e> *>. v«^. ^.\^4 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 =y= 1.25 If KM m a 1^ 12.2 ^-^ lis I. t_ L8 1.4 IIIIII.6 P /i <^ /2 7: 7 Photographic Sdences Corporation ^ ^o^ ,\ '^V <> <^ «^ o^ '%'■ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 &?, i/.s I CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historlques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibiiographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. 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Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6td possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. D 13 D D D Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes Pages detached/ Pages ditachdes r~? Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quality indgale de i'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel suppldmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible The to th The poss of th filmi Origi begii the sion, othe first sion, or ill The shall TINL whic Mapi diffe entir begir right requi meth Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible in; the tod b.idimmed eye, lends wings to the weary feet, and wonderfidly brightens every joy. In the constitution of health there are many elements. We will notice only some of the most prominent. The first is cheerfuluri^s. So far as we can see, Christianity has forged no chain to bind morality to misery. The christian has the best right to be cbeerfid, for God is his Father, the Lord Jesus is his Saviour, the Holy Spirit is his Comforter, and Heaven, with its "eternal weight of glory," is his expected home. Cheerfulness is a duty we owe to ourselves and to all that come within the circle of our influence. I have often wondered at the apparent morosenese of many. Part of the cause may be in the indi- vidual's peculiar temperament ; but not a little of it is to be traced to the reading of the sensational trash that is flooding our country at every point. The darkness of the sepulchral vault, and the pent up Jires of the charnel house will invigorate the physical man, and send the crimson stream through the system in high health long before it can be possible that cheerfulness can dwell where the chambers of the brain are filled witb images of horror, or the mind's ear is attuned to the wild shriek of agony or the low wailings of despair. Let us beware, therefore, of the sensational literature of the present day. Another element of health is sohrietij. It was Horace, I think, that prayed for " sana mens in sand corpore" — a sound mind in a healthful body. Those who have a liking for intoxicating drinks may dispute or assail my position ; but I have made it deliberately. The happiness of the drunkard is extremely ephemeral. How can the inebriate be happy when he sleeps, as it were, upon the top of a mast, and the seething gulf below is waiting to receive him? Intemperance is a river of death — moral, mental, and pliysical. The health of the 4runkard cannot continue though he was fenced with iron. To aid in the nmiiiti'rmnr;^ of cood hcultli, niiii in thf; prodiiclioii t)f' n clu'^rful wpirit, \v«' must n\()i(l vfrv ap|)t'anui<'f ot' »'vil, miploy soint' of' oiir timi* in «»xainiiiiii!^, ms tiir as \v»' fiiii, tlir arcrm ol' iiatiii'c, pt'i-iiM' tlio lives ol' tlio *' \v()i-l(l\s gn-y t'allicrs," k('('[) a lirm <'uih un f\t'ry lartitioiis apijptitt', and, as man is uni])liati<'!i!ly a social bciiit;, K't us sr** to it that oiu* coiiipaiiioris an' those that tear the I^ord and uall< in his ways. "To every thin*; then^ is a season, and a lime to every purpdse under the heaven." L E T '1^ i: 1( II . Mv De.vu Yory(j Fkikvus : Our sineiav d.vsire is to do you good. To promote this somewhat let us have some talk about our comiKinums. Perhaj)s noliiinfj; else so contributes to our happiness and usefulness as the 1t;Ilo\\ship of suitable companions. >iaii is em])hatically asocial bein^'. The social af!lii".ti«'s of our nature are evid/'nced in the family circle, the neighborini^ comijacls, the; com- tnercial city, aiul the {rreat nations of tlu^ earth. It Is a Ubel on our race to assert, as llobb.'s has dojie, that man, in all respects, is a sellish beiupj. A dt>sire to associate Avith our fellow beinjrs is, by all good f)hilosophers, allowed to be a j)rii!iary principle of our nature. The Uijhest authority has said '• It is not good that the man should be alone." But, whilst in seeking society' we develope a princij)le of our nature. w.> also incur the ht-aviest responsibilities. We must, therefore, be exceedingly carefid in the formation of our friendshi])s, lest in after days we may be tilled with regrets ; for although sympathy of nature, community of wants, and sijnilaritv of desire are the silken cords that bind men together, yet it must Ix; appanMit to all that, from the con- stant friction of mind upon mind and of habit upon character, the most sensible and permanent impressions for good or evil will be madi?. I will now give you three r(\asons why our companions sliould be good: /. e., intelligent, nu:)ral, and christian. In the Jirat place; such companions contribute largely to our temporal happiness. Of course our happiness, under (rod, depends very much upon ourselves. Simple greatness, elevated station, and imperial pomp seldom ])romote it. We know well that often beneath the pvu'ple of empire, and the crown of royalty there are concealed niany bleeding, broken hearts. In the fellowship of the virtuous we are taught to be prudent, punctual, and persevering; and we are encouraged also to cultivate the graces of meekness, justice, goodness, and truth. In the second place: good companions assist to develope our mental powers, (rod Himself informs us that, " Iron sharpeneth iron ; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." This is true beyond the possibility of reasonable conti'adiction. Every intelligent man knows well, that the effect of mind acting upon, or in concert with, mind is to mature the j\jdgment, refine the taste, and to create an appetite for the beautifid, the good, and the true. But in th© third place : success in the afliiirs of life is promoted by . the influence of good associates. " He that walketh with wise men « ■•ibftll bo \\l"^o, but l>\o rompanioii of fuoh shull b<» (K»Htror('il.'" Altbougb J wuiilil couiiHcl you to cultiviiti' h spirit of sflf-n'liatK'c, to trust to vour own nit'i't^'ii's and to \rn\\ uj)oii no innii, y»'t tb»' offirt's of tliu winv and i^ood may nuiti-rially assist you to places of honor and of profit. But bt'fon' vvc liuisli tbis chaptiT b't nic turn your att»MitioiJ to tbw subject of ii/iionitiri\ Tliis term is couipni-ative : for the amount of knowb'd^i' tbat would makf an intcUit^cnt jh-asant \\ould make but a very inditll-ri'tit peer. The evils of ignorance are vorv maniti'st and varied. Its pathway is ever dark, ever (h)wuward, t4*ndin^ to destruc tion and the grave. Ft yokes retu(»rseless cruelty to the >sMmecar with that blood and fire-iuu'tured monster superstition, and drives the fiend- begott"*n pair over a sin smitten world. It carpets the earth with all the horrors of a Scandinavian heaven, and condenses the most diabolical passions that ever raged or rankled in the breast of unregenerate man. To exhibit some of the evils of ignorance let me draw for you a picture. There rides a ship to windward of a rock-bound coast. Between her and the land a rugged reef is roaring, and the dnshing surge, torn into foam, is rising like a wall betwtieu her and that shore of death. Knowledge might carry her seaw ard yet, but ignorance keeps her sailti handed and her anchor down. Ifark, the ocean spirit moves. The breeze increases to a gale. The noble, but fated ship, impelled by '.und and sea, leaps at and drags her anchor, and surges stornwarJ to destruction. The well made cliain is