ed unseasonable. I
shall be permitted, however, just to allude to these measures, as an
evidence of the deep solicitude with which the institution is
cherished by its constituted guardians, and as a pledge, that in all
things which relate to its modes of government, discipline, and
instruction, they will not be backward to provide that it shall answer
the great purposes of its foundation. And in view of the success which
already appears to have attended the application of these measures,
through the zeal of the Faculty of the college, and the commendable
spirit of the students, the hope may well be encouraged, that this
venerable seat of learning, which has been the care of Almighty God,
will not fail of His blessing, nor want the confidence, affection, and
patronage of an intelligent community.

"But, what is more necessary than any other means and advantages, and
without which the growth of any literary institution were to be
deprecated as one of the greatest of evils, is the pervading influence
of moral and religious principle. The moral dangers of a college life
have probably been sometimes enhanced in the representation. When the
arrangement of duties is such as to require of the student as much use
of time, and a habit of application as constant and persevering, as
are ordinarily expected in the employments of active life, he would
seem, so far, in respect to his principles and his habits, to have an
advantage over others, inasmuch as intellectual labor is, in itself,
better suited to refine and elevate the affections, and removes one
farther from the scenes and objects of temptation. If we add to this,
that the student is usually under a more uniform superintendence, and
comes more frequently and habitually under the influence of moral
precept and religious observances, and that the fact of his supposed
dangers makes him more a subject of parental solicitude and counsel
and prayer, his advantage is still proportionably increased. And in
respect to those institutions where these benefits are in the highest
degree enjoined, it is believed that the amount of injury to the youth
who frequent them is less than that which is suffered by any equal
number, in any other sphere of occupation.

"It must, nevertheless, be admitted, that there are dangers to the
student in some respects peculiar, affecting deeply the principles of
action, and which require a greater care to be prevented, because of
the influence which he is