Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-03-14


i placed, would not be understood as bam-
ing them. would do the same in their
circumstances; but after all, it exerts bad
influence upon them. If appearances have
not greatly deceived rue, the tendency of
this mode Of life is, to make one unsocial,
ascetlc and misanthropic. Many things in
retired life have this tendency but STU
dents for the ministry especially ought TO
guard against such influences. Living
mostly by themselves, as such students
must, and coming but seldom into social
circles Of ladies and gentlemen, there is
danger of their becoming little careless of
their persons and appearance. In fact,
their situation prevents the cultivation of
their social powers, and such habits as they
will need in after life. All they can know
Of the world is what they see in the retired
walks Of an Academy or College. How
poorly prepared must they be to act in pub
lie! Would you train man in cellar for
military service? Would you afford him
no associates but few worn books, TO give
him skill in marshalling dn army? Com
mon sense revolts al the idea. He must
! deal with men, and with students. He
must know what kind o. natures and dis
positions he has TO do with. In short, he
must be thoroughly qualified for warrior.
No pains, nor expense may be spared in
giving him the most consummate skill in
the foul art Of human butchery but stu
dent for the ministry, forsooth, must be
prudent, must b. economical Economical
in what? Why, in the use Of money, Of
course. Yes, he must live on salt and po-
laloes, 10 save money. He must spend
precious time 10 save money. He must
wear ragged clothes and go cold, to save
moneu. He must live in a cell, and remain
as ignorant Of men and manners as monk,
10 save money. If he happens 10 be away
from home few hours, he must go hungry
or beg, 10 save money. He must never
give anything TO benevolent objects; he
must let all feelings of benevolence and
philanthropy become extinct, he must walk
wherever he goes, sick or we'll, lame or not.
Yes, he must wear his life out piece by
piece, and all this to sdre money. And
vet, if he does not come before the world
an accomplished gentleman, and profound
scholar, he is set down very unprom-
isiug young man. Upon such economy
must be allowed to pass one solid sentence
Of condemnation. My soul hates it.
k And this is not all. This whole scrimp.
e ing policy has a tendency to make a student
Y feel ashamed Of himself; especially when
= he has just aid enough to give him the
7, idea Of being on charity, without being able
to acI like man. He would be glad to be
generous, but he is like man in "boys
}; Clothes" Strengthened and confined, having
few dollars dealt out to him quarterly, fo
u which he gives his note; but he can scarce
u ly pocket it, before some sharp-eyed credto
catching lance OF him, very kindly &C
costs him with chow do you ?" and
-, "would it be convenient for you TO pay jus
&c that little now am rery much in want O
= money just now, or would not trouble yC'
at this time" In this way "that litte' j
&c very soon out of his pocket, and he find
g himself again pauper at large, without
|" cent left Now he must skulk and bIus
- every time he might be expected TO conltit
IL ute four-penny bit to any benevolent objec
III till another quarter comes round, when b
" goes through the same ceremonies as before
y" In such circumstances, a student will fee
d. meanly; he will be mean; it cannot b
y" otherwise. A necessity is laid upon hi
ar comp ling him to it. He would not do S
w 10 different circumstances; others would
le- so iu his circumstances. 1t is lot, there
'e' fore, so much his fault, as his misiortun
d. that he does so; but SO ii is, and so 1t WI
tu- be as long as students are surrounded b
lat such influences.
40 Far be it from me to draw any invidiou
NC comparisons between students and 9TH
ur- young men,-lor do not think, conslde
to ing their circumstances, that they wou
ere suffer at all by comparison with Others
- Take young man of property, strip him
Eat all, and place him on the same level IN tn
lin; respect with the student, and you wou
n, doubtless see sorry face. He would
md be- able 10 evince so much fortiiude as ST
TVS dents often DO. And il is vain TO say,
i'm some do, that pious students need not p
ave any regard to public opinion, nor conce
If themselves about the manners OF men
,wn Public opinion will influence men,