Newspaper Page Text
v> — Vol. vn.]
ADDRESS,
Os the Rev. Dr. Waddell, President of Frank
lin College, to the Graduates of that Institution
at the late Commencement. Communicated
for the Augusta Chronicle.
Young Gentlemen:
By the indulgence of a kind Provi
dence we have been permitted to witness
the close of another literary year of this
institution; and you have now honourably
concluded the course of studies prescribed
by its laws and received its honours ! feel
greatly gratified by having it in tny power
to congratulate you on the successful ter
mioation of your literary labours in Aca
demical study. To this day you have, no
doubt, all frequently looked forward with
mftch interest and eager anticipation. It
will form an important era in your lives.—
As you are about to leave this Seminary,
designed for the improvement of youth in
Science and virtue ; l feel impelled by va
rious motives to make a few remarks to
you before we separate ; which, if observ
ed on your part, may be highly useful to
yon in future life. In making these obser
vations, 1 am, believe me, not more influ
enced by a sense of duty than by personal
attachment and inclination. Asa class ad
mitted to the honours of this College you
exceed in numbers, any class wlwcb has
proceeded you. Were Ito speak of the
proportion of talents which as a class, you
have been thought to possess, it might seem
invidious; on that topick I, therefore, deem
it a duly to be silent. Bat I should consid
er it an act of injustice to you should I omit
to say, that bv your attention to the laws
of the Institution and your uniformly re
spectful demeanor to its officers, your con
duct has been exemplary and such as enti
ties you to our candid commendation. By
this you have recommended yourselves not
only to the esteem but also to (he affections
of your instructors as also of all who know
you here. By this you have, afforded to
all of us a pleasing pledge of your prudence,
respectability and usefulness m future
life -
To accomplish an object and secure an
end so desirable I beg your attention for a
few moments to the following observations,
which you are requested to regard as my
parting advice.
Happiness is the object of all. This by
many at your period of life, is imagined to
consist in pleasure; but pleasure is not
happiness. No ; my young friends, we
mat safely say with the poet “ Happiness,O
virtue !is all tby own. 5 ’ The immortali
ty of man’s superior part forbids him to con
fine his ideas of happiness within the limit
ed sphere of his present state of being.
Reason, Conscience and Revelation unite
in directing him to raise his views to a fu
ture, more improved, more exalted and in
terminable state of existence. To the va
rious relations we sustain j n this fife, •§ an
nexed a train of duties. With the faithful
discharge ofthese duties, our happiness is
closely connected. This is evidently the
constitution under which God has created
ns; and what he hath thus joined together,
in vain will roan attempt to put asun
der.
Need I inform you that your Creator is
entitled to your first regard ? To him yon
are indebted tor existence, for your intel
lectual powers and your social affections.—
From him you have received the power of
memory, which is not only a principal in
slrument ol knowledge,but which commands
the suns that have long gone down to rise
again, and the pleasures which have lakpii
their flight to spiead a returning wing.
From him have you derived the opportuni
ty of cultivating ail these powers io the
prosecution and acquisition of useful know
ledge. lam sure you anticipate me in say
ing that you owe your Creator a debt of
most affectionate gratitude. No less does
he. claim your reverential homage and con
fidential trust. These are sentiments and
duties which are most honourable to our
nature and becoming the relations we sus
tain to our maker. Never be ashamed to
cherish or express them by suitable acts of
worship aud d-ference to ail his known
commands. Ofall creatures in this world
man alone seems to be susceptible of a
sense of duly or of responsibility to him.
Can we then suppose that this high distinc
tion in the scale of existence was given us
in vain ? or that our Creator formed us
without any reference to the course of con
duct to be pursued by us lowarJs himself ?
lam consoled with the conviction that such
n sentiment has no residence iu your breasts.
I am also cheered with the pleasing hope
that none of you will ever be ashamed to
acknowledge your obligations to your Hea
venly father, or to avow that grateful re
verence for his caracter and perfections
which you have here been taught to enter
tain. I will not trespass on your time iu
cauiioniog you against the contemptible
practice of profane swearing , which is not
less vulgar than it is vicious. lam happy
in learniug that it is gradually disappearing
in our country and regarJed as an evidence
that he who practises it has been accustom
ed to associate with persons of the lowest
character and rudest manners, as well as
loosest morals.
To Society you are bound by many ties,
from which all your relative duties resul'.
