Towards my teachers and fellow-scholars, I will endeavor to be kind and obliging-obeying the former-assisting the latter. As to stealing-never to take the least that is not my own without permission.

As to lying-never to deceive in any way.

As to fighting-to yield rather than quarrel, and to forgive an injury.

As to respect to superiors-to obey without murmuring.

Finally to avoid all known sin-to perform all known duty—having sinned, to pray for pardon, and resolve to be more cautious in future.

May God enable me to perform each of these resolutions for Christ's sake. When circumstances will not permit their literal fulfilment, I will ask myself how God would have me do, and act accordingly.

Sunday, October 27, 1833.

This paper, given literally as it was found, and preserved by an elder sister, is a transcript of the simplicity and sincerity of his character, his anxious desire to do what was right, his firm adherence to duty, and the minuteness and accuracy with which he made out plans for his own or others' improvement. Although the cares of a large academy, and the fascinating pursuit of literature, caused him, before many years, to leave off his strict adherence to the first part of these rules, it is very certain that his intercourse with his fellow-men was marked by a most scrupulous observance of the latter. Honest in his dealings with all, scrupulous in his attention to interests confided to his care, the spirit of truth

fulness sat throned upon his brow, and shone in every glance of his clear blue eyes.

But more especially in the matter of deference to superiors was he remarkable for his adherence to this resolution. The organ of Veneration was, to speak phrenologically, of prominent development in his character. Agreeing with Dr. Parr in the sentiment, that "a scholar should know no higher earthly authority than his teacher," and exacting from his pupils implicit obedience, he practised as well as preached the doctrine; and to old age, to parents, elder relations, the officers of the church, and the powers that be, wherever found, he ever felt and displayed the highest respect and obedience. Indeed, the most striking charm of his character seemed to consist in the beautiful harmony of this loyalty, humility and gentleness, with uncommon decision, indomitable energy, and a strength of will that conquered every obstacle with which it came in contact.

A short period after the date of these "Rules," in company with a younger brother, William applied for admission as a member of the church of which his father was pastor. The occurrence is thus related by his uncle. "The elder Mr. Graham being absent, the Session, after the usual form, propounded several questions to the youths before them, in reference to their religious impressions and experience, which were answered clearly and definitely. Objection being made, however, upon the score of their extreme youth, they were informed that their admission was postponed for a year, as they were then too young. With a timid glance and faltering voice, William inquired, 'Are we too young to die?'

'No,' was the reply. If, then,' he rejoined, 'within the next twelve months we are called to appear before the bar of God, and the question is asked, Have you partaken of the body and blood of the Lord? upon whom shall the blame be laid? There was no response to the query, but pleased with the spirit and thoughtfulness evinced, after further deliberation the Session admitted them."

This profession he never dishonoured. He ever possessed a firm and calm assurance of the truth of religion. He often remarked, comparing his own experience with that of others, that he had "never known the first doubt." The doctrines that his father preached, the precepts of the Bible that his mother taught, and the rules of the church of which he was a member, were sacred and inviolable in his eyes. A serene and joyful faith illumined his soul, and shone visibly in every action of his daily life. A tone of religious sentiment was early manifested in his character. But it was not sentiment only. His strongest reasoning powers were brought to bear upon this most important of all subjects, and the result was a conviction of the truth, which it was impossible to shake. It was justly said of him, "His confidence of salvation reposed on a crucified Saviour. His was a mind that took nothing for granted. Though the son of pious parents, and carefully educated in the principles of our faith, yet these principles had by him been subjected to the severest scrutiny. The divinity and atonement of the Son of God, pardon, justification and eternal life through faith in his merits, the renewing and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spiritthese were the doctrines he cordially embraced, and here was the sole foundation of his hope and trust. The uniform

testimony of all who knew him was, that his life had always been in accordance with his profession."

In the fall of 1834, Mr. Graham became a student in Delaware (then Newark) College. He entered as a Junior, but recited once, and often twice a day, with the Sophomore, besides attending to the studies of his own class. The President of the college, referring to this period, says, “He had hardly entered college before his uncommon talents attracted general attention. Not only his class-mates, but the whole college yielded the palm to him in the art of composition. His first Essay was a poem, displaying remarkable genius and wit.* During his whole course his position in the College scale for Scholarship, Industry, Character and Conduct, was No. 1. He was one of the most active founders of the Athenæan Society of the college, and took a prominent share in its debates." His studies and recitations occupied him from fourteen to fifteen hours a day, yet he found time to write many poetical essays and translations. His exercises for college speaking were always poetical, and consisted of translations, parodies or original poems. There is among his papers a parody on Hamlet's Soliloquy, with a note indicating that it was written and spoken a month after his arrival at college, and that it afforded much amusement to the students. Mr. Graham was naturally very diffident. Later in his life contact with the world gave him dignity and confidence, but it is easy to imagine the bashful boy at the period of which we are speaking, with his pale

* It was styled "Newark," and it is much to be regretted that its local and personal allusions unfit it for publication.

intellectual face rising up among his fellows, and thus giving

vent to his feelings:

To speak-
—or not to speak-that is the question:-
Whether 'tis nobler, in the appointed student,
To rise up manfully before his fellows;

Or to refuse through dread of shame or trouble,

And playing truant 'scape it? To rise-to speak,—
No more; and thus by speaking to o'ercome
That childish fear and awkward bashfulness,

To which young speakers are sure heirs, becoming
Good orators-sure 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wished. To rise,—to speak,—

To speak!-perchance to fail ;-ay, there's the rub ;—
For in this speaking divers ills may come
When we've forgot a line, or made a blunder.
This gives us pause. There's the respect,
That makes calamity of such an act;

For who would bear the sneers of those around,
The hisses of his fellow-students, and the scorn
Of all his hearers, disregarding rules,

The jeers of the professors, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
By being absent? Who would suffer this-
To stumble through a half-got speech;
But that the dread of something afterward,
(A Monday evening summons to receive
A private reprimand,) puzzles the will;
And makes us rather bear the ills we have,
Than fly to others that we hate the more?
The Faculty makes cowards of us all;
And thus our resolution not to speak

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought;
And enterprises of great pith and moment,
(To sally forth to visit ladies fair,)

By this consideration turned away,
Are never born to get the name of action.