Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-20
OUT Social Uirrle.
ritten for tine Green Mountain Fl
Early Habits.

The Importance of forming correct habits
while young, should be deeply impressed up
on the mind of every individual for upon this
the very foundation Of society rests, and
when we take this view Of it, can it be any,
thing inconsistent in us if we say, it should
be felt by all We answer no and We feel
that every father and every mother, and every
true Christian, will join with us at once, and
say that it is of the utmost Importance, and
that it is the duty of every one to do all in
their power to fill the minds of the young
with useful knowledge, and good instruction,
feeling assured if we do this, that we shall
have our reward that we shall see, Gf we
are spared) those for whom we have tried so
long to lead in the right paths, see them seek
ing the paths of virtue, and doing to others,
as we have done to them. Yes, we say train
up child in the way he should 60, and when
he becomes old he will not depart from it.
This is saying of the wisest man that ever
lived; and oh, how true. Do we realize it.,
DO We feel it as Christians? Alas, it is great.
ly to be feared that we do not for when we
take view Of the state of the morals of the
young, careful observer cannot fail to see
that we as fathers and mothers, and Chris
tians are grossly negligent of our duty, and
We all readily admit it to be our duty, and it
is greatly to be feared, that while we admit,
we do not do; CT in other words, we know
our duty but we do it not When we see SO
many young people following the paths of
vice and ruin, when we see SO many young
men frequenting the grog-shops, and gamb-
ling saloons, cursing and swearing, profaning
the holy sabbath, and trampling the very
Word of the Most High under their feet; is
it not truly lamentabe, and we ask if it can
be anything inconsistent in us if we question
whether we are doing our duty or not? We
answer that it is the duty of every Christian
to look into the matter, and ponder over it,
and if we are doing all that we are capable
of doing, if we are improving every oppor-
tunty to inculcate into the minds Of the
young right and good principles then our
consciences will be void of offence, for we
shall feel that we are doing all that is requir-
ed; but if on the other hand we find our.
selves negligent, as it is greatly to be feared
we shall, then let us begin at once to do our
duty by trying to recall those who have gone
astray, and are now fast Fastening On to des.
truction Of both body and soul, and by using
every means which is in our power to pre-,
vent those who have not become hardened in
crime, from ever falling into wicked and sill
ful habits, and rest assured, my friends, oul
standard of morality will be raised at once
and when we look around we shall see the
fruits of our labor.
Yes, experience has taught me this, for
have been blessed with Christian parents and
friends, who have used every means in theil
power to quell my evil passions and fill my
youthful mind with good instructions. All
what tongue can tell how much owe to those
who cared for me, and what feelings of graf
itude fill my heart, as fond recollection CALI
to mind the kind advice of those Christians
and can we, my friends, whose lot it is t,
live surrounded with so many blessings, be S,
careless and negligent as not to render t,
others all the instruction we can? We hop
not, and we say, let every one endeavor Il
realize the many blessings which have beef
impaired to him, and try to be useful in tn
world, by imparting the same to others, am
if we do this, we may feel assured that W
shall reap our reward j. r.