The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

tfiTTERS, TRACTS, ifc,2J^5. The above reafons weighed much with us, a^did that which I tell you next. We forefaw that anew beautiful chapel would add much to our dignity.Fifty years ago we were but in low eftimation ; theremight be now and then a profefTor, who, upon accountof merit and perfonal dignity, was confefledlyabove mo ft clergymen; but in truth. Sir, we wer-igenerally looked upon as in a middle rank betweenparifli minifters and country fchoolmafters *, and, atthat time, no minifter in town, and fcarce one in thecountry, would have chofen to throw up his chargefor the fake of one of our profefibrfhips. On thecontrary, when any young man had taught a courfein our college, he was, at his earned defire, advancedto be miniller of fonie country pari{h, if he fcemedto deferve it. But luckily for us things are now altered.We have found means to increafe our incomesin feme proportion to the rifmg expence of livingand the clergy have not been able to find any meansof increafmg theirs. Senfible of this fuperiority, thofeof us who have been minifters choofe not to preachin any parifh-church, or pray in any private family,becaufe that would derogate from our dignity ; andthough fuch made no figure, but were rather overlookedand delpifcd v/hile clergymen, becaufe peoplecould not fee our concealed worth, nor difcern ourhidden learning, yet whenever we become profeflbrs,wt; are immediately more refpe£lable, and are efteemedmore learned than any clergyman whatfoever. Thishappens 'from the increafe of our private incomes.But the college revenues being alfo great and wellcollected, our predcceflbrs built themlelves large andfplendid houfes, and ever afterwards we rofe in rankand dignity. People fee in what fine lodgings wedwell, and pay us rcfpecSt in proportion. Now, wereckon that if our chapel were once built, it will addto our dignity, and that we fhall become ftill morerefpedtabie. A philofopher, or learned man, is in-