In the Beginning of the last year I was in Deerfield, in Cumberland County New-Jersey, with the Rev'd Mr Green; Under him I studied the Hebrew-Language and Divinity. I left the college the last of September 1772. After having setled my business at Home, I entered upon the Study of Divinity with the Rev'd Andrew Hunter; I was with him about a Month, and on the first of December I went to Mr _Green_ with a design to acquaint myself with the Hebrew Tongue; he put me to the Grammar, which I learn'd through, and read some Chapters in the Psalter in the Course of the Winter: In Divinity, he advised me to read Ridgeleys body of Divinity for a System: And he gave me several separate treatisses on Repentance, Regeneration, Faith, &c, & towards spring gave me subjects to consider in the Sermon-Way. Yet how barren am I still? It is an arduous task to bring the Mind to close application; & still greater to lay up and retain useful Knowledge. I continued with Mr _Green_ & pursued my studies, I hope with some Success till August 1773. when I was solicited by Dr _Witherspoon_ to go into _Virginia_ & teach in a Gentlemans Family--The Offer seem'd profitable; I was encouraged by the Dr and was to have his Recommendation--I had likewise myself a strong inclination to go--Yet I was in great Doubt, & Wholly undetermined for some Weeks, because many of my friends, and some of my near Relations opposed my leaving Home, and all seem'd utterly unwilling to advise to go--It is time, according to the Course of my Life they said that I was settling to some constant Employment, and they told me I ought especially to enter with as great speed as convenient into that plan of Life for which I have in particular had my Education--That Virginia is sickly--That the People there are profane, and exceeding wicked--That I shall read there no Calvinistic Books, nor hear any Presbyterian Sermons--That I must keep much Company, and therefore spend as much, very probably much more Money than my Salary--These considerations unsettled for a while my mind--On the other hand I proposed to myself the following advantages by going--A longer opportunity for Study than my friends would willingly allow me If I should remain at home--A more general acquaintance with the manners of Mankind; and a better Knowledge of the Soil, & Commerce of these neighbouring Provinces--And a more perfect acquaintance with the Doctrines, & method of Worship in the established Church in these Colonies, & especially with the Conduct of the Clergy of which there have been so many bad reports--All these however when I had laid them together, seem'd to overbear the others, so that I determined at last to break through and go!--Here now I am in a strange Province; But I am under no more nor stronger temptations to any kind of vice, perhaps not so great as at Cohansie,--unless sometimes when I am solicited to dance I am forc'd to blush, for my Inability--I have the opportunity