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Les diagrammes suivants iiiustrent la m^thode. rrata to pelure. 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 ^ 6 AN INAlIGfJUAL ADDRESS, X'- \delive'reb "■'■ r^.: AT THE OPENING wnut WESLEYAN ACADEMY, SACKVILLE, NEW-BRUNSWICK. BV THE PRINCIPAL, THE RET. U. PICKARD, A. HI. |)uliIfs!)eT> l)ji Ycquest of t|)c (tommfttec. SAINT JOHN: PRINTED HY HE^fRY CHUBH & CO, r<=3 oil i! INAUGURAL ADDRESS. We have assembled tOKlay on no ordinary occasion, and for the atlvancement of ao common-place object. The cir- cumstances under which we here meet are highly interesting, and need neither the creations of imagination nor the embellishments of oratory to swell them into importance in the estimation of any thoughtful observer. These services, introductory to our Academical exercises, are linked widi a chain of events extending far into the history of past yeara. A real succession in these may be traced from this occasion back at least to the time when the Wesleys were receiving their education at Oxford, And they will be not less intimately connected with years, events, and influences extending far on into the future. — We believe that a chain of dependent events will run from this hour along the course of human existence to the end of time — nay, far— very far-— beyond this, amidst the ever- lasting realities of another world. For these services, and the contemplated succeeding exercises, are designed to affect those who are destined to immortality. I feel that I am highly honoured in being called as I am to the important office, into which I am now formally to enter. I know that responsibility and duties are connected with jt, which one far bcHcr fiiinjified ihsii I am niiplit XHAlJGUflAL AI>T>UES3. tremble to assume ; but when I dedicuted myself to Ci'orl, for his service in the Church and the worKl, it was with the determination to obey unhesitatingly every call which He might make upon me, fearlessly leaving the issue to Him ; and as my call to this office seems to me evidently providential, I most cheerfully enter it, humbly but confi- dently depending upon God for assistance in the discharge of its duties. But I shall retire from it with at least equal cheerfulness, as soon as it may appear that the interests of the Institution will be promoted by my withdrawal,— In the meanwhile, I shall exert myself to the utmost to promote its prosperity and meet the expectations of the public, happy that I am allowed thus early to identify myself with an enterprise which designs and promises the accomplishment of so much permanent good. We see that the work to be done ie one in which riper scholarship, greater tact, and more experienced skill might be well employed ; but looking at the glorious importance of the object for which we are to labour, we rejoice in our calling. The subject which now claims our special notice is one which is receiving much attention throughout the civilized world. Its importance is beginning to be acknowledged by all classes in society. The thoughts of the peasant and the prince, the philosopher and the Christian, the statesman and the divine, are anxiously employed in its consideration. It is now generally acknowledged that any plan designed to elevate the human race which does not practically recog- nize its importance is fatally deficient, whether religious, or philosophically benevolent, or political motives, may have prompted the formation of that plan. And it is well for the world that this truth is at length understood. Too much thought cannot be given to such a subject. There is not the least danger of its exciting an undue degree of public solicitude. Much — very much — is yet to be done before its importance will be fully seen and felt. Monstrous misconceptions of the nature, design, and influences of education have been begotten and cherished by ignorance, in many minds, every one of which is to be removed ;— mmm'&tm' adduess. ft was with call whicli 5 issue to evidently but confi- (lischarge east equal e interests idrawal.— utmost to ins of the o identify )mises the e see (hat :hoIarship, t be well rtance of ce in our ice 18 one e civilized lowlcdged ;asant and statesman sideratioii. I designed illy recog- religious, may have i well for •od. Too :t. There le degree 3 be done Monstrous uences of ignorance, moved ; — prejudices so strong as to be almost invincible are to be subdued ; and selfish avaricious indifierencc is to be trans- formed into anxious self-sacrificing interest, — ere that gene- rous-hearted sympathy and support, which is demanded by the wants of the world, will be universally rendered to this cauae. Nature, Providence, and Revelation all unite in unequivo- cally declaring the value and necessity of right education. Man's nature, situation and prospects imperatively demand that it should be given to him, and given to him in liberal measure. Ills efliciency, rank, and influence, to a very great extent, depend upon his education, and it is so by the arrangement — iticrctfut aod wise— of our great Creator. Thift world has been formed by God as a place of temporary residence for a race of intelligent beings : and since man was brought into existence for its occupation, countless individuals have lived and acted her in each of the generations which in succession have peopled its hills and plains. The connexion of each with earth has been an event never to be forgotten. It is true that the names of almost all will be heard no more among men until time shall Have ended — their memory is no