Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-06-11
Bows Evenings.

Many a boy RUNS his character, and wrecks
all his hopes, by msemploying the evening hours.
School or business has confined him during the
day, and the rebound with which his elastic ma
ture throws these duties off, carries him often un-
awares beyond the limits of propriety and pru-
dence.
Besides the impetuous gush of thespirits whose
buoyancy has been thus confined, there are lnt1u-
eDces peculiar to the time, which render the
evening period of special temptation. Satan
knows that its hours are leisure ones for the mul-
titude, and then, if ever he is Jealous to secure
their services; warily planning that unexpected
fascnations may give attractive grace to SIN, and
unparrelled facilities smooth the path to ruin.-
Its shadows are a cloak, which he persuades the
young will fold, with certain concealment, around
every error, in seductive whispers telling them,
at is the black and dark night-come." How
many, thus solicited to come, 'as bird hasten
ing to the snare, knowing not that it is for their
lives" let the constantly recurring cases Of juve-
nile depravity testify.
Parents acknowledge the evil here pointed out,
and anxously inquire, "what is to be done; can
we debar our children from every amusement? q
Boys themselves confess it, but plead, in reply to
the renonstrances of their friends, that evening
is their only play time, and they must have some
sport" 1t is certainly very proper that the
Young should have amusement. None better
than ourselves are pleased to hear the lips Of
childhood eloquent with the exclamation, "Oh,
we have had lots of fun" 1t seems like voice
coming back in echo to us from out of long
lapsed past.
The amusement should, however be innocent;
and innocent amusements are most easily secured
and enjoyed at home. Here parental sympathy
may sweeten the pleasures, and parental care
check the evils of play, frequently intermngling
its incidents with lessons of instruction. If pa
rents would use half the assiduity to render an
evening spent at home agreeable, that Satan en-
ploys to win to the haunts Of vice, they would
ottentimes escape the grief occasioned by flial
misdeeds, and secure rich reward in having
their children's maturity adorned with many vir-
tues.
A word to boys concludes all that we would
now say. Spend your evenings, boys, at home.
You may make them among the most agreeable
and profitable of your lives, and when vicious
companions should tempt you away, remember
that God has sad "Cast not thy lot with them;
walk not in their way refrain thy foot from their
path. They lay in wait for their own blood; they
iurk privy for their own lives. But walk thou
in the way of good men, and keep the paths OF
the righteous" ."- Bangor Wing.
PARENTAL AND DFIL1AL.-Two family accidents
show great results from little causes. Baron
Cuvier, when very little boy, was encouraged
by his mother in collecting and delineating OBJ
iects of pature-the study of minerals, plants,
&C., aided by drawing. During the researches
and discoveries made by this great man he often
referred to this maternal incident as one of the
happest circumstances of his life, furnishing good
reason to believe that the, vast services rendered
to science and to the world by this great natu-
ralist and good man are to be traced to the ju-
dicious treatment of one mother to little son.
About twenty years since, a little boy in Wes-
tern New York entered with great energy into
the collection of minerals and other objects OF
nature. His parents soon coming to the con-
clusion that it was not safe to repress his spirit
and his efforts, allotted to him a room and
shelves for storing and arranging his collections,
and by various modes encouraged this young
explorer of Natures riches. His ardor and his
intelligence pointed him out at the age of six
teen for an assistant engineer on an important
railroad route. BY his skill, energy, and fidelity
in the work assigned him in this responsible un-
dertaking, he was, in a short time, selected as
the principal for surveying one branch of the
general route. At the age of seventeen he was
employed as assistant geologist for the State of
New York When that great work was COM
pleted he was elected to professors chair in a
very extensive female seminary in Albany.
After holding that chair for several years, he
resigned it for visit to Germany, where he spent
two years with Liebig renowned for his research
es and discoveries in animal and vegetable chem
istry On his return from Europe he was elect
ed to professors chair in the Lawrence School
of Science, in Cambridge, Massachusetts,. Lie
now holds, at the age of thirty-two this impor-
tant place in an institution designed to advance,
in scientific Investigations the graduates of col
leges and universities. He is Professor Horsford,
son of Hon. Jerediah Horsford, now of the New
York delegation in Congress. 1t adds to the
credit of this young and promising Professor
that during his whole course his support has
come from his own efforts. IL.
Our MoruER.- Children ought to love, obey
and honor their parents. Let your mother in
particular, who nyour tender years, has the more
immediate charge YOU, be on earth the most sa'
oroJ ob;oot of vour offcotions 7 et her be your