T2 PRESIDENT NEVIN'S ADDRESS. 



The young man, whose course is interrupted, feels its influence in 

 all subsequent life. It accompanies him in his whole future career, 

 .showing itself in every sphere in which he may be placed, and peihaps 

 the deficiency can never be supplied, or the injury repaired. What a 

 true picture is presented in the subjoined quotation ! 



" We find it not uncommon for the impatient student to fly the proper academic 

 track in order that he may at once plunge into Blackstone, or some corresponding 

 text book in medicine or divinity. From the end of the Sophomore year, possi- 

 bly, he executes this grand leap, as it may be called, by which he clears him- 

 self from the curriculum of undergraduates, and comes to be known afterwards 

 as an immediate candidate for one of the learned professions. He feels him- 

 self somewhat magnified by the change, and looks back, perhaps with a feeling 

 of commiseration, on the luckless associates he has left behind him, still doomed to 

 the everlasting lexicon and black-board, the proper occupation of boijs; while it 

 has become his own privilege to ' put away childish things ' for the more honora- 

 ble pursuits of a man. Nor is he likely, in these circumstances, to be much dis- 

 turbed with any sense of incompetency for his new career by reason of his unfin- 

 ished studies. He is at a loss rather to understand the use of a good deal of that 

 be has made to study already. * * * ^ regular College graduate, if he has 

 turned his time to good account, is likely to feel that he needs at least two or three 

 years of faithful study subsequently to qualify himself properly for the sacred office; 

 and after he has passed this term he feels it still more than before. But let the candi- 

 date spring from the Grammar-School merely, or from one of the lower classes in 

 College, over into the Theological Seminary, and the case is very apt to be quite 

 different. Or let him come at once from the plough, and it will not be surprising 

 to find him strong enough in his own conceit to master all necessary preparation 

 in half the time that is usually required. He can carry along, if need be, the stu- 

 dies of three different classes at once ; and have some time to spare besides, for 

 extra occasions. It requires some education, to know what education means." 



Those, who are instrumental in introducing into any of the learned 

 professions one who is destitute of the proper preparatory qualifications, 

 or has not enjoyed tlie advantan-es of a liberal education, do the pro- 

 fession itself great injustice, and actually wrong the community. If a 

 wholesome state of opinion prevailed upon this subject, our young men 

 would act differently. Those who possess the opportunity of obtaining 

 a collegiate education would prize it most liighly — would, indeed, make 

 every sacrifice to secure the desired object. 



The concluding part of the discourse is taken up with a forcible 

 argument in favor of a liberal education, in reply to the objections that 

 are so generally urged. The eloquent appeal presented is calculated to 

 awaken attention, and we cannot but hope that its efl^ect, in directing 

 the public mind to the subject, will be most happy. Thanking the 

 Doctor for the service he has rendered by his seasonable effort, we cor- 

 dially wish for the address a wide circulation. 



