting of the Faculty of Brown University, held October 14, 1836, in the Chapel of University Hall, President Wayland announced the Departure from this life of the REV. ASA MESSER, late President of said University, whereupon the following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted.

"Whereas the REV. ASA MESSER, D. D., and LL. D., was for nearly forty years an Instructor in this Institution, and for twenty-four years its presiding officer, an expression of the sentiments of the existing Faculty, upon the occasion of his unexpected and lamented death, is demanded by the respect which they individually and collectively entertain for the character of the deceased-Therefore,

“Resolved―That the Faculty of Brown University learn, with deep regret, that the REV. DR. MESSER, an eminent son of this University, and for a long course of years its presiding officer, is no more; that we are impressed with a strong conviction of his acknowledged merits as an Instructor, of his vigorous intellect, and of his solid learning; and that we gratefully recognize his title to the best distinctions of the CITIZEN, the MAN, and the CHRISTIAN.