THE LIBPIARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA THE COLLECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANA C378 UK3 1838H UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00036721164 This book must not be token from the Librory building. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil http://www.archive.org/details/valedictoryaddreOOhoop YALEDICTORY ADDRESS, DELIVERED TO THE STUDENTS OF THE JANUARY 21, 183§, ^ -y.. WILLIAM HOOPER, LATE PROFESSOR OF ANCIENT LANGUAGES IN THAT INSTITUTION, J^OW THEOLOGICAL PROFESSOR IN THE FURMAN INSTITUTION, NEAR AVINNSBORO', S. C. RALEIGH: PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE RALEIGH REGISTER. 1§3S. ^ Chapel Hill, January 24, 1838. REV. SIR : At a meeting of the Students of the University of Norlh- Caroiina, the undersigned were appointed a Committee to tender you their thanks for the able and eloquent Address, delivered before them on the 21st inst. and to request of you a copy of the same for publication. You will add another to the many obligations under which we already lie, by- complying with this our request. We remain, with sentiments of respect and esteem, Yours truly, D. D. FEREBEE, P. E. BRADLEY, J AS. SOMMERVILLE, '' ^'^™'"- WM. M. McPHEETERS To the Bev. Win. Hooper, L L D. } GENTLEMEN : The Address, whose publication you request, is at your service, though it will need your indulgence and that of the public, for its want of unity in style and design. You know it was expected to be delivered on an evening in the week ; but circumstances preventing, and ray last opportunity of addressing you being from the Pulpit, it was thought best to combine the .Address with such additions as would ac- commodate it to the more sacred occasion. This, it is hoped, will excuse its mixed character. I remain, with the be«t wishes, Gentlemen, Your sincere friend, W. HOOPER, ADDRESS. Proverbs i, 7-9. — The fear of the Lord is the beginning '''f knoicledge ; but fools despise icisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the laiv of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. It is an inestimable advantage to a young man to Jiave a system of action. Wlicn this is tiie case, his course will be uniform, steady and consistent; always governed by fixed rules, and tending towai'ds the great object he has set before him. But the misfortune of jnost young men is, that they have no system of action — they are governed by impulse — they love pleasure and they yield themselves up to its allurements. The next day they sec their error, and perhaps feel the punish- ment of it in sickness or in remorse. They then resolve to amend their conduct, and, for a few days, they are firm in their purpose — they tliink they can depend on the stability of their virttious determinations. But presently, temjjtation and passion return with all their force, and they find to their sorrow that their virtuous resolutions are no more a match against the depraved inclinations of nature tlian the green vvitiies were able to bind the hands of Sampson. Thus their course be- comes unsteady, fitful awd capricious — sometimes they arc wise, sometimes foolish — sometimes honorable and dignified, sometimes groveling and base. While a young man's course is thus wayward and inconsistent, he cannot have sclf-rcspcct — he cannot approve of him- 4 PROFESSOR hooper's VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. self — lie cannot be happy. The better principles witli- in him lash and chastise him for rebelling against them, and he is degraded in his own eyes. Yon see lowering discontent upon his brow — you see his inward vexation venting itself in unamiable tonijiers towards his com- panions, or those in authority over him. He is obliged to make the humiliating confession — Video meliora proboqite, Deteriora sequor : - . . I see the right, and I approve it too, • .. . '. " ■, Condemn the wrong and yet the wrong pursue, -■ - " . How different the aspect and the feelings of the young man who pursues a steady system of virtue ! Upon him the sun rises bi'ightly in the morning, and that sun is not more cheerful tlian are his spirits, nor brighter than his prospects. No corroding remorse is gnawing at his heart — no vicious excesses make his blood feverish, his temper sour and irritable and his countenance sad. He is cheered on his way by an ap- proving conscience. His hopes are kept gay and his energies elastic, by regularity, temjierance and indus- try, and by the animating consideration, that he is mounting upward — that he is constantly approaching the bright object of his desires by an undeviating course of rectitude and honor. This is the iiappy and hon- orable course, to which, my dear young friends, I would stimulate and impel you; these are the bright and cheer- ing prospects with which I would wish your collegiate career to be gladdened and adorned. And, tlierefore, I have chosen the words of the wisest of men, as em- bodying the best advice I cowld possibly give you, at this final hour of my intercourse with you. The mo- tives which those words present to the young man for PROFESSOR HOOPER S VALEUICTORT ADDRESS. 