The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-11-04
sowing and HeapIng.

Sowing wild oats would not be so dam
gerous if the invariable resping did not fol-
low. Young men, in seeking the pleasures
and indulging in the intoxications of the
morning of life, forget that they are forming
and shaping their life characters. The
fixtures and framework of character are
most always completed before the age Of
twenty-five. All alter work of reformation
is like adding new apartments and modern
styles to an old building. You can not re-
duce the old-fashioned pile to convenience,
beauty and symmetry. Principles of hon.
esty and integrity are formed early in life.
If they become the after thought, and the
new mode of life by reformation, the temp
tation fingers along through life, and when
it comes in power the victim falls. This
is the reaping Of what was sown in early
life.
If, alter the period of judging right and
wrong has arrived, there is formed no dis
tinct and definite discrimination to do the
right and forsake the wrong, it will then
take but few years to determine what the
man will be. Every vice INDUCED, every
impure thought, every unchaste word,
every sinful deed, is but planting for future
reaping. The harvest invariably ripens. Ii
the seed is good the harvest will be fruitful
in the higher experiences of a virtuous life.
If the seed is bad, the noxious growth en-
tsiling misery and wickedness is sure to
follow. If a man could transform himself
and forever Danish from his memory tie
traces of sin, the follies OF yonth would be
comparatively harmless, but he can not
shake off the faint that vice leaves in the
soul. Repentance and reformation may
come, and high type OF character may be
attained, but yet it is only a reformed char
acter after all. The former sin has yet to 90
with the reformed sinner, and it sometimes
finds him out when he himself is trusting
in entire dissolution from It's consequences.
Many young man has had apparent i'm
munity from the consequences OF his youth
ful follies, and attained TO positions of trust
and honor in life. The early errors are for
gotten and he obtains the respect of all, and
indeed has secured that which is still better.
personal self-respect. But the folly OF earlier
years of life that formed the character weak
in virtue has not been overcome. The reaping
has not been done. Temptation assails that
would not shake character that had been
formed in the first place Alright, and then by
a sudden and disgraceful fall, ths harvest of
early ill-doing is gathered and the fruit is
terribly bitter.
Aside from all higher considerations, sin
in any OF its forms does not pay. Its pain
is more grievous than its pleasure is graft
flying. Sensuality leaves upon the soul long
and bitter regret. A foul secret in
the soul, recurring again aud again
to the memory will poison the better joys
of an after life of virtue. 1t will follow with
a bitter sting into the sanctuar.es of purity
and love. and faint its purest joys. This is
reaping that follows the former sowing.
The debauchee at the wine cup does not
realize that indulgence in the intoxicating
cup conveys into his system seed that will
produce harvest of death. If not speedy
death to his body, yet death to many Of the
attributes of manhood. The sowing may