elation; point out to him that terrific sentence, which declares that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God;-what have you gained by all this array of motives? He acknowledges that your arguments are conclusive, and that your remonstrances are rational and weighty. He weeps under the mingled influence of terrour and self-reproach. Without being able to hide from his eyes the precipice before him, he advances towards it with tottering, but accelerated steps. The grave, ever insatiable, is prepared for him. It shrouds him from every eye but that of his Maker."

The address on intemperance is followed by two Lectures, addressed to the students in College, on the dangers of a College life, and on the value of time; his Inaugural Address; and his Commencement Addresses. In these last addresses we find more perhaps of ornament, than in his sermons and theological lectures. But the prominent features are the same. In almost all of them, some one important topic is discussed with admirable clearness of thought precision of language, elevation of moral sentiment: while throughout the whole there wrestles the living spirit of paternal, christian affection. The privilege of listening to these Addresses, was among the richest intellectual feasts, which the writer of this article has ever been permitted to partake. Memory still loves to recall his noble figure, his fine countenance, his distinct, emphatic, solemn utterance, and that full expression of intellect and heart, which both matter and manner gave. And his prayers-well might it be said, that "it was worth a journey to Brunswick to attend Commencement, in order to hear Pres. Appleton pray."

As specimens of the noble eloquence of the Addresses we have room only for the following.

"To seek reputation, not for its own sake, but for the benevolent purpose of rendering greater services to God and your country, is, unquestionably, an act of virtue. To this your obligations are as solemn and powerful, as to any other duty of benevolence or piety. Let me remind you, that reputation is a plant, delicate in its nature, and by no means rapid in its growth. It will not shoot up like the gourd which shaded the prophet's head; but, like that same gourd, it may perish in a night.

"To secure solid and endless glory, a principle of moral rectitude is indispensable. In this there is vigour, uniformity, and duration. It varies not with human opinions. It is the same, whether it appear in the beggar, or the prince: in the man of rustic or cultivated manners. It is the same in deserts and in crowded cities-in the camp and the pulpit, the workshop and the forum. It is the same, whether on the earth beneath, or in the heavens above. If there are, in the extreme parts of the universe, intelligent beings, whom God views with approbation, they are influenced by the same principle which governs virtuous men. No matter what forms they possess. No matter how many suns or systems lie between,

they belong to the same family; there is an essential uniformity in their characters and their motives, in their objects of love and aversion."

"When I consider the harmony which prevails, and gains strength in our own beloved country-the pacific aspect of Europe, and that impulse of munificence, compassion, and piety, which seems to have been simultaneously felt in every part of Christendom, and the essential tendency, which a knowledge of the Scriptures has to establish' peace on earth, and good will towards men;' it is impossible not to cherish a confident hope, that a change for the better is soon to be effected in the character and condition of man. To a mind that is gladdened by these prospects, the sun seems to shine with a more benignant and uniform radiance; the clouds seem skirted with colours of uncommon richness and beauty; a deeper green rests on the face of nature; and all the powers of life are exhilarated, as its blessings are multiplied: Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree. The mountains and hills shall break forth into singing; and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

In Professor Packard's "memoir of the life and character of Pres. Appleton," the leading features of" his intellectual and moral physiognomy" are ably and faithfully delineated. It is enriched by more copious extracts, than had before been given to the public, from his private journal. "Precious testimony is drawn from this sacred record," of his deep humility, and sense of dependence on God, his submission in circumstances of trial to the Divine will, his constant watchfulness over his own mind and deportment, and his ardent desire for the spiritual welfare of others. For some time after his accession to the presidency, every effort to excite serious attention among the students, appeared to fail; and then his language, was "It is all right. O God, thou hast done well. Many, whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose, have met greater discouragements. I would not yet despond. I would yet hope in God. To human apprehension what amazing good would result from a revival of religion in this college! But surely God has a more comprehensive view of matters, than I have, and my ignorance cannot direct his infinite wisdom. Lord, enable me to do my duty." In 1816, a deep interest in religion was manifest among the students. "We do hope," he writes "that at least six of the number have been transformed by the renewing of the mind. This is a great thing, a very great thing. It is what we have been long praying and longing for-oh, may those who hope that Christ is formed in them, manifest by the suavity of their temper, and the VOL. IV.

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purity, prudence and holiness of their lives, the power and excellence of religion." In December of 1817, he remarks.

