to attend an evening party where intoxicating drink is allowed.

4. Such meetings should not be too frequent.There is a well-known Indian proverb,-Taken in excess, even nectar is poison. If evening parties are indulged in too often, they produce a craving for excitement, and ordinary recreations lose their zest. All this is fatal to the success of a student.

THE THEATRE.-In most parts of India, cautions under this head are unnecessary; but a few remarks may be addressed to young men in the Presidency cities.

Hawkens, in his life of Dr. Johnson, remarks : Although it is said of plays, that they teach morality, and of the stage, that it is the mirror of human life, these assertions have no foundation in truth, but are mere declamation; on the contrary, a play-house, and the region about it, are the hotbeds of vice."

Tulloch "Conceive the case of a young man, says; of good principles and unblemished character, carried by some of his companions for the first time to the theatre. Would the good or the evil influences be uppermost in such a case? Would the associations of the place-the late hours, the after entertainment-not cast into the shade any happier effects that might flow from what he heard or saw? Would any Christian parent contemplate without uneasiness, a play-going fondness in his son? In point of fact, is such a fondness likely to lead to any good? Do the young men who most exhibit it, develop into earnest or excellent, or useful characters? These questions, we fear, are too easily answered in the negative."

The above observations apply to the theatre under comparatively good management. In India, the state of things is frequently far worse. Not a few of the

plays are grossly indecent. In Calcutta, prostitutes appear on the stage; in other cases, young men are dressed as women. A Parsi newspaper, published in Bombay, laments the theatre mania prevailing among young Parsis, diverting their attention from their studies, giving them a taste for pleasure, and ruining their prospects in life.

It is by far the safest and wisest course to eschew altogether the theatre.

Students from the Country.

Young men from out-stations who come to large cities to study, require to be specially guarded with respect to amusements. At home a kindly greeting and pleasant conversation awaited them on their return from school; but in their new position they feel solitary and dejected. Such are apt to seek recreation in dangerous sources. Away from restraint, they have likewise opportunities for indulging more freely in forbidden pleasures than those who have parents to watch over them and caution them against danger. Many a sad tale might be told of young students from the country who have thus sunk into an early grave from vicious habits.

The student away from home should often bear in mind the sacrifices made by his father to give him a good education. How lamentable it would be, if, through his own misconduct, the course intended to benefit him should prove his ruin!

Various means should be employed by the mofussil student to guard against temptations. Diligence in study is of great advantage; avoiding evil companions is highly important. It is very desirable also to keep up a love of home.

Special care should be taken about the evenings. The student is then most at leisure, and "the black and dark night" is the chosen time for deeds which cannot bear the sun.

But divine aid is the surest protection against sin. "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." Let the student's daily prayer be, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

XII. MORAL CONDUCT: ITS IMPORTANCE AND RULE.

Importance.-Educated Hindus are very ready to form exaggerated ideas of the value of mere knowledge. Good scholarship is the only thing that tells at University examinations, and the conclusion is therefore drawn that it is the grand essential to success in life. But learning is only one of several qualifications which are requisite. In actual business, the ability to explain allusions in Shakespeare, or to solve difficult mathematical problems, will probably never be called into exercise. A distinguished scholar may be a villain. Pluming himself upon his fancied abilities, he may be so conceited and disagreeable, that intercourse with him will, if possible, be avoided. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that high attainments will compensate for the want of moral qualities. The aim should be to combine the two excellencies, thus causing each to shine with reflected lustre.

Under existing circumstances, educated Hindus require special watchfulness over their moral conduct. Babu Keshub Chunder Sen says, "In times of transition, in India as elsewhere, we always find that men for a time become reckless. The old faith is gone, and no new faith is established in its place. Society is unhinged and unsettled. Old principles of character and time-hallowed institutions are swept away by innovations and revolutionary tumults, but no better principles are immediately established in their place. Thus for a season is confusion and recklessness."

Whatever may be the present "eclipse of faith," let the following remarks by the Earl of Derby be borne in mind: "There are ideas implanted in us which in a sound mind no intellectual disturbance will long affect, and of which, in the deepest darkness, we may always, if we will, keep hold. Right and wrong, honour, duty, and country, benevolence towards men and responsibility towards the unseen Power by which human action is guided and controlled-these are not ideal phrases. In all countries and ages they have retained their meaning. They are realities which correspond with the deepest wants and feelings of our nature; and no man will feel himself utterly cast down who can say in his heart what the wisest and best of the human race have proclaimed in the whole tenor of their lives, Whether I am happy or unhappy is not my chief affair; what most and first concerns me is to find my work in life, to recognise it, and to do it.""

It is our bounden duty earnestly to seek religious truth, and the humble, prayerful inquirer will not search in vain. There are several treatises calculated to assist in this investigation. The admirable "Letters to Indian Youth on the Evidences of the Christian Religion,"* by the Rev. Dr. Murray Mitchell, are especially recommended.

Another reason for attention to moral conduct on the part of educated Hindus is, that a higher standard in this respect is justly looked for from them than from their countrymen who have not had the same advantages. They are like a city set on a hill which cannot be hid. Foes and friends narrowly mark their conduct to see the results of the training they have received.

Hindus of the old school, opposed to English edu

* Procurable at the depositories of the Tract Societies in Calcutta, Allahabad, Lahore, Bombay, and Madras.

cation, will be glad of apparent proofs of the correctness of their views. A few selfish Europeans, jealous of the advancement of educated Natives, may" watch for their halting," to show their unfitness for high positions. There is no doubt that an educated Hindu who fills with integrity an office of trust is the best argument against such attacks; while the man who succumbs when tempted is the worst enemy to the elevation of his countrymen.

But there are spectators of a much more generous spirit. All true-hearted Englishmen are sincerely desirous of the improvement, in every respect, of the people of India, and one of the most hopeful signs of this would be a high moral tone on the part of educated Hindus. Parents look on with far deeper interest. Some of them, perhaps with much self-sacrifice, have given their sons a university education. They will feel amply repaid if those for whom they have toiled pursue an honourable career, while an opposite course will fill their hearts with anguish. Epaminondas, one of the noblest of the Greeks, delivered his country by a great victory. His chief joy was that his father and mother were alive to hear the news. Let edueated Hindus cherish the same spirit.

And there are strong personal considerations. When a young man has obtained a degree, he has only so far completed his course of preparation. In one sense, he is only entering upon the business of life. Moral conduct now becomes more important than ever. High academical reputation will only render failure in this respect more conspicuous.

It should also be remembered that the present life is a preparation for eternity. As we sow here, so must we reap hereafter. The harvest will be unspeakable joy or unutterable sorrow.

God, our Creator and rightful Lord, has enjoined upon us a course of conduct which will make us, in