longer retained on the human records of this world's history- only a very f inall number of the most active spirits have succeeded in inscribing their names on the tablets of time where the hand of destruction has not reached and efl'aced the inscription. But yet the probationary course of each in these to us nameless myriads was of sufficient moment ko merit the notice of the inhabitants of heaven, as will be seen and acknowledged by all when the light of eternity shall show their common immortality, and the almost infinite capacity for happiness or woe, and the inseparable connexion of the brief period of activity in this world with the eternal filling up of that capacity. How important then to man himself all the privileges and influences of such a state ! How necessary that all possible assistance be obtained by him to render it in the highcs>t degree profitable ! Look 6 1NJLUGUIIAI< at his native wcukncss, and then at the strength only Iffft than onniipotcnt which he may learn to command an4 employ ! Look at his ignorance, in his uneducated state, and then at his power for the attainment of an almost infinite amount of knowledge ! Look at him exhibiting a taste for little more tlian animal gratifications, and then watch the dcvclopcment under a wise course of instruction and discipline of susceptibility for ennobling intellectual, and purely spiritual joys ! Look at him in his associations side by side with the irrational creation, bending and cleaving to the earth, and then at the glorious possibility of his assuming connexion and holding communion with the Father of Spirits! And then say if every rational enterprize which proposes good to eu€b beings should not excite our highest ambition. A well formed system of education is designed to aid in raising man from that state of weakness, and in girding him with that mighty strength,— to take him, comparatively ignorant, and prepare him for the acquisition and possession of unlimited treasures of knowledge, — to raise him from indulgence in gratification merely animal, to participation with the higher orders of beings, in refined and elevating happiness,— to rescue him from degrading intimacy with objects of the earth, and lead him to seek acknowledged connexion and realized communion with God ! Some degree of education every man must receive in order to sustain himself at all in existence, — he is not guided along his course by uneducated instinct. He has a higher and a nobler nature, and is designed for a higher mode of existence than those animals which are by nature subjected to the guidance of instinct and the government of animal appetite. In the lowest regions of barbarism man needs and receives an education. The rudest savage that roams the forest has received an education, and a thorough one, such as it is. But the term is ordinarily used to denote a higher degree of mental cultivation and instruction than that which is absolutely necessary to enable man thus to exist as a mere animal, and in this higher til only Jesa fimaiid aiitl cated state, an almost jxhibiting a and then instruction ijitellectual, associations iiding and possibility union with iry rational should not d to aid in in girding mparatively I possession him from articipation d elevating macy with LHowledged receive m -he is not He has )r a higher by nature government barbarism lest savage on, and a ordinarily ^'ation and iT to piinhje his higher j I MiVOITRAL ADDRESS. 7 iens€ we shall hereafter nse it, defining education thus, — ihat instruction and discipline which arc necessary to prepare iiuni for the duties arid enjoyments of existence. This Institution has been established in order to aid in diffusing the benefits of such an education throughout these Provinces, and it may now be well for us to examine its prospects, so tltat we may estimate the probability of the accomplishment of this object. Is it likely to become pow- erful as an auxiliary to the older sister Institutions of the Provinces, in the common work to which we devote our energies t Certain things may be mentioned as iadispensable to such an Institution, in order to its becoming in any degree suc- cessful. I. SvitABLE BtllLOtNOS, FCRMIWlie* LIBRARY, APPARATUS, &c. &c., ARK REQUIRED. Will thcsc bc providcd for this Institution 1 We have a Building, probably superior in convenience and suitability to any in these Provinces, and it is nearly furnished, but we are yet entirely destitute of Library, Apparatus, &c. About Seven Thousand Pounds have been already expended in Lands, Buildings, and Fur- niture. At least One Thousand Pounds more will be re- quired to prepare the Institution in these respects for full efficiency. Needed, then, for Lands, Buildings, Furniture, Library and Apparatus, say Eight Thousand Pounds. To meet which we have the donation of C. F. Allison, Esquire, Four Thousand Pounds ; New Brunswick Legislative Grant, Five Hundred Pounds ; Subscriptions, collected or pledged, «ay One Thousand Five Hundred Pounds ; leaving Two Thousand Pounds yet to be provided ; and this sum is how needed to pay the debt incurred and procure what is yet lacking. Can this amount be by any means ob- tained, and obtained soon ? It remains with those whose names are not yet on our lists to answer this question by their subscriptions, and thus determine whether the Insti- tution shall be provided with this means of uucccss. But, encouraged by the liberality of many whose aid has been already given, and #»^fMn known genetosity of mutf ^f our friends whose siibscriptions are yet in reserve we fcel assured that the reply will be In the affirmative.