Having so long witnessed your exertions in behalf of this institution of your Country and religion; having so sensibly experienced the advantages of your fostering care & attention, we cannot consistently with our feelings omit paying you this tribute of respect. Your situation involves a variety of interesting and important duties. When we behold the relations in which you stand, when we witness your capacity and fidelity in training to habits of piety, of temperance and industry the youth committed to your care, it is a spectacle we think which superior natures may contemplate with delight. You have been the director of our youthful pursuits, our guide, our teacher, and our friend. Under your guardianship and inspection we have acquired the rudiments of that knowledge which is to fit us for the active and important scenes of life. You have often inculcated upon our minds with the zeal & solicitude of a parent the great and instructive lessons of moral rectitude. "You have taught our young ideas how to shoot, our wayward passions how to move."

When viewing such essential services, how cold and lifeless, how insensible to every generous motive must be that heart which does not swell with the strongest emotions of gratitude and love. Be assured Sir, that we duly appreciate your worth. We fain would hope that the sentiments inspired by your lessons, "may never be erased." Your admonitions shall be remembered when we are far removed from your presence, they shall rise on our minds like the light of the evening to guide and refresh us.

That you may live in health and peace and see these plants of your care, blossom and produce much fruit, and that you may long continue a blessing to religion and to the world is the sincere the hearty wish of your friends & pupils.