his friend, the author of the Sketch, he never shone to more advantage, than when discoursing upon subjects of this nature in such points of light, as favored the exhibition of powers, for which a Clarke and a Butler were pre-eminent. His, however, was far from being that intellectual strength which moves heavily along. He had much elasticity of mind. He was fond of discussion, and took great pleasure in a play of argument, not from a consciousness of superiority, or from a desire of victory; but from his love of intellectual excitement and of truth. He was exceedingly astute, keen-sighted to detect the fallacy of an opponent, and, at the same time, conducted a discussion with the utmost candor and good nature. His instinctive sense of propriety forbade him ever to violate the laws which should regulate it. It was said of him, while he was yet a young man, by the late Rev. Dr. Spring of Newburyport, Mass., “No man knows better how to ask a question than Mr. Appleton." It is believed that others not unskilled in theological science, have had occasion to feel the correctness of such an observation. "It may be added," says the author of the Sketch, in allusion to the remark of Dr. Spring, " that the inquiries, addressed to him by those best capable of appreciating his powers, were apt, when opportunity invited, to be indicative of the deference they entertained for his understanding. It was delightful on such occasions to witness the interest with which he addressed himself to his subject, and the luminous, succinct, and vigorous operations of intellect he was accustomed to exhibit."

The theological lectures of Pres. Appleton, in particular, afford evidence of the strength and elastic vigor of his understanding. They will, doubtless, ever be regarded as admirable models of sound logic and convincing argumentation.

That he had a marked predilection for analytical investiga

* "Few," remarks the author of the Sketch, "have been able to conduct a discussion with others, in a manner both adapted to lead them to exercise their own understandings, to take the measure of their own positions, and behold in a clear light the proper foundations of such just opinions, as they might entertain."

tions and elementary views, will readily occur to a careful reader of his writings. It may be added also, that he enforced the application of such views with great skill and effect. Instances illustrative of this propensity, may be seen in his Baccalaureate addresses, which, from the nature of the occasion not admitting of extended discussion, required of him, in order to produce the effect designed, to adopt a style of composition at once concise and energetic. He often condenses a train of argument into a single sentence, and even a single expression. In the writings of few of the present day can there be found, within the same compass, more passages, which contain great elementary principles, expressed with the sententious brevity of ancient

wisdom.

This tendency of his mind to form simple, philosophical views, or, in other words, to generalize, enabled him, beyond most men, to give an air of novelty to the most common topics. The reader may be referred for illustration, to his remarks on profaneness, in the lecture on "the Dangers of a College life and its security," and to those on Independence of Character, and on the Essential Difference of Moral actions. "The secret was, not the color he threw upon subjects, but the powerful light he sent through them. His was the originality, so different from that which frequently bears the name, that was indebted, not to the efforts of an inventive imagination, but to the severity, with which it was restrained; that consisted, not in creating specious combinations, but in dissolving them. Its effect was, not surprize, but conviction; not a splendid confusion of ideas, but thoughts reduced to order and cleared from obscurity."

It remains simply to remark on the point we are now considering, that if the degree in which men influence the minds of others is a proof of original power, Pres. Appleton possessed it in large measure. The success with which he moulded the minds of his pupils, has been already mentioned; and few men of retired habits of life, by personal efforts or by their writings, have done more than he, to swell that tide of influence which flows to refresh and bless the moral world.

Another characteristic trait of Dr. Appleton's understanding was its clearness. His mental processes were, in a remarkable degree, unclouded. He was never satisfied with imperfect, or ill-defined conceptions. He could keep steadily in view a train of thought, and survey it in all its bearings. He was accustomed thus to meditate thoroughly a subject, on which he proposed to write, a practice which he used to recommend strongly to his pupils; and after he had arranged his thoughts, he not unfrequently wrote page after page with but few erasures. How well he succeeded in communicating what was clear in his own mind with perspicuity and force to the minds of others, is well known. It may be said with strict truth, that he would never speak, unless he perceived precisely the thought he wished to convey. To this precision both of thought and language, his habits of metaphysical abstraction contributed much. Mr. Stewart, in his valuable essay on the varieties of intellectual character, remarks, that " perhaps the most valuable fruit, individuals, who are habitually occupied with metaphysical studies, derive from their researches, is that scrupulous precision in the use of language, upon which, more than upon any one circumstance whatever, the logical accuracy of our reasonings, and the justness of our conclusions, essentially depend." The language of Dr. Appleton, for clear, nervous expression of thought, challenges comparison with that of any writer.