^ IL Well quami ii;i., EiYiciiiFrr Officers of Government, AND Instruction are required. They should be men able and willing to labour, and interested, almost enthusiastic- ally so, in their work. Thlz work will not, cannot, be properly done by men, whatever their natural talents, or scholastic attainments, who undertake it as a matter of necessity, or only to secure a livelihood, and who will be contented with the performance of the prescribed duties of their offices merely, careless of the results, so long as their salaries are obtained. Thift i« not a work to be entrusted to mere office-seekers, or hireling«» The men to whom it is committed should be willing to throw their whole souls into it fully determined to succeed. Aa to the prospects of this Institution in tU's respect much may not yet be said. We may, however, say, that exhaustleua zeal, untiring industry, and strong anxiety for success, wili not be wanting ; and moreover, that one of our number is a tried man for the work,--of well ascertained ability,— and that the others hold such a relation to the Church that we can receive our appointmeuts only from year to year, and we shall be permitted to retain our connexion with the Institution, only so long as it may be for its interest that we should do so. And as it is almost literally true, that Methodism has a man for every place, as well as a place far every man, it need not be feared that the enterprise will be allowed to suffer in this respect. III. The Arrangements roR Study, Instruction, and Go* VERNMENT MUST BE JUDICIOUSLY MADE, AND FULLY CARRIED OUT. To the want of these may be attributed a large proportion of the distressing failures in educational efforts. And er- rors in these very frequently result from inattention to the great objects of education. According lo our definition of the term, the human being is to be prepared by it .or t«c labours and joys of existence,— the mental powers must be strengthened and expanded to maturitv,— the UUiUib AiJOiiK^. ot in any fif jrv«% we I'l ( I Government, )e men able enthusiastic- cannot, be I talents, or a matter of vho will be ibcd duties so lung as fork to be The men tbrovr their ed. As to much may exhaustleM luccess, will • number is bility,— and rch that we ) year, and 1 with the nterest that "f true, that a place for Tprise will )N, AND Go> ARRIED OUT. proportion And er- tion to the : definition ired by it itai powers turitv,— the 1 mind must be enrlclicd with gliies of knowledge more or less extensive, — habits of prompt, energetic, well-regulated, mental action must be formed, and the dispositions and aftections thoroughly cultivated, and disciplined for unde- Tiating rectitude of moral action. Let these be carefully sought, even in all the minor arrangements, and success will seldom be wanting ;--let any one of thorn be disre- garded, and full success will never be secured. A well- formed educational system seeks then, at the same time, nnd always, to secure constant improvement to the pupil io all these respects,— thus leading him ever onward to the formation of a mental and moral character, perfectly symmetrical : and such a systoni we seek to establish here; and keeping our eye always upon the final end for which wc labour, we shall not despair of success. Oar course of instruction will he thorough,— designed to te!M;h the student tc think, not less than remember, — to acquire power for action, not less; than amount of informa- tion, — to prize moral excellence, even more highly than intellectual acquisitions. Our system of government will be designed to teach the a**! of self-government. — We shall strive to instruct in the application of principles, rather than the acqrirement of skill, in the evasion of particular roles. The beauty of our system will consist in its simplicity. We shall studiously avoid the multiplication of specific laws. Our aim will be to enlighten the understanding and quicken the conscience. And we thus hope to send forth young men into the world, from a well regulated commu- nity, anxious not to throw ofi* its restraints, but to exercise and strengthen habits that have been here formed. In carrying out these plans we shall seek wisdom from the past; for although very many of the mighty works of the mighty deid aie irrecoverably submerged by the daijc rolling billows of oblivion— although many fields which were formerly bright with the choicest fruits of human skill are now sterile plains, shrouded in sepulchral gloom, . yet fortunately for the intellectual world there are a few ■If : II •W INAUGURAL ADDRESS. rnoiiuir.eiits of antiquity which have stood unmoved amid the ravages of time— there are a few mementos of the ages in which Greece and Rome flourished which have nofi perished in the lapse of intervening years— there are yet floating buoyant upon the tide of time, arks richly freight- ed with the brightest gems of thought, and the most valuable creations of genius : such are the tomes of classic lore. These we shall diligently though not exclusively study. We shall also listen to the invitations of nature to exa- mine her vast volume. 