Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-13
The Power of Habit.

What is there that swaFs the passions,
feelings, inclinations, and Intentions of man
more than habit? It rules in every sphere
of life, from that Of the most degraded
wreck of the earth, to that of those whose
chastity fits them for better cline, for
the realms of bliss. It becomes, sas IL
aOere," part of mans life. 1t forms us all.
1t has been said, and that very truly, too,
that "Habit is second nature" It will give
US the ability to bear well those things,
which, at first, seem almost intolerable TO
US.
Habits are, sometimes, contracted before
we have discernment enough to perceive
their approach, or whilst we are off our
guard and alas for asl 1t SO often happens
that these are df vicsods, and CORE d
nature, bnt after having become injured to
them, although they were disagreeable at
first, it seems like parting from one of our
most intimate friends to cast one of them
away from US.
"a new cask will long preserve the tine
ture of the liquor with what it was first
impregnated,' so also, will man be haunted
by habits, which he may have formed in
youth, or by those which may have crept
upon him by stealth, in the stiffness oil
night, like a wolf upon the fold.
Train up a child in the way he should
go, and when he is old he will not depart
therefrom." Where do we find an iniunc-
tion better illustrating the tremendous
poaOer Of habit, than this? Why will he
not depart therefrom? Why will he still
follow the same well-beaten path? Why
does he not forsake it and pursne the ways
that are new to him? simply because he
has become accustomed to live in that man
ner, and that inclines him to still pursue
''the same good old aOay." He finds it to
be the right way, then why should he for.
sake the fountains of living waters, and hew
hold no water?
When we accost farmer with, "My
kind sir, why do you not quit farming in
the old fashioned aoay, and make investina.
tions as your neighbors do!" He will tell
you, "This is the way my father and grand
father farmed, and they taught me to dc
as they did, and l have been in the habi1
of farming this way, and I intend to stick
to It,"
Talk to dram-drnker or one who in
dulges in any of the many evil practices O
the day, and tell them to quit it; they viii
tell you, 81 can't, have gotten in such {
habit Of it, it is not possible for me to quit
Thus it is with the slaves of habit.
Those, whose happy prerogative it is t.
have been trained to walk in the paths o
without hearing the warning whispering
of conscience, saying, this is not the way t.
act; act in your habtual way; check tn.
step, enter not too rashly apon an unaccus
toned sea; follow the footsteps in whic
you have been accustomed to tread.
Those who have been brought up in th
midst Of vice and pollution, although the
may have extricated themselves from thu
state of filthy worthlessness, can feel th
dregs of old habits, as if of sickness, sti
clinging to them; still threatening to dra
them back as they once we're. Then, oh
parents, guardians, and teachers, look we
to your trust: let not the rebukings of
guilty conscience be your lot; be not
cause of blame by neglecting your heave
intrusted charge. Work while it is in Sc
son, for the time may soon hasten al
when it will be too late; demolish the e,
fruit even in its budding; let it not rip
as the season rolls round. JUVENIS,
Polkville, Cleaveland Co., N. G.