5 the control of his conduct, arc, tlic fear of the Lord and the honoring of parents. Tlie consequences that will result fi'om obedience to these motives are depict- ed in the most attractive terms. 'J'hc adornmeiit of character with wliich they invest a young man, are likened to a coronet of gcr.is about his head and a chain f)f gold about his neck. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." If you begin with this, you will be prevented from falling into iri'etrieva- ble errors and faults. We gain knowledge by expe- rience, as our lives proceed ; but unhapj)ily, it often comes too late, and we must hear the penalty of our thoiiglitlessness or ignorance, ever afterwards. How happy is it then, to iiave early and deeply laid in our hearts tlie pious fear of God — a constant sense of his presence — an overawing thought constantly whispering to us, " Tiiou God seest me." This will do more to control passion, and to strengthen conscience, than all our spider-web resolutions. Let a young man once have deeply infixed in his mind, that whenever he sins, he insults the great God to his face, tramples on his authority, and defies his wrath — and that, on the other hand, when he resists sinful inclinations, and manfully ])erforms his duty, the gi'eat God is smiling upon liini and helping him, and will finally rewai'dhim — and this simple pi'inciple will do more to keep his morals uncon- taminated, than all other motives whatever; because it operates alike in private as in public — it fluctuates not with the opinions and practices of those who happen to be our associates — it varies not with the circumstances in which we arc placed — hut is steady and invariable, like the movements of the heavenly bodies around their arand centre. 6 PROFESSOR hooper's VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. But it is well to enlist all the motives we can on tlio side of virtue; and therefore, the inspired writer brings in, next after the fear of Grod, a i-cgard totlie autiiority and liappiisess of Parents: "My son, hear the insti'uc- tion of thy father, and Ibrsakc not the law of thy mo- ther." "What a wise and happy arrangement of Provi- dence is it, that tiie hnman race should all he distributed into families! Of how many countless ber.efits and en- dearments is it productive! But fortius, all the tender connexions and mutual kindnesses of husband and wife, l)arcnt and child, brother and sister, would hardly be known, or very feebly felt, in comparison with what is now the case. Who but must contemplate with pro- found veneration ami delight the beautiful skill displayed in that contrivance of the author of our nature, whereby a human being, when he is brought into the world utterly helpless, has hel[)ers ])r()vide(l for him as soon as he is born? — the powerful instinct of maternal love amply. supi)lying to the infantile stranger the want of facul- ties to ])rcservc itself — and rearing it u]) with iintirijig vigilance and affection, through a protracted minority, iinvvorn out by car-c or sickness, unconqucrcd by ingra- titude and undutifuliiess. This lt)iig exei'cisc of paren- tal care and autiiority sujjplies to the Parent on the one hand a dcligiitfiil exercise of t!ie domestic afiections, and a pleasing stimulus to action ; and on the otlier hand, trains up tlie rising generation to wholesome sub- mission — to yield an uiiquestioiiing obedience to the dictation and guidance of our Parents, when our own inexperience ami headstrong wills make their sober judg-nent and discretion so necessary to us. By this wise and beautiful arrangement of Providence, the child has, during tlic whole time he is growing up to matu- PHOFRSSOR llOOriill's VAXKDIC TORY ADDRESS. 