success. Every effort seems to have failed. But it is all right. O God, thou hast done well. Many whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose have met greater discouragements. I would not yet despond. I would yet hope in God. To human apprehension, what amazing good would result from a revival of religion at this college! It would be communicated to the people here, and, through the students, to places far distant. But surely God has a more comprehensive view of matters than I have, and my ignorance cannot direct his infinite wisdom. Lord, enable me to do my duty!"

Again, Oct. 10, 1813, he writes: "As to the college, the dealings of God have been mysterious. A year since Mr. Southgate was here, full of zeal and Christian excellence. He made great exertions for the salvation of the students. From these exertions I had much hope. But God has been pleased, in infinite wisdom, I doubt not, to remove him. He fell sweetly asleep in Jesus. C, a pious student, where is he? sick, and I fear, will never return. O God, thy footsteps are not known. Righteous art thou, when I plead with thee, when I talk of thy judgments. We have recently admitted one pious student, and hope for another. O Lord, how much does he need divine support! I pray thee, O God, to give him ardent, but well regulated zeal! Give him prudence, cheerfulness and resolution. Lord, send us more of this character. Excite Christians to pray for us, and to use their influence for us. But what is their influence without thine?"*

* The reader may not be aware, that, at the period to which the above extract refers, the proportion of religious young men in our seminaries of learning was much less than it is now. He may then perceive one reason why so much importance was attached to the residence even of a single individual of this character. The student referred to by the President, was at one time the only member of college who had made public profession of religion. The following statement found in a historical sketch of Bowdoin college, published in the American Quarterly Register for Nov. 1835, may not be without interest, as it relates to the same period, and the same individual who are mentioned in the President's journal.

In 1810, an individual entered college, who, to highly respectable

The President was at length permitted to witness the moral and religious improvement in the institution, which had been with him the object of strong desire and most fervent prayer. In 1816 a deep interest in religion was manifested among the students, and six or eight gave evidence of religious character. It was a new event in the history of the college, and excited the liveliest gratitude in the friends of religion. The emotion, which it awakened in the breast of the President, may be learned from his journal.

"Nov. 28, 1816, he writes, " As it respects college, in addition to common mercies, which still continue in abundance, God has been pleased, as I trust, to visit several of the students with his saving health. We do hope, that at least six of the number have been transformed by the renewing of the mind. A few others are serious, but we fear concerning them. The seriousness has been attended with silent, but deep anxiety, which has gradually given way to hope, a hope, feeble and intermitting, but slowly acquiring strength. This is a great thing, a very great thing. It is what we have been long praying and longing for. To be sure, we did, a few weeks since, hope that

scholarship, added the charms of a piety, deep, fervent, yet unobtrusive. He was alone among his fellow-students; yet he sustained, in the midst of thoughtlessness and open immorality, an elevated Christian character, without reproach, to the end of his college course. His memory is still cherished with respect and affection by his contemporaries in college. He could warn and exhort without exciting hostility to the truth or to himself. Through his instrumentality, if we mistake not, a Saturday evening conference was established among the students, which, conducted most commonly in the early period of its history by students, but recently by the instructors, still continues, and has doubtless done much to sustain a healthful moral and religious influence in the institution. In 1812, a tutor was appointed, Frederic Southgate, A. B., lovely in his character, as a Christian, a scholar, and a man. His fervent piety always shone with a mild radiance. Many can recall with satisfaction the affectionate counsel and earnest exhortation to a life of purity and devotion, which fell from his lips even in the recitation room. By a mysterious providence he was able to discharge the duties of his office but a part of the year. During the year commencing Sept. 1813, two or three students of decidedly religious character were admitted into college.

more would be done. But blessed be God, that he has done so much. A third of the students, or very nearly that proportion, it is now hoped, are pious. It is but a little while since we had none of this description. When I review what I wrote Oct. 10, 1813, and compare the state of college then with what it is now, I am constrained to say, that the Lord hath done great things! Oh may those, who hope that Christ is formed in them, manifest, by the suavity of their temper, and the purity, and prudence, and holiness of their lives, the power and excellence of religion!"