The first of these is a grateful and revereu-
THE MISSIONARY.
tial respect towards your parents, if alive
and while they live. You owe more to
them than all others; because they have
done more for you than all thereat of man
kind. Ought you not then to assist them
in descending the hill of life and smooth
their dreary passage to the tomb? Little
do you know with how much anxiety their
hearts have throbbed for you. Endeavor
Ihpn to repay their anxiety by a grateful
return, by those affectionate assiduities
.vbich are calculated to soot the sorrows
md lighten the infirmities of age—in a
word by a discreet, a dignified and mauly
part. This is all the return they will ask
for all their anxious toil and care. Like
every other duty when properly discharg
ed, it will always ensure its reward—Such
a dutiful course of conduct will secure the
esteem of all who know you and afford
you the rich repast of self approbation.
To persons advanced in years the young
are bound to pay a respectful rpgard. To
you 1 ueed not say how carefully this duly
was inculcated by the most refined and en
lightened nations of Antiquity. This alone
were sufficient proof, how exactly such a
course of conduct the great
Uw of our nature. As you naturally de
‘■ire to attain old age, by reflecting how
yourselves would wish to be treated, you
will perceive your duty in regard to oth
ers.
In your intercourse with Society in gen
eral, let Justice , Humanity , Sincerity and
Courtesy distinguish every part ol your con
duct. To these you claim a title from all
around you; and it is oot only the verdict
of reason and conscience but of revelation
also, that whatsoever things we would that
men should do unto us, the same should we
also do unto them. No man, considered
as created in the image of God, is a proper
object of our contempt. The intellectual
anJ moral nature of man is what chiefly
constitutes his native nobility. Wealth nor
any change of external condition can never
increase or diminish this intrinsick dignity
of man. Modest merit will claim your
countenance and esteem wherever you
meet with it whether in elevated or hum 1
bier station. The voluminous or costly
drapery of dress nor the insignia of Office
or the enlargement of his possessions can
never disguise or conceal from an intelli
gent eye ihe real littleness of a man. With
prudence, without merit and intelligence,
they’ will always render his littleness more
conspicuous. Even should you fairly at
tain to elevated rank by superiority of an
intellectual kind, this will never authorize
you to look down with fastidious scorn op
on others from whom you have been dis
tinguished. You would do well to lefleci
that the same education, accompanied by’
Ihe advantages, which you have enjoyed,
might have communicated the same refine
ment and accomplishments, had he enjoy
ed it.
Nor has a gracious God exempted ns
from an obligation to regard ourselves. A
variety of personal duties are equally as
incumbent upon you as any of those which
have been mentioned.
Among these you must readily perceive
Temperance deserves a pre emioeut rank.
By temperance we are to understand the
prudent and salutary restraint of every im
petuous passion and sensual appetite. No
virtue is more certainly rewarded in the
present life than temperance. I:s influence
on the mind is no less salutary than on the
body. Tbe neglect ot it in youth, generally
impresses a stigma on the character, super
induces a premature old age, or dispatches
its victim to an early or untimely tomb.
Do you desire to be useful —to be respect
ed and esteemed by tbe. virtuous and the
wise ? Do you wish to experience serenity
of mind in the evening of life, or to enjoy
the enviable pleasures of an exemplary and
dignified old age ? without “übjecting the
solicitations of appetite and Ihe demands of
passion to the restraints of reason, the hope
of such comforts will be found delusive.
To usefulness, respetability and per
sonal comfort, a habit of industry and steady
application is no less requisite and condo
cive. In vain have you been favoured with
the advantages of intellectual cultivation,
if yon suffer your exertions to relax from
the present lime. Few more pernicious
mistakes can a student entertain than to sup
pose that when he has completed his Acad
emical course, his literary labours have
come to a close. Be assured that at such
a period the foundation only is laid ; the
elegance and utility of the superstructure
to be raised, must result from future appli
cation and exertions. As well might a
planter evpect an abundant and profitable
crop by barely committing the seed to the
soil without any future attention on bis
part, as for you to suppose that you can
attain legitimate eminence or merited dis
tinction in any of the dignified walks of
pnblick life, should you from this lime re
mi’ your intellectual labours-
Examine the biography of all those liter
ary worthies who by their labours have in
creased the treasures of the scientificlc
world, reflected a lustre on the respective
countries which gave them birth, and by
their inventions or discoveries have not on
ly enlarged the circle of human knowledge
but greatly contributed to increase tbe
stock of bxmaa happmes*. From such aa
nf,ll ha • . L G ° ye i n, ° 8,1 the world > and P reach the Gospel to every creature.— Jesus Christ.
