256 OtrR HYMNS :
elected President of Yale College. This institution rose to the highest renown under his presidency. The number of students was more than doubled ; the standard of education was main tained at a great height ; infidelity, which had been gaming ground, was effectually checked ; and the students felt that they had in their president a pe^onal Christian friend, as well as a prince of preceptors.
In addition to his duties as president, Dr. D wight held the office of Professor of Theology at Yale College, undertaking it for the first ten years annually, and afterwards to the end of his life holding it as a permanent appointment. The diseased state of his eyes did not allow of his writing his lectures, hence he had the assistance of an amanuensis. His theological lectures were in the form of sermons, and a large number were preached twice to his congregation at Greenfield, and twice at New Haven. Sub sequently he adopted the plan of preaching one each Sunday morning in term-time, so that a student during his four years might hear them all. This manner of origin accounts for the practical and evangelical character of Dr. Dwight s theological course. It was written for the pulpit as well as for the class room. The style is adapted to public impression, yet it is some times held in check lest it should interfere with the clearness and force of the various arguments. His work is entitled, " Theology Explained and Defended in a Series of Sermons." It was written out at the close of 1809, and consists of five volumes.
With a view to the restoration and preservation of his health, he made extensive journeys during the college vacations ; and on the way he collected a great variety of information on various subjects. The fruit of this was his posthumous work, " Travels in New England and New York," in 4 vols., 1823. Several sermons and essays were published when they were written, and some additional volumes of sermons by him were published after his death. His " Discourses on the Nature and Danger of Infidel Philosophy " were republished in London, and much commended. His extraordinary industry was continued through his life, not-
�� �
