,note3 ,images of the original pages are available through the ,florida ,board of ,education1 ,division of ,colleges and ,universities1 ,,palmm ,project1 #bjja4 7,preservation and ,access for ,american and ,british ,children's ,literature1 #ahej-ahfi47 ,see http3_/_/fulltext#aj4;fcla4edu_/cgi_/t_/ text_/text-idx8cjuvidno,,uf#jjjjahae;for matjpg or http3_/_/fulltext#aj4;fcla4edu_/cgi_/t_/ text_/text-idx8cjuvidno,,uf#jjjjahae;for matpdf ,,golden ,,steps ,,to ,,respectability1 ,,usefulness1 ,,and ,,happiness ,being a ,series of ,lectures to ,youth of ,both ,sexes1 on ,character1 ,principles1 ,associates1 ,amusements1 ,religion1 and ,marriage by ,,john ,,mather ,,austin ,author of ,voice to ,youth1 ,voice to ,married1 etc41 etc4 ,auburn3 ,derby1 ,miller1 and ,company #ahea ,onward6 onward6 ,toils despising1 ,upward1 upward6 ,turn thine eyes1 ,only be content when rising1 ,fix thy goal amid the skies4 ,illustration ,,contents4 ,,lecture ,i4 ,,the ,,value ,,of ,a ,,good ,,reputation ,,lecture ,,ii4 ,,the ,,principles ,,and ,,purposes ,,of ,,life ,,lecture ,,iii4 ,,selection ,,of ,,associates ,,lecture ,,iv4 ,,the ,,habits ,,and ,,amusements ,,lecture ,v4 ,,the ,,religious ,,sentiments ,,lecture ,,vi4 ,,marriage ,,preface4 ,the ,lectures embraced in this volume1 were written for the pulpit1 in the usual manner of preparation for such labor1 without any expectation of their appearing in print4 ,the author is but too sensible that they are imperfect in many features1 both in matter and style4 ,it is only in the hope that they will be of some benefit to the class to whom they are addressed1 that he has consented to submit them to public perusal4 ,he has aimed at nothing eccentric1 odd1 or far-fetched2 but has sought to utter plain and obvious truths1 in a plain and simple manner4 ,there is no class more interesting1 and none which has higher claims on the wisdom1 experience1 and advice1 of mature minds1 than the young who are about to enter upon the trying duties and responsibilities of active life4 ,whatever tends to instruct and enlighten them3 to point out the temptations which will beset their pathway1 and the dire evils which inevitably flow from a life of immorality2 whatever will influence them to honesty1 industry1 sobriety1 and religion1 and lead them to the practice of these virtues1 as ,golden ,steps by which they may ascend to ,respectability1 ,usefulness1 and ,happiness1 must be of benefit to the world4 ,to aid in such a work1 is the design of this volume4 ,if it subserves this end--if it becomes instrumental in inciting the youthful to high and pure principles of action1 in hedging up the way of sin1 and opening the path of wisdom1 to any--if it drops but a single good seed into the heart of each of its readers1 and awakens the slightest aspiration to morality1 usefulness1 and religion--it will not have been prepared in vain4 ,with a prayer to ,god that he would protect and bless the youth of our common country1 and prepare them to preserve and perpetuate the priceless legacy of ,freedom and ,religion1 which they will inherit from their fathers1 this book is given to the world1 to fulfil such a mission as ,divine ,wisdom shall direct4 ,,the ,,author4 ,,auburn1 ,june1 #ahej4 ,,lecture ,i4 ,the ,value of a ,good ,reputation4 ,laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come4--#a ,tim4 vi4 #ai4 ,in this language ,st4 ,paul asserts a principle which should commend itself to the mature consideration of every youthful mind4 ,if the young would have their career honorable and prosperous--if they would enjoy the respect and confidence of community2 if they would have the evening of their days calm1 serene1 and peaceful--they must prepare for it early in life4 ,they must lay a good foundation against the time to come--a foundation which will be capable of sustaining the edifice they would erect4 ,the building cannot be reared in strength and beauty1 without it rests on a secure corner-stone4 ,the harvest cannot be gathered unless the seed is first cast into the ground4 ,a wise ,providence has so ordered it that success1 prosperity1 and happiness through life1 and a respected and green old age1 are to be enjoyed only by careful preparation1 prudent forecast1 and assiduous culture1 in the earlier periods of our existence4 ,true wisdom1 early sought and gained1 ,in age will give thee rest2 then improve the morn of life1 ,to make its evening blest4 ,the youthful live much in the future4 ,they are fond of gazing into its unknown depths1 and of endeavoring to trace the outline1 at least1 of the fortunes that await them4 ,with ardent hope1 with eager expectation1 they anticipate the approach of coming years--confident they will bring to them naught but unalloyed felicity4 ,but they should allow their anticipations of the future to be controlled by a well-balanced judgment1 and moderated by the experience of those who have gone before them4 ,in looking to the future1 there is one important inquiry which the young should put to their own hearts3--,what do ,i most desire to become in mature life8 ,what position am ,i anxious to occupy in society8 ,what is the estimation in which ,i wish to be held by those within the circle of my acquaintance8 ,the answer to these inquiries1 from the great mass of young people1 can well be anticipated4 ,there are none among them who desire to be disrespected and shunned by the wise and good--who are anxious to be covered with disgrace and infamy--who seek to be outcasts and vagabonds in the world4 ,the thought that they were doomed to such a condition1 would fill them with alarm4 ,every discreet youth will exclaim--,nothing would gratify me more than to be honored and respected1 as ,i advance in years2 to move in good society2 to have people seek my company1 rather than shun it2 to be looked up to as an example for others to imitate1 and to enjoy the confidence of all around me4 ,is not his the desire of the young of this large audience8 ,surely there can be none here so blind to the future1 so lost to their own good1 as to prefer a life of infamy and its ever-accompanying wretchedness1 to respectability1 prosperity1 and true enjoyment8 ,but how are these to be obtained8 ,respectability1 prosperity1 the good opinion of community1 do not come simply at our bidding4 ,we cannot reach forth our hands and take them1 as we pluck the ripe fruit from the bending branch4 ,neither will wishing or hoping for them shower their blessings upon us4 ,if we would obtain and enjoy them1 we must labor for them--,,earn them4 ,they are only secured as the well-merited reward of a pure and useful life6 ,the first thing to be aimed at by the young1 should be the establishment of a ,,good ,,character3 ,in all their plans1 anticipations1 and prospects for future years1 this should form the grand starting-point6--the chief corner-stone6 ,it should be the foundation of every hope and thought of prosperity and happiness in days to come4 ,it is the only basis on which such a hope can mature to full fruition4 ,a good character1 established in the season of youth1 becomes a rich and productive moral soil to its possessor4 ,planted therein1 the ,tree of ,life will spring forth in a vigorous growth4 ,its roots will strike deep and strong1 in such a soil1 and draw thence the utmost vigor and fruitfulness4 ,its trunk will grow up in majestic proportions--its wide-spreading branches will be clothed with a green luxuriant foliage1 goodly to look upon--the most beautiful of blossoms will in due time1 blush on every twig--and at length each limb and bough shall bend beneath the rich1 golden fruit1 ready to drop into the hand4 ,beneath its grateful shade you can find rest and repose1 when the heat and burden of life come upon you4 ,and of its delicious fruit1 you can pluck and eat1 and obtain refreshment and strength1 when the soul becomes wearied with labor and care1 or the weight of years4 ,would you behold such a tree8 ,remember it grows alone on the soil of a good reputation66 ,labor to prepare such a soil4 ,believe not1 ye youthful1 that ,god has made the path of virtue and religion hard and thorny4 ,believe not he has overhung it with dark clouds1 and made it barren of fruit and beauty4 ,believe not that rugged rocks1 and briers1 and brambles1 choke the way1 and lacerate the limbs of those who would walk therein6 ,no6 he has made it a smooth and peaceful path--an easy and pleasant way4--,wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness1 and all her paths are peace4 ,the young who overlook these considerations--who lay their plans1 and cherish their expectations1 in reference to their future career1 without any regard to the importance of a good character--who1 in marking out their course1 lose sight of the necessity of laboring to establish a worthy reputation to commence with--who1 in building their hopes of success and happiness1 are not convinced that a good name is the only foundation on which such hopes can legitimately rest--have commenced wrong4 ,they have made a radical and lamentable ,,mistake at the outset4 ,a mistake1 which1 unless speedily corrected1 will prove most disastrous in all its influences1 and be keenly felt and deplored throughout life4 ,those who fall into error on this point1 who view a good reputation as a matter of no moment--well enough if you can secure it without much trouble1 but not worth laboring for1 with zeal and perseverance--have placed themselves in a most critical position4 ,they are like a ship in the midst of the wide wastes of ocean1 without chart compass1 or rudder1 liable to be turned hither and thither by every fickle wind that blows1 and dashed upon dangerous reefs by the heaving billows4 ,failing to see the importance of establishing a good character1 they fall easy victims to sinful temptations1 and1 ere long1 verging farther and farther from the path of rectitude1 they at length find every fond hope1 every fair prospect1 blasted for life4 ,to a young man1 a good character is the best capital he can possess1 to start with in life4 ,it is much better1 and far more to be depended on than gold4 ,although money may aid in establishing a young man in business1 under favorable circumstances1 yet without a good character he cannot succeed4 ,his want of reputation will undermine the best advantages1 and failure1 and ruin1 will1 sooner or later1 overtake him with unerring certainty66 ,when it is known that a young man is well-informed1 industrious1 attentive to business1 economical1 strictly temperate1 and moral1 a respecter of the ,sabbath1 the ,bible1 and religion1 he cannot fail to obtain the good opinion and the confidence of the whole community4 ,he will have friends on every hand1 who will take pleasure in encouraging and assisting him4 ,the wise and good will bestow their commendation upon him2 and parents will point to him as an example for their children to imitate4 ,blessed with health1 such a youth cannot fail of success and permanent happiness4 ,but let it be known that a young man is ignorant or indolent1 that he is neglectful of business1 or dishonest2 that he is given to intemperance1 or disposed to visit places of dissipation1 or to associate with vicious companions--and what are his prospects8 ,with either one or more of these evil qualifications fixed upon him1 he is hedged out of the path of prosperity4 ,to cover up such characteristics for a great length of time1 is a moral impossibility4 ,remember this1 ,i beg you4 ,it is beyond the power of mortals to conceal vicious habits and propensities for any long period4 ,and when once discovered1 who will repose confidence in such a youth8 ,who will trust him1 or encourage him1 or countenance him8 ,who will give him employment8 ,who will confide anything to his oversight8 ,who will render him assistance in his business affairs1 when he is straitened and in need of the aid of friends8 ,behold his prospects6 ,how unpromising1 how dark66 ,it is impossible for such a young man to succeed4 ,no earthly power can confer prosperity upon him4 ,he himself undermines his own welfare1 blackens his own name1 and dashes down the cup of life which a wise and good ,providence has kindly placed to his lips1 and calls upon him to drink4 99 99 99 99 99 ,if a good character1 a spotless reputation1 is all-essential to the prosperity of a young man1 what must it not be to a young woman8 ,a well-established character for morality and virtue is of great importance to people of every class1 and in all circumstances4 ,but to a young lady1 a good name is a priceless jewel4 ,it is everything--literally1 ,,everything--to her4 ,it will give her an attraction1 a value1 an importance1 in the estimation of others1 which nothing else can impart4 ,in possession of a spotless character1 she may reasonably hope for peace and happiness4 ,but without such a character1 she is nothing6 ,youth1 beauty1 dress1 accomplishments1 all gifts and qualities will be looked upon as naught1 when tainted by a suspicious reputation6 ,nothing can atone for this1 nothing can be allowed to take its place1 nothing can give charm and attraction where it exists4 ,when the character of a young woman is gone--all is gone6 ,thenceforward she can look for naught else but degradation and wretchedness4 ,the reputation of a young woman is of the most delicate texture4 ,it requires not overt acts of actual wickedness to tarnish its brightness1 and cast suspicion on its purity4 ,indiscreet language1 careless deportment1 a want of discrimination in regard to associates1 even when no evil is done1 or intended1 will often bring into question her character1 greatly to her injury4 ,many are the instances where a single word1 spoken at random1 in the giddy thoughtlessness of youthful vivacity1 without the slightest thought of wrong1 has cast a shadow upon the character of a young woman which it required years to efface4 ,how important that every word uttered1 and every deed performed1 should be maturely weighed4 ,a discreet lady will not only be careful to avoid evil itself1 but will studiously refrain from everything which has even the appearance of evil4 ,whatever dims thy sense of truth1 ,or stains thy purity1 ,though light as breath of summer air1 ,count it as sin to thee4 ,young women frequently err in their understanding of what it is that gives them a good name1 and imparts their chief attraction4 ,many seem to imagine that good looks1 a gay attire1 in the extreme of fashion1 and a few showy attainments1 constitute everything essential to make them interesting and attractive1 and to establish a high reputation in the estimation of the other sex4 ,hence they seek for no other attainments4 ,in this1 they make a radical mistake4 ,the charms contained in these qualities1 are very shallow1 very worthless1 and very uncertain4 ,there can no dependence be placed upon them4 ,if there is one point more than another1 in this respect1 where young ladies err1 it is in regard to ,,dress4 ,there are not a few who suppose that dress is the most important thing for which they have been created1 and that it forms the highest attraction of woman4 ,under this mistaken notion--this poor infatuation--they plunge into every extravagance in their attire2 and1 in this manner1 squander sums of money1 which would be much more profitably expended in storing their minds with useful knowledge1 or1 in some cases1 even in procuring the ordinary comforts of life4 ,there is a secret on this point ,i would like to divulge to young women4 ,it is this--,that any dress1 which from its oddness1 or its extreme of fashion and display1 is calculated to attract very particular attention1 is worn at the expense of the good name of its possessor4 ,it raises them in the estimation of none2 but deprives them of the good opinion of all sensible people4 ,it gives occasion for suspicion1 not only of their good sense1 but of their habits of economy4 ,when a young woman is given to extravagant displays in dress1 it is but publishing to the world1 her own consciousness of a want of other attractions of a more substantial nature4 ,it is but virtually saying1 ,i seek to excite attention by my dress1 because ,i have no other good quality by which ,i can secure attention4 ,could a young woman who passes through the streets decked out extravagantly in all that the milliner and dress-maker can furnish1 realize the unfavorable impression she makes upon sensible young men--could she but see the curl of the lip1 and hear the contemptuous epithet which her appearance excites1 and know how utterly worthless they esteem her--she would hasten to her home1 throw off her foolish attire1 and weep tears of bitterness at her folly4 ,parents are often much to be blamed for this indiscretion in their daughters4 ,they should give them better advice2 and instruct them to cultivate other and worthier attractions than the poor gewgaws of ,,dress6 ,do they not know that the worthless and abandoned of the female sex dress the most gaily and fashionably8 ,should they not urge their daughters to seek for a higher excellency1 a more creditable distinction than this8 ,here is another secret for young ladies3--,all the attraction they can ever possess by means of dress1 will be derived from three sources1 viz4 ,plainness1 ,neatness1 and ,appropriateness4 ,in whatever they deviate from these cardinal points1 they will to the same degree make themselves ridiculous--weaken their influence1 and lose the good opinion of those they are the most anxious to win4 ,i beg these truths to be impressed deeply on the mind4 ,dress1 personal beauty1 and showy accomplishments1 go but a short way to establish the reputation on which the happiness of woman really depends4 ,instead of placing reliance on these1 they should seek to cultivate those qualities1 habits1 and dispositions1 which will give permanent merit and value1 in the estimation of those whose attention and regard they are desirous to cultivate4 ,a sweet and gentle disposition--a mild and forgiving temper--a respectful and womanly demeanor--a mind cultivated1 and well-stored with useful knowledge--a thorough practical acquaintance with all domestic duties2 7the sphere where woman can exhibit her highest attractions1 and her most valuable qualities17 tastes1 habits1 and views of life1 drawn not from the silly novels of the day1 but from a discriminating judgment1 and the school of a well-learned practical experience in usefulness and goodness3--these are the elements of a good name1 a valuable reputation in a young woman4 ,they are more to be sought for1 and more to be depended upon1 than any outward qualification4 ,they form an attraction which will win the regard and affection of the wise and enlightened1 where the fascinations of dress1 and other worthless accomplishments1 would prove utterly powerless4 ,i desire the young1 of both sexes1 to remember that it is one thing not to have a bad reputation1 but quite another thing to have a good one4 ,the fact that an individual does nothing criminal1 or offensive1 although creditable in itself considered1 does not bestow the amount of merit after which all should seek4 ,they may do nothing particularly bad1 and nothing very good4 ,it is meritorious to refrain from evil2 but it is better still to achieve something by active exertion1 which shall deserve commendation4 ,the ,apostle exhorts us not only to cease to do evil1 but to learn to do well4 ,the young1 while striving to avoid the evils of a bad reputation1 should assiduously seek for the advantages of a good one4 ,how can the young secure a good character8 ,its worth1 its importance1 its blessings1 we have seen4 ,now1 how can it be obtained8 ,this is a question1 worthy the serious consideration of every youth4 ,let me say in reply3-- #a4 ,that a good character cannot be inherited1 as the estate of a father descends to his heirs4 ,however respectable and worthy parents may be1 their children cannot share in that respect1 unless they deserve it by their own merits4 ,too many youth1 it is to be apprehended1 are depending upon their parents' reputation as well as their parents' property1 for their own standing and success in life4 ,this is an insecure foundation4 ,in our republican land1 every individual is estimated by his or her own conduct1 and not by the reputation of their connections4 ,it is undoubtedly an advantage in many points of view1 for a young person to have respectable parents4 ,but if they would inherit their parents' good name1 they must imitate their parents' virtues4 #b4 ,a good character cannot be purchased with gold4 ,though a man or a woman may have all the wealth of the ,indies1 yet it cannot secure a worthy name--it cannot buy the esteem of the wise and good1 without the merit which deserves it4 ,the glitter of gold cannot conceal an evil and crabbed disposition1 a selfish soul1 a corrupt heart1 or vile passions and propensities4 ,although the sycophantic may fawn around such as possess wealth1 and bow obsequiously before them1 on account of their riches1 yet1 in fact1 they are despised and contemned in the hearts even of their hangers-on and followers4 #c4 ,a good character cannot be obtained by simply wishing for it4 ,the ,creator has wisely provided1 that the desire for a thing does not secure it4 ,were it to be thus1 our world would soon present a strange aspect4 ,it is1 undoubtedly1 much better that it should be as it is4 ,we have the privilege to wish for whatever we please2 but we can secure only that which we labor for and deserve4 ,were the traveller to stand throughout the day1 at the foot of the hill1 wishing to be at the summit1 his simple desire would not place him there4 ,he must allow his wishes to prompt him to proper exertion4 ,it is only by persevering industry1 and patient toil1 contented to take one step at a time2 that his wish is gratified1 and he finds himself at length upon the brow of the eminence4 ,in like manner1 the youthful1 to obtain possession of a good character1 must earn it4 ,it must be sought for1 by an earnest cultivation of all the graces and virtues1 which are commended by ,god and man4 ,it cannot be secured in a moment4 ,as the edifice is erected by diligently laying one stone upon another1 until it finally becomes a splendid temple1 piercing the heavens with its glittering spire1 so a good name must be built up by good deeds1 faithfully and constantly performed1 as day after day carries us along amid the affairs of life4 ,let the youthful fix their eyes upon this prize of a good reputation--the only end worth striving for in life4 ,let them studiously avoid evil practices1 corrupt associates1 and vicious examples4 ,let them patiently and faithfully lay the foundations of virtuous habits1 and practice the lessons of wisdom and the precepts of religion--and in due time the prize shall be theirs4 ,the spotless wreath of a virtuous character shall rest upon their brow4 ,the commendation1 the confidence1 and the good-will of man shall accompany them2 and the choicest of the blessings of ,god shall rest upon them1 and sweeten all their days4 ,,lecture ,,ii4 ,the ,principles and ,purposes of ,life4 ,the heart of him that hath understanding1 seeketh knowledge4--,prov4 xv4 #ad4 ,the practical wisdom of ,solomon is seen in this simple precept4 ,the youthful1 who have the slightest understanding of the journey of life--who have been impressed1 even in the smallest degree1 with the perils to which they are exposed2 the trials to be endured2 the vicissitudes through which they must necessarily pass2 the obstacles they must overcome2 the deceptions and allurements they will have to detect and withstand--cannot fail to acknowledge the wisdom of seeking for knowledge to enlighten and prepare for the exigencies which await the inexperienced traveller through this world's wayward scenes4 ,those who commence their career without forethought1 or discrimination in regard to the moral principles by which they will be governed1 and without selecting the best and safest path of the many which open before them1 are involved in a blindness of the most pitiable description4 ,they would not manifest this want of discretion on matters of much less importance4 ,the commander of the ship does not venture his voyage to sea without his compass1 his chart1 and a full supply of stores4 ,we would not sail an hour with him1 if we believed him ignorant or indifferent to the necessity of these important preparations4 ,how hazardous1 how foolish the youth who launches away on the momentous voyage of life1 without compass1 or chart1 or any preparation which extends beyond the present moment4 ,true1 the ship destitute of all these essentials1 may leave the harbor in safety1 with her gay pennons flying1 her swelling sails filled with a favorable breeze1 a smiling sun above1 a smooth sea beneath1 and all the outward indications of a prosperous voyage4 ,but follow her a few hours4 ,the terrific storm-king spreads abroad his misty pinions1 and goes forth in fury1 ploughing up the waters into mountain billows1 and shrieking for his prey4 ,the gloomy night settles down upon the bosom of the mighty deep1 and spreads its dark pall over sea and sky4 ,muttering thunders stun the ear1 and the lightning's vivid flash lights up the terrific scene1 and reveals all its indescribable horrors4 ,where now is the gay ship which ventured forth without needful preparation8 ,behold her1 tossed to and fro by the angry waves4 ,all on board are in alarm6 ,the fierce winds drive her on1 they know not whither4 ,hark to that fearful roar6 ,it is the fatal breakers6 ,hard up the helm6 ,put the ship about6 ,see1 on every hand frowns the fatal lee-shore6 ,pull taught each rope--spread every sail4 ,it is in vain6 ,throw out the anchors6 ,haste6 strain every nerve6 ,alas6 ,it is all too late4 ,the danger cannot be escaped4 ,on drifts the fated craft4 ,now she mounts the crest of an angry wave1 which hurries forward with its doomed burthen4 ,now she dashes against the craggy points of massive rocks1 and sinks into the raging deep4 ,one loud1 terrific wail is heard1 and all is silent6 ,on the rising of the morrow's sun1 the spectator beholds the beach and the neighboring waters strewn with broken masts1 rent sails1 and drifting fragments--all that remains of the proud ship which yesterday floated so gaily on the ocean waters66 ,behold1 ,o ye youthful1 a picture of the fate of those who rush upon the career of life1 without forethought or preparation1 and without the light of well-selected moral principles to guide them4 ,all may appear fair and promising at the outset1 and for a season4 ,but before many years can elapse1 the prospects of such youth must be overclouded2 and ere long disappointment1 overthrow1 disgrace and ruin1 will be the closing scenes of a life1 commenced in so much blindness4 ,well begun is half done1 was one of ,dr4 ,franklin's sound maxims4 ,a career well begun--a life commenced properly1 with wise forecast1 with prudent rules of action1 and under the influence of sound and pure1 moral and religious principles--is an advance1 half-way at least1 to ultimate success and prosperity4 ,such a commencement will not1 it is true1 insure you against the misfortunes which are incident to earthly existence4 ,but if persevered in1 it will guard you against the long catalogue of evils1 vexatious penalties and wretchedness1 which are the certain fruit of a life of immorality2 and will bestow upon you all the real enjoyments1 within the earthly reach of man4 ,as people advance in years1 they perceive more and more the importance of commencing life properly4 ,see that wretched outcast6 ,poor and miserable1 shunned by all but depraved associates1 he drags out the worthless remnant of his days4 ,does he think he has acted wisely8 ,hark to his soliloquy--,oh1 could ,i begin life again3--could ,i but live my days over once more--how different the course ,i would pursue4 ,instead of rushing on blindly and mindlessly1 without forethought or care1 and allowing myself to become an easy prey to temptation and sin1 ,i would reflect maturely1 and choose wisely the path for my footsteps4 ,faithfully ,i would search for the way of virtue1 honesty1 sobriety1 and goodness1 and strictly would ,i walk therein6 ,the opportunity he so eagerly covets1 and to obtain which he would deem no sacrifice too great1 is now before every youth in the assembly4 ,this thought is beautifully elaborated in the following allegory3 ,it was midnight of the new year1 and an aged man stood thoughtfully at the window4 ,he gazed with a long1 despairing look1 upon the fixed1 eternal1 and glorious heaven1 and down upon the silent1 still1 and snow-white earth1 whereon was none so joyless1 so sleepless as he4 ,for his grave stood open near him2 it was covered only with the snows of age1 not decked with the green of youth2 and he brought with him1 from a long and rich life1 nothing save errors1 crimes1 and sickness--a wasted body1 a desolate soul1 a breast filled with poison1 and an old age heavy with repentance and sorrow4 ,the fair days of his youth at this hour1 arose like spectres before his mind1 and carried him back to the bright morning1 when his father had first planted him at the starting-point of life2 whence1 to the right1 the way conducts along the sunny path of virtue1 to a wide and peaceful land1 a land of light1 rich in the harvest of good deeds1 and full of the joy of angels2 whilst1 to the left1 the road descends to the molehills of vice1 toward a dark cavern1 full of poisonous droppings1 stinging serpents1 and dank and steaming mists4 ,the serpents clung around his breast1 and the drops of poison lay upon his tongue1 and he knew not where he was4 ,senseless and in unutterable anguish1 his cry went forth to heaven3 ',grant me but youth again6 ,o1 father1 place me but once again upon the starting-point of life1 that ,i may choose otherwise6' ,but his father and his youth were far away4 ,he beheld wandering lights dance upon the marshes1 and disappear upon the graveyards2 and he exclaimed1 ',these are my days of folly6' ,he beheld a star shoot through the heaven1 and vanish3 it glimmered as it fell1 and disappeared upon the earth4 ',such1 too1 am ,i6' whispered his bleeding heart2 and the serpent-tooth of remorse struck afresh into its wounds4 ,his heated fancy pictured to him night-wandering forms slow-creeping upon the house-tops2 the windmill raised its arm1 and threatened to fell him to the earth2 and in the tenantless house of death1 the only remaining mask assumed imperceptibly his own features4 ,at once1 in the midst of this delirium1 the sounds from the steeple1 welcoming the new year1 fell upon his ear1 like distant church music4 ,he was moved1 but to a gentler mood4 ,he gazed around1 unto the horizon1 and looked forth upon the wide earth2 and he thought of the friends of his youth1 who1 happier and better than he1 were now teachers upon the earth1 fathers of happy children1 and blessed each in his condition4 ',alas6 and ,i1 too1 like ye1 might now be sleeping peacefully and tearless through this first night of the year1 had ,i willed so6 ,i too might have been happy1 ye dear parents1 had ,i fulfilled your new-year's wishes and admonitions6' ,in the feverish reminiscences of his youth1 it seemed to him as if the mask which had assumed his features in the house of death arose1 and grew into a living youth1 and his former blooming figure stood before him in the bitter mockery of illusion4 ,he could look no longer2 he hid his eyes1 a flood of hot tears streamed forth and were lost in the snow4 ,and he sighed1 now more gently1 and despairing1 ',return but again1 ,o youth1 come once again6' ,and youth did return2 for he had but dreamed thus fearfully in the new-year's night4 ,he was still young2 but his sinful wanderings1 they had been no dream2 and he thanked ,god that he could yet turn from the miry ways of vice1 and again choose the sunny path which leadeth unto the pure land of the harvest of righteousness4 ,turn thou with him1 young man1 if thou standest upon his path of error4 ,this fearful dream will in a future be thy judge2 but shouldst thou ever exclaim1 in the bitterness of remorse1 ',return1 fair time of youth6'--youth will not come when thou dost call for her4 ,it is much easier to start right and keep right1 than to start wrong1 and then endeavor to get right4 ,although those who take the wrong path at the commencement1 should afterwards seek to obtain the right one1 and persevere until they find it1 still the labor to retrieve the early error will be difficult4 ,it is painful to walk in the way of wickedness--it is painful to break away from it1 when once there4 ,it is painful to continue on--it is painful to turn back4 ,this is in consequence of the nature of sin4 ,it is a path all evil1 all pain1 all darkness--everything connected with it is fruitful of wretchedness4 ,those who stray therein1 find themselves beset with perils and troubles on all sides4 ,avoid it1 as you love happiness6 ,ne'er till to-morrow's light delay ,what may as well be done to-day2 ,ne'er do to-day1 what on the morrow ,will wring your heart with sighs and sorrow4 ,a young man may1 in early life1 fall into vicious habits1 and afterwards turn from them4 ,some have done so4 ,but they declare that the struggles they were compelled to make--the conflicts and trials1 the buffeting of evil passions1 and the mental agony they endured1 in breaking away1 were terrible beyond description4 ,where one1 who has fallen into bad habits in youth1 has afterwards abandoned them1 there are a score who have continued their victims1 until ruin1 and a premature death1 closed their career4 ,how much safer1 how much easier and pleasanter1 how much more promising and hopeful1 to commence life with good habits well established1 with high principles1 sound maxims1 enlightened rules of conduct1 deeply fixed in the soul4 ,this is a plain1 pleasant1 prosperous path--readily found1 and easily followed4 ,in no other can you secure true enjoyment4 ,we cannot live too slowly to be good ,and happy1 nor too much by line and square4 ,but youth is burning to forestall its nature1 ,and will not wait for time to ferry it ,over the stream2 but flings itself into ,the flood and perishes4 99999999999999 ,the first and worst of all frauds is to cheat ,oneself4 9999999999999999999999999999 ,there is nothing more essential to the young than to accustom themselves to mature reflection1 and practical observation1 in regard to the duties of life1 and the sources of human enjoyment4 ,this is a task1 however1 which but few of the youthful are inclined to undertake4 ,the most of them are averse to giving up their thoughts to sober meditation on the consequences which accrue from different courses of conduct1 or to practical observation on the lessons taught by the experience of others4 ,the ,present6--the ,present6--its amusements1 its gayeties1 its fashions1 absorbs nearly all their thoughts4 ,they have little relish to look towards the future1 except to anticipate the continuance of the novelty and joyousness of the spring-time of life4 ,the poet utters a most salutary admonition in his beautiful lines3 ,the beam of the morning1 the bud of the ,spring1 ,the promise of beauty and brightness may bring2 ,but clouds gather darkness1 and touched by the frost1 ,the pride of the plant1 and the morning are lost4 ,thus the bright and the beautiful ever decay-- ,life's morn and life's flowers1 oh1 they quick pass away6 ,i would not cast one unnecessary shadow on the pathway of the young2 but they should be often reminded1 that the season of youth1 with its romance and light-heartedness1 soon1 too soon1 departs6 ,spring1 with its budding beauties1 and fragrant blossoms1 does not continue all the year4 ,it is speedily followed by the fervid summer1 the mature and sober autumn1 and the dreary snows of winter4 ,in order to have thriving and promising fields in summer1 rich and abundant harvests in autumn1 and bountiful supplies for comfort and repose in winter1 good seed must be sowed in the spring4 ,so1 also1 if you would have the summer of life fruitful of prosperity--its autumn yield a rich and bountiful harvest1 and the winter of old age made comfortable and peaceful--the good seed of pure habits1 and sound moral and religious principles1 must be carefully sowed in the rich soil of the heart1 in the budding spring-time of youth4 ,due observation and reflection will enable the young to sow the right kind of seed at the right time4 ,there is much in this4 ,those who sow late will be likely to have their harvest blighted by chilling rains and nipping frosts4 ,the earlier the seed is cast into the ground1 the greater the certainty that it will produce an abundant crop4 ,reflection and discrimination are all-essential to the youthful4 ,those who think deeply will act wisely4 ,they will detect and avoid the dangers which beset their pathway1 and into which the thoughtless so easily fall4 ,they will readily penetrate the specious appearance1 the harmless aspect1 the deceptive veil1 which vice and immorality can so readily assume4 ,they will understand the old maxim1 that all is not gold that glitters4 ,this is a simple truth1 and yet how few of the young practise upon it4 ,see this young man4 ,how easily he gives way to temptation--how readily he is led astray4 ,why does he thus turn aside from virtue's path8 ,why thus trample upon the affectionate counsel and admonition of wise parents and kind friends8 ,ah6 he sees a glittering bauble in the way of sin1 and imagines it is the shining of the gold of true and solid happiness4 ,eagerly he presses on to secure the prize4 ,he plunges into the wickedness to which1 it tempts him--he seizes the dazzling treasure1 and finds--what8 ,pure gold8--true delight8--unalloyed happiness8 ,alas1 foolish youth6 ,no6 ,that which he took for the glitter of gold1 proves to be worthless ashes in his hand4 ,and the high pleasure he was anticipating1 results in naught but disappointment1 disgrace1 wretchedness4 ,teach me the flattering paths to shun1 ,in which the thoughtless many run2 ,who for a shade the substance miss1 ,and grasp their ruin in their bliss4 ,a well-established habit of practical observation1 enables the youthful to guard against the mistakes of conduct1 into which others have fallen1 and to make the shortcomings of their fellow-beings1 salutary admonitions for their own instruction4 ,when thoughtful1 observing young persons1 see an individual do a mean1 unmanly action1 they will reflect much upon it4 ,they will notice how contemptible it makes him appear--how it degrades him in the estimation of the honorable and high-minded--how it belittles him in the view of society at large--and how unworthy it makes him appear even in his own eyes4 ,these observations1 if faithfully made1 will guard them against like acts themselves4 ,when they behold one arraigned at the bar of public justice1 to answer to the offended laws of his country1 they will make it a salutary lesson of instruction4 ,they will realize the deceptive and ruinous nature of wrong-doing--how1 while promising them the very elixir of happiness1 it pours naught but bitterness and poison into the cup of life1 entailing degradation and wretchedness upon its victims4 ,they will become satisfied of the solemn truth of the words of the ,most ,high1 that though hand join in hand1 the wicked shall not be unpunished4 ,when they see neighbors1 who might promote each other's enjoyments1 by living peaceably together1 fall out in regard to some trivial misunderstanding1 and engage in angry disputes1 and a bitter warfare1 disturbing the harmony of the neighborhood1 and destroying their own happiness--the young who exercise practical observation1 will be instructed1 to avoid similar troubles in their own affairs4 ,they will realize the folly and blindness of such a course1 and the necessity of exercising a forbearing and forgiving spirit1 and the wisdom of submitting to injuries1 if need be1 rather than to become involved in angry recriminations and hostilities4 ,thus by a constant habit of observation and reflection1 the youthful can turn the failings of others to their own account4 ,as the industrious bee extracts honey from the most nauseous substances1 so can the thoughtful and observing draw instruction not only from the example of the wise1 but from the folly of the wicked6 ,in preparations for future usefulness and success1 the young should establish certain fixed principles of moral conduct1 by which they will be steadfastly governed in all their intercourse with the world4 ,without some well-defined landmarks1 by which they can be guided in emergencies1 when everything depends on the course of conduct to be pursued1 they will be in imminent peril4 ,temptations are strewed along the pathway of the young1 and assail them at every turn4 ,if they could clearly contemplate the effects of giving way to temptation--were all the unhappy consequences to stand out visibly before them--they would never be induced to turn aside into sin4 ,could the young man as he is tempted to quaff the fashionable glass of intoxicating beverage1 see plainly the ignominious life1 the poverty and wretchedness1 and the horrid death by delirium tremens1 to which it so often leads1 he would set it down untasted1 and turn away in alarm4 ,but it is the nature of temptation to blind and deceive the unwary1 and lead them into sin1 by false representations of the happiness to be derived from it4 ,hence the young need to establish1 in their calm1 cool moments1 when under the influence of mature judgment and enlightened discretion1 certain fixed rules of conduct1 by which they will be governed1 and on which they will depend in every hour of temptation4 ,one of the first and most important rules of life which should be established by the youthful1 is the constant cultivation of purity of heart4 ,this is the great safeguard of the young4 ,it is their brightest jewel--their most attractive ornament--the crowning glory of their character and being4 ,it adds a captivating lustre to all charms of whatever description2 and without it all other excellencies are lost in perpetual darkness4 ,it should be a fixed rule1 never to violate the dictates of purity either in action1 language1 or thought4 ,many imagine it is a matter of small moment what their thoughts may be1 so long as in action they do not transgress the requirements of virtue4 ,this1 however1 is a serious error4 ,the outward action is but the expression of the inward thought4 ,wicked deeds would never have birth1 were they not first prompted by wicked desires4 ,hence if the young would have their words and deeds characterized by purity1 they must see that their hearts and thoughts are constantly pure4 ,pure thoughts are angel visitants6 ,be such ,the frequent inmates of thy guileless breast4 ,they hallow all things by their sacred touch1 ,and ope the portals of the land of rest4 ,the heart is the source of all actions4 ,a dark1 muddy fountain cannot send forth clear waters4 ,neither does a pure fountain send forth muddy waters4 ,a foul heart1 the receptacle of unclean thoughts and impure passions1 is a corrupt well-spring of action1 which leads to every vicious practice4 ,let the hearts of the youthful be pure as crystal1 let their thoughts be sanctified by virtue and holiness2 and their lives shall be as white and spotless as the driven snow--winning the admiration of all who know them4 ,with purity as a shield1 they are doubly guarded against sin4 ,however enticing temptation may be--however artfully or strongly it may assail them--they are prepared to rise above it1 in any and every emergency4 ,another of the fixed rules of conduct should be to aim high in all the purposes of life4 ,the great obstacle to success with many of the young1 is that they adopt no standard of action for their government2 but allow themselves to float along the current of time like a mere straw on the surface of the waters1 liable to be veered about by every puff of wind and whirling eddy6 ,if the current in which they float happens to waft them into the smooth waters1 and the calm sunshine of virtue and respectability1 it is a matter of mere fortunate chance4 ,if they are drawn into the dark stream of sin1 they have but little power to resist1 and are soon hurried into the surging rapids1 and hurled over the boiling cataract of ruin6 ,true1 they may not utterly perish even in plunging down the cataract4 ,they may possibly seize hold of some jutting rock below1 and by a desperate effort drag themselves from the raging waters4 ,but they will come forth bruised1 bleeding1 strangling1 and half-drowned1 to mourn the folly of their thoughtlessness4 ,how much wiser and better to have taken early precaution1 and guarded in the first place against the insidious current1 which compelled them to purchase wisdom at so dear a rate4 ,to avoid this great folly1 the youthful should establish a fixed purpose for life4 ,they should set their mark1 as to what they wish to become2 and then make it the great labor of their lives to attain it4 ,and let that mark be a high one4 ,you cannot make it too elevated4 ,the maxim of the ancients was1 that although he who aims at the sun will not hit it1 yet his arrows will fly much higher than though his mark was on the earth4 ,a young man who should strive to be a second ,washington or ,jefferson1 might not attain to their renown4 ,but he would become a much greater and better man1 than though he had only aspired to be the keeper of a gambling-house1 or the leader of a gang of blacklegs4 ,in all your purposes and plans of life1 aim high6 ,again a light boat on a streamlet is seen1 ,where the banks are o'erladen with beautiful green1 ,like a mantle of velvet spread out to the sight1 ,reflects to the gazer a bright world of light4 ,the fair bark has lost none of its beauty of yore1 ,but a youth is within it1--the fair child before2 ,and the ,angel is gone--on the shore see him stand1 ,as he bids him adieu with a wave of the hand4 ,ah6 a life is before thee--a life full of care1 ,gentle ,youth1 and mayhap thou wilt fall in its snare4 ,can thy bark speed thee now8 without wind1 without tide8 ,without the kind ,angel1 thy beautiful guide8 ,ah6 no2--then what lures thee1 fair youth1 to depart8 ,must thou rush into danger from impulse of heart8 ,lo6 above in the bright arch of ,heaven ,i see ,the vision1 the aim so alluring to thee3 ',tis the temple of ,fame1 with its pillars so fair1 ,and the ,genius of ,wisdom and ,love reigneth there4 ,advance then1 proud vessel1--thy burden is light1-- ,swift speed thee1 and guide his young steps in the right2 ,for in life's 'fitful changes' are many dark streams1 ,and paths unillumed by the sun's golden beams4 ,cherish self-respect4 ,have a deep regard for your own estimation of your own merits4 ,look with scorn and contempt upon low and vicious practices4 ,cultivate pride of character4 ,i care not how proud the youthful are of all their valuable attainments1 their correct habits1 their excellings in that which is manly1 useful1 and good4 ,the more pride of this description1 the better4 ,though it should reach even to egotism and vanity1 it is much better than no pride in these things4 ,this pride in doing right is one of the preserving ingredients1 the very salt of man's moral character1 which prevents from plunging into vice4 ,live for something besides self4 ,build with your own hands1 the monument that shall perpetuate your memory1 when the dust has claimed your body4 ,do good4 ,live for others1 if you would be embalmed in their recollections4 ,thousands of men breathe1 move1 and live--pass off the stage of life1 and are heard of no more4 ,why6 ,they did not a particle of good in the world2 and none were blessed by them2 none could point to them as the instruments of their redemption2 not a line they wrote1 not a word they spoke could be recalled1 and so they perished2 their light went out in darkness1 and they were not remembered more than the insects of yesterday4 ,will you thus live and die1 ,o man immortal8 ,live for something4 ,do good1 and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storm of time can never ,destroy4 ,write your name by kindness1 love1 and mercy1 on the hearts of the thousands you come in contact with year by year1 and you will never be forgotten4 ,no1 your name--your deeds--will be as legible on the hearts you leave behind1 as the stars on the brow of evening4 ,good deeds will shine as brightly on the earth as the stars of heaven4#a ,up6 it is a glorious era6 ,never yet has dawned its peer2 ,up1 and work6 and then a nobler ,in the future shall appear4 ',onward6' is the present's motto1 ,to a larger1 higher life2 ',onward6' though the march be weary1 ,though unceasing be the strife4 ,pitch not here thy tent1 for higher ,doth the bright ideal shine1 ,and the journey is not ended ,till thou reach that height divine4 ,upward6 and above earth's vapors1 ,glimpses shall to thee be given1 ,and the fresh and odorous breezes1 ,of the very hills1 of heaven4 ,footnote #a3 ,dr4 ,chalmers4 ,among the fixed principles which you should establish for your government1 by no means overlook ,honesty and ,integrity4 ,the poet never uttered a truer word than that ,an honest man's the noblest work of ,god4 ,honesty is approved and admired by ,god and man--by all in heaven1 and by all on earth4 ,even the corrupt swindler1 in his heart1 respects an honest man1 and stands abashed in his presence4 ,in all your actions1 in all your dealings1 let strict and rigid honesty guide you4 ,never be tempted to swerve from its dictates1 even in the most trivial degree4 ,there will be strong allurements to entice you from this path4 ,the appetite for gain--the voice of avarice--will often whisper that honesty may be violated to advantage4 ,there will be times when it will seem that its dictates may be placed aside--that a little dishonesty will be greatly to your benefit4 ,believe not this syren song4 ,this is the time you are in the most danger of being deceived to your serious injury4 ,although there may be occasions when you will seem actually to lose by adhering to honesty1 yet you should not shrink a hair's breadth4 ,whatever you may lose1 in a pecuniary point of view1 at any time1 by a strict submission to honesty1 you will make up an hundred-fold in the long-run1 by establishing and preserving a reputation for integrity4 ,looking at it in simply a pecuniary point of view1 community will give their countenance1 their patronage1 and business1 much quicker to a man who has established a reputation for honesty1 than to one who is known1 or suspected of being fraudulent in his dealings4 ,every consideration which can bear upon the young1 religious1 moral and pecuniary1 unite to urge them to establish1 in the outset of life1 the rule of unswerving honesty and integrity1 as their constant guide4 ,let it not be forgotten1 that in every possible point of view1 and in every conceivable condition of things1 it will always be true1 that ,honesty is the best policy4 ,i would have the young also cultivate and establish as it fixed rule of life1 a friendly and accommodating disposition4 ,this is all-essential to make their days pleasant and happy4 ,other virtues will influence the world to respect you2 but an affectionate disposition will cause those with whom you have intercourse1 to love you4 ,those who wish the friendship and good will of others1 must themselves manifest a friendly disposition1 and a spirit of kindness4 ,whoever would be accommodated and assisted1 must themselves be accommodating1 and ready to aid those who require it4 ,in all these things we see the wisdom of the ,saviour's golden rule--,all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you1 do ye even so unto them4 ,be kind1 accommodating1 loving1 and peaceful1 in the whole current of your disposition1 and the cup of your life will be sweetened with peace and joy4 ,i exhort the young to adopt the noble motto of the coat-of-arms of ,new ,york--,,excelsior6 ,the shades of night were falling fast1 ,as through an ,alpine village passed ,a youth1 who bore1 'mid snow and ice1 ,a banner with the strange device1 ,,excelsior6 ,let it be the aim of every youth to lift aloft this glorious banner1 and soar upward to a surpassing excellency4 ,let them seek to excel in all tilings high1 and good4 ,let them never stoop to do an evil act1 nor degrade themselves to commit a wrong4 ,but in their principles1 purposes1 deeds1 and words1 let their great characteristics be ,truth1 ,goodness1 and ,usefulness6 ,be just and fear not6 ,let all the ends thou aim'st at1 be thy country's1 ,thy ,god's1 and ,truth's6 ,,lecture ,,iii4 ,selection of ,associates4 ,be not thou envious against evil men1 neither desire to be with them2 for their heart studieth destruction1 and their lips talk of mischief4--,prov4 xxiv4 ,i1 #b4 ,there is nothing more important to the youthful1 or that should receive more serious consideration at their hands1 than the selection of ,associates4 ,we are by nature social beings4 ,we desire1 we seek1 and enjoy1 the society of our fellow-creatures4 ,this trait is strongly developed in the young4 ,they yearn for each other's companionship1 and they must have it1 or they pine away1 and sink into misanthropy4 ,this disposition may properly be indulged2 but great care and prudence should be exercised in regard to it4 ,while mingling in each other's society1 it is natural1 almost unavoidable1 that the youthful should imbibe much of the leading characteristics of their associates4 ,being highly imitative in our nature1 it is impossible to be on social and familiar terms with others1 for any great length of time1 without copying somewhat of their dispositions1 ways1 and habits4 ,let a young man1 however upright and pure1 associate habitually with those who are profane1 ,sabbath-breaking1 intemperate1 and unprincipled--who are given to gambling1 licentiousness1 and every low1 brutal and wicked practice--and but a brief space of time will elapse before he will fall into like habits himself1 and become as great an adept in iniquitous proceedings as the most thorough-paced profligate among them4 ,when a young woman associates with girls who are idle1 disrespectful and disobedient to parents--who are vulgar1 brazen-faced1 loud talkers and laughers--whose chief occupation and delight is to spin street-yarn1 to run from house to house and store to store1 and walk the streets in the evening1 instead of being at home engaged in some useful occupation--whose whole conversation1 and thoughts1 and dreams1 relate to dress1 and fashion1 and gewgaws1 and trinkets1 to adorn the person1 utterly negligent of the ornaments of the mind and heart--whose reading never extends to instructive and useful books1 but is confined exclusively to sickly novels and silly love-stories2--how long will it be before she will become as careless and good-for-nothing as they8 ,this predisposition of the young to imitate the characteristics of those with whom they associate1 has been so well and so long known1 that it has given rise to the old proverb--,show me your company1 and ,i will show you your character4 ,so perfectly did ,solomon understand this1 that he uttered the wise maxim--,make no friendship with an angry man2 and with a furious man thou shalt not go2 lest thou learn his ways1 and get a snare to thy soul4 ,the young should remember1 that people will judge them by the company they keep4 ,this principle is perfectly correct4 ,in selecting their associates1 they act voluntarily4 ,they choose such as they please4 ,when they seek the society of the ignorant1 the vulgar1 the profane and profligate1 they give the best of reasons for believing that they prefer profligacy and vulgarity to virtue and purity4 ,to what other conclusion can the observer come8 ,if they preferred virtue and purity1 they would certainly seek pure and virtuous associates4 ,hence society have adopted the very correct principle of judging the young1 by the character of their associates4 ,if they would be thought well of1 they should strive to associate with those who are known to be virtuous and good4 ,however blameless and upright young persons may have been1 if they begin to associate with those whose reputation is poor1 and whose conduct is improper1 they will soon be esteemed no higher than their companions4 ,these reflections show the youthful how important it is1 that their associates should be of the right stamp4 ,they should see the necessity of selecting their companions4 ,the great difficulty with the young is1 that they leave this important matter altogether too much to chance4 ,if they happen to fall into good company1 it is very well2 and their associates and intimate friends will be likely to be of that class4 ,but if1 unfortunately1 they meet with the vicious and unprincipled1 and are1 to any great extent1 thrown in their way1 they are as likely to form intimacies with them as with any others4 ,such negligence is exceedingly unpromising and dangerous4 ,whoever allows it1 will be in far more danger of falling under the influence of the vicious than the exemplary4 ,instead of this heedlessness1 they should carefully and thoughtfully select their associates4 ,they should not be willing to form terms of intimacy with1 every one into whose society they may be casually thrown4 ,they should inform themselves of their tastes1 habits1 and reputation4 ,and from the circle of their acquaintance should choose those with whom they would form terms of intimacy4 ,be cautious to select aright4 ,the entire career in after-life depends very much on this4 ,how many a young woman of fine attractions has had her reputation injured1 and her prospects for life destroyed1 by associating with those whose character and habits proved to be bad4 ,when once young women get a taint on their reputation in this way1 or in any other manner1 it is exceedingly difficult to wipe it out4 ,the ruin of multitudes of young men can be traced to the same origin--a bad selection of associates4 ,i have in my mind's eye now1 a case in point4 ,a young man1 born in this city1 and known to most of you1 was naturally endowed with the rarest abilities and the finest talents4 ,he belonged to one of the most wealthy and respectable families4 ,he had every advantage for cultivation1 and for the highest and most thorough education4 ,had he been thoughtful and wise to have improved his opportunities1 the way was open for him to the highest advancement4 ,he might have been blessed with respectability1 wealth1 and honors4 ,he could have risen to the most dignified positions in life4 ,his voice might have been heard in strains of persuasive eloquence1 from the sacred pulpit1 or in the halls of justice1 or in the senate chamber of our state or national councils4 ,he might have occupied a seat on the bench of the highest courts1 or have aspired to the executive chair of the nation4 ,but where is he now1 and what are his circumstances and his position in the world8 ,see issuing from the door of yonder filthy groggery2 a wretched specimen of humanity--the distorted caricature of a man6 ,his garments are thread-bare and patched--his eyes are inflamed1 sunken and watery--his countenance bloated and livid--his limbs swelled and tottering4 ,although but in the morning of his manhood1 yet the lines of premature old age and decrepitude are deeply carved upon his pale1 dejected face2 and in his whole aspect1 there is that forlorn1 broken-spirited1 anguished look of despair1 which shows he himself