Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/292

in some subsequent Commencements. The Trustees were present with but one notable exception, for Benjamin Franklin had sailed a month before on his mission to England representing the Assembly's complaint on the subject of the Proprietaries' claims. Dr. Peters was announced to open the services with Prayer, but he had not been present at the meeting of 12 May nor does his signature appear on the Mandates. The Provost's sermon was from the text Psalm ii. 8, " On the Planting the Sciences in America, and the Propagation of Christ's Gospel over the untutored Parts of the Earth," and is the Fifth in the Discourses of I/59. 2 This eloquent Sermon we have already drawn upon for the Provost's explanation of the term Philosophy as applied in his Curriculum. He sets out with two propositions: First to observe to you that the propagation of Science (thro 1 the establishment of seminaries of Learning on this continent) will probably be the most effectual human means of accomplishing so glorious an end [the conversion of the heathen]. Secondly, in this view of things and surely I can find none higher to bespeak your continued favor and protection of this infant Seminary. [And later, proceeds in his argument:] Having shewn the subserviency of Human Science to the advancement of Christianity, and that the plan of education, pursued in this Seminary, cannot fail, thro' Divine grace, to be a means of spreading a thirst for heavenly wisdom; what need I add more, to bespeak your continued favour and protection of it? Surely it cannot be indifferent to you, whether the knowledge of Christ and his blessed Gospel shall be spread over this continent, or not? Surely it cannot be indifferent to you, whether your own children should be bred up in ignorance; or whether they shall shine in every moral excellence, the glory of their country and a light to the world around them? You must know the relation in which you stand to them, and the account which you will one day be required to give of their tender years. Oh! then, in the first place, I beseech you, let their minds be seasoned with useful knowledge, and cherish this infant Seminary for their benefit, and the benefit of millions that are to come after them. For whatever business you may design them, the education they will receive here will not only prepare them for that, but also for a life of general virtue. 2 It is printed as Part II of the Sixth in the Discourses of 1762; but does not appear as such in the Works of 1803. It may here be noted that the quotations which follow are taken from the copy of the Discourses of 1759 owned by Dr. Franklin.