The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1825-11-17
SERIOUS nEyLEC-Io
EARLY pIEtY.

"There is nothing so commendablc in
young men as early piety. Nothing that
can add more weight of character, or secure
the lasting respect of mankind, than an IN
ostcntatious, naifected, unpretenllng course
of life and conduct, and strict Observance
of our religious duties. 1t secures the cs-
teen Of the old, and the admiration OF ail--it
forces respect even from the dlsSnldte and
profigate; and although they affect to de-
ride and despise the young man OF regular
habits, they secretly vcnerate the couraEe
that can persevere. in despite ct their Sco'is
and ridicule, in ..the even tenor of its wav."
We are compelled TO admire the stability
and frnne,s of that character, that can in
early life resist the allurements of folly ami
+, vice, and turn its back on the guilty though
! attractive pleasures OF the world, and the
| vain pursuits aud heartcss enjoyncnts that
! form. but too often, the recreations and pas
Zines of unthinking vouth. Considerations
Of duty aside, and throwing out OF question
I she obligations we oWe our Maker, one
would imagine, that bare policy would dic-
! tate a course of steadlneSs ans vlrtue--that
the obvious advantages OF such lie, and
the manifest contentment ana serenity 1t al
ways procures, would be a sufficient IN
ducem.pt to abstain from practices that yield
not happiness, but always bring repentance.
Can any sensible and rejecting young man
declare with sincerity and truth, that the
boisterous pleasures ofdisspacion, and the
fashionable cxcesses and orgies has bccn
engaged in. brought peace and satisfaction,
or afforded him pleasing retrospecti he
knows that it is the very reycrse-the Ian
guid body and the troubled mind, have for
ciblv reminded him of his deviatiuns from
proprety-have made an appeal 70 his bet
ter reason, and urged his return to VII "a ,.
The writer of this had dunk deeply (in ms
Younger days) Of the cup Of worldly happl-
ness. and found its dregs were btterness--hc
has run the rounds of folly, and found 1t van
ity: he has trod the paths OF vice ana
pleasure, and found they ended III pam and
repentance. | urge not a superstitious aud
severe rejection OF reasonable enloyments
but only wish to impress on the minds o.
my young friends, manly and Nlrtuons de
tcstati-n of that course of life, that has de
stroyed the health, the standing, and th'
prospects of many, who would otherwis'
have been ornaments to society they nov
disgrace. Acquire in your early lite nab
it Of sobriety and regularity, and on vii
soon find that such course will bring IT
own immediate and sweet reward. You vii
soon learn to despise and detest the frivo
lous enioyments that once seemed to consti
tute your only happiness, but which in re
alitv brought nothing but regret, disap
point nent and disgust. A young man @
moral and religious principles, can clam
and take stand in society that nothing els
can give him. His character will carr
with it its own weight, and command the re
spect and esteem of all those whose goo
opinion is worth acquiring.
Nothing Lan he truer than the maxim thH
declares, "a right course pursued At tlrs
l,p fro,n habit, will he continued from inclna
tion' A conscience void of offence toward
God and man is Of more true value, OF nor
permanent advantage than all the wealth
~ Peru, and the qualification it can purchas
to be able to lay your head on your pillo
in peace--to be able to cast back glanc
ON the dav that has passed, with a prou
consciousness nt having performed your dl
TN, is Consolation that none can apprecla1
N but those who have felt it, And finally, IN
:, young friends, if you wish to live respecte
: and honoured, and die calm and contented-
if YOU wish the prayers and bcnedictions
the virtuous to be poured over the cart
that covers you, I conjure you by all II
regard YOU have for your present and etc
nal happiucss-by my past experience, al
by your own sober and rational reflection
To nursue a life of early piety."