Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-09-03
For Young Men.
From the Christian Witness.
COunScls 10 Young Men.

We have received volume of Counsels adj
dressed to young Women and young Men, young
Persons in Married Life, and young Parents by
the Rev. Matthew Hale Smith. These coun-
sells were delivered in the form of discourses,
by the author, in the Second Presbyterian Church
in Washington city, and are published at the res
quest of the congregation Of that church, With
an introduction by the Hon. John Quincy ADJ
ans
We have made the following extracts from
his judlcious counsels to young men, which are
we'll worthy their attention
Let your aim be high, though you may not
always reach the mark. Attempt nothing that
is wrong; but do with your might all your pur-
pose. Be faithful IN your calling, though it be
an humble one and resolve that whatever your
calling, you will be the best of your class; for
that which is worth doing at all, is worth doing
well. He that is faithful in least, will be faith
full in much. No one can hope to prosper who
has not a sense of Justice in the most minute
transaction, whose integrity is not seen in the
most trivial affairs of life. 1t is of the first inn
portance that a young man shall establish a rep
utation; once fix that, and deserve it by subse-
quent fidelity, and success is certain. As an il
Illustration, observe this fact in common af
fairs when book is recommended to us, we
look at the name of the author. His reputation
at once establishes the claims of the book. If
we know nothing of the author, the character of
the publishing house stamps its reputation ON
the book. The fame of Rodgers makes us feel
certain that any cutlery that bears his name is
what it processes to be. The same is true of
the compass of one European house, or the tel
Escape Of another. Be not genius. Select
some one pursuit, and then follow it diligently
pursue it with all your soul-pursue it with
single aim Be the best of your class: if you
are boot-back, be the best one in the country.
" Seest thou a man diligent in his business he
shall stand before kings he shall not stand be-
fore mean men," "The hand of the diligent
maketh rich"
Independence of thought is sometimes iden-
tilted with rudeness low, froward reckless
ness is 50 called A man who, on all occasions,
speaks his mind, who has no regard for proprie-
ty, for the feelings of others, their wishes or
opinion, is said to be independent. But true
manliness is not rude, not reckless, nor discour-
teous.
The independence which | recommend, is
that which will prompt you to do right, when it
is fashionable to do wrong to refuse to poison
your body and ruin your SOUL rather than to,
conform to the hurtul customs of elevated life
which will bear the taunts of ridicule rather
than walk in the way of sin; which will allow
you to be branded with the epithet of coward,
rather than have the blood of your iellow-men
on your hands-rather than send, uncalled for,
to the judgment, one of your race, which will
assist you in prononncing questionable truth,
and defending the right at all sacrifices. plead
for the independence of right doing and that
moral principle you will need to cultivate.
In young man nothing is more essential
than love of truth. A lying lip is an abom-
nation to God, and curse to man. 1t is a,
high eulogy upon any man to say that his word
is as good as his bond To speak what you
mean TO say TO speak the TRUTH and enjoy the
reputation for general integrity, is worth more.
to young man than gold. 1t is popular to de-
ceive. Before your eyes are placed daily ex-
ampIes of practical dishonesty and it will re-
qulre high moral principle, on your part, to a
void the contaglon of evil example. In the mer-
chant you will see it, when he praises an article
you know to be bad, and ascribes to his wares
a value that does not belong TO them. In the
lady of fashion you will detect it, when she prais-
es company whom she perfectly detests, and pro-
iesses to be in rapture at the sight of those whom,
a moment before, she declared she could not en-
dure In the gentleman when he praises mu-
sic that almost skaters his nerves, and begs the
company to remain, when he longs for them all
to be gone Popular dishonesty is current
Stern, upright, even-handed honesty, is rare
material. If the business of life cannot be con-
Quoted without dishonor, better have none done.
But this is an error. Permanent success abldes
only with those who are men oftruth. Evasion,
equivocation, or falsehood, may secure tempo
rary success. But the path of unoending truth
is the only one that can lead to permanent pros
Iperty.
Your great danger lies in the path of social
life Most of the vices that disturb domestic
felicity, and bring so many yonng men to ruin,
are social vices Evil communications corrupt
good morals As ii is impossible to take lire IN
your bosom and your clothes not be burned, or
to inhaIe pesteuce and not endanger health; so
it is impossible to mngle with evil associates
and not be harmed