Golden Steps to Respectability, Usefulness and Happiness Part 4

"No man who has the natural use of his faculties and his muscles, has any right to tax others with the cost of his support, as this cla.s.s of non-financial gentlemen habitually do. It is their common mistake to fancy that if a debt is only paid at last, the obligation of the debtor is fulfilled; but the fact is not so. A man who sells his property for another's promise to pay next week or next month, and is compelled to wear out a pair of boots in running after his due, which he finally gets after a year or two, is never really paid. Very often, he has lost half the face of his demand, by not having the money when he needed it, beside the cost and vexation of running after it. There is just one way to pay an obligation in full, and that is to pay it when due. He who keeps up a running fight with bills and loans through life, is continually living on other men's means, is a serious burden and a detriment to those who deal with him, although his estate should finally pay every dollar of his legal obligations.

"Inordinate expenditure is the cause of a great share of the crime and consequent misery which devastate the world. The clerk who spends more than he earns, is fast qualifying himself for a gambler and a thief; the trader or mechanic who overruns his income, is very certain to become in time a trickster and a cheat. Wherever you see a man spending faster than he earns, there look out for villainy to be developed, though it be the farthest thing possible from his present thought.

"When the world shall have become wiser, and its standard of morality more lofty, it will perceive and affirm that profuse expenditure, even by one who can pecuniarily afford it, is pernicious and unjustifiable--that a man, however wealthy, has no right to lavish on his own appet.i.tes, his tastes, or his ostentation, that which might have raised hundreds from dest.i.tution and despair to comfort and usefulness. But that is an improvement in public sentiment which must be waited for, while the other is more ready and obvious.

"The meanness, the dishonesty, the iniquity, of squandering thousands unearned, and keeping others out of money that is justly theirs, have rarely been urged and enforced as they should be. They need but to be considered and understood, to be universally loathed and detested."[4]

[Footnote 4: Horace Greeley.]

Nearly allied with the Habits of the young, are their _Amus.e.m.e.nts_.

That the youthful should be allowed a reasonable degree of recreation, is universally admitted. The laws of health demand relaxation from the labors and cares of life. The body, the mind, constantly strained to the highest exertion, without repose, and something to cheer, refreshen, and re-invigorate it, will speedily fall into disease and death. The very word recreation--(re-creation)--indicates that to a degree, proper amus.e.m.e.nt has the power to revive the wearied energies, supply afresh the springs of life, and give a renewed elasticity and endurance to all the capacities of our nature.

Yet there is no subject surrounded with greater difficulties, than the _amus.e.m.e.nts_ of the youthful. There is no amus.e.m.e.nt, however harmless and proper in its nature, but what can be carried to such excess, as to inflict deep injury. It is while searching for recreations, that the youthful meet the most dangerous temptations, and fall into the most vicious practices. How important that they should make this a matter of mature reflection and acute discrimination. Pleasure we all desire. It is sought for by every human being. But it is essential to distinguish between true pleasure, which we can enjoy with real benefit, and _false pleasure_, which deceives, demoralizes, and destroys. The poet truly describes the nature of this distinction, when he says,

"Pleasure, or wrong, or rightly understood, Our greatest evil, or our greatest good!"

One of the first things requisite to be understood is, that in order to enjoy any amus.e.m.e.nt, a previous _preparation_ is necessary. That preparation is to be obtained by _useful occupation_. It is only by contrast that we can enjoy anything.--Without weariness, we can know nothing of rest. Without first enduring hunger and thirst, we cannot experience the satisfaction of partaking of food and drink. In like manner, it is only by faithful and industrious application to business of some kind--it is only by occupying the mind in useful employment--that we can draw any satisfaction from recreation.

Without this preparation, all amus.e.m.e.nt loses its charm. Were the young to engage in one unceasing round of pastimes, from day to day, with no time or thought devoted to useful occupation, recreation would soon be divested of its attractions, and become insipid and painfully laborious. To be beneficial, amus.e.m.e.nts should be virtuous in their tendencies, healthful in their influence on the body, and of _brief duration_.

