Harvard University
Rules
And Precepts At Harvard In 1636
The
Rules and Precepts that were observed at Harvard University,
September 26, 1642, stated:
"1. When
any Schollar...is able to make [write] and speak true Latine
in Verse and Prose....And decline perfectly the paradigims
of Nounes and Verbes in the Greek tongue...[he is capable]
of admission into the college.
2. Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly
pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and
studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal!
life, John 17:3 and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome,
as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning.
And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one
seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him
Prov. 2, 3.
3. Every one shall so exercise himselfe in reading the
Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such
an account of his proficiency therein, both in Theoreticall
observations of Language and Logick, and in practical! and
spiritual! truths, as his Tutor shall require, according to
his ability; seeing the entrance of the word giveth light,
it giveth understanding to the simple, Psalm, 119:130.
4. That they eshewing all profanation of Gods name,
Attributes, Word, Ordinances, and times of Worship, do
studie with good conscience carefully to retaine God, and
the love of his truth in their minces, else let them know,
that (notwithstanding their Learning) God may give them up
to strong delusions, and in the end to a reprobate mince, 2
Thes. 2:11,12. Rom. 1:28.
5. That they studiously redeeme the time; observe the
general! houres...diligently attend the Lectures, without
any disturbance by word or gesture....
6. None shall...frequent the company and society of such men
as lead an unfit, and dissolute life. Nor shall any without
his Tutors leave, or without the call of Parents or
Guardians, goe abroad to other Townes.
7. Every Scholar shall be present in his Tutors chamber at
the 7th houre in the morning, immediately after the sound of
the Bell, at his opening the Scripture and prayer, so also
at the 5th houre at night, and then give account of his owne
private reading....But if any...shall absent himself from
prayer or Lectures, he shall bee lyable to Admonition, if he
offend above once a weeke.
8. If any Scholar shall be found to transgresse any of the
Lawes of God, or the Schoole...he may bee admonished at the
publick monethly Act."
1636. Old
South Leaflets" Peter G. Mode, "Sourcebook and
Biographical Guide For American Church History"
(Menasha, WI: George Banta Publishing Co., 1991) pp.
74-75
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