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COHMKlIOltATFTi: ORAVIOlVr
J)ELIVEREI> AT iriK
FOURTEENTH ENCiENIA
IN
KING'S COLLEGE, FREDERTCTON,
June '27, 1841,
BY
13»^WIT¥ JACtm, ». »., TICK ntJBSmjEWT.
. I
FHEDERICTON:
JOHN SIMPSON, I'lUNfEH TO THK QUEEN's MOST KXCKLl.KNT AlAltslV.
I8H.
•1
In
TO HIS EXCELLENCY
•IR 1VIKI.IAM M ACDEASr OEOR«E COI^EBROOKK, K.U.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF NEW BRUNSWICK,
AND
CHANCELLOR OF ITS UNIVERSITY,
THE FOLLOWINO
OlftAVIOlV,
PRINTED AT 1110 EXCKLI.KNCY S DESIRE,
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED;
In testimony of the Author's grateful sense of the enlightened atd comprehen-
sive benevolence evinced by his exertions for the improvement of the
People committed to his charge.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Author thinks it right to remark, that in revising the
following Oration for the press, he has substituted or inserted a
few explanatory words, for the purpose of removing any ambiguity
or obscurity which might attach to too great conciaenesi of
expression.
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C0319I£]IIORATIVX: ORATIOIf.
The Commemoration of Benefactors arises from the
primary obligations of morality. Since universal justice
consists in rendering to every one his due, we are
manifestly under obligation to those who have contri-
buted to our good. But an actual return of the benefit
received being in very many instances impracticable,
what compensation shall we then make, but that which
the grateful heart has always at command — the just
acknowledgment of honor and praise ? Such is a large
part of our duty towards God ; such is the constant
expression of filial piety ; and such a tribute we un-
doubtedly owe to those representatives and instruments
of the Divine Benevolence, who, by the institution and
support of this College, have in not a low degree pro-
vided for our welfare.
To all persons therefore to whom we are so indebted
— to Princes and their Ministers, who, by the grant
of a Royal Charter and Endowment, have here dis-
covered their regard for the highest interests of their
subjects ; to Governors and those of their Council who
recommended, promoted, or executed the patriotic de-
sign ; to Legislators, Members of our own Council, and
other Officers of the establishment ; to those who by
the foundation of Medals and Scholarships, or by con-
tributions to our Library, have displayed their munifi-
cence or shewn their good will ; — to all these, whether
removed to the world of hope and retribution, or still
for a little while remaining on this earth, be the homage
of our grateful memories duly paid !
6
These, liowever, our Founders and Benefactors, and
the deeds by which lliey estabhshed tlieir title to our
gratitud{>, Ir.ive all been c(;lebrated on former occa-
sions ; and cannot bnt be familiarly remembered by
most of those whom I address. Whence then (for I
am not aware of any remarkable benefaction diwing the
past year) shall I take the topics of my discourse P Shall
I, as has been sometimes done, expatiate on the value
of knowhMJijc, and point out the excellencies of an
Academical education!* Shall I enter again into the
question of means, and propose to demonstrate the wis-
dom and propriety of our Collegiate organization ? Or
shall I proclaim the merits of those who have {laboured^
can I say? at least, have) distinguished themselves by
their attempts to amend its attributed errors ? I must
confess my disinclination for any one of these under-
takings. The first were evidently siipertluous ; the
second, perhaps, not altogether accordant with sincerity ;
for the last — were my duty on this occasion less posi-
tively prescribed, and could I feel myself at liberty to
assume the oiiice and licence of the noet, I might require
scarcely a farther incitement than the inconsistency
■which has characterized some of the proceedings for the
amendment of the Cliarter ; like the burning Roman, I
might be satisfied to refer to the irresistible provocation
of notorious facts, and consider it a sufficient apology
to sav —
" Si natura negat, facit indignatio versum."
\
Declining these topics, therefore, I beg leave to pre-
sent you a few observations on the great object which
our Charter first proposes to the enquiry and pursuit of
this whole University ; namely, " The Christian
Religion." For in " the principles" of this Religion,
before all other subjects of literature and of science, that'
fundamental law of our institution prescribes that the
youih of the Province should be here instructed. And,
as a great variety of views is known to prevail on this
important subject, it can hardly be deemed inapj)ropriate
if I briefly set before you the method by which, in my
own jud«i;ment at least, we may hope to lead our scholars
to that which shall be the nearest approximation to the
truth.
