numerous and substantial edifices, the classic shades, the ample endowments, the magnificent libraries, and the world-renowned men of science of old Harvard herself, are a pledge of the future possibilities of our own humble Tufts. Happy is that young man, who, in this age of weak pride and vain show, can resolve to share the honors of achieving that greatness.

Those twenty colleges and universities of which I have spoken, were severally born of the needs of certain classes in the community, and have drawn to themselves the affections and patronage of those classes. This, too, is a prophecy that the affections and patronage of that people of whose needs this College was born, will be as heartily bestowed hereon. Individual exceptions there will be on all hands. Already have been welcomed at Tufts several young men from classes in the community which commonly patronize other colleges; and some of our own young men have doubtless been found elsewhere. There are many reasons for this. In some cases, proximity and consequent convenience and economy, point out the institution to be selected. In others, the influence of one's fellow-students determines the College he shall attend. In yet others, the teacher who has conducted the preparatory course of a class, being an alumnus of a particular College, desires to send his class thither in honor of his Alma Mater. And in yet others, perhaps, there may be a vague hope that some mysterious power derived from the reputation of an older institution, may galvanize one's diploma on commencement day, and give it power to bear him through the sharp conflicts of life, where, unhappily, he can "coach it" no more.

Few, however, it is hoped, can be swayed by the last consideration. The time has come when a young man is asked, at least by the wise, not where he graduated, but what he can do. Sound learning consents to wear no local brand. It circulates in the community, and blesses its possessor, in basket and in store, in heart and in treasury, by no man's permission. It is not one thing at Bowdoin and Brown, and another at Harvard and Yale, but it is superior to the schools as it is to latitude and climate. Hence a new College, if demanded by the needs of a great people, may safely enter the field. To achieve success, it has but to adopt a true aim, and nobly work for it. In a great enter

prise of this kind, prosperity is secured, not by the eminent abilities of a few, but by the co-operation of the many.

That Tuft's College is needed, its record thus far satisfactorily demonstrates. It has received large favor in every regard. It has already been honored both in the number and in the character of its students. But neither the College nor its friends will stand justified in this respect until its numbers are greatly increased. To increase them, will demand the multiplying and strengthening of our Academies, that the incentives and aids to study may be brought home, as it were, to our youth. The Academies are the streams that supply the College. How can the reservoir be full except the streams are abundant? Here an open door of duty solicits our entrance.

But the College has, also, been largely blessed in means. God in his providence has raised up for it munificent patrons, most of whom are still with us, rejoicing in the work of their hands, and waiting the plaudit, "Well done good and faithful servants." The name of Tufts, of Packard, of Dean, of Wade, of Walker, will be associated with these halls forever.

These patrons have wisely placed the institution on probation, by leaving large portions of their favor yet to mature. They wisely ask, Can the impatience of youth appreciate the sacrifices of age? Will the public send up here, year after year, young men of such sterling qualities as render them worthy to share the honor of building up an institution of the highest grade ?-an institution which shall abide, though successive generations of men are hur ried to the grave? These questions, nobly asked, will, I doubt not, be nobly answered. Honorable chapters towards that answer are already written. Others, I doubt not, will follow.

For myself, in entering upon so important a trust in connection with this child of our common love, I could desire no prouder record than would be secured by a manifest contribution to its usefulness. From the laying of its cor ner-stone to the present hour, it has held no second place in my affections. No labor in the past, that I have been able to accomplish on its behalf, has ever been felt to be a sacrifice. Nor will my efforts and watch-care in the future know any other limit than that imposed by the most imperative

obligations elsewhere. If assiduous endeavor in the department of instruction which has been committed to my care, in the daily oversight of the College and the affectionate counseling of the young gentlemen who may resort hither, and in the conduct of religious worship, when not present in person, by the best talent and experience I can secure, and in regard to which I shall rely with confidence on the many able brethren in the neighborhood, if these means shall add anything to the influence of the College, of which we have already such just grounds for pride, I shall ask no higher reward. Whatever burden of labor and care it may bring, will be borne with a cheerful heart. Nor should I have felt at liberty to enter at all upon such a responsibility, had I not believed it probable, that, when the duties and circumstances of the office shall demand a more exclusive devotion to the College, I may be ready to render it. Meantime, I feel assured that the untiring labors of this able corps of Professors who have hitherto so well sustained the institution, will leave little to be desired.

