XIX 



dition only is indispensable, — a condition, too, altogether in his 

 own favor. He must begin and persevere in the spirit of his 

 model. He must abjure every indulgence which has the least 

 tendency to impair his moral or his mental energies, or to induce 

 any injurious or unseemly habit. " Procul, proctd!" must be 

 the earnest exclamation of his heart against every form and aspect 

 of moral evil. Thus persevering, he will find his progress as de- 

 lightful as his success is certain. 



The instructer, equally with the student, may gain wisdom from 

 the contemplation of such a model, — the model of a character 

 which it is his peculiar province to form. The faithful ship-builder 

 spares no pains in studying the best model of his art, and making 

 his work strong and complete. Much more will the faithful builder 

 of a human character, freighted with treasures of immortal value, 

 seek the highest degree of perfection in his work. Here, in this 

 noblest of human works, the " wise master-builder " is deserving 

 of all honor. He entitles himself preeminently to the gratitude of 

 mankind. 



I trust. Gentlemen, you will not regard these remarks, intended 

 as they are to elucidate Mr. Pickering's distinguishing merits, as 

 an impertinent digression, or charge me with a waste of your time 

 in dwelling so long upon that portion of his life which is some- 

 times passed by with a single glance. It is more pleasing, I know, 

 to admire the ripened fruit than to watch the culture of the vine 

 or the tree which bears it ; but the latter is quite as useful an em- 

 ployment as the former. Having witnessed the planting of a noble 

 tree, and carefully observed its early culture, its growth and expan- 

 sion, its full foliage and fair blossoms, we may not only admire its 

 fruit, but understand the means by which it is produced. 



A smiling Providence appears to have guided Mr. Pickering at 