*b e dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.- Washington.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1825.
investigation you will find that those men
were generally eminent for their temper
ance in pleasure and indefatigable in their
application to reading and observation in
every age conror in bearing testimony that
a life cf dignified usefolness and a life
of what is commonly called pleasure, are
incompatible.
To no period of human life is Modesty
unsuitable, but at no time is it so ornamen
tal or appears with such captivating charms
as in the season of youth. Without mod
esty, it can never appear in all its loveli
ness. True merit is always modest and
retiring. Beware of indulging an assum
ing air of ostentatious vanity which exhib
its an obtrusive desire to shine in every cir
cle. It always promises more than it will
be found able tc perform. Neglect or
contempt will be the mortifying conse
quence. Excessive solicitude lest your tal
cuts should be unobserved will always miss
its aim and be attended with more injury
than advantage.—When talents and integ
rity are united in the character of a young
man, there i9 always sufficient penetration
in society to discover their possessor, and
without any officious efforts on his part,
they will be invited into exercise at the
proper time.
Various other topicks are suggested to
my mind, on which this address might be
protracted. But to minds such a-* yours, I
flutter myself those already mentioned may
suffice. Piety towards God, equity, sym
pathy, veracity towards men, with a due
regard to the government of the passions
and employment of your time, seem to in
elude every thing essential to your useful
ness and comfort in this life, or to secure
your happiness in a future state.
By tbe steady practice of piety towards
Gd, you will lay up tbe most substantial
supports under the infirmities of age in the
consciousness of bis approbation and that
of your own heart. The energies of ge
nius may and generally do disappear in old
age ; but the moral splendor of genuine
piety retains its lustre to the last. The
memory ol the profoundest scholar may
become impaired—he may become the
shade of what he was—the relick of him
self and the ruins of a man ; but tbe heart
of piety retains its integrity forever. The
evening ot his life is divested of it sombre
aspect by the prospect of removing to a re
gion of cloudless light, where the kindest
reception awaits him. The voice of an
approving conscience is mnsick to which
uian may listen with deligh* in his latest
hour.
By a due regard to the social ve toes and
duties of justice arid humanity, you will not
only secure the approbation of God and
your own minds, but also establish a re
putation which will coinraaud the confi
dence and secure the esteem and palrouage
ofall who know you.
By attending to tbe personal virtues of
temperance, industry and modesty of man
ners, you will most efficiently promote
your own personal acceptance in society,
as well as individual.interest and happiness.
The course of conduct, therefore which I
have suggested, is evidently recommended
by every motive which ought to influence a
generous mind.
And now, my young friends, the last
born sons of this institution, allow me to re
uiind you before we part, that the eyes of
your country will hereafter be upon you.
M ire will be expected from you than from
others whose advantages have been inferi
or to yours. The friends and foes of this
institution will observe your movements in
fu'ure life with equal exactness, but widely
different desires. The credit and prosper
ity of this institution are deeply interested
in your future conduct and course. To
your parents, and virtuous connexions you
are now and will continue to be objects of
their most affectionate solicitude. By pur
suing that course of conduct which has
been briefly sketched, you will most infalli
bly gladden their hearts and gild the even
ingof their declining day.
And now, my dear pupils, the moment
which dissolves our connexion is just at
hand. Go forth into the world determined
to act a useful and honourable part on the
theatre of life—a part worthy of the digni
fied character of scholars and gentlemen.—
For your prosperity, respectability and
happiness, my ardent wishes always and
every where attend you.
And while too many others are sacrific
ing every valuable principle at the shrine
of pleasure or popularity, aDd like tbe
Cameleon, feeding upon air and deriving
the colour of their conduct from the com
pany into which they chance to fall, be it
yours to acquire a knowledge of your duly
in every case and then to practise it with
manly firmness, alike regardless of the
versatile favour of capricious frowns of
man.
DIVERSITY OF PEATURES IN THE
HUMAN FACE.
