A. He can; for he is endowed with free will. a. Youth. The young are in the period of apprenticeship: their future depends upon the manner in which they spend the present. Let them prepare for the battle of life: be virtuous, models of innocence, lovers of good companions, assiduous in the culture of the mind and the heart; then will success be most certainly theirs. "Youth is not rich in time: it may be poor. And what its worth? Ask death-beds: they can tell." b. Manhood. Man, in whatever sphere of life he moves, should be true to his manhood; an active and virtuous citizen; true to his fellow-men, to his country, and, above all, to his Maker; a counselor to those in distress; a helper to those in need; and a father to the poor and to the orphan. 'Angels are round the good man to catch the incense of his prayers; And they fly to minister kindness to those for whom he pleadeth." TUPPER. c. Old age. Even the old man may do much good by counseling the young, and making them wise from his long experience. Let him be a model of patience and wisdom; and then, like the setting sun, even while departing he will still be a blessing. 66 'Age sits with decent grace upon his visage, He wears the marks of many years well spent, ROWE. B. Man is bound to make good use of his time in a. To show his gratitude to God, who made him but a little lower than the angels. b. To not waste the labors of mankind, who have toiled for him for so many ages. c. And to show respect to himself as one who is created for noble purposes. III. Results to him who has spent his time well. a. We seldom know the whole extent of our powers: opportunity is often needed to develop them. History would have furnished us with the names of many more great men if their natural talents had been developed. Continued good fortune generally effeminates and enervates: it hinders the development of power. Want and calamity are very often the means which awake our slumbering faculties (Robinson Crusoe). Affliction and want are therefore very often blessings in disguise. II. Want develops the intellectual powers. a. It forces the mind to reflection, and sharpens the judgment: it is the cause of many new discoveries. Necessity is the mother of invention. b. From sudden calamities we learn circumspection, presence of mind (navigation, - Cook, Sir John Franklin, Dr. Kane). "When fear admits no hope of safety, then Necessity makes dastards valiant men.' " HERRICK. III. Want develops the moral powers. a. Courage, self-confidence (warriors, navigators,- Washington, Jackson, Paul Jones, Sherman, Grant, Farragut, &c.). b. Adversity checks arrogance and pride, the usual concomitants of continual prosperity. c. It teaches us to bear with misfortunes which can not be avoided; thus leading to God. Necessity teaches how to pray. d. It leads to the practice of virtue, as temperance, fru- e. It inspires us with sentiments of gratitude towards those For noble souls in nature are allied." DRYDEN. IV. Want develops the physical powers. a. It compels us to make bodily exertions by which our strength is increased, and, therefore, b. Enables us to face misfortune with still greater courage. V. We should not, therefore, complain too much when we are visited with trouble; for, if rightly used, it may become to us the source of blessings. It is indeed not pleasant to be in want of any thing; but this is one of the necessary evils of human life, and has been and still is the mother of great results. "Want is a bitter and a hateful good, DRYDEN. 28. ON THE FORCE OF GOOD EXAMPLE. I. Instruction is indeed a great blessing. What would man be without it? It serves to set the youth right in the path of life; and he will profit by it, for he feels that it makes him wiser and better for the time to come. But instruction, however good in itself, would be of little or no avail if he who instructs did not support his teaching by setting forth a good example. According to the old proverb, "Words teach, example wins." II. Difference between example and pattern. a. Example comprehends what is either to be followed or avoided; b. Pattern, only that which is to be followed or copied. (Every one, let his age and station be what they may, can often afford a pattern of Christian virtue. The student may be a pattern of diligence and dutifulness to his fellow-students; the citizen may be a pattern of sobriety and conformity to the laws. Our Saviour has left us an example of Christian perfection, which we ought to imitate, though we can not copy it.) III. Characteristics of a good example. " a. It shows the contrast between good and evil in a striking manner. 1. So that even the most indifferent becomes stirred up. 2. And the moral feeling is aroused with such force, that at least some degree of emulation is excited. b. It instructs. 1. By bringing its lessons to the comprehension of the dullest intuition, 2. And conveying to the mind what language can scarcely express. c. It convinces. 1. By removing all doubts concerning the value of good actions. d. It encourages. 1. By involuntary incitements to resolutions of amend ment. 2. By affording strength in the combat with evil. (Give examples from history of those who have gained courage to suffer in a just cause by calling to mind how others have suffered and died before them, martyrs of religion, of liberty, &c.) -- 3. It inflames the soul with emulation of all that is good and noble. e. It conquers. 1. No power on earth is able to hinder its final triumph. 2. No length of time can prevent its fame from being handed down to posterity. "For as the light Not only serves to show, but render us In acts exemplary, not only win Ourselves good names, but do to others give Matter for virtue's deeds, by which we live." MIDDLETON. 29. THE LIFE OF THE WARRIOR. (Reflections of a young man after seeing a regiment of troops march by.) I. A beautiful sight: such a splendid regiment of finely-dressed soldiers, charming music, excellent order, pretty uniform, everywhere welcomed with bountiful receptions. One may well feel a desire to join. The outside is indeed handsome and allur |