“’T is the hour for deep contrition,
    ’T is the hour for peaceful thought,
  ’T is the hour to win the blessing
    In the early stillness sought;
  Kneeling in the quiet chamber,
    On the deck, or on the sod,
  In the still and early morning,
    ’T is the hour to worship God.

  “But don’t you stop to pray in secret,
    No time for you to worship there,
  The hour approaches, ‘Tempus fugit,’
    Tear your shirt or miss a prayer. 
  Don’t stop to wash, don’t stop to button,
    Go the ways your fathers trod;
  Leg it, put it, rush it, streak it,
    Run and worship God.

  “On the staircase, stamping, tramping,
    Bounding, sounding, down you go;
  Jumping, bumping, crashing, smashing,
    Jarring, bruising, heel and toe. 
  See your comrades far before you
    Through the open door-way jam,
  Heaven and earth! the bell is stopping! 
    Now it dies in silence—­d**n!”

PRELECTION.  Latin, praelectio.  A lecture or discourse read in public or to a select company.

Further explained by Dr. Popkin:  “In the introductory schools, I think, Prelections were given by the teachers to the learners.  According to the meaning of the word, the Preceptor went before, as I suppose, and explained and probably interpreted the lesson or lection; and the scholar was required to receive it in memory, or in notes, and in due time to render it in recitation.”—­Memorial of John S. Popkin, D.D., p. 19.

PRELECTOR.  Latin, praelector.  One who reads an author to others and adds explanations; a reader; a lecturer.

Their so famous a prelectour doth teach.—­Sheldon, Mir. of Anti-Christ, p. 38.

If his reproof be private, or with the cathedrated authority of a praelector or public reader.—­Whitlock, Mann. of the English, p. 385.

2.  Same as FATHER, which see.

PREPOSITOR.  Latin.  A scholar appointed by the master to overlook the rest.

And when requested for the salt-cellar, I handed it with as much trepidation as a praeposter gives the Doctor a list, when he is conscious of a mistake in the excuses.—­The Etonian, Vol.  II. p. 281.

PRESENTATION DAY.  At Yale College, Presentation Day is the time when the Senior Class, having finished the prescribed course of study, and passed a satisfactory examination, are presented by the examiners to the President, as properly qualified to be admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts.  A distinguished professor of the institution where this day is observed has kindly furnished the following interesting historical account of this observance.