Nor can I hesitate to lean with entire confidence upon the wisdom and co-operation of the Board of Trustees, with whom I have been associated since the opening of the College. The labors devolving upon them have been various and arduous. The erection of these buildings, the appointment of officers of government and instruction, the care of the lands, with the numerous improvements thereon, the opening of highways, and, by no means the least of their labors, the procuring of funds for all, have imposed upon them burdens which strong and resolute men alone could bear. Aside from the original resources secured to the College by the efforts of our late lamented agent, Rev. Dr. Skinner, the Trustees have added by their own energy, and in great part from their own private treasuries, to the present and prospective funds of the College, not less than a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, exclusive of about seventy-five thousand contributed by friends without solicitation. Continuing to receive that public confidence which has hitherto been their strength, they will bear the Institution on to a position of enviable success.

Before concluding these remarks I may be indulged in a few words to you, young gentlemen, between whom and myself are recognized by these services relations at once in

teresting and responsible. I regret, gentlemen, that you who have just received the honors of the College, will be no longer here. I regret that I cannot claim any share in the well-earned triumphs of the hour. But I turn with confidence to the classes that remain. The diligence you have manifested, and the decorum and general good order you have preserved, since the death of the late President, were spoken of by the Faculty, and honorably noted by the Trustees at their late annual meeting. This fact gives me. great satisfaction. It assures me that your representative, in his address just now pronounced, did but utter the general sentiment of respect felt towards the government of the College, and of sacred veneration for the peerless man who lately presided over it. And while your good wishes on my own behalf are grateful to my feelings, I shall rely on your manly co-operation to promote the objects for which you tarry here. You have been drawn hither by an ardent thirst for knowledge, and by a desire to contribute, both by your presence as students and by your successes in after life, to the renown of your Alma Mater. You find the life of a student a life of arduous toil and frequent restraints, as well as of strengthening hopes and increasing joys. These toils and restraints will be borne with relative ease, in the ratio that they are self-imposed; and these hopes and joys will prove serene and abiding, in the ratio that they flow from conscious rectitude of heart.

It lies with yourselves, gentlemen, to determine whether or not your Collegiate life, as well as your future life in your respective professions, shall be honorable and successful. The tastes you will here nurture, the habits you will here form, the reputation you will here foreshadow, will exert an almost controlling influence upon your future.

Remember, then, the vast interests involved in these years. Remember the sacrifices, prayers, and expectations of your parents and friends. Take a broad and just view of what is possible for yourselves; and remember that the life of all hope, of all effort, and of all success, if it shall quicken you at all, must be infused into your own blood.

Let me invite you, young gentlemen, in every season of doubt and perplexity, to turn with confidence to the Faculty as your constituted advisers. No others will know you as well as they; none counsel you more disinterestedly or VOL. XIX. 26

wisely than they. And if their counsel shall sometimes seem distasteful, consider that it is void of flavor from personal desire.

Finally, gentlemen, on behalf of this corps of Professors and Teachers, as well as for myself, I welcome you to the continued privileges of these halls. We greet you, one and all, with affectionate cheer. We cordially extend to you the right hand of help. Be true to your aim, true to yourselves, true to your God. And whether you shall be called to the service of your country in her halls of legislation or on her fields of conflict, or pass your lives in the professions, in the pathways of trade, or in humbler enterprises, you will occupy fields of assured usefulness, and garner from them the richest harvests of peace.

ART. XXI.

The Assistance Rendered by Man to His Maker.

DOES God prepare all the advantages which he desires to possess through his own direct exertions in every case? or, are there some kinds of desirable conveniences, in the gaining of which he relies upon the obedience and fidelity of his rational creatures?

If the powers residing in man are indeed competent to increase the amount of God's wisdom, that competency will show itself in one or the other of two methods, either by communicating some form of instruction to the Divine Being, or by acting with such conformity to his will as to become agents for spreading abroad his truth and glory.

Let us first ascertain if there is any sense in which man imparts information to the Divine mind.

We may roll up the curtain that protects our private meditations from the public gaze, and lay bare to God certain intentions that are in course of preparation. They are not yet perfectly clear and distinct to ourselves, and