In this connection it is important to be remembered that there is a strong intimacy between moral character and the belief of truth. That must be a singular infatuation, indeed, which can induce any to expunge the doctrine of belief from their system of morals. Let it only be granted that it is no matter what a man believes, and it must be granted also that, in a moral view, it is no matter what he does. If a man's belief has no influence on his practice, that practice will be as destitute of moral quality, as is the running of a horse, or the flouncing of a whale. If wish therefore to consider yourselves as rational moral beings, you will give no countenance to that most gross, barbarous absurdity. Indeed, there appears to be the same connection between the belief and practice of a rational being as there is between a cause and an effect; and therefore, while I exhort you to give diligent attention to the things which you practice, let me exhort you to give the same attention to the things which you believe.

you

Hence I must commend to your belief the important principles of our holy religion; entreating you to receive them into your hearts and to follow them in your lives. These principles received in this way will give you a high elevation on the scale of moral excellence. They will incite you ever to act in character; and they will ensure you the good will of all the amiable beings in existence. They will support you in the hour of adversity; and, when your part on earth is acted, they will unfold to you a more exalted and happy scene, where there will be no tears, nor sorrow, nor sickness, nor death; where friends will never separate, but where an uninterrupted blaze of glory will forever irradiate and enrapture their souls.

For these precious principles, my respected young friends, I must persuade myself you will cultivate a constant veneration. Into this persuasion I am unavoidably led by a reflection on the very laudable manner in which you, as a body, have acquitted yourselves, while members of this Institution. While I keep in mind your regular, studious and friendly deportment, and your zealous attachment to law, order and morals, I will not, I cannot allow the fear that you will ever disgrace yourselves by adopting

infidel principles or licentious practices. May the rich benedictions of heaven attend you, while passing through life; and may the precious promises of the gospel support you in the hour of death. With these reflections, and hoping that you will receive them as coming from a friend, I must now bid you an AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL.

AN

ADDRESS

DELIVERED TO THE GRADUATES OF

BROWN UNIVERSITY,

AT THE COMMENCEMENT,

SEPTEMBER 5th, 1810.

BY ASA MESSER, D. D.

THE PRESIDENT.