My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. THIS address of religious wisdom, though applicable no doubt to us all, seems from its connexion to have been designed by the preacher particularly for the young. It is intended chiefly for that interesting period of life, when the character is about to take its strongest and most decided direction. When the season of pupilage and discipline is expiring, and the mind is beginning to think, and to prepare to act for itself; when untaught by experience to distrust the illusions of fancy, and to disbelieve the promises of hope, life seems to the young enthusiast to open nothing but a long and gay vista, lined on every side with pleasures and honours; at this ambiguous age it is, that religion is represented as lifting her mild and sacred voice. My child, listen to my words, the words of your truest friend. You are about to decide the happiness of your life on earth-it may be of your 66 1 life beyond the grave. Those happy days of careless innocence, when you could repose entirely on others, have now passed away. It was not to be expected that your path was always to be pointed out by a parent's hand, its dangers foreseen for you by a parent's wisdom, and its difficulties removed by a parent's tenderness and care. It is the order of nature that each one should in due time be called to act from his own mind, and consult for his own well-being. You do not wish it should be otherwise. I see your eye already kindling with hope, and your breast swelling with ardour, at the thought of grasping the reins of self control, and becoming the arbiter of your own conduct. The world is at length all before you, and you see how lavish it is of its promises, to allure your affection, and captivate your young imagination. Life seems to you, as a distant and unexplored landscape appears to the eye of one who views it from an eminence. All is beautiful and bright. The forests wave their green and lofty tops in the western breeze; the streams glitter in the morning sun; the mountains tower in calm and solemn majesty; the vallies wind among them in luxuriant verdure; and as far as the eye can stretch, to where the land seems to touch and mingle with the sky, there is nothing to lessen the delight with which you regard so fair a vision. Here, you say, peace and contentment must surely dwell! what but happiness can find a residence here? But a nearer approach will undeceive you. You will find that every thing has been softened and improved by distance. You will no doubt still see much to admire; much to vindicate the wisdom and goodness of the Creator and Disposer of all. But you will find too, that the paths are rougher than you thought. You will meet with difficulties which you did not expect. Where you thought to find only security, you will see that innumerable dangers were lurking. You will find flowers blooming over the precipices which theyconceal; and unless you take heed to yourself, your feet will slide where you least imagined it, and you may fall never to rise. Do not, however, hastily arraign your Creator for calling you to pass through this scene of dangers. He has wisely, though mysteriously, ordered all things. He does not leave you to explore the dark and doubtful paths of life without a guide. He hath showed you, O man, what is good; and it rests with yourself to say whether you shall obtain it. He has sent me from his own right hand to direct your inexperienced steps, to lead you in ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace. My son, give me then thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." Such is the invitation which religion makes to the young. And never in the long annals of time was there one human being, who at the close of life, did not rejoice if he had listened to it, and lament with bitter tears, if he had rejected it. |