feels that he has sunken1 beyond earthly redemption1 into the awful pit of the confirmed drunkard6 ,this is the young man whose early opportunities were so favorable1 and whose prospects were so bright and flattering4 ,he has become a curse to himself1 he has brought disgrace and wretchedness on his connections1 and is an outcast and vagabond1 with whom no young man who now hears me would associate for a single hour6 ,what has brought him to this pitiable condition--this state of utter wretchedness8 ,it was a want of forethought4 ,he totally neglected the considerations ,i have endeavored to impress upon the young4 ,he was careless and indifferent in regard to his associates4 ,he would not be admonished to turn from the company of the vicious1 and seek the society of those of good habits and upright character4 ,despite the counsel of parents and friends1 he would associate with companions of corrupt habits--with the profane1 the drinking1 the ,sabbath-breaking--those whose chief delight was to visit oyster-cellars and grog-shops--whose highest ambition was to excel in cards1 and dice1 and sleight-of-hand tricks--and who sought for no better employment than to range the streets and alleys1 to engage in midnight adventures and ,bacchanalian revelries4 ,mingling with such as his associates1 and falling unavoidably into their habits1 he is now reaping the bitter--,,bitter fruits of his folly4 ,his time misspent--character destroyed--health ruined--every source of happiness obliterated--his life wasted and literally thrown away--his days1 a blank--ah6 worse than that--filled with the terrific visions1 the horrid dreams1 the flames of the unquenchable fire1 which float and burn in the veins of the confirmed inebriate6 ,young men6 ,do you shudder at the condition of this wretched youth1 whose form yet flits like a shadow through our streets8 ,would you avoid his fate8 ,do you start back in affright at the mere thought of becoming the poor1 cast-off wreck of humanity that he is8 ,then avoid the rock on which he foundered his bark4 ,shun1 as you would a nest of vipers1 the company of the reckless and profligate4 ,avoid all association1 all companionship1 all intimacy1 with those whose habits deviate from the high rules of rectitude1 purity1 and virtue4 ,allow me to paint you a picture of an opposite character1 drawn also from real life4 ,i have another young man in my mind's eye1 who originated in our own county4 ,he had but few of the advantages of him whose melancholy career ,i have painted4 ,he was the son of parents who possessed but little means1 and who could afford him no assistance after the days of childhood4 ,he was early placed to the hard labor of a mechanic4 ,but he did not sink into lewdness and vice1 under the pressure of his adverse circumstances4 ,he would not spend his leisure hours at public resorts1 in the midst of the profligate and reckless4 ,each moment of respite from labor1 he applied himself to study and the improvement of his mind4 ,with great wisdom he avoided the company of idle1 profane and vicious youth2 and would associate with none but the discreet1 the intelligent and virtuous4 ,he was determined to ,,rise in the world1 and to win a name which should live long after he should pass from the earth4 ,he placed his mark high6 ,with indomitable courage and unwearied perseverance1 he pursued the path he had chosen for himself4 ,he cut his way through every obstacle1 and overcame every hindrance and difficulty1 though they might seem to tower mountain high4 ,friends came to his aid1 as they will to the assistance of every youth who is industriously seeking to rise in the world by the strength of his own merits4 ,at length1 after great exertions1 he obtained a profession1 and entered into a field where he could bring into active exercise the fund of knowledge he had been acquiring under so many difficulties4 ,one thus industrious1 thus pure in his habits1 thus upright and honorable in all his transactions1 could not fail to receive the commendation and confidence of his fellow-citizens4 ,rapidly he rose from one post of honor to another4 ,ere long he was sent to the ,legislature of our ,state4 ,soon he entered the halls of ,congress1 where he won the confidence of his compeers1 and arose to honorable distinction4 ,from step to step he advanced--high and higher still he ascended the ladder of fame--until now1 the poor mechanic boy of ,montville1 occupies the second place in the gift of the ,american people--within one step of the highest pinnacle of fame to which man can attain on the earth6 ,how noble the career--how splendid the example--placed before the youth of our country1 in the history of this eminent man6 ,how honorable to himself--how worthy of imitation4 ,i need not ask the young men of this audience1 which place they would prefer to occupy1 the position of the poor inebriate of whom ,i have spoken1 or that of the ,vice-,president of the ,united ,states8 ,it is instructive to inquire why the one1 with opportunities so good1 sunk so low1 and the other1 with early advantages so limited1 has arisen so high8 ,this disparity in their condition is to be attributed to the different paths they selected at the outset of life4 ,while the one trampled on all his advantages1 and foolishly associated with the vicious and unprincipled1 the other diligently applied himself to the acquisition of useful knowledge1 and was scrupulous to associate with none but those who were discreet and virtuous1 and whose influence was calculated to elevate and purify him4 ,these two cases1 drawn from real life1 are but a specimen of instances with which the world is filled4 ,they show how immensely important it is for the young to reflect maturely on the course they would pursue1 and the necessity of selecting for their associates such as have habits1 tastes1 and principles1 proper for commendation and imitation4 ,most of those who come under the influence of corrupt associates1 are led thither more from sheer thoughtlessness1 than from any disposition to become depraved4 ,they fall into the company of those who are gay1 sociable and pleasant in their manners2 who make time pass agreeably1 and who contrive many ways to drive dull care away1 which do not1 in themselves1 appear very bad4 ,the thoughtless youth becomes attached to their society1 and gradually gives himself up to their influence4 ,almost imperceptibly to himself1 he follows them farther and farther from the path of rectitude1 until1 before he is aware of it1 some vicious habit has fixed its fangs upon him1 and made him its wretched slave for life4 ,the difficulty in these cases1 is the want of a due exercise of reflection and discernment4 ,the young should guard against being deceived by outward appearances4 ,beneath a pleasant1 agreeable exterior--beneath sociability and attractive manners--there may lurk vicious propensities1 depraved appetites1 and habits of the most corrupt nature4 ,hence the young should look beyond the surface1 and guard against deceptive appearances4 ,it should not be enough to make a young man or a young woman your associate1 that they are sociable and attractive in their manners1 and can make their company agreeable4 ,search farther than this4 ,strive to know their tastes1 their habits1 their principles4 ,inquire how1 and where1 they spend their leisure hour's--in what company do they mingle--what practices do they approbate--what is their general conduct and demeanor8 ,if in all these respects1 they are found to be discreet1 virtuous1 and worthy of imitation1 then hesitate not to associate with them1 and allow yourself to be influenced by them4 ,but if you find them deficient in any of these characteristics1 however attractive they may be in other respects1 shun their company1 and avoid their influence4 ,the effect of associating with them would be to lead you astray1 to your ruin4 ,in selecting associates1 studiously avoid those who are low1 coarse1 and vulgar in their behavior and manners4 ,rudeness and vulgarity are unbecoming any age4 ,but they are especially offensive and indecorous in youth4 ,the young man1 or young woman1 who has not sufficient self-respect and pride of character to deport themselves with modesty1 circumspection1 and politeness1 is unfitted to be an associate4 ,a bold1 brazen1 forward demeanor1 indicates a heart far from possessing those delicate and amiable traits1 which are alone worthy of imitation4 ,vulgarity in language or demeanor1 indicates a vitiated heart4 ,cultivation and refinement of manners are1 to a good degree1 evidence of a pure spirit1 and high and honorable feelings4 ,the youth who is truly polite1 has a great advantage1 in every respect1 over those who are deficient in this desirable qualification4 ,many1 however1 entertain very erroneous views of the nature of politeness4 ,it does not consist in putting on an air1 a simper1 a strut1 or a bow4 ,neither is it to be manifested in high-flown words1 or a fashionable pronunciation4 ,many young persons who can make very accomplished bows1 and go through all the postures and attitudes of the schools1 are still ignorant of the first principles of genuine politeness1 and violate them every day4 ,politeness is not to be learned of the dancing-master1 the fop1 or the belle4 ,do you inquire where it can be obtained8 ,i answer1 in the gospel of our ,saviour4 ,true-hearted ,christians are always polite4 ,they cannot be otherwise1 while influenced by the ,christian spirit4 ,for the first great principle of true politeness is found in the ,saviour's golden rule--,all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you1 do ye even so to them4 ,treat others as you wish to be treated yourself1 and you cannot fail of being polite4 ,treat them as you wish not to be treated1 and you are ill-bred and vulgar1 though you may be dressed in the extreme of fashion1 and steeped in ,cologne6 ,politeness1 in its true acceptation1 is but another word for kindness4 ,the truly polite man and woman1 are not haughty1 nor exclusive--they are not starched1 nor supercilious4 ,they show their politeness in being respectful to the feelings of persons of every rank1 condition1 and complexion4 ,they treat all kindly and gently2 and seek to make those in their presence to feel easy and happy4 ,the whole secret of politeness may be summed up in a single sentence--,make yourselves agreeable and pleasant to whomsoever you meet4 ,with this intent1 your manners will be easy and natural2 and you will be polite in every true sense of the word1 though brought up in the centre of the wilderness4 ,in selecting those they would imitate in regard to politeness1 the young should not choose the starched fop1 the gaudily-dressed dandy1 who may owe all their attractions to the unpaid tailor--nor the fashionable belle1 who sneers upon everything plain and useful4 ,they1 more than all others1 violate the first principles of politeness in their demeanor4 ,but select the plain-dressed1 the modest1 the affable1 the kind and friendly at heart4 ,in these you find the true lady--the genuine gentleman4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in regard to this whole subject of the selection of associates1 ,i would earnestly counsel the young to listen respectfully to the advice of their parents1 guardians1 and elder friends4 ,they should not be headstrong1 nor wise in their own conceits2 but should yield to the counsel of others4 ,your parents are far better calculated to judge of associates than themselves4 ,you are liable to be blinded to their defects1 and deceived by specious appearances4 ,but parents scrutinize them from a different position4 ,they have been through the school of experience1 and are much better prepared to judge of character4 ,listen1 ,o ye youthful6 to their warning voice4 ,they are moved by love for you--they speak for your good4 ,when they entreat you to avoid the society of certain individuals1 and escape their influence1 heed their exhortations4 ,your own heart will tell you1 that your father and mother would not speak1 simply to thwart your feelings2 but that they see danger hovering around you1 and would snatch you away1 as the bird from the fowler's snare6 ,that is a wise and promising son--a prudent and hopeful daughter--who pays respectful deference to the counsel of parents1 and yields a cheerful compliance with their wishes6 ,so live1 that when thy summons comes1 to join ,the innumerable caravan1 that moves ,to the pale realms of shade1 where each shall take ,his chamber in the silent halls of death1 ,thou go not1 like the quarry-slave at night1 ,scourged to his dungeon2 but1 sustained and soothed ,by an unfaltering trust1 approach thy grave ,like one who wraps the drapery of his couch ,about him1 and lies down to pleasant dreams6 ,,lecture ,,iv4 ,habits and ,amusements4 ,ponder the path of thy feet1 and let all thy ways be established4--,prov4 iv4 #bj4 ,there is not a youth present this evening1 who will not acknowledge this to be sound and wholesome advice4 ,were you walking in a slippery1 dangerous way1 amid the darkness of midnight1 you would give the strictest heed to the friendly precaution--,ponder the path of thy feet4 ,be careful where you step4 ,when you put your foot down1 see to it1 that it rests on something well-established--some rock1 some spot of earth1 that is firm and solid4 ,this advice would be heeded1 because of your consciousness that by stepping heedlessly1 you would be in danger of stumbling into a pit1 or falling over a precipice1 where your limbs would be broken1 or life destroyed4 ,simple discretion would bid you beware1 under such circumstances4 ,the youthful should fully realize that they are walking in a pathway1 which to them is wholly untried and unknown4 ,it is a road surrounded by many dangers1 unseen by the careless traveller2 where he is liable to be lured aside to ruin1 by a thousand fascinations and temptations1 and where multitudes possessing the best advantages1 the highest talents1 the brightest genius1 the rarest gifts1 have stumbled and fallen1 to rise no more on earth4 ,while pressing on ardently and thoughtlessly in this dangerous highway1 apprehending no difficulty1 and fearing no peril1 a voice from on high calls to the young1 and urges them to ,ponder the path of their feet1 and to let all their ways--their footsteps--be established6 ,there is wisdom1 prudence1 goodness1 in this exhortation4 ,question the old man--the aged traveller--who has passed over this pathway of life1 and is just ready to step up into the mysterious road of a higher existence4 ,ask him as to his experience--beseech him for advice4 ,looking back through the vista of his long and chequered way1 of light and shadow1 of joy and sorrow1 he will exclaim--,o ye youthful6 ,give heed to the admonition of the wise man--',ponder the path of thy feet1 and let all thy ways be established4' ,the admonition of the text is important in reference to the ,habits and ,amusements of the youthful4 ,we are all more or less the creatures of habit4 ,our ways1 from earliest infancy1 are more the result of the force of habit1 than we are generally aware4 ,the actions1 words1 and thoughts of men1 form for themselves certain channels1 in which they continually seek to flow1 unless turned aside by a strong hand1 and a painful effort4 ,habits are formed insensibly4 ,we are not aware of any moment when they are created2 but the first consciousness of their being fixed upon us1 is1 when their great power is felt impelling us strongly to certain courses4 ,a single deed does not create a habit4 ,one thread of hemp forms not a rope4 ,it contains but a very slight amount of strength4 ,but when a large number of threads are laid and twisted together1 they make the mighty cable1 which1 attached to the ship1 enables lier to bid a proud defiance to the fierce gales and mountain billows of ocean4 ,thus the young are continually1 yet unconsciously1 spinning the threads of habit4 ,day by day the strands increase1 and are twisted tighter together2 until at length they become strong and unyielding cords1 binding their possessor to customs and practices which fix his character and prospects for life4 ,it is of the greatest importance that the young should inquire faithfully into the nature of the habits they are forming4 ,they should not fall into self-deception--a common error1 on this subject4 ,the love of indulgence should not be permitted to blind them to the legitimate consequences of careless habits4 ,let them look abroad on their fellow-beings1 and critically study the tendencies and fruits of their habits4 ,when they see one prosperous in life--one who is respected1 confided in1 and beloved by all--who leads a quiet1 pleasant and peaceful life1--mark his habits1 and strive to imitate them4 ,they will bless them as well as him1 if faithfully practised4 ,and when they behold a man disliked and despised by his neighbors1 especially by those who know him best--or one who has fallen into disgrace and ruin2 who has1 lost his character1 his health1 his happiness1 and become an outcast and vagabond1--let them not fail to learn what his habits have been4 ,look at them carefully and critically4 ,ponder well the effect they have had upon him4 ,and then strive to avoid them4 ,shun them as the poisonous viper whose sting is death4 ,let them wind not a single coil of their fatal chains around the free spirit of the young4 ,the same appalling consequences will be visited on every youth who indulges them1 that have fallen on those whose condition excites ,loth pity and loathing in their breasts4 ,in youth1 habits are much easier formed and corrected1 than at a later period of life4 ,if they are right now1 preserve1 strengthen and mature them4 ,if they are wrong--if they have any dangerous influence or tendency--correct them immediately4 ,delay not the effort an hour4 ,the earlier you make the attempt to remedy a bad habit1 the easier it will be accomplished4 ,every day adds to its strength and vigor2 until1 if not conquered in due time1 it will become a voracious monster1 devouring everything good and excellent4 ,it will make its victim a miserable1 drivelling slave1 to be continually lashed and scourged into the doing of its low and wretched promptings4 ,hence the importance of attending to the habits in early life1 when they are easily controlled and corrected4 ,if the young do not make themselves the masters of their passions1 appetites1 and habits1 these will soon become their masters1 and make them their tool and bond-men through all their days4 ,usually at the age of thirty years1 the moral habits become fixed for life4 ,new ones are seldom formed after that age2 and quite as seldom are old ones abandoned4 ,there are exceptions to this rule2 but in general1 it holds good4 ,if the habits are depraved and vicious at that age1 there is little hope of amendment4 ,but if they are correct--if they are characterized by virtue1 goodness1 and sobriety--there is a flattering prospect of a prosperous and peaceful life4 ,remember1 the habits are not formed1 nor can they be corrected1 in a single week or month4 ,it requires years to form them1 and years will be necessary to correct them permanently1 when they are wrong4 ,hence1 in order to possess good habits at maturity1 it is all-important to commence schooling the passions1 curbing the appetites1 and bringing the whole moral nature under complete control1 early in youth4 ,this work cannot be commenced too soon4 ,the earlier the effort1 the easier it can be accomplished4 ,to straighten the tender twig1 when it grows awry from the ground1 is the easiest thing imaginable4 ,a child can do it at the touch of its finger4 ,but let the twig become a matured tree before the attempt is made1 and it will baffle all the art of man to bring it to a symmetrical position4 ,it must be uprooted from the very soil before this can be accomplished4 ,it is not difficult to correct a bad habit when it commences forming4 ,but wait until it has become fully developed1 and it will require a long and painful exertion of every energy to correct it4 ,permit me to enumerate a few of the more important habits1 which the young should seek to cultivate4 ,first of all--the most important of all--and that1 indeed1 which underlies and gives coloring to all others--is the habit of ,,temperance4 ,surely it is needless for me1 at this day1 to dwell upon the evils of intemperance4 ,it cannot be necessary to paint the bitter consequences--the destruction to property1 health1 reputation--the overthrow of the peace of families1 the want and misery1 to which its victims are frequently reduced4 ,the disgrace1 the wretchedness1 the ruin1 the useless and ignominious life1 and the horrid death1 which are so often caused by habits of intemperance1 are seen1 and known to all4 ,no one attempts1 no one thinks of denying them4 ,the most interested dealer1 or retailer in intoxicating drinks--the most confirmed inebriate--will acknowledge without hesitation1 that intemperance is the direst evil that ever cursed a fallen race66 ,the deleterious consequences of other vices may sometimes be concealed for a season1 from outward observation4 ,not so with intemperance4 ,it writes its loathsome name1 in legible characters1 upon the very brow of its wretched victim4 ,i am a drunkard6 is as plainly to be read as though a printed label was posted there6 ,need ,i warn--need ,i exhort--the young to avoid the habit of intemperance4 ,perhaps there is not a youth present1 who is not ready to say1 ,to me this exhortation is needless4 ,i have not the slightest expectation of becoming a drunkard6 ,of course not4 ,there never was a man who desired1 or expected1 to become a victim to intemperance4 ,the great danger of this habit is1 that it creeps stealthily and imperceptibly upon the unwary4 ,it does its work gradually4 ,the most besotted inebriate cannot tell you the day1 nor the month1 when he became a confirmed drunkard4 ,it is in the nature of this habit1 that those who expose themselves at all to its assaults1 become its victims1 while they are entirely unaware of it4 ,the only safeguard and security1 against this scourge of man1 is total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks66 ,here is the true1 the safe ground for the young4 ,there is no other condition of entire security4 ,no man who drinks1 however sparingly1 has assurance of a sober life4 ,he needlessly1 and foolishly1 places himself in danger--turns his footsteps into the only path that can possibly lead to the drunkard's ruin and the drunkard's grave6 ,drink the first drop that can intoxicate1 and your feet stand at the very brink of the ocean of intemperance4 ,its briny waters are composed of human tears4 ,its winds1 the sighs of those made poor and wretched by the inebriation of husbands1 fathers1 sons4 ,its billows1 ever tossing1 are overhung with black and lowering clouds1 and illuminated only by the lightning's vivid flash1 while hoarse thunders reverberate over the wide and desolate waste4 ,engulphed in this dreary ocean1 the wretched drunkard is buffeted hither and thither1 at the mercy of its angry waves--now dashed on jagged rocks1 bruised and bleeding--then engulphed in raging whirlpools to suffocating depths--anon1 like a worthless weed1 cast high into the darkened heavens by the wild water-spout1 only to fall again into the surging deep1 to be tossed to and fro on waters which cannot rest6 ,rash youth6 ,would you launch away on this sea of death8 ,quaff of the intoxicating bowl1 and soon its hungry waves will be around you4 ,would you avoid a fate so direful8 ,seal your lips to the first drop1 and the drear prospect will sink forever from your vision6 ,young men who would guard themselves against the baleful habit of intemperance1 should shun all resorts where intoxicating drinks are vended4 ,they should avoid throwing themselves in the way of temptation4 ,lead us not into temptation1 should be the constant prayer of the young4 ,when by any combination of circumstances1 they find themselves in the company of those who quaff of the poisoned bowl1 whether in public or private1 they should exercise a manly pride in firmly refusing to participate in their potations4 ,this is a legitimate and commendable pride1 of which the young cannot have too much4 ,let them place themselves on the high rock of principle1 and their feet will not slide in the trying hour4 ,oh6 water for me6 bright water for me1 ,and wine for the tremulous debauchee6 ,it cooleth the brow1 it cooleth the brain1 ,it maketh the faint one strong again6 ,it comes o'er the sense like a breeze from the sea1 ,all freshness1 like infant purity4 ,oh6 water1 bright water1 for me1 for me6 ,give wine1 give wine1 to the debauchee4 ,the young man walks in the midst of temptations to appetite1 the improper indulgence of which is in danger of proving his ruin4 ,health1 longevity1 and virtue depend on his resisting these temptations4 ,the providence of ,god is no more responsible1 because a man of improper indulgence becomes subject to disease1 than for picking his pockets4 ,for a young man to injure his health1 is to waste his patrimony and destroy his capacity for virtuous deeds4 ,if young men imagine that the gratification of appetite is the great source of enjoyment1 they will find this in the highest degree with industry and temperance4 ,the epicure1 who seeks it in a dinner which costs five dollars1 will find less enjoyment of appetite than the laborer who dines on a shilling4 ,if the devotee to appetite desires its high gratification1 he must not send for buffalo tongues and champagne1 but climb a mountain or swing an axe4 ,let a young man pursue temperance1 sobriety1 and industry1 and he may retain his vigor till three score years and ten1 with his cup of enjoyment full1 and depart painlessly2 as the candle burns out in its socket1 he will expire4#b ,footnote #b3 ,horace ,mann4 ,next to ,temperance in importance1 ,i would rank the habit of ,,industry4 ,we were evidently made for active occupation4 ,every joint1 sinew1 and muscle plainly shows this4 ,a young person who is an idler1 a drone1 is a pest in society4 ,he is ready to engage in mischief1 and to fall into vice1 with but little resistance4 ,it is an old saying1 that an idle brain is the devil's workshop4 ,those who are not actively employed in something useful1 will be very likely to fall into evil practices4 ,industry is one of the best safeguards against the inroads of vice4 ,the young1 whatever may be their condition1 or however abundantly they may believe their future wants already provided for1 should actively engage in some honorable occupation or profession--in something that will benefit mankind4 ,they should be fired with the high and noble ambition of making the world better for their living in it4 ,who can wish to pass a blank existence8 ,yet this is the life of every idler1 poor or rich4 ,be stirring in anything which is useful--anything which will make others happy4 ,then you will not have lived in vain4 ,behold how a good man can devote his life to labors for the benefit of others4 ,would you partake of the immortal fame of a ,howard8 ,imitate1 to the extent of your ability1 the example of industrious benevolence he has placed before the world4 ,from realm to realm1 with cross or crescent crowned1 ,where'er mankind and misery are found1 ,o'er burning sands1 deep waves1 or wilds of snow1 ,mild ,howard journeying seeks the house of woe4 ,down many a winding step to dungeons dank1 ,where anguish wails aloud and fetters clank1 ,to caves bestrewed with many a mouldering bone1 ,and cells whose echoes only learn to groan2 ,where no kind bars a whispering friend disclose1 ,no sunbeam enters1 and no zephyr blows2-- ,he treads1 inemulous of fame or wealth1 ,profuse of toil and prodigal of health2 ,leads stern-eyed ,justice to the dark domains1 ,if not to sever1 to relax his chains2 ,gives to her babes the self-devoted wife1 ,to her fond husband liberty and life1-- ,onward he mores6 disease and death retire2 ,and murmuring demons hate him and admire4 ,to young women industry is equally essential and commendable4 ,an idle woman is a poor and worthless thing4 ,for what does she imagine she was created8 ,of what service is she to the world8 ,in what respect would not the world be as well without her8 ,a do-nothing young lady is most assuredly pitied and despised by those whose good opinion she is most anxious to secure4 ,it is not enough that a young woman can play skilfully1 sing delightfully1 dance gracefully1 dress fashionably1 and has an abundant flow of small talk4 ,the world looks beyond these outward ornaments1 and asks--,has she a good heart and gentle disposition8 ,is she affectionate and forbearing8 ,can she rule her temper and control her tongue8 ,does she respect and obey her parents8 ,has she a well-cultivated and well-stored mind8 ,is she industrious1 prudent1 economical8 ,is she able and willing to engage in household duties8 ,accomplishments are not to be overlooked4 ,but the qualities above enumerated are essential1 indispensable1 to the character of a good daughter and a useful wife4 ,,action6 ,that's the word4 ,the great world itself throbs with life4 ,action1 untiring harmony pervades the ,universe of ,god4 ,the ,creative ,power has so ordained it4 ,the physical formation of the world1 and all therein1 forbids inactivity4 ,the vast machinery must move1 or the whole cease to exist4 ,man was never designed to be a drone4 ,had he lived pure in the first ,paradise1 he could not have been idle4 ,sick or well1 in cold or heat1 day or night1 he machine moves on1 the heart1 like a steam-engine1 throbs away1 and faithfully pumps its crimson currents unceasingly to every part of the animal frame4 ,action is one of the first