Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-06-15
DU BUQUE VISITOR.
From the Christian Advocate and Journal.
BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.

From the Christian Advocate and Journal.
A BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.
1tessrs. Eaitors:-The following
extract is from the copy of letter writ
ten by young gentleman OF one OF the
southern states to his brother. He is
member Of the bar, and man OF eS-
ltraordinary frmness and decision OF
character. He now is, and has been Tor
many years, a member Of the Metlao-
dist Episcopal Church, possesses prop
err dignity Of character, is unassnmlng
in his manners, and very retired in his
habits.
~ have made it ar invariablc rule
never to keep the company of the vi
Icious and dissipated. This course /
would most strenuously advise you to
pursue. To keep good company when
YOU first commence the world cannot
fail to be productive Of the best impress
sions. Good company is the society Of
thatclass ofpeopieof the placein which
you live, who are called respectable. 1t
consists Of people Of stability and char
acter. But in forming your estimate
Iof this kind of company, do not suffer
your judgment to be s,vayed by fash
lion. He who deserves good company
has it always in his power to obtain it.
Merit and kind Of gcntieness Of man
ner will always secure you this. These,
however, must always be accompanied
by knowledge and politencss.
"Neither swear, game, nor drink.
This last vice is the most odious in its
nature, the most destructive in its con-
sequences, and the most sure in its
Iprogress-neyer, for your SOULS sake,
drink at all.
"When first entered the Univer-
sity, ! was elected vice president Of a
temperance society which myself and
my fellow students had formed. Long
before thatpcriod, had ceased to drink
any kind Of spirits; and l have not
since. So far from having felt any in
convenience from it, am certain my
health has been better from this cir
cumstance.
"Do not add the vices of others to
your own. Initiate with discernment
and judgment, and as fer as you can, the
virtues and good manners of the polite
and respectable in society. Let your
pleasures and amusements be regulated
by prudence and a due regard to health.
Choose your own pleasures, and do
not, i'll any instance, suffer them to be
the choice of others. Avoid as you
would pestilence, the character Of
rake. It is composition Of all the most
shameful and ignoble vices. Avoid
vulgarity, awkwardness Of expression,
and ungainly manners. Aim to sustain
for yourselfthc character of a man Of
morality, truth and honor. Endeayor
to possess strength of mind, dignity Of
manners, self command, and that kind
Of firmncss which will sustain you in
the pursuit Of whatever virtue, honor,
and religion shall dictate.
"Firnncss and modesty will accom-
r!ish every thing. Reflect upon, ex-
anime into, and analyze every subject
before you determine upon it. BE ear
ly, or you will be too late. Consult
your reason and your conscience in e.
very thing. Ask questions, and many
Of them. Observe attention and me-
thod in all that you do. Without the
first, you will never be able to accom-
plish any thing Of magnitude and i'm
portance; without the second, your la
Dor will ever be rude mass Of incon-
gruit!cs. When you are at business,
Danish every thought Of amusement
from your mind; and on the otherhand,
when you participate in amuscmcnts,
do not allow the cares ofbusiness to al
10y your pleasures. In your hours Of
devotion, sSfcr neither the thoughts
Of business or Of pleasure to intrudc;
and, in short, do but one thing at a
time. When you read, do not read
nechanically;and when you study, do
not merely read. Be watchful and at
'entlyc. Think, think, always think
--fooisdonot think fany thing. When
you read, do not read light and frivo-
ou, work, nor yet an abstruse work
IN metaphysics. Employ your time,
md in doing so, have in view some use-
i'll and rational object. When YOU
rave an affair OF business to transact
ct it be done Immediately, ifpossiblc.
live a life Of real, not Of imaginary
,leasurc. Avoid dcht.-Prodigal;tv
'as blasted the hopes of many in carly
ife. Never indulge in scandal, and
10 not even listen to it. Acnua;nt ,,o,,,.