talk to a being who calls himself rational, and believes himself immortal-is there no evil in fuch habits of liftleffness and levity as indifpofe the foul for recollection, for devotion, for felf-converfe, for fober counfel, for reasonable fociety, for folid ftudy, for genuine Friendship, for every thing that can improve or ennoble her here, or train her to perfection and happiness hereafter? But is not this literally the case with those that refign themselves to idle and infignificant companions? I will not speak now of the Patriarchs or Prophets, of the Evangelifts or Apoftles, whofe elevated calling required, no doubt, an extraordinary spirit of abstraction from the customs and fashions of the world. But, were any others among the good and great characters recorded in facred or civil ftory, were any of them, I fay, to revifit our earth, who do you think are the perfons they would fele& for their affociates, and their Friends? The trivial and the vain, the vagrant and the thoughtlefs; or the confiderate, the ftaid, and the fober-minded? I appeal to your own conviction. But perhaps you will plead, that, whilst we address you in this ftyle, we forget your youth. What is there then about the profligate, or the volatile, that should render their communication preferable, in the esteem of young minds, to that of the discreet and the virtuous? By the laft, I mean not those who only affect fuch qualities, who cannot, or who will not, diftinguish between prudence and fcrupulofity, between religion and gloom. There is a demeanour manly but not severe, fedate but not formal, often ferious and often lively, unblemished and condefcending at the fame time, that carries with it an attraction not to be found in any mode of behaviour taught by fashion, or applauded by fools. The joys of Wifdom never end in a figh, except it be the figh of tender affection, or generous pity, by which the heart is made better, and confequently happier nor does that venerable Power prohibit or difcourage the innocent sportiveness of Wit, or even difdain its seasonable aid, though the checks thofe irregularities, and condemns that malignity, to which it is too often fubject. Or can you really apprehend, that to be wife, it is neceffary to be dull; that a man's understanding will be the worse, for his having employed it on the best objects; or his talents the lefs brilliant, for his not abufing them; or his converfation the lefs chearful, for his being eafy in his mind; or his manners the lefs pleasing and courteous, that his principles inculcate and infpire every kind affection? Truft me, young men, your deepest concerns will make no impreffion upon the frothy, whatever they may pretend: you can have no hold of the worthless, let them profefs, promife, vow, or swear I what they will. Habitual diffipation is utterly inconfiftent with true sensibility; and, however those who want virtue themfelves may be compelled by their confciences fecretly to revere it in you, be affured they will never cordially love it. Study the conditions, inclinations, and abilities, of those about you; and, as far as probity will permit, make them fubfervient to your own advantage: but look not for the fympathetic tear, the sweet emotion, the endearing intercourse, the fober and the candid counfel, the zealous affiftance, the unwearied support, the unalterable fidelity, with the other lovely fruits of a heart-felt and well-rooted Friendship-look not for thefe from fuch as are elated by rank, or hardened by riches, or enervated by fenfuality, or carried away by the tide of folly. |