He began the study of Latin at six and at twelve had a good preparation for college in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, all of which had come from home study.  He not only knew books, but he knew nature and loved her.  From early childhood to advanced years this remained true.  He entered Yale college at twelve years of age.  In a letter which he wrote while a college freshman he speaks of himself as a child.  Not many freshmen take that view of themselves, but a lad of twelve, away from home at college could have been little more than a child.

He was the fifth in a family of eleven children, so that he had no lack of companionship from both older and younger sisters.  The older sisters had contributed much to his preparation for college.  They were a never-failing source of inspiration.  At fourteen he read in a masterly way “Locke on the Human Understanding.”  It took a powerful hold on his mind and greatly affected his life.  In a letter to his father he asked a special favor that he might have a copy of “The Art of Thinking,” not because it was necessary to his college work, but because he thought it would be profitable.

While still in his teens he wrote a series of “Resolutions,” the like of which it would be difficult to duplicate in the case of any other youth.  These things are dwelt upon as indicating the way in which every fibre of his being was prepared for the great moral and intellectual legacy he left his children and his children’s children.  Here are ten of his seventy resolutions: 

Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might while I do live.

Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

Resolved, never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Yale in the days of Mr. Edwards was not the Yale of the closing year of the nineteenth century.  It has now 2,500 students and has had 19,000 graduates.  It had a very humble beginning in March, 1702, the year before Mr. Edwards was born.  It began with one lone student.  The father of Jonathan Edwards had been greatly interested in the starting of the college.  In 1701, Rev. Mr. Russell, of Branford,