The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-08-14
JUVENILE coEUnh.
YOUR ANGELS ADVICE.

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God and men have right 70 expect certain
know yOurselfis Of very great Importance |;
to remember your ignorance in respect to
most things about you that people who
arc older must have seen greal deal more,
and understand, therefore, better than it
would be reasppable to expect from you.
Then do not think too highly Of yourselves,
but cultivate mOdesty and humility. What
you desire to know, that your books do
not instruct you in, ask of your parents, or
yonr elder brothers or sisters, or syour
teacher, or some kind friend.
Obey your parents and do not question
what they wish; but do it and always with
cheerful heart. If you should do wrong,
confess it and seek forgiveness, watch
moro earnestly in future and never, no
never, utter what is false. Be kind to your
brothers and sisters let not pride or envy
make you Indifferent to them, or be grieved
because they have what you have not.
Forgive those who may offend you, and let
not angeDfll your heart.
Avoid bad company be not enticed to
acts of mischief; let your plays be free of
malice or ill temper. Fear God and re-
member that sin against Him must be re-
pented of and forsaken, or it will lead you
to darkest regions of everlasting death and
your guide, and save you from the many
snares of youthful life.
Choose the godly for your companions,
and resolve with all your heart to seek the
way that leads to everlasting life. Seek
Gods blessing on all you do, and pray that
that He may make you the joy of your pa
rents and friends, a holy member of His
Church on earth and q blessing to the
world in which you live. Forget not that
you may die before the days Of childhood
are over: How many graves just large
enough for you are found in every burial
ground! You will surely die, enter
eternity, and appear before the Judge of all
mankind. If you should not die in youth,
but live till fOurscore years, religion will
adorn and bless you, and also make you a
real good to all around you. Remember
thy Creator in the days.of thy youth"
LEARNING TO Sw1M.-Every boy should
learn to swim. It is both a pleasant and a
healthful sport and in these days when so
many travel over sea or ocean, or are car
ried from one place to another along our
sometimes suddenly find themselves in the
water, when life depends upon reaching
bale Of cotton, or o plank, or something
else floating near.
It is estimated that from fifty to hun
dred persons annually lose their lives in
ing how to swim. Boys should learn when
they are young, and this is the way to be-
gin:
Preliminary.-A boy who cannot swim
should never 60 into the water without the
consent of his parents. They always know
what is best. Neither should he 60 except
in company with some swimmer; and,
most important of all, he should never
venture in where the water is beyond
his depth, or where there may be deep
hole either above or below the place, that
he may be carried into before he is aware.
The best time to go in is in the morning.
Beginning.-Suppose the boy is undress-
bank of the river or pond, and he just
ready to go in. Now standing where you
are, jump in where the water is a foot or q
foot aud half deep. 1t will seem cold at
first, but it is altogether better than to wade
in, because wading in drives the blood up
serious injury. After you are wet all over,
then wade quickly in till you stand with
the water up to your waist, then give
spring toward the shore, at the same time
striking out with your hands sideways to
your body and kicking with all your might.
The first time trying you will sink to the
bottom, and if your feet are not under you,
your head will 60 under water; but you must
scramble up quickly and go back and try
again. The next time, perhaps, you will go
several feet without touching the bottom
your first success in learning. to swim:
Accp ACpchtiuS tuISJ always III duO
then striking out for the shore.
OF course all this will weary you and put
you out of breath, SO you should not stay in
over fifteen minutes at the longest. If you
stay in longer and get tired and cold, you
will be uncomfortable the remainder Of the
day besides, If you continue the practice
of staying in the water too long for any
length of time, your health will be perma-
nently injured. When you come out of the
water, wipe your body until it is thoroughly
dry, and when dressed commence sactive
exercise at once.
After you have learned SO that you can
wade out a rod or more from the shore and
then swim to it, you can try swimming
down stream if you are in river, or
alongside the shore if you are in pond
but you should always remember that you
will get tired in few minutes and should
you close your wind, )" as the boys say, you
will be in great danger of drowning.
Floating. - When you have learned to
swim, then you can learn to float. Go in
where the water is up to your arms, and
where it grows more shallow instead of
deeper as you go down the stream. Then
stand with your face up the river, and
gently fall over backwards, with your
hands at the same time crossed under the
small of your back, giving a good spring
with your feet that will send your body up
to the top of the water. You will go under
in a second, but hold your breath and keep
your mouth shut till you spring up as your
feet touch the bottom, and then try it
again. The next time you will do better,
and with constant practice, you will soon
have such confidence and such skill that,
when you are tired swimming, you can