To-day, I come before you, with the lamentable words of the old patriarchs, "One is not." To-day, the laurel berries gleam, with a sad and touching contrast, from the dark foliage of the funereal cypress, on the pale, cold brow of the dead child. To-day, I am to sepulchre our first departed. WARREN LIVINGSTON has ceased from among the living. The theme of my discourse to-day will be the memory and example of Warren Livingston. It harmonizes well with the occasion. For it is the memory and example of a Christian Scholar, and a Christian Gentleman.

My sons, whom God, in mercy spares, to my fond love, I have brought before you, your dead brother, that you may take warning from his early death, and counsel from his beautiful example. Sternly and steadily, the tide of time rolls on. Onward it bears us toward the Maelstrom of the grave. Which it shall bring there first-myself, or you, or you, or you, or you-He only knows. The only wisdom, then, is to be always ready. In Bishop Ken's familiar words:

"Redeem thy mis-spent time, that's past;
Live this day, as if 'twere thy last;
To improve thy talents, take due care;
'Gainst the great day, thyself prepare."

The very object, for which this College has its being. In Warren Livingston, so admirably realized. A Christian scholar, and a Christian gentleman. How beautiful the character. Aim to accomplish it. Let not the temptations of pleasure, let not the engagements of business, induce you to give up your books. You have but entered on the path, by which they ought to lead you. Remember Cicero's beautiful eulogy. Make it your own experience. Let them live with you. It was so with Livingston. And he consecrated science and letters, by his constant study of the Book of books. His latest importation was the Greek Testament, edited by the Dean of Canterbury.

A gentleman; a Christian gentleman. What a volume, in these words. It is what Paul was. It is what John was. It is the true reflection of Him, Who was their model; and Who

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should be ours. The true original of the divinest picture, that was ever drawn. Charity suffereth long, and is kind." "Charity envieth not." "Charity vaunteth not itself." "Doth not behave itself unseemly." "Seeketh not her own." "Is not easily provoked." "Thinketh no evil." "Beareth all "Believeth all things.' things." Hopeth all things." "Endureth all things." Short of this, there is no Christian gentleman. And, this fulfilled, there is-what angels are not, what we only can be, as we are in Christ, and child-like-THE CHILD OF GOD.

"Thy fair example may we view,

To teach us what we ought to be;
Make us, by Thy transforming grace,
O Saviour, daily more like Thee."

VIII.

THE BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS,

AT THE

NINTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF BURLINGTON COLLEGE.

HOW SHALL A YOUNG MAN CLEANSE HIS WAY?

And, more, even, than that.

"IN the Book of Psalms, we have the Prayer Book of the Universal Church; written, and set in order, for us, by God, Himself." + They were the Saviour's Prayer Book. And, from the Cross, He breathed His soul out, in their words: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" And, again, "Father, into Thy hands, I commend My spirit."

Among them all, it is not too much to say, the one hundred and nineteenth Psalm is, on many accounts, the most remarkable. It is, by far, the longest; containing one hundred and seventy-six verses. It is divided into two and twenty parts: the number of the letters, in the Hebrew Alphabet. In the original, every verse, in each of the twenty-two parts, begins with the same

* September 23d, A. D. 1858.

The Plain Commentary on the Book of Psalms.

letter; following the order, in which the letters stand. In its character, it is a meditation. It may be regarded, as a manual of religious experience. One has said, of it, it "may be a history of the inner life of grace, in a man's soul: displaying itself, in praise, prayer, good resolutions, self-consolation, penitence, obedience, humility." And, St. Augustine says of it, "As often as I began to reflect on this Psalm, it always exceeded the utmost grasp of my faculties. In proportion as it seems more open, so much the more deep, does it appear to me; so that, I cannot show, how deep it is."

A verse of this remarkable Psalm has fixed itself, in my mind, in connection with this day; and will suggest the substance of what I have to say. It is the beginning of the second part. Nothing can be plainer. Nothing can be more pointed. Nothing can be more practical. It scarcely needs a commentary. In this presence, it will expound and apply itself. Wherewithal, shall a young man cleanse his way? Even, by ruling himself,

after Thy Word."

That young men are beset with temptations; that, to resist them, they must rule themselves; that their standard of self-ruling must be the Word of God: these are the points, which it suggests; and, to these, dear children, I would, now, direct your thoughts.

You are young men. You are just entering, upon life. Every thing, about you, is inviting. Every thing, within you, is encouraging. You have no experience of the evil, that is in the world. You are not disposed

*The Plain Commentary on the Book of Psalms.

to learn, from the experience of others. You will start, to-morrow, to make trial, for yourselves, of human life. May the good Lord graciously direct your steps!

But, take with you the counsels of one, who loves you; who has long watched over you with parental solicitude; who commits you to the waves of life with parental anxiety.

Your path is beset with temptations;

To resist them you must rule yourselves;

Your standard of self-ruling must be the Word of God.

I. Your path is beset, with temptations. Tempta tions, to self-reliance. Temptations to self-deception. Temptations to self-indulgence. Temptations to selfdestruction. Temptations, to self-reliance. You will never know so much, as you do now. You will never feel such confidence, in your ability. The more you know, the less you will think, you know. The more you can do, the less you will believe, you can do. Youth is, proverbially, rash. It counts no cost. It considers desire, ability. It will undertake any thing. And, to undertake, with it, is to accomplish. Temptations, to self-deception. Youth judges by appearances. Glitter, with it, is gold. It trusts every one. It relies, on every thing. It forgets the thorn, beneath the flower. It for gets the serpent, in the grass. It forgets the poison, in the cup. It drinks. It is deranged. It dies. Temptations, to self-indulgence. The passions glow. The

*

* "Latet anguis in herba."