Year: 1873

yet, to a great extent, we are what we
make urselves--what we choose TO
be. Unfavorable circumstances may
prevent the developement Of our
brightest powers; bat If we possess
the spirit Of true greatness of real
manhood or womanhood, we will not
want for opportunity. II we but go
forward. the sea or the desert will be
alike our safe highway. The gunrdi-
an hand that holds tho stars will at
tend us; His cloud will shelter us by
way His pillar Of FIRE will light our
dark path by night.


Do not choose the world. Do not
become like the thoughlless and un-
cultivated of your sex too often do
the mere butterflies Of fashion. The
world is chosen. Mammon il wor.
shipped in thousand different forms.
Few are SO sordid as Pollock's Miser;
Few love the yellow dust
for It's own sake, and clutch their
boarded stores, and with the dust in
animate hold welded intercourse.
Yet there is still god Of this world
and Mammon is SO served that the
living God who made US is forgotten.
The mere desire-the longing wish Of
even the poor 30! that had wealth,
that might live in ease and luxury;
that might enjoy The ease and splen-
dor of others see around mel" is the
covetousness which is idolatryl Your
intellectual and moral culture may be
considered q sufficient safeguard
against the grosser forms Of worldli.
ness, the mere love Of wealth, or sen.
sual appetite; but, 0, be on your
guard, even against ihe most refined
forms Of mere worldly ambition, for
IL such be your course you will surely
find il vanity and vexation of spirit
Show ty your example that tho men,
tai and moral culture OF our liberal
system of education 10 at least n
pledge, an assurance, that you will
not live for the world III It's grossest
forms. The ambition of fame, Of
mere intellectual enjoyment, may be
Of nobler kind than that of the miser,
but il is no less worldly.


2d. Consider your course Of life to
be for others. Your course of in
struction here has not been as q mere
accomplishment for yourselves. Col
leges and Seminaries are founded and
supported by religious bodies for
higher ends than merely 10 add few
accomplishments 10 the privileged
ones who may enjoy the benefit of
their course of instruction. The
church, by her work Of education. pro.
poses to snbserve the purpose of her
organization-the evangelization OF
the world This may not be tho di.
rect work Of all who shall 60 forth as
the graduates of this, or any other
Seminary of learning, and yet il
should he their real work-their LIES
course which they are TO finish You
may think it the work Of the Ministry,
as our Saviour's special ambassadors,
10 convert the world; hut il il every
christians work. Even the humblcsi
can work in the vineyard, and especial.
ly IL il the work OF the refined and
educated of our land. What the
church sho1ld be in her triumphs in
future ages no one can conceive.
But she will. in q great measure, be
what her sons and daughters under
God shall make her. To convert the
world TO God is my work; il is your
work it is the work OF every mem
Der of the household Of faith; yes. j,
is Gods work. and we are all fellow
laborers with God. Choose then TO
work for God-to work with God.


Sd. Let your course of life, which
is still before you, correspond with
the course which you have now com
pleted. Choose o life of continued
mental activity, and do not think tha,
you are now absolved from all
thought. Let not the talent already
received lie rusting in the napkin, bu,
60 on in endless growth. Your course
may be cut short; you may attain but
little; but IL is not the length of O
course that gains the prize, but il.
successful completion. II is not the
amount we do for Col that 10 any
thing, for the best really do nothing
nothing efficiently. nothing in merit
but il is the spirit with which We do
the completion Of our assigned task
which will be the question at the great
final examination. The christian life
should have the beauty of complete.
ness, the polish OF the finished work
! Such il is always presented to us in
the word OF God. II is the foolish
wording that builds the unfinished
tower, that half runs his race, that
carries the oilless lamp. Our Saviour
himself finished the work which was
given him to do; the apostle finished
his COURSE" all the hero worthless ot
the Old Testamcnt died in faith, and SC
should all true children of God, &c
on in every good work. You rejoics
in having finished course OF liberal
education; your friends congratulate
you in your acquisition of academic
honors. Bnt 60 on; as we trust yor
have begun christian life; so, finish
your course and angels will rejoice
God himself will say well done.


| You may consider perhaps with
vanity, your record Of. the first te
finish your course in Albany Collegl
ate Institute, a distinction. To have
your names head grand list which
we trust is to follow in future years
as this Institution. supported by The
liberality of our community, and en-
joying the fostering care of the Pres


byterian Church, shall increase II
usefulness, and send abroad many tc
! represent it in the world. Bat such
distinction, yea! every earthly dis
tinction, sinks into absolute insig
nificance when we compare it will