Again, Dec. 4, 1817, he remarks: "As to the college, God has shewn us new favors. Not only have a considerable number of serious students entered, but there have recently been, as we hope, three or four individuals converted to the Lord. This is a great thing, an unexpected mercy, that God should have returned to us so soon. Those students, who were thought to have experienced religion last year, have, by divine grace, done well. They appear to be good, sound, judicious and zealous Christians. This is a glorious thing. Religion seems to have obtained strong footing in Bowdoin College. Christ seems to have owned us very distinctly and graciously. Oh that he might pay us frequent visits! Oh that his work of grace may be further carried on to his own praise! Oh that the college may always exhibit a sweet and graceful union of literature and piety. May God preserve those who have lately begun to hope in his mercy. May there always be a goodly seed. Towards us, already, the mercy of the Lord has been unutterable. Praise, everlasting praise be rendered to his name!"

On no

His deep solicitude for the welfare of the students was never more apparent than on the annual commencements. occasion did he appear to so much advantage himself. His fine countenance, irradiated with a glow of excitement and a noble expression, his commanding figure, his grace and matchless dignity, combined to make his appearance in the ceremonies of the day peculiarly impressive. But admiration of him,

who presided, was absorbed in the higher interest which he threw into the occasion, as one deeply interesting to the young men particularly concerned, to the institution which was about to dismiss them from her embrace, and to the cause of learning and virtue. To him it was always a day of great solicitude. Apart from his anxiety in respect to the bearing, which the exercises might have upon the reputation of the college, he made it evident by his prayers, and especially by the address, which he was accustomed to deliver to the graduating class at the close of the exercises before the ceremony of conferring degrees, that he sympathized with his pupils who were just about to leave his care, with minds excited by the circumstances of the occasion, and full of hope and joy. It was apparent, to use his own language on one of these occasions, that he "eagerly seized the few moments which remained of their college life, with design to produce or perpetuate moral impressions." With unfeigned earnestness of spirit he sent them forth with these his last instructions, with the hope and prayer, that by the blessing of heaven, these instructions might be of some avail to them amid the temptations of a world unfriendly to virtue. The reflecting could not help feeling, that a parent's blessing followed them, and that with theirs he united his own happiness and honor.

In truth, it is barely doing him justice to affirm, that the college in all its interests always, to use his own expression in his journal, bore on his mind. He had a quick sensibility to whatever affected its interests. His solicitude in its behalf never slumbered. Friends, his family, and personal convenience, were freely sacrificed, if occasion required, to the demands of collegiate duty. His motto was, "College first, family and friends next." In fine, he identified himself with the institution. He had much of the pride of the scholar, and was undoubtedly animated by a spirit of elevated ambition, but, and the remark is made with great confidence, as a just tribute to his rare and disinterested virtue, it was because he felt, that his station demanded of him high scholarship, and he wished to contribute, so far as might be, by his own efforts and his own personal rep

utation, to the elevation of the seminary, over which Providence had placed him.

To insure the highest success in the office held by President Appleton, the possession of personal dignity and true unaffected courtesy, is undoubtedly requisite. The young, it is well known, are much influenced by appearance; and although we may all rejoice, that the austerity and reserve of former days have passed away, yet, in the intercourse between instructors and their pupils, form and ceremony cannot be entirely rejected. He must possess great weight of character and means of influence altogether uncommon, who can dispense with them, and yet maintain that degree of respect, which is essential to his full success, as an instructor and governor. There is no doubt, that the President's personal appearance and manners did much for him, and although they have before been alluded to, it becomes me to give a more minute account of them.

He was a little less than six feet in height, and his whole figure, though not large, was commanding. The engraving of him, which was published soon after his decease, is far from doing him justice. The contour of his head was fine. His forehead was high and spacious; his head very bald and of a brilliant whiteness; his eyes, a deep blue, and his complexion remarkably fair. His countenance was impressive. No one could see him without being struck at once with its benignity, intelligence, and elevation. "It was frequently marked, to no ordinary degree, with the indications of thought and care. How far it was capable, at all times, and then particularly, of exhibiting any nobleness of expression, will be long preserved in the recollection of those who knew him."* Whenever he was under excitement, as in animated conversation, or on a public occasion, it was irradiated with a delightful glow. In his manners, the most strict courtesy and urbanity were combined with a rare dignity and gracefulness. I think it not unworthy