"As to the College, God has shown us new favours. Not only have a considerable number of serious students entered, but there have recently been, as we hope, three or four individuals converted to the Lord. This is a great thing, an unexpected mercy, that God should have returned to us so soon. Those students, who were thought to have experienced religion last year, have, by divine grace, done well. They appear to be good, sound, judicious and zealous Christians. This is a glorious thing. Religion seems to have obtained strong footing in Bowdoin College. Christ seems to have owned us very distinctly and graciously. Oh that he might pay us frequent visits! Oh that his work of grace may be further carried on to his own praise! Oh that the college may always exhibit a sweet and graceful union of literature and piety. May God preserve those who have lately begun to hope in his mercy. May there always be a goodly seed. Towards us, already, the mercy of the Lord has been unutterable. Praise, everlasting praise, be rendered to his name!"

With perfect truth is it affirmed in the sermon, that “in no particular did he more completely fulfil the measure of his responsibility, than in his efforts to sustain high moral and religious principle among those under his care. He was emphatically a man of God among them. Such an influence was given to the truths, duties, and sanctions of religion by his character, instructions and prayers, as to occasion the remark made by one of his pupils-it is impossible to go through Bowdoin College, without receiving serious impressions." The serious impressions thus received issued, in many instances, in the decided formation of christian character; in others they were of salutary influence in restraining from vicious practices, and promoting the outward observance of religious and moral duties. And can it be doubtful in the estimation of any parent, or patriot, whether the influence of such a man at the head of a literary institution be not most valuable? Who would not indulge a stronger feeling of security, in entrusting the youth of our country to the care of such an instructor, than to the nurture of one, who, having no deep sense of religious obligation himself, would not endeavour to impress it upon the minds of his pupils? Who does not perceive, that the discipline of a College is much more likely to be faithfully and effectively maintained by such an instructor, than by one who does not bring the high claims and sanctions of religion to bear upon the consciences of students? And who is not convinced, that a character, formed under such auspices,

will have more of solid worth, than one in the formation of which no influence of piety was exerted?

Notwithstanding all the prudence and caution, for which Pres. Appleton was distinguished, there were those in the community, who accused him of sectarianism, and thought the interest of the College would have been better promoted by placing some one at the head of it, whose piety was less conspicuous. But the accusation could not have been sustained. After much anxious inquiry, he did embrace and hold fast those doctrines, which the excellent Cowper pronounced to be "the root of the goodly tree of holy living." In all his reading and observation he had not found a more devoted piety, a purer morality, a more enlightened, steadfast love of liberty, a more disinterested patriotism, a more enlarged, active beneficence, or more of domestic and social happiness, in connection with other sentiments, than with these. With much study and prayer, and with a mind, unusually free from an extraneous influence, he formed his own opinions. With much "candour and kindness toward opponents," as well as with "great coolness, acuteness, and nice balancing of the weight of arguments,"* did he maintain them.

It is vain to expect of any intelligent Christian, that he will have no definite religious opinions; or that his opinions will not differ from those which some others entertain. If, by a sectarian, therefore, he is meant who has a religious creed which he regards as both true and important, every honest man, of every religious denomination, is a sectarian; and, in this sense of the term, it ought not to be considered an epithet of reproach. If used in a bad sense, as denoting, that one is governed by the spirit of bigotry and proselytism, to no one could the imputation be less fairly applied, than to President Appleton. But he was a lover of the Gospel of Christ, and of those essential truths which are its distinctive, prominent features. He felt their transforming power in life, their sustaining influence in death.

Much is often said, truly and justly, respecting the need of eminent, devoted piety in the Christian minister. It should be regarded as equally desirable, in those who are placed at the head of our literary institutions. To them is committed the training of immortal minds, of a class in the

*Professor Stuart.

community, of pre-eminent importance. The president of a college, stands by one of the principal fountains of influence, and upon him, under God, it may in no small degree depend, whether the streams which it sends forth, shall diffuse life and gladness, or misery and death. Let him be a man of sound mind, of paternal affections, of dignified, conciliating manners, of high literary attainments-a man who shall command respect and secure confidence, both to influence and controul, and, in addition to all this, let his whole soul be imbued with the spirit of a pure and ardent piety, giving its own appropriate cast to his prayers and instructions, elevating and sanctifying the whole man in all his intercourse with the youth under his care-in a word, let him be what the revered, beloved Appleton was, and it will not be easy to find in the community an individual better entitled to the name of benefactor to his country and his kind.

It was the will of God, that he should cease from among men in the midst of his days; but not until he had done much for the advancement of good learning and of Christian truth; for the welfare of immortal man, and the glory of his Divine Redeemer. He has rested from his labours; but the good which he did, lives after him. It will never die. In his excellent writings, he yet speaketh; and thousands who never saw nor heard him, will unite with those who cherish the remembrance of him, as with filial affection and reverence, in honouring his name. But who is Paul, and who is Apollos? Let us praise God for that religion, which has given to all the saints and prophets of former and later times their chief excellence-for that Saviour, by whose blood they were redeemed, by whose spirit they are sanctified, whose image they bear, and at whose feet they will forever cast their crowns.