snapped — the oce«n lilts her in his arms of foatn and hurls her on the reef. ITer beams and timbern are groaning, whilst the coral axe is splintering keelson and keel ; her masts aud spars are on the brine, her torn planks whirling in the raging surf, and corpses mounted on the white mained billows, in unconscious rivalry, are riding and racing to that shore. Now, wo ask, as we look at this sad picture, what ])roduc.ed all this? Your anower, no doubt, is ready. It was njnonvice ; for under its influenco many a bright hope, and many a human mind has gone to wreck and ruin, like that fated ship. In helping you to rise above, and to conquer, th(^ evils of ignoratH^e I have somi^ counsels to give you ; — first, bo solicitous that the knowledge that you acquire is truly of the utilitarian character. A large amount of time is lost, in many cases, by young people, at school, attempting to learn things that can bo of no benefit to them in the battle of life. If our studies have no good practical issues, our knowledge is practical ignorance, and our wisdom gilded folly. But in the second place : in attempting to acquire knowledge of ourselves, or others, we must be careful not to overwork the brain. Xo two human minds have the sames grasp, or power of endurance. There are bounds within which the mind may profitably work, but beyond the limits of which it can never pass unscathed. Let it pass ; then crushing darkness presses upon the bewildered brain ; and the tortured mind, like the fire begirt scorpion, turns upon itself and ptings. Thus it was with Hugh Miller — a man of no ordinary grasp of mind -a printv^ among his pe^Ts. But in the third place : with thu SI thl th| til .•tl to truit to ofTu-t's of tJie ''ojior and of 'f'Mifioij totfio '"' amount of nrtnif;.st Hiid "« to «l.'«triic ■^MiiKM-ar with ■>v<'N thf fiend- ■urth with aU iio«t diaboUfai ■eru-ratc umu. vou a picture. Botwf'iMi her rge, torn into '•« of death. L't'pN lior «ailu iioves. The 'lied by '^ iud "* N torn ward '»" iiils h«T and timbers "I l<<'t'I : her •1'"!,' in the biilow.s, in iVow, Wo lii«? Tour s influeuco w-reck and toi'onquer, ••— Hrst, bo utilitarian by j'ourt^ no benefit [ practical om gilded knowledge iihe brain, idurancyi. ^vork, but J • Let it I •ain ; and ^ taelf and grasp of* \ with th(i * hMuvens above uj«,on which (ioA ha.s Hl!imp»'tl the ♦•\i(I«Mici' df his Iwiriixr vith the earth U-neiith \i.s, in\itiMi,' ii.s to unlock her «.toren; with the Word of Ood before un, courtinf,' oiu' im|uirici; and with the thoMHiii d uvenue.s, furni-'hed iti jwovidi-iiee, to increaiic our ainoutil of knowledge ; i;;;iiora nee, I .nay, mii.il f)e almost an uripardoriaMe .sin. In a word, let us Imi thorou^'hly sati?ili»'d that iij;iioratn'e, when it is vincible, nhould be removed. The pearl.s of kriowled^r are aeijuired bv dili^'ent thou^ht and careful preparation. Hut by all means we nnist puitrd acjain.st the pricK- and vataty that are olTen vi>ible in those who think they know a little. Pride of an\tliiiij,', but "sn(cia!Iy ol'ktiow- ledp', is exc.eedin<,'ly repulsive. The proud, coneeitrd, talking speaker {diould be turned out to ^jfra/.e. And let us begin all things in the I'eur c»f the Lord ; thus we may go forwai'd, reuiemb 'riiiL; that the crown awaits the conqueror, and the meed of fame lies in tlu^ futinv. " lie that tilleth his land shall lie satisfied with bread ; but he that, followeth vuin persons is void of understandinc." L E T T V. \i 11/. 31 V Dkvh Voi'NCJ FiirEVDs:— I wish to address you at this time on the subject of Poverti/. This may not be to some a very pleasing topic of consideration, nevertheh'ss duty impels us to examine it, to under- stand its nature and work, and, if possible, to provide against it» multiplied evils. Although the Divine Lawgiver has said that " the poor shall nt'ver cease out ot th(; land," yet inexorable necessity has not 80 ordered it, but that mismanagement, misfortinie and crime — the parents of poverty, may b;^ guarded against, or controlled. Poverty is indeed a gigantic evil. With urn*emitting zeal should our full force be directed toward the demolition of every fort in which this enemy can possibly intrench it.self. We may not be able altogether to banish it fro!n the earth ; but we may, by proper precaution, avoid its fearful terminus of woe. When we examine (dosely the stat** of affiiirs among men we discover that earthly comforts are very unequally divided; some seem to have considerably more than their own share, whilst some- are mira(Hilously unfortunate ; for contrary to all the laws of chanc& they cat4!h nothing but jolts and tos.ses in the whole j()urney of life, and end their days where, with an ordinary prudence, they ought never to have been. In temporal things we hold no num poor wlio has a sufiiciency of the necessaries of life, and if there Mere none richer this earth would tell a happier tale; for there would be more justice with less law, more religion with less hypocrisy, and more of the good things of time with less gold and silver plate. Before proceeding to illustrate our position we may observe that comfortable worldly rircum- utances are the foundations upon whicrh mental and moral improvement must be biult. The capability of carrying on a system of mental improvement, presupposes at least the possession of the necessaries of life, for before a man can ascend in the moral scale, ho must be ])roper- ly lodged, clothed, and fed. Abject poverty lies like a tombstone upou the grave of self respect, mental and moral improvement. I 8 PovLM'ty is a fnivcUer ; ranjj;int; (jrm* every land, dtn'oaririR ihe young man and tho irmidf n, the niotlier and the child ; blastinsf the hope of nations, and consuming armit^s as if they had been breathed upon by a spirit oi lire. Mountain replies to mountain, with his woLf like bowlings, hill and dale take up the echo, and fling it back on tho winds of ocean, to be returned by the hunger stricken wanderers o'er the deep. In all ages he has carried havoc into the ranks of men, and paved the earth, like the hall of Valhalla, with hunuin skulls. In his terrible presence crimson war turns pale, and tlm sweeping pestilence stands aghast. Poverty is half soldier, half assassin, — a more remorse. ess never shouldered a rifle, or sheathed a dagger in his neighbor's back. From no brazen bugle sounds the wild charge ; no mounted squadrons dash o'er the battle-field, swift and bright as the lightning's flash, condensed and deadly as the thunderbolt: no gleam from helmet or sword flickers upon the ])ale fa<'.o of the dead, as if the spirit of life was striving to reiininiate the blood stained clay; no storm of iron and fire rages to mock 1 lie cloud artillery of heaAen. Poverty is a terrible Icvcler. It may suit some to talk of it as an honest thing, to extol it as a lever to elevate to a higher position, and to praise it as a virtue peculiarly dear to Heaven, yet, believe me, it tends to destroy all that is noble and independent in human nature, and forces even tlie brave spirit that would have dared the fire an'1 the faggot to crawl like a worm in the dust. Under its pressure, man's holiest aspirations die ; it freezes the warm feeling as it gushes foith, and throws it back upon the chilled heart, nt why should man, iinpt'i'ii'ct in nature, ^oaiit v in know- ledi;o, rontr.'n-tod in power, and shorn of primeval beauty, be proud? Let pi-ide look at a )nan dyin^ witli ean-er in the face. J^el it contem- plate a corpse that has hiin unburied lor a month, and go and hide its iiead in that ii'sterin^ mass. To obtain the mastery over jioverty of every kind we encournce you, youni,' friends, eai-nestly to try. Do not bo doterred by liitalism. Fatalisai is a paralyziiiij; lie. It fro/e the Tuikish blood inider a burn- innf sun and biid the enerijy of tlie fiery Persian cold and lilel(r-,\^in