II. The life of the soldier.

A. The recruit.

a. Parting from home and friends.

b. Drilling, fatigue, &c.

B. The drilled soldier.

a. In time of peace,

1. In garrison; compelled to associate with men of

different characters, &c.

2. Days on duty; how tedious!

3. Off duty; how may this time be profitably spent? b. Marching,

1. Hardship, toil, &c.

2. Obliged to compel men who consider him only an object of imposition to furnish him quarters.

c. In time of actual war,

1. Thoughts before the first deadly combat. (The honor of his country, the preservation of its laws

and liberties. Personal considerations: Is he always prepared for death?)

C. Marching to battle.

a. Through friendly country.

b. Through hostile territory.

c. In camp.

(Anxiety felt by the people waiting for the result of the engagement.)

D. During and after battle.

a. Victorious.

b. Defeated.

}

What different trains of reflection!

c. Not wounded. Mirth, joy, much blood shed; but the price is not too great for the purchase. Peace is restored; a new epoch begins.

d. Wounded. Ah! pain, hospital, extreme anguish ; but

the thought that he is suffering for his country nerves him to glory in his pain. Even if he should die, he will be reconciled to God, and prepare hopefully for his end; for he has done his duty.

e. Perhaps an invalid for life, maimed, unable to work to make a living. But a grateful people will not forget him, who, in the hour of danger, advanced to the post of peril, and acted manfully for his country.

30.

VOCATION;

OR, CONSIDERATIONS WHICH SHOULD INFLUENCE A YOUNG MAN IN THE CHOICE OF HIS OCCUPATION FOR LIFE.

I. Introduction.

a. When we pass from the state of boyhood to that of youth, we choose for ourselves an occupation in which we intend to benefit ourselves and others. Man has in this respect a great advantage over woman: the field from which he may choose is very broad; hers is, owing perhaps to unjust prejudices, much more restricted.

b. But too often is man's choice a mistaken one, even when he imagines that he has chosen just the occupation for which he is best fitted.

c. Sometimes, however, the choice does not depend on the young man himself: he has often little or no share in it. The state of life in which he was born, as well as the inclinations of his parents, exercise, in many cases, an undue influence upon his future condition in life. But, if he is at liberty to choose, he may ask himself:

II. What he, in particular, has to consider. It being supposed that in every state of life there is happiness in store, provided he makes the proper choice, he ought not

a. To be guided,

1. By vanity or ambition; for they are often the cause

of more misfortune than prosperity. Woe to him

who in such cases is not able to fill the place which he has chosen! he becomes an object of pity and contempt. The longing after so-called high life has already ruined too many.

2. Nor must he be guided by love of ease, and fear of bodily toil: mental exertions are more difficult. The farmer at his plow, the mechanic in his workshop, enjoys rest and recreation more regularly than the man of letters: they are more free, and have fewer responsibilities.

b. He should be guided by other motives, —

A. Exterior considerations.

a. His parents' station in life.

b. Persons of the so-called higher ranks often oppose those whose aim is upward.

c. The wealth of his parents.

If they are poor, many disadvantages may result from his choice; if they are in good circumstances, even then the rights of his brothers and sisters may be infringed by laying out too much in his favor.

B. Considerations with regard to himself.

a. Marked inclination to a profession or trade. This may manifest itself without there being any interior call to the occupation: let him consult, therefore,

b. His strength and capacities.

1. Bodily strength. Many trades are of such a nature as to require particular consideration respecting health, — lungs, eyes, &c., as well as regarding strength and vigor of bodily constitution. Others which require activity of mind need also peculiar natural gifts, &c. A speaker must have a strong breast and a distinct, well-sounding voice.

2. Intellectual powers.

The merchant, manufacturer, artist, scholar, farmer, each in his respective sphere, needs a certain degree and a certain kind of intellectual ability. The young man must compare his own mind with the requirements of each

state.

c. He must also consider, in some degree, the importance, utility, and respectability of the proposed vocation; but these considerations are of least importance, for his first thought must be to find that state of life for which God and Nature have fitted him.

III. A faithful examination of this kind is not easily made; therefore great pains should be taken to form a correct decision on this most important step of life. The counsel of parents, friends, and persons of experience, should always be taken: especially should we endeavor to be guided by the will of Heaven, which we should seek by earnest prayer; for never is the help of God more needed than when we are about to set out in our frail bark upon the unknown sea of life.

Being once in possession of such guidance, let our aim be high,- for perfection in whatever we have chosen. We live in a country where the highest honors await the successful in every vocation of life. Washington, a farmer, led our armies to victory, and afterward occupied the presidential chair. Franklin, a tallow-chandler, guided the counsels of the nation, and, as a man of science as well as a statesman, received the homage of the civilized world; and the list of names such as these could be extended at pleasure. Virtue, ability, and labor are the only titles which in our country · ennoble man.

31.

THE SAFEST WAY TO BECOME WEALTHY.

I. Introduction.

a. The desire to live in prosperity is so natural to man, that we must believe it to be intended for his good by the

all-wise Creator. The possession of wealth is certainly a means of procuring a higher culture for one's self, and of doing good to others.

b. Fortune is frequently inherited, and often acquired by happy chances. The fortunate man has therefore no

claim to merit; for his good things have not been obtained by his own effort: whereas the prosperous man may claim a share of merit proportionate to his own exertions.

c. There are different means of attaining to prosperity; but many are dangerous, and some even unlawful. Among the dangerous are,

1. Games of hazard and wild speculations.

2. Those are unlawful which differ from the spirit of divine law and the laws of the land.

II. The safest means.

a. Industry. The youth should pursue with regular and
close application those studies which will fit him for
that station in life to which he is called by Providence.
1. In the family, endeavor to be a living example of
virtue, - punctual and constant in every duty.
2. In business, attend to the duties of your calling
with forethought and carefulness; be prompt and
faithful in keeping engagements, and thus win
confidence and esteem.

III. Love of order.

a. Give examples of two households, in one of which order is the rule, in the other the exception, of daily life; and mention the consequences in each case.

b. In business, show the advantage of order in gaining time, which may be devoted to relaxation, to mental and moral improvement, or, in cases of emergency, to the pressing demands of the business.

1. Order will promote the habit of looking ahead, to guard against dangers, and to provide for important emergencies.

2. It will conduce to fairness, honesty, and integrity, which are among the very essentials of success in