Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/294

ing some portion of the holy scriptures; all which is done before the whole youth assembled. And when they have arrived at their highest progress in Philosophy and Science, we are far from instructing them to think that their education is finished. On the contrary, we strive to shew them the connexion between the precepts of sound reason and the morality of the Gospel; and teach them that, when Human Science has done its utmost, it is from this last source that they must complete their knowledge and draw superior wisdom. Nor do we now find our labors difficult in this respect. For such an acquaintance with the Sciences, as is mentioned above, is so far from damping the ardor of religious knowledge, that it is inflamed more and more thereby; which is one convincing argument of the strong and immediate connexion between them. We are not, then, surprised, when of the seven graduates on this occasion, we see four of them entering the ministry, Duche and Magaw, of the Church of England, and Williamson and Latta of the Presbyterians. For the second part of the Commencement exercises, the Provost reserved his " Charge, Delivered in the Afternoon of the same Day, to the Candidates who obtained their Degrees," which he opens with a reference to their freedom from the University tests of the old country: You now appear as candidates for the first honors of this institution. The free spirit that it breathes permits us not to bind you to us by the ordinary ties of oaths and promises. Instead thereof, we would rely on those principles of virtue and goodness which we have endeavored to cultivate. * * * You are now about to step into life, and embark in all its busy scenes. It is fit, then, that you should make a pause a solemn pause at its portal, and consider well what is expected from you, and how you are prepared to perform it. * * * Let no part if your future conduct disgrace the lessons you have received, or disappoint the hopes you have so justly raised! Consider yourselves, from this day, as distinguished above the vulgar, and called upon to act a more important part in life! strive to shine forth in every species of moral excellence, and to support the character and dignity of beings formed for endless duration! The Christian world stands much in need of inflexible patterns of integrity and public virtue; and no part of it more so than the land you inhabit. * * * If, then, you regard the credit of this institution, which will travail in concern for you, till you are formed into useful men; if you regard your own credit, and the credit of the many succeeding setts of youth, who may be hied to glory by your example; let your conduct in the world be such, at least, as to deserve the applause of the wiser and the