Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-17
ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN.


--.o,--
For the Spirit of the Age.
ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN.
Mr.. EDITOR: AS the young men of our
country are both the hope of the church
and the State, and as they often need the
counsel of the aged, | have concluded to
tender them some of the best advice am
capable of giving them, hoping that it will
not be rejected because it is plain, or be-
cause it may not chime in with their pre-
conceived notions of right and wrong. 1t
has been said, that there are some things!
that can only be learned by experience
This presume is true, yet there are many
things that the young may learn froln,the
experience of others, that would, if heeded,e
enable them to avoid many of the snares
and vices that thoughtless, giddy and bead
strong young men run into. | am. new
bordering on three score years, and must
have lived to little purpose, ii | have not
learned many things from books. cbserva-
tion and experience. The Bible informs
us, first " to seek the kingdom Of God and
his Righteousness, and all other good things
will be added" Here then is the starting.
point, the basis of all that is GOOD and val,l-
able in subsequent life-it will answer as
true regulator, if needed, of all your. con-
duct. Prize it then, in connexion with the
Book Of Books, as jewel OF inestimable
value. You will learn from It's sacred pa
ges to be sober, industrious, honest, .virtu-
.ous, benevolent, kind, humane and piouss--
Won will ok laorn +a ho -
all things" which if practiced, will afford
you much pleasure as well as save you
from much suffering. l have often thought
of copy set me by my preceptor in my
school-boy days; "young folks think old
folks are fools, but old folks know young
ones to be So"
Never think yourself too, wise to learn
from those who, in some respects, are great
ly your interiors. Our stoek,of knowledge
is derived from various sources-and much
of it from evil sources-why not reject the
evil and secure good like the honey bee
| Be careful in forming habits in early life
as blunder or error committed in youth
cannot easily be gotten rid OF, although tn
individual inquestion may afterwards be
come an exemplary man in ak las. condnct
The stigma that young men sometime
bring upon themselves, will not only 70
low them to tkeir graves, but descend t
their children'S children. Iwonld:atlyise a.
yOung men to be careful how they act i
reference to drinking Intoxicating liquors
The habit once formed is difficult to get II
OF, and may lead you on to, o,ernnkennes
AS intemperance is the greatest evil pc
haps that prevails in our countK,;,. be pa
ticulariy careful to shun the society OF d;
sipated young men. There is, one adae
that is not true-which is this. That ba
company is better than none" Infnitel
better will it be for you to. be- alone, ths
in the company of the wicked er the pr
9 fame. 1t requires not half the effort
avoid bad habit that it takes 30 throw
off.
" An ounce of preventive, is better than
G pound of cure"
S would advise all young men to engage
: somehonest and honorable calling-it ms
s ters not whether they are sons of ri
/ men or not 1t is said that Satan aIwa
e has work foridle hands to do'' No YOU
e man should be a drone in society. Ii he
g rich he has more time and means at
) command so that he may be useful to |
d fellow creatures in some department Of Ii
IS If he is poor, necessity should operate as
j. stimulus to exertion that he may by indl
IS try and economy, acquire the necessar
Is and comforts of life. Never slight a m.
e. because he is poor, nor honor the ri
l. merely because he-is rich-the poor m
W may be, and often is, the most worthy
ID the two. Give honor to whom honor
al due, and never connive at sin even if fOu
is in " high places" Remember that rigI
es eousriess exalteth nation, but san is a
IN proach to any people"
at Never be ashamed to labor with yc
st, hands, if it be necessary. Man was made
VS. labor andis as much a blessing as it is az
d, ty. Some of the greatest, as well as sol
be of the best men that ever lived, labor
e. with their own hands-and it was an ht
ma or to them. Never contemn or spe
m lightly of religion or the people Of G
re- for you may rest assured that nothing
lp- well grounded hope in Jesus Christ
his your Saviour, will reconcile you to
be- idea of death.
ID. Remember, this world is not your 5
on ding place." and that you are only SOLO
bis ming here for time. In far less than
ee- century perhaps, you will be an inhabit
le- either OF heaven or hell, and that forel
am No man ever repented that he was g,
of man, but thousands have regretted t
ed they have lived in sin and rebellion AGA
m, God. Never be afraid to do your duty,
ice the consequences in this life be what t
as may-if you are not fully rewarded
ey- you will be in Heaven. Be careful
inc you form or contract habits of extra
ing gance in youth, as you may live to see
lks day when you will not be able to ind,
ph, in them, and it is better to deny curse