Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-11-19

l
trance of the city was the place of counsel
and judgment, as well as strength. Our
senses are the chief avenues OF evil and
they must be guarded we'll. "Tho path is
smooth that leadeth 10 danger, but the trav-
eller therein will not walk far without fall. -"
| II Is hard for the best man to say to what
limit he will be tempted. If he put himself
| among Philistines he cannot expect to come
forth unframed. There are treacherous
wretches in all ranks of society who delight
in causing the pure to degrade themselves
! to the same miro wherein they are wallow-
ing. But we should trust him in nothing
who makes not a conscience of uprightness,
and especially we should shrink with horror
from those who designedy throw tempta-
tion in the way OF the innocent. Those
who would not for moment think OF madly
eaping from high tower at once, may yet
be persuaded to descend step by step. The
French have a maxim full of important
meaning: ut is the first wrong step that
ruins" Little foxes spoil the vines; some
passion not checked in the bud, some viper
not crushed in the egg, some vicious scene
revisited with increased delight these are
frequently the almost imperceptlble sources
of ruin, which increase their forces with
alarming speed, and soon blast the faculties
of the soul in irretrieyable ruin.
"Faults in the life breed errors in the brain,
The mind aud conduct mutually Imprint
Aud stamp their image on each others mint
Self.contidence always precedes destruc-
ton. IT can take care of myself" says the
candidate for speedy and profound contempt
He who would escape danger must avoid
the paths that lead 10 1t. He who would
| escape the woe connected with sin, must
| powerfully guard against treacherous temnta
tion. The downward course of young men
| is generally commenced by aping the follies
of the unworthy in language, life and dress,
in forgetting the sentiment of the sagacious
Laetantius, that he who initiates the bad,
cannot be good. Since honest earnings can
not support extravagant habits, some dis
honorable and dishonest policy is adopted
to meet the demands of growing vice. and
| unavoidable disgrace succeeds. The gaming
| table, the drinking saloon and the brothel,-
| what q waste OF capacious powers is here,
and what whitening of ausplcious hopes.
Good and evil are placed before us free
moral agents, as the objects of our affection
and the formers of our character for time
| and eternity. Hercules stood between
virtue and vice, solicited by both. So
must we choose which we will follow. But
1t requires stern integrity and high moral
courage to Withstand the temptation of
worldly policy. Our wills must be conform
ed TO the high principles of immutable JUS
tice. Integrity is lofty virtue, prime ele-
ment in every trustworthy. character. A
true man is moved neither by smiles nor
frowns, neither by pecunary gain nor per-
sonal obloquy to swerye from truth. He is
actual Il by the strictest law of verify, and
therefore Is the man to trust True great.
ness does not consist so much in dong ex
traordinary things lin conducting ordinary
affairs with noble, demennnr and from q
rignI m0uve. The highest honor is forever
attached to unswerving honesty. 1t is of tht
highest Importance that we early learn tC
live in this world with steadiast perseverance,
in the path of uprightness; exemplifyinI
that regularity of movement which aloni
gives assurance of soul truly devoted Il
exalted aims. When man is deemed un
certain as to his engagements, so much 81
that his disregard OF every promise has be
vi come proverbal, il Will not be strange if b
Z forieits all public confidence, and speedil
sinks under the infamy he has deserved
y I 1t is the highest glory in man to be tn
slave of his word. No one can be fiekl
y and false in little matters, and yet renal
= influential and trustworthy IN concerns of
n higher range. Trifies make up existence, an
a We cannot maintain an honorable standln
single hour, il III those relations whic
involve the honor and welfare of others, W
o presume in the slightest degree to sport wit
If the law of veracity. Losing confidence o
: this ground all is lost.
10 Glands morteaged, may return aud more esteemed;
}. But honesty once pawned is as'er redeemed"
II IdIeness is another vice which must
u carefully avoided. We have four hundre
= and fifty voluntary muscles made on pu
u pose to be actively employed. Every on
,, should have a noble object of pursuit and
j. disposition actively to press towards h
n elevated goal, in order to be either success
full or happy.
IL Idleness was q criminal offence at Athen
l. and should be so regarded everywhere. TT
teeth and tongue are not to be kept col
stantly employed while the hands remai
IA. idle All labor is honorable whether of Il
head or of the hands, and whoever atfec
e; to shun or despise it, is simpleton. %
e. the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat IL
re bread" is an eternal decree from whi'
of none can try to escape without involYil
IT. the most fearful consequences to both so
is and body. Labor is diversified according
as the various wants of society. The WOO
o. sawyer is just as important and may
,ir equally honorable as the lawyer. Let ]
q, man despise his calling, and no man W
desplse him. Whoever contributes to I
,se good of the commonwealth deserves well
u- the same. An honorable ambition or aspil
.r- ton in a young man is commendable, but
i'd is perfectly ridiculous to aspire 10 positi
n which he has not qualified himself to
zee and does not intend to. He brings ridicl
lst and contempt not only on himself, but
nj the position he assumes, or rather presun
.rd to occupy.
In Everything is governed by fixed rules a
cal laws. knowledge and wealth are reacl
by by the same processes day by which I'll
est ever were. Each mau must learn his
of phabet before he becomes a scholar; he IN
Lhe learn the laws which regulate trade bel
er- he can become merchant. No man can
ly. come preacher who has not studied til
or. logy; nor lawyer without having +
YES studied law, nor physician until he
en- studied the science OF physiology and a
/. tony. None of the higher grades OF la
,les can he properly performed without 9
ces knowledge OF letters, u knowledge OF at Il
ink the rudimenls of education. The educa'
rev of man should be equal to the requremt
yes, Of the position he holds or to which
The aspires.
lost Aside from these considerations, educa
mes Is indispensable to proper devclOpmer
tied the mind and the higher faculties OF the s
ody 1t is the imperative duty Of every yo
ith- man to cultivate his mind to the eKtel
q of his means and opportunities, NOT me
ring when convenient, but at n sacrifice OF
and comfort. Wisdom springs not from
was ground, and knowledge grows not as
n TO weeds. These blessings must be earnt
avs. sought after and are only attained by la
self Gus effort.
and In addition to books the whole volun
lons nature is open for our contemplation.
NAV not have the advantages of the sch
olive but from the benefits of these none
re is debar you Many oil the aplest anu
sents men have been elf.made men. Give J
lther selves, as much as is possible, to real
ches not of light and trashy literature, as NJ
ance and the like, but 10 careful perusal of b
ID TO that impart practical instruction. II
wick language OF DR.. waits, "Consiuet tne q,
IS his and difficulty OF many truths anu lle II,
lmon ing appearance OF falsehood, whence a