Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

Having perhaps read or heard much concerning the beauty of wisdom, and the dignity of virtue, their youthful fancies yet undebauched, were fo enchanted with those ideas, as to fuppofe nothing more could ever be requisite to defend them from vice and folly. Poffeffed by this lovely enthufiafm, they did not consider that a seducing object always hides at firft the wickedness, or the meanness, which might attend their compliance with it, and that flights of untried magnanimity would fcarcely be fufficient to furmount the unceafing fnares made ufe of to deceive and destroy them. Above all, they omitted the grand precaution we now recommend.

Say, my beloved charge, are you, in good earneft, folicitous to preferve your virtue untainted, and to enjoy its fruits unimpaired? Then liften a few minutes longer to the words of a friend, who has your happiness deeply at heart. They may be the last he shall ever have an opportunity

be

of addreffing to You. May their efficacy apparent to your friends and your country, when he shall fee you no more!

While you study with an amiable ardour all that is generous, refined, and heroic in fentiment, while you efteem and cultivate those whom it appears habitually to influence, beware how you permit what is commonly called by that name to be impofed on you in place of religious principle, or as fuperfeding the neceffity, of Christian Faith. Be affured, that every fyftem of philofophy which excludes the Deity, or of morals which affects to forget him, and the most important manifeftations of his will to mankind, is defective, erroneous, and treacherous. Be affured, that those who would throw you entirely upon the resources of Reafon alone, by robbing you of the lights, the comforts, and the aids of Revelation, are at bottom your worst enemies, let them boaft of what benevolence, rectitude, or reverence for

you

truth, they pleafe. They would, in effect, draw from a castle strongly fortified, and richly provided, to encounter diftress and danger in an open field, under every difadvantage.Let not, my young men, oh let not the flattery of others, or your own felf-love, tempt you to try needless experiments on the power of human refolution in repelling mischief, or in going just fo far and no farther; a conceit, a chimera, by which multitudes have been cheated and undone. Avoid the first approaches to evil: fly its occafions: fly the inftruments and votaries of Vice: nor hearken to thofe that urge a compromise between her and her opponent: they would deceive you, or are them felves deceived: it is a scheme fraught with inconsistency, duplicity, and wretchednefs.-Conform eafily to fuch cuftoms as do not tranfgrefs the line of duty; and participate chearfully in fuch pleafures as are adapted to your age and fituation, without corrupting your hearts or inflaming your paffions.

Obferve the rules of temperance in every thing, while you affume neither airs of aufterity, nor the parade of admonition. Let your carriage be at once mild and blameless. Cherish the domeftic affections; and as you would not provoke the wrath of Heaven, fail not to honour your parents. Bear with the follies of mankind, but never fmile upon their crimes. In fettling your religious opinions, remember that none can be right which would render you uncharitable on the one hand, or licentious on the other. Deteft bigotry in whatever perfuañon: "let your moderation be known to all” who differ from you with decency; but turn with neglect from the reprobate and the rude; and if any one profeffing better manners should infinuate, that you cannot be genteel or liberal, without a degree of fcepticism and profaneness, compaffionate his ignorance, and difregard his fuggestion.

Nourish your minds, as often as you can, with books and conversation, of the

entertaining and of the inftructive kind, with fuch efpecially as are both together. You will receive from them an elegant delight, which will render you fuperior to vulgar and frivolous gratifications. Forget not to "fearch the Scriptures:" they have been ftudied and admired by the greateft, as well as the beft men. Quote them in company but feldom, and never lightly. Shun as much as poffible difputes about religion: let your belief in it appear by your attention to its ordinances: let its truth and beauty be proved by your conduct. Frequently recollect the prefence of God: frequently contemplate his works and attributes: implore daily his direction and bleffing.

And now hear the fum of all: hear, and lay it to heart: Piety, I fay Piety maintained with fuch a fpirit, and on fuch principles, will be your firmeft guard, your fureft guide, and your most defirable companion. She will enlighten and invigorate your

« PoprzedniaDalej »