The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-04-11
Our Young People
BY REV. R. H. RIVERS. D. D.
Habit.

haDlJ is the result OF CUSTOM.
The constitution of the mind and
body is such as that the frequent
repetition of any act creates a de
sire for its performance and i'm
parts an ease and readiness with
which it can be done. This is called
habit and exerts most important
influence upon the life and conduct.
In the first efforts of the child to re
peat the multiplication table the
process is awkward, slow and diff
cult. After awhile the table is re-
peated without effort and with
facility and accuracy almost marvel
Gus. This is the result of habit.
The first efforts to walk or run, to
spell or read, to knit or sew, to cut
or drive, are necessarily made with
out grace or dexterity. Many mis-
takes are made and many awkward
plumbers committed. 1t is alone by
custom-by frequent and patient
repetition-that the habit is ac-
quired of performing any act with
grace, ease and elegance. 1t is thus
that the physician acquires his
skill and the lawyer rises to emf
nence. By it the accountant be-
comes an expert and casts up long
lines of figures with a rapidly and
accuracy almost incredible. The
child now trying to learn the proper
use of her fingers in playing on the
piano often becomes discouraged
and turns away almost in despair
from her practice. If, however, she
will continue her practice, in few
years she will excite the admiration
of all her friends by the elegance
and accuracy of her performance.
1t is by the force of habit that the
extemporaneous speaker is enabled
to speak for an hour with fluency
and dignity, with real eloquence and
power. So it is that the practiced
writer turns off in a few hours
pages of splendid composition all
ready for the press. By the same
means-the force of habit-the
book keeper has his accounts al
ways balanced, the chemist per
forms his delicate and even danger
Gus experiments, the doctor counts
the beating of the pulse without
looking at his watch, and the musl
clan determines the least discord in
a large orchestra. So great is the
facility sometimes acquired that the
act is unconsciously performed.
Thus in the intricate mazes of the
dance many step is taken, and in
a difficult piece of music many a
note is brought out without the con-
seriousness OF the performer. 1t is
not, however, alone in the ease with
which anything is done on account
of the frequent repetition that habit
consists. Another element is the
desire for the performance which is
produced by its frequent repetition.
The performance may be at first
ever so disgusting and unpleasant,
it will not be long before it will be
eagerly sought after and most glad
ly performed. The boys first eff
fort at chewing tobacco makes him
sick. He is disguised with himself
and with his ''quid." After awhile
he loves the weed and delights ia
the filthy practice. Soon it becomes
a necessity and he cannot do with |
out the delightful weed. 1t is a !
luxury beyond the richest viands,
and to give it up would require the
greatest self-denial. So it is with
the first oath that the boy swears.
His tongue is almost paralyzed. He
is alarmed at his own wickedness.
He looks around to see if any &C
quaintance has been witness to the
Shame mantles his
cheek with bushes or blanches it
almost with the paleness Of death.
He resolves never to do the like
again; out in short time he be-
comes an adept. He is a Vociferousl
swearer. He utters the vilest curses.
He perpetrates the most vulgar
oaths without shame and without
remorse. On the streets, among his
in the presence of age
and piety, and, alas! sometimes in
the hearing of refined and Christian
women, he is guilty of the grossest
profanity. The first drunken de
bauch brings upon the boy or young
man inexpressible modification. He
is ready to take Bible oath that
his first shall be his last. But mark
the downward course of habit. At
first and almost withoHt effort any
one can turn from it and proclaim
himself freeman. He can break
away from a habit not yet inveter
ate-not yet fully formed. as easily
rs Samson broke the withes with
which he was tied. Before a year
las passed he is bound hand and
DOT a slave to appetite, and almost
Dowerless to contend with a mon
tier as powerful as he is evil and
destructive. The first lie the boy
ellis gives infinite pain. The lashes
If guilty conscience are constant, !
ind remorse Is almost intolerable.
lie repeats the lie. He adds anoth-
r to make the first good. He be
ZONES involved, and to release him
ielf invents another and another
Until soon he forms the habit Of ~
no. Truth has departed; sincerity