7 rity, t!ie benefit of the Parent's care and wisdom, wliiie by liis love and gratitude he pays hack into tliat Parent's bosom a i-ich harvest of joy. Ali ! none but a Parent can feel the toi'ce of tiiose words, "A wise son inaketli a glad, fatlier ; but a foolisli son is t!ie heaviness of his mother." Next to the honor we owe to God, is that wiiic!i Ave owe to our Parents ; and accordingly, in the Decalogue, we find, immediately after an enumeration of our duty to God, the precept: "Honour thy father and ihy mo- ther," to which is annexed the promise '* thy days shall be long." He that honors his Parents will be preserved, by that sentiment abiding itj his heart, from any conduct which will bring grief or shame upon them, and the thought of their a[)proving smile and benediction w'ill stimulate to a course of honorable effort, and sweeten all bis toils. You remember the fine anecdote that is told of the famous Tlieban commander, Epaminondas, perhaps the greatest man that Greece produced: Amidst the congratulations that thronged in ujjon him after he bad beaten the Spartans, at Leuctra, he said the most pleasing emotion he rcajied froni his victory was the thought, how happy bis motlicr would be made by his success. And is there a youth in this house, insensible to such amiable feelings ? Is there a Student in this University, who dfses not feel his heart tlsrob with pleasure, when he thinks tiiat the family circle at home w'ill be made hapi)ier by tiic arrival of tlie letter which infoi'ins them of his honwrablc rank in his Class, and his i['rej)roachable character as a member of College ? And, on the other hand, is there one, whose heart is not pained by the expectation, that those affectionate Pa- rents and friends, who are indulging in the delightful 8 PROFESSOR HOOPEU'S VALEniCTORY ADDRESS. belief that lie is doing well in that distant seminary — that he is coming home, by and by, to honour the family^ and raise its name to more distinction tiianitnovv bears — that they are to have all these jdeasing anticipations blasted, and their countcna?ices saddened by the next monthly report, announcing irregularity, mis-improve- ment of time, atid want of scholarshij)! No good mind can contemplate such an issue with indifference, can think ofbeingthe cause of overclouding with sadness the belov- ed group gathered around the fireside at home, without a pang of sorrow and a blush of shame. It is to this amiable and virtuous feeling that the discipline of the College appeals, hoping to do more by this means in stimulating industry and restraining vice, than by any other. It is honorable to you, to appeal to this tender regard for the peace and happiness of your homes. It is supposing you possessed of the finest feelings of the heart, when your officers act on the persuasion, that to communicate favorable or unfavorable intelligence to your Parents, will be the most eiHcient means tiiey can employ of im- pelling you forward in a course of laudable diligence and regularity. The force of this motive must be appreciated by those who, by the stroke of Providence, have been made orphans. What youth, thus left to early orphan- age, does not feel one strong impulsive consideration taken away, and that he is obliged to supply its place by the reflection that he is cast upon his own resources, and must struggle or sink? *' Fools," says the wise man, "despise wisdom and instruction." Surely no one present would consent to merit so harsii an imputation ; and yet a neglect to im- prove valuable advantages of acquiring wisdom, is tan- tamount to despising it. It is my wish, therefore, my ^ IMiOFESSOU HOOVER S VALEniCTORY ADDRESS. 9 (le;ir young friends, to i\v;\il myscirot" this occasion, to impress upon you a piopei* estimate of the enviable pri- vileges of your present academical situation, and your consequent i-csi)onsibilities. I'liemistocles counted him- self happy that lie belonged to the most illustrious city of Greece. You belong to the National Institution of your native State. It is patronized by the first citizens of the State. It is an object of their frequent attention and of their annual visitation. Here their sons meet to form friendships for life, to measure their minds with each otiier, to rouse each other's powers by honorable competition, to wrestle for victory on the bloodless arena of elegant literature and profound science. Nations take a pride in collecting into one grand Repository the finest productions of genius, in all branches of the Arts; and when strangeis come among them, they lead them to these Repositories, as the noblest trophies of national honor. But a collection of fine minds is a much nobler object of contemplation than collections of pic- tures and statues. The one is the creative spirit that originates the bright conception, and then seizes upon some rude mass of unconscious matter, where it may embody and perpetuate that bright conception, for the gaze and homage of all after ages. The other is the mere passive material, that