Report on a Course of Liberal Education. 349 



In a matter of such deep concern, what teacher will be 

 disposed to forego any available means of ascertaining the 

 truth ? As by biblical criticism, controversies involving eter- 

 nal interests are often determined, faithfulness to the souls of 

 men imposes an imperative obligation to read and know 

 the Scriptures in their original simplicity and purity. 



Indeed to dilate on this point cannot be necessary, as ig- 

 norance of classical learning and the safest means of explain- 

 ing the oracles of truth, m this profession, must be generally 

 deplored. If then we desire, in accordance with the exam- 

 ple and intentions of the Fathers and Patrons of this Institu- 

 tion, to know and communicate the truth m its simplicity, 

 beauty and force, the ancient languages will here become 

 the objects of more intense pursuit, and augmented patron- 

 age. The single consideration that divine truth was com- 

 municated to man in the ancient languages, ought to put this 

 question at rest, and give to them perpetuity. Besides, clas- 

 sical literature, while it opens the most copious sources of il- 

 lustration and explanation, enables him who has made profi- 

 ciency in it, with the more effect, to press the performance of 

 duty. 



It has been urged that if the study of the ancient langua- 

 ges shall no longer be required as a preliminary of admission 

 into the college, or as a part of its regular course of studies, 

 the time of the student may be usefully employed in acquir- 

 ing a knowledge of his own and other modern languages. 

 But so intimately is the English connected with, so directly 

 is it derived from, compounded of and built upon the ancient 

 languages, that, to the thorough knowledge of it, the study 

 of those languages is indispensable. Indeed, these langua- 

 ges may be considered the basis of most of the modern. 



That the modern languages most extensively spoken 

 should be learned, both by students who expect to be called 

 abroad, either by business or in pursuit of science, and by 

 those who seek literary distinction, the committee willingly 

 concede. But the readiest way to acquire the modern lan- 

 guages in general use, is to become well versed in the an- 

 cient, from which they are derived. 



By a competent understanding of Latin, it is generally ad- 

 mitted, the progress of the student in French, is much facili- 

 tated. The committee therefore, are satisfied, that in the 

 more advanced periods of collegiate life, when the student 

 shall have made sufficient progress in the ancient classics, 



