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branches; and it is possible, a secret influence may,
undiscerned even by ourselves, warp our judgments. But I think I view the subject in the same
light I formerly did,* and am ready to unite in its
prosecution with the same impartiality, as if I had
no official connexion whatever in the issue. The
five reasons you give in support of your sentiments
are weighty. Each of them is true and important, and all of them together carry great conviction
with them. I thank you for the judicious arrangement of the arguments, and confess they throw
such light upon the subject, as leaves little room
for opposition, if any persons should be found willing and desirous to oppose. For myself, I assure
you, my dear Sir, that I am so far from having any
inclination to obstruct the prosecution of the plan,
that I feel sincerely willing to do all in my power
for its advancement, and as soon as we can digest
the proper means, 1 shall be happy to aid in its
accomplishment."
"The ambiguity of words and names often occasions a difference in judgment, and very frequently
*
In his letter to Dr. Westerlo, which was written some time
before he was elected the professor, and is given in the last chapter, sentiments were advanced nearly, or substantially the same
as those expressed in the above, touching the use which should
be made of Queen's College.
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promotes jealousies, and even opposition, where,
in fact, the principal views are the same."
"My ideas upon this subject have always been,
that the situation of our Churches required a literary institution; not so much for increasing its
respectability by the accomplished character of its lay
members, (although that is a consideration which,
in your first and second arguments, you have mentioned with great propriety,) but principally to
prepare our youths for the ministry. Theology is the
branch which is most connected with the Church.
It is also a branch in which, without arrogance we
may say, our Dutch Churches are acknowledged,
even in America, to equal, if not exceed other denominations: and, if proper steps could be taken
to lift up an education in Theology, in a conspicuous and respectable point of view, we might not
only hope to supply our own immediate wants, but
also be the means of supporting the great truths of
our holy rligion, and become useful to other denominations. So far, then, as a College might be
instrumental to promote this great end, I always
have wished a College might be instituted: but if
by a College is understood a Literary Institution,
which expands in all the branches usually taught in
Universities, I imagine it would swallow up all the
resources which we might be able to obtain, and
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