A glance at the history of morning prayers is instructive as well as entertaining. Two hundred and fifty years have wrought many changes in the character of this religious service. In President Dunster's time, morning prayers, and evening prayers, too, were held in the rooms of the tutor. They were afterwards held in the Commons Hall or Library, in the old Harvard Hall, and in the year 1744, in Holden Chapel. In 1766, part of the newly built Harvard Hall was used as a chapel, but in 1814 University Hall was built. From that date the morning service was held in the new building, until finally, in 1858 Appleton Chapel was erected, where morning prayers have been held ever since.

In 1642, and for many years later, the hour for morning prayers was seven o'clock. In 1786 the prescribed hour was six a.m. At this time a recitation was held directly after chapel and before breakfast, which was served at half past seven.

In the early days "the undergraduates were required to read in the Old Testament, from the Hebrew into Greek, excepting the freshmen, who were allowed to use their English Bibles." This reading was followed by an exposition of the passages, which was given by the President, who concluded with prayer. In 1708, this "ancient and laudable practice," of requiring translations from the Scriptures, which it appears had fallen into disuse, was again revived. In 1723, however, it was discontinued.

A peculiar feature of the morning prayers was the public confession from delinquent students which the President was accustomed to hear directly after the service. Discipline was then administered according to the nature of the offence. It consisted of degradation, admonition, or expulsion. Corporal punishment was given up as a general thing before 1700.

As an example of these confessions, we find that on "November 4, 1712, A - was publickly admonished in the College Hall, and there confessed his Sinfull Excess, and his enormous profanation of the Holy Name of Almighty God. And he demeaned himself so that the President and Fellows conceived great hopes that he will not be lost."

Fines in money were a favorite method of punishment.

The list of fines is as follows: -

In 1750. In 1800.

s. d. $ c.

Absence from prayers, 0 2 0.03

Tardiness at prayers, 0 1 0.02

Irreverent behavior at prayers, 1 6 1.00

These penalties were increased in later times, but were given up in 1825.

At the end of each week absences were announced in Latin after the service. "Ter abfuisti," a student would be informed. To which he would answer, "Semel aegrotavi," "Bis invalui," or "Detentus ab amic s" (friends from home).

A freshman once replied to this question, "Non ter, sed semel abfui; Carolus frater locked me up in the buttery." The boys Latin had failed to the great amusement of all present.