The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-03

4 rule, gwen by our Maker, and marking the
tendency Of human conduct, we may easily
ascertain whether our example be good, orthe
reverse. All are ready to acknowledge that
example is contagious; but few, believe, re-
alize the extent Of its power. In order TO form
a correct idea in this respect, let us take into
view the example of different classes ofpeople.
And first, the example of children. Let a
child who is addicted to profanity, fdlsehood,
| obscenify, &c. associate with children of good
habits; and how quickly he will corrupt them,
| The poison is infused before one is aware of it.
! We may see by our own observation, that chill
dren, many times before they have been fanil.
lar with the alphabet, or the first principles OF
the arts and sciences, are adopts in many spe-
ces of vice and wckedness.-And. on exam
ination, we find that this is brought about by
pernicious example. If this be true, it is all
| impoFtant, that children should be particular
in the choice of their companions. Parents
and guardians ought to do what in them lies
to counteract the influence ofexamples fraught
with poison and death.
We now pass from child 70 parent. Let
a parent set this evil example before his chill
dren and domestics, and how quickly they
will be infected. Ii is in the power of pa
rent TO do much more evil or good, in this way,
than is possible for ehtld. The influence OF
the chald's example is somewhat restricted !;
but that OF the parent is almost without bounds
Children look up to their parents as guides, aud
feel themselves authorised and at liberty to
say what they say, and do what they do. II
the pattern be bad. the baneful influence is
not confined to a family. 1t spreads from
house TO house, from neighbourhood to neigh
/ hnt1 ar,Af rorx
rents violate the sabbath, let them forsake the
assembling Of themselves together for religious
worship, and what follows? Perhaps eight
tenths of their children viii have desire to
do likewise. They turn this holy day into a
holiday; and totally disregard thu njunctions
of their Maker. Again, let a parent often
frequent the tduern, join the bacchanalian
club, be often at the festive board, and
what ensues? 1t is true, person may do this
and not be confirmed drnnkard; but it is
impossible TO do it, without countenancing
vice and dissipation. He is giving latitude to
practices, which every man is, in duty, bound
to discourage and endeavor to check. Ia this
paragraph, the writer has reference, more par
ticularly, to the man who is called intempe-
rate. fla person have an inordinate relish for
ardent spirit at the tarcrn, he will of course at
home. He not only goes out frequently to in
dulge himself in this beastly practice Of drink
ing to excess, but he may be seen a number
of times in the course of the week, especially
on Saturday, Juggling home. from the store, a
bottle of RUM--so that he may be uniformly
in the SPIRIT. He must have his regular
drains, and what effect has this example Oh
his partner, and rising family? They, at first,
are temperate, and earnestly desire that it
should be general. They occasionally reprove
the husband and father of improperly of con-
duct, but to no purpose. His drink he will
have, and wishes his family to partake with
him. They have no desire, but seeing his
large drains, and fearing he may get ntoxicat-
ed,. they, with pure motives, sip little from
his inebriating cup. This is repeated and re-
peated. BY and by, real relish is created,
and they become Incorporate. Thus, many
times, almost whole families are led on to ruin,
by pernicious example. What do ye think,
| ye parents, who are Incorporate. Have
done you injustice in my representation? If
this be your belief, be so good as to examine
yourselves thoroughly, and cast an eye on your
Incorporate brethren, and you must pronounce
my statement correct and fair. would ask,
why will ye act the part of enemies to your
selves, your families, and the whole human
race! How long will ye be regardless Of your
temporal and eternal interest? Why will you
pursue this course, when conscience, reason,
and rerelation are enlisted against you?
We will now pass from the parent to the in
structor of youth. Suppose him we'll qualified
as TO learning, but deficient in example. In
stead of a becoming gravity, consistent and
dignifed department, he is rude, irregular, and
manilests a great desire TO indulge himself in
the prevailing vices of the day. How does
such teacher succeed? 1t is obvious to any
person of observation. He quick loses his au-
thority and respect.-His time and the money
OF the district are worse than lost. If This be
true, it is matter of great Importance to hire
teachers, who are not only learned, but eren1-
pta1y.
We will next, and in the last place, notice
the Clergyman. Here very much euit or good
may be done by example. Perhaps it is in the
power of a Clergyman to do as much more
ertt or good in this way, than pGriShioner, as
he is more distinguished. If Minister'S ex-
ample be considered in worIdly, or religious
point of view, it affects the people OF his
charge, more than what is generally imagin-
ed. If he be industrious and economical, it
has tendency to make his people so.--Il he
be sOcaable and accessible, it has tendency to
make his people soft ne be generous and
dig''9fed, it has the same happy effect. In a
religious point of view, if his precept be eUey
so good, without it is accompanied by cor
responding example, what he says must be
worse than in vain. Yes, in order to have
preaching produce salutary effect, a Minis
ter must, like the apostle James, shew hi:
faith by his works. The writer is very friend
| ly to the clergy, and would not, from choice,
if consistent with duty, write word against
/ them; but there is practice common among
them, which he deems improper, and which
he wishes might be laid aside. This is trav-
cling on the Sabbath, when they exchange
1t is common thing for them to ride ten, IF
teen, and SO on to twenty miles, on Che morn
ing Of the holy Sabbath, and that distance at
evening to reach their homes. If this could
not be done the day previous and day succeed
ing, it might be justified; but the writer be-
lieves this is not the Ease. He believes a
Minister, generally, can leave home as well