mary amusements, and the neglect it must inevitably experience. But age, respectable for its knowledge and example, rich in the reputation of paft ufefulness, and the honors paid it by the young, may ftill enjoy its comforts, and at length fink down into the grave encompaffed with the confolations created for it by the virtues and induftry of early years.

If industry is so necessary to a good life, and if fo many benefits flow from it both to ourselves, and to fociety, as may perhaps appear from the preceding illuftrations, you will acknowledge that the duty of the faithful and useful employment of time cannot be too frequently, or too earneftly inculcated upon us either as men, as citizens, or as chriftians. It is certainly among the belt means by which a disciple of Chrift can adorn the profeffion of God his Saviour. Industry is affociated with all the useful virtues, idlenefs with all the difgraceful

vices.

I do not mean, however to recommend conftant and unremitted labour of body or mind. There is an extreme in the best

things that ought to be avoided. Some intervals we require for relaxation and refreshinent, and fome may be profitably as well as agreeably devoted to the civilities, and the rational pleafures of fociety. But thefe intervals ought to be regulated by the great end of living, and to be made fubfervient to the higher and more active duties of life, by fitting us to return to them with greater alacrity, and by improving in our hearts the humane and amiable virtues that connect us with mankind.-No portions of our time, however, ought to be guarded, by a good man, with greater caution than these against the accefs of vice. Into thefe, if into any it is able to infinuate its poifon unperceived. The moments of relaxation and pleasure are, commonly, the moments of our greatest danger. A life of virtue and piety-that is a life worthy of a rational, social, and immortal being, is a life of vigilance, of labour, of conftant, ufeful, and active exertion.

My brethren, I beg your indulgence in the remaining part of this difcourfe, while, according to an old and laudable cuftom in this inflitution, I addrefs a few reflections

1

and exhortations to the members of that class who are shortly about to be admitted to its honors.

YOUNG GENTLEMEN!

You have now finished the ufual course of ftudies in this feminary; but you have as yet only entered on the threshold of the temple of science. You have completed fome years of laborious and honorable application to letters; but if you would arrive at eminence in your respective deftinations in future life, your labours are only just beginning. It would be the effect of unpardonable vanity, and the proof of mis-fpent time, or of defective talents to suppose that your acquifitions hitherto were more than the moft fimple elements of fcience, and humble handmaids to future improvements. Ignorance alone is eafily fatisfied with its own attainments, becaufe it fees not how much is to be known. Real knowledge, by elevating the mind to higher ground, enlarges its horifon, enables it to difcern innumerable openings into the diftant and boundlefs fields of nature that yet remain to be explored, and therefore humbles it with

you

a difcovery of the fmall progress it has already made. You have hitherto gained little if you have not acquired habits of application, a tafte for letters, and an ardent thirst for improvement. With these qualities, what have attained will prove an ufeful introduction to the great circle of fciences, and enable to direct you future progrefs in ftudy. Without them you may loose even what you have gained. For, in the fleep and arduous road of science there is no point of reft. Unless we advance we neceffarily go backwards.

your own

Industry will be effential to your fuccefs liberal if you would rife to eminence in any profeffion, or serve your country with dif tinction in any refpectable department of church or flate. One or another of these objects I prefume is your aim. I will not suppose that any of you, after the opportunities you have had to elevate and enlarge your views, to refine your fentiments, and to prepare to act an honorable part on the theatre of public life, can prove fo unworthy and degenerate as to be contented to drag through the inferior grades of fociety useless and undistinguished, and to yield the

palm of excellence and merit wholly to others. Shall indolence hereafter deftroy the hopes of your parents, the expectations of your country, your own honor, and that high refpect which the elevated and virtuous mind ought to have for itfelf? Shall the degrading love of ease and pleasure, like a blighting mildew, blast your improvements in the bud? and prepare for you a manhood unfruitful of honor, and an old age, if you should live to fee old age, vacant of rational and virtuous enjoyment, and ftript of the homage due to ufeful and well fpent years.

You now ftand on an eminence from which you fhould look forward to the period when you fhall be ranked among the future legiflators, magiftrates, or interpreters of the religion, or the laws of your country. When you look through the whole compafs of fcience, by a general acquaintance with which you fhould prepare yourselves for the difcharge of offices fo arduous and important, what affiduity and perfeverance will even your preparation for public life require?