It is a very evident proof of the adorable
wisdom of God, that although the bodies of
men are so conformed to each other in their
essential parts, yet there is so great a dif
ference in their external appearance, that
they may be easily and infallibly distinguish
ed. Among so many millions of mea, there
are no two perfectly alike. Each has some
thing peculiar which distinguished him from
others, either in his face, voice, or manner
of speaking. The variety of faces is the
more astonishing, because the parts which
compose the human face are few in number,
aDd are disposed in every person according
to the same plan. If all things had been
produced by blind chance, Ihe faces of men
must as nearly resemole each other as eggs
laid by the same bird ; balls cast in the same
mould ; or drops of water out of Ihe same
bucket. But as this is not Ihe case, we
must admire tbe infinite wisdom of the Cre
ator—which in diversifying the features of
the face in so admirable a manner, has evi
dently had the happiness of man in view
For if they resembled each other perfectly
so that they could not be distinguished from
each, it would occasion an infinity ofincon
veniences, mistakes and deceptions id soci
ety. No man could ever be sure of his
life, nor of the peaceful possession of his
property. Thieves and cut throats would
run no risk of being discovered, if they
could not be known again by the features
of their face, nor by the sound of their voice.
Adultery, theft, and other crimes, would go
unpunished, because the guilty could scarce
ly ever be discerned. We should be every
moment exposed to the malice of wicked
and envious men; and we could not guard
against an infinity of mistakes, frauds, and
misdemeanours. And what uncertainty
would (here be in judiciary proceedings, in
sales, transfers, bargains, and commerce!
What frauds and bribery in respect to wit
nesses! Finally, the uniformity and perfect
similitude of faces would deprive human so
ciety of a great part of its charms, and con
siderably diminish the pleasure which men
find in conversing with each other.
The variety of features constitutes a part
of ihe plan of the divine government; and
is a striking proof of tbe tender care of God
towards us; for it is manifest that not only
the general structure of the body, but also
(he disposition, of its particular parts, have
, been executed with ihe greatest wisdom.
Every where behold variety connected with
uniformity ; whence result the order, pro
portions, and beauty of Ihe human body.
Let all who consider this subject admire the
arrangements of tbe Great Creator.
RELIGIOUS.
From the Boston Recorder <£• Telegraph.
MONTHLY CONCERT.
At the Monthly Concert lai Monday
evening, was communicated the atflicliog in
telligence of the death cf that most interest
ing Cherokee convert, John Arch. He
died at Brainerd on the Bth of June, aged
about 27; having been sick rather more
than three months. The first notice re
ceived of his illness by Ihe gentlemen at the
Missionary Rooms, was dated March 12th.
At that time, however, he was so well as to
be engaged in translating the third chapter
of John’s Gospel inlo the language of tbe
Cherokees. In this performance be gave
entire satisfaction, and more than satisfac
tion, to all who were capable of estimating
its merits. And as a proof of the interest
which was felt in its perusal—it is believed
to have been copied hundreds of times.
The greatest part of the Cherokees can
read in their own language, by means of
tbe Alphabet invented by Mr. Guess.
Tbe expressions of confidence and resig
nation repeatedly uttered by John Arch du
ring his sickness, afforded abundant proof
that the God he had served when in health,
was now placing underneath him the ever
lasting arms. Having proceeded to Athens
for medical aid, he was with some difficulty
brought back to Brainerd on the 12th of
May, his health being much worse than
when he went. Yet he could calmly say,
God i9 good and will do right.” On an
other occasion, he said, “ I feel willing to
trust myself entirely in the bands of Christ.”
Not long before his death, in conversation
with one of the missionaries, he said, “ Pray
that I may eojoy the presence of God.”
About the last words he spoke, when he
found he was “ goiDg,” as he expressed it,
were, “ Well, it is very good.” He was
buried by the side of the late lamented Dr.
Worcester.
The manner in which he wap first brought
to the knowledge of the truth, is remarka
ble. Having been educated a9 a hunter
almost from his infancy, he had acquired ex
traordinary celebrity as a marksman; so
that, whenever engaged in a hunting party,
it became a matter of course that he ehonld
bring home a greater quantity of game than
any other person. His mortification was
therefore extreme, when, in consequence
of having a poor gun, he saw his dearePt
reputation failing. He resolved that he
would hunt no more. Happening to be at
Knoxville, December, 1818, while under
the influence of this depression, he saw Mr.
Hall, a missionary at Brainerd, [theo Chic
kamaugah] who informed him of the school
at that place He immediately returned
home, took hip gun, and set off for the
■ school. *After travelling 150 miles, be ar l ,
rived at ihe station, told the missionaries be
had come to attend the school, and offered
them his pun. which was his only properly
* What follows, was read from the memoir of
CaHhasine Brown. 1
for clothes. We are informed his appear
ance was so wild and forbidding, that the
missionaries hesitated to receive him, espe
cially as he was sapposed to he not less than
twenty years of age. But he would not be
refused. They took him upon trial. It
was not long before he discovered an anx
ious solicitude respecting his soul, and soon
gave the most satisfactory evidence of pie
ty. His thirst for knowledge was ardent,
and his application and proficiency in learn
ing were gratifying. In ten months he
could read and write well. Sometime after
he became serious, he was falsely accused,
by someone of his schoolmates of doing an
improper act. Conscious of innocence, he
could not well brook the charge. That
evening and night he was miing, and the
next morniug it was concluded that be had
absconded. But in the course of the fore
noon, he made his appearance. On being
questioned respecting his absence, he made
this reply: “ 1 felt angry, and knew that it
was wicked; But I could not suppress it.
