in this view peculiarly ensnaring. Deprived of a society to which they have been accustomed, there is a mutual, and almost resistless attraction, by which those who now find themselves bound upon the same voyage, and embarking at the same port, are drawn into contact. Yet, alas! of this attraction how many are the hapless victims! Insensibly they are urged along with the many; and the event proves not merely injurious to their religious progress, but fatal to their religion.

Before he makes an equivocal choice, let the student seriously reflect how much easier it is, not to form than to break an acquaintance; not to yield to the violent but momentary impulse than, having yielded, to retract. Among the means to avoid improper associations, none will be found more effectual or simple than a manly but modest avowal, in the outset, of determination to religion. Show your colours,' was the brief advice of an experienced friend to one just approaching the scene of conflict.

It will be wise to evince early an inflexible purpose of maintaining the character of a Christian student. To observe the regulations prescribed by those in authority; to conciliate their esteem, and win their confidence, by a respectful deference and prompt obedience; may be regarded by the heedless and unthoughtful, as a heavy tax upon the freedom, the independence, and spirit of youth: yet such is the very course which the highest wisdom dictates, to which conscience bears its strongest testimony, and which experience always proves to be the safest. None are so harassed in the University as the vacillating and unresolved in religion; none endure so many taunts; none are so frequently assailed, nor so much in danger

of falling by temptation. It is not meant that the firm and faithful profession of religion will exempt a student from its peculiar trials; but that, in proportion as the separation which it exacts is more complete, the severity of these trials will either be abated or less felt. His measure of consolation will bear a just ratio to the strength of his resolution. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If there is ever a period when the inspired admonition should come with all its force, like a voice from heaven, it is when it falls upon the ear of a Christian student, breathing an infectious atmosphere, and within the precincts of temptation. I am a companion of all them that fear God and keep his precepts. If ever there is a time when he will derive benefit from his congeniality with this sentiment, it is now. Depart from me ye evil doers: I will keep the commandments of my God. As he values all that he ought to hold precious, thus let him express both his abhorrence and his determination.

Happily through the vast increase of religious feeling and knowledge every where, the choice here enforced and recommended, has become much more practicable. As an auxiliary to support, or a counsellor to advise; as a sharer of his converse in his leisure, or of his confidence in his retirements; such a coadjutor in all his designs to serve God will at once double the student's joys and divide his griefs.

Nor even, when some ties which cannot be severed, may happen to connect him with others whose minds are not cast into the same mould, must he be negligent to watch the favourable moment of opportunity. Religion is in its own nature diffusive as the light, and the consistent uniform walk of the Christian is an engine of immense power, which seldom fails gradually

to produce some corresponding and assimilating result. Religion in its genuine features is too lovely, not to engage the notice, and in some degree command the admiration of all its beholders; and if you add to the force of example, the Christian's efforts and prayers, his invincible patience and steady perseverance, his discretion and prudence, his brotherly kindness and charity; what is there which may not be anticipated? The sphere of usefulness in the University must necessarily be contracted; but the extent of that usefulness must not be measured by the smallness of the sphere. Supposing a Christian student to have enjoyed the invaluable blessing of a truly Christian father or preceptor, this might be alleged as a good general rule- Admit not as an intimate one whom you could not introduce to that father or preceptor with pleasure and propriety, as your friend.' Much might be obviously added upon temptations of other kinds, to which in the University, and amidst so large and mixed an assemblage of the young, the student must inevitably be exposed. But in what has already been advanced he has the antidote. Of the grosser sins of infidelity or profaneness, intemperance or sensuality, the writer would say to those upon whom he has obtruded himself as an adviser--Let not these things be once named among you. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather, whenever the just occasion calls for it, reprove them.

There is, however, yet one caution which may with advantage be pressed upon the Christian student, in entering the University, and this respects

3. THE INFLUENCE WHICH A CIRCUMSPECT OR CARELESS CONDUCT THERE, WILL NECESSARILY

HAVE UPON THE WHOLE FUTURE LIFE. Many, alas! who have trifled away the season of opportunity, and forfeited their claim to respect and notice in the University, afterwards have sunk into hopeless neglect, and too late bewailed and smarted for that error. On the contrary, it rarely happens, that those who have conducted themselves conformably to the character of Christian students, have failed to overcome, or outlive, whatever opposition their fidelity at first exposed them to and to conciliate the favour and regard of those whose friendship has reflected honour upon their after life. In fine, they have usually passed into the world with an imprimatur,' which has given credit and currency to their undertakings; and a bright colouring to all their future prospects.

The question is not one of commanding talents or extraordinary acquirements, but of the responsible cultivation of those talents, and the conscientious use of those means which the individual may happen to possess. It is accepted according to what a man has Nor will God leave His servants destitute of such gifts, as will qualify them for the duties assigned to them in His providence, nor yet of grace, to use these gifts to His honour and glory.

If nothing is hinted upon the subject of recreations, it is because that subject has nothing in it exclusively applicable to the Christian student. Perhaps, however, it may not be irrelevant to add, that no one should restrict himself in the enjoyment of such abstraction from graver studies; and such a portion of daily exercise, as he will find to be essential to the care and preservation of his health.

The Christian student's best armour of defence

against the paralyzing effect of occasional failures in the objects of his literary grasp, will be the religious principles and motives upon which he professes to act. These will bind him to perseverance and stedfastness in the path of duty, whether in it he reaps the fruit of success, or is pierced by the thorns of disappointThese will be his ballast, against the rashness of prosperity, and a sweet alleviation to the bitterness in his cup of adversity. As a Christian student he is answerable, not for success, but for the becoming and Christian allotment and improvement of his time and opportunities.

ment.

Remembering then, from whom alone can be

derived

His strength to suffer, and his will to serve,'

let him forcibly and repeatedly press home upon his heart, the truths here concentrated as it were in one focus, for his benefit; though few, not on that account the less weighty, nor the less worthy of his perusal and regard.

In his care to maintain the habit of personal religion he will secure the truest personal enjoyment. In a judicious selection of friends he will best promote his social comfort; and in contemplating the bearing which the present will have upon all the future, he will have, perhaps, the strongest merely human motive, to observe such a course of conduct as will cast upon that future, brightness and not obscurity; and furnish materials for pleasing, not painful retrospection.

Christian Student! think on these things, and the God of love and peace be with thee !