men, under the training and leadership of Prof. Weyman, of the Washington Female Seminary. The stage and Hall were handsomely decorated with arches, festoons and mottoes in evergreen, thus exhibiting the taste and labor of some of the ladies of Washington, assisted by a committee of students.

The large audience having been called to order, the exercises were opened with prayer by the venerable David Elliott, D. D., LL. D., who was for more than thirty years President of the former Board of Trustees of Washington College, and at one time President of the Institution itself. The President of the Board of Trustees of the united college, Charles C. Beatty, D. D., LL. D., then made the following statement of the purpose, process and consummation of the union of the two colleges, ending in the election of Dr. Edwards to the Presidency, and his acceptance:

FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS:

We are assembled to-day to inaugurate the first President of Washington and Jefferson College. Yet this is not altogether a new Institution. The neighboring Colleges of Jefferson and Washington had each for more than half a century pursued its course of usefulness, but neither to a full extent. Their vicinity and similarity impeded the progress of both. The friends of learning and religion had long desired and labored for their union, and it was at length effected. A year ago, by mutual agreement and legislative action they were consolidated into one-which therefore sprang into life full grown. As the Allegheny and Monongahela join to form the broad and beautiful Ohio, only with a wider but deeper channel, so these time honored institutions coalesce to form a nobler, and higher, and broader College, adapted to the wants of this wide community, and the requirements of a progressive age. It is to this that we aspire.

With some peculiarities, (and we must confess, difficulties) in its

arrangement, as composed of two departments, located in different places, the Board of Trustees felt that it required special administrative qualifications in its President, to form really a more complete and perfect Union, to bring into regular system and adjustment its various parts, and thus to consolidate and organize the whole into such an Institution as will meet the demands of the times, and of this region of country. We are ambitious of establishing and building up a College for this section of our land, such as is Yale or Princeton to its circle of influence. Only let the people give us the pecuniary means, and we pledge ourselves to do it.

Hence, we felt the importance of a most careful and cautious deliberation and inquiry in the selection of such an important officer as our first President. It was not to be done hastily.

Our first election was of that eminent Divine and Patriot, the venerable Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge, whom the whole loyal country so much delights to honor. But after long consideration, and investigation of the whole subject, its duties and difficulties, this excellent friend of our Institution declined the appointment, in view of his age and infirm health, and supposed inability to meet the just demands of the position, as also his own vocation to other duties.

We have looked around for some younger and more active man, whose abilities and experience might fit him for such a post. There was needed a Christian gentleman, a ripe scholar, a thorough teacher, a wise and efficient executive officer,-so that by his prudent yet energetic administration of its affairs, internal and external, the College should take that place for which we design it. We trust that the proper man is found; and that Providence has kindly provided for us, and pointed out to us, and finally united us all most harmoniously and happily in choosing the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards.

This gentleman having formally accepted this appointment, and come among us, we are now met to Inaugurate him, as President of Washington and Jefferson College; and the Hon. James P. Sterrett, President of the 5th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, (and a member of the Board of Trustees) will now proceed to administer to him the oath of his office, in accordance with the arrangements of the Committee.

The official oath was administered in a solemn and

impressive manner by Judge Sterrett, and at the same time was recorded and subscribed as follows, viz:

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ss.

I, JONATHAN EDWARDS, do swear by Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that I will be true and loyal to the interests of Washington and Jefferson College, and discharge the duties of President thereof with fidelity, as I shall answer to God at the great day. J. EDWARDS.

I, JAMES P. STERRETT, President Judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, do certify that the foregoing oath of office was duly administered by me and subscribed in my presence on the fourth day of April, A. D., 1866. JAMES P. STERRETT,

President Judge.

After this induction, Dr. Beatty, in the name of the Board of Trustees, addressed the President in the following manner, and at the conclusion of his address, delivcred to him the keys of the College in token of his official authority:

Acting in my official capacity as President of the Board of Trustees, I now deliver to you, Dr. Edwards, President of Washington and Jefferson College, the keys of said College, in both the departments, and invest you with the authority which pertains to your office as President, and Professor of Metaphysics, Logic, Nattural Theology and Evidences of Christianity. You hold the key of knowledge and the key of discipline. At the same time I also present you with a copy of the Charter and By-Laws, which prescribe your duties, and by which you are to be governed in your exercise of the Presidency.