the dust. Hope on- -hope ever. Hope even atjainst hope. He'icve ever, that, though the fair form of hnpe may be eclipsed sometimes by tiio foul shadow of despair, yi. t behind that fearful vail it shines in glory. (}[\e your hope a tangible form, clothe it with fli.'sh. pour warm blood into the incarnation, and regard it as a living thing, to be gi'asped, to be wooed, to b,' won. — And ab )ve all r.'meinb'r, whilst you try to scale" Ambition's diainoM'''. ridg:.'," that '"The fear of th:^ l^ord is the beginning of knowledge." With all thy gettings get wisdom, for "She sh'iil give to thine liead an ornameTit of grac:-: a crown of glory shall slio deLivtM' to thee." LETTEK IV, Mv Dear Youxo FnitiNDH : — In this letter I wish to say something to you ubjut Edayttion. The definitions that have b/en given of man are various. He has been spoken of as a " cooking animal ;" because h»' alone, of all the animals en the earth, cyoks his food : somi' have thought pro{)"r to (h'nominate him a "laughing animal," because he alot:e ])ossesses risible faeul1i:'s: and others, ajjjjreciating his high origin nnd iiinnortal destiny, prefer to call him a thinl-in^, rational, and r(': passion no quarter ; crush it ; it is wicked and cowardly. Anoth'T thing about which you must (wer have a deep concern is Economy. Frugality is a souiTe of power. There is an independence and vii'tu«»- about the frugjd, which is wanting in the improvident. No man c«n be long great or powerful without it. It is one of the foundations on which society safely rests. It creates science and art, and frames all that tends to please, to purify, and to adorn. I would not by any tieana, have you to idolize money ; but yet \ would have you to b» I 11 tvononucal. ^Nloniy, or its equivalent, ttnids to sootbe the sick bod, it pillo\v.s the dying m;in, ond lays him (leceiitly in the grave. By it tile orphan's cry has been .slillod, the widow's tears dri 'd up, and th(? end of ILt'e's pathway rol)bi'd of many of its sorrows. Educate yoursclviis then, young men, to habits of economy; for rest assured that old age will cnni'^ upon you with all its attendant wants ; and woe bc^tide the man who has nothing to purchase the sympathies of his fellow creatures. But rememb T that your education is very incomplete if it does not producH within you a profound reverence for things sacred. A blaspheming old man is bad — a <.'urse to society ; but a profant; young man is something so bad as almost to dety description. This vice, alas, is very comiuon — so common, that laws, made and provided for it, have, in our parts, become a d.^ad letter. The young man wlio pro- fanely uses any of the nanus, or attributes of the INfost High, shows <;reat diarespeC/t to his partmts, insults christian society, and proscribes himself. Avoid the <-,ompanionship of the profane, as you would that of the pestilence stricken dead. In your manners hi plain and courteous. Be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving t'.ie Lord. Suppress all outward sings of anger and of rage. Turn not froui truth, although it may appear ruggdd and stern; rush not into the arms of a lie, though it may seem a place of refuge for the time ; for it will yet cast you forth, dishonored and polluted, to tlie world's scorn ; cultivate a spirit of self-reliance, and 1^0 forward, realizing that " the fear of the Lord ia the b>'ginning of V\''i8doni." LETTEll V. My Dea.ti Touxg Fiiiexd.s : — I intend at this tim'3 to call your attention to the subject of ylfUH^"(u?()/.<;. That th^re is a n:>cessity for amusemmt of some kind I have no doubt. Man is a complex being. His body and his mini both, in ord'r to maintain strength an'i ascfulness, r.^quire occasional relaxation. But as amusements, ethi- cally considered, may be either virtuo;is or vicious, great care must ba taken to realize those that ennoble the int illect, add tension and strength to th'> relax'>d sinnvs, and increas > every rational ])h^asur,'. No man ahould indiilcje in those that lu.dulv excit; the mind, or that sw.jpp liko a simoom of desolation over fair prospects and profcvisions. Tfc sometimes happens that the ne^d>d recuperation is oblaiu'd by simpl/ changing the seme of labar or business. Gardening, cricket, sw:m;ain;:, rowing, and such like exercises often tend to produce the most b.'neficial off cts on both mind and body. But, on the other hand, we tliit^k that theat-ical pe;'formanc3s, gamblina:, horse racing, iKeentscuous dmcing, and such lik» tend to demorali/.v-? : for tliey wastr ti^ne, corrupt th'- morals, unfit for duty, and plant life's pathway with many sorrows. I am well aware that some of you will not look at these things joat as I do ; and you may feel disposed to exclaim : — It is lima enough IS to warn us when you see us iu ilimgcr. I vlo see ilio ilMig.T, altliough, ind eel, you may not now perc^sivt; it. It is the very nature and art of vicj to app, ar in the fairest possible form. Xow as the ship is built upon the beach, ere she is hiunclied ibrth to brave the oc'i;an spirit, so wouUl J desire to hel[) you, bel'ore you be hiuncthed, as it wen;, upon the soa of life. Of the many things that como to us with garlands of roses about their brows, and professions of love upon their tongue, let us examine the following : — the Theatre, liall Koom, and Gambling. With regard to the ori//in of theatrical peribrmanci. s we can say but little. I'hey obtained in ancient, as well as mod.Tii 1 imes. But although occupying a front rank among popular amuseiiuuits, they scarcely deserve the name ; especially if that old beldame. Tragedy, bo mounted on her stilts. The young man that delights in tragic representations cannot be a person of ordinary humanity. The monster spirit of Noro must be strong within him ; for it is utterly im])ossible for a healthy, ha]>py mind to delight in a banquet ot blood and misery. The theatre lias b.rn d.'fendv'd on the ground that it is a school of morals. Thus, too, has the slave trade been defended. Rtit both have tended to blunt the public sensibility, to harden the heart, and to close the ear against the sighs and sobs of real affliction. Many young people have attended the theatre until every nerve of the throbbing brain was twanging like the string of an over-bent bow ; but their judgments have remained uninformed, their intellects unimproved, their (chafed spirits unsoothed, and their conscience's seared as ^\^th an hot iron. If it be true that nothing is truly great that is not truly good, then the theatre and all of its class stand condemned ; ibr its eflicte, both upon mind and body, have been, and are of the most pernicious character. Shakespeare, with almost super-human intellect, has done more to render the stage attractive, than any other man, living or dead. The " air drawn daggei-" which led Macbeth to Duncan, the voice crying, '•' Sleep no more ; Glammis has nuu'dered sleep ;"' the old king's " silver skin, laced with his golden blood;" and the spirit of murdered Eanquo shaking his gory locks in the old king's face, surround us with an atmosphere pregnant with disease to both mind and body. But, young friends, if you wish to behold scenic representations, go to the Theatre that God has built; h)ok upon the vast national tragedies of the day; contem- platiH the great dramatic throng of life that is bustling onward to fame or ruin ; and listen to the mighty swell of music as it flows from Heaven's own orchestra ; but turn not to the gas lit hole where drunken ranters hold high holiday. Examine with me now, if you please, the matter of iJanclnr/. The dancG as to its origin is of a very early date; and, so far as I can gather from recorded testimony, it is either religious, or the opposite. With the truly rellr/ious dance I have nothing to do at present. My plan calls me to contemplate th-i nature and etlects of what