What then is the Christian Reli<rion ? How shall we
ascertain its principles P And where shall we find the
best representation of the system P
Now, whatever other difTcrences or difficulties may
present themselves, no reasonable doubt can be enter-
tained concerning the actual and immediate origin of
our Religion. For, althougii Rabbinical writers, from
an almost incredible ignorance of chronology, have
ref.^rred it to a somewhat earlier era, the historical evi-
dence is perfectly conclusive that its Author, appearing
in Judea in the age of the llerods, sutl'ered death at
Jerusalem under the government of Pontius Pilatus.
In this fact all Christians have constantly agreed ; as it
is indeed sufficiently attested by the Roman writings of
Tacitus and Suetonius. In tb.at age then and country
Jesus of Nazareth first taught the doctrine, which his
Galilean disciples afterwards proclaimed and promul-
gated ; and which, in the course of a few years, was
embraced by multitudes in almost every part of the vast
Roman Empire, co-extensive as it was with the then
civilized world.
Thus much is incontrovertible. But when we proceed
to enquire after the doctrine itself, we encounter a
remarkable paradox ; — of this doctrine, thus rapidly and
widely communicated, not a word was committed to
writing by the hand of the Author : whatever reason
may be assigned, whatever inferences be imagined to
follow, Jrsns himself wrote ??o/- -imiess it were that sen-
tence inscribed upon the ground, the characters of which
1 know not that any man ever undertook to decypher :
no laws, no commentaries, no golden verses, nothing
but a letter of a few words (the invention, probably, of
a later age — although certainly found by Eusebius in
the archives of Edessa, and received as genuine by
many of equal learning and judgment ;) nothing more
than this doubtful reply to the application of King
Abgarus, has ever been ascribed to his pen.
Let it not however be hastily concluded that the na-
ture of his doctrine must therefore be uncertain. Pytha-
goras, the venerable father of Grecian philosophy, and
Socrates, its admirable moral reformer, committed not
their thoughts to written monuments ; yet little doubt is
entertained respecting the principal opinions of Pytha-
goras ; and with Socrates the historical s»,udent feels
himself as well acquainted as if he had lived in our days
and taught in our schools. And why ? Because the
disciples of those superior men recorded their instruc-
tions ; and these records, preserved and acknowledged
by their followers, have, either in whole or in part,
descended to our time and fallen into our own hands.
In the case of Socrates especially, the scholar is per-
fectly assured ; because, under tlie liands of Xenophon
and Plato, he possesses authentic memoirs of his con-
versation, with a defence of his character ; the truth of
which no man calls in question. Why then should any
question be raised concerning the doctrine of the blessed
Jesus, of which tlie writings of his disciples contain
more abundant and assuring testimonies.'^ We have in
the volume which all Christians hold sacred, four distinct
memoirs of the actions and discourse of Jesus, bearing
every mark of authenticity and love of truth ; two of
9
them from the pens of his constant attendants ; one
apparently written at a very early time, the other to-
wards the end of a lon<^ and holy life ; a third to all
appearance from a dili<5ent attendant, at least, on the
Apostles ; and the fourth professedly collected from the
several concurring narratives of those who had been
eye-witnesses and ministers of the Autlior of the Gospel.
We have also from the pen of tins last describ(!d ICvan-
gelist a continuation of the narrative for a considerable
series of years, exhibiting the progress of Christianity
until it had reached Rome, the capital of the world ;
together with a collection of Apostolic letters, and a book
of awful admonition and prediction : all clearly concur-
ring to attest the views of Divine truth actually embraced
and universally communicated by the immediate disci-
ples of Jesus Christ.
The question however arises, — Do these writings,
authentic and valuable as they are, contain the whole of
those views i' Might there not have been other writings
from the same pens, or other primitive writers ? Or
might not the Apostles, like their great Master, have
taught much by oral discourse, which no pen of that age
ever recorded ? — And it must indeed be acknowledged
that a number of writings, professedly of the earliest
age, has been collected by the learned industry of Fabri-
cius ; while oral tradition is asserted as the channel of
many instructions which some Christians, those of the
Roman communion more especially, maintain to have
descended from the primitive propagators of the Catholic
faith.
