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planted, as it were, a root of the true Vine, which future ages may behold overshadowing the land. Nor did the benefits of his labours stop here; they gave a stimulus to Christian scholars and Christian communities; the work has been continually advancing; version upon version of the Word of God has been sent forth into the uttermost recesses of the earth; so that by the power of the Almighty acting upon his servants, a new miracle may be said to have been wrought. The voice of thanksgiving and praise ascends from a thousand provinces; and the sun shines upon no corner of the habitable globe in which men do not hear in their "own tongues the wonderful works of God."

But there is another circumstance in the life of Mr. Martyn, more intimately connected with the objects of this volume. We are indebted to his example for much of the good feeling that now pervades the junior portion of the University. All who were acquainted with Cambridge society as it existed among the undergraduates fifteen or twenty years ago, will recognise in the present state of things a very marked and singular improvement. In the earlier days of Mr. Simeon's ministry, he was exposed, together with his followers, to many and distressing ebullitions of dislike; and instances sometimes occurred when the college authorities judged it expedient to forbid their pupils attend

ance upon his discourses. The character of Mr. Martyn did much towards overcoming this opposition; his high attainments, his simplicity of manners, his academical distinction, imparted a dignity and weight to his name; and Piety herself became more lovely and of better report when she appeared in the person of a Senior Wrangler. No person, I believe, of similar opinions, had attracted by his talents so much notice. When, therefore, it was discovered that the strictest attention to religious duties, instead of weakening the intellect, only strengthened and concentrated its powers, others were quickly found to adopt the same manners.

I am not called upon to declare how far I coincide with, or in what particulars I dissent from, the principles distinguishing the School of Theology of which Mr. Simeon is the founder. I believe that its devotedness to the cause of piety, though not always well informed, nor always flowing in the best channels, has, nevertheless, aided in the general promotion of those serious feelings, now so apparent among our younger members. Nor need we limit its influence to the immediate calls of religious worship; it may be traced in the common intercourse of society, and the check it imposes, under the shape of public opinion, upon that class of persons who, in a greater or less degree, embarrass the domestic economy of every college.

No question of academic discipline has been more agitated of late, than the propriety of compulsory attendance in the chapel of the college. "If attendance, it has been observed, were not compulsory, we all know it would soon cease; as it has ceased in all parish-churches where prayers were once daily. Young men, and old men too, need urging to the discharge of duties, the obligation of which is fully acknowledged nevertheless. Whatever may be the motives, and they are probably of a mixed kind (as they are upon most occasions), by which youths in a college-chapel are gathered together, this we must say, that we do not observe more reverential behaviour in any place of worship than there. God only can search the heart; but as far as man can judge, the undergraduates are as much under the impression that they are met in God's house to render him an offering of prayer and praise, as any congregation elsewhere; and a more interesting spectacle we do not know, which it would not be, if there was in it any tincture of irreverence, than that presented to the eye of a casual visiter of our Universities, in the chapel of a great college-the flower of the land before him— the hope of England-coupled with the reflection which the place where they are assembled suggests, that the generation to whom the chief interests of the country in every department are to be soon

confided, are thus taught betimes to have the fear of God before their eyes."

Every one who has joined in this beautiful ceremonial, or contemplated its appearance, will admit the force of the preceding observations. Even to the eye of the common spectator, the scene is full of peculiar interest; but to the individuals themselves, sensations must often arise of far deeper intensity. While the pealing organ, and the shout of many voices, raise their hearts to heaven, memory, it may be supposed, will not be inactive; and the thought that Newton, or Ray*, or Milton, or Taylor, once pressed the stones on which they are kneeling: and still, if we may so speak, sanctify the walls with their presence;-such a thought as this may blend with the enthusiasm of the spirit, and elevate its intellectual wishes in proportion to the exaltation of its spiritual desires. These sentiments cannot, of course, be universal; it is sufficient for the argument if they prevail to a moderate extent, and by the ennobling a few minds, invisibly and gradually communicate a higher tone to the many. Undoubtedly, if the restrictive regulations were removed to-morrow, a numerous body of

* "Because I could no longer" said this admirable Christian, (when ejected from his fellowship for nonconformity, and prevented from exercising his clerical duties,) serve God in the church, I thought myself bound to do it by my writings."

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students would be found sufficiently impressed with a sense of their dependence upon God, and of their duty to return daily thanks to him for his mercies, to assemble in those temples consecrated to his service. And this supposition is countenanced by the crowds that throng the galleries of St. Mary's, when such men as Mr. Rose, or Mr. Dale, or Mr. Melvil occupy the pulpit; each differing from the other in manner and in style, yet each commanding the attention and the respect of an overflowing congregation. The same remark will apply to the other churches in the town, where the academic dress is conspicuous; and particularly to the evening lecture of Mr. Carus. These are most valuable and interesting indications of religious feeling; and the more so, as they flow entirely from unconstrained inclination, and are to be deemed sincere, inasmuch as no inducement to hypocrisy can be assigned.

Yet admitting to its fullest extent the efficacy of the voluntary principle, no reflecting mind will consent to intrust the observances of religion entirely to its influence. Nor, indeed, is there any occasion; for those who would attend of their own accord, will not experience any hardship from a regulation, which their good feeling virtually repeals; while those, on the other hand, whose associations lead them to different occupations, and

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