is known by the name of proniisciunK dancing. I can imagine the possibility of a few young people of the same household, " tripping it on the light X I i i 18 fHnla.itit- toe," williout dolug much injury to niiiiil, moraU, or body. But in tho prorni^c'iunis gatlvriiiji; I see envy peirlu'il upon thi' bi'uw ; and J kno'.v tliut jealousy and d-jfoit rankle in the luart. I anticipatt', however, that soino of you may exclaim, 0, ln^ forj^ots that Solomon Bays, that "there is a time t;) dance." So he does ; but In; does not 1 x tlie precise tiun'. Wi' must tJH.'reibie ascertain it Ibr ourselves; 1( r certainly it would h.i very indtcorous to do it at the wrong time. Kow would it do on the Sal/oath day, or bijlbre a Communion ivasr, or when the pestilence stalky abroad at noonday? Jjy all means lo careful to fix the proper time before you commence the ixereisc, and remcmb.M* that, whil.' you whirl in the giddy dance, you will find splendor without lastin;L,' enjoyment; professions of friendslup without eincarity ; smiles when the heart is full of envy; and momentary blisn to be succeeded by ni,'j;hts of sorrt)\v and anguish. AVe have yet to sp..'ak a word or two of (/(onbHit.;/. Of this, periiaps, the most common kind is card playing. Statesm'.-n, mt^rchants, and even ministers of religion are not ashamed to own, and practise it. It ehould th 'refore stand on something lik^ holy ground, and bj of nobK> origin. But what is the fact? It is notorious that cards were inventul to amuse an iifiot king of Franco. 1 will not say that idiotvy is (!haractjn'istic of the whole tribe of card players ; but this 1 will atHrm, that it uiul-rminos th'..' health, wastes prec'ious time, blunts the intellect, sears the conseience, and surely leads to a terminus of ruin. My 3''0ung friends, avoid these things as you would the pnjti'ered cup of poison. A card playing young man is a sorry sight indeed ; but a card plaving young lady is the sorriest of all. Every grace thai tends to ennoble her fair form will soon be transfixed on the sharp cllils of cold hearted indillln-enee. " Forsake the foolish, and live ; and go in the way of understanding." LETTER VI. My Deati Torxa Fiitevds : — t write to you at this time on tho subject of TemjH'rntre. It is one that lies at the foundation of your peac% prosperity, and usefulness in the world. 'IVMnperance is reck- oned by moral philosophers as one of the four Cardinal Virtues. It very deservedly occupies a prominent place in christian ethics, and, in its great and grov.'ing importance, dmiaiuls the serious attention of all right-thinking statesmen and philanthro[)ists. In discussing tliis matter we will endeavor to use great plainness of speech ; for, in an affair that affects the character, usefulness, and iunnortal destiny of man, we have no disposition to bedizen the sacred form of simple truth with tinselry or artificial flower, or to palm upon your judgments glitter for gold. When we see, as we do every day, men rindermining their health, beclouding their reason, corrupting their morals, inHaming their passions, and posting rapidly to a death of infamy and crime, we very naturally ask the cause, and anxioii: ly enquire whether or not wo can find a remedy. 1 b.dicve that a large proportion of the crime committed, and for which men and -women are immured in the ] oiitt^^n- aff-fc •14 tiaries of tlm woi'kl, rnay be traced to lutemperanco m the tause ; Hud the rcnieifi/ for this, uiultT (rod, is pat(mt iff all the world, and cousists in Total Abstinence. By Total Abstinence I mean th(» act or practice of voluntarily refraining from the nse of fermented liquors, except for mechanical, medicinal, or sacramental purposes. On the truth contained in this definition of temperance, as a basis, I am willing and prepared to appf'ar in its defence. 1 am not now going to discuss with you the right ot free thought and action in the ])n'misos, any farther than to remind you that man has a right to tVee thought and action, but jiot to the injury of himself or his fellow creatures. Prudence, or a just regard to our own good upon the whole, f-hould induce us carefully to examine the claims of temperance. And prnd^^nce in t ho management of public atlairs should lead political economisis to give Ibis matter more than ii passing thought ; but Dam- Kumor often tells us that statesmen, so called, and ministerial pulur-ists, are fre([uently so affected by intoxi- cating stimulants tiutt they are often drunk or incapable. From such, rheri'forc, we cannot ho{)e for an ex[)osition of the principles or benefits of t?mperance, except in pd far as they illustrate the supremacy of evil habits. To ])rotec( ourselves from tho insidious example of wine-bibbers, and the postiler.t practices thpt so much subvert the best interests of society, we must be thoroughly prepared to treat them with an emphatic negative. Armed with this talisman we may fearlessly take the field. It will j)rotect head, hav.d, and heel ; and, like Fitz James' blade, answer the double purj)ose of sword and shield. , Tntcmperance is the parent of vice, and saps the foundatirns of a nation's honor as really as it cuts the sinews of its strength, and makes it a coward in the day of battle. Classic Greece, imperial Eomo, mighty Babylon, and many other of the nations of antiquity, crumbled into tl>.- dust, because of their pride, luxury, and intemperance. Suppose every man, in any given commu- nity, claims and c^xercises his right to drink, until reason is dethroned, and all the evil passions of unregenerate humanity riot in wdd confu- sion, W'Ould not such a community be a Bedlam on a grand scale, yea, oven debauchery gone to seed ? i hold, therefore, that every drunkard is a criminal at the bar of reason, of decency, and of God. He is not only a moral blot on the body politic, but he is a positive curse in what- ever place he drawls out his miserable existence. It is the positive duty of every man to contribute something to adorn and bless society ; but the poor inebriate fritters away his time, wastes all his talents, and 60, with a darkening downward career, he plants with many thorns his dying pillow. lielieving that a tree is known by its fruit, and that the fruits of intemperance are evil, and that continually, I wish to set before you the follow-ing facts, so that, as a just jury, you may join issue with me in trying the panel at the bar. First : Intemperance is a great waster. Time, whose waves carry us forward to the shores of an eternal world, is frittered ; health, without which wealth and honor are as nothing, is undermined ; property, of which man at best is but a stewart, is squandered ; and the mind- — thil it use : Hud cousists iintnriiy 'Iiniiicni, in this ;o iippoar riglit of remind to the it regard examine of public ro than a smen, so y intoxi- om such, • benefite c*v of evil '-bibbers, erests of 'Uiphatic the field. , answer parent as it cuts of battle. other of eir pride, 1 commu- 'throned, d confu- jale, yea, Irunkard Ic is not in what- positive 1 society ; mis, and lorns his , that the b to set nay join carry us without perty, of Lnd~th4i 1.^ i«if,andn;'il of thf jn.iii - is reduced to th.> gibb.'rings of dipsomaniri. Sc'^iind : IntHmpi'fance forms h'nf itHidncfs. Birds of a feather flock together. The liabit of drinking partakes of th':" Hcial character, and thus it j'oster's a cust(Jiu at onct^ degrading to both head and lu-art ; for it brings a man into the fi-Uowship of th.^ immoral, and i-onducts to an untimely, dishonored grave, as steadily as the poi.s?tl and free magnetic needle do 'S to the noi'tli. Third: Inti'mperanee is very i-nn penal colony. Fifth : Intemperance is no ms-y *(',•.'