elements of health and happiness4 ,the mind will stagnate and engender moral miasma1 as much as the pool never stirred by a tide or swept by the winds4 ,god has written action on the ,heavens4 ,silent1 but ceaseless1 the worlds that gleam out upon us1 keep on their course4 ,every orb follows the track marked out for it4 ,the ,ocean rolls and heaves4 ,the spring gushes out from the hill-side and dances from rock to rock1 and the brook hums and murmurs its melody as it goes4 ,upon the meadow1 the springing grass tells of the process that annually clothes the turf with wealth and beauty4 ,the leaves put out1 rustle in the winds1 and fall to their rest1 while others follow4 ,the fierce1 fiery energy of the lightning writes the truth upon the scudding clouds4 ,the formless waves that in the atmosphere ripple and dash against the cheek1 tell of a restless ocean around us1 a medium of health and sound4 ,from the world that rolls1 to the summer flies that float on the air and glance in the sun1 the truth is proclaimed that all is activity4 ,man cannot be idle--should not4#c ,footnote #c3 ,t4,w4 ,brown4 ,one of the most mischievous phrases in which a rotten ,morality1 a radically false and vicious ,public ,sentiment1 disguise themselves1 is that which characterizes certain individuals as destitute of financial capacity4 ,a 'kind1 amiable1 generous1 good sort of man1' 7so runs the varnish17 'but utterly unqualified for the management of his own finances'--'a mere child in everything relating to money1' c4 c4--meaning that with an income of #ejj a year1 he persisted in spending #ajjj2 or with an income of from #bjjj to #cjjj1 he regularly spent from #ejjj to #hjjj1 according to his ability to run in debt1 or the credulity of others in trusting him4 ,the victims of this immorality--debtor as well as creditor--are entitled to more faithful dealing at the hands of those not directly affected by the misdemeanors of the former4 ,it is the duty of the community to rebuke and repress these pernicious glosses1 making the truth heard and felt1 that inordinate expenditure is knavery and crime4 ,no man has a moral right thus to lavish on his own appetites1 money which he has not earned1 and does not really need4 ,if public opinion were sound on this subject--if a man living beyond his means1 when his means were commensurate with his real needs1 were subjected to the reprehension he deserves--the evil would be instantly checked1 and ultimately eradicated4 ,the world is full of people who can't imagine why they don't prosper like their neighbors1 when the real obstacle is not in the banks nor tariffs1 in bad public policy nor hard times1 but in their own extravagance and heedless ostentation4 ,the young mechanic or clerk marries and takes a house1 which he proceeds to furnish twice as expensively as he can afford2 and then his wife1 instead of taking hold to help him earn a livelihood by doing her own work1 must have a hired servant to help her spend his limited earnings4 ,ten years afterward1 you will find him struggling on under a double load of debts and children1 wondering why the luck was always against him1 while his friends regret his unhappy destitution of financial ability4 ,had they1 from the first1 been frank and honest1 he need not have been so unlucky4 ,through every grade of society this vice of inordinate expenditure insinuates itself4 ,the single man 'hired out' in the country at ten to fifteen dollars per month1 who contrives to dissolve his year's earnings in frolics and fine clothes2 the clerk who has three to five hundred dollars a year1 and melts down twenty to fifty of it into liquor and cigars1 are paralleled by the young merchant who fills a spacious house with costly furniture1 gives dinners1 and drives a fast horse1 on the strength of the profits he expects to realize when his goods are all sold and his notes all paid4 ,let a man have a genius for spending1 and whether his income is a dollar a day or a dollar a minute1 it is equally certain to prove inadequate4 ,if dining1 wining1 and party-giving won't help him through with it1 building1 gaming1 and speculation will be sure to4 ,the bottomless pocket will never fill1 no matter how bounteous the stream pouring into it4 ,the man who 7being single7 does not save money on six dollars a week1 will not be apt to on sixty2 and he who does not lay up something in his first year of independent exertion1 will be pretty likely to wear a poor man's hair into his grave4 ,no man who has the natural use of his faculties and his muscles1 has any right to tax others with the cost of his support1 as this class of non-financial gentlemen habitually do4 ,it is their common mistake to fancy that if a debt is only paid at last1 the obligation of the debtor is fulfilled2 but the fact is not so4 ,a man who sells his property for another's promise to pay next week or next month1 and is compelled to wear out a pair of boots in running after his due1 which he finally gets after a year or two1 is never really paid4 ,very often1 he has lost half the face of his demand1 by not having the money when he needed it1 beside the cost and vexation of running after it4 ,there is just one way to pay an obligation in full1 and that is to pay it when due4 ,he who keeps up a running fight with bills and loans through life1 is continually living on other men's means1 is a serious burden and a detriment to those who deal with him1 although his estate should finally pay every dollar of his legal obligations4 ,inordinate expenditure is the cause of a great share of the crime and consequent misery which devastate the world4 ,the clerk who spends more than he earns1 is fast qualifying himself for a gambler and a thief2 the trader or mechanic who overruns his income1 is very certain to become in time a trickster and a cheat4 ,wherever you see a man spending faster than he earns1 there look out for villainy to be developed1 though it be the farthest thing possible from his present thought4 ,when the world shall have become wiser1 and its standard of morality more lofty1 it will perceive and affirm that profuse expenditure1 even by one who can pecuniarily afford it1 is pernicious and unjustifiable--that a man1 however wealthy1 has no right to lavish on his own appetites1 his tastes1 or his ostentation1 that which might have raised hundreds from destitution and despair to comfort and usefulness4 ,but that is an improvement in public sentiment which must be waited for1 while the other is more ready and obvious4 ,the meanness1 the dishonesty1 the iniquity1 of squandering thousands unearned1 and keeping others out of money that is justly theirs1 have rarely been urged and enforced as they should be4 ,they need but to be considered and understood1 to be universally loathed and detested4#d ,footnote #d3 ,horace ,greeley4 ,nearly allied with the ,habits of the young1 are their ,amusements4 ,that the youthful should be allowed a reasonable degree of recreation1 is universally admitted4 ,the laws of health demand relaxation from the labors and cares of life4 ,the body1 the mind1 constantly strained to the highest exertion1 without repose1 and something to cheer1 refreshen1 and re-invigorate it1 will speedily fall into disease and death4 ,the very word recreation--7re-creation7--indicates that to a degree1 proper amusement has the power to revive the wearied energies1 supply afresh the springs of life1 and give a renewed elasticity and endurance to all the capacities of our nature4 ,yet there is no subject surrounded with greater difficulties1 than the amusements of the youthful4 ,there is no amusement1 however harmless and proper in its nature1 but what can be carried to such excess1 as to inflict deep injury4 ,it is while searching for recreations1 that the youthful meet the most dangerous temptations1 and fall into the most vicious practices4 ,how important that they should make this a matter of mature reflection and acute discrimination4 ,pleasure we all desire4 ,it is sought for by every human being4 ,but it is essential to distinguish between true pleasure1 which we can enjoy with real benefit1 and false pleasure1 which deceives1 demoralizes1 and destroys4 ,the poet truly describes the nature of this distinction1 when he says1 ,pleasure1 or wrong1 or rightly understood1 ,our greatest evil1 or our greatest good6 ,one of the first things requisite to be understood is1 that in order to enjoy any amusement1 a previous preparation is necessary4 ,that preparation is to be obtained by useful occupation4 ,it is only by contrast that we can enjoy anything4--,without weariness1 we can know nothing of rest4 ,without first enduring hunger and thirst1 we cannot experience the satisfaction of partaking of food and drink4 ,in like manner1 it is only by faithful and industrious application to business of some kind--it is only by occupying the mind in useful employment--that we can draw any satisfaction from recreation4 ,without this preparation1 all amusement loses its charm4 ,were the young to engage in one unceasing round of pastimes1 from day to day1 with no time or thought devoted to useful occupation1 recreation would soon be divested of its attractions1 and become insipid and painfully laborious4 ,to be beneficial1 amusements should be virtuous in their tendencies1 healthful in their influence on the body1 and of brief duration4 ,among the many pastimes to which the young resort for amusement1 card-playing often fills a prominent place4 ,this is a general1 and in some circles1 a fashionable practice2 but it is objectionable and injurious in all its influences1 and in every possible point of view4 ,nothing good or instructive1 nothing elevating or commendable1 in any sense1 can come from it4 ,all its fruits must necessarily be evil4 ,it is a senseless occupation4 ,nothing can be more unmeaning and fruitless1 among all the employments to which a rational mind can devote its attention4 ,it affords no useful exercise of the intellect--no food for profitable thought--no power to call into activity the higher and better capacities4 ,it is true1 ,i suppose1 there is some degree of cunning and skill to be displayed in managing the cards4 ,but what high intellectual1 or moral capacity is brought into exercise by a game so trivial8 ,it excludes interesting and instructive interchanges of sentiment2 on topics of any degree of importance2 and substitutes talk of a frivolous and meaningless character4 ,to a spectator1 the conversation of a card-table1 is of the most uninteresting and childish description4 ,there are1 however1 more serious objections than these4 ,card-playing has a tendency of the most dangerous description1 especially to the youthful4 ,let a young man become expert in this game1 and fond of engaging in it1 and who does not see he is liable to become that most mean and despicable of all living creatures--a ,,gambler4 ,confident of his own skill as a card-player1 how long would he hesitate to engage in a game for a small sum8 ,he has seen older ones playing--perhaps his own parents--and he can discover no great harm in doing the same thing even if it is for a stake of a few shillings4 ,from playing for small sums1 the steps are very easy which lead to large amounts4 ,and in due time1 the young man becomes a gambler1 from no other cause than that he acquired a love for card-playing1 when he engaged in it only as an amusement4 ,parents have a responsibility resting on them in this respect1 of which they should not lose sight4 ,they cannot be surprised that their children imitate their examples4 ,with all the dangerous associations and tendencies of card-playing1 would they have their children acquire a passion for it8 ,what wise parent can make such a choice for his son8 ,ah1 how many a young man has become a gamester1 a black-leg1 an inmate of the prison cell1 because1 in the home of his childhood1 he acquired a love of the card-table4 ,he but imitated the practice of parents1 whose duty it was to set him a better example1 and was led to the path of ruin6 ,if1 from its influences1 card-playing1 even for amusement1 is improper for gentlemen1 ,i conceive it much more so for ladies4 ,a woman--and more especially a young woman--seems entirely out of place at a card-table4 ,the associations are so masculine--they bring to mind so much of the cut-and-shuffle trickery1 vulgarity and profanity--so many of the words and phrases of that hell1 the gaming-table--that for a lady to indulge in them1 appears entirely opposed to that modesty and refinement1 which are so becoming the female character4 ,i trust all young ladies of discretion will shun the card-table4 ,i am confident every woman1 who possesses a proper sense of the dignity and delicacy which form the highest attractions of the female character1 will avoid a practice which is made an instrument of the most despicable uses1 and to which the most vile and abandoned constantly resort4 ,daughters of those who1 long ago1 ,dared the dark storm and angry sea1 ,and walked the desert way of woe1 ,and pain1 and trouble to be free6 ,oh1 be like them6 like them endure1 ,and bow beneath affliction's rod2 ,like them be watchful1 high and pure-- ,in all things seek the smile of ,god4 ,the same caution ,i have uttered in regard to card-playing1 ,i would apply to all games of hazard and chance4 ,the young should never indulge in them1 even for amusement4 ,although they may be able to see no harm in them as recreations1 yet the influences they exert1 and the associations into which they lead1 cannot but exert a deleterious influence4 ,they can do no good4 ,they may lead to the most dire results6 ,another amusement in which the youthful frequently engage1 is ,dancing4 ,this is the most fascinating of pastimes4 ,and it might be made the most proper1 healthful1 and invigorating4 ,in the simple act of dancing--of moving the body in unison with strains of music--there can be no harm4 ,it is a custom which has been practised in all ages1 and among all nations1 both civilized and barbarous4 ,the very lambs in the green and sunny meadow1 and the cattle on a thousand hills1 in many a fantastic game1 exult and rejoice in the blessings a kind ,providence bestows upon them4 ,it is one of ,nature's methods of attesting the consciousness of enjoyment4 ,dancing1 when viewed in the light of a pleasant bodily exercise1 is undoubtedly healthy and beneficial4 ,it is peculiarly so to females1 and those whose occupation and habits are of a sedentary character4 ,when properly engaged in1 it strengthens the limbs1 developes the chest1 enlarges the lungs1 and invigorates the whole system4 ,but this pastime is greatly abused1 and is so perverted as to have become one of the most serious evils4 ,in this view1 it is subject to severe and well-grounded censure4 ,as dancing is usually conducted in modern times1 it has proved one of the greatest evils into which the youthful have fallen4 ,the routs and balls to which the young resort1 as generally managed1 cannot be too severely condemned4 ,the late hours to which they are prolonged--the rich and unhealthy pastry partaken of in abundance--the intoxicating drinks passed around1 or conveniently found in the side-room1 or at the bar--the thoughtless manner of dressing1 exposing to cold and damp1 and so confining the lungs1 that when1 by reason of exercise1 they need the most room for expansion1 they have the least1 thus sowing the seeds of speedy disease and early death--the long-continued excitement and over-fatigue--the improper company which often assembles on such occasions--these all combine to make such assemblages a source of injury in all their influences and consequences4 ,they should be discountenanced by every parent and well-wisher of public good4 ,the young of both sexes1 who have any just regard for their morals--and their health1 should avoid these routs1 and balls1 and cotillion parties4 ,their tendency1 in every respect1 is evil in the extreme4 ,dancing among children unreadable their pastimes--or by young people1 at private parties1 or social gatherings1 engaged in temperately1 and for a brief period1 with proper precautions in regard to health1 cannot1 be objectionable4 ,in this1 as in most other amusements1 it is the excess1 the abuse1 that causes the injury4 ,in urging these considerations on the young1 ,i would not seek to deprive them of any amusement suited to their age and circumstances4 ,youth is the season of joyousness--of light-hearted pleasure1 and budding hope4 ,i would not overshadow one ray of its bright and beautiful sunshine--nor check one throb of its innocent pleasure4 ,the shadows1 the cares1 and burthens of life1 will come upon them full early enough1 at the latest4 ,in the spring-time of their days--the delicious1 romantic morning of their being--they can experience some of the sweetest hours of their earthly existence4 ,nor would ,i rob them of that which ,god and nature designed them to enjoy4 ,but ,i would have them seek for innocent amusements--for recreations and enjoyments1 of a pure and elevated character4 ,none other can make them truly happy4 ,all things sinful in their nature1 or demoralizing in their tendency1 are unmitigated evils1 destructive in their consequences4 ,however attractive they may appear to the inexperienced1 in the form of amusements1 yet in the end1 they will bite as a serpent1 and sting as an adder4 ,there is no necessity that the young should resort to that which is low and vicious to find amusement4 ,a thousand means of recreation surround them1 of the most harmless character4 ,the enjoyments of the paternal roof--the social party1 where the young engage in sprightly conversation1 or innocent pastimes--the friendly call--the perusal of interesting and instructive books--the scanning of the journals of the day1 by which they can look out upon the shifting scene of the busy1 restless world--the summer morning walk1 to behold the opening beauties of the glorious day1 and listen to the singing of the birds1 the lowing of the flocks and herds1 the murmuring of the streamlet1 nature's early anthem of praise to ,god--or the evening ramble1 to watch the flowers as they open their fragrant leaves to be bathed in sweet distilling dews--to gaze upon the golden sunset1 making the fleecy clouds to blush with a crimson glow1 as the king of day bids them good night2 or to behold the stars1 as one by one they come forth to their appointed stations1 bestudding the whole heavens with crystal coronets4--,these1 ,o youth6 and countless other fountains1 are open for you1 from which the sweetest and purest enjoyments can be obtained4 ,seek for amusement--for pleasure--in these directions1 and the cup which you press to your lips shall be one of unmixed happiness6 ,while some in folly's pleasures roll1 ,and court the joys that hurt the soul1 ,be mine that silent1 calm repast1 ,a conscience peaceful to the last4 ,,lecture ,v4 ,the ,religious ,sentiments4 ,remember now thy ,creator in the days of thy youth4--,eccl4 xii4 #a4 ,there are few subjects so generally uninteresting to the youthful as ,religion4 ,the great majority prefer to have their attention called in any other direction1 and to be addressed on any topic1 rather than this1 which1 in fact1 is the most important of all4 ,there is evidently a defect somewhere in this matter1 which should be corrected4 ,where shall we seek for it8 ,not in any natural1 inherent aversion to the subject of religion1 resting in the hearts of the young4 ,it is neither reasonable in itself1 nor respectful to the ,creator1 to insist he has so constituted the human soul1 that it is naturally and necessarily indisposed to a topic which is most vitally connected with its happiness1 and which should receive a large share of its attention4 ,this indifference is to be attributed chiefly1 ,i think1 to improper impressions in regard to the nature and objects of religion4 ,the young look upon it as something gloomy1 saddening1 and distasteful--something that forbids enjoyment1 chains in dire bondage the free1 glad spirit of early life1 and casts dark and cheerless shadows on the sunshine of youth's bright morning6 ,they imagine it to stalk forth from a dark cell1 arrayed in hood and cowl1 to frown upon them in their innocent pastimes--to curdle their blood with severe rebukes1 because of the buoyancy of their hearts and to drive them back with scowling reprimands1 when they would walk in the sunny paths which ,god has kindly opened for their elastic footsteps4 ,hence they close their ears to its invitations2 turn away from its instructions1 as something designed to impose a heavy yoke upon them2 and postpone its claims1 to be attended to among the last acts of life4 ,that these views and feelings should widely prevail1 on a subject so important as religion1 is a matter of deep regret4 ,they are erroneous and deleterious in the extreme4 ,let the young strive to become acquainted with the true nature of the religion of ,christ1 and they will learn that such are not its requirements1 nor its fruits4 ,it is not the purpose of its ,divine ,author to sadden the heart1 or fill the mind with gloom2 but to cheer and gladden the soul1 and lead it to the highest and sweetest enjoyments of existence4 ,it is not the aim of religion to deprive the young of any real enjoyment--any recreation proper to their age or their nature1 as intellectual1 moral1 and spiritual beings4 ,but it would assist the young to distinguish between permanent happiness1 and those hurtful and wicked gratifications which corrupt the heart1 and plunge the whole being into the dark pool of sin and woe4 ,religion is the friendly ,guide sent from our ,father in heaven1 to lead his creatures away from peril and woe1 and direct their footsteps into the most beautiful and happy paths of existence4 ,through life's bewildered way1 ,her hand unerring leads2 ,and o'er the path her heavenly ray ,a cheering lustre sheds4 ,what sight can present itself to the eye more pleasing than a religious youth4 ,by this ,i do not mean a gloomy1 downcast1 sorrowful young man1 or young woman1 whose countenance is overcast with shadows1 and whose presence chills every beholder4 ,it is a darkened superstition1 a cold1 cheerless asceticism1 and not the ,christian religion1 which gives this unnatural and forbidding appearance4 ,a religious youth is one who is cheerful and happy--whose countenance is pervaded with an expression of benevolence1 a smile of contentment--who is constant in attendance on public worship--who respects the ,scriptures1 and makes their daily perusal one of the fixed duties of life--who loves ,god1 and strives faithfully to keep his commandments--who reverences the ,saviour of man1 and takes him as a pattern in all things--who is honest1 industrious1 economical1 and strictly temperate4 ,behold the fair picture6 ,is it not goodly to look upon8 ,can earth furnish a spectacle more beautiful8 ,such a youth is beloved of all men4 ,angels1 ,christ1 the ,father1 smile their approval on every one treading this high pathway ,sweet is the early dew ,which gilds the mountain tops1 ,and decks each plant and flower we view ,with pearly1 glittering drops2 ,but sweeter far the scene ,on ,zion's holy hill1 ,when there the dew of youth is seen ,its freshness to distill4 ,is there a youth in the audience who does not desire to occupy a position so elevated and so honorable8 ,do not imagine it is beyond your reach4 ,every one can attain to it by proper exertion4 ,it is not difficult of accomplishment4 ,with pure desires1 and right intentions1 nothing is more feasible4 ,in fact1 so to conduct as to secure such a character1 and attain to such a position1 is the most easy1 pleasant1 and happy path in which the young can walk4 ,all others are full of difficulty1 vexation1 trouble1 and wretchedness4 ,all others yield fruit the most bitter and poisonous--fruit which1 however luscious and tempting it may appear to the eye1 like the apples of ,sodom1 will turn to ashes in the hand4 ,if the young are looking simply for a peaceful and happy life1 where prosperity will be the most likely to attend them1 and where the richest and choicest blessings will be showered on their pathway1 they will find it in the practice of religion4 ,so far from being a heavy burthen1 a grievous cross1 it is the lightener of all burthens1 the easiest of all yokes1 the kindest1 truest friend1 to help along the rough spots1 and smile and cheer in the darkest hours of man's earthly pilgrimage4 ,listen to the representations of religion found in the ,word of ,god3 ,wisdom is more precious than rubies2 and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her4 ,length of days is in her right hand2 and in her left hand riches and honor4 ,her ways are ways of pleasantness1 and all her paths are peace4#e ,come1 ye children1 hearken unto me4 ,i will teach you the fear reverence of the ,lord4 ,what man is he that desireth life1 and loveth many days1 that he may see good8 ,keep thy tongue from evil1 and thy lips from speaking guile4 ,depart from evil1 and do good4 ,seek peace and pursue it4#f ,blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly1 nor standeth in the way of sinners1 nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful4 ,but his delight is in the law of the ,lord2 and in his law doth he meditate1 day and night4 ,and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water1 that bringeth forth his fruit in his season4 ,his leaf also shall not wither4 ,and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper4#g ,there is nothing sad and gloomy in these views2 but everything pleasant and inviting4 ,footnote #e3 ,prov4 iii4 #ae1 #af1 #ag4 ,footnote #f3 ,ps4 xxxiv4 #aa-ad4 ,footnote #g3 ,ps4 i4 #a1 #b1 #c4 ,i would disabuse the young of the idea that religion is needed only by the aged1 the sick1 and the dying2 and that it can be of no essential service at other times4 ,it does indeed become the hoary head1 more than the jewelled diadem4 ,it is the comforter of the sick--the supporter of the departing spirit--giving it a sustaining power which all earth's riches cannot purchase4 ,but religion is quite as appropriate and essential to the youthful as to the aged and sick4 ,it is equally as important that men should live right1 as die right4 ,there is no way so effectually to insure a peaceful and happy death1 as to live a good and useful life4 ,religion leads to such a life1 and prepares the way for such a death4 ,hence the necessity that the young should give themselves up to its influences in the morning of their days1 that their meridian may be fruitful of good1 and their evening sunset calm and serene4 ,away1 then1 with the supposition1 that religion is not adapted1 nor necessary to youth4 ,the flower of youth never appears more beautiful1 than when it leans towards the ,sun of ,righteousness4 ,religion is the brightest ornament with which the young can bedeck themselves4 ,the fragrant blossom which crowns the tree1 is not more beautiful1 or hopeful of coming fruitfulness1 than is religion to the freshness of youth4 ,indeed1 as the blossom is necessary to insure the rich and golden fruit1 so is early religion requisite to a useful and prosperous career4 ,it is the best preparation the young can secure for after life1 whatever calling they may pursue4 ,there is no occupation1 no pursuit1 no profession1 which they will not be far better prepared to enter1 by the influence of an enlightened1 cheerful1 enlarged ,christian faith and practice4 ,these will interfere with no useful enterprise1 no honest business1 no laudable calling2 nor prevent the prosecution of any of the many projects among men1 which comport with the public good1 and are executed on principles of integrity4 ,religion will make its possessors better and more successful laborers1 mechanics1 manufacturers1 agriculturists1 merchants1 and more respected and useful members of any of the learned professions4 ,if there is any pursuit1 any business1 which you cannot prosecute with the sanction of religion1 avoid it at once and forever4 ,you had better do anything else than engage in it4 ,i would have the young strongly impressed with this view4 ,it would be far preferable to suffer poverty and obscurity1 in an honest and useful calling1 than to obtain the possession and fame of great riches1 in a pursuit which the pure and enlightened principles of ,christianity would condemn4 ,although you may succeed in hoarding up mountains of gold in such a pursuit1 and in possessing broad domains and the cattle on a thousand hills1 yet all this will not afford you one throb of genuine enjoyment4 ,there would be that in the manner of obtaining these possessions1 which would utterly deprive them of all power to impart happiness4 ,wealth secured by extortion1 fraud1 or any practice or business of a corrupting nature1 injurious to the morals1 and destructive to the well-being of community1 will be of no more value to him who thus obtains it1 as far as his happiness is concerned1 than so much dust4 ,it is the consciousness of having obtained riches in honest and useful pursuits1 that gives zest and relish to the enjoyments they procure4 ,without this consciousness1 the man of wealth has less of pure peace and happiness than the poorest honest man in the wide world4 ,in the very nature of things1 as a wise and holy ,god has constituted us1 this must inevitably be so4 ,all past history and experience furnish indubitable proof of the correctness of this position4 ,if ,i can impress this single truth on the hearts and memories of the youthful1 ,i shall do them a service of a value beyond all human computation4 ,these considerations1 ,i trust1 will tend to convince the young of the vital importance of obtaining now1 at the commencement of their career1 the direction and