Joseph Cook in his last Monday's lecture at Tremont Temple has given his ideas of what should be the habitual train of thought of college youth. He should try, Mr. Cook insists, to keep alive the celestial fire of conscience. "A young man who allows himself to be ridden over by the roughs of college life for four years is not likely to be able to stand against the bad influences around him in after life. But if he cannot stand against them he is a coward and a poltroon and hardly worth saving. A man's character," he continues, "is formed largely by standing up manfully during his preparatory days. Ten years after leaving college it will be found that the dissipated ones are fast sinking into early graves." After this warning Mr. Cook goes to point out the thoughts and motives a college man should keep before him. "When a man becomes a junior or a senior he begins to think seriously of the profession which he shall adopt. The first thing he should do is the settlement of a plan for this life and the next. Young men should cultivate the teachings of their loftiest moments and remember what they will want when they have a fireside of their own."

After referring to the good work President McCosh has done, "from whose instruction not half a dozen of young men have gone out into the world believing nothing," he turns to the influence of the professors at Harvard. "Would," he cries, "that icebergs in college chairs could read Tennyson's poem in the 'Palace of Art' with becoming appreciation! College professors should be rivers and not glaciers, even if they be on the top of Harvard." He at least, however, admits some good in Harvard. "The man who goes through Harvard erect will be apt to stand erect elsewhere. Harvard is either the best or the worst for any young man." This last is doubtful praise. We take it he is referring to the influence of Harvard on a man's religious belief. For the man who can stand the liberalizing influence of Harvard and remain unshaken in his faith, Harvard is the best; but for him who allows this influence to destroy his belief, Harvard is the worst. Altogether Mr. Cook's ideas are, to say the least, readable, if not profound.