( /• of pT^^ons. If its evils were ftonfinod solely to the male portion of the human nu'e there might be found in it som^^ r-deeming feature ; but, alas, it has invaded the ranks of the fair sex. and brought many of them low, even to the dust. O what a melancholy sighl ! to bjhold a wojuan, once of the fairest form, the light of joy sparkling in Jier eyes, and the grace of beauty radiant in her stately step])ings, pass through life a votary to strong drink, descending gradually in the m.intal, moi-al, aiul physical scale, till she pinks into a prenuiture grave, dishonored and unlami.'nted. I)ut if the ftvils of time were the only ones that grow upon this tree of death wi? might leel less concern. It has a f ';i'.*ful bearing on efei-md ini'i'n-ith, and, therefore, taking it f)r granted lat you believe in a future state, 1 ask — what is the poor drunkard's future prospect? To heaven the path of intemperance never leads. lie that judges righteously has said, '•Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,. . . . . . . .shall i)iaerit the kingdom of God." These are some of the evils of inebriation ; but thc-e point out as clearly as if written by a n, sunbeam, that temperance is a good cause, calculated to honor God, aiul to pour sluwers of blessings on humanity. Ministers of Religion, long liave you wept ov'-r this sore evil, as you 6aw it sweeping away, as by a pestilt'uc.e, soir.:' of the v.i'M. promising of your flock. Help the laboi'ers in the temperance field, and thousands yet unborn will rise up to call you bh\ssed. ]\rember.s of the church, vou are now rejoicing in the ho])e of a glorious immortality ; but do not, 1 beseech you, assist those that bind the fatal cliain ai oujid the head and heart of wine's votary. Young men, I say unto yon, aiisc^ in the might of your conscious manhood, and contend against this t!vil till th(i papan of victory is sung in every place. Go forward, and if you should navo to bif-^ the dust, it is in a noble cause. Pi*e^s on ; for bv eonsistr- 4 19 1 cnt, pfTaiHlenl, atnl cliristian t-H'ort, «uon tlie mt'lanoholy iriinor« ih.it; now niiU' oni'tli's iiR'liJilio.s will tu.'ttSL", and llio liosjumas of an eiifran- cliisc'd raci! )).' licanl in cvcrv laud. " Jiouk not thou ii pon tl 10 wint^ wlion it i.s red, when it in the world. 3<^ature [)rovides us vith no ready ine.de clothing ; tiil of late, honors were seldom granted by J'oyal hands; and although usefulness does not roallv coivdst in the abundance of our nutans, v(.'t without means \V(^ are oomparatividy powei'less. To meet the wantn of natiu'e, to pass through lif' us(?t'.dly, and to have thi' dark d'\sceni lighted up with ihe presence of l)i.'ight fures, we must lie economical. I have, lived long enough to see tliat the poor man is helpless and oxpos'-nl. During life he is shunniMl a!id (lisj:osp;.'eti,'d : his d'ath ia looked upon with inditlereiice; cont:'mpt hamits him to the grave's mouth; and with indecent haste he is hurried into the. narrow house with scarcely a grassy sod toniark the place of his interment. It is perfectly ji'ain that c(*onomy is a duty required by the provisions of nature, and j;;',.^gnant with j)ositlve enjovment. The young man wh(> lias a few dollars saved is not only on the way to respectability, but lie is acquiring a position also of ind.iipendenca and ple;isure. Tho frugal are trusted and hono:'ed by imui, and have the conscious satis- facition of knowing that as free agents they caii move aljout, if they so will it. It is a pleasure to be free. It is a noble privileg s to be inde- pendent; and free from the fear of want, blessed with the fruits of prudence, we can afford to laugh at the smih.'s, or f'owns of the world. I will now give you som ,^ r>;asons why you >hould be economical. It is a great prcrcntive of crime. A. great part of the criminality of this, and of other lands, can be traced to indolence and improviden"e. 1 do not present frugality as a sovereign ])anacea for all the ills of human life : but this I say, that the industrious generally ap])reciato the valua of tiuve, property, and character, and are, therefore, seldom found in th'> com'pany of the immoral. Welf-proservation require-ji them to be diligtuil in busincs.s, iervent in spirit, serving the Lord. But this is not all. Economy tends to remove the evilf: of fioverfi/. These ovilf; are a^ niimorouis as th-'^ wtars of hfavif^n, and carry havoc I it •:#• '•^>'^ 17 irM f.h.'it; 'iifraii- lio wino 'th it.MoU' addt'i'." y calltnl ion iiiss II iinij)li- comes, UMll, b.) luliciou.s u sauo uidaliun cndi'iic^* iiiy;; tijl illlioui^h Ills, yet > waiit.s il'sceiii luiuiical. MS and d.'atli ii .V houso . II. is sioiis of an \\ ho litv, but s .^atiH- tliey na )ii indi'- hiiis of > world, loniical. !dity of 'ii'u'n"v>. ills of )re<*iato seldoin ! Jiord. tnvertif. havoc. ( f and desolalioii into tho ranks* of men. *'Th(» prudent man firosooth the t'vil and hidulh lnm.scdf ; the; eimplo ])asy on and an; [)unished.'' It inaysuit poi'ts, or moon htruck swains, to sirij^' of the glories cS poverty ; but rest assured, that, unh^ss the millennium, about which iljere have been so many false ])ropht'eies, change the nature and liluijss of things, no respect will ever lie showed to a ragged coat, or the shoulders that \^ear it. Prud(>nce, or a just regard to our good iil)on the whole, will, under all ordinary circumstances, raise a man ;d>ove the fear of want. i3ut more thaii this. Economy enables a man to be nscfu!. U'ithout money we are comparatively jiowerless ; but uith it, if we are 80 disposed, we can dothi; the naked, feed the hungry, and help time's pilgrim to the haven of rest. Thus a fountain of perennial }>lt'ssedue.s» is opened, and the honorable distinction of doing good i.s vritteti on the imperishable records of true glory. Further. A proper managoMient of your atfairs tcill heJ/) yon in ')!'/ a, endeavor to havt', at least, a Branch in our shire town, ami thus they will prov(; themselves beneiiictors indeed. I am prepared to hear some old nuin who has accumulated a few dollart> exclaim, "(), if we institute Savings' Banks we will raise our younir iui'ji into too much importance; we may lose our hold upon them, and. lheref(»re, we must veto every attem])t to raise those temples of wisdom, independence, and ]>ower." This is a mistaken ])oHcy altog'ther; for in raisir;g our young men in the social ,>c;de we are dealiug out a death blow to emigration, and convertiiig an otherwise useless comminiit'- itito a loyal and pat.'iotie yeomanry. iJiit, perh:i])s, same line old fientiraentalist may say that Savings' Banbi tend to produce selfishness, A«(l Hhuuhl^ thorafore, ri'cjive no frtvor. I admit thtiL iu a few oaso^ i IS liuM'luii'<;i' inav bo tnic ; bill il is iiijt at all a Ic^itliiiiilo coiise(|iii'ric(' .in ri'j^anl to the j^ivat body of (l-posilors. Tlio iil)ii.st' of a [ji'opcr p'iiiciplc will not justity us in custin;^' it nsid'. W iiie objcciion liii*^ any lorci' at all, it would ra/.t- to tlic ^,'round vwry cluu-ch I'diticc in tli" world; for soiiio protrssinif rt-lii^ion have bt'coun" bij^ots; it would send Ihi! whole faculty of physicians on a voyage of disi-overy ; for some hlraii<;e things have occurred in the medical pi'ofes^' in. Vounj^ men, agitate this matter until your voice is heard. Tl;!- Ilrst liank, or liranch theri'of, (•st.ildished in the vilhige will b;' the c )mmenceinent of a new era. Mad prodigality that destroys your p;)\\er, undermines your indepetidence, and opens one of the saddc'-t pages in history, will be cast out as an unclean thing. Vea, you wil! leave behiiul you footprints of <'harity on the sands oi time; for. •' Lires of great men ixll remind us, We can miiko duv lives sublime, And, departinp:, It-ave behind us Footprints on tlio Fands of Time; Footprints that perhaps another. Sailing o'er life's tiolcnni mnin, A forlorn and shipwrecked lirother, Seeing, may take heart again." " He that gatherelh in sinnmer is a wise son ; but he that .♦sleepetli !