Among the many pastimes to which the young resort for amus.e.m.e.nt, _card-playing_ often fills a prominent place. This is a general, and in some circles, a fas.h.i.+onable practice; but it is objectionable and injurious in all its influences, and in every possible point of view. Nothing good or instructive, nothing elevating or commendable, in any sense, can come from it. All its fruits must necessarily be evil.

It is a senseless occupation. Nothing can be more unmeaning and fruitless, among all the employments to which a rational mind can devote its attention. It affords no useful exercise of the intellect--no food for profitable thought--no power to call into activity the higher and better capacities. It is true, I suppose, there is some degree of cunning and skill to be displayed in managing the cards. But what high intellectual, or moral capacity is brought into exercise by a game so trivial? It excludes interesting and instructive interchanges of sentiment; on topics of any degree of importance; and subst.i.tutes talk of a frivolous and meaningless character. To a spectator, the conversation of a card-table, is of the most uninteresting and childish description.

There are, however, more serious objections than these. Card-playing has a tendency of the most dangerous description, especially to the youthful. Let a young man become expert in this game, and fond of engaging in it, and who does not see he is liable to become that most mean and despicable of all living creatures--a GAMBLER.

Confident of his own skill as a card-player, how long would he hesitate to engage in a game for a small sum? He has seen older ones playing--perhaps his own parents--and he can discover no great harm in doing the same thing even if it is for a stake of a few s.h.i.+llings. From playing for small sums, the steps are very easy which lead to large amounts. And in due time, the young man becomes a gambler, from no other cause than that he acquired a love for card-playing, when he engaged in it only as an amus.e.m.e.nt.

Parents have a responsibility resting on them in this respect, of which they should not lose sight. They cannot be surprised that their children imitate their examples. With all the dangerous a.s.sociations and tendencies of card-playing, would they have their children acquire a pa.s.sion for it? What wise parent can make such a choice for his son? Ah, how many a young man has become a gamester, a black-leg, an inmate of the prison cell, because, in the home of his childhood, he acquired a love of the card-table. He but imitated the practice of parents, whose duty it was to set him a better example, and _was led to the path of ruin_!

If, from its influences, card-playing, even for amus.e.m.e.nt, is improper for gentlemen, I conceive it much more so for ladies. A woman--and more especially a young woman--seems entirely out of place at a card-table. The a.s.sociations are so masculine--they bring to mind so much of the cut-and-shuffle trickery, vulgarity and profanity--so many of the words and phrases of that _h.e.l.l_, the gaming-table--that for a lady to indulge in them, appears entirely opposed to that modesty and refinement, which are so becoming the female character. I trust all young ladies of discretion will shun the card-table. I am confident every woman, who possesses a proper sense of the dignity and delicacy which form the highest attractions of the female character, will avoid a practice which is made an instrument of the most despicable uses, and to which the most vile and abandoned constantly resort.

"Daughters of those who, long ago, Dared the dark storm and angry sea, And walked the desert way of woe, And pain, and trouble to be free!

"Oh, be like them! like them endure, And bow beneath affliction's rod; Like them be watchful, high and pure-- In all things seek the smile of G.o.d."

The same caution I have uttered in regard to card-playing, I would apply to all games of hazard and chance. The young should never indulge in them, even for amus.e.m.e.nt. Although they may be able to see no harm in them as recreations, yet the influences they exert, and the a.s.sociations into which they lead, cannot but exert a deleterious influence. They can do no good. They may lead to the most dire results!

Another amus.e.m.e.nt in which the youthful frequently engage, is _Dancing_. This is the most fascinating of pastimes. And it might be made the most proper, healthful, and invigorating. In the simple act of dancing--of moving the body in unison with strains of music--there can be no harm. It is a custom which has been practised in all ages, and among all nations, both civilized and barbarous.

The very lambs in the green and sunny meadow, and the cattle on a thousand hills, in many a fantastic game, exult and rejoice in the blessings a kind Providence bestows upon them. It is one of Nature's methods of attesting the consciousness of enjoyment.

Dancing, when viewed in the light of a pleasant bodily exercise, is undoubtedly healthy and beneficial. It is peculiarly so to females, and those whose occupation and habits are of a sedentary character.

When properly engaged in, it strengthens the limbs, developes the chest, enlarges the lungs, and invigorates the whole system.