The College is but one, in two departments. The Faculty, which consists of the President, Vice President and Professors of the College in its several departments, is but one; and of this you are the presiding and executive officer. And though for local and departmental duties the Faculty is divided into two Committees, one to take special charge of the department located at Canonsburg, and the other to have charge of the department at Washington, (as we see in Section 14 of the Charter,) yet they are required statedly to

meet together, and it is never to be forgotten by you, or the respective Professors that there is a unity of interest always to be regarded, and that your duty is equally to consult the welfare of the whole institution. "It is the duty of the President as the head of the College to superintend all its interests, in every department." [ByLaw 16.] Especially is it your place to discourage all cliques, every thing like jealousy or rivalries within the College, and among any of its members, which might interfere with its general progress and prosperity.

To you, Sir, is especially committed the government of the College, in the execution of the laws, and the proper administration of its discipline. There is something in the human mind which instinctively loves order, admires law and reveres authority; and our young men I mean the young men who come to this College-will expect, for their own advantage and that of all concerned, that duc respect be secured to law and order, and that the authority of the College enforce this on the refractory, or cause them to withdraw.

The authority is originally with the Board of Trustees, but the maintenance of it is assigned to you. We make the laws and regulations for the College, and neither President nor Faculty have any veto power-far less is there to be allowed any such privilege with the students. It is for you to execute these laws, and for them to submit, or else let there be a quiet withdrawal.

Of the spirit and manner in which you are to administer this power of government, I need not speak further than to say, that as Trustees we desire it to be paternal, kind, gentle, impartial, firm, steady, regular, consistent. We wish the young men who may here assemble as students to be trained to self-respect and self-government, and to pride in co-operating with the Trustees, Faculty and friends to make this College of which they are members, an honor to themselves and to the country at large.

Another point toward which your attention should be constantly fixed is to raise as far as possible, and as speedily as may seem advisable the standard of education in general, and of thorough scholarship in all the departments, classes and studies. We must aim at higher attainments. This is a gradual work of time and unceasing effort, in which you must be seconded by the various Professors. In carrying this forward judiciously, perseveringly, you may be assured of the cordial co-operation of the Board of Trustees.

To make our College what we wish and design, there is needed a large increase of its endowment funds. For these, it is true, we must depend on the liberality of an enlightened and appreciative public. But we have faith in this public, if it is properly approached and dealt with. There is an abundance of wealth, and we trust it can be drawn forth by proper means. All of us should be interested and active in securing contributions to this object. It is desirable to enlist in this work the friends everywhere; the Alumni, the present and future students, the Professors and Trustees; but especially there will rest the greatest responsibility and burden upon you as the President. We have not hesitated already to declare this to you and to others. To devise plans and efforts for collecting funds and often personally to carry them into execution, -will be no small part of your business. May you be skilful, industrious and successful. We acknowledge that we depend much upon you. We hope much from you, under the blessing of Heaven.

But, sir, I must forbear. I verily believe that before you, as President of Washington and Jefferson College there is a bright carcer of honorable, though perhaps laborious usefulness, and finally a high reward. May you have for all your work the wisdom and the help which come from above.

After a piece of music the following addresses of welcome to the President were delivered by D. H. Riddle, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Ethics and Rhetoric, in behalf of the members of the Faculty resident at Canonsburg, and by James Black, D. D., Vice President of the College, in behalf of those resident at Washington:

DR. RIDDLE'S ADDRESS.

In the pageant of this day, the grateful part has been assigned me of extending to you, in the name and behalf of the Faculty at Canonsburg, our cordial welcome, and promising you our earnest co-operation in the responsibilities you now assume as President of the consolidated College. In doing this, you know, I am only giving expression, formally and in presence of this audience, to the assurances you have already received from us privately.

Ever since I became satisfied that no one previously identified with either College could appropriately or successfully take the ad