•.: harvest is a son that causeth shame.'' LETTEE VIII. My Dk.vti Youno Friends: — I call yovu* atten'iion at litis time (.» Ihe subject of /("('/////o;*. DonotltU'u away front tlie reading of t!;)- letter because, by some, the natun; and duties of religion may be wel. understood. By many, however, the prescriptions' and i)leasures thereo:' are sadly perverted. It becomes iiis, therefore, to endeavor, not ord\ to uiidersiand, but also to practise, t!ie duties that ai'e e\idetitly incuui- bent upon us, in oin* several ])laces and relations. 1. do not wish, iii treating of this all-important matter, to weary you with silly ])latitudt's . but, with as much brevity as possible, in the ])lainest language, to exhibit religion's fair form, as she is clothed in her robes of liglit, jit.ui as she prescribes her laws, aiul. distributes her benefactions to a needy race. The christian religion I regard as a system of heaven-born, pure and holy doctrines, together with all possible embodiment of these in consistency of lite. No man can be truly religious who has nt)t a scrip- tural creed ; but a man may have an excellent confession, and be, never- theless, in heart, a very Judas. Whilst, therefore, confession is like the intellect, and profession the outward form, practice is the body dv' religion, it is of the body, rather than of the head or outward forte. r wish to s])eak at this time. I must take it for granted that vim telieve in the existence of one supreme and eternal Being. The acknov. - ledgment of this underlies a proper understandiitg of either natural, ot- revealol religion. It is the fool, only, that has said in his heart, there is no Glod. But whilst Nature, marshalled in her beauty, j^roclaiuu-i t lb- unl \V.i Hi lit; I Hdl lb III ual (i. bv| 1(1 ''oiist'(|iicn('i' Ot il |)f()[)CI" '.i''c(i()ii liiis •dilicc in tliM ; lor snu'.i- K'finl. Tl;,. will 1);. fl„. stroy.s yoii!' Hie s.uMcM. 'a, voii wil! ; for. Mt't'pctl, Ills tiifu' tj ■iiij; of t!;i. i;iy 1h' \V('I: ii'fstlifrcr. !'. not onlv itly iiKMiii* "f Mi'.sh, if, l)lflli(ll(lf!. ; ' ii£i;hl, {itkI needy r-ace. i'(»rn, pure, 'f tiie.se in lot ji scrip- be, neve!-- ioii is lijvf le: body (ii' vard ftirti . that yva leacknov.- nnturai w' ?ai't, there J^irocluitiu-i ill ' eli'rnni pow-r iinil ( iodlicad, it is IJcvelulinn. in ln'r ;;r;iiul('iir, thnt untoids lliiii ill ill.' m,it.riii''<"i"iif*i' <'l' "ix ;^l"''y niid p;r!i<'*'. To the W'onl, tlieii, \vt; iiiiisl have reeoinse i'oi' a eniiiplete knowledge ol' His eliaracter, and 1'or our dii'eclioii in duty. A late writer very Justly nhserves that the Hihle contains hn\s from heaven t'or the miidance ot' lite on earth, lint 1 take it tor uranted, also, that you ace: pf llu' Hd»le us the Word ot' (lod. No reliifious man can reject it without • loiii<^ violence to the laws of coiinnon sense and proper evidence. It was uttil»le t'or un|)rincipled men to j)r()duce (he Scripture. (Jodd irien would never, for a luoiiifiit, eiich'avor to deceive the world by introducing a hook as their own, whilst they knew it wholly 1)eloiuj;ed unto another. The Bible is of (tod. It is Heaven's ency- clical h'ttor to the world. By it, as it reflects tlie ]ii;ht of Jehovah's character, and points out the tria^ charaet«'r of man as he was as he is- -and as he ought to be, our whole pathway, as it relates to (lod, ourselves, or our fi^llow-creatures, is to be rep;idated and adorned. lieli^j;ioii, undoubtedly, inculcates the duty of pni'/nnr. '* A i)rudent. man fore.seeth the evil and hideth himself: the simjile pass on and are punished." In this commendation of prudential manat^ement we have not only thr; exci'llency but also the nature of the virtue exhibited. It is ji just repird to our own ji;oiid upon the whole, and, at the sairu^ time, H powerful stimulant to direct us to labor aHer the maintenance of the honor, usefulness, and res[)ectability of others. Wherever there is a cf)mmiinity of want, there men touch each other at every ])oint. .'lud are atfect 'd for «^ood or evil. No man, therel'ore, who has a just estimate of himself, or of 1 lie lilness ol' things, can indulge for a UKtment the passions of envy, inaliee, orrevenge. He knows full well that the ell'.'c.ts of the«ie recoil upon himself :iad blast, as with a pestilence, his »iwn rej)utation, usefulness, and comfort. I do not consider it at all necessary to enumi'rate the various divisions of jirudence as <];enerally made by moralists. They are, upon the whole, judicious. But what- ever its topical or textual arrangements may bv^ we must never ibrget that in its constitution thL>re must b.> sagacity, presence of mind, and «'X[);n'iene.e. Prudence is of the utmost inijiortance. It will regulate our US3 of timi\ select our companions, fortifv us against many of the evils of poverty, and deliver us from the seductions of vie:'. It will not suH'v'r our religion to d(^seend to an empty form, our zeal to bi'come furious biirotry, or our Christianity to degenerate into the dark specu- latlous of blind superstition. Cherish this virtue. It will give you ])Ower among men ; adding unto you length of days, riches and honors : "A jrodil man doth his favor show, Anil (toth to others lend: lie wUli discretion his affnirs Will guide unto the end." But religion inculcates the duty of being piovf aaJ. Punctualitv, or «c.rupulous exactness, as Webster defines it, is both honorable and just. It is well worthy of the consideration of all, but especially of Mie young. No rank, class, or condition of men can safely dispense with it, even 20 for a moment. It is of the utmost importnnro to tho comfort nn«l •ucficss of nil iimtterN- fivil, sjici-fd, (tr doincxtic Wimt of Ihi.s virtue is tho ri'nson wliv so niriiy nu'ic.liuiitH fail in Im^iiu'ss, so many familifH are ulways in confuNion, uiid k) iiinny yoiui^.'; men niv iviipinii; only mortilication from unsucccshful puiNnits. W'v luiist mcKnvor to !)»• punctual in thu discharge of rvfiy duty; tor wo i-.avo no rif;lit to. lufringo on thc! just expi'cljilions of others; mid, assurodly, want (»f punctuality will issue in trouble to ourselvt's and others. The indolent j*ervant, tiie la/.y school-boy, and the forgetful paymast(M' should imm»«- diatt'ly begin to loarn lessons in this dejiarlmi-nt of uset'id knowhdg»». But how does it come to pass that any are deficient in the pnielice of this excellent virtue? 1 answer : bc-ause with nu«ny there is a want of Older in tho mnnagcmont of their ail'airs. Some people keen tluir business, like their brains, in a state of unpleasant confusion. But tho cauwe lies chiefly in defective perception. If young men, yea, all men, clearly saw the beauty, ])ower, and blessi'dnes.s of being punctual in th« discharge of their duties, the wheels of connnerce \\oula roll on more •moothly, the asperities of life would be sottened down, and the truo Augustan age, ol peace and plenty, would be realized by earth's weary ones. Hut religion directs us to the duty of jter/^fvemnre. Truo, the spirit of continuanc^o may conduct vis in the path of good or evil ; but, as soon as W'(^ are convinced that the way we are travelling leads to a terminun of ruin, prudence checks our steeds, and calls to circumspection. Persw- verance may not remove mountains, but it will overcome great difficul- ties. And let it be borne in mind that the great benefactors of our race have been the silent but st.'ady plodders in the path of duty. Ihit for this, the mailed warriors of ]•' ranee would have forevin* trampled down the libc'rties of Europe; but for this, the heroic band of IJritish soldiers at Waterloo would have been driven into the forest of Soignies ; but for this, the immortal Wa.shington would never have brcn called •'the Father-of his Country;" and but for this, fosv marks of industrial or moral gn^atness would have ever blessed the earth. I had intended, when 1 commenced this letti^r, to have said some- thing to you on the subject of ^.»