True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-07-29
THE DOWNWARD ROAD.

We knew youth at college who had
enjoyed careful, although not stately re-
ligious training in his fathers house, and
came to college with character unsul.
lied, and apparently established in his
moral principles. Polite, social and intel,
ligent, he was soon surrounded by COM
panions who courted his intimacy. From
among these few were selected who in
point Of talent and family distinction
were particularly attractive, and little did
he imagine that they were loose in their
principles, and that with all their polish
of manners and imposing social qualities
they were pbilosophic skepties, who dis
carding the restraints of religion, regar
ded selfish and sensual indulgence the
chief good. The strict rules of conduct
which he had adopted were not rudely
assailed, but gradually undermined, and
while sagacious friends suggested 10 him
that his associations were dangerous. that
there were strong influences drawing him
downward his course was slow but sure, his
moral habits instead of being strength.
ened by temtation were relaxed. his out
ward respect for religion declined, and be-
fore his curriculum was completed, he
had made fearful progress in career
which ended in infdelity, the lowest
forms of sensualism, and premature decay
of body and mind. The fall for which
he prepared himself when he associated
with those who, inste ad Of being able to
strengthen him in virtue, were only fit
ted to expose him to inevitable ruin by
striking from beneath the good foundation
on which he commenced tU rear his fu.
ture character and fame.
We knew young man who possessed
all the sagacily, decision and forethought
which, by careful application. would have
rendered him merchant prince. With
flatleriug business prospects, and friends
disposed 10 aid him, none could doubt
that wealth and eminence were within
his grasp. Industry soon began to show
its fruits, but with his successes came a
restless ambition to surpass all his com.
peers. He determined to become rich,
supposing, as many have done before and
since, that if others esteemed him to be
unusually prosperous, his facilities for
acquisition would be proportionally in
creased. Though not obvious to himself,
he was getting ready for long strids upon
the downward road. A young, thought
leess and ex,ravagant wife melted him to
expense which he was by no means re.
luctant to encounter, but which the actual
stale of his business would not Justify,
and he began 10 live in style of luxury
which a fortune in possession, instead Of
in prospect, would alone enable him to
continue. This show OF prosperity, while
it deceived The crowd, created dilrusu
in those with whome he enjoyed the
most profitable business relations, and
they cautiously Withdrew from any pos.
sible entanglemenls with him. Soon he
found check was imposed on his career.
He found it difficulty to obtain the funds
to keep up his establishment, and 10 de-
lay the final and now inevitable explos'
ion, ne became forger, and then fugi'
tive and vagabond, while the auction.
eer's voice was heard in his beautiful man
sion, and his thoughtless and helpless
family were cast into unnoticed obscurity
and poverty.
Another we knew who, in his native
village, was not only moral, but seemin
gly religious. In all his outward conduc
he sustained his profession, and was re-
garded with esteem. His business calleC
him to one of our large cities, where HI
supposed he saw much more promisin,
field for his operations. He changed hil
residence and entered into a prosperous
business. He formed, however, new
church relations, and seemed still inten
upon securing the one thing needful.-
With success attending his enterprises
he was subject also TO new temptations
The fashions Of this wourd proved toe
attractive, and the result was soon noticed