Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-01-20
Youth.


Youth is the most interesting, and import
ant, period Of our earthly existence. II is
said to bo the "spring time Of life" The sea
son Of flowers and beauty. when the ply ysica
mental, end moral powers spring into more
active existence. II is tho season in which TO
plant in tho immortal mind the seads of virtue,
Of morality and piety, which properly noursh-
ed will bud and blossom throughout the
summer, and winter Of life, and bear golden
fruit in the garden Of Paradise in that better
world ADORE.
But alas, how often the great enemy of God
and man, is permitted to plant in the virgin
soil of the youthful heart, the seed Of folly, Of
vice, aud sin, which spring up, spreading a
p7stilcntial influence over the whole life and
soul in this world, and which will bring forth
tho fruit of eternal death in the world to come
How often habits of loafng, Of profanity, Of
iutemporance, of theft, and RIGHTEOUSNESS are
formed in youth, which like the vangs Of the
deadly viper, fastcn upon tho soul, poisoning
and c5rrupting the whole man, and the very
air around them. But many, no doubt think
that the habits they arc now forming, which
they know takes hold Of bell, can easily be
changed or broken of at some future time.
But my young friends, "be not deceived, God
is not Knocked, for whatsoever a man sowcth,
that shall he also reap" This is not only n
law Of nature, but it is principle in tho NOR
al law OF God, and from IFS penalty noh human
being can escape. "For lie that soweth TO the
flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he
that sowetb TO spirit, shall Of the spir. reap
life everlasting"
oy' who now enjoy youth, the "spring
time Of life"-this season Of JOY, Of merriment
and pleasure; guard well the fruitful soil of
your hearts, let no seed be sowu there, but
such as you would desire to have vegetate,
grow, bud and BLOSSOM and bear fruit Though
your whole life, and through eternity.
Allow no noxous plant 10 take root within
that sacred inclosure; if you do, you will find
! it like the Canada thistle difficult TO remove
You may cut it down by good resolutions
you may grub up its main roots by change Of
circumstances; but the little fbres will remain
and sprout again, and spread over the whole
surface of the soul Again you may cut them
down, and dig them up but like a cancer they
will be found to have extended through the
whole system. and to be interviewer in your
very nature. Dispairng of success, OF length
YOU give it up and throw down The inclosure,
wlsch till now you aves!royc 10 keep in repair,
and let in the demons ofrun and death.
Youth is the time to improve the intelectu-
al powers, to train the mind to think and reas-
on. The time to acquire knowledge, and pre-
pare for future usefulness. and whatever bus
iness or profession the mind may incline to
persue. Youth, in short is the time, to seek
preparation and qualification to live.
He therefore, who improves properly bis
youthful days, will have at least, eight years
the advantage of those who by neglect, throw
away this golden part OF their life.
The character and habits formed in youth
in nine cases out of ten, will be the character
and habits through life Not tina. reformation
is impossible but il is improbable.
Honesty, truthfulnsss, responsibility, tenn
perance, knowledge. wisdom. prosperity, hap
piness, ard pety, all depend uron the proper
improvement of this interesting period
of mans life. What would life be without
these virtues? And yet, thousands of the
youth OF our country, are spending these pre-.
cious golden moments in idleness, in los6ing
in drunkenness, and midnghtr revels. But !c
such, the time will come, when these murder
ed moments will rise up before the mind, lik'
ghosts to haunt them in their mid-nigh
dreams and their waking hours. Youth, ah
These bright hours and days, will soon bt
gone forever;-these amusements and pleas
ures are passing away, and when they arr
gone, what will be left? Remorse for mis-
spent time, or knowledge, wisdom virtue ant
piety as the reward Of the proper improve
, ment Of youth.
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