has no value save as a mir- ror to reflect the godlike mind which brought it into being. Who ever received, from a survey of all the miracles of the pencil and the chisel, which adorn the galleries of the Louvre and the Tuileries, an enjoy- ment to be compared witii that divine enthusiasm which dilates and burns in the bosoms of an audience witness- ing the conflict of mighty minds in some great national debate! The human mind never knows and never de- % 10 PUOI'KSSOK IIOOPEK .S VALEDICTOKY ADURE&S. \elo[)c.s its puissance, until Ciillcd into glorious struggli^ with some rival intellect, with a woi-kl looking on in suspense, howing before it in its victoiious niarch, liko the trees ol' the forest before the s^\eep of the huri-icane. While you I'ead the campaigns of Gustavus or Charles XII., of Napoleon and Wellington, do your bosoms ever catch the mania of military renown, and make you pant (or the stern and perilous edge of battle ? Let me point you to a nobler ambition! Show me your hero who" niakes it his pride to muster on the deadly field myriads of his fellow creatures full of life and hope, upon whose I'atc fathers and mothers and wives and sisters, at home, are hanging in agony, and then, with a single wave of his hand, bidding his ranks of cannon to blast all these tliousands of souls into etei'nity, and to strow the earth with tlieir mangled bodies ! Do you admire his bright and overwhelming career ? Then go and admii-e the volcano which whelmed Pomucii and lierculaneum under its rivei's of burning lava; go and woi'ship the earthquake which swallowed uj) Lisbon and Alejjpo — go and pour forth your praises upon the conflagration which devoured H London or a Moscow. Yet youthful hearts must have something splendid and something grand to kindle and expand them. Come then, and I will ^Kjint yovi to something which I will give you leave to admii-e, and j)ronn)t you to en)ulate. It is not the empurpled hom- icide, who finds au ignominious glory in ruling pale nations by tlie terror of artillery and the bayonet. It is the orator, who spreads his sweet encliantment over millions of cultivated intellects, who leads captive in his silken chains, iiosts of \n illing minds, ])roud of tlieir ( aj)tivity, gloryiii,^,' not only in the might of their coii- iouhi adoration at the stujiendous greatness of nature's 16 PROFESSOR hooper's VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. architect. In these sublime (liscovet'ics of physics. Mathematics lias led the way. anil l)ehol(l her great higli priest, Newton, leading t!ie procession, with torcli in hand, guiding the explorers of nature thro' the dark regions of her undiscovered wonders ! I might, if time allowed, young gentlemen, thus enlarge upon all the branches of knowledge which are made successively the subjects of your study. I miglit show you how, af- ter your memory, your discrimination, your fancy arc cultivated by the study of the finest models of ancient genius, and after your intellectual powers have been tusked and invigorated by a manly grappling with the subtle problems of Mathematics, you are then conduct- ed to the walks of fhilosopliy, both physical and ethi- cal. Your juvenile curiosity is excited and rewarded by ])ursuing the footsteps of Nature into the very pen- elralia of her temple — exploring with delight and ever new amazement the wise and beautiful laws which the Creator has enstamped on every work of his hands, and by which he binds them all together in one harmonious universe — learning in a few years what the arduous and collective labors of Chemists, and Mineralogists, and Botanists, and Naturalists of every descri[)tion have treasured up by piecemeal through whole lives of unceasing research. And, as if the external world, with all its ten thou- sand objects of curiosity, were not enough to fill your minds and limit the field of your enquii'ies, lo! another world of miracles is opened wi/AfH you! The mind, already intoxicated and oppressed witli the riclies of its knowledge, drawn frojii external nature, is now called, with introverted visi(ni, to contemplate its own uusterious and marvellous constructure — to studv the A-itDtESSOR HOOPEIl's VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 17 subtle and conij)]icatc(l inovcinoits of thought and feel- ing — to look into the daiic chambci's of imagery, and trace the nice machinery of ideas, and sec in these deep foundations of the mind the embryo features and linea- ments of tliose characters wliich afterwards develope themselves to bless oi- to vex our sjiecies. Who is it, that, u})on his first inti'oduction to the Philosoj)hy