But this pastime is greatly abused, and is so perverted as to have become one of the most serious evils. In this view, it is subject to severe and well-grounded censure. As dancing is usually conducted in modern times, it has proved one of the greatest evils into which the youthful have fallen. The routs and b.a.l.l.s to which the young resort, as generally managed, cannot be too severely condemned. The late hours to which they are prolonged--the rich and unhealthy pastry partaken of in abundance--the intoxicating drinks pa.s.sed around, or conveniently found in the side-room, or at the bar--the thoughtless manner of dressing, exposing to cold and damp, and so confining the _lungs_, that when, by reason of exercise, they need the most room for expansion, they have the least, thus sowing the seeds of speedy disease and early death--the long-continued excitement and over-fatigue--the improper company which often a.s.sembles on such occasions--these all combine to make such a.s.semblages a source of injury in all their influences and consequences. They should be discountenanced by every parent and well-wisher of public good. The young of both s.e.xes, who have any just regard for their morals--and their health, should avoid these routs, and b.a.l.l.s, and cotillion parties. Their tendency, in every respect, is evil in the extreme.

Dancing among children [unreadable] their pastimes--or by young people, at private parties, or social gatherings, engaged in temperately, and for a brief period, with proper precautions in regard to health, cannot, be objectionable. In this, as in most other amus.e.m.e.nts, it is the excess, the abuse, that causes the injury.

In urging these considerations on the young, I would not seek to deprive them of any amus.e.m.e.nt suited to their age and circ.u.mstances.

Youth is the season of joyousness--of light-hearted pleasure, and budding hope. I would not overshadow one ray of its bright and beautiful suns.h.i.+ne--nor check one throb of its innocent pleasure.

The shadows, the cares, and burthens of life, will come upon them full early enough, at the latest. In the spring-time of their days--the delicious, romantic morning of their being--they can experience some of the sweetest hours of their earthly existence.

Nor would I rob them of that which G.o.d and nature designed them to enjoy. But I would have them seek for innocent amus.e.m.e.nts--for recreations and enjoyments, of a pure and elevated character. None other can make them truly happy. All things sinful in their nature, or demoralizing in their tendency, are unmitigated evils, destructive in their consequences. However attractive they may appear to the inexperienced, in the form of amus.e.m.e.nts, yet in the end, they will "bite as a serpent, and sting as an adder."

There is no necessity that the young should resort to that which is low and vicious to find amus.e.m.e.nt. A thousand means of recreation surround them, of the most harmless character. The enjoyments of the paternal roof--the social party, where the young engage in sprightly conversation, or innocent pastimes--the friendly call--the perusal of interesting and instructive books--the scanning of the journals of the day, by which they can look out upon the s.h.i.+fting scene of the busy, restless world--the summer morning walk, to behold the opening beauties of the glorious day, and listen to the singing of the birds, the lowing of the flocks and herds, the murmuring of the streamlet, nature's early anthem of praise to G.o.d--or the evening ramble, to watch the flowers as they open their fragrant leaves to be bathed in sweet distilling dews--to gaze upon the golden sunset, making the fleecy clouds to blush with a crimson glow, as the king of day bids them "good night;" or to behold the stars, as one by one they come forth to their appointed stations, bestudding the whole heavens with crystal coronets.--These, O youth! and countless other fountains, are open for you, from which the sweetest and purest enjoyments can be obtained. Seek for amus.e.m.e.nt--for pleasure--in these directions, and the cup which you press to your lips shall be one of unmixed happiness!

"While some in folly's pleasures roll, And court the joys that hurt the soul, Be mine that silent, calm repast, A conscience peaceful to the last."

LECTURE V.

The Religious Sentiments.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."--Eccl.

xii. 1.

There are few subjects so generally uninteresting to the youthful as Religion. The great majority prefer to have their attention called in any other direction, and to be addressed on any topic, rather than this, which, in fact, is the most important of all. There is evidently a defect somewhere in this matter, which should be corrected. Where shall we seek for it? Not in any natural, inherent aversion to the subject of religion, resting in the hearts of the young. It is neither reasonable in itself, nor respectful to the Creator, to insist he has so const.i.tuted the human soul, that it is naturally and necessarily