influence of well-grounded and enlightened religious views and principles4 ,i would have them become neither fanatics nor bigots2 but would urge them to place themselves under the pure and divine light of the gospel of ,christ1 that they may be exalted to the highest and noblest principles of human action1 and to the summit of human enjoyment4 ,to what sources should the young apply for correct religious doctrines and principles8 ,while they should give due heed to the instruction and advice of the learned1 the wise and good1 within whose influence they may be thrown1 yet they should not depend wholly upon these sources for the attainment of truth4 ,the wisest and best among religious teachers1 differ materially on fundamental points4 ,to rely solely on the convictions of others1 however exalted their talents or sincere their opinions1 would be injustice to yourselves1 and to the truth you would obtain4 ,let no man think for you4 ,he who would persuade you to allow him to do so--who would have you distrust the convictions of your own reason1 throw aside the decisions of your judgment1 and allow him to judge and decide for you1 in religious matters1 does in fact assume to be your master1 and would reduce you to a poor and pitiable spiritual bondage4 ,let not the young overlook the fact1 that they have been endowed by their ,creator with the faculties of reason1 judgment1 and discrimination4 ,these must necessarily be exercised in forming enlightened religious opinions4 ,those who fail to do this1 fall an easy prey to every error that will but commend itself by something novel and startling4 ,christianity is pre-eminently1 a reasonable system of doctrines4 ,there is no topic claiming the attention of man1 in the investigation of which it is so important to exercise with all deliberation1 the highest capacities of reason and reflection1 as religion4 ,from the great multiplicity of opinions which prevail1 those who are distrustful of their own judgment and reason1 and who are more disposed to receive the ipse dixit of others1 than to depend on the convictions of the good sense with which they have been endowed1 will speedily become involved in a labyrinth of errors1 from which it will be difficult to extricate themselves4 ,let the young1 in all their religious investigations1 hesitate not to appeal continually to the highest and noblest capacity of their nature1 and give all due weight to its decisions4 ,freely1 abundantly1 your ,maker has bestowed a reasoning capacity upon you4 ,freely1 unhesitatingly1 always should you appeal to its directing light4 ,whoever counsel the young against the exercise of reason in regard to religion--whoever warn them to beware of its decisions on a topic so momentous--lay themselves open to a just and legitimate suspicion1 of being the abettors of error4 ,is not this self-evident8 ,error is born in ignorance4 ,it burrows in darkness1 and draws all its vitality from stupid credulity4 ,enlightened reason strips away the false garbs by which it deceives the thoughtless1 reveals its deformities1 and holds up its absurdities naked and repulsive1 to the gaze of the passer-by4 ,in view of such an unwelcome office1 it is natural that error should dread the eye of reason1 should shrink away at its approach1 and cry out mightily against its scrutiny4 ,not so is it with truth4 ,it cultivates no apprehension of reason4 ,it courts1 invites its approach1 and smiles in conscious strength at its most critical investigations4 ,truth has everything to gain1 and nothing to lose from the researches of reason4 ,the clearer and keener the eye of the one1 the more beautiful the appearance of the other4 ,truth and ,reason are twin sisters1 born of ,god1 and despatched from heaven1 to guide and bless earth's children4 ,they are linked together inseparably4 ,the one is never found except in the presence of the other4 ,their blended light is all that gives value and beauty to ,christianity1 and all that makes it of any more importance than the merest heathen fable4 ,mutually they co-operate with1 and strengthen each other4 ,all ,truth is reasonable1 and all the legitimate deductions of ,reason are true4 ,truth forms the vital atmosphere which ,reason inhales4 ,reason is the very sunlight in which ,truth bathes its beauteous form4 ,remember1 ,o youth1 religion does not require you to separate these heaven-born guides to men4 ,never expect to find religious truth1 without beholding it radiant with the light of reason4 ,reject without hesitation1 whatever is presented to you as truth1 unless reason throws its divine sanction around it4 ,in all your investigations1 let ,reason direct your footsteps2 and1 guided by revelation1 it will at last1 and unerringly1 lead you to the glorious abode of ,truth4 ,it is readily allowed1 there are truths in ,christianity which reason cannot fathom4 ,not because they are opposed to reason1 but because they are beyond its reach4 ,they are infinite1 while man's reason is finite4 ,but it is only by the light of reason that man can see any consistency or propriety in the assertion of such truths4 ,reason may sanction what it cannot fully grasp1 as the boundlessness of space1 or the endlessness of time4 ,one thing may be above reason1 another thing may be opposed to reason4 ,the former it may approve--the latter it will peremptorily condemn4 ,this is an important distinction1 which should never be overlooked in its bearing on religious tenets4 ,in all researches for an enlightened religious faith1 there are but two sources of information1 on which reliance can be placed with entire confidence1 viz4 the ,works of ,nature1 and the ,revealed ,word of ,god4 ,both are equally the productions of the ,infinite ,mind1 and can be studied with the highest profit4 ,nature's works are but an elder ,scripture1 written by ,jehovah's finger4 ,in glowing suns and stars1 we read its brilliant and instructive lessons4 ,these all teach us aright of the perfections of the ,sovereign ,creator4 ,they are golden steps1 on which the mind ascends to a clearer view of the great ,creator4 ,behold the o'erarching canopy with which ,god has adorned our earthly abode4 ,see how it glitters with burnished worlds1 more numerous than the dust of earth4 ,all are in motion4 ,with a velocity which outstrips the wind1 they wheel their flight around their vast orbits1 with a precision which astonishes and confounds the beholder4 ,yonder rolls the planet ,jupiter4 ,could ,i put my finger down at a certain point in its orbit1 as it rushes past1 it might exclaim--,although the journey around the orbit in which ,i revolve1 is two thousand nine hundred and sixty-six millions six hundred and sixty-one thousand miles1 yet in four thousand three hundred and thirty-two days1 fourteen hours1 eighteen minutes1 and forty-one seconds1 ,i will pass this point again66 ,and away it flies to fulfil the grand prophecy4 ,i watch with intense interest for more than eleven years4 ,at length they have expired4 ,the days also run by--the hours pass--the minutes4 ,and as the clock ticks the forty-first second1 lo6 old ,jupiter wheels past the given point1 without the variation of the thousandth part of a moment4 ,thus it has been journeying from the morning of creation4 ,thus perfectly revolve all the heavenly bodies4 ,mysterious round6 what skill1 what force divine1 ,deep felt1 in these appear6 ,a single train1 ,yet so delightful mixed1 with such kind art1 ,such beauty and beneficence combin'd2 ,shade1 unperceived1 so softening into shade2 ,and all so forming an harmonious whole2 ,that as they still succeed1 they ravish still4 ,in the magnitude of the heavenly bodies1 and the precision of their movements1 we behold the most glorious and convincing evidences of the omnipotence of ,god's power1 and the perfection of ,his wisdom and skill4 ,in the splendor of the starry dome of night--in the thousand attractions of our earthly abode--the loveliness of its summer landscapes--the beauty of its flowers1 and the balmy fragrance they distil upon the air--in the warmth of the precious sunlight1 which floods hill1 valley1 field1 forest1 and ocean--in the refreshing influences of the evening dew1 and the early and latter rains--in the grateful breeze which bears life and health to our nostrils--in the rich productions of the ever-bountiful soil--in these1 in all nature's wide departments1 we read1 with rejoicing eyes1 the witnesses of the impartial goodness and boundless beneficence of the ,father of spirits6 ,my heart is awed within me1 when ,i think ,of the great miracle that still goes on1 ,in silence1 round me--the perpetual work ,of thy creation1 finished1 yet renewed ,forever4 ,written on thy works ,i read ,the lesson of thy ,eternity4 ,nature furnishes a thousand evidences of man's immortality--that greatest of all truths asserted by revelation1 and sustained by religion4 ,we see a corroboration of this momentous fact1 in the transformation of the loathsome caterpillar into the beautiful butterfly1 by the process of an actual death--in the dying and reviving of the vegetable kingdom--in the luxuriant plant and golden harvest1 springing from the dead body of the seed--in the numerous forms and processes in which life springs from death all around us4 ,oh1 listen1 man1 ,a voice within us speaks the startling word1 ',man1 thou shalt never die6' ,celestial voices ,hymn it round our souls2 according harps1 ,by angel lingers touched when the mild stars ,of morning sang together1 sounds forth still ,the song of our great immortality2 ,thick-clustering orbs1 and this our fair domain1 ,the tall1 dark mountains1 and the deep-toned seas1 ,join in the solemn1 universal song4 ,o1 listen1 ye1 our spirits2 drink it in ,from all the air6 ',tis in the gentle moonlight3 ,is floating in day's setting glories2 ,night1 ,wrapped in her sable robe1 with silent step ,comes to our bed and breathes it in our ears4 ,night and the dawn1 bright day and thoughtful eve1 ,all times1 all bounds1 the limitless expanse1 ,as one great mystic instrument1 are touched ,by an unseen1 living ,hand1 and conscious chords ,quiver with joy in this great jubilee4 ,the dying hear it2 and as sounds of earth ,grow dull and distant1 wake their passing souls ,to mingle in this passing melody4#h ,footnote #h3 ,dana4 ,still more valuable resources for the attainment of religious truths are found in the holy ,scriptures--the revealed word of the ,most ,high4 ,in forming their religious opinions1 let the young fail not to make these sacred pages their constant study4 ,nor should they dream they will find there any contradiction to the lessons read on the broad pages of ,nature's book4 ,these are but different methods in which the same ,god reveals himself to his creatures4 ,he will not contradict himself4 ,his revealed word as plainly asserts his power1 wisdom1 and goodness1 as his works shadow forth these glorious perfections4 ,while the ,scriptures do not contradict the voice uttered by nature1 they lead us to higher departments of religion1 and to clearer revelations of ,god and his character4 ,they represent him as a ,father1 exercising a parental government over man--a government characterized by benevolence1 justice1 mercy1 and truth1 and administered for the promotion of his own glory1 and the highest good of those called to obey4 ,the ,scriptures1 moreover1 bring to our knowledge the ,son of ,god and his gospel--presenting us in the life of ,jesus ,christ1 a beautiful example of truth1 purity1 righteousness1 and love1 and imparting1 in his teachings1 the most perfect rules of human conduct1 and the brightest anticipations of life and immortality beyond the grave4 ,in perusing the ,scriptures1 let reason be your guide4 ,reason should not be elevated above the ,scriptures2 yet they cannot be understood without its aid4 ,the ,creator1 in the ,bible1 addresses himself directly to man's reason3 ,come now1 and let us reason together1 saith the ,lord4#i ,without the exercise of reason in reading the ,bible1 it will be as a sealed book4 ,how else can man comprehend its truths1 and be instructed by its rich lessons of wisdom8 ,in the exercise of this highest capacity bestowed upon us1 the word of ,god will appear harmonious in all its parts--beautiful and sublime in all its truths--instructive in all its lessons--inspiring the brightest1 broadest hopes the mind can conceive4 ,but lay reason aside1 in its perusal1 and it will be involved in inextricable confusion1 and impenetrable darkness4 ,footnote #i3 ,isaiah i4 #ah4 ,the young should not lose sight of the fact1 that we have the ,bible only in the form of a translation by uninspired men1 from the original ,hebrew and ,greek1 in which it was penned by the inspired writers4 ,hence it should not seem surprising that there are some inaccuracies connected with this translation2 nor that certain words1 allusion1 and forms of speech1 appear obscure and unintelligible4 ,there is a plain and simple rule by which all obscure and disputed words and passages should be understood4 ,give them such construction as will most perfectly correspond with the attributes and character of ,god1 as revealed in his word and works1 his omnipotence and omniscience1 his wisdom and goodness1 his justice and mercy--and as will best accord with the grace and love which moved the ,saviour in his divine mission to the earth4 ,for the following excellent suggestions in regard to the study of the ,scriptures1 ,i am indebted to a popular writer of the present day4 ,on the ,sabbath the ,bible should be studied4 ,every person1 old or young1 ignorant or learned1 should devote a portion of time every ,sabbath to the study of the ,scriptures1 in the more strict and proper sense of that term4 ,but to show precisely what ,i mean by this weekly study of the ,bible1 ,i will describe a particular case4 ,a young man with only such opportunities as are possessed by all1 resolves to take this course4 ,he selects the ,epistle to the ,ephesians for his first subject2 he obtains such books and helps as he finds in his own family1 or as he can obtain from a religious friend1 or procure from a ,sabbath-school library4 ,it is not too much to suppose that he will have a sacred ,atlas1 some ,commentary1 and probably a ,bible ,dictionary4 ,he should also have pen1 ink1 and paper2 and thus provided1 he sits down ,sabbath morning to his work4 ,he raises a short but heartfelt prayer to ,god that he will assist and bless him1 and then commences his inquiries4 ,the ,epistle to the ,ephesians ,i have supposed to be his subject4 ,he sees that the first question evidently is1 ',who were the ,ephesians8' ,he finds the city of ,ephesus upon the map2 and from the preface to the ,epistle contained in the commentary1 or from any other source to which he can have access1 he learns what sort of a city it was--what was the character of the inhabitants1 and if possible1 what condition the city was in at the time this letter was written4 ,he next inquires in regard to the writer of this letter or ,epistle1 as it is called4 ,it was ,paul2 and what did ,paul know of the ,ephesians8 had he ever been there8 or was he writing to strangers8 ,to settle these points1 so evidently important to a correct understanding of the letter1 he examines the ,acts of the ,apostles1 7in which an account of ,st4 ,paul's labors is contained17 to learn whether ,paul went there1 and if so1 what happened while he was there4 ,he finds that many interesting incidents occurred during ,paul's visits1 and his curiosity is excited to know whether these things will be alluded to in the letter2 he also endeavors to ascertain where ,paul was when he wrote the letter4 ,after having thus determined everything relating to the circumstances of the case1 he is prepared to come to the ,epistle itself1 and enter with spirit and interest into an examination of its contents4 ,he first glances his eye cursorily through the chapters of the book1 that he may take in at once a general view of its object and design--perhaps he makes out a brief list of the topics discussed1 and thus has a distinct general idea of the whole before he enters into a minute examination of the parts4 ,this minute examination he comes to at last--though perhaps the time devoted to the study for two or three ,sabbaths is spent in the preparatory inquiries4 ,if it is so1 it is time well spent2 for by it he is now prepared to enter with interest into the very soul and spirit of the letter4 ,while he was ignorant of these points1 his knowledge of the ,epistle itself must have been very vague and superficial4 ,suppose ,i were now to introduce into this book a letter1 and should begin at once1 without saying by whom the letter was written1 or to whom it was addressed4 ,it would be preposterous4 ,if ,i wished to excite your interest1 ,i should describe particularly the parties1 and the circumstances which produced the letter originally4 ,and yet how many ,christians there are1 who could not tell whether ,paul's letter to the ,ephesians was written before or after he went there1 or where ,titus was when ,paul wrote to him1 or for what special purpose he wrote6 ,this method of studying the ,scriptures1 which ,i have thus attempted to describe1 and which ,i might illustrate by supposing many other cases1 is not intended for one class alone2 not for the ignorant peculiarly1 nor for the wise2 not for the rich1 nor for the poor2 but for all4 ,the solitary widow1 in her lonely cottage among the distant mountains1 with nothing but her simple ,bible in her hand1 by the light of her evening fire1 may pursue this course of comparing ,scripture with ,scripture1 and entering into the spirit of sacred story1 throwing herself back to ancient times1 and thus preparing herself to grasp more completely1 and to feel more vividly the moral lessons which the ,bible is mainly intended to teach4 ,and the most cultivated scholar may pursue this course in his quiet study1 surrounded by all the helps to a thorough knowledge of the ,scriptures which learning can produce or wealth obtain4 ,i hope the specimens ,i have given are sufficient to convey to my readers the general idea ,i have in view1 when ,i speak of studying the ,bible1 in contradistinction from the mere cursory reading of it1 which is so common among ,christians4 ,select some subject upon which a good deal of information may be found in various parts of the ,bible1 and make it your object to bring together into one view all that the ,bible says upon that subject4 ,take for instance the life of the ,apostle ,peter4 ,suppose you make it your business on one ,sabbath1 with the help of a brother1 or sister1 or any other friend who will unite with you in the work1 to obtain all the information which the ,bible gives in regard to him4 ,by the help of the ,concordance you find all the places in which he is mentioned--you compare the various accounts in the ,four ,gospels2 see in what they agree and in what they differ4 ,after following down his history as far as the ,evangelists bring it1 you take up the book of the ,acts1 and go through that for information in regard to this ,apostle1 omitting those parts which relate to other subjects4 ,in this way you become fully acquainted with his character and history2 you understand it as a whole4 ,jerusalem is another good subject1 and the examination would afford scope for the exercise of the faculties of the highest minds for many ,sabbaths3 find when the city is first named1 and from the manner in which it is mentioned1 and the circumstances connected with the earliest accounts of it1 ascertain what sort of a city it was at that time4 ,then follow its history down2 notice the changes as they occur2 understand every revolution1 examine the circumstances of every battle and siege of which it is the scene1 and thus become acquainted with its whole story down to the time when the sacred narration leaves it4 ,to do this well1 will require patient and careful investigation4 ,you cannot do it as you can read a chapter1 carelessly and with an unconcerned and uninterested mind2 you must1 if you would succeed in such an investigation1 engage in it in earnest4 ,and that is the very advantage of such a method of study2 it breaks up effectually that habit of listless1 dull1 inattentive reading of the ,bible which so extensively prevails4 ,you may take the subject of the ,sabbath2 examine the circumstances of its first appointment1 and then follow its history down1 so far as it is given in the ,bible1 to the last ,sabbath alluded to on the sacred pages4 ,the variety of topics which might profitably be studied in this way is vastly greater than would at first be supposed4 ,there are a great number of biographical and geographical topics--a great number which relate to manners1 and customs1 and sacred instructions4 ,in fact1 the whole ,bible may be analyzed in this way2 and its various contents brought before the mind in new aspects1 and with a freshness and vividness which1 in the mere repeated reading of the ,scriptures in regular course1 can never be seen4#aj ,footnote #aj3 ,abbott's ,young ,christian4 ,in connection with this general subject1 ,i would make a few suggestions to the young1 in regard to those who differ from them on religious doctrines4 ,that there should be a diversity of opinions in respect to a subject so purely speculative as religion1 should not be a matter of surprise4 ,indeed1 when the disparity in strength of mind1 intelligence1 discrimination1 early instruction1 and educational bias1 which prevails in society1 is taken into consideration1 it would be singular if religious differences did not exist4 ,our civil institutions and laws1 guaranteeing unto every individual unlimited freedom of opinion1 encourage investigations which tend1 for a definite period at least1 to produce these differences4 ,there are not a few who view with alarm the multiplicity of religious doctrines and sects1 which prevails in our day4 ,they are disposed to look upon it as an imperfection in our institutions1 or as a token of the degeneracy of our age2 and they fear that the most disastrous consequences will flow from it to ,christianity4 ,i cannot but view these apprehensions as groundless4 ,they seem to grow out of a singular want of knowledge of the organism of the human mind4 ,moreover1 they indicate an erroneous conception of the inherent power of truth2 and a marvellous lack of confidence in the self-sustaining capacity of the ,christian religion4 ,if ,christianity cannot exist and progress among men without chaining the human mind in bondage1 stifling all research1 and forbidding a critical investigation of doctrines put forth in its name1 then it must at length become extinct4 ,men will and must think1 reason1 investigate1 on religious subjects1 as well as other topics1 whatever result may follow4 ,i cherish1 however1 none of these fears4 ,the multiplicity of denominations1 and the diversity of opinions1 can work no serious injury to religion4 ,the discussions1 researches1 and critical examinations1 which necessarily grow out of this state of things1 will but sift error from truth2 and result1 ultimately1 in laying broader and deeper the foundations of pure ,christianity in human society2 bringing out its highest excellencies and beauties to the admiration of men1 and elevating it far above the poisoned arrows of scepticism4 ,it is the errors engrafted on ,christianity1 in dark and ignorant ages1 that have given the infidel all his weapons of attack4 ,when these errors shall at length all be detected and expunged by candid research1 and faithful investigation1 the shafts of the sceptic will fall harmless at the base of the graceful and glorious temple of ,christ's religion4 ,in the words of ,john ,milton--,though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth1 so truth be in the field1 we do injuriously 99 99 99 to misdoubt her strength4 ,let her and falsehood grapple4 ,who ever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter8 ,what line of conduct should the young adopt towards those who differ from them on religious doctrines8 ,in the first place1 let it never be forgotten that others have the same civil1 moral1 and religious right to differ in sentiment from you1 that you have from them4 ,this right is recognized by our republican government1 and is sanctioned by the gospel4 ,one of the directions of the ,saviour is1 that men should search the ,scriptures4#aa ,there would be no propriety in this commandment1 had not individuals the right to understand the teachings of the ,scriptures1 according to their best judgment1 with the light they possess4 ,moreover1 ,protestantism allows among its first principles1 the legitimate right of individual interpretation of the ,scriptures1 and private judgment in religious matters4 ,it was for this right that ,luther and ,zuinglius1 ,melancthon and ,calvin1 and all the ,reformers1 contended against the arrogant assumption of the ,roman ,church4 ,that ,church insisted that the people were not to understand the ,scriptures for themselves1 but were bound1 to receive1 unquestioned1 such interpretations as the bishop or priest should teach them4 ,whoever deny freedom of opinion1 in regard to religion1 to all men1 clearly violate the spirit of the gospel1 the recognized rights conferred by the ,protestant religion1 and the sanctions of our political institutions4 ,footnote #aa3 ,john v4 #ci4 ,admitting then1 as you must1 the privilege of others to differ from you in religious sentiment1 you should not allow that difference to be a matter of offence4 ,it should be no disparagement in your view1 nor lessen them in your estimation4 ,however great you may consider the errors of your neighbors1 if you are satisfied they are sincere1 you should respect them for their sincerity6 ,hypocrisy1 in every form1 should be denounced4 ,those who profess to believe what they do not1 or to be what they are not--who assume the ,christian name when they are in fact1 but bitter and narrow-minded bigots--are only worthy to be heartily despised4 ,let me caution the young1 also1 against a spirit of exclusiveness4 ,in our age and country1 a religious aristocracy is no more to be acknowledged than a political4 ,all denominations stand on an equality1 in their rights and privileges1 and in the estimation in which they are to be held as public bodies4 ,no sect can put on airs1 and assume to lord it over others1 in any respect whatever1 without subjecting itself to the severest censure4 ,among the rights belonging equally to all1 is the ,christian name4 ,every denomination which receives the ,scriptures as the inspired word of ,god1 and believes in ,jesus ,christ1 as the ,son of ,god and the ,saviour of men1 is justly entitled to the name of ,christian1 and to be acknowledged and treated as such4 ,this is the only test laid down in the ,new ,testament1 as a careful examination will satisfy the candid mind4 ,for any one sect to attempt to monopolize the ,christian name1 and assume that all the piety1 godliness1 and virtue in the land1 is to be found in its borders alone1 is to place itself in a most ridiculous position4 ,a pretence so arrogant and groundless1 in our enlightened day1 can have no other effect than to excite a smile of pity on the countenance of sincere and candid ,christians4 ,i would have the young give no countenance to these pretensions2 but seek to attain to higher and nobler principles4 ,let them place sectarian bitterness and prejudice beneath their feet1 and imbibe enough of the ,christian spirit to acknowledge freely1 that1 in all denominations1 good and pious people can be found4 ,in estimating those of other views1 the young should avoid denouncing a whole denomination1 and condemning their doctrines as demoralizing1 because some corrupt men may have been found in their midst4 ,if this rule of judging was generally adopted1 where is there a class of ,christians which could stand8 ,were there not among the chosen twelve of our ,saviour1 a ,judas to betray him1 and a ,peter to deny him with oaths8 ,shall we1 therefore1 insist that ,christianity is false and corrupting8 ,there are few sects in the land1 which have not had both clergymen and church-members guilty of the most corrupt practices4 ,are we to conclude from this1 that the doctrines of those who have had these unworthy members1 are false and licentious8 ,who are willing to adopt this test8 ,a denomination cannot consistently apply a test to others which they are not willing to abide by themselves4 ,candor will lead all upright minds to acknowledge that corrupt men will find their way into every sect1 and that it is manifestly wrong to judge of the whole body by this class4 ,to decide of the practical tendencies of different and conflicting doctrines1 seek to understand their effect on the great mass of those who receive them4 ,do they influence them to honesty1 industry1 benevolence and neighborly kindness8 ,do they inspire respect for the rights and interest of fellow-beings8 ,do they open the ear to the cry of poverty and want8 ,do they lead to a love supreme to ,god1 and to our neighbor as ourselves8 ,these are the legitimate fruits of ,christianity4 ,where they abound1 you need not doubt the spirit of ,christ prevails1 and that the truths of his gospel are in the midst of such a people4 ,i would exhort the young to respect religion1 in whatever form they find it1 and to have a high and just regard for the rights and feelings of professing ,christians of every class4 ,in this1 as in all things else1 be governed by the ,redeemer's golden rule--,all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you1 do ye even so unto them4 ,amid the multiplicity of sects and doctrines1 let every youth search for religious truth1 as the pearl of great price6 ,be careful that