Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-03-19
SERMON TO YOUNG MEN.

CARAVN Az AVONU N 6Ns
On Sunday morning last. Rev. ]. B. Haskell,
Pastor of the Lutheran church of this city, de-
livered an interesting sermon addressed spe-
cially to young men. His remarks were based
upon the first ten verses of the 5th chapter Of
LIST Peter.
Human life is divided into the aged, middle
aged, and young, and those Of each class have
their hopes and fears. Youth Is the Spring
time Of lifs-the sowing season, when seeds Of
good or evil are sown, and when special care
should be taken to influence the young to do
good and eschew evil. G. -
Man is triuns being composed Of body,
mind. and spirit. Neither of these is subordi-'
nate to the other. A perfect man would be
developed perfectly in body, mind and spirit.
There never was but one such-Adam. The
formation Of q proper character should begin
in youth, and it Should be added to and
strengthened daily.
The youthful mind is impressed by every
thing that is seen and heard, and two much
care cannot be used to keep the young from
evil companions, whose influence is more to
be dreaded than infectious, dangerous, and
loathsome diseases.
Most Ct the men who have most forcibly i'm
pressed the age in which they lived did SO be-
fore they arrived at middle age, as Luther,
Melancthon, Napoleon. Calvin, and Summer
field. Men should be put upon their metal in
youth.
1t is generally supposed that the example and
advice of old persons have most influence up
on the young, but this is an error. The young
are more influenced by the example of their
youthful companions, for 'young folks" think
old folks FOOLS" but 1.-THE old knoao that young
folks are' !
The first duty of youth is reverence and res
pect for authority and age. The crying evil of
the times is the want of respect for age and
authority by the young. tits seen everywhere
and permeates society. Without proper respect
for authority there cannot be good christians
or good citizens.
The young should be humble, and courteous.
preferring others to SELF True courtesy is BIZ
Bile virtue. 1t was illustrated in the characters
Of Abraham, and Paul, and Christine last be-
ing perfect model of true courtesy. Every
truly great man is humble.
Manllness and Independence of character are
virtues when based upon trust in God.
Men follow leaders like sheep. God should
be the leader, and all care should be trustfully
cast upon him.
The Young men should be sober-should be
0SA-APSA"0S Al "AA ohAA6s' AA0 OSo1 comparative
society is the church of Christ for that req uires
temperance in all things. The way to extermi-
nate evil is to attack 1t in the germ, as the
ichneuman destroys crocodiles by eating the
eggs. They should be vigilant, and guard
against the wiles of Satan, who operates
through unsupported agents. Evil companions
are his agents, and too much care cannot be ia
ken to avoid association with them.
The influence of agood woman is potent for
good and young men should associate with and
be influenced by such but tifiuence Of an evil
woman is equally potent for evil and associa-
ton with such shouldbe wholly avoided
A good rule for young men to observe is,
''Not to associate upon terms Of familiarity
withany woman whom they would not be will
ing to have associates with their mothers and
sisters with equal familiarity"
Ponce de Leon sought in vain for the fountain
of youth. The only true fount of youth is
pure heart.
We have not attempted in the above
to give report of this sermon, but SIM
ply to mention some of the ideas, that our rea-
ders may have some slight conception of its
character. 1t was illustrated quite appositely
with classic references which added to its in
terest, but which, for want of space, we could
not give.
THE VALLEY DIRKCToRY.-Weh have received
a copy Of "Sheriff's Shenandoah Valley Rail-
road Directory" for 1S7S-'79, containing gen.
eral directory of the citizens of Staunton and
Winchester, to which is added business direc-
tory of Harper's Ferry, Strasburg, and the
smaller towns along the line of road from Har-
per's Ferry to staunton. 1t also contains a
complete Post office directory of Virginia, West
Virginia and North Carolina. The book con-
tains upwards of 200 pages, is gotten up in very
neat and substantial style, and is really a very
valuable book of reference for business mon,
and the people generally. We also find on It's
pages quite large number ofthe advertisements
Of our most enterprising and liberal business
men in all branches of trade. This il the first
book of this character ever publish ed of the
Valley, and we feel confident that the edition
next year will be very considerably increased
in size and will be still more interesting. The
price of the book is $500. and is for sale at T. T.
oil Sc hooL cfNr T.;~