each other without the least approach to a termination—a period, which after myriads of centuries shall have rolled away, will be no nearer to its conclusion than at this instant. We may not clearly conceive how this can be. But this we can conceive: that it is our interest, beyond all which this world can offer with all its pleasures and pomps, to seek to ensure our happiness for this endless period. How we may do so, we learn in God's holy word, which we should therefore make the guide of our conduct. Especially when tempted to rely upon the pride of reason, or to be wise in our own conceits, should we humble ourselves with the reflection, that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—a good understanding have all they that do thereafter"—and that the praise of it endureth for ever.

The duties, suggested by the subject which we have been considering, acquire a peculiar importance in this place. All who are called upon to direct the literary pursuits of youth, must never lose sight of this important fact, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom, not only for the regulation of their own conduct, but in their direction of the pursuits of others. They must, in the course of their arduous and useful labours, often be compelled to direct much of their attention

to the peculiar studies which are here pursued. They must employ, perhaps, the greatest part of their time, in superintending labours, which are only indirectly connected with moral improvement. Let them not forget, however, that their labour is not to terminate in promoting a taste for the elegancies of literature, in imparting an accurate knowledge of abstract science, or in explaining the principles, by which the wonderful phenomena of the natural world are deduced from a few simple facts. All these pursuits, and the labours which they require, serve indeed to develope the faculties of the mind, and may be made subservient to the most noble purposes. But in the midst of those mental labours which adorn the imagination, or improve the reasoning powers, let not those studies which lead to the knowledge of the Most High be neglected. Upon the degree of importance, which those in authority here attach to the student's proficiency in sacred literature, and especially to his moral conduct, will depend, in a great measure, the alacrity with which those studies will be pursued, and the general tone of feeling with respect to religion. Let it not be said, that while all other branches of literature and science meet here with a full and impartial reward, they, who endeavour to attain that knowledge

which is the most excellent of all, receive little or uncertain encouragement.

To those who are themselves more particularly engaged in the elementary studies of the place, I would also address a few words of exhortation.

Those among you, who are competitors for the distinction which accompanies successful exertions, are striving with eagerness to obtain the proposed reward. We would not discourage your honourable endeavours. Pursue with diligence, and with reasonable anxiety, the course, for which your whole education has been training you. But forget not that there is a wisdom, far greater than any which is attained by the most successful effort of human learning, a wisdom, which will always be successfully sought by those who sincerely endeavour to obtain it, and followed by a most sure and glorious reward.

Neither let those, who think they are exempted, by their station in life, or a distrust of their own powers, from the necessity of making the same exertions in the pursuit of human learning, deceive themselves with the idea, that they may, without guilt, supinely neglect to attain the wisdom which is from above. Let not the timid be discouraged in its pursuit. All, who sincerely strive for that

prize, shall assuredly obtain it, for they shall be strengthened with such might in the inner man, that they shall not in the end fail of their reward. And if any of you should ever be placed among those, who abuse the abilities with which God has endowed them, by misrepresenting the facts and doctrines of revealed religion, or even—for such things have been—by purposely employing their perverted imagination in the practice and encouragement of wilful profaneness, and in the open defence of infidelity, take heed how ye hear. Remember that by their fruits may the children of disobedience be known: that the wisdom that is from above is "first pure, then peaceable:" and distrust that carnal mind, however adorned with the brilliancy of fancy, and with the speciousness of false reasoning, which is pronounced, by infallible authority, to be "enmity against God.l" The applause of a vain world may be obtained by such unworthy and wicked means. The abuse of talents may lead to a degree of fame, and even to some kind of eminence. But the fear of the Lord is the only beginning of true wisdom: they only have a good understanding who do his commandments: the praise of it is the only praise which endureth for ever,

* James iii. 17.

Rom. viii. 7.

LECTURE XV.

REFLECTIONS ON THE RAINBOW, AS THE SIGN

OF A COVENANT WITH NOAH.

Gen. IX. 14.

It shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall he seen in the cloud.

It was an awful period in the history of mankind, when the waters of the deluge subsided from the face of the earth, and the patriarch Noah came forth from the ark, and looked round upon the ruins of a former world. How changed must have been the aspect of nature. Every object must have borne the appearance of novelty, as if it had been just formed by the hand of its Creator. Perhaps new mountains had risen during the mighty convulsion, which broke up the fountains of the great deep: perhaps new rivers now ran in valleys, which