The Student's Manual

THE human mind is the brightest display of the power and skill of the Infinite Mind with which we are acquainted. It is created and placed in this world to be educated for a higher state of existence. Here its faculties begin to unfold, and those mighty energies, which are to bear it forward to unending ages, begin to discover themselves. The object of training such a mind should be, to enable the soul to fulfil her duties well here, and to stand on high vantage-ground, when she leaves this cradle of her being, for an eternal existence beyond the grave.

There is now and then a youth, who, like Ferguson, can tend sheep in the field, and there accurately mark the position of the stars, with a thread and beads, and with his knife construct a watch from wood; but such instances are rare. Most need encouragement to sustain, instruction to aid, and directions to guide them.

Why so little accomplished. Want of experience in the student.

Few, probably, ever accomplish any thing like as much as they expected or ought; and I have thought that one reason is, that students waste a vast amount of time in acquiring that experience which they need. As I look back upon the days when I was a "student," I can see that here I went wrong, and there I mistook; here I missed a golden opportunity, and there I acquired a wrong habit, or received a wrong bias; and as I sometimes walk past a college, as it is lighted up for evening-study, I pause, and sigh, that I cannot go back and begin life again, carrying with me my present experience. I think, too, I can see, that if there had been such a book as I am now attempting to write for students, put into my hands at an early period, it would have been of incalculable advantage to me. I have strong hopes of saying what will be useful, inasmuch as I shall principally draw from my own experience and from the remembrance of my own wants. The reader will please to bear in mind, that the only object I have in view, is to be useful to him— to throw out such hints and cautions, and to give such specific directions, as will aid him to become all that the fond hopes of his friends anticipate, and all that his own heart ought to desire.

I would here say to the student, that the character which he now forms and sustains, will cling to him through life. Young men always receive impressions concerning each other which nothing can ever efface.

Character acquired while a student.

The very nicknames which are given at this period, and which are generally indicative of some peculiar trait of character, will never be forgotten. His moral and intellectual character, while young, is that by which his class-mates, especially, will invariably measure him through life. Is he unamiable now, or indolent now, or vicious now? Depend upon it, his character is stamped, and no subsequent years of goodnature, or of application, or of moral worth, can ever do away the impressions which he is now making. Ask any educated man about the character of his fellow, and you will notice, that he at once goes back to his College-life, and dates and judges from that period. Thus, every anecdote, every ludicrous circumstance, whether it was a mistake in reciting, or in judgment, or in moral conduct, will be repeated over the land, and his frailties will be known as widely as his class is scattered.

No mistake can be more decided than that of supposing that you are now retired from the world, have no character to maintain, and no responsibility resting upon you. It is far otherwise. And it is peculiarly trying, that, during the very period when the character is forming, it is viewed by all around you as if it were already and unalterably formed, and judged of accordingly. He, who now sits by your side in the recitation-room, has every trait of your character exposed to his view; and he will remember every trait,

Responsibility as to character.

For whom writing.

and he will mark you through life, at the place where you now stand. Never, in fact, does so great a responsibility rest upon you, as while a student; 'because you are now forming your character and habits, and setting your standard; and because, also, your contemporaries will seldom, if ever, alter their judgment concerning you. If you are stupid and inaccurate during this period, though you should hereafter write dictionaries, and edit classics, and dream in foreign languages, I very much doubt whether your friend, now at your elbow, would ever give you credit for any thing higher than dullness.

Doubtless multitudes are now in the process of education, who will never reach any tolerable standard of excellence. Probably some never could; but in most cases they might. The exceptions are few; and probably most, who read these pages, do feel a desire, more or less strong, of fitting themselves for respectability and usefulness. They are, however, ignorant of the way; they are surrounded by temptations and dangers; they soon forget the encouragements, and thus oscillate between hope and fear, resolution and discouragement. It is for such that I write. And such I earnestly entreat not to lay aside this little book till they have read it, weighed it, and, if they please, called the writer whatever hard names occur to them. My pen will probably sometimes seem dull; but if it should, I hope I may apologize for

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The Student's Manual: Designed, by Specific Directions, to Aid in Forming ...