/e^/. Piety has been defined, of eld, as, "eultus deorum, et reverentia parentum," which is, freely trjiiislated, Our worship of God, and reverence for our parents. Piety leads a man to reven nee the great name of Jehoxah, and to avoid ])rofanely using tttiy of His attributes, words, or works. But it teaches us to horor our superiorvS in age or attainmc^nts, to deal gently with our inferior* In station, and to b' christian and courteous in all the walks of l.fe. Be prudent, be persevering, but, by all means, be pioiis; for it \\i;L ^give you a never fading crown of glory. " Take fast hold of inbtri.cticn ; let her not go : keep her, for she is thy li'b." LETTER IX. My Teau Youn3 FiUE.VD8:~In the pri ceding letters I have bern and^avori) g to _^ oinfc out t -» ycu somo oi the duties that }ou ought I i!l ifovt iuul hi.s virliu* y tiiiiiilirH vor to b»' ri^lit la , watif i»f B indok-nt iiM iimiu«- iu)\v1k!^'(». t' pr.'icl i(V i.s a Will it cej) tlii'ir Hul Iho , all incn, iial in thn on inoro llio tlllt* h'H weary tho spirit t, aH soon lenninuH t.difficiil- rs of our ty. ihit trampled f IJritish SoignJPH ; 3n calU'd tidustrial id some- fl'cld, an, linslaU'd, ds a man ly usin!: ,0 horor inil-n'ors i of l:fo. ' it wiil ructicn ; ive bc";n u ougtt rnnjtantly to ol)si rtr ati.l tin. In llii."*, T m.lirlt your ca'.f'i'ul alfcntiori to yoiiic of lliusi' ti«itii,'s Null . 'I'Iut*' an- ilutii s uf a nt'i^ativi} cliiiraclor as truly ii.s tiii-rr nro son'.- ut a |i us 'fill ln among those who ought to know Iwtter. In any attempt you luake to ptdl your neighbor down, you may rest assured that yf>n w'U fall with him, and perhaps be the party that is uiulermost. The safest and most honor- able course for you to pursue, when you have to deal with persons of a malignant or suspieious disposition, is, either to treat them with contempt, or to crush them at once. I have lived long enough to see that no middle course will subserve the eruls of honor, peace, or justice. But whdst 1 counsel vou thus, concerning those immoral and unmanlv characters, I b^'seech you so to live that even those who are intoxicated with pride and self-conceit may tind no just cause; of ofl'ence. Further, in the third place ; do not associate with habitual appointment-lireakcrs. They are an imnioral company, and will surely do you harm. Covenant breakers may be found in every place, and their name is legion. An appointment is a voluntary engagement, and \nll be held sacred by every man of probity and honor. No right thiidcing man can, with indifterence, trample on the just expectations of his fellow-men. A few minutes behind time may be of little consequence to one ; b\it when you rellect that, in many cases, tho time and opportunities of many are affected by want of exactness in fulfilling engagements as to time and place, then, indeed, the breach of promise is a perious evil. I regard u/ I ° •il' i \ I ! nil !(j)j)()iiiiin(Mi', riK'i'.'io"^', its i'. soliMiin promise, juul llie broacli of it ax a violiilioii ot"tli(' ])rii!('i|)l(>s ot' ti'iilli, hoiioi", and justice. Keep your appoiiitiiifnts, young nu-n, tor although it may, in th(! meantime, cost vou much to do it, vet, in the end vou will b.' ivuarded, and men \vill endeavor, to some extent at least, to meet you in your own spirit, I'lit in thetburth ],']acc ; we caution you i-.gainst confounding principles nnd opinions. Principles are ettM'ual : o[)inions are as mutable a.s the sands on the st!a shore. Neither should you blend creeds and practices. tTei3ds may b.^ thoroughly orthodox, wliilst tlie carnul exponents of them may be as far from their truth as the I'H^t is distant from the west. Many an excellent creed has been si-outed, just because hypocrisy, in botb its forms — simulation and dissimmulation — has marked tlie conduct of its nomiTiai pi'ofessor. i'roper jtrinciple, being either a cause or rule of action, should produce good tVuit ; but we conclude, sometimes, that inasmucli as many, of w1iom N\e expected better things, do wrong, ther(;fore tfiere is no such thing as principle to guide or , I counsel you to guai'd against a rough, rude, or domineering maimer. You may rest assured that sueli a nuuiner is neither profitable to you, nor pleasant to others. A\"e have no right to treat others liarshly, or in a liaughty spirit. Such a spirit or conduct in an old man is contemptil^le ; but in a young one it is alto- gether intolerable. A domineering manner is the result of pride and ignorance. Xo man who understands his own nature, and has the smallest idea of what is due to others, can [or a moment ])ractise it. 1. know that many are so consequential as to imagine that vliey are tlie people, and knowledge sliall die with them, ^fhey speak and act, as if thev would say to us, " 1 am Sir Oracle, and A\hen I ope my mouth, let no dog bark." Many young men seem to think it manly to be rude and boisterous ; but this 1 can truly say, that I never knew a manly yoiuig feUow manifest either such a spirit or manner. A kind, courteous, obliging uianner will wonderfidly assist an aspiring youth to reach the goal of desiderated good. First of all, then, counuit your way inito the Lord. Acknowledge JTim in all your ways, ami lie will direct your paths. Follow the honest convictions of your own consciences. Do not expose the state of your mind or feelings to any frail mortal, unless you are perfectly sure; that you may obtain benefit by so doing, lear no man, act independently, and go forward. You have but to take the right course, and to persevere therein, that success may crown your just cndeavorH. i iiiii 2:5 u-h of it as Cecp yoiii* itime, c-o.st I men Mill uti t<})irit. principles )le as the^ practices, oneiits of I the west. )0('risy, in irked the f either a conclude, :er things, guide- or f such an 3 countcM'- t'pocrites ; !i glorious iwiiy with IS because principles ^0. , rude, or uuniei" is no right spirit or it is alto- pride and . has the I'actise it. <.\v are tlie I act, as if y mouth, ily to bo ' knew a A kind, Dg youth imit your , and lie our own IS to any n benefit !'d. You [•ein, that letti:k X. Mv Dear Yorva Fi;ii;Nns:--Jti l.'iis IclUr I continue lo advif'r veil should caiefullv avoid. And you concerning some of those things here, first, let me caution vou against 1 hose h umau ow Is wli o re''o;'nize no smile on nature's face, ua beauty in her gorgeous trappings, but vi"W with an indili'ercnt or stupitl gaze the wonderful works of Cod. dmi- Without cont roversv that man must I)'. uJuk 1 who se( n otl nng ! rable in the star gennned heavens — deaf, vvho iiears no 1 anuon\- in llio music f the snhere'^- i'nd dead, as to fineness of sensibilitv, who f eeJs no thrilling emotifui within liim, when he. considers the o)igin, orde;', iialui'e, and functions of the heavenly bodies. Beware of the sociely of I hose whose moral percejitions rise no higher than the green sod on which they stand, and whose creed may be su'iunarily c()mprehende({ in the quaint, but characteristic, sentiment, "they live to e;it," ]\leu of an Atheistic projiensity would have us to believe that tliis earth is nothing, that its inhabitants are all a(^tuated by inotives of selfishness, and that we are all moving townids the sanui goal under the leadings ol:' blind fatalism. We do not deiiy that th'>! earth has, by sin, been shorn ol" uuich of its beauty. J?ut bolievl.ig flij'.t th(> very pins arul clasps of natur(\ so to speak, manifest wisdom ;)r.d be:;e\(Mence, we regard tluMuany eA'ils that abound in the earth as so many i^cars that tell of its travail and sorrow. Yet, after all, the eaiih is not irre- deemably bad. Its n(;ble coruscations prefigure a future gi nesis ci' beauty. As nnieh as possible, therefore, look on th(> biiglit side of everything. Such a course will tend to diginify your own natu.re, and to make you more nssiduous in the impi'ovement of your fellow-creatun^s. But fartlier : avoid as inuch as possibki the Ccturts of Civil I-aw. Against the Courts and the laws of tlie land I have nothing at jiresent^ to object ; for I believe that the laws generally are good, ami that the .hulges u])on the T3ench are men of integrity, ability, and prudence- yea, men thoroughly able to illustrate their position in any part of the British Dominions. But, nevertheless, tiie old adage is time, that "lawishiw." It has man-, i turn;;uul its issues are problematical. 