Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1854-12-06

never be contracted sW.ithNIt consent OF par
ties Like universally assimiates withlike,aud it
is impossible for a. yjrtuous mind, DESTROYS of
improvement, and studious to excel IN duty, to
take pleasure in the company Of Idle, ignorG.st
and vicious persons, asits for the two greatest
contraries in naturert0 unite. Where the sen.
tinents, the conversation, and the pursuits to-
tally disa gree, what hut strife and contentious
can ensue! Is it probable that persons thus
dlssentient will delight to'associate merely to
jar and contend Far different is the end and
design of social intercourse. Indeed, the mat
ter wants very little proof The choice of bad
companions is as infallIble OF bad mind as the
lchoice Of bad, trihing and unmproving books
would be of dcpraved taste in the man who
4 had large ana excellent library Of the best
and most improved authors around him, whence
to make his selection. The voluntary choice of
bad company is so sure and sad proof of a
worthless mind, that all instruction will GER
tanly prove fruitless. We think not, there
fore of such. We suppose, young persons en-
tering into life with good prime pies and good
dispositions, not voluntarily choosing, but acct
dentally thrown into bad company; an evil too
) much to be dreaded, from the prevalence of
such company in this corrupted world, where |
the number OF the vicious, ii is to be feared, far
exceeds that of the good; and where, unfortu-
natcly, tie good are often difficult OF access, |
and very mice III their acquaintance; while the
vicious, bold and assuming, are forward, to
court The young and the virtuous to associate
with th'ln-anXous to corrupt their principles
and pullutc their manners, as if the numbers
aided strength to their cause, and their own
shame and ruin would be less aggravated by
involving others in shame and ruin with them
selves Bat, be not deceived, young friends,
BY ta.r glow iEg speeches and loud promises
Of ttl.city--neithcr trust 10 yourselves or the
nnag med rcctitude OF your own intentions, as
# you nigh; pass safely among them. Who,
-hough IN iiIll health and strength, would ever
link Of visiting the place where an epidemical
ind pestieat,al disorder ravaged all before it (!
Believe me, the company of the vicious is more
DANGEROUS, as being more contagious; and
however you my escape for the present, will
!" undoubtedly III time corrupt and work wounds
in your mind. For, tell me, upon what terms
40 YOU intend TO converse with his evil com
- pany, into VII ch you are unhapp:iy fallen! You
must either approve or dIsAppro'c them, lyon
anproye them, there can I've no doubt but that you
Will intimate and reseinb!" Them. All hopes
= are then over II yous tiIs'1pprovc them, and
icontinne ytosdf'st in that dis ipprobatun, there
viii, probably, soon BE- an end Of your society
and you may possibly CONF OF safe.
Aud further. nay ySulg friends, @ see how
p: dincrrs III ch.n and ucuareuiehccs pres
around, when once you SIT your foot III un
Jus DidGen paths! II, farther, sou hapqen. to pos
e'' sess good degree of spirits and vlyacy, think
waen~your- blooI- iows--sslii it-qnicksr ereula
"! ton, hen all is cheerful, all Is alive; think
" when the riot iucrrascs, aud mir il mounts int
w madness; O, think how "aslly ypu may be throw
uN entirely of your guard, and be carried BIZ thoa
''0 spirits, which now 10 longer obey the mandate
en- OF ret,son into actions bad the worst of thos
CO whereof we frequently hear di,soutc youn
'"' persons boast vain aud FOOLISH as il hohC
could accrue from seeming torbe more viciol
s'' than men really are, or from talking of Grim
W. which they have neither power nor hardness
0iu' commit! It is certainly a sad proof Of Il
corruption of the present times, that such pc
sons arc found amongst us. Such, howevt
there are among the young: and, if on
amongst the young, their youth and nexp
'@ r'I' ence might happily plead some excuse. ]
ing '1S" -. ,I,e 90 c,o.,..a
1'SS common deccncy, TO speak of their filthy vic
WI with relish, but even to boast Of vices viii
''i'o" they never committed--as if it were a ere
' ma TO be more abominable than they, in fact ha
'htS made themselves. Blush, aud hide your hea
'Hs We sons of shame !s-inworthy the name
ana Christmas the heather world will rise up agai
h St. you in Judgment and c9ndeph you.
,ciprt '--t5s--~-s~ - .,
TAG BIBLE.--The Bible must be The inv
7 " ton of good men or angels, or bad men
gersal DEVILS or Of God. 7stsi .-sif
deed, 1t could not be the invention of good niet
,oune angels, for they neither woHld nor could mi
"a book and tell lies alldlla time they were
ing it, saying, "'FiiIs saith the Lord" whe
'tttue, was their own inventOn. a.
ciples II could not be the invention of bad me-
npted, devils, for they could Dot make book WI
,hoce. commands all duty, and forbds all SIN, and
.:Lta dennis themselves tDsall eternity sstAe iss :
W 1Iy I, therefore, draw This Conclusion: The
~ we must be given by inspiration Of God. -SinP
whose. .--.-.-.------7---
,orren, Ot IL stated that two-thircs, if not ii
~, :; fonrths, Of the converts to Christianity are
the Sabbath schools. 4. II is alstl stated that
on Vi thirds of the young naen-studying for Us
Z serve ness inour colleges and theological schools
be COM those who were ledsto Christ in the Su
fortka School, Examination made into our jaill
...,-o prisons show that three-fourths oftheir con
$500 never received Sabbath school instructi'
lnd us Examinations 4inadss st Auburn prison,
he very York, showed that out OF nine Hundred CON
all wish only forty-seveps had iever bean in a Sa