your researches are in the right direction--not downward to the dark and mysterious of past and ignorant ages1 but upward to the bright1 the simple1 and glorious4 ,ever seek for expansive and enlightened conceptions of ,god1 his character and purposes--of ,christ1 his gospel and its results--of man1 his nature1 his high relationship1 his duty and destiny4 ,the more elevated and comprehensive your views on these subjects1 the more exalted will be your feelings and principles of action2 and the better will you be prepared to live a life of purity and usefulness1 and to die triumphing in the brightest and sweetest hopes of immortal light and happiness4 ,in concluding this subject1 ,i would call attention to the following suggestions of several able writers1 in regard to ,religion and its influence on its possessors3-- ,in the great and universal concern of religion1 both sexes1 and all ranks are equally interested4 ,the truly catholic spirit of ,christianity accommodates itself1 with an astonishing condescension1 to the circumstances of the whole human race4 ,it rejects none on account of their pecuniary wants1 their personal infirmities1 or their intellectual deficiencies4 ,no superiority of parts is the least recommendation1 nor is any depression of fortune the smallest objection4 ,none are too wise to be excused from performing the duties of religion1 nor are any too poor to be excluded from the consolations of its promises4 ,if we admire the wisdom of ,god in having furnished different degrees of intelligence1 so exactly adapted to their different conditions1 and in having fitted every part of this stupendous work1 not only to serve its own immediate purpose1 but also to contribute to the beauty and perfection of the whole2 how much more ought we to adore that goodness which has perfected the divine plan1 by appointing one wide and comprehensive means of salvation3 a salvation which all are invited to partake2 by a means which all are capable of using2 which nothing but voluntary blindness can prevent our comprehending1 and nothing but wilful error can hinder us from embracing4 ,the muses are coy1 and will only be wooed and won by some highly-favored suitors4 ,the sciences are lofty1 and will not stoop to the reach of ordinary capacities4 ,but 'wisdom 7by which the royal preacher means piety7 is a loving spirit2 she is easily seen of them that love her1 and found of all such as seek her4' ,nay1 she is so accessible and condescending1 'that she preventeth them that desire her1 making herself first known unto them4' ,we are told by the same animated writer1 'that wisdom is the breath of the power of ,god4' ,how infinitely superior in grandeur and sublimity1 is this description to the origin of the wisdom of the heathens1 as described by their poets and mythologists6 ,in the exalted strains of the ,hebrew poetry1 we read1 that 'wisdom is the brightness of the everlasting light1 the unspotted mirror of the power of ,god1 and the image of his goodness4' ,the philosophical author of ',the ,defence of ,learning1' observes1 that knowledge has some thing of venom and malignity in it1 when taken without its proper corrective2 and what that is1 the inspired ,st4 ,paul teaches us1 by placing it as the immediate antidote--',knowledge puffeth up1 but charity edifieth4' ,perhaps it is the vanity of human wisdom1 unchastised by this correcting principle1 which has made so many infidels4 ,it may proceed from the arrogance of a self-sufficient pride1 that some philosophers disdain to acknowledge their belief in a ,being who has judged proper to conceal from them the infinite wisdom of his counsels2 who 7to borrow the lofty language of the man of ,uz7 refused to consult them when he laid the foundations of the earth1 when he shut up the sea with doors1 and made the clouds the garment thereof4 ,a man must be an infidel either from pride1 prejudice1 or bad education2 he cannot be one unawares1 or by surprise2 for infidelity is not occasioned by sudden impulse or violent temptation4 ,he may be hurried by some vehement desire into an immoral action1 at which he will blush in his cooler moments1 and which he will lament as the sad effect of a spirit unsubdued by religion2 but infidelity is a calm1 considerate act1 which cannot plead the weakness of the heart1 or the seduction of the senses4 ,even good men frequently fail in their duty through the infirmities of nature and the allurements of the world2 but the infidel errs on a plan1 on a settled and deliberate principle4 ,but though the minds of men are sometimes fatally infected with this disease1 either through unhappy prepossession1 or some of the other causes above-mentioned1 yet ,i am unwilling to believe that there is in nature so monstrously incongruous a being as a female infidel4 ,the least reflection on the temper1 the character1 and the education of women1 makes the mind revolt with horror from an idea so improbable and so unnatural4 ,may ,i be allowed to observe that1 in general1 the minds of girls seem more aptly prepared in their early youth for the reception of serious impressions than those of the other sex1 and that their less exposed situations in more advanced life qualify them better for the preservation of them6 ,the daughters 7of good parents ,i mean7 are often more carefully instructed in their religious duties than the sons1 and this from a variety of causes4 ,they are not so soon sent from under the paternal eye into the bustle of the world1 and so early exposed to the contagion of bad example3 their hearts are naturally more flexible1 soft1 and liable to any kind of impression the forming hand may stamp on them2 and1 lastly1 as they do not receive the same classical education with boys1 their feeble minds are not obliged at once to receive and separate the precepts of ,christianity1 and the documents of pagan philosophy4 ,the necessity of doing this perhaps somewhat weakens the serious impressions of young men1 at least till the understanding is formed2 and confuses their ideas of piety1 by mixing them with so much heterogeneous matter4 ,they only casually read1 or hear read1 the ,scriptures of truth1 while they are obliged to learn by heart1 construe1 and repeat1 the poetical fables of the less than human gods of the ancients4 ,and1 as the excellent author of ',the ,internal ,evidence of the ,christian ,religion' observes1 ',nothing has so much contributed to corrupt the true spirit of the ,christian institution1 as that partiality which we contract1 in our earliest education1 for the manners of pagan antiquity4' ,girls1 therefore1 who do not contract this early partiality1 ought to have a clearer notion of their religious duties3 they are not obliged1 at an age when the judgment is so weak1 to distinguish between the doctrines of ,zeno1 of ,epicurus1 and of ,christ2 and to embarrass their minds with the various morals1 which were taught in the ,porch1 in the ,academy1 and on the ,mount4 ,it is presumed that these remarks cannot possibly be so misunderstood1 as to be construed into the least disrespect to literature1 or a want of the highest reverence for a learned education1 the basis of all elegant knowledge3 they are only intended1 with all proper deference1 to point out to young women that1 however inferior their advantages of acquiring a knowledge of the belles-lettres are to those of the other sex1 yet it depends on themselves not to be surpassed in this most important of all studies1 for which their abilities are equal1 and their opportunities perhaps greater4 ,but the mere exemption from infidelity is so small a part of the religious character1 that ,i hope no one will attempt to claim any merit from this negative sort of goodness1 or value herself merely for not being the very worst thing she possibly can be4 ,let no mistaken girl fancy she gives a proof of her wit by her want of piety1 or that a contempt of things serious and sacred will exalt her understanding1 or raise her character even in the opinion of the most avowed male infidels4 ,for one may venture to affirm1 that with all their profligate ideas1 both of women and religion1 neither ,bolingbroke1 ,wharton1 ,buckingham1 or even ,lord ,chesterfield himself1 would have esteemed a woman the more for her being irreligious4 ,with whatever ridicule a polite freethinker may affect to treat religion himself1 he will think it necessary his wife should entertain different notions of it4 ,he may pretend to despise it as a matter of opinion1 depending on creeds and systems2 but1 if he is a man of sense1 he will know the value of it as a governing principle1 which is to influence her conduct and direct her action4 ,if he sees her unaffectedly sincere in the practice of her religious duties1 it will be a secret pledge to him that she will be equally exact in fulfilling the conjugal2 for he can have no reasonable dependence on her attachment to him1 if he has no opinion of her fidelity to ,god2 for she who neglects first duties1 gives but an indifferent proof of her disposition to fill up inferior ones2 and how can a man of any understanding 7whatever his own religious professions may be7 trust that woman with the cares of his family1 and the education of his children1 who wants herself the best incentive to a virtuous life1 the belief that she is an accountable creature1 and the reflection that she has an immortal soul8 ,cicero spoke it as the highest commendation of ,cato's character1 that he embraced philosophy1 not for the sake of disputing like a philosopher1 but of living like one4 ,the chief purpose of ,christian knowledge is to promote the great end of a ,christian life4 ,every rational woman should1 no doubt1 be able to give a reason of the hope that is in her2 but this knowledge is best acquired1 and the duties consequent on it best performed1 by reading books of plain piety and practical devotion1 and not by entering into the endless feuds1 and engaging in the unprofitable contentions of partial controversialists4 ,nothing is more unamiable than the narrow spirit of party zeal1 nor more disgusting than to hear a woman deal out judgments1 and denounce vengeance1 against any one who happens to differ from her in some opinion1 perhaps of no real importance1 and which1 it is probable1 she may be just as wrong in rejecting1 as the object of her censure is in embracing4 ,a furious and unmerciful female bigot wanders as far beyond the limits prescribed to her sex1 as a ,thalestris or a ,joan d',arc4 ,violent debate has made as few converts as the sword2--and both these instruments are particularly unbecoming when wielded by a female hand4 ,but1 though no one will be frightened out of their opinions1 yet they may be persuaded out of them2 they may be touched by the affecting earnestness of serious conversation1 and allured by the attractive beauty of a consistently serious life4 ,and while a young woman ought to dread the name of a wrangling polemic1 it is her duty to aspire after the honourable character of a sincere ,christian4 ,but this dignified character she can by no means deserve1 if she is ever afraid to avow her principles1 or ashamed to defend them4 ,a profligate1 who makes it a point to ridicule everything which comes under the appearance of formal instruction1 will be disconcerted at the spirited1 yet modest rebuke of a pious young woman3 ,but there is as much efficacy in the manner of reproving profaneness1 as in the words4 ,if she corrects it with moroseness1 she defeats the effect of her remedy by her unskilful manner of administering it4 ,if1 on the other hand1 she affects to defend the insulted cause of ,god in a faint tone of voice1 and studied ambiguity of phrase1 or with an air of levity1 and a certain expression of pleasure in her eyes1 which proves she is secretly delighted with what she pretends to censure1 she injures religion much more than he did who publicly profaned it2 for she plainly indicates1 either that she does not believe or respect what she professes4 ,the other attacked it as an open foe2 she betrays it as a false friend4 ,no one pays any regard to the opinion of an avowed enemy2 but the desertion or treachery of a professed friend is dangerous indeed6 99 99 99 99 99 ,a desire after happiness is inseparable from the human mind4 ,it is the natural and healthy craving of our spirit2 an appetite which we have neither will nor power to destroy1 and for which all mankind are busily employed in making provision4 ,this is as natural1 as for birds to fly1 or fishes to swim4 ,for this the scholar and the philosopher1 who think it consists in knowledge1 pore over their books and their apparatus1 light the midnight lamp1 and keep frequent vigils1 when the world around them is asleep4 ,for this the warrior1 who thinks that happiness is inseparably united with fame1 pursues that bubble through the gory field of conflict1 and is as lavish of his life1 as if it were not worth a soldier's pay4 ,the worldling1 with whom happiness and wealth are kindred terms1 worships daily at the shrine of ,mammon1 and offers earnest prayers for the golden shower4 ,the voluptuary gratifies every craving sense1 rejoices in the midnight revel1 renders himself vile1 and yet tells you he is in the chase of happiness4 ,the ambitious man1 conceiving that the great desideratum blossoms on the sceptre1 and hangs in rich clusters from the throne1 consumes one half of his life1 and embitters the other half1 in climbing the giddy elevation of royalty4 ,all these1 however1 have confessed their disappointment2 and have retired from the stage exclaiming1 in reference to happiness1 what ,brutus1 just before he stabbed himself1 did in reference to virtue1 ',i have pursued thee everywhere1 and found thee nothing but a name4' ,this1 however1 is a mistake2 for both virtue and happiness are glorious realities1 and if they are not found1 it is merely because they are not sought from the right sources4 #a4 ,that religion is pleasure1 will appear1 if you consider what part of our nature it more particularly employs and gratifies4 ,it is not the gratification of the senses1 or of the animal part of our nature1 but a provision for the immaterial and immortal mind4 ,the mind of man is an image not only of ,god's spirituality1 but of his infinity4 ,it is not like the senses1 limited to this or that kind of object2 as the sight intermeddles not with that which affects the smell2 but with an universal superintendence1 it arbitrates upon1 and takes them all in4 ,it is1 as ,i may say1 an ocean1 into which all the little rivulets of sensation1 both external and internal1 discharge themselves4 ,now this is that part of man to which the exercises of religion properly belong4 ,the pleasures of the understanding1 in the contemplation of truth1 have been sometimes so great1 so intense1 so engrossing of all the powers of the soul1 that there has been no room left for any other kind of pleasure4 ,how short of this are the delights of the epicure6 ,how vastly disproportionate are the pleasures of the eating1 and of the thinking man6 ,indeed1 says ,dr4 ,south1 as different as the silence of an ,archimides in the study of a problem1 and the stillness of a swine at her wash4 ,nothing is comparable to the pleasures of mind2 these are enjoyed by the spirits above1 by ,jesus ,christ1 and the great and blessed ,god4 ,think what objects religion brings before the mind1 as the sources of its pleasure3 no less than the great ,god himself1 and that both in his nature and in his works4 ,for the eye of religion1 like that of the eagle1 directs itself chiefly to the sun1 to a glory that neither admits of a superior nor an equal4 ,the mind is conversant1 in the exercises of piety1 with all the most stupendous events that have ever occurred in the history of the universe1 or that ever will transpire till the close of time4 ,the creation of the world2 its government by a universal ,providence2 its redemption by the death of ,christ2 its conversion by the power of the ,holy ,ghost2 the immortality of the soul2 the resurrection of the body2 the certainty of an eternal existence2 the secrets of the unseen state2 subjects1 all of them of the loftiest and sublimest kind1 which have engaged the inquiries of the profoundest intellects1 are the matter of contemplation to real piety4 ,what topics are these for our reason1 under the guidance of religion1 to study3 what an ocean to swim in1 what a heaven to soar in3 what heights to measure1 what depths to fathom4 ,here are subjects1 which1 from their infinite vastness1 must be ever new1 and ever-fresh2 which can be never laid aside as dry or empty4 ,if novelty is the parent of pleasure1 here it may be found2 for although the subject itself is the same1 some new view of it1 some fresh discovery of its wonders1 is ever bursting upon the mind of the devout and attentive inquirer after truth4 ,how then can religion be otherwise than pleasant1 when it is the exercise of the noble faculties of the mind1 upon the sublimest topics of mental investigation2 the voluntary1 excursive1 endless pursuits of the human understanding in the region of eternal truth4 ,never was there a more interesting or important inquiry than that proposed by ,pilate to the illustrious ,prisoner at his bar2 and if the latter thought it not proper to answer it1 it was not to show that the question was insignificant1 but to condemn the light and flippant manner in which a subject so important was taken up4 ,religion can answer the question1 and with an ecstasy greater than that of the ancient ,mathematician1 exclaims1 ',i have found it3 ,i have found it4' ,the ,bible is not only true1 but ,,truth4 ,it contains that which deserves this sublime emphasis4 ,it settles the disputes of ages1 and of philosophers1 and makes known what is truth1 and where it is to be found4 ,it brings us from amongst the quicksands and shelves1 and rocks of skepticism1 ignorance1 and error1 and shows us that goodly land1 in quest of which myriads of minds have sailed1 and multitudes have been wrecked2 and religion is setting our foot on this shore1 and dwelling in the region of eternal truth4 #b4 ,that a religious life is pleasant1 is evident from the nature of religion itself4 ,religion is a principle of spiritual life in the soul4 ,now all the exercises and acts of vitality are agreeable4 ,to see1 to hear1 to taste1 to walk1 are all agreeable1 because they are the voluntary energies of inward life4 ,so religion1 in all its duties1 is the exercise of a living principle in the soul3 it is a new spiritual existence4 ,piety is a spiritual taste4 ,hence it is said1 ',if so be ye have tasted that the ,lord is gracious4' ,no matter what the object of a taste is1 the exercises of it are always agreeable4 ,the painter goes with delight to his picture2 the musician to his instrument2 the sculptor to his bust2 because they have a taste for these pursuits4 ,the same feeling of delight attends the ,christian to the exercises of godliness3 and this is his language1 ',it is a good thing to give thanks1 and to draw near to ,god4 ,o how ,i love thy law6 it is sweeter to my taste than honey4 ,how amiable are thy tabernacles4' ,religion1 where it is real1 is the natural element of a ,christian2 and every creature rejoices in its own appropriate sphere4 ,if you consider true piety with disgust1 as a hard1 unnatural1 involuntary thing1 you are totally ignorant of its nature1 entirely destitute of its influence1 and no wonder you cannot attach to it the idea of pleasure3 but viewing it as it ought to be viewed1 in the light of a new nature1 you will perceive that it admits of most exalted delight4 #c4 ,consider the miseries which it prevents4 ,it does not1 it is true1 prevent sickness1 poverty1 or misfortune3 it does not fence off from the wilderness of this world1 a mystic enclosure1 within which the ills of life never intrude4 ,no2 these things happen to all alike2 but how small a portion of human wretchedness flows from these sources1 compared with that which arises from the dispositions of the heart4 ',the mind is its own place1 can make a heaven of hell1 a hell of heaven4' ,men carry the springs of their happiness or misery in their own bosom4 ,hence it is said of the wicked1 'that they are like the troubled sea which cannot rest1 which is never at peace1 but continually casting up mire and dirt4' ,in contrast with which1 it is affirmed that 'the work of righteousness is peace2 and that the good man shall be satisfied from himself4' ,would you behold the misery entailed by pride1 look at ,haman2 by covetousness1 look at ,ahab2 by malice1 look at ,cain2 by profaneness and sensuality1 united with the forebodings of a guilty conscience1 look at ,belshazzar2 by envy1 and a consciousness of being rejected of ,god1 look at ,saul2 by revenge1 look at ,herodias writhing beneath the accusations of ,john1 and thirsting for his blood2 by apostasy1 look at ,judas4 ,religion would have prevented all this1 and it will prevent similar misery in you4 ,hearken to the confessions of the outcast in the land of his banishment2 of the felon in his irons1 and in his dungeon2 of the prostitute expiring upon her bed of straw2 of the malefactor at the gallows--',wretched creature that ,i am1 abhorred of men1 accursed of ,god6 ,to what have my crimes brought me6' ,religion prevents all this3 all that wretchedness which is the result of crime1 is cut off by the influence of genuine piety4 ,misery prevented is happiness gained4 #d4 ,consider the consolations it imparts4 ,our world has been called1 in the language of poetry1 a vale of tears1 and human life a bubble1 raised from those tears1 and inflated by sighs1 which1 after floating a little while1 decked with a few gaudy colors1 is touched by the hand of death1 and dissolves4 ,poverty1 disease1 misfortune1 unkindness1 inconstancy1 death1 all assail the travellers as they journey onward to eternity through this gloomy valley2 and what is to comfort them but religion8 ,the consolations of religion are neither few nor small2 they arise in part from those things which we have already mentioned in this chapter2 i4e4 from the exercise of the understanding on the revealed truths of ,god's word1 from the impulses of the spiritual life within us1 and from a reflection upon our spiritual privileges2 but there are some others1 which1 though partially implied in these things1 deserve a special enumeration and distinct consideration4 ,a good conscience1 which the wise man says is a perpetual feast1 sustains a high place amongst the comforts of genuine piety4 ,it is unquestionably true1 that a man's happiness is in the keeping of his conscience2 all the sources of his felicity are under the command of this faculty4 ',a wounded spirit who can bear8' ,a troubled conscience converts a paradise into a hell1 for it is the flame of hell kindled on earth2 but a quiet conscience would illuminate the horrors of the deepest dungeon with the beams of heavenly day2 the former has often rendered men like tormented fiends amidst an elysium of delights1 while the latter has taught the songs of cherubim to martyrs in the prison or the flames4 ,in addition to this1 religion comforts the mind1 with the assurance of an all-wise1 all-pervading ,providence1 so minute in its superintendence and control1 that not a sparrow falls to the ground without the knowledge of our heavenly ,father3 a superintendence which is excluded from no point of space1 no moment of time1 and overlooks not the meanest creature in existence4 ,nor is this all2 for the ,word of ,god assures the believer that 'all things work together for good to them that love ,god1 who are the called according to his purpose4' ,nothing that imagination could conceive1 is more truly consolatory than this1 to be assured that all things1 however painful at the time1 not excepting the failure of our favorite schemes1 the disappointment of our fondest hopes1 the loss of our dearest comforts1 shall be overruled by infinite wisdom for the promotion of our ultimate good4 ,this is a spring of comfort whose waters never fail4 ,religion consoles also by making manifest some of the benefits of affliction1 even at the time it is endured4 ,it crucifies the world1 mortifies sin1 quickens prayer1 extracts the balmy sweets of the promises1 endears the ,saviour2 and1 to crown all1 it directs the mind to that glorious state1 where the days of our mourning shall be ended3 that happy country where ,god shall wipe every tear from our eyes1 and there shall be no more sorrow or crying4 ,nothing so composes the mind1 and helps it to bear the load of trouble which ,god may lay upon it1 as the near prospect of its termination4 ,religion shows the weather-beaten mariner the haven of eternal repose1 where no storms arise1 and the sea is ever calm2 it exhibits to the weary traveller the city of habitation1 within whose walls he will find a pleasant home1 rest from his labors1 and friends to welcome his arrival2 it discloses to the wounded warrior his native country1 where the alarms of war1 and the dangers of conflict1 will be no more encountered1 but undisturbed peace forever reign4 ,in that one word1 ,,heaven1 religion provides a balm for every wound1 a cordial for every care4 ,here1 then1 is the pleasure of that wisdom which is from above2 it is not only enjoyed in prosperity but continues to refresh us1 and most powerfully to refresh us1 in adversity2 a remark which will not apply to any other kind of pleasure4#ab ,footnote #ab3 ,christian ,father's ,present4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in many persons1 a seriousness and sense of awe overspread the imagination1 whenever the idea of the ,supreme ,being is presented to their thoughts4 ,this effect1 which forms a considerable security against vice1 is the consequence not so much of reflection as of habit2 which habit being generated by the external expressions of reverence which we use ourselves1 or observe in others1 may be destroyed by causes opposite to these1 and especially by that familiar levity with which some learn to speak of the ,deity1 of his attributes1 providence1 revelations or worship4 ,god hath been pleased 7no matter for what reason1 although probably for this17 to forbid the vain mention of his name3--',thou shalt not take the name of the ,lord thy ,god in vain4' ,now the mention is vain when it is useless2 and it is useless when it is neither likely nor intended to serve any good purpose2 as when it flows from the lips idle and unmeaning1 or is applied1 on occasions inconsistent with any consideration of religion and devotion1 to express our anger1 our earnestness1 our courage1 or our mirth2 or indeed when it is used at all1 except in acts of religion1 or in serious and seasonable discourse upon religious subjects4 ,the prohibition of the third commandment is recognized by ,christ in his sermon upon the mount2 which sermon adverts to none but the moral parts of the ,jewish law3 ',i say unto you1 swear not at all3 but let your communication be ,yea1 yea2 ,nay1 nay3 for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil4' ,the ,jews probably interpreted the prohibition as restrained to the name ,,jehovah1 the name which the ,deity had appointed and appropriated to himself2 ,exod4 vi4 #c4 ,the words of ,christ extend the prohibition beyond the name of ,god1 to everything associated with the idea3--',swear not1 neither by heaven1 for it is ,god's throne2 nor by the earth1 for it is ,god's footstool2 neither by ,jerusalem1 for it is the city of the ,great ,king4' ,matt4 v4 #ce4 ,the offence of profane swearing is aggravated by the consideration1 that in it duty and decency are sacrificed to the slenderest of temptations4 ,suppose the habit1 either from affectation1 or by negligence and inadvertency1 to be already formed1 it must always remain within the power of the most ordinary resolution to correct it3 and it cannot1 one would think1 cost a great deal to relinquish the pleasure and honor which it confers4 ,a concern for duty is in fact never strong1 when the exertion requisite to vanquish a habit founded in no antecedent propensity is thought too much or too painful4 ,a contempt of positive duties1 or rather of those duties for which the reason is not so plain as the command1 indicates a disposition upon which the authority of revelation has obtained little influence4 ,this remark is applicable to the offence of profane swearing1 and describes1 perhaps pretty exactly1 the general character of those who are most addicted to it4 ,mockery and ridicule1 when exercised upon the ,scriptures1 or even upon the places1 persons1 and forms set apart for the ministration of religion1 fall within the meaning of the law which forbids the profanation of ,god's name2 especially as that law is extended by ,christ's interpretation4 ,they are moreover inconsistent with a religious frame of mind3 for as no one ever either feels himself disposed to pleasantry1 or capable of being diverted with the pleasantry of others1 upon matters in which he is deeply interested2 so a mind intent upon the acquisition of heaven rejects with indignation every attempt to entertain it with jests1 calculated to degrade or deride subjects which it never recollects but with seriousness and anxiety4 ,nothing but stupidity1 or the most frivolous disposition of thought1 can make even the inconsiderate forget the supreme importance of everything which relates to the expectation of a future existence4 ,whilst the infidel mocks at the superstitions of the vulgar1 insults over their credulous fears1 their childish errors1 or fantastic rites1 it does not occur to him to observe1 that the most preposterous device by which the weakest devotee ever believed he was securing the happiness of a future life1 is more rational than unconcern about it4 ,upon