1 have lived long enough to see that yoiuig ukmi havt\ by a love for the law, dissipated some fine estates, aiid reduced thi-mselves to a state of insolvency. Xever go to law for trifles. In such a case, it uuiy be said, ti'iily, that the wiinier is a loser. The young man who acquires a taste for Courts of Law will soon become a pest in the place where he resides. But supposin.ij that you are comipelled to go to law, then, in sueh a case, 1 advise you to use your utmost endeavors to defend yoiu'selves, and to obtain a rigliteous verdict. And ft me instruct you tarther, in the event of your ap])earance in a court of judicature, never to take counsid from an uiq)rof'ssional lawyer; for an inqu'ofes- sional man, whose favorite study is the law, is generally a great rogue. Consult those men who have standing in the legal ])rofession. I'ell them your case with the utmost frankness ; do not ])lead your own cause before vour law\er ; but confide to him all that voii knou. 24 for nrul aj^aiiist, hvA be ruled in your defl'nce by his inslructionH, Agiiin : I entreat you to avoid all habits of iiidi)l(jnci^ extravagance, or j)arsitiioiiy. Indolence is almost an unpardonable sin ; for the iiuLiii'nt lie like an incubus on the neck of industry. The iudulcut are generally itrprovident. " Go," therefore, " to t^e ant, thou sluggard ; con.sider her ways and be wise." If thou wilt not, then rest a.ssured that " thy poverty shall come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man." 13ut to all this you may very possibly reply : T. do not require to bo industrious ; for my father, or somtbody else, has left me enough to meet all my wants. If it be with you really as you say, be thankful; but remember that you are still lx)und to occujjy your talent in such a way that your life will neither be a blot nor a blank in society. In tliis worlrl there is room and work for all. If, therefore, you should refuse to put forth any energy to increase your stores — physical or mental — you will certainly pass through life neglected, die disregarded, and your monumeatal record will be shrouded in darkness. But this is not all. G-uard against extravagance ia all its forms. Extravagance is dissipation. IS^o man, young or old, has a just right to be irregular or unreasonable in the use of his property. The waster aTi(f the slothful man stand on the same level. They are brethren in crime; for, if we are morally bound to use our talent^! in a right way, undoubtedly we are bound not to abuse them in any way. To avoid the charges of indolence and extravagance some have l)ecome parsimonious in their habits. For parsimony I oiler no excuse. If is the outcome and evidence of a small mind. No young man, who u influenced bv proper ])rinciples, can be either extravagant or parsi- monious. IJe liberal, be just ; and, whilst you gird on your harness for life's conflict, go forward in the fear of the Lord. Finally : 1 warn you against the frequent and unchristian habit of fault-finding. C ensoriousness, or the disposition to blame and condemn, is always bad in itself, and ])roductive of manifold evils. A carping, fault- Hnding old uum is a type of fallen humanity that is extremely disagree- able, but such a disposition in a young man is bad beyond description Xo man \mh the spirit of benevolence within lum can cherish or j)riu-tise it, for it springs from a heart that is cruel and depraved. Tha imdicious, envious, and revengeful person is just the immoral Atropos that cutx the thread of happiness by his dai'k insinuations, by his unjust rriloc- tions, and by his colored statements. Beware, therefore, of this palpable a'ld d-iiep-toned wickedness. Insinuation, if it be not true, is a specie » of moral assassination, and, in some instances, it may be more culpable than actual nnirder. Be generous in your views. He charitabU' in your treatment of the character and conduct of others, and (indea.vor to live in the practice of that religion which inculcates the duty of being " kindly aflectioned one to another with brotherly love ; in honor preferring one another." In conclusion, let me appeal to you, young men. In the name of everything that is sacred I ask you to examine candidly, and to test fairlv the sentiments that I havo advanced in thpp« letters. 1 admit ^•>' .^ iiistructlonH. extravagance, sin ; for the Thu imlolent ant, tliou uot, then rosl. leth, and thy ossibly reply : jiiiLbody eirie, yoti reuUy as md to occupy a blot nor a i for all. Jf, increase your hrough life ill be shrouded ragancc iu all ig or old, has his property, el. Tht'V ard- our taleiits in m in any way. H'. have lx;coinc :io excuse. It. g man, who in gant or ])arsi- i your harness ristian h;d)it of e and condemn, L carping, fault- emelydl.^ragfoe- md description .M'ish or]ir;i('tise The mali(;iou,s, opos that cutu unjust niioc- of this palpnhio rue, is a specie .<» e inoro culpable le c]iaritubh> in , and endeavor leduty of being !ove ; in honor that thbv .ire not, ir\ f;vcry --'Wcct, jusi what T could liOiVe wiHhed them to bii ; stiU 1 am persuadeH that neither you nor they will loan much by tho closoftt scrutiny. IjJ.vamino them in the light of Reason. ri.xj)enencL<, and Jitivclation. If they ti:ach not according to ihc iitter- unc(;s of these, thru cast them aside; but ii* they contain dirocaions fimply endorsed by tiiem, you cannot disregard them but at ) our peril. ! havo been endi-avoring, in a plain and simple way, to indicate the •\ith of duty and of moral greatness. Yet, as nothing can be truly ••.-eat oj' good without tlie Divine Blessing, I admonish you t<> "Trust i'l thi.'. Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own under- standing. In all thy waya acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy p.'itiis." liubor diligently to increase your stores of useful knowledge. Kcwan- of the fascination of evil associatipns. Iviigdeavor to elevate yourselves in the moral hemisphoro of being. B^; prudent in all your r«'latione.hip» in life, and }ou need not greatly fear the wave that t will soon come. Work, therefore, while it is calk-d to-day, for *• Art IK Innj:, ami timo i« tlectin'/, .An(i our li»';iit-.'. liinii^h stinii iimi hrfi*^, St'll. li. .' mnffl.'il '1)iiins, are bcfiting Fniieral msuTlu'n to tlie giJivc." •' And tui'^idcs this, giving ail diligence, add to yuur faith \irtue, and t J virtue knowledge, and to knowledge t£;mperance, and to tt-mperance itatienc •, and to patiencj godlines.s, and to godhncss brotherly kindness, :indto brotherly kindness charity. For if these tilings be in you, and sbound, thoy maki- you that yo shall neither hr burreii nor unfruitful in the kno\\ln(g<' oj'our Lord Jesus Christ." In the name of ily, and to test. Iters. 1 admit I 5^' i 'J W S P A I ' K 11 \M> T!ii» i'i\/k;iv, i-i a iwiMity-cioIu i-oiuinn wccM; . jIcvoIimI i,> I.it.'r.ii ui-> ;ii!(l .News, :hh1 is t iioPDHL^lily inticp- ;:i!riit in tuin . lii'ir!" ihf oiih ii-'W "■ M.iP r iii ' 'iniifiii'!;! mi ('.rUii' <\A t•\\■r\\\^- 1 •t.n)<.i''S, i! ;il]')!'iis :i'i T'l > .lllir.' i'l Ut!l SH'|iji|!'ii Wllh i-lriiil 'cs l')r P L A 3 -M A T^ D Tl ?•) A M E n 1 A L •■•!ii'"ii ij'-- •,')•!' Ml ; li! , ill II. i; iMi'i "a^fil ''". 1.1. (■ ii'.l,!:lHiM ii i;i\\ iii;ii.Ti.'!l. J, ALBERT BLACK,