of the mind, has not felt sometliing of tlie same delightful wonder which Columbus felt, when he had discovered a new world, all whose inhabitants and products were different from any thing he had seen before? Nor are your researches bounded hei'e. From con- templating man as an individual, you are led on by the study of ethics, political econ(nny and law, to contem- plate him as one of a vast brothei'hood — all individuals as single links of an immense chain, by a happy neces- sity indissolubly connected with each other, and there- fore subjected to various laws and obligations as mem- bers of families, as citizens of a nation, and then as citizens of a whole family of nations. It is the object, then, of these dignified and expansive studies, which meet you at your entrance upon the threshold of man- hood, when your rij)ening intellect and your sober judg- ment begin to qualify you for profound and comprehen- sive leflections — it is the object, 1 say, of these studies, of Ethics, Political Economy and Law, to set before you the various relations of man to man, the mutual obligations and dependencies of all members of society, thus to prepare you to act your part with propriety, first in your little circle at home, then as patriots bound to love and serve the country, the blessings of whose Government you enjoy, and lastly, should the voice of that country invest you with lier dignities, to prepare . ■■■■■■ :-!.^- •■--.- ■ - ■ :^:.: 18 PKOPESSOIl HOOPER S VALEDICTORY ADBUESS. you for statesmen and Lawgivers, whose counsels are 4*.. to affect tlie destinies of your owji counti-y, and even of the world. Can you contemplate, young gentlemen, these liigli j)i'erogalives for which a liberal education will fit you, and to which the exigencies of your country may call you, without feeling your bosoms swell witli larger emo- tions, and ali'eady giving birth to the godlike resolu- tion, that you will not, by vice or indolence, blast these magnificent jjrospects ? Does it not fire your youthful imagination, to reflect that you are citizens of a pios- - ])erous and powerful Republic, where no invidious dis- . tinctions of Patrician and Plebeian give weakness the ascendancy over strengh, and folly the control ovci- wisdom — where mind is the empress over the million, and where a vigorous and cultivated intellect may raise you to the higliest honors of your country? With such prospects before you, with such ennobling motives to^ excite and impel you, we should expect, instead of dull sloth or debasing sensuality, rather some excess of glo- rious enthusiasm — some pardonable extiavagance of youthful ambition — some splendid temerity, like that of PiiiBTON aspiring to snatch the reins of the solar chariot, before his hand had vigor or skill to manage the fire-breathing coursers. I wonder every youth who has within himself the sparks of genius, and the ele- ' inents of high capability, does not have them roused into a consuming flame, banishing his sleep and wast- ing his fiame, fanned as they are by the strong breath of fame wafting the praises of the living and the dead. The military exj)loits of Miltiades raised such a tu- mult in the breast of the young TniiMisTOCLEs. that he wa5 found walking about tite streets of Atlien.i tu rROFESSOlt llOOPi-U's VAJ^lil) IcroUT ADUKESS. ]9 the (lead of night, and delarcd that •' the trophies of MiLTiADEs would iiot let him sleep." So inethinks, shou'd it be with every American youtli who has a so much grander theatre to act upon — not some little At- tica to hear of his exploits and to resound his praises, but an empire, reaching from Ocean to Ocean, whose des- tinies he may be called to wield, and wit!» whose high- est honors he may one d;iy be crowned. Oh, my young friends, cherish these higii aspii-atiojis. If it is not your fate to rise to high station, resolve to deserve it. Aiin higli, even though your shafts may not rise as higii as your lofty mark. He that aims at the sun, will shoot higher than he who aims at an earthly ob- ject. Oh ! do not ye, w!io daily drink inspiring draughts from the Castalean spring, ever turn those lips t(» Circe's empoisoned bowl which transforms men into swine. Let the ethereal spirits among you not be kept down by the grosser particles, but rise to higher re- gions and draw those particles uj) with them. Let not the eagles be content like the spari'ows to flutter about the hedges, but ])lume themselves for flight among the clouds and bear the sparrows on their rapid pinions. — It is not a selfish, mischievous ambition, to which I would exhort you. It is an iinitation of your heavenly Father in diffusive