Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1855-08-15

last you through life, and if SO, must seal
your doom in that which is to come. Gle
that is filthy let him be filthy still, he that
is holy let him be holy STILL" saws the
scriptures. Then is it not Of importance
to You that you choose tile, path Of virtue
and wisdom, wi ich will make YOU orpa.
ments to your families and blessings to
society? The formation of your charac-
ter is your own work; no one can form it
for you. Others may give you reputq-
ton, but character they cannot give. Char
teris one thing; reputation is another
Character is what a man really is: repu-
tation IS what he is said to be. 1t is true
that7your parents Share in making your
characters, but alf they do, or can do, is to
lay q foundation, and you must build. up-
ON it; and tile buiidM1 y5aseNnusys6t
and qualify your souls for the enjoyment
of heaven or for the pains Of the lost
Now is the time for you to form them.
How many attribute their success TO
good, and their want of success 10 bad
fortune. Now is this so? Did you ever
know a Woodworking man with good
character complaining Of bad luck? How
lew OF such men are unsuccessful, and the
reason of their success is: when thev wep
young they formed good characters. It
is not only your duty 10 yourselves, to
form good characters, but it is your duty
to the seorld. And why to the world!
Because, in few years, you (wilt'havc
command of the ship~ on whose course
depends the destiny offurture generations.
Have you not already observed that the
world is changing hands, and that you
will soon haye>a portion in yours? Some
Of those who now have it are standing on
the graves edge, and will soon leaYe>'iit
in your hands. Are, you qualifying your
selves to take possession of SO important
a charge? Are you preparing to fill its
.professorships, its offices Of honor and to
place in Office those who are trustworthy
and qualified for office? If not, it is time
You wereimprovingthe opportunities given
you. And how can you improve them?
By close application and constant study,
in this way: you must cultivate your minds
and graft in them principles Of morality
and virtue. If you permit the golden
moments Of youth to pass unimproved,
you can have but little hope of success
in after life. Are you qualifying your
selves for usefulness in life, or arc you
idling and Spending your time in pursuit
Of those nome tary pleasures which will
add nothing toyour happiness or the pros
perity of tie world? Ii the former all
will be. well; but if the latter, stop and
reflect before, these precious moments pass
aRd the cares of manhood take their place;
Then ii will be too late for reflection To
have the proper weight upon your mind.
Remember, you are livingin country.
where the road to fame, to usefulness and
10 happiness is open aud inviting to all
a country .blrst with freedom, where.
every. man raises his own Voice in the.
election of his rulers and law-makcrs.--
Then, as these are your privileges, should
you not improve Your time, 10 acquire
knowlcd 20. What was it that raised
Sherman from his shoemakcr's bench and
gave him seatin Consress2 knowledge,
gained by his own industry.
J.. Be kind, respectable and obclient to
your paroats, to the aged, to your
teachers, and to- your school -mates.--
First, to your parents, for they have
watched over you from your earliest in
fancy to the present tire, with that care
and anxiety that none but parents can
feel; thcyhave provided for each WANT
and You owe them a debt Of love and of
gratitude you can never pay. You can
pay all they ask Of You ty, boins kind,
respectful and ebcdient to them; but all
YOU can never return. Though many of
you cannot now appreciate the value Of.
parents, the TIME is coming when you can
and WILL, (somc Of us have learned, )when
these parents arc taken from YOU and you
are cast upon the worlds cold charity
then YOU will learn to know their value
then you will know and learn the debt'of
love and gratitude you owe them, but too
late to pay, to late then to say: father for
give my ingratitude. You mayrisit the
grave of that loved mother and weep, for
but your signs alone will
disturb the stiffness Of that hallow2d spot.
Yes, when these parents have passed from
time it will be too late. then to be kind to-
them; now is the time, arid the only time,
you can payany part Of this debt as you
will wish you had.
Be respectful to the aged. When. You
see an old person whose locks are white,
and whose back is bending over the open
grave, do not laugh, but be always ready
to assist-always ready to extend your
hand TO steady their feeble step. TEercis
nothing in your conduct that is7-more
priiseworthy than respect for the aged and
there is nothing that looks worse than
want Of respect. Show me a boy or a
girl that is respectful and kind to the
aged and you will show me one that is
happy and loved by all. These old PERI
sons have trouble and care that you know
nothing about; then do not permit your
uncenteel conduct add one moment Of dis
quiet to their winter of life. Ill III
Be respectful and obedient to your
If they see that you are Istriy'
inc to learn they will do all in their power
to assist you, and will not leave unused a
effort to promote your welfare. !
am unable to say. at present, whether !
viii be your teacher again or not; il may
be that we are together now for the last.
t;r,a al ,,b;Ia have an opportuDity,