“ nion ; he says, Όπου σοφία Θεοῦ, οὐκέτι χρεία ἀνθρωπίνης. I think "so too; but I also think, that the fault is not in the studies, "but in the manner of pursuing them. If a student could "wed himself to the Bible, and court the sciences merely as "handmaids to her, I think this would do very well; but "when we are seized by the cacoethes philosophandi, and "devote ourselves to what Luther calls the idola carnalium ▾ "studiorum, our taste becomes vitiated. Since I received "your letter, I have seen something of this. I was introdu"ced yesterday to the acquaintance of a clergyman's son, "who has been two years at college, Cambridge.

“His father, I understand, sent him to that college, that he "might be under the care of religious tutors. From this ac"count I hoped to find him a suitable companion; but I "soon discovered that he had no inclination to talk of divin"ity, or of any thing that bore relation to it. His whole "conversation turned on experimental philosophy and ma"thematics. I have not seen a young man so mathematic“mad in my life. During the whole evening I spent with ❝him, his head was (as Omicron expresses it) continually "wool-gathering after rhomboids and parallelograms. He "assures me, that if I do not study mathematics very dili"gently, I shall have no chance at the end of my course of "obtaining the honours.' I told him, that I had heard "college fame was very intoxicating; that perhaps it might "be prudent to sip gently of it; and that as for myself, if I "could pass my examination with a mediocrity of applause, "I should be content. He observed, that seven hours a day "studying mathematics would be sufficient for that.

"How much reason is there for that double guard of "prayer and close walking with God' which you mention, "in order that I may be enabled to pass through this fire "unhurt! It is happy for me that I am not under my own "guidance. It seems it is necessary for me to be some"what learned in the wisdom of the Egyptians; but I "trust it is, that I may be able to see and set forth the "wisdom that is from above' in a more transcendent "light.

"The method you propose for my studying the Bible ap"proves itself much to my judgment, and I desire to follow "it. I have begun it this day in a solemn manner. O that "my ardour for contemplating the truths of Scripture may "never abate!

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"What you say of a daily retrospect of my past life is an "instructive lesson. Is it possible that for forty years it "should have been so with you? I fear I shall come far short "of this; and yet how much reason have I to sing of the "mercies of the Lord all the day long? Is there any one "of his children who is more indebted to him as the God of "providence and of grace than I am? Who can sing of "mercy and of judgment' as I can, when I remember him "from the land of my nativity, all the way by which I have "been led? How few are there who would believe that a "man could be found capable of displaying so extraordinary "an act of munificence as that with which Mr. Thornton is "now honouring me? Were I possessed of both the Indies, "I could scarcely do more for myself than he is now doing. "And how unworthy I am of all this! When I think of these "things, it is the grief of my heart that I cannot more ad"mire and love that gracious Saviour, who has so highly "favoured me. As yet, I have a very imperfect view of "what I have passed through: but I trust these things will "be shewn me, as I shall be able to bear them.

"Mr. Thornton intends that I shall go to Queen's college; "chiefly, I believe, because he is acquainted with the Pre"sident, and thinks that circumstance may be advanta66 geous to me. I am happy to hear so favourable an account "of Cambridge. It will be an encouragement for me to "maintain my ground, when I see some around me who "dare to be singular. It shall be my endeavour to attend "to your advice with respect to my conduct to my superiors. "I shall often pray to be endued with a meek and quiet "spirit; and endeavour implicitly to comply with every "rule and every injunction in the University, for the Lord's "sake."

a The very reverend and learned Dr. Milner, Dean of Carlisle,

CHAPTER III.

SUCH were the views with which, in Michaelmas term 1791, Mr. Buchanan was admitted a member of Queen's college, Cambridge. "The day of my leaving London," he observes in a letter to his brother, "was very solemn. It "was on Monday the 24th of October, exactly four years "and two months since my entering that city. But with "what a different spirit did I leave it, compared with that "with which I had entered it! Had I seen at that time, in "the book of Providence, all that I was about to do and to "suffer in that city, I suppose I should hardly have dared to "approach it but God wisely conceals from us a knowledge " of the future.

