to practice them well on the broad threshold of science,
before they are exposed to be blasted or bewildered by the premature
unfolding of its mysteries. They will then go forward, prepared, not
merely to acquire the technicalities of a profession, but to
investigate its essential principles; to avoid those _ignes fatui_,
which so often, with the appearance of truth, mislead and destroy, and
draw out from the depths, the living form of truth itself; and thus
contribute to the destined emancipation of the world from ignorance,
and prejudice, and misrule, and the worse influence of false
philosophy. I would not be extreme; but when we consider the
controlling influence of mind of those who are accredited as the
teachers and guides of other men, and how important that this should
be an influence of reason, of knowledge, and of truth, and how slowly
and carefully its foundation requires to be laid in the youthful mind,
we may well dread to embarrass the process, either by any accidental
impressions and associations, or by prematurely trusting to its
completion. Nor should an exception be claimed even in favor of the
Christian ministry. However desirable that they who contemplate this
office should be early qualified for the service of God, and of their
fellow men, yet they may not safely trespass upon college hours, by
anticipating those higher studies, which await them on other grounds.

"I shall be obliged to trespass further upon the time of this
assembly, while I glance at a few particulars connected with the
attainment of the single end of a collegial education. It has been
alleged, that the preparatory schools have frequently failed in
qualifying the mind for successful application to the exercises of
college. And it has been answered, that college has sent out into the
schools inadequate instructors. The evil which is admitted is probably
on both sides, and an obvious remedy will be found, in stating and
rigidly exacting such terms of matriculation as shall at once bring
into requisition the most thorough preparatory instruction, and
provide that such instruction may always be obtained.

"It is evident that, other things being equal, those who, by reason of
superior early advantages, are prepared to enter upon the prescribed
exercises of college with more readiness and effect than others, will
ordinarily prosecute and finish their course with proportionably
higher reputation. Indeed, to the want of a thorough initi