( 144 ) 
under the abfolute dominion of ftrong paf- 
fions, at an age when Reafon, their only 
poflible counterpoize, has hardly begun to 
idawn. At a more advanced age, when rea- 
fon has acquired fome ftrength, it may be 
a fufficient defence againft the attacks of 
vice ; but, in its infant ftate, it has no pow- 
er; therefore Religon is the fole guardian of 
young men emerging from a public femi- 
nary. 
On this confideration, the college of which 
you have the honour to be a member, wifely 
ordains, that your academical fludies fliould 
commence with a commentary on that book 
which is the foundation of the religion you 
profefs. " What (fome of your fellow flu- 
dents will fay) have we to do with the Chrif- 
tian Religion ? We are not all intended for 
parfons-, and if we were, it will be time 
enough to ftudy divinity when we take Or- 
ders." In anfwer to this foolifh rhapfody, I 
repeat ; the College, confidering that young 
men, from public fchools, come to the Uni- 
verfity mere claflical fcholars, totally defti- 
tute of religious or moral inftruftion, hath 
wifely conceived that the evident morality 
of the Gofpel would be the moft immedi- 
ate and effectual counterpoize to vice, until 
reafon, 