4ided by Philosophy whose business It IS to examine and interpret its pages, we shall study Nature's alphabet of knowledge, a part of which we shall find written upon the forms of this world's living objects— a part printed on the surface and stamped upon the strata of the earth, and a part engraven on the firmament and painted on the sky. We shall strive to look into the secret chambers and labyrinths of our own minds to notice the workings of the ethereal machinery by which thought is evolved. But there is yet another volume, whose lessons may not be disregarded but to the certain frustration of all our plans, upon whose pages we may find truth revealed m the clearest light. This, we need not say, is the volume of Inspiration. It is infinitely our most valuable text book. Let any other be taken away, but this must i-ot be removed or our eflbrts will be fruitless. Lock vd Homer and Pindar, Horace and Virgil, Demosthenes and Cicero, Zenophon and Livy, Socrates and Seneca, from our classes, but spek not to close to us the book of life! Forbid us acCess to the labo^ries of nature— draw a curtain of impenetrable mystery over all her phenomena, but let us ever see this lamp of God, this light of Eter- nity ! We have this volume, and we will hold it with the tenacity of men struggling for life, and we will study it with the anxiety which the importance of its truths should excite, and with the deference due to a message ironi Heaven. Here God sp. ^ks ! Let us listen and be XNAUGUnAL ADDRESS. m moved amid of the ages b have iiofi lere are yet :;hly freight- d the most 3S of classic exchisively tiire to exa* >se business shall study ch we shall g objects— 11 the strata lament and )k into the Is to notice ich thought 'ssons may tion of all -h revealed ay, is the St valuable this must Lock iw henes and leca, from ak of life ! e — draw a phenomena, lit of Eter- )ld it with will study its truths 1 message en and be wise. Thus only may men be prepaied to do good service to the cause of truth in our fallen world. We do not say, for wc da not believe, that any indi- vidual to become thus prc-pared must enter this or any similar institution, nor yet do we mean to give an unqualified pledge that every one who may reside within these walls shall receive such an education. Many we know have been well educated, who M'cre never allowed to tread cither Academical or Collegiate halls, and too many have dwell long within gucli walls, and afterwards gone forth uneducated drones, to be but burdens on society. But we do say that such an education may be here sought wnder circumstances peculiarly favourable, and we do pledge ourselves, to labour, in conjunction with our respected coadjutors, most untiringly to send forth well educated minds, and well disciplined spirits richly furnishe't for every good word and work. We do not promise to furnish the remedial appliances of a Penitentiary in order to restore to virtue and rectitude those who have been corrupted and ruined elsewhere, but we do promise that with most diligent prayerful care we will guard all from becoming qualified here as can- didates for Penitentiariesu IV. Students aiie required. Without these nothing can be done. It has been supposed that there are many in these Provinces who should avail themselves of the privi- leges of such an Institution as this is designed to be, and those too who might and would be induced to do so. And that those who have entertained this opinion have not misjudged is evident from the very encouraging fact that so many are present to-day, candidates for admission to our Academical courses of instruction. And coming as they do from almost all parts of the Provinces, we welcome them as pledges of more abundant supplies of this clement of sue- cess, which we doubt not will be furnished in due season* V. InCOMR SUl nciENT TO :\IAINT.VIN Tilt: iNECEaSAKY Oirn EU3 AND TO I'AY NECESSAUV I.NCIJDL.N'TAL E.XrENSES IS UEQUIIIED. Aud 12 INAUGUBAL ADDRESS. for this we must now d«pem! upon tuition fees, anU the amounts granted by the Provincial Legislatures. In order to extend the benefits of the Institution as widely as , possible, the tuition fees are made so low, that from these we can expect to derive scarcely half the necessary income to maintain its full efficiency. But as its claims have already been acknowledged by the Legislatures of both Provinces, and as we hope that these will be strengthenetj by its usefulness, we expect that what is lacking will be supplied by their joint liberality. From these views it is evident that success is encouragingly possible. We should not deceive ourselves with the hope that there will be no future times of trial to pass through, and no difficulties to be surmounted ; but we may be animated with the expectation that every time of trial will be safely passed, and every difficulty triumphantly encountered. .. ' The generous- hearted individual, to whose Christian liberality, unparalleled in Colonial history, we are chiefly indebted for these excellent premises, h..^ entitled himself to the lasting gratitude of mankind. We are indebted to him not merely for the prince -like donation of Four or Five Thousand Pounds,-this, in comparison with what he has done for the establishment of the Institution, would have been a cheap offering for him. He has devoted himself for months, unti' they are multiplied to years to very troublesome, care-producing toil, to secure the erection of this Building. And although we well know and highly respect the deep humility of his heart, which renders human applause painful, we could not allow this opportunity to pass without thus alluding to his praise- worthy conduct. Allow us, my dear Sir, to tender to you thus pubhcly our joyous congratulations on this happy occasion ! You have not experienced so much harrassing care and painful anxiety in vain. Your labour has not been fruitless ! Your plans have been successfully execu- ted ! This noble Edifirn h[is ho^n