Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-09-07
11ontb's department.
Fom the Christian Messenger.
A Word to Young Men,

Permit me young man to pen few thoughts
for your candid consideration and serious peru
sal. Though I may be a stranger to you, still
humbly trust am not stranger to those de-
sires which cause me to feel deep and anxious
solicitude for your happiness. Why should
not feel greatly DESTROYS for your welfare? Why
should not every person thus feell If your ex-
istence was measured only by times fugitive
moments there would still be powerful reasons
why all should be anxious that you should i'm
bibe such principles, and adopt such course OF
action, as would result in the greatest amount of
physical, social, intellectual and moral haPPI-
ness.
1t should be matter of deep and serious
inquiry with every young man, as ne enters up
on the arena of human life, to battle with the
various temptations which may assail him. how
he may obtain power to trample these temptu-
tions under his feet? And how he may act
well his part in the drama Of human existence
Think not young man that these are unimpor-
tant enquiries. Think not that they consdera-
lions of no moment. Think not that they have
nothing to do with your immortal destiny
There must be starting point. On that point
NAV be suspended eternal consequences 1t
may seem but tr6e to you. But if fly
could once put in motion train of clrcum-
stances which determined the fate of mighty
empire, slight deviation from the path of right
when you start to run LIES race, may forever
turn the scale of your existence in favor of vice
so that long life and long eternity may
never bring you to the side Of virtue. From
what point young man have you started, and
what principles have you adopted to enable you
to run Ife's race safely, and fill up the destiny
of useful and happy existence? What is the
rule you have chosen by which to determine the
moral quality of your actions? Is it public
opinionl Is it human philosophy! Are these
the standard of your morality? If SO, you may
be guided by false light.
Let me say to you kindly, and yet frankly,
that the Bible is the only source from which we
can find rules sufficiently authenticated to war
rant you good moral character. Do yon ask
for evidence upon this point? We have it in
the history of all past ages, whether in heather
or infdel nations. Heather philosophy has
never yet, with all Of its boosted splendor and
wisdom, given those rules Of action which have
enabled any of its voares to live free from
open immortality; not excepting even Socra-
les and Cicero. They needed the blazing
light Of revelation, from which to derive purer
rules of action. Infdel nations have rejected
this light! Mark the consequences See the
train of evils which follow from rejecting Gods
Word. A life of disSipatlon-a death full of
anguish.
You may search the world over, but you will
search in vain for a strictly moral person who
denies the precepts of the Bible. There may
be those who may have some commendabIe
traits, who take the position that the Bible is
false; but if we trace their history we shall find
some fragrant sins attached to their lives. This
we see exhibited in the lives Of all Of the advo-
Gates of these systems Of corruption. And it is
just as certain that where these principles are
believed by any, that they will carry in their
train moral desolation as it is that when stone
is thrown into the air, that it will return again
to the earth by the power Of attraction Not
so with those who take the Bible as their rule
oil action Thousands upon thousands have
gone through the rugged and thorny paths OF
life with 40 stain attached to their moral char
acters.
Then Ibeseech you young man, as you prize
your present and eternal happiness, reject not
the Bibt Investigate, digest, love and cherish
the heNenborn truths therein contained. Cast
not away this anchor as you enter upon Iife's
stormy ocean with your frail bark, freighted
witha gem of priceless worth-the immortal
spir} If you do, 2you will be wrecked upon
the tormy coast of dissipation or engulfed a.
mdth dark and angry pillows of cold and
heatess in6delity.
AN OBSERVER.
August 4th, l848.