this subject nothing is so absurd as indifference2 no folly so contemptible as thoughtlessness and levity4 ,the knowledge of what is due to the solemnity of those interests1 concerning which ,revelation professes to inform and direct us1 may teach even those who are least inclined to respect the prejudices of mankind1 to observe a decorum in the style and conduct of religious disquisitions1 with the neglect of which many adversaries of ,christianity are justly chargeable4 ,serious arguments are fair on all sides4 ,christianity is but ill defended by refusing audience or toleration to the objections of unbelievers4 ,but whilst we would have freedom of inquiry restrained by no laws but those of decency1 we are entitled to demand1 on behalf of a religion which holds forth to mankind assurances of immortality1 that its credit be assailed by no other weapons than those of sober discussion and legitimate reasoning2--that the truth or falsehood of ,christianity be never made a topic of raillery1 a theme for the exercise of wit or eloquence1 or a subject of contention for literary fame and victory2--that the cause be tried upon its merits2--that all applications to the fancy1 passions or prejudices of the reader1 all attempts to preoccupy1 ensnare1 or perplex his judgment1 by any art1 influence1 or impression whatsoever1 extrinsic to the proper grounds and evidence upon which his assent ought to proceed1 be rejected from a question which involves in its determination the hopes1 the virtue1 and the repose of millions2--that the controversy be managed on both sides with sincerity2 that is1 that nothing be produced1 in the writings of either1 contrary to or beyond the writer's own knowledge and persuasion2--that objections and difficulties be proposed1 from no other motive than an honest and serious desire to obtain satisfaction1 or to communicate information which may promote the discovery and progress of truth2--that1 in conformity with this design1 everything be stated with integrity1 with method1 precision1 and simplicity2 and above all1 that whatever is published in opposition to received and confessedly beneficial persuasions1 be set forth under a form which is likely to invite inquiry and to meet examination4 ,if with these moderate and equitable conditions be compared the manner in which hostilities have been waged against the ,christian religion1 not only the votaries of the prevailing faith1 but every man who looks forward with anxiety to the destination of his being1 will see much to blame and to complain of4 ,by one unbeliever1 all the follies which have adhered in a long course of dark and superstitious ages1 to the popular creed1 are assumed as so many doctrines of ,christ and his ,apostles1 for the purpose of subverting the whole system by the absurdities which it is thus represented to contain4 ,by another1 the ignorance and vices of the sacerdotal order1 their mutual dissensions and persecutions1 their usurpations and encroachments upon the intellectual liberty and civil rights of mankind1 have been displayed with no small triumph and invective2 not so much to guard the ,christian laity against a repetition of the same injuries 7which is the only proper use to be made of the most flagrant examples of the past17 as to prepare the way for an insinuation1 that the religion itself is nothing but a profitable fable1 imposed upon the fears and credulity of the multitude1 and upheld by the frauds and influence of an interested and crafty priesthood4 ,and yet1 how remotely is the character of the clergy connected with the truth of ,christianity6 ,what1 after all1 do the most disgraceful pages of ecclesiastical history prove1 but that the passions of our common nature are not altered or excluded by distinctions of name1 and that the characters of men are formed much more by the temptations than the duties of their profession8 ,a third finds delight in collecting and repeating accounts of wars and massacres1 of tumults and insurrections1 excited in almost every age of the ,christian era by religious zeal2 as though the vices of ,christians were parts of ,christianity2 intolerance and extirpation precepts of the ,gospel2 or as if its spirit could be judged of from the counsels of princes1 the intrigues of statesmen1 the pretences of malice and ambition1 or the unauthorized cruelty of some gloomy and virulent superstition4 ,by a fourth1 the succession and variety of popular religions2 the vicissitudes with which sects and tenets have flourished and decayed2 the zeal with which they were once supported1 the negligence with which they are now remembered2 the little share which reason and argument appear to have had in framing the creed1 or regulating the religious conduct of the multitude2 the indifference and submission with which the religion of the state is generally received by the common people2 the caprice and vehemence with which it is sometimes opposed2 the frenzy with which men have been brought to contend for opinions and ceremonies1 of which they knew neither the proof1 the meaning1 nor the original3 lastly1 the equal and undoubting confidence with which we hear the doctrines of ,christ or of ,confucius1 the law of ,moses or of ,mahomet1 the ,bible1 the ,koran1 or the ,shaster1 maintained or anathematized1 taught or abjured1 revered or derided1 according as we live on this or on that side of a river2 keep within or step over the boundaries of a state2 or even in the same country1 and by the same people1 so often as the event of a battle1 or the issue of a negotiation1 delivers them to the dominion of a new master2--points1 we say1 of this sort are exhibited to the public attention1 as so many arguments against the truth of the ,christian religion2--and with success4 ,for these topics being brought together1 and set off with some aggravation of circumstances1 and with a vivacity of style and description familiar enough to the writings and conversation of free-thinkers1 insensibly lead the imagination into a habit of classing ,christianity with the delusions that have taken possession1 by turns1 of the public belief2 and of regarding it as1 what the scoffers of our faith represent it to be1 the superstition of the day4 ,but is this to deal honestly by the subject1 or with the world8 ,may not the same things be said1 may not the same prejudices be excited by these representations1 whether ,christianity be true or false1 or by whatever proofs its truth be attested8 ,may not truth as well as falsehood be taken upon credit8 ,may not a religion be founded upon evidence accessible and satisfactory to every mind competent to the inquiry1 which yet1 by the greatest part of its professors1 is received upon authority8 ,but if the matter of these objections be reprehensible1 as calculated to produce an effect upon the reader beyond what their real weight and place in the argument deserve1 still more shall we discover of management and disingenuousness in the form under which they are dispersed among the public4 ,infidelity is served up in every shape that is likely to allure1 surprise1 or beguile the imagination2 in a fable1 a tale1 a novel1 a poem2 in interspersed and broken hints1 remote and oblique surmises2 in books of travels1 of philosophy1 of natural history2 in a word1 in any form rather than the right one1 that of a professed and regular disquisition4 ,and because the coarse buffoonery and broad laugh of the old and rude adversaries of the ,christian faith would offend the taste1 perhaps1 rather than the virtue1 of this cultivated age1 a graver irony1 a more skilful and delicate banter is substituted in its place4 ,an eloquent historian1 beside his more direct1 and therefore fairer1 attacks upon the credibility of ,evangelic story1 has contrived to weave into his narration one continued sneer upon the cause of ,christianity1 and upon the writings and characters of its ancient patrons4 ,the knowledge which this author possesses of the frame and conduct of the human mind must have led him to observe1 that such attacks do their execution without inquiry4 ,who can refute a sneer8 ,who can compute the number1 much less1 one by one1 scrutinize the justice of those disparaging insinuations which crowd the pages of this elaborate history8 ,what reader suspends his curiosity1 or calls off his attention from the principal narrative1 to examine references1 to search into the foundation1 or to weigh the reason1 propriety1 and force of every transient sarcasm and sly allusion1 by which the ,christian testimony is depreciated and traduced2 and by which1 nevertheless1 he may find his persuasion afterwards unsettled and perplexed8 ,but the enemies of ,christianity have pursued her with poisoned arrows4 ,obscenity itself is made the vehicle of infidelity4 ,the fondness for ridicule is almost universal2 and ridicule to many minds is never so irresistible as when seasoned with obscenity1 and employed upon religion4 ,but in proportion as these noxious principles take hold of the imagination1 they infatuate the judgment2 for trains of ludicrous and unchaste associations1 adhering to every sentiment and mention of religion1 render the mind indisposed to receive either conviction from its evidence1 or impressions from its authority4 ,and this effect1 being exerted upon the sensitive part of our frame1 is altogether independent of argument1 proof1 or reason2 is as formidable to a true religion as to a false one2 to a well-grounded faith as to a chimerical mythology1 or fabulous tradition4 ,neither1 let it be observed1 is the crime or danger less1 because impure ideas are exhibited under a veil1 in covert and chastised language4 ,,lecture ,,vi4 ,on ,marriage4 ,have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning1 made them male and female8 ,and said1 ,for this cause shall a man leave father and mother1 and shall cleave to his wife2 and they twain shall be one flesh4 ,wherefore they are no more twain1 but one flesh4 ,what1 therefore1 ,god hath joined together1 let not man put asunder4--,matt4 xix4 #d1e1f4 ,it is not impossible that some may doubt the propriety of introducing into the pulpit the subject which will claim our attention this evening4 ,marriage is a topic of so much every-day conversation2 it is so often and habitually treated as a light and trivial affair--forming as it does1 in every circle of society1 a standing matter for jest and laughter1 for tattle and gossip--that many are surprised at the idea of treating it in a thoughtful and serious manner4 ,so far from this being an objection1 it is an urgent reason for presenting this subject under the sedate influences of this place and occasion4 ,i would bring out the important event of ,marriage1 from amid the frivolity with which it is usually associated1 and present it in its real and true aspect--as a topic demanding the most sober and mature consideration4 ,marriage is a divine covenant1 instituted by ,god himself4--,and the ,lord ,god said1 ,it is not good that the man should be alone4 ,i will make him a help-meet for him4 ,from the body of ,adam1 woman was formed1 and given to him as a companion1 a wife4 ,and ,adam said1 ,this is now bone of my bones1 and flesh of my flesh4 ,she shall be called woman1 because she was taken out of man4 ,therefore shall a man leave his father and mother1 and shall cleave unto his wife3 and they shall be one flesh4 ,the ,saviour also1 in the language of the text1 unqualifiedly sanctions the marriage covenant1 and adopts it as one of the sacred institutions of the ,christian dispensation4 ,the marriage relation is vitally connected with the highest interests of human society4 ,it restrains1 purifies1 elevates mankind4 ,it is the great preserver of morality and religion2 and forms one of the most effective of the influences which prevent the world from being deluged with licentiousness1 and every loathsome form of evil4 ,all the comforts of domestic life--the sacred and deathless ties of the family circle--the dear delights1 the cherished associations1 the hallowed memories of the paternal fireside--spring directly from the marriage state4 ,it is this alone that gives us the home of our childhood1 the love1 the protection1 the wise counsel and advice of parents4 ,it is this that affords the sacred retreat in mature days1 where1 from the strifes1 and cares1 and bitter disappointments of the business mart1 the husband and father can retire1 and amid the soothing attentions and the unbought love of wife and children1 renew his strength and courage for future struggles4 ,it is this that furnishes the aged patriarch and the venerable matron1 with the safe covert1 the quiet refuge1 the warm1 snug corner1 where they can pass the winter of life1 surrounded by children and children's children1 who delight to rise up and do them reverence1 and minister to their comforts4 ,domestic happiness6 thou only bliss ,of paradise that hath survived the fall6 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,thou art the nurse of virtue2 in thine arms ,she smiles1 appearing1 as in truth she is1 ,heaven-born1 and destined to the skies again4 ,among all nations1 wherever the marriage tie is the most generally formed1 and held the most sacred1 there woman holds the highest position and obtains her truest estimation--there civilization and refinement--there truth1 purity1 fidelity1 and all the virtues and graces that can adorn and elevate humanity1 bloom in vigorous luxuriance4 ,and in the same degree that this sacred relationship is neglected1 and its obligations disregarded1 in any nation1 do we find woman degraded1 and ignorance1 barbarism1 sensuality and vice1 in every shape1 prevailing and preying on the vitals of society4 ,in view of these considerations1 it assuredly cannot be deemed improper1 in addressing the young1 to call their especial attention to a subject so interesting as ,marriage1 and one so vitally connected with all that is valuable and sacred4 ,indeed any series of discourses designed to counsel them1 which should omit this all-important topic1 would seem to be deficient in one of the first essentials of salutary admonition4 ,in presenting this subject to the consideration of the youthful1 ,i would admonish them against thoughtless engagements1 and hasty marriages4 ,a heedlessness in these matters1 is fraught with dangerous consequences4 ,matrimony is not to be viewed as a mere joke1 or frolic1 to be engaged in at any moment1 without forethought or preparation4 ,it is the first great step1 the most momentous event1 in the life of a young couple4 ,their position1 their circumstances1 their habits1 their manner of occupying time1 their prospects1 all undergo an almost total change at this important era4 ,it will be to them a source of prosperity1 of peace1 of the highest enjoyments1 or of adversity1 misfortune1 wrangling1 and bitter wretchedness--as they do1 or do not1 exercise discretion and judgment in forming the connection4 ,no thoughtful young man1 no prudent young woman1 will enter into an engagement of marriage1 much less consummate the act1 without viewing it in all its bearings4 ,they will maturely weigh the consequences which follow1 and seriously reflect upon the new scenes1 duties1 responsibilities1 and labors1 to which it leads4 ,i know that to many1 perhaps most of the young1 the whole matter of matrimony is viewed in a light so romantic--its pathway seeming to be so in the midst of rosy clouds1 so fanned by ambrosial gales1 so intermixed with flowery meads and rural bowers1 the songs of birds and murmuring streams--that it is exceedingly difficult for them to follow a train of sober thought on the subject4 ,it is important1 however1 that they should seek to rise above these deceptive conceptions1 and take such a view of this matter1 as shall approach the reality1 and save them from the disappointment which so often follows this consummation of their fondest dreams4 ,the selection of a companion for life is a transaction altogether more serious than the young appear generally to view it4 ,they too often forget1 that from all the world1 they are choosing one to walk with them in closest intimacy1 during all their days2 and that it depends on the wisdom of their choice1 whether the journey of life shall be peaceful and pleasant1 or sad and wretched4 ,it has passed into a species of proverb1 that the selection of a wife or a husband1 is like purchasing a ticket in a lottery--no one knows whether a prize or a blank will be drawn4 ,there is too much truth in this saying1 as selections of husbands and wives are often made4 ,when the young are governed in such things1 by fancy rather than judgment--when they are carried away captives by some outward1 worthless attraction1 rather than by solid and useful qualities--their success will1 indeed1 depend on blind chance4 ,but there is no necessity for so great a hazard4 ,a young man1 or a young woman1 may positively know beforehand1 whether they will draw a prize or a blank4 ,in fact1 they may select the prizes without any mistake1 and let the blanks go for what they are worth4 ,let them exercise but an ordinary degree of judgment1 sound discrimination and good sense1 and there will be no danger of drawing a blank4 ,when a young man has attained to a suitable age1 and is engaged in some honest and useful occupation1 whereby he is in possession of means to maintain a family1 it then becomes not only a privilege1 but a duty1 to select a wife1 to be the sharer of his joys and his sorrows4 ,in making this choice1 he should act calmly1 deliberately1 and thoughtfully4 ,he should bear in mind that he is selecting1 not for a day1 or a year1 but for all life4 ,the object of his affections should be one1 who will live pleasantly with him1 and make him happy1 not for a few months only1 but during long years to come1 when the romance of marriage shall have been succeeded by the cares and struggles of maturer life4 ,she should be one of whom he can say1 in the words of the poet3-- ,oft as clouds my path o'erspread1 ,doubtful where my steps should tread1 ,she1 with judgment's steady ray1 ,marks and smooths the better way4 ,there is no greater folly than to select a wife for mere personal beauty alone4 ,beauty will always have its attractions2 and when connected with an amiable disposition and useful qualifications1 its influence1 cannot be objected to4 ,but when unaccompanied with these characteristics1 its power is to be resisted1 and the heart steeled against all its fascinations4 ,the young man who permits himself to fall so desperately in love with a lady1 on account of mere personal beauty1 as to marry her1 despite the counsel of his friends1 and when he himself sees1 or might see1 a sad want of other and more valuable qualifications1 commits an error1 the wretched effects of which will be experienced through life4 ,when this outward beauty loses its charm and passes away1 as it will in a brief space of time1 what has he left8 ,a cross-grained1 ill-natured1 fault-finding1 petulant1 selfish wife1 who will prove a thorn in his side1 during all his days1 rather than a loving and valuable companion4 ,good looks are always attractive4 ,but there is something still more desirable in a wife1 viz41 a sweet disposition and an even temper1 a gentle1 affectionate heart1 and a well-cultivated and enlightened mind4 ,let young men1 by all means1 seek for such qualifications in those whom they would choose for their companions4 ,in these characteristics there is a beauty and loveliness which will not fade away with the consummation of marriage2 but they will grow brighter and more attractive from year to year1 during all life4 ,moreover1 ,i would caution young men against allowing their hearts to be taken captive under circumstances where they are especially exposed to deception4 ,a young woman may exhibit a fine appearance in a ball-room--may be very attractive at a party1 and cut a fashionable and dashing figure in the public streets1 and still make a poor1 good-for-nothing wife4 ,these are the last places in which choice should be made of a companion1 to render aid and comfort amid the struggles of life4 ,whenever your attention is attracted by a young lady1 study her in the family circle--learn her domestic qualifications4 ,is she a respectful1 dutiful1 loving daughter8 ,is she a kind and affectionate sister8 ,does she manifest a noble1 generous1 friendly spirit8 ,does she exhibit delicacy1 refinement1 and purity in her tastes and manners8 ,is she industrious1 economical1 and frugal in her habits8 ,will she be likely to assist you in husbanding your income1 and taking care of your earnings8 ,is she thoroughly versed in all domestic affairs1 so that she herself could do all things connected with household matters1 should necessity require it8 ,these1 ,i acknowledge1 are very ordinary1 very homely inquiries2 but nevertheless they are of the highest importance4 ,a young man who will marry1 without having thoroughly made all such investigations1 and becoming satisfied that his intended is not deficient1 to any great extent1 in these qualifications1 is blind to his own highest good1 and will in long after-years1 amid domestic inquietude1 and family troubles1 indulge unavailing regrets at his blindness and folly4 ,but whenever a young woman can be found1 possessing these invaluable characteristics1 ,i would advise the youth seeking for a companion1 to win her for a wife if possible4 ,although she may be plain in person1 and poor in property1 yet she will be of more worth than rubies2 and all riches cannot be compared with her4 ,she will be a faithful friend and wise counsellor1 and will smooth the rugged pathway of life4 ,however the world and its affairs may go without1 he who has such a wife1 will ever have a home1 where neatness and comfort1 peace and love1 and all that can yield contentment and enjoyment1 will smile upon him6 ,all the care1 discrimination1 and judgment urged on young men in selecting wives1 ,i would commend to young ladies1 in accepting husbands4 ,if to the former1 marriage is an important event1 fraught with consequences lasting as life1 it is peculiarly so to the latter4 ,it surely is no trivial event for a daughter to leave the home of her childhood1 the tender care and watchful guardianship of kind parents1 the society of affectionate brothers and sisters1 to confide herself1 with all her interests and her happiness1 to another with whom she has hitherto associated only as a friend4 ,is it not necessary to exercise prudence1 forethought1 discretion1 in taking a step so momentous8 ,a young woman should not marry because the youthful are expected to enter matrimonial bonds at a certain age1 nor merely because they have had an offer of marriage4 ,such an admonition may seem to be unnecessary2 but ,i think it called for4 ,it is true1 beyond question1 that young women sometimes receive the addresses1 and finally become the wives1 of men for whom they have formed no very strong attachment1 and1 indeed1 in whom they see many characteristics and habits1 which they cannot approbate4 ,this is done on the principle1 that it is the first offer of marriage they have had1 and may be the only opportunity of settlement for life that will ever present itself4 ,not a few parents have urged their daughters to such a course--totally blinded to the evils which often flow from it4 ,such a procedure is fraught with danger4 ,it perils the happiness of all coming days4 ,how many have1 under such circumstances1 left the abode of their childhood1 where every comfort surrounded them1 to spend a life of wrangling1 bitterness1 and1 sometimes1 abject poverty4 ,better1 a thousand times1 to remain at home1 better live in single blessedness all your days1 than to become connected with a man whose disposition1 habits1 or character1 you cannot fully approve4 ,though he may be as rich as ,cresus--though he may lead you to a palace for an abode1 and deck you with jewels--yet1 if you cannot give him your entire approbation1 if your heart's fondest affections are not centred upon him1 if he is not all you can sanction and love1 unite not your destiny with him4 ,the life of a contented1 useful old maid is infinitely to be preferred to that of a wretched1 heart-broken wife4 ,those unequal marriages which are sometimes called excellent matches1 seldom produce much happiness4 ,and where happiness is not1 what is all the rest8 ,in accepting the addresses of young men1 with a view to matrimony1 allow me to caution you against being too much influenced by good looks and fascinating manners4 ,it is due to young ladies to say1 that they show much more good sense in this respect than the other sex4 ,they do not select their companions so much on the ground of mere personal beauty1 without reference to higher and better qualifications1 as do young men4 ,still1 a precaution to them on this point will not be wholly useless4 ,here is a young man who is gay in his manners1 and fashionable in his attire--a dandy of the first water1 all buckled and strapped after the latest pattern4 ,his bosom is decked with golden chains1 and his fingers with platter rings4 ,his tongue is as prolific of lackadaisical words1 as his head is devoid of good sense4 ,he showers the politest attentions in the assembly room1 or during the ride1 or walk4 ,he is1 in fine1 the very beau ideal of a ladies' man6 ,there is another young man4 ,his manners are respectful1 but without courtly polish4 ,his dress is plain and neat1 with no display and no gaudy ornaments4 ,he knows nothing of the thousand ways and arts by which the other makes himself so agreeable4 ,he has no small talk in his vocabulary1 and must utter sound sense1 on useful subjects1 or remain silent ,he may appear somewhat awkward in his attentions to ladies1 but is1 nevertheless1 friendly and obliging in his demeanor4 ,in his whole life and character1 he is a retiring1 but most worthy youth4 ,are there not some young ladies who would prefer the company of the showy1 chattering fop2 who would receive his address1 yea1 accept him as a husband1 and reject the diffident1 modest youth8 ,yet the latter would make a kind1 affectionate1 provident husband2 likely to attain to respectability1 high-standing1 and wealth3 while the former would most probably prove a poor1 cross-grained broken-stick2 ill-natured1 and perhaps dissipated2 dragging wife and family into the insignificance and poverty to which he speedily would sink6 ,surely discreet young ladies will think many times1 and weigh well the consequences1 before making such a choice4 ,where the hand of a young woman is sought in marriage1 she should look beyond the mere personal accomplishments of dress1 manners1 and conversational powers of him who would make her his wife4 ,many an individual who has the appearance and manners of a gentleman1 is1 in reality1 a black-hearted villain--a marriage with1 whom would seal their wretchedness for life4 ,in accepting a husband1 there are certain requisite which young women should consider as indispensable4 ,he should have some honest and useful trade1 profession1 or occupation4 ,a do-nothing young man1 will assuredly make a good-for-nothing husband4 ,no one can justly charge you with sordid motives1 for scrutinizing critically his capability to secure to you1 and such family as may gather around you1 a maintenance that shall insure you against poverty and want4 ,his habits should be unexceptionable4 ,he should be honest1 upright1 truthful1 industrious1 and economical--pure in his conversation and tastes4 ,not only should he have the ability to obtain a livelihood1 but should possess prudence and frugality to lay up and secure the fruits of his industry4 ,above all1 he should be strictly and rigidly temperate4 ,on this point ,i would speak with emphasis4 ,most earnestly would ,i admonish young women never to unite their destiny with1 that of a drinking young man4 ,alas6 how many a wife1 when too late1 has lamented in bitter tears her short-sightedness in this respect4 ,a young man1 who1 in this age of temperance1 has not sufficient self-respect1 pride of character1 and good sense1 to refrain from the intoxicating bowl before marriage1 will be very likely to sink into a common drunkard afterwards4 ,this is not always the case2 but the exceptions are so rare1 that she who ventures the risk1 places herself in a condition which hazards her happiness for life4 ,however proper his other habits may be1 however amiable and pleasant his disposition1 however bright and promising his prospects1 however high his position1 or respectable his family connections--if he drinks the lethean draught1 even but sparingly1 he is tampering with a viper1 which will almost certainly sting him to death1 and poison the joys1 and destroy the prosperity of all connected with him4 ,the world is filled with scenes which attest the need of this admonition4 ,all around we behold the wrecks of families1 torn asunder by the intemperance of husbands and fathers1 which otherwise might have been united and happy4 ,wives forsaken broken-hearted1 impoverished--children beggared and neglected1 growing up in rags and ignorance1 to become the victims of sin and shame4 ,all these attest the danger that woman encounters1 who links her destiny with a drinking young man4 ,o ye youthful and inexperienced1 turn not a cold ear to my exhortation4 ,with all the solemnity the momentous topic inspires1 ,i beseech you1 as you value a life of peace and prosperity1 never1 under any possible consideration1 give your hand to a man who presses to his lips the intoxicating cup6 ,though you may have granted your affections1 and plighted your troth1 to one who is given1 even but slightly1 to this practice1 if on your earnest expostulation1 he will not abandon it1 you should1 without hesitation1 break all