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could say of his Master, "whose I am, and whom I serve.”

Does not this little history suggest a word of caution and of exhortation to some of our young men shut up in colleges and other seats of education; whose conduct we highly approve, and of whose character we are led to entertain the most favourable expectations? Let them inquire, whether their governing principle from which this steady and approved conduct results, be indeed that of the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. It may be, that entire change of heart, which is declared necessary in all men, has not yet taken place in you! The obedience we approve may not yet be evangelical obedience; a pure, uniform, and consistent conduct, originating from the fundamental principles of God's word. Rest not, till you have attained to this!

The manner in which this change of heart was effected is also instructive. We need not ask who was its author: the work itself declares him. But in Mr. Robinson's case, God evidently saw fit to work gradually, leading him by slow and deliberate search to the perception and obedience of his truth.

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Humanly speaking, he owed much to books and to men; to his own diligence and wellformed habits; to his solid judgment, and to his firm integrity.

"To him that order

eth his conversation right, I will show the salvation of God." Let my young friends be good stewards of their time; let them carefully avoid idle companions and frivolous conversation; let them study their Bible and other devotional books, in conjunction with their academical occupations; and they too shall inherit a blessing!

I have thought it important thus to trace the progress of Mr. Robinson's mind in the establishment of his religious character, both as a just subject of curious inquiry, and as furnishing remarks for general improvement. But, whatever might be the precise history of its formation, the existence of a living principle of godliness in his soul was from this period made abundantly manifest. This principle was not in him "a candle put under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gave light unto all that were in the house" shining forth, with an uniform and equable lustre, in his whole conduct public and private. It was his habit to study a

portion of the Greek Testament every day, not as a critical but devotional exercise. I from the par

conclude what his custom was, ticular directions which he gave me on this subject, when I first went to college. "Reserve half an hour at your rising," said he, " for this purpose. Read a few verses with close practical application to your own case and conscience. • What do I learn from this? How far have I observed this? How sadly I am condemned by this! What matter of thankfulness and joy is here!' When you have done with reading, pray over the passage." I have little doubt that his skill and success in conducting family worship, (which was one of his best performances,) arose ultimately from this habit. He usually kept some devotional book on his table, in which he read a few pages occasionally, at different parts of the day, as he might find a quarter of an hour to spare. So early had he learned the lesson of husbanding his moments; a lesson, which few, if any, have ever learned better. Our young people in schools and colleges will do well to take a hint from this practice, by which to improve an odd five minutes. We have cause to be

thankful, that our own language supplies us with many excellent volumes, which may be read with particular profit in such short portions.

But it was by the diligent and wise use of his sabbaths, more than by any other habit singly considered, that Mr. Robinson ́obtained his richness of spiritual knowledge. He constantly attended the prayers read twice a day in the college chapel, and on Sundays went also twice to the university church; sometimes attending at Dr. Ogden's church in preference to the morning sermon at St. Mary's, but inore generally in conjunction with it. He was so fortunate as to hear some of the Doctor's excellent Sermons on Prayer, which were afterwards published; and he was much pleased with his peculiarly earnest manner of preaching. I have heard him say, that the Doctor was very unequal in his discourses; some were careless and had but little in them. But they could generally depend upon having an excellent sermon once a month, on the Sacrament Sunday. He could imitate the Doctor very successfully, both in his voice and in the butting motion of his head.

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His friend Dr. Jobson usually spent the

Sunday evening with him, accompanied by one or two more of his pious friends. Mr. Robinson's garret was their chapel, in which he for the most part led their devotions himself; offering up fervent prayer to God, that he would be pleased to direct and bless them in their studies, and that these might be sanctified to the setting forth of his glory. They reviewed the sermons of the day; a portion of the Greek Testament was read and explained; and, when their devotions were finished, they indulged for a short time

in easy conversation upon serious subjects. To prevent interruptions, the outer door of the little garret was locked.

How truly did this good young man remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy! How would this habit fan and feed the tranquil flame of piety, which he diligently kept alive during his six days of labour! Thus early had he learned to “take heed how he heard;" so as to profit by the religious instruction, administered to him, and to lay it up, for the future edification of others. Thus effectually did he train himself to become an Apollos mighty in the scriptures; "a perfect man of God, tho

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