those virtuous habits, of that
reverence for God, and practical regard for His ordinances, without
which the influence of our educated men will gradually undermine the
fair fabric of our national freedom, and the ruins of our country will
be heaped up for an everlasting memorial, that neither liberty, nor
learning, nor wealth, nor arts, nor arms, can stay the decline of that
people among whom the redeeming spirit of Christianity has no
permanent abode. I know, indeed, that college is no place for infusing
or fostering sectarian prejudices, nor for preferring the weapons of
sectarian warfare. No spirit of party should walk abroad on this
common ground. No distinctive privileges of a denomination should here
be ever claimed or allowed. But, as none are exempted from their
obligations to God, and none are safe without His blessing, it is most
evident that this should be the first and last of our labor with those
who are themselves immortal, and whose influence is so connected with
the highest interests of their fellow men, to encourage a spirit of
inwrought piety, and instill the lessons of practical obedience. That
is the noblest of all efforts which has respect to the preparation of
mind for the service of its Creator among its kindred intelligences,
and for the joys of an immortal life. And that will be a glorious
consummation (may it be ours to hasten it) when the destined alliance
between religion and learning shall be perfected, and their united
influence shall be employed, and shall prevail, to raise a world from
ignorance and sin and wretchedness, to the dignity and the privilege
of the sons of God. And let us hope, both in regard to this college,
whose interests we now cherish, and all other kindred institutions,
that amidst the changes of society by which they are occasionally
affected, and the adversities by which they are depressed, we shall
see the vindication of that rule of Providence by which good is always
educed from evil. Let us believe that those prejudices and mistakes
and errors and abuses, which are wont, in undisturbed prosperity, to
become inveterate, shall be done away; that those improvements which
may be expected to flow from the influence of free governments and a
free Christianity shall prevail, and shall contribute to make the
reign of liberty and knowledge and truth not only universal in extent,
but perpetual in duration."

CHAPTER XVI.

THE POLICY OF THE COLLEGE, ITS PROGRESS, AND