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ly different. But since we can do nothing, how stupid, how inconceivably ungrateful is it in any one, to 'restrain prayer!'

Take a familiar case by way of illustration. What would you think of a son, who though entirely dependent on his father for every thing, should actually live for weeks and months and years together, without once taking the trouble to ask for a favor, or to acknowledge one? When did you ever see a little child, that could not go alone, refuse its mother's hand, or fail to express its gladnesss for her assistance? And yet, my hearer, are you not that ungrateful son? are you this confiding, grateful child? What answer does conscience give? What will the dread trial of the last day disclose ?

3. The thronging recollections which are called up by the occasion and the place of our present meeting, conspire to give an interest to the text, which no ordinary circumstances could impart. These remembrances will be cordially welcomed and gratefully cherished to-day, by all the friends of this rising Seminary; and I cannot but feel, that I should disappoint the reasonable expectations of my audience, were I not to give them a prominent place in this discourse. To found a College on a broad and liberal basis, and put it in operation, and nurture its infancy, and earn for it the public confidence, and give it rank with the first class of literary institutions in the land, is a great undertaking; and if the measure of obligation to God for help, ought to be estimated by what he has enabled its friends to accomplish, in so short a time, no public seminary owes him louder ascriptions of praise than this.

Seven years ago the site of these buildings was a common field. Not a handful of earth had been thrown up.

Not a board, not a foot of timber, not a brick was here: -nor a breath, nor a voice, save that of the storm. Wrapped in her wintry shroud, nature herself lay congealed and lifeless.

Much interest had indeed been felt and expressed, on the subject of educating pious and indigent young men of good talents, for the gospel ministry. And in furtherance of this benevolent object, the Trustees of Amherst Academy, as early as the month of November, 1817, appointed a committee to solicit funds for the establishment of a classical professorship, in connection with that flourishing school. This was the first step towards what, in the good providence of God, has since been accomplished on a much larger scale. But the committee soon found, that no part of the ten thousand dollars, which was the sum proposed for the endowment, could be raised. The cause of this failure was, that in the judgment of the most enlightened friends of charitable education, to whom the plan was submitted, it was not sufficiently comprehensive and elevated, to answer the end in view; and as the Trustees themselves, upon further consideration, fully coincided in this judgment, the plan was given up. Such a failure, might under ordinaary circumstances have been fatal to the whole scheme : but instead of being discouraged, the fathers of this now flourishing Institution, were stimulated to more vigorous efforts.

Rightly judging, that when the object, or occasion calls for it, a large sum can be more easily raised than a small one, they resolved to set their mark high; and instead of ten thousand dollars, to ask the friends of religion and education for fifty thousand. This sum, if it could be raised, was, by the terms of the subscription, to be made

the basis of a new Seminary for the charitable education of poor and pious young men, in all the branches of science and literature which are usually taught in Colleges; not, however, to the exclusion of other students.

That this plan, so benevolent in its object, and so magnificent upon paper, was regarded at first as visionary and impracticable, appears from the fact that the principal\ agent spent more than a year, at his own expense, in labors and zealous personal solicitation, before he obtained a single subscriber. But notwithstanding this unpropitious beginning, the fifty thousand dollar subscription was filled up within the specified time. By the unalterable conditions of this instrument, no part of the principal can ever be expended. One sixth part of the annual interest must also be added, to increase the fund forever. The other five parts of the income, are sacredly devoted to assist indigent young men of hopeful piety and promising talents, in obtaining a collegiate education for the ministry.

This fund, the subscribers committed to the care and management of the Trustees of Amherst Academy, till an act of incorporation should be obtained for the proposed Collegiate Institution. But what could they do with it? They had no accommodations for charity students, and were not permitted to expend one dollar of the income in erecting buildings, or purchasing the necessary books and apparatus. Other funds they had none, and the success of any new subscription which might be tried, was extremely doubtful. This was the precise state of things, no longer ago than the summer of 1820. It was an emergency which called for prayer and faith and action, of no ordinary energy and perseverance. No time was to be lost; for in vain had christian munificence

laid this broad foundation, to raise up pastors for the churches and missionaries for the heathen, unless much more could be done to give effect to the sacred charity. As I had not the honor of being one of the men, upon whose decision such mighty interests were suspended, I may speak with the more freedom on the present occasion. Unborn generations will, I doubt not, successively rise up to bless God, that casting themselves upon his help and the liberality of an enlightened christian community, the Trustees resolved to go forward, though they had not a cent in the treasury.

Accordingly,--to adopt the language of one of them who cherished the germination, and has ever since watched the growth of this now stately monarch of the bill with the liveliest interest,' Some of the stones for the foundation of the first edifice having been collected by voluntary exertion, the ceremony of laying the corner stone was performed, with religious solemnities, on the ninth day of August, 1820; the residue of the stones for the building being then in the mountains, the clay for the brick and the stones for the lime in the earth, and the timber in the forest. But by the united exertions of the benevolent, the walls were completed and the roof raised on the seventh day of November following, just ninety days from laying the corner stone. A good well was also dug, and when the roof and chimneys were completed, the bills unpaid and unprovided for, fell short of thirteen hundred dollars. Here the work was suspended for the winter; but was resumed early in the ensuing spring, and 'by a series of like benevolent acts and efforts, the College edifice was completed, and about half the rooms handsomely furnished, before the end of the next September.' Thus it was, my hearers, that the

projectors and early friends of this Institution resolutely faced discouragement, wrestled with that mighty antagonist, poverty, and by dint of bone and muscle and sinew prevailed. They could not but succeed in the end, because the people had a mind to work,' and when they saw that noble wing on my left completed, did they forget, think you, to write upon its walls, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us?

In the month of May 1821, DR. MOORE, who had for several years presided over Williams College with distinguished reputation and ability, was invited to take charge of the new Institution, as soon as it should be ready to receive students; and on the eighteenth day of September, he was invested with the office of President by the usual ceremonies of inauguration. On the return. of the procession, the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the President's house was performed with religious solemnity.' The next day, forty seven students were admitted to the Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman standing, according to their respective qualifications, and the first term commenced.

In the summer of 1822, a second College building was begun, the President's house was completed, and at the first Commencement in August, two young gentlemen received the honors of the Institution. In the mean time, a subscription of thirty thousand dollars was opened for the payment of debts already contracted, to finish the building which was then in progress, and to defray other necessary expenses. The second collegiate year, which began in Sept. 1822, was, with one great and mournful exception, an auspicious year to the Seminary. The number of students increased to almost a hundred, the subscription just mentioned was filled up before the

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