But it has been satisfactorily proved, more particularly
by the researches of the indefatigable Lardner, that no
books, other than those which are now termed Canonical,
ever obtained general reception as authentic records of
10
[ r
the first age of Christianity : while, with regard to these
books, it is fs certainly demonstrated that most of them
were, from the ostensible dates of their publication^
received with undoubting confidence and veneration by
the great body of Christians throughout the several
countries of the world. And as to oral tradition, although
it is obvious and undeniable that the doctrine of our
holy Religion was thus taught in the first instance, not
by Jesus himself only, but by all his Apostles ; and
although much might, or indeed must, have been said
bv him and them which could never have been com-
mitted to writing : it is however in the highest degree
improbable that any thing accounted of great and gene-
ral importance among Christians, any fundamental or
essential part of our Religion should have escaped all
notice in the several memoirs of Christ ; in the Acts of
the Apostles ; in their Epistles to various churches, to
official and private persons, and to widelv-spread multi-
tudes of Christians ; and, finally, in the " faithful and
true" testimony of " the Revelation of Jesus Christ."
Highly interesting therefore as is the subsequent his-
tory of the Church dispersed throughout the world, and
solicitous as on many other accounts we may justly be
to discover the sentiments of Christians who lived in
succeeding times — whether individually or collectively
expressed ; in the works of a Justin, an Irenseus, a Ter-
tullian ; or in the Creeds and Canons of Councils : still
it is not in these, in any or all of these, that I could look
for the original and unquestionable " principles of the
Christian Religion." With far better reason, I conceive,
should we first endeavour to ascertain such principles,
as they stand recorded in the sacred pages of the New
Testament ; and then proceed, with Mosheim, or Milner, ,
or Jeffery, to trace the s.ubsequent history of these prin-
ciples — their maintenance or loss, prevalence or decline,
i
11
preservation in primitive purity or corruption by foreign
admixtures, as the facts may prove to have been, in the
all-changing revolutions of time.
But although the intrinsic principles of Christianity
are thus to be ascertained, when or where, it might be
asked, was the system completed ? What shall we
take for a perfect exemplar of the Religion of Jesus the
Christ ?
And here it is that the great difference^ appear among
Christian denominations. Some suppose that the several
primitive congregations, as collected and taught by the
Apostles, must from their first formation have possessed
all tliat could be essential to Christian faith and life.
Some, while hardly questioning this assumption, con-
sider that state of the churches more advanced towards
perfection, in which the Apostles left them at the con-
clusion of their ministry. Some, again, appear to regard
" the Spirit of Truth" as remaining in the general
Church, and directing the main body of believers, until
the establishment of the Christian Religion by the laws
of the Roman Empire. Others maintain that this Reli-
gion could not attain its maturity until the plenary
developement of (Ecumenical, Patriarchal, or Papal
authority. And others discover a natural predilection
for some of the numerous modifications which have fol-
lowed the dismemberment or dissolution of the Imperial
body. While not a few, nor possibly the least enlight-
ened, investigators of Divine truth, extend their view
through and over all these forms of our Religion, to a
far more perfect state — a holier city, temple and king-
dom yet to come.
Which of these theories the unprejudiced enquirer
ought to adopt, is confessedly a question of deep im-
. 1
12
portance ; nor would it be consistent with modesty to
pretend that arguments of great apparent force may not
be adduced in support of each. Into these arguments,
of course, I cannot now enter ; but (it may perhaps be
permitted me, with somewhat of an Eclectic spirit, to
observe) I know not how to doubt that, wherever an
Apostle of Christ preached the Gospel and formed a
church, there he must have taught all which he then
considered essential to the salvation of everv individual
member of that church ; — that whatever in process of
time " it seemed good (to use the language of the first
and only Apostolic Council) to the Holy Ghost and to"
these his prophets and agents, to institute as expedient,
or enjoin as necessary, that — were Christians in similar
circumstances — must be expedient or necessary still ; —
that peculiar veneration and deference, although cer-
tainly not implicit submission, are due to the judgment
and example of those who were content to lose and to
suffer for their conscientious profession of their Christian
faith ; — that in every community professing that faith —
state, kingdom, or empire — great must naturally and
properly have been the dignity and authority of the
chief or metropolitan pastor, and greater still those of
the accredited representatives of the whole Christian
people ; — and, lastly, that a complete fulfilment of the
prophetic representations of the Messiah's kingdom re-
quires a spiritual and moral renovation far surpassing
the past or present attainments of the Christian Church.
