American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-02-22
TFor the Lancaster Gazette.
hort LECTURE 10 Evening Loafers


Short Lecture TO Evening Loafers-
singular subject" exclaims the rea-
der, "to place in the columns OF apaper
for public perusal." Ali not so singular
either, if you would chance 10 step into a
store, bar-room or shop. ina countryFiE
lage some evening, and view the nrhner-
GUS members that constitute this loafing
class. You cannot call amiss-they w,ll
all be there, regular as clock work-thc
worse the weather, the thicker the loafers,
Old, middle aged and young-ready for
all kinds of tricks, conversation, or what
not, SO it does not require any thing like
manual labor or mental exertion. Now
for moment look on-listen-some sit
ting, some standing, whilst others are re-
cIining their drowsy forms upon any ac-
commodation that presents itself. And
whatsuhjects are discussed? 1t seems as if
they dive down into the very depths OF
nothingness, and fshup themes upon which
to converse. Shame, shame on the man,
the most noble and divine work ofGod.-
Was it for this that ye were created? To
while away life's precious hours in idle
ness? All, l fear far worse than idleness.
Have you deserted the freside of your
homes-the place that every husband
should make happy by his presence after
the tolls Of the day? Have you forsaken
those whom you took unto yourselves to
render happy, and who have the unde-
niable right of your company in leisure
hours? HIVE you forgotten the little ones
that were given unto you, to train up in
the path of rectitude? Are they at home
or are they following in hurried steps the
examples Of their idle parents? If they
are at home, go there too, leave off this dis
gusting practice of loaGng and seek youl
own hearth-stones--your wives will bless
you for it. How do you think they con-
tent themselves evening after evening
lonely at home, while prolonged stay oi
ten minutes there almost throws you intC
fdgets? How much happier your wives
and children would be if you were will
them when the shades of evening close il
upon the bright day. And is not hom'
the place you expected to give and receive
happiness when you took the solemn oatl
at the hymenial altar? Oil then for th,
credit of your own characters and the ben
eft OF your families let the fireside Of you
homes be Frightened with your presence
at evening
And young men what do you expect t
gain by spending your time in this low un
profitable participation? A good name, al
intelligent mind? If you do you aresure
ly deceived, and when you get older yol
, win bitterly repent of the course you hav
pursued. Time is precious, and whel
spent can ne'er be recalled. Then speno
it proftably-spcnd it so as to be useful t.
yourselves and fellow mortals. When yo
lay aside the hammer,t the chisel, the plane
and retire from your daily occupation d
not eat your evening repast and hasten t
Join the company of those useless mortal
called loafers, but take up a book or pape
) and make yourselves acquainted with sub
: ects, which will be of service to you--tr
: 1.-TWO or three trials will convince yo
9 your inclination for loafing will soon van
sh like the morning mist before the risin
+, sun. God has given you minds to cult
! vate, and cnlghten, but he never intend
i ed you should exercise them'in the goot
5 for-nothing society OF loafers, but to teac
$ you to grasp objects which are calculate
: to obtain for you names which will
crowned with honor
Loafing is only habit, an injurious, r.
G voting habit, which will be hard to fr'
$ yourselves from when you become full
y initiated into its ranks, and will lead yC
), on from one idle practice to another uni
d it will finally sink you into dissipation
e the lowest grade. Then flee from it. b
n seech you, old and young, despiso al
T. shun it as you would the Kissing noise of
d poisonous reptile. A. 7. M.
n BASIL, Ono.