Harvard's Rules & Precepts for Students,

Harvard's Rules & Precepts for Students, September 26, 1642:

"1. When any Scholar ... is able to make and speak true Latine in Verse and Prose ... And decline perfectly the paradigims of Nounes and Verbes in the Greek tongue ... (he is allowed) admission into the college.

2. Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main 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 bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, Let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him Proverbs 3.

3. Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein, both in Theoretical observations of Language and Logic, 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 eschewing all profanation of God's name, Attributes, Word, Ordinances, and times of Worship, do study with good conscience carefully to retain God, and the love of his truth in their minds, else let them know, that (notwithstanding their Learning) God may give them up to strong delusions, and in the end to a reprobate mind, 2Thesalonians 2:11, 12. Romans 1:28.

5. That they studiously redeeme the time; observe the generall 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, go abroad to other Towns.

7. Every Scholar shall be present in his Tutor's chamber at the 7th hour in the morning, immediately after the sound of the Bell, at his opening the Scripture and prayer, so also at the 5th hour at night, and then give account of his own private reading … But if any ... shall absent himself from prayer or Lectures, he shall be lyable to Admonition, if he offend above once a week.

8. If any Scholar shall be found to transgress any of the Laws of God, or the School ... he may be admonished at the public monthly Act."

In 1790, the requirements for Harvard stated:

"All persons of what degree forever residing at the College, and all undergraduates ... shall constantly and seasonably attend the worship of God in the chapel, morning and evening ...

All the scholars shall, at sunset in the evening preceding the Lord's Day, lay aside all their diversions and ... it is enjoined upon every scholar carefully at apply himself to the duties of religion on said day."