HIS CHARACTER AS A COLLEGE OFFICER. 337 



kind since August, 1826, should admonish us to be vigilant, 

 discreet, and faithful ; uniting energy with kindness, and 

 always asking wisdom of Him who is able to direct. These 

 events should prevent us from feeling any pride that Yale 

 College has flourished so much ; we see that its prosperity 

 may be blasted ; public opinion may turn against it, and its 

 overflowing numbers may dwindle to a small band. I am 

 not apprehensive, however, that public confidence will be 

 withdrawn on account of this event. I have no doubt the 

 public will vindicate us, but they will inquire why these 

 created rebellion ; the answer is found in the inflammable 

 materials that are accumulated here, partaking too much 

 as regards a considerable portion of our youth of the 

 factious, insubordinate, and ambitious spirit which is so 

 strongly manifested in our public affairs. If the College 

 government should be overpowered, it would be from this 

 cause. This country is literally swayed by a democracy of 

 greater extent and power than ever existed on earth, and 

 its spirit infests our seminaries of learning. We, however, 

 have only to go on undeviatingly in the discharge of our 

 duty, and trust the event with Him who rules the destinies 

 of nations. In rny own particular case, I feel more and 

 more both the propriety and necessity of perfect and hab- 

 itual submission to the Divine will ; of more vigilance and 

 faithful self-control, that all my thoughts, affections, words, 

 and conduct may, as far as possible, correspond with the 

 divine example of Christ, who was pure, holy, harmless, and 

 undefiled. Not that I think that I can earn salvation by 

 my poor obedience, constantly marred by sins and imper- 

 fections ; but, it is presumptuous to relax in our efforts ; 

 we have no right to live carelessly, or in known sin, and 

 then throw the burden of sin on Christ ; we should labor 

 as if it all depended on ourselves, and still remember that 

 our salvation is not of debt, but of grace. 



As might be conjectured from the mildness of his 



VOL. ii. 22 



