"think of these things, it is the grief of my heart "that I cannot more admire and love that gracious "Saviour, who has so highly favoured me. As yet, "I have a very imperfect view of what I have passed through: but I trust these things will be "shewn me, as I shall be able to bear them.

66

66

"Mr. Thornton intends that I shall go to "Queen's college; chiefly, I believe, because he is acquainted with the President, and thinks that "circumstance may be advantageous to me. I am happy to hear so favourable an account of Cambridge. It will be an encouragement for me to "maintain my ground, when I see some around "me who dare to be singular. It shall be my en"deavour to attend to your advice with respect to

σε

66

66

my conduct to my superiors. I shall often pray "to be endued with a meek and quiet spirit; and "endeavour implicitly to comply with every rule "and every injunction in the University, for the "Lord's sake.”

reverend and learned Dr. Milner, Dean of Carlisle.

CHAP. III.

SUCH were the views with which, in Michaelmas term 1791, Mr. Buchanan was admitted a member of Queen's college, Cambridge. "The day of my leaving London," he observes in a letter to his brother, "was very solemn. It was on Monday the 24th of October, exactly four years "and two months since my entering that city. "But with what a different spirit did I leave it,

66

compared with that with which I had entered "it! Had I seen at that time, in the book of Pro

66

vidence, all that I was about to do and to suffer "in that city, I suppose I should hardly have "dared to approach it: but God wisely conceals "from us a knowledge of the future.

"On the morning and evening preceding my "leaving London, I was earnest in prayer for a "blessing on my intended journey and its consequences. One request in particular was, that I

66

1

might be favoured with the acquaintance of "some pious companions in my studies. To this 66 prayer I had an early answer. A gentleman set "out with me from London in the same coach for "Cambridge. He studied two seasons at Glasgow, " as I did; then, like me, passed some years in vanity; " and now comes to the University to qualify him"self for preaching Christ, as I hope I do. This

"singular similarity in our circumstances occa"sioned a happiness of which none but ourselves "could partake."

With a modesty and regard to frugality which reflect upon him much credit, Mr. Buchanan was at first disposed to enter as a Sizar; but upon the representations of the tutors, and of the friends to whom he had been recommended, he determined on being admitted as a Pensioner. In a letter to Mr. Newton, written soon after his arrival at Cambridge, he very feelingly describes the perplexity which he had anticipated from the contrariety of the studies to which he was called, to the prevailing dispositions of his mind. Until he was actually at college he cherished the hope of being permitted to devote his chief attention to divinity, and to the mathematics only secondarily. But he found that the reverse was expected from him; and that the excellent friends, to whom his patron had introduced him, were quite as strenuous as his tutors in representing to him the necessity of complying with the established course of study in the University. Independently of the repugnance which Mr. Buchanan felt to this plan from the peculiarly serious frame of his mind at this period, he feared that by yielding to it he should disappoint the expectations of the friends who had sent him to Cambridge, and eventually frustrate the great object which he and they mutually had in view. The comparatively advanced age too, at which he had

entered the University, would naturally tend to strengthen this apprehension, and to dispose him to dedicate his time exclusively to theological pursuits. The state of doubt and uneasiness produced by these circumstances affected both his spirits and his health; but after stating the reasonings of his Cambridge friends, and his own feelings and inclinations, he expressed to his respected correspondent his resolution to follow that course of conduct, which after mature deliberation should appear to him to be the path of duty.

In the case of students in general, entering at the usual period at either university with a view to holy orders, however religiously they may be disposed, there can be no doubt either as to the duty or the wisdom of devoting their chief attention to the prescribed studies of the place. A competent acquaintance with the learned languages, and with the stores of historical and ethical knowledge which they contain; the principles of sound reasoning, and the elements, at least, of general science, are essential to the formation of an enlightened and able theologian. The basis of such a character must, indeed, be deeply laid in an experimental acquaintance with real religion; and it were devoutly to be wished, that this were more generally considered as an indispensable qualification in every candidate for the ministry, and that more effectual encouragements and facilities were afforded in our Universities for its at

tainment. But if to the spirit of piety be not added the advantages which are to be derived from the wise and temperate pursuit of human learning, there is great danger that religion itself will suffer in the hands of those who are thus unprepared to teach, to defend, and to adorn it. In the present instance, Mr. Buchanan was already possessed of such a share of learning as might have been sufficient to qualify him for the discharge of the ordinary duties of a Christian minister; but it was obviously desirable that this should be strengthened and enlarged by fresh accessions at the seat of science, to which the providence of God had so remarkably conducted him. Nor was it long before his judgment was convinced by the arguments of his friends, that the very honour of religion required his acquiescence in such a measure; and that, however the appointed studies of the University might appear to be foreign to the important purpose for which he had entered it, they would ultimately tend in the most effectual manner to promote it. Among those who concurred in this salutary advice was Mr. Newton himself; and to him Mr. Buchanan early in the following year announced his disposition to yield to their suggestions.

"I think," he observes, "that my way is clearer "than it was, and I hope soon to have little doubt. "of my path of duty at college. Your letter help"ed to pave the way for me. I have now taken.