Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-02-20
Youth and Early Manhood.
tFor the Spirit of Jefereon.1

Youth and early manhood are those no.
rlods OF lite to which too much interest and
Importance cannot be attached They are
the basis of future action and character. tha,
will make up life and contribute largely t, itS
veal or woe, its usefulness or its worthless,
ness How comeiy the sight 10 sec youth
striving to lay god foundation for the time
to come. both Intellectually and morally 2 1t
Is more comeiy to see the young man not only
, strong physically, which is u glory to him.
hut it is greater glory that he be robust in
intellect and morals-his powers we'll bal
anced-conscIous Of his strength and force of
character-1eady to enter into the worlds
arena true and honorable contestant. not
for its shallow pean of praise-but for n con-
science void of offence toward God and man
| whose integrity Of purpose and action will
c"nstran the plaudit ''Well done, good and
faithful servant" Who. having set his face
as steel against the vices aud pit falls to which
the young are exposed, has escaped the dan
gers. Who, having steered safely between
SyIla on tho one hand and Charybids On the
other, his honor untouched, his virgin purity
untarnished, is thrice strongly armed, aud
moves already among his fellows giant from
self conquest. To such, the Church opens
her portals and earnestly invites to her inner
courts. where they may receive an outfit for
the highest destiny. To such the State
looks with anxious eye, claiming them as her
choicest jewels, and points them to her high
places of trust and honor To such, human.
aty stretches out her arms, and seeks their de.
votion 10 the elevation of the race and its de.
livery from the thralls of misery Thus to
work in the field that either the Church. the
State philanthropy opens and invites, does
not imply the choice of either of the learned
professions as vocation. The noble end
sought may be attained by pursuing the hum.
bier walks of life, and filling up ones meas
ure of duty in any just and lawful pursuit.
| Those choice virtues and rare traits that aim
to serve ones God, and country and fellows.
i truly and heroicaly, may be developed and
End ample scope in acting ourpart we'll where
fame stoops not to see the worker, and the
world passes by on the other side, unable to
detect worth in SO unassuming a form But
for all it is there, and true merit will find its
recognition, if not from man, surely from
God. This is the fruit, ripe and juicy-bow
identifying the tree, lovely TO the eve and
luscious to the taste-the result of carefully
guarding, pruning and nursing the plant in
youth and early manhood.
How pitiable the sight and how sad the
contrast of the youth who has let his precious
seed>time pass unimproved-upon whom ear
ly manhood opens without any settled pur-
pose or pursuit in life. Having grown up in
idleness, his mind is incapable of high re-
solve and steady pursuit. 1t is but hot bed
| of vice, where the weeds of indulgence pas
sion, appetite and vicious thoughts grow rank
and foul. lie has not run the gauntlet, SO
far, without infringing upon his moral integ-
rity and truth. He has in more than one in j..
stance yielded to the voice of the syren
charmer, and now he knows he is despoiled
of his manhood, and realizes that the 'sstrong
man armed" is upon him, and holds him a
prisoner. Life to him is devoid of any high
and noble aim. He lives to eat aud drink
and be merry: and friiters it away as holiday
season, full of toys and playthings. Even in
the early morn of his being, the deep shadow
of the coming event-lite's failure-costs
itself before his vision. The dregs of the cup
of his sorrow, chaerin, disappointment and
remorse, are gathering for his bitter draught
Oh that we could arouse him to throw off the
incubus tina. is upon him-but we fear it is
too late. .'The Rubicon is passed, and Rome
is free more. T.
CbarIestowD. February 18th, 1872.