r, at its worst, in that period, was not
one whit behind any other college in New England, in its general tone
of morals, in observance of law, in habits of study and in scholarly
attainments. There were not a few whose sense of honor was very high,
and as they were popular and influential, they in some degree
necessarily gave tone to others. Nay, surrounded by such an atmosphere
of benignity--of which every student was more or less conscious,
feeling it not only in the presence of the president, but also more or
less in our connection with every other officer of the college without
exception--I think there was far less tendency to excess, far less of
the irritation of inclination against prohibition of law; and
assuredly there was never apparent a disposition to rebel from hope of
impunity through the recognized forbearance of our teachers.

"In the spring of the year 1828, a higher influence was brought to
bear, reinforcing and extending the moral element throughout the
college; recovering not a few from irregularities of conduct and waste
of talent; awakening the religious nature; giving birth to new
motives, and leading many to noble and useful lives. From that period
until our class graduated in 1828, I cannot recall an act deserving
special even animadversion, nor remember an instance of a student
obnoxious to discipline for indolent of other censurable habits. But I
remember several young men of exemplary deportment and distinguished
ability, among them Salmon P. Chase, who though not publicly regarded
as 'subjects of the work,' were greatly affected, their future being
largely determined by it. They all subsequently exhibited deep moral
and religious purpose, and were foremost in philanthropic action.
Without the preaching of Dr. Tyler as its great instrument, and
without such a man presiding over it, and guiding it, there is no
reason to suppose that the revival would have taken place, or would
have been so extensive and powerful.

"It is by looking at Dr. Tyler from every point of view that we alone
can form a just estimate of his qualities. His greatest power was
that of preacher, and he was most at home in this office. He did not
seek it, but it providentially came to him in the illness of Professor
Shurtleff, the professor of Theology, and he retired from it when in
the year 1827, Professor George Howe succeeded Professor Shurtleff. He
had risen in it to the very height of the duty he attempted to
dischar