But, with all these acknowledgments and concessions,
at what conclusion have I arrived P At none in the
slightest degree at variance with the comprehensive
proposition of the irrefutable Chillingworth, that " the
Bible, the Bible only, is the Religion of P*ro-
TESTANTs." For most cordially can I acquiesce in the
striking remarks of another clear and powerful writer,
T
1
13
that " the question so much agitated in regard to the
original form of government is by no means of that con-
sequence which warm disputants, misled by party pre-
judices and intemperate zeal, would affect to make it.
To me (as Campbell, whom I quote with some abridg-
ment, proceeds to declare) nothing is more evident,
than that the essence of Christianity, abstractedly con-
sidered, consists in the system of doctrines and duties
revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ ; and that the essence
of the Christian character consists in the belief of the one
and the obedience of the other. Not but that a certain
external model of government must have been originally
adopted for the more effectual preservation of the evan-
gelical institution in its native purity, and for the careful
transmiision of it to after ages. Not but that a pre-
sumptuous encroachment on what is evidently so insti-
tuted, is justly reprehensible in such as are properly
chargeable with such encroachment. But the repre-
hension can affect those only who are conscious of the
guilt ; for the fault of another will never frustrate to me
the Divine promise given by the Messiah, the great
interpreter of the Father, * the faithful and true witness.*
I may be deceived (the single-hearted believer might
say) in regard to the pretensions of a minister : I am
no antiquary ; and may not have either the knowledge
or the capacity necessary for tracing the faint outlines
of ancient establishments, for entering into dark and
critical questions about the import of names and titles,
or for examining the authenticity of endless genealogies ;
but I may have all the evidence which consciousness
can give, that I thankfully receive the testimony of
Christ, whom I believe, and love, and serve. If I can-
not know this, the declarations of the Gospel are given
me to no purpose ; its promises are no better than rid^
dies ; and a rule of life is a dream. But if I may be
ccascious of this, and if the Christian Religion be a
14
revelation from heaven, I may have all the security
which the veracity of God can give me that I shall
obtain eternal life."
With these fundamental axioms firmly established,
we, who are enabled by Divine Providence to pursue
such investigations, may proceed in steady confidence
to the study of the New Testament. We call in the
aids of contemporary or analogous literature, Hebrew,
Greek and Latin, to explain obscure or doubtful expres-
sions. We place ourselves in well-informed and regu-
lated imagination amidst the scenes and inhabitants of
the then present world ; and reler, as did the Divine
speaker and the sacred writers, to the memorials of
former dispensations, and to the state and history of
mankind. We follow the streams of " living water," as
they diverge through various countries, and continue to
descend during the course of ages ; and we joyfully
anticipate their clearance from contracted impurities,
and the diffusion of their blessings over the still thirsty
and barren regions of the earth. We apply our Chris-
tian knowledge to ourselves — to our own time and place,
country and church; and endeavour to prepare ourselves
for the faithful and effective discharge of our own duties,
and the realization of our temporal and immortal hopes.
Is it a groundless or unwarrantable persuasion that,
should the youth repairing hither for education be thus
instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion,
this College would be likely to fulfil the declared inten-
tions of its Founders, in contributing to the good — the
truest and highest good — of the Province ? Thus sanc-
tified by the unction of Divine " grace and truth," all
their other attainments in literature and in science might
be expected to be employed in the best manner, and
directed to the happiest ends. The Clergyman, I need
15
scarcely say, would thus be prepared for the beneficial
discharge of his most important duties ; firm in faith,
clear and sound in doctrine, zealous for holiness and
virtue, and at the same time candid and charitable
towards all men. The Civilian, to whatever profession
or occupation destined, having the principles of true
religion, comprising or enjoining all moral duty, im-
planted in his mind, would be disposed to exert his
various talents as the servant and steward of the Lord
of all ; for the health, wealth and comfort, the present
and the future welfare of his fellow-men. All over
whom the influence of this institution might prevail, no
longer exposed to be " carried about by every blast of
vain doctrine," would be " established in the truth of
Christ's holy Gospel ;" and, justly appreciating their
position and relations, would respect their neighbour's
rights, bear with his prejudices, errors and infirmities,
and cheerfully contribute to the general good.
Such, according to my humble but considerate and
settled opinion, is the proper office and duty of our
College ; to the full performance of which I trust that
all its Officers will with advancing years be found yet
more and more devoted ; accomplishing, to the best of
their judgment and the utmost of their ability, the design
of our Founders and Benefactors ; and enjoying, in the
reflections of a good conscience, the hope that they will
not have laboured in vain.