I therefore went to seek tbe Saviour, that
he might reconcile my heart.” It appear
ed, that he had spent tbe night in devotion
al exercises He ws at length admitted to
the Church, and, from that day to the pres
ent, he sustained a good Christian charac
ter. He has been much employed as hd in
terpreter, both at the different stations, and
in the evangelical labours of the missiona
ries in various parts of the nation.
CONTINENT OF EUROPE.
Every day (ells ns how much is doing in
Great Britain for the cause of religion;—
but pass once tbe British Channel, and a
very different prospect opens. At the late
meeting of the Continental Society in Loin,
don, some statements were made by Mr.
Von Bulow, a native of Denmark, and Pro*
lessor Tboluck, of Berlin, whiqb no ChVis*
tian can read without emotion:
Bost. Rec. .$• Tel.
Said Professor Tholuck, “ I myself had
lived to the age of seventeen, without meet
ing one whom I could call a Christian.” In
the Classical School which be attended, the
master taught them Christianity as he would
the mythology of Homer and Hesiod. He
taught them tbai Christ was a good man,
hut ratber an enthusiast. The University
of Halle had formerly been the seat of true
learning. There the good Professor Frank
had founded his Orphan School, and taught
pure ChriMisniiy ; bin now above 600 Stu
dents in Divinity were taught only Socmian
isrn or Deistu. The kingdom of Prussia is
rather moie highly favoured ; the influence
of the King is felt, Hnd upholds true Chris
tianity. In tbe Dtitchy of Weimar,* there
was no preacher of truth ; and a pious phy
sician who used to preach the Gospel and
hold Prayer Meetings in his bouse, was sum
moned before the Authorities, and con
demned to heavy penalties. However,”
said he, “ iu the midst of darkness. Sight is
now beaming ; and ii is remarkable, that as
at first infidelity came down from ihe high
er ranks to the lower, so now true religion
is beginning with the nobility, and influen
cing the poor. In Pomerania, three young
noblemen of Deistical principles bad lived
many years in mutual quarrels. Being
brought to the knowledge of Christianity,
they became peaceable men, and all united
in preaching the Gospel, either in their own
castles or in the open fields ; and now above
20 Pomeranian noblemen follow tbeir ex
ample.”
* The Dutchy of Saxe Weimar lies on tbe
South of the Prussian government of Erfurt, and
bordering on Saxe Gotha. It embraces a territo
ry of 1,426 square miles, containing rather mow
than 200,000 inhabitants. This government is a
limited monarchy, administered by the Grand
Duke, whose second son is now in this city, (Bos
ton.)
AFFLICTING INTELLIGENCE.
The information contained in the follow
ing paragraph from a late English newspa- .
per, will be received by our brethren
throughout the United States, with the deep
est sorrow. The loss of lives and property
most have been immense. The printing
establishment of the brethren at Serampore
was very extensive. It was well slocked
with type cast at their own foundry, and
with paper from their own mill, which was
worked by a 9team engine. Six years ago
they had sixteen presses employed, almost
constantly, on new versions or new editions
of (he Scriptures, li the account below be
true,—and there are several circumstances
iD it which lead us to indulge a faint hope
that it is not, —this is the second severe loss
of property sustained by these excellent
brethren. The same Almighty Providence
that educed good out of the former appa
rent evil, will, we trust, make the present
visitation a means of displaying his wisdom
and grace, in furthering the great objects
for which Ihe missionaries have been toiling
for nearly Ibirty-three years— Col. Star.
Serampore , — East Indies.■‘—We. have been
informed, Irom undoubted authority, that ti
diDgs have jut arrived, announcing ao un
exampled fise in the Ganges, which has
been attended with the most destructive
consequences. The has been re
ceived from ope of the missionaries at Ser
ampore, who stale* that the Ganges swept
away, in that place and its vicinity, sev ral
‘I hundred houses, and drowned some thou
sands of the inhabitants. The large Bap-