The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-05-09
Our Young People
BY REV. R. H. RIVERS, D. D.
CONSCIENCE (continued).
LESSON TWELFTH.

In my last lesson / endeavored to
show what is meant by the con
science and to illustrate Its abuse.
1t is the noblest faculty that God
has given us. 1t is almost as his
voice within us, impelling to the
right and restraining from wrong;
Furnishing US when we have done
wrong and rewarding US when we
have done right. But for it duty
could neither be known nor dis
charged. Without it. there would
be no remorse for crime, and no
feeling of appreciation for having
done a good thing. When properly
cultivated it comes in conflict with
passion and bushes its vile clamors.
1t gives strength to high purpose,
and con irms a noble resolve. Con
science properly educated and faith
fully obeyed would place our young
people on the highest plane occu-
pied by refined and exalted human
ity. Vice and crime would disap-
pear, while virtue and purity would
shine more brightly than the sun in
heaven. Duty would become the
universal rule, and our youth of
both sexes would move forward in
its discharge with untaltering steps.
Then the gentle admonitions of the
conscience would be 'hesrd above
all the violence OF passion and the
cravings of appetite. 1t is to ex
cite to the cultivation of this noble
faculty that send out these weekly
lessons to the young readers of the
CITIZEN. An old man has been al
lowed to utter words of instruction
and of warning to those whose path
of life has just opened with 50 much
brightness and beauty. 1t has graf
flied me that | have had the priv
lege of such frequent communions
with every young person who might
feel disposed to listen to the words
which well up in a heart by no
means cold TO any, but gushing with
the deepest affection especially for
you. When temptation assails and
pleasures attract, when the syren
sings and the serpent charms, then
give a listening ear to the loving
words | send out to you from the
brink on which | stand. Remem
Der l have travelled the path which
you now tread, and have fought the
battles in which you are now en-
gagged. AS an old soldier about to
take his armor of, let me warn you
who have just put the armor on.
Let me beseech you, keep your con-
science right. Do not sin against
that. Watch against sin. Shun
bad company. Keep out of temp
tation. Listen to the softest wills
pers of the conscience. A good
conscience will keep you always
happy. A youth with a good con
science is happier in a poor hut
than one with a bad conscience in
a palace. You may put such per-
son in a dungeon; you may cover
him with rags; you may starve him
by inches; you may shut him out
from his parents, and still as long
as he knows he is right he is happy.
Let me tell you of one who, all his
life long, tried to keep a good con-
science.
He was opposed. He was perse-
cuted. He was put in prison again
and again. He was tied up and
whipped until the blood trickled
down his back, all torn and SCARED.
At last he was condemned to die.
He was old and feeble. He looked
out from his prison and saw them
making preparations for his death.
1t was a horrible death they were
for him. He was not
alarmed; he was not sad. He never
was so happy In all his life; he was
going to die, but he was ready; and |
while they were making ready he
was writing, Il have fought the
good fight, l have finished my
course, 1 have kept the faith.
there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge shall give
me-" Then he shouted, "Oh, grave
where is thy victory, Oh, death,
where is thy sting?" He had a
good conscience, and he did not
feel the sting of death, nor dread
,he gloom OF the grave.
Many a man has had to die for
lis conscience. Come with me and
will show you how a sweet girl
lied for her conscience. 1t was in
Did Rome, and more than eighteen
hundred years ago. Now let US
axe our stand where we can see.
She is to be torn by wild beasts.
She is Christian. A great many
ire here to witness the hungry lion,
IS it tears her tender flesh and
lrinks her pure blood. Here we
tand. There is a Roman Senator;
lie is aged and dignified, and has
,ome with others to witness the
how. Oh, what show! Nero,
he Emperor, is here; cruel, blood
thirsty Nero is here, scowling and
rowning. Do you see that beauti-
ul girl? She is not more than
lghteen years old. She is calm
.nd hopeful. Her dark eyes are
fright as the evening star. A sweet
mile plays over her gentle face.
,he walks with the grace of queen.
All is silence. Amid the thousands
hat look ON not one word is spoken /
Except now and then, "How beauti-
I'LL" "How innocentp Whisper e.
NC, you ask me, "Why does she
tand there all alone, and so beauti-
ul?' She is looking for the lion
hat is lashing his cage with anger.
q a moment he Is let loose. Look ! ,,
lie comes! She fears not. She /
lands erect He hesitates. The
lild luster of her eye seems to awe
he monarch of the forest. He 5
rouches for a moment and then
lakes his deadly spring. Listen, {
sten she speaks. Thanks be To 1