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"On the morning and evening preceding my leaving London, I was earnest in prayer for a blessing on my inten"ded journey and its consequences. One request in parti"cular was, that I might be favoured with the acquaintance "of some pious companions in my studies. To this prayer “I had an early answer. A gentleman set out with me ❝from London in the same coach for Cambridge. He studied "two seasons at Glasgow, as I did; then, like me, passed ❝some years in vanity; and now comes to the University "to qualify himself for preaching Christ, as I hope I do. "This singular-similarity in our circumstances occasioned "a happiness of which none but ourselves could partake."

With a modesty and regard to frugality which reflect upon him much credit, Mr. Buchanan was at first disposed to enter as a Sizer; but upon the representations of the tutors, and of the friends to whom he had been recommended, he determined on being admitted as a Pensioner. In a letter to Mr. Newton, written soon after his arrival at Cambridge, he very feelingly describes the perplexity which he had anticipated from the contrariety of the studies to which he was called, to the prevailing dispositions of his mind. Until he was actually at college he cherished the hope of being per

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mitted to devote his chief attention to divinity, and to the mathematics only secondarily. But he found that the reverse was expected from him; and that the excellent friends, to whom his patron had introduced him, were quite as strenuous as his tutors in representing to him the necessity of complying with the established course of study in the University. Independently of the repugnance which Mr. Buchanan felt to this plan from the peculiarly serious frame of his mind at this period, he feared that by yielding to it he should disappoint the expectations of the friends who had sent him to Cambridge, and eventually frustrate the great object which he and they mutually had in view. The comparatively advanced age, too, at which he had entered the University, would naturally tend to strengthen this apprehension, and to dispose him to dedicate his time exclusively to theological pursuits. The state of doubt and uneasiness produced by these circumstances affected both his spirits and his health; but after stating the reasonings of his Cambridge friends, and his own feelings and inclinations, he expressed to his respected correspondent his resolution to follow that course of conduct, which after mature deliberation should appear to him to be the path of duty.

In the case of students in general, entering at the usual period at either University with a view to holy orders, however religiously they may be disposed, there can be no doubt either as to the duty or the wisdom of devoting their chief attention to the prescribed studies of the place. A competent acquaintance with the learned languages, and with the stores of historical and ethical knowledge which they contain; the principles of sound reasoning, and the clements, at least, of general science, are essential to the formation of an enlightened and able theologian. The basis of such a character must, indeed, be deeply laid in an experimental acquaintance with real religion; and it were devoutly to be wished, that this were more generally considered as an indispensable qualification in every candidate for the ministry, and that more effectual encouragements and facilities were afforded in our Universities for its at

tainment. But if to the spirit of piety be not added the advantages which are to be derived from the wise and temperate pursuit of human learning, there is great danger that religion itself will suffer in the hands of those who are thus unprepared to teach, to defend, and to adorn it. In the present instance, Mr. Buchanan was already possessed of such a share of learning as might have been sufficient to qualify him for the discharge of the ordinary duties of a Christian minister; but it was obviously desirable that this should be strengthened and enlarged by fresh accessions at the seat of science, to which the providence of God had so remarkably conducted him. Nor was it long before his judgment was convinced by the arguments of his friends, that the very honour of religion required his acquiescence in such a measure; and that, however the appointed studies of the University might appear to be foreign to the important purpose for which he had entered it, they would ultimately tend in the most effectual manner to promote it. Among those who concurred in this salutary advice was Mr. Newton himself; and to him Mr. Buchanan early in the following year announced his disposition to yield to their suggestions.

"I think," he observes, "that my way is clearer than it "was, and I hope soon to have little doubt of my path of duty "at college. Your letter helped to pave the way for me. “I have now taken up the study of the mathematies ex ani"mo, that is, from a persuasion that God wills it. And for "them I have made a sacrifice of some other studies truly "dear to me. I tried for a time to continue them both, but "I found it impossible; so that now, that portion of the day "which I have set apart for divine things is extremely short, "compared with what I once thought it would be; and yet "I dare not tell some of my friends here that it is so long."

It will be readily imagined, that Mr. Buchanan had various difficulties to encounter on commencing his academical course. He had indeed been received by the Vice-President, in the absence of Dr. Milner, and by the tutors, with much attention and kindness; but having been entirely unacquainted with the mathematics before his entrance at col