The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-04-29

provemcnt in wisdom and morals, which may be
expected of one who takes the fathers place !?
Whatever may be the cause, is not the fact OBJ
Yious, that apprentices are less restrained, less
watched over, less COuDselled less cherished and
guided, than sons would be in the same fami-
lies Apprentices also, on their part, deem their
privileges less than those Of sons they 60 to
their masters with less confidence they have
fewer motives for conscientious obedience and
are more disposed to seek for happiness abroad
than fthey were in their fathers houses. Hence
their danger, particularly in populous places, Of
spending their leisure hours with improper as
sociates, of acquiring dissipated habits, and Of
falling into temptation. Hence too the impor-
lance Of furnishing them with books, to fill Up
usefully and pleasantly the time which they call
theirOwn. They are kept out of temptation while
perusng them; and, il their books are suitable,
are cautioned and Instructed to avoid it in time
to come. Better that every hour they are I'M
employed in business should be passed in slumber,
than that they should loiter about drain-shops
and gaming houses or listen near the seat Of
the sCorntul or mngle with the obscene and
profane or with juvenile associates wear out
the night IN those Hnguarded amuscments which
generally become the Introduction 70 more 9lar-
ing enormities. It's not easy 20 conceive, with
out experience, the situation and feelings Of
lad, eXiled al tender age from fathers house
and mothers arms, admitted to the house and
bound to the service Of a stranger. Pephaps he
receives good treatment, necdtjreiy good for
his Service is not excessive /; he is fed and cloth
ed, and lodged, comfortably. BIT he has no one
that " naturGUy cares for bis state y no one 10
whom he can unbosom himself in trouble no
one vigilantly to regulate his moral conduct,
and 10 take him tenderly by the hand and lead
him in the way Of salvation. Doubtless, there
are exceptions. We hope there arc many youths
who have tie privilege Of serving masters, whose
fidelity and benevolence they will have occasion
to remember till the day of their death, and be-
yond the grave. But we fear many too are left
even more unguded than we have represented.
At any rate, youth are needless and temptations
abound on every side; and no doubt can exg-
that many among Of the class ia question, are
from their very situation peculiarly exposed to
moral dangers A wcl selected library presents
a.mcans guarding against these dangers, which
is afforded in no other way. If orr men Of af-
fuenceand benefcence knew the heart" Of an
apprentice, a stranger perhaps an orphan, il
the midst OF this bustling world they would
cheerfully fill cabinet of science, Of general
information, and of moral instruction for the use
of this interesting class Of youth.
Who does not desire to see a company of well
informed, prudent, industrious, and sober men
come forward into active life, in the several
ranks Of society which our present apprentices
are designed to Gil /? Who would not delight to
crafty thirst for knowledge, where ii happily
exists; and TO excite tin other Youthful minds
Possibly the institution in question may develope
natural powers Of mind which are now unknown
even to the posscssor and call them into action
for the future benefit of himself and the COM
munity. Perhaps 100 some mechanics shop a
moDg Us may contain some future Frank in, ar
IDENTITY aspiring after knowledge, Selling every
means of acquiring il, and redeeminr time from
sleep to peruse tie few books lie can obtain but
oppressed with poverty, bound to his daily task,
and uncertain where TO find friend TO guide
him up the sleeps Of science To aid one youth
of this description in preparing for usefulness,
would be grateful reCompense for all the do
nations which are requisite, for making the Ap-
prentices Library OF Portland ample and res
pectable.
(6~5-At meeting ofthe NJ c. Mechanic Associa-
ton, the following gentlemen chosen Commit
tee TO solicit donations of Books for the Of the APP
prehtices Library in this town. Any Books left to
their care will be thankfully and faithfully applied
the Of said Library.
Gen. PHINEHAs VARNUM, LEVI SAWYER, III.
II. Body, CHARLES FARLEY, :. l.. RAYMOND,
DAVIS BELFoRD, Maj. THOMAS ToDD, LEMUEL
GooDiNG, CHARLES CHASE and NATH l.. MIrcH-
ELL, Esq.