RESISTING TEMPTATIONS.

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Pensioners, while the Sizars answer to the beneficiaries of our American colleges.

These last are aided by the funds of the college, and dine at the Fellows' table, free of charge, after the regular dinner has been served.* It may readily be supposed that a young man whose rank or wealth enabled him to enter as a fellow-commoner, would be exposed to many temptations, from which one in humbler circumstances would be comparatively safe. Those, therefore, who, while sharing in the innocent enjoyments about them, are kept from the excesses to which even harmless indulgence may naturally lead, should receive some credit for their prudence and selfcontrol. When we say this, of course we do not forget that it is God's grace alone which can enable us to think good thoughts, or perform right actions.

The young New Yorker, while he enjoyed the society of his companions, and joined freely in the prevailing amusements at Cambridge, prosecuted his studies with the most commendable assiduity and zeal.

In English colleges those who are able to afford it engage a private tutor, whose busi

*For further particulars, see Bristed's Five Years in an English University, vol. i. p. 17.

ness it is to aid them in their preparation for recitations and examinations. Mr. Provoost was peculiarly fortunate in this respect. The celebrated Dr. Jebb became his tutor, a man of distinguished abilities, with whom he formed an ardent friendship, which lasted until the death of Dr. Jebb.

CHAPTER THIRD.

Thoughts turned to the ministry-Unbiassed choice-Right views of a most important subject-Ripe scholarship—Ordination-Chapel Royal of St. James' Palace-Historical associations-A solemn question-Why Mr. Provoost was so soon advanced to the Priesthood-Romantic incident-Benjamin Bousfield-His mother and sister pay him a visit, and important consequences thereof-Mr. Provoost's marriageReturn to America-Chosen assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York.

OUNG PROVOOST had not been long at Cambridge before he decided to devote his life to the sacred ministry. We trust that this determination was formed after due reflection

upon the awful responsibilities of the office of an ambassador for Christ. It is evident, from the letters which passed between him and his father, that this was his own unbiassed choice. Persons have no doubt turned their attention to the ministry to gratify their friends, or because they regarded it as a highly respectable calling, or with a view of securing a comfortable living. Now, these

motives are low and debased, when viewed in connection with a step so solemn and important.

On the other hand, if the SPIRIT of God has touched the heart, and disposes one to devote his time and abilities to the service of Christ and His Church, it should be regarded as a voice from above calling him to buckle on his armor, and go forth to the battle.

Mr. Provoost was certainly a good scholar, and he had not only gained an accurate knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, but he had also made himself master of the French and Italian languages. In a letter to his father, dated April 15, 1765, he says: "I can get my degree and commendamus here whenever I please; nothing but my being too young for orders could prevent my returning home next summer."

One year more removed this difficulty, and accordingly on the 3d of February, 1766, he was admitted to Deacon's orders, at the Chapel Royal of St. James' Palace, Westminster, by Dr. Richard Terrick, Bishop of London.

Thirteen years before, Samuel Seabury (afterwards Bishop of Connecticut) had been admitted to the same degree, and four years after the ordination of Mr. Provoost, William White

A SOLEMN QUESTION.

31

(so long the presiding Bishop of the American Church) was made a Deacon in the Church of God.

St. James' Chapel, where Mr. Provoost was ordained, was surrounded by many historical associations. Here, for ages past, the sovereigns and princes of England had kneeled before the footstool of HIM who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

It is a small, plain place of worship, with seats running along the wall, like stalls in a cathedral; and, as on other occasions when the Holy Communion was to be celebrated, the massive golden vessels were displayed upon

the altar.

When the venerable Bishop turned to the candidates, who stood at the chancel-rail, and asked the solemn question, "Will you apply all diligence to frame and fashion your own lives, and the lives of your families, according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as lieth in you, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?"— it is to be hoped that each one was able to answer, with unaffected sincerity, "I will do so, the Lord being my helper."

As it would be asking too much of Mr. Provoost to require him to take another voyage to