American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-07
From Arthur's Home Magazine.
A Saturday Evening SoIilOquy.

Z Another weekis gone! The Recor-
ding Angel has taken his impression
of the thoughts, purposes, plans &
states of the inner man, as we'll as of
the acts of the outer Neutrality-suspicious.
exact and faithful as those of. the Da-
guerrian. have one week less to live
and am one week nearer to the time of
giving an account of the way in which
| have employed the precious gift. of
llfeWith all it's powers, privileges, du-
ties, responsibilities and opportunities.
What are the impressions which my
words and deeds are likely to have
made on others during the past week?
What influences, for good or for evil,
have gone forth from my conduct and
conversation, and from my whole life
during the week now ending? Have L
been sufficiently thoughtful of the in
fuence which | might exert by means
OF words and deeds, and by means of
the aims which L may be laboring to
accomplish, or of the motives which L
make manifestation of as the springs
OF my conduct? Have kept sufficient
lly III remembrance the fact, that all
these things have an influence, and
that no part of what is included in the
general designation of example is with
out its influence, either for good or for
evil, In my own immediate neighbor-
hood, and among all with whom [ as
sociate, or whose minds I can in any
way reach? In my endeavors and
plans for doing good, have | consider
ed what might be done in this way
either to help or to hinder these bcne-
VIOLENT efforts? The language of my
actions-of my whole life or example;
will make a deeper or more indelible
impression OH the minds of my family
and those around me, than any pro-
fesslons | may make, or any precepts
may give. Those familiar with me
may read in my daily conversation and
conduct what my aims and aspirations
are, what am laboring for, and what
| consider to be the objects most wor-
thy OF being sought and strivcn after.
What have they been reading lately
in my life's language, in my daily con-
duct, in regard to these aims and OBJ
Ijects? 1t does not admit Of doubt that
the oxample--the daily spirit, temper
and motives, or daily conversation and
conduct of parents do much, yea uegy
much, to mould and fashion the char
acter of their children. 1t is there
fore, solemn and important question
to me, to every parent, what is the
stamp and impression which my chill
dren are receiving from my example?
Are they learning from me to curb g.
restrain temper, passion, and propen-
slty, OF to give them the reigns of free
indulgence? Are they learning from
what | do, and not merely from what
| say, to live for the noble and Heav-
cnly approved ends, OF for ignoble, un-
worthy, earthly, and animal ones? Il
am conscious, | am fully convinced,
that the language of my daily and
hourly life, or example, will influence
my children much more powerfully to
live for the most worthy objects than
any language or exortation uttered by
thclips. The preaching Of my life will
do moro than all preaching Of my lips
to induce my children, and all within
tho sphere ofmy influence, to walk the
steep and upward way that leads to
excellence and usefulness self
approval and to tho appreciation of all
the good, whether on earth or in Uea-
yen
a subterranean river has been struck