PRAYERS.

[We have received the following, and publish it, as we believe it to be a true expression of the students' views on the subject. - EDS.]

So much has been said on the subject of prayers, that in choosing it one fears that he may only repeat what has been said before. Still, it is sometimes useful to keep a subject under discussion, though very little that is new can be said.

The two arguments that are used in support of the practice of having morning prayers are that they make us get up in time for recitation, and that they have a religious influence. Through its President, the College has declared that it is satisfied, from experience, that the omission of morning prayers influences neither the attendance at the first recitations, nor our good order and discipline. Since this question concerns the College alone, it is entirely disposed of.

In considering the second point, it is right that the College government should pay some attention to public opinion. If it is thought that our religious feeling can be strengthened by such a regulation, by all means let it be done; but it must be done in the best way. Outside of our Faculty there are very few people who are qualified to point out the best way. Every one knows that to nine tenths of us the present system is a perfect farce, and is therefore positively harmful. In Oxford and Cambridge, whence so many wonderful changes are expected, there are both morning and evening prayers; though only an occasional attendance is required. Could not we have some modification of this rule? We might have prayers twice a day, but only be required to attend once; a provision which would accommodate both the early and the late risers. There are many in the latter class who are injured physically by getting up at six. It is easy to say that they can go to bed early; but to get to bed before ten is very difficult; and even then, if you sleep every instant of the time, you only have eight hours, which surely is not too much for any one. Then there are perhaps some who would pay more attention to the service if they were fully awake, and did not feel tired from want of sleep. Let those who favor the present system remember how different theory is from practice, and that they only argue a priori, while we know from experience.

R.