To those who were not acquainted with him, it might appear, that his powers of acquisition were not preeminent. Such an impression, doubtless, arose in part from the entire absence in him of all love of display. His self respect and elevation of character rendered him incapable of cherishing a vain-glorious spirit. This impression arose also, in part, from his habitual circumspection in receiving facts, or adopting opinions. But it is perfectly consistent with the deductions of mental philosophy to suppose, that his mind did not advance to conclusions with the rapidity of most others; not because he was slow to perceive, but because he was never passive in receiving knowledge. The cast of his intellect led him to discover relations which es

cape the notice of ordinary minds. Another remark of Mr. Stewart may with justice be applied to him. "They who are possessed of much acuteness and originality, enter with difficulty into the views of others; not from any defect in their powers of apprehension, but because they cannot adopt opinions, which they have not examined; and because their attention is often seduced by their own speculations." (Elements, Chap. 6. S. 8.) He was, in fine, not so much a man of particular facts, as of general principles. Those who were favored with an opportunity of observing the operations of his mind, must be struck with the felicity and justness of the expression applied to him in the Sketch, that his "grasp of truth was equally cautious and energetic." It must not, however, be understood, that there was any deficiency in his powers of acquisition. His various and extensive learning is altogether inconsistent with such a supposition.

He was a man of independent thought. The progress of his opinions on the various subjects, which he mastered in theology, moral and intellectual philosophy, and criticism, if we may judge of the whole from what is known of a part, would show, that though he ever manifested a sincere respect for the honored names that have adorned learning and religion, he was independent of any authority, except that of truth. His independence, however, did not degenerate into a spirit of bold, daring speculation, itself perhaps, not unfrequently, the consequence, if not the indication, of a want of true independence. He knew the limits of the human understanding, and did not venture on airy wings to pass beyond. His keen eye penetrated the region of misty doubt and error, and he steadfastly gazed, until the fair form of truth was revealed to his delighted vision. When once he was convinced, that he had rightly interpreted her dictates, whether in relation to speculation or conduct, nothing could induce him to disregard them. Fearless of consequences when the light of truth beamed upon his path, it was only where his way was buried in darkness, that he was known to hesitate or waver. Nor did he cherish, in the

least, that pride of reason, which, not unfrequently, exalts itself above the revealed will of God. His reverence for the truths of revelation, and his cheerful submission to their authority, were pre-eminent.

As has been already intimated, when he settled in the ministry, there were some topics in theology, on which he appears not to have formed fixed opinions; a circumstance, in his case, surely creditable to his freedom from the shackles of system, as well as to his conscientious regard for truth. He knew the power of truth and his own strength well enough, to trust himself to canvass opinions differing from his own. It has been remarked of him with force and justice," that on certain points, in regard to which others have imagined, that they saw clearly, and were authorized to speak positively, he was far more cautious and doubtful. He knew so much about them, as to know how little can be known." His correspondence, his communications to the religious periodicals of the time, and, most of all, his private papers, show that for years he bestowed upon these subjects diligent and prayerful study. Indeed his vigorous, untiring pursuit of truth ended only with life. These well known traits of his intellectual character add great weight to his opinions. We cannot but receive them, as the result of most careful investigation and patient thought, and may reasonably claim for them the highest respect bestowed on human authority.

Says a distinguished divine,* with whom he was from his college days on terms of free and intimate friendship, "He was, as I have supposed through life, an ardent and indefatigable student; ever pursuing truth through all her haunts, and though not a revolutionist in science, ever opening his candid and ca

* Rev. Dr. Dana of Newburyport, Mass.

The writer, having heard that high commendation had been repeatedly and publicly bestowed in the Seminary at Andover on the Lectures of Pres. Appleton, especially those on the Demoniacs of the New Testament, addressed a note to Prof. Stuart, to ascertain how far this was the case. He is happy in being able to introduce the following testimonial, from such a source, to the value of the Lectures