We are glad to hear at last of definite news from the prayer petitions. One of our editors asked Mr. McKengie at the close of the Overseer's meeting on Wednesday, what had been done about the petitions. He replied that they had been handed over for consideration to the five newly appointed preachers and the Plummer professor; that if they decided in favor of them - "and," he continued, "you may say from me, that they will undoubtedly be granted" - they would pass the Overseers with out any discussion; they would go into effect next year, and would probably be supplemented by an entire revision and enlargement of the religious instruction of the college. This news cannot but be a source of gratification to the men who have labored so earnestly for religious freedom here. Their goal is at last in sight; yet they ought to be none the less pleased at the advanced and liberal ground the Overseers have taken on this question. There is no doubt but compulsory chapel and compulsory church caused a stagnation in religious matters at Harvard, that only the breaking of the fetters which bound us to the latter has disturbed. Dr. Hale declares our chapel service to be "the grandest he has ever seen." We think he is mistaken; it lacks the one thing which makes a religious service most impressive - spontaneity. But hereafter, with a sympathetic pastor in our midst to stimulate us to new ambitions, with a chapel where interest and not compulsion is the motive of attendance, where each worshipper feels that he is there to worship and not to be billeted like a convict, there will be no more complaints about Harvard agnosticism.