benevolence, it is that love of lau- dable excellence which has the sanction of an Apostle's pen, when he animates us to tlie pursuit of " whatso- ever things arc true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, w hatsoever things are pure, whatsoever are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if tliere be any praise." Let evei'y hojiorablo young man determine to find out by strenuous exertion what gifts nature has bestowed .4 20 PROFESSOR hooper's VALEDICTORY AUDRKSS. Upon him, and resolve to use them for the benefit of his country and of mankind. Let liim place before his mind high standards of excellence, by perusing the bi- ographies of the great and good, and let his mind thirst after valuable knowledge, instead of cramming and vi- tiating itself with the trash that is ])oiired foith daily in such pernicious abundance fi-om tlie press. If you faithfully improve the opportunities you hereeiijoy, you will have the elements of almost all useful knowledge, and the stamina of a vigorous mental constitution. — The first you may afterwards use as a foundation for indefinifo futui'e improvement, and as the instrument for future acquisitions. I1ic latter will serve you to grapple with every occurring difticulty. I would not forbid all books of amusement ami all excursions into the fields of fa)icy and fiction. But beware lest these seduce you from the hardy and invigorating studies of the College course. Remember, that although it is pleasing to devour volume after volume, and it is flat- tering to our pride to go over a great deal of ground, yet it is quite possible to do this without strengthening the mind — nay it is the very way to eisfeeble the mind, to encumber it with a vast mass of other men's thoughts, without obliging it to exert itself in some jjroduction of its own. Such a man may accumulate facts, and he may be accurate in his oj)inions so tar as his guides reach ; but i)ut him upon his own resources, biing him into some new situation where he will have to depend upon himself, and he will utterly fail. Indulge not then in discontent with your allotted studies, nor imagine you can strike out a better course for your mental improvement. If you do, you will for- ever afterwards regret it in vain. If, while at College, PROrESSOR hooper's YALEUICTOUY ADDRESS. 21 you lav well the foundation, you can afterwards ad- vantageously rear upon it a superstructure of any height. But if the foundation be neglecfed in youth, the injury is irremediable, for neither the timcnoi'tiie inclination of matui'er life will ever allow of your laying it anew. T am happy, young gentlemen, to be able to congrat- iilate you on tlie inci-casing ])rosperity of the College. Having been acquainted with it from a boy, in 1804, I am ])repared to ap])reciatc its growth and im])rove- ment. Youi' oi)])ortunities arc far greater than mine were when I passed thi'ough my College course. The education which our Jlma JTaier now offers to her sons, is much moi-e extensive and thoi'ough tlian it then was, and I feel to this day the disadvantages of the partial and limited Education which was then given here. — The funds of the Institution were too small to j)rovide adequate instruction. But now there is a happy change. The revenue is, I trust, certain and liberal, and each department may be supplied with necessai*y instruction. You will have the advantage of pi-osccuting your Edu- cation under an able and devoted Faculty. And in taking leave of you, my dear young friends, let me be- speak your high affection and re3|)ect for your estima- ble Preceptors. They arc devoted to your good — their days and nights are given to your impr(>vement. Re- ward them tor their labors of love by growing in wis- tlom and virtue under their culture. No greater joy can they know, than to see you fine scholars, amiable and gentlemanly in your deportment, and of sound and virtuous principles. Let me exhoi-t you to a conduct worthy of your stati(»n and the space you fill in the public eye. Consider w ho you are and what is expect- ed of you — ^ • . Sumite superHam quaesitam mentis. 22 PKOFiiSSOll HOOrEK's VALiiUICTOU Y ADDHESS. Ydii arc not the members of some little School iti some obscure corner of tlie Republic. You arc the flower of her puberty, brougiit to t!ic heart of her ter- ritory, and jilaced in possession of the best means Avhich the resources of the State could furnish for your mental improvement. The interest of more than SlOO,- 000 is annually expended upon you, and tlie Republic will tliink herself amply recompeiK;ed for the disburse- ment, if you act wortiiiiy of her character an