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    minuter divisions , and to distinguish those polluted sources which defile the pure stream , of truth , and even contaminate , with their pernicious influence , the water of life ~ ji £ self . Beware , then , of being misled by the idea that yon have completed your studies , and finished your education , upon quitting this academical institution . Remember that the

    whole of life-is , in a moral point of view , a course of education for another and Letter state ; and that you are to assist others in pursuing , at the same time that you pursue yourselves , that necessary path of duty which alone can lead to that future happiness , which is the ultimate object of your common pursuit .

    " Do not , however , allow the closet to consume the whole of your time . Many an idle hour may be spent there , even on the study of the best thtrtgs . There may be much of literary trifling even on the scriptures . Far would I be from being understood f £ o discourage you in the prosecution of that critical study

    x > f the scriptures , in the elements of -which you have been so happily trained . Only let me hope , that you will never forget , in the course of such investigations , the caution which I doubt not you have frequently received , —that if this book contains the will of God , it is not only to be studied and criticized , but to

    be obeyed and acted upon . I trust , indeed , you will not fail to remember , that the particular object of all your studies , should be the religious and moral improvement of your hearers . For this purpose you ought to know your hearers well , in order that you may be

    able to adapt your instructions to their particular circumstances and wants . In this respect , however , there is great jdiMiger , especially in large and opulent towns , of suffering too great a proportion of your time to be consumed at the tables of the rich , or jui those unprofitable ceremonious visits , which while

    they may hazard the formation of tastes and habits , which cannot at ajl times be conveniently gratified , w ill also endanger your neglect of that class of your hearers , who will be most grateful fqr , and most likely to be improved by , your fiiendly notice ; and by an . attention % o

    whom , you will at oner , most effectually answer- the purposes , of your ministry , secure your own best self-approbation , and establish your credit with your people at large , hor be assured you will l > e re ^ peofced by the rich , ivi proportion as vow : w « bfloved by the pour .

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    < c But , whether 'with rich or poor , I trustj my young friends , that you will always be upon your guard to avoid every reasonable occasion of offence ; more especially every occasion of moral offence . There is no more dangerous snare in this respect , than a spirit of strIf-confident security . You have observed no doubt , with admiration mixed

    with wonder , the modest apprehension of the great apostle , " Lest that by any means , when I have preached to others , I myself should be a cast-away . " -Now if so great a man could' be sensible to such a fear , does not such an example teach us , that no personal merit , however great , or however good or sacred

    the cause in which it is acquired , will compensate for the want of personal self-government" On this important subject , permit the to recommend £ o your particular attention , the admirable discourse of Dr . Paley , on the " Dangers incident to the Clerical Character . " And 1 hope you will nafc think me guilty of an inescusr able partiality , if I , add to this the excellent outline of the Character , Offices ,

    and Q . ualificatipns of a Christian Minister , sketched with a , masterly hand by my late uncle , Mr . Philip Holland , ( Sermons , volume ii . ); and tny fathers charge addressed to myself . " The reference to these works seems to offer me an opportunity which I am not willing to lose , although I would avail myself of it with great deference ,

    of suggesting it to you to , consider , at least , of the propriety of beginning a religious connection with some l ^ ind of religious -service . This , w hich has been usually called ordination , has been grar dually falling into disuse * on account of certain superstitious notions which were formerly connected with it , concerning certain extraordinary powers supposed would

    to be communicated by it . I oy no means wish to encourage the idea or any religious service being accessary to invest you with any authority , power , or privilege $ or Jead you to suppose that you . yourselves pqssess now , or would possess after such a service , of that we any of us possess , or could communicate to you , an exclusive rig ht to do any thin £ uncler the character ot priests j any thing , in bhort , which ahj otl ^ er person , equally well-informed , may not do as well and as effe ctually »* we or you . But I do think that there is a grea , t decorum and propriety in com * racrnexng ao > considerable ^ n 4 e kin £ *

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    408 Intelligence . — York Institution .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1809, page 408, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1738/page/54/