84 PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 



observation in order that he might not be misunderstood . Ano- 

 ther point upon which he wished his opinion to be known as 

 distinctly as possible was, that he thought education should, of 

 course, be adapted to the profession or pursuits in life which the 

 pupil would be likely to pursue ; and this unquestionably requi- 

 red a prudent, honest, and judicious adaptation of the instruction; 

 but he would enter his protest against all prohibition of the diffu- 

 sion of knowledge. Whoever would open his eyes must see that 

 the Giver of talents does not confine His gifts to any particular 

 class of mankind ; hence we perceive some of the highest stations 

 filled by men who had arisen from very humble walks in society. 

 Talent, wherever it be, is a public stock, which should be used 

 for the benefit of all, and if not encouraged and cultivated is a 

 positive loss to the community. 



Though the lecturer was far from supposing that the greater 

 dissemination of knowledge could eradicate all the evils and 

 miseries that surround us in our present condition, yet, to the 

 diffusion of useful and religious knowledge amongst all classes, 

 he looked with more confidence than to any other measure for 

 the diminution of them. Although we must admit that know- 

 ledge may be abused, and, in some instances, may be made to 

 Tender the wicked more hurtful, yet, on the other hand, what is 

 ignorance to do for us ? Can ignorance make us contented with 

 our condition ? will it cause us to be satisfied with poverty ? 

 will it render us submissive and unrepining under humiliation, 

 disgrace, loss of friends, or the death of relations ? No ! this is 

 to be attained only by a knowledge of the designs of that Omni- 

 potent Being who is the Fountain of knowledge. Faintly to 

 resemble Him, we must be intelligent, apprehensive, capable of 

 understanding, and intellectual. To be ignorant is to remain a 

 clod of that earth whence we were raised ; incapable of enjoying 

 those pleasures which result from a comprehension of the ways 

 of God to man as to his present condition and future hopes. 



Thus the men 

 Whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself 

 Hold converse : grow familiar, day by day, 

 With his conceptions ; act npon his plan, 

 And form to his the relish of their sonls. 