connection with him4 ,every consideration of prudence1 self-respect1 and safety1 urges you to such a step1 however painful2 and every law1 human and divine1 will justify you in adopting it4 ,the suggestions which follow1 on the views of ,marriage that should be entertained by young men1 and ,female qualifications for ,marriage1 are so appropriate and excellent1 that ,i cannot forbear giving them an insertion in these pages4 ,whatever advice may be given to the contrary by friends or foes1 it is my opinion that you ought to keep matrimony steadily in view4 ,for this end1 were it for no other1 you ought to mingle much in society4 ,never consider yourself complete without this other half of yourself4 ,it is too much the fashion among young men at the present day to make up their minds to dispense with marriage2--an unnatural1 and therefore an unwise plan4 ,much of our character1 and most of our comfort and happiness depend upon it4 ,many have found this out too late2 that is1 after age and fixed habits had partly disqualified them for this important duty4 ,according to the character of the person you select1 in a considerable degree1 will be your own4 ,should a mere face fascinate you to a doll1 you will not need much mental energy to please her2 and the necessity of exertion on this account being small1 your own self will sink1 or at least not rise1 as it otherwise might do4 ,but were ,i personally acquainted with you1 and should ,i perceive an honorable attachment taking possession of your heart1 ,i should regard it as a happy circumstance4 ,life then has an object4 ,the only thing to be observed is that it be managed with prudence1 honor1 and good sense4 ,the case of ,john ,newton is precisely in point4 ,in very early life this man formed a strong attachment to a lady1 under circumstances which did not permit him to make it known which was probably well for both parties4 ,it did not diminish her happiness1 so long as she remained in ignorance on the subject2 and in scenes of sorrow1 suffering1 and temptation1 the hope of one day obtaining her soothed him1 and kept him from performing many dishonorable actions4 ',the bare possibility1' he says1 'of seeing her again1 was the only obvious means of restraining me from the most horrid designs1 against myself and others4' ,the wish to marry1 if prudently indulged1 will lead to honest and persevering exertions to obtain a reasonable income--one which will be satisfactory to the object of your hopes1 as well as to her friends4 ,he who is determined on living a single life1 very naturally contracts his endeavors to his own narrow personal wants1 or else squanders freely1 in the belief that he can always procure enough to support himself4 ,indeed it cannot have escaped even the careless observer that in proportion as an individual relinquishes the idea of matrimony1 just in the same proportion do his mind and feelings contract4 ,on the contrary that hope which aims at a beloved partner--a family--a fireside--will lead its possessor to activity in all his conduct4 ,it will elicit his talents1 and urge them to their full energy1 and probably call in the aid of economy2 a quality so indispensable to every condition of life4 ,the single consideration1 ',what would she think were she now to see me8' called up by the obtrusion of a favorite image1--how often has it stimulated a noble mind and heart to deeds which otherwise had never been performed6 ,i repeat it1 ,i am aware that this advice is liable to abuse4 ,but what shall be done8 ,images of some sort will haunt the mind more or less--female influence in some shape or other1 will operate4 ,is it not better to give the imagination a virtuous direction than to leave it to range without control1 and without end8 ,i repeat it1 nothing is better calculated to preserve a young man from the contamination of low pleasures and pursuits1 than frequent intercourse with the more refined and virtuous of the other sex4 ,besides1 without such society his manners can never acquire the true polish of a gentleman1--general character1 dignity1 and refinement2--nor his mind and heart the truest and noblest sentiments of a man4 ,make it an object then1 ,i again say1 to spend some portion of every week of your life in the company of intelligent and virtuous ladies4 ,at all events1 flee solitude1 and especially the exclusive society of your own sex4 ,the doctrines even of ,zimmerman1 the great apostle of solitude1 would put to shame many young men1 who seldom or never mix in female society4 ,if you should be so unfortunate as not to have among your acquaintance any ladies whose society would1 in these points of view1 be profitable to you1 do not be in haste to mix with the ignorant and vulgar2 but wait patiently till your own industry and good conduct shall give you admission to better circles2 and in the meantime cultivate your mind by reading and thinking1 so that when you actually gain admission to good society1 you may know how to prize and enjoy it4 ,remember1 too1 that you are not to be so selfish as to think nothing of contributing to the happiness of others4 ,it is blessed to give as well as to receive4 ,when you are in the company of ladies1 beware of silliness4 ,it is true they will sooner forgive foolishness than ill manners1 but you will1 of course1 avoid both4 ,i know one young gentleman of great promise1 who adopted the opinion that in order to qualify himself for female society1 he had only to become as foolish as possible1 while in their presence4 ,that young man soon lost the favor of all whose friendship might have operated as a restraint2 but unwilling to associate with the despicable1 and unable to live in absolute solitude1 he chose the bottle for his companion2 and made himself1 and the few friends he had1 miserable4 ,nothing1 unless it be the coarsest flattery1 will give more offence1 in the end1 than to treat ladies as mere playthings or children4 ,on the other hand1 do not become pedantic1 and lecture them on difficult subjects4 ,they readily see through all this4 ,neither is it good manners or policy to talk much of yourself4 ,they can penetrate this also2 and they despise the vanity which produces it4 ,in detecting deception1 they are often much quicker than we apprehend4 ,a young gentleman1 in one of the ,new ,england ,states1 who had assumed the chair of the pedagogue1 paid his addresses to the beautiful and sensible daughter of a respectable farmer4 ,one day1 as she was present in his school1 he read to her a hymn1 which he said was from his own pen4 ,now it was obvious to this lady1 and even to some of the pupils1 that the hymn was none other than that usually known by the name of the ',harvest ,hymn1' modified by the change of a few words only4 ,how much effect this circumstance might have had ,i cannot say with certainty2 but ,i know it disgusted one1 at least1 of the pupils2 and ,i know1 too1 that his addresses to the lady were soon afterwards discontinued4 ,a young man who would profit from the society of young ladies1 or indeed from any society1 must preserve a modest and respectful spirit2 must seek to conciliate their good will by quiet and unostentatious attentions1 and discover more willingness to avail himself of their stock of information1 than to display his own knowledge or abilities4 ,he should observe1 and learn to admire1 that purity and ignorance of evil1 which is the characteristic of well-educated young ladies1 and which1 while we are near them1 raises us above those sordid and sensual considerations which hold such sway over men1 in their intercourse with each other4 ,he should treat them as spirits of a purer sphere1 and try to be as innocent1 if not as ignorant of evil as they are2 remembering that there is no better way of raising himself in the scale of intellectual and moral being4 ,but to whatever degree of intimacy he may arrive1 he should never forget those little acts of courtesy and kindness1 as well as that respect1 and self-denial1 which lend a charm to every kind of polite intercourse1 and especially to that of which ,i am now speaking4 ,whenever an opportunity occurs1 however1 it is the duty of a young man to introduce topics of conversation which are decidedly favorable to mental and moral improvement4 ,should he happen to be attending to the same study1 or reading the same book with a female acquaintance1 an excellent opportunity will be afforded for putting this rule in practice4 ,,female ,,qualifications ,,for ,,marriage4 ,the highest as well as the noblest trait in female character1 is love to ,god4 ,when we consider what are the tendencies of ,christianity to elevate woman from the state of degradation to which she had1 for ages1 been subjected--when we consider not only what it has done1 but what it is destined yet to do for her advancement1--it is impossible not to shrink from the presence of an impious1 and above all an unprincipled atheistical female1 as from an ungrateful and unnatural being4 ,man is under eternal obligations to ,christianity and its ,divine ,author1 undoubtedly2 but woman seems to be more so4 ,that charge against females which in the minds of some half-atheistical men is magnified into a stigma on ,christianity itself1 namely1 that they are more apt to become religious than men2 and that we find by far the greater part of professing ,christians to be females1 is in my own view one of the highest praises of the sex4 ,i rejoice that their hearts are more susceptible than ours1 and that they do not war so strongly against that religion which their nature demands4 ,i have met with but one female1 whom ,i knew to be an avowed atheist4 ,indeed there are very few men to be found1 who are skeptical themselves1 who do not prefer pious companions of the other sex4 ,i will not stop to adduce this as an evidence of the truth of our religion itself1 and of its adaptation to the wants of the human race1 for happily it does not need it4 ,christianity is based on the most abundant evidence1 of a character wholly unquestionable4 ,but this ,i do and will say1 that to be consistent1 young men of loose principles ought not to rail at females for their piety1 and then whenever they seek for a constant friend1 one whom they can love1--for they never really love the abandoned--always prefer1 other things being equal1 the society of the pious and the virtuous4 ,next on the list of particular qualifications in a female1 for matrimonial life1 ,i place ,,common ,,sense4 ,in the view of some1 it ought to precede moral excellence4 ,a person1 it is said1 who is deficient in common sense1 is1 in proportion to the imbecility1 unfit for social life1 and yet the same person might possess a kind of negative excellency1 or perhaps even a species of piety4 ,this view appears to me1 however1 much more specious than sound4 ,by common sense1 as used in this place1 ,i mean the faculty by means of which we see things as they really are4 ,it implies judgment and discrimination1 and a proper sense of propriety in regard to the common concerns of life4 ,it leads us to form judicious plans of action1 and to be governed by our circumstances in such a way as will be generally approved4 ,it is the exercise of reason1 uninfluenced by passion or prejudice4 ,to man1 it is nearly what instinct is to brutes4 ,it is very different from genius or talent1 as they are commonly defined2 but much better than either4 ,it never blazes forth with the splendor of noon1 but shines with a constant and useful light4 ,to the housewife--but1 above all1 to the mother1--it is indispensable4 ,whatever other recommendations a lady may possess1 she should have an inextinguishable thirst for improvement4 ,no sensible person can be truly happy in the world1 without this2 much less qualified to make others happy4 ,but the genuine spirit of improvement1 wherever it exists1 atones for the absence of many qualities which would otherwise be indispensable3 in this respect resembling that 'charity' which covers 'a multitude of sins4' ,without it1 almost everything would be of little consequence1--with it1 everything else is rendered doubly valuable4 ,one would think that every sensible person1 of either sex1 would aspire at improvement1 were it merely to avoid the shame of being stationary like the brutes4 ,above all1 it is most surprising that any lady should be satisfied to pass a day or even an hour without mental and moral progress4 ,it is no discredit to the lower animals that--'their little all flows in at once1' that 'in ages they no more can know1 or covet or enjoy1' for this is the legitimate result of the physical constitution which ,god has given them4 ,but it is far otherwise with the masters and mistresses of creation2 for ',were man to live coeval with the sun1 ,the patriarch pupil should be learning still1 ,and dying1 leave his lessons half unlearnt4' ,there are1--,i am sorry to say it--not a few of both sexes who never appear to breathe out one hearty desire to rise1 intellectually or morally1 with a view to the government of themselves or others4 ,they love themselves supremely--their friends subordinately--their neighbors1 perhaps not at all4 ,but neither the love they bear to themselves or others even leads them to a single series of any sort of action which has for its ultimate object the improvement of anything higher than the condition of the mere animal4 ,dress1 personal appearance1 equipage1 style of a dwelling or its furniture1 with no other view1 however1 than the promotion of mere physical enjoyment1 is the height of their desires for improvement6 ,talk to them of elevating the intellect or improving the heart1 and they admit it is true2 but they go their way and pursue their accustomed round of folly again4 ,the probability is1 that though they assent to your views1 they do not understand you4 ,it requires a stretch of charity to which ,i am wholly unequal1 to believe that beings who ever conceived1 for one short moment1 of the height to which their natures may be elevated1 should sink back without a single struggle1 to a mere selfish1 unsocial1 animal life2--to lying in bed ten or twelve hours daily1 rising three or four hours later than the sun1 spending the morning in preparation at the glass1 the remainder of the time till dinner in unmeaning calls1 the afternoon in yawning over a novel1 and the evening in the excitement of the tea-table and the party1 and the ball-room1 to retire1 perhaps at midnight1 with the mind and body and soul in a feverish state1 to toss away the night in vapid or distressing dreams4 ,how beings endowed with immortal souls can be contented to while away precious hours in a manner so useless1 and withal so displeasing to the ,god who gave them their time for the improvement of themselves and others1 is to me absolutely inconceivable6 ,yet it is certainly done2 and that not merely by a few solitary individuals scattered up and down the land2 but in some of our most populous cities1 by considerable numbers4 ,should the young man who is seeking an 'help meet1' chance to fall in with such beings as these--and some we fear there are in almost every part of our land1--let him shun them as he would the 'choke damp' of the cavern4 ,their society would extinguish1 rather than fan the flame of every generous or benevolent-feeling that might be kindling in his bosom4 ,with the fond1 the ardent1 the never-failing desire to improve1 physically1 intellectually1 and morally1 there are few females who may not make tolerable companions for a man of sense2--without it1 though a young lady were beautiful and otherwise lovely beyond comparison1 wealthy as the ,indies1 surrounded by thousands of the most worthy friends1 and even talented1 let him beware6 ,better remain in celibacy a thousand years 7could life last so long7 great as the evil may be1 than form a union with such an object4 ,he should pity1 and seek her reformation1 if not beyond the bounds of possibility2 but love her he should not6 ,the penalty will be absolutely insupportable4 ,one point ought to be settled1--,i think unalterably settled--before matrimony4 ,it ought indeed to be settled in early life1 but it is better late1 perhaps1 than never4 ,each of the parties should consider themselves as sacredly pledged1 in all cases1 to yield to conviction4 ,i have no good opinion of the man who expects his wife to yield her opinion to his1 on every occasion1 unless she is convinced4 ,i say on every occasion2 for that she sometimes ought to do so1 seems to be both scriptural and rational4 ,it would be very inconvenient to call in a third person as an umpire upon every slight difference of opinion between a young couple1 besides being very humiliating4 ,but if each maintain1 with pertinacity1 their opinion1 what can be done8 ,it does seem to me that every sensible woman1 who feels any good degree of confidence in her husband1 will perceive the propriety of yielding her opinion to his in such cases1 where the matter is of such a nature that it cannot be delayed4 ,but there are a thousand things occurring1 in which there is no necessity of forming an immediate opinion1 or decision1 except from conviction4 ,i should never like the idea of a woman's conforming to her husband's views to please him1 merely1 without considering whether they are correct or not4 ,it seems to me a sort of treason against the ,god who gave her a mind of her own1 with an intention that she should use it4 ,but it would be higher treason still1 in male or female1 not to yield1 when actually convinced4 ,without the knowledge and the love of domestic concerns1 even the wife of a peer is but a poor affair4 ,it was the fashion1 in former times1 for ladies to understand a great deal about these things1 and it would be very hard to make me believe that it did not tend to promote the interests and honor of their husbands4 ,the concerns of a great family never can be well managed1 if left wholly to hirelings2 and there are many parts of these affairs in which it would be unseemly for husbands to meddle4 ,surely1 no lady can be too high in rank to make it proper for her to be well acquainted with the character and general demeanor of all the female servants4 ,to receive and give character is too much to be left to a servant1 however good1 whose service has been ever so long1 or acceptable4 ,much of the ease and happiness of the great and rich must depend on the character of those by whom they are assisted4 ,they live under the same roof with them2 they are frequently the children of their tenants1 or poorer neighbors2 the conduct of their whole lives must be influenced by the examples and precepts which they here imbibe2 and when ladies consider how much more weight there must be in one word from them1 than in ten thousand word from a person who1 call her what you like1 is still fellow servant1 it does appear strange that they should forego the performance of this at once important and pleasing part of their duty4 ,i am1 however1 addressing myself1 in this work1 to persons in the middle ranks of life2 and here a knowledge of domestic affairs is so necessary in every wife1 that the lover ought to have it continually in his eye4 ,not only a knowledge of these affairs--not only to know how things ought to be done1 but how to do them2 not only to know what ingredients ought to be put into a pie or a pudding1 but to be able to make the pie or the pudding4 ,young people1 when they come together1 ought not1 unless they have fortunes1 or are to do unusual business1 to think about servants6 ,servants for what6 ,to help them eat1 and drink1 and sleep8 ,when they have children1 there must be some help in a farmer's or tradesman's house1 but until then1 what call is there for a servant in a house1 the master of which has to earn every mouthful that is consumed8 ,eating and drinking come three times every day2 they must come2 and1 however little we may1 in the days of our health and vigor1 care about choice food and about cookery1 we very soon get tired of heavy or burnt bread1 and of spoiled joints of meat4 ,we bear them for once or twice perhaps2 but about the third time1 we begin to lament2 about the fifth time1 it must be an extraordinary affair that will keep us from complaining2 if the like continue for a month or two1 we begin to repent2 and then adieu to all our anticipated delights4 ,we discover1 when it is too late1 that we have not got a help-mate1 but a burden2 and1 the fire of love being damped1 the unfortunately educated creature1 whose parents are more to blame than she is1 unless she resolve to learn her duty1 is doomed to lead a life very nearly approaching to that of misery2 for1 however considerate the husband1 he never can esteem her as he would have done1 had she been skilled in domestic affairs4 ,the mere manual performance of domestic labors is not1 indeed1 absolutely necessary in the female head of the family of professional men2 but1 even here1 and also in the case of great merchants and of gentlemen living on their fortunes1 surely the head of the household ought to be able to give directions as to the purchasing of meal1 salting meat1 making bread1 making preserves of all sorts2 and ought to see the things done4 ,the lady ought to take care that food be well cooked that there be always a sufficient supply2 that there be good living without waste2 and that in her department1 nothing shall be seen inconsistent with the rank1 station1 and character of her husband4 ,if he have a skilful and industrious wife1 he will1 unless he be of a singularly foolish turn1 gladly leave all these things to her absolute dominion1 controlled only by the extent of the whole expenditure1 of which he must be the best judge4 ,but1 in a farmer's or a tradesman's family1 the manual performance is absolutely necessary1 whether there be domestics or not4 ,no one knows how to teach another so well as one who has done1 and can do1 the thing himself4 ,it was said of a famous ,french commander1 that1 in attacking an enemy1 he did not say to his men 'go on1' but 'come on2' and1 whoever has well observed the movements of domestics1 must know what a prodigious difference there is in the effect of the words1 go and come4 ,a very good rule would be1 to have nothing to eat1 in a farmer's or mechanic's house1 that the mistress did not know how to prepare and to cook2 no pudding1 tart1 pie or cake1 that she did not know how to make4 ,never fear the toil to her3 exercise is good for health2 and without health there is no beauty4 ,besides1 what is the labor in such a case8 ,and how many thousands of ladies1 who idle away the day1 would give half their fortunes for that sound sleep which the stirring housewife seldom fails to enjoy4 ,yet1 if a young farmer or mechanic marry a girl1 who has been brought up only to 'play music1' to draw1 to sing1 to waste paper1 pen and ink in writing long and half-romantic letters1 and to see shows1 and plays1 and read novels2--if a young man do marry such an unfortunate young creature1 let him bear the consequences with temper4 ,let him be just4 ,justice will teach him to treat her with great indulgence2 to endeavor to persuade her to learn her business as a wife2 to be patient with her2 to reflect that he has taken her1 being apprized of her inability2 to bear in mind1 that he was1 or seemed to be1 pleased with her showy and us less acquirements2 and that1 when the gratification of his passion has been accomplished1 he is unjust1 and cruel1 and unmanly1 if he turn round upon her1 and accuse her of a want of that knowledge1 which he well knew1 beforehand1 she did not possess4 ,for my part1 ,i do not know1 nor can ,i form an idea of1 a more unfortunate being than a girl with a mere boarding-school education1 and without a fortune to enable her to keep domestics1 when married4 ,of what use are her accomplishments8 ,of what use her music1 her drawing1 and her romantic epistles8 ,if she should chance to possess a sweet disposition1 and good nature1 the first faint cry of her first babe drives all the tunes and all the landscapes1 and all the imaginary beings out of her head forever4 ,the farmer or the tradesman's wife has to help earn a provision for her children2 or1 at the least1 to help to earn a store for sickness or old age4 ,she ought1 therefore1 to be qualified to begin1 at once1 to assist her husband in his earnings4 ,the way in which she can most efficiently assist1 is by taking care of his property2 by expending his money to the greatest advantage2 by wasting nothing1 but by making the table sufficiently abundant with the least expense4 ,but how is she to do these things1 unless she has been brought up to understand domestic affairs8 ,how is she to do these things1 if she has been taught to think these matters beneath her study8 ,how is the man to expect her to do these things1 if she has been so bred1 as to make her habitually look upon them as worthy the attention of none but low and ignorant women8 ,ignorant1 indeed6 ,ignorance consists in a want of knowledge of those things which your calling or state of life naturally supposes you to understand4 ,a ploughman is not an ignorant man because he does not know how to read4 ,if he knows how to plough1 he is not to be called an ignorant man2 but a wife may be justly called an ignorant woman1 if she does not know how to provide a dinner for her husband4 ,it is cold comfort for a hungry man1 to tell him how delightfully his wife plays and sings4 ,lovers may live on very aerial diet1 but husbands stand in need of something more solid2 and young women may take my word for it1 that a constantly clean table1 well cooked victuals1 a house in order1 and a cheerful fire1 will do more towards preserving a husband's heart1 than all the 'accomplishments' taught in all the 'establishments' in the world without them4#ac ,footnote #ac3 ,young ,man's ,guide4 ,other considerations might be urged on the young of both sexes1 as prerequisites to a hopeful and a happy marriage4 ,but if the reflections already offered are duly heeded1 they will enable those who are influenced by them1 to secure the blessings and escape the evils of the marriage state4 ,as a general remark1 ,i would suggest that in selecting a companion for a connection so lasting1 it should be a leading object to find as great a similarity of opinions1 habits1 tastes1 and feelings1 as possible4 ,this is especially important in regard to religious sentiments4 ,it is a serious misfortune for a young married couple to find themselves differing materially on the subject of religion4 ,this is more particularly an evil when both are strongly attached to their respective opinions1 and anxious to attend different churches4 ,i have frequently known this greatly to embitter the cup of domestic enjoyment4 ,where husband and wife can sympathize in each other's sentiments--can walk together to the house of ,god1 with their children--can strengthen and enlighten one another in regard to the great truths to which they there listen--can unite in instructing their family in the same doctrines and principles of ,christianity--it opens one of the highest and sweetest sources of domestic happiness4 ,but an absence of this unity in religious opinions1 is liable to lead to frequent disputations and contentions1 which often result in recriminations1 and hard and bitter feelings4 ,there are not wanting instances where the most serious difficulties and the greatest unhappiness have grown out of these disagreements4 ,hence it is both proper and needful1 to admonish the young1 in choosing a wife or a husband1 to make a concurrence in religious faith1 one of the great essentials requisite to a union4 ,in case of a different result--when husband and wife unfortunately find a wide disparity in the leading doctrines of their religion--they should seek to make the best of their misfortune1 and guard against allowing it to prove a bone of contention in their midst4 ,they should agree to disagree in forbearance and love4 ,they should respect each other's views1 and be cautious not to say or do that which can cast disparagement on their respective sentiments4 ,neither should demand or expect the other to abandon his or her doctrines1 without full conviction of their erroneous nature4 ,both should be tolerant and forbearing--willing to grant the other the same freedom of opinion they claim for themselves4 ,it should be an established rule with husband and wife1 to attend the worship of ,god together4 ,this is by far the most agreeable and proper procedure4 ,should it not be pleasant1 however1 for both to worship statedly in the same church1 and listen to the proclamation of the same doctrines1 they should arrange their plans to attend each other's meetings on alternate ,sabbaths4 ,this kind and friendly reciprocity would be fair1 just1 and honorable to both parties1 and might lead ultimately to a similarity of opinions4 ,but for a husband or a wife to refuse such a concession1 and insist that the other shall forsake their attached place of worship1 abandon their sentiments1 or remain totally silent in relation to them1 on pain of having the harmony and peace of the family destroyed--would be to exhibit a spirit totally ungenerous1 and in violation of every dictate of the ,christian religion4 ,i have made these suggestions1 not only for the benefit of those who have recently entered upon married life1 but to admonish those who are unmarried to come to an understanding on this subject1 and make all these arrangements before the consummation of their vows4 ,or1 what is still better1 let these considerations convince the youthful of the necessity of making a similarity of religious sentiment one of the chief qualifications in forming a tie1 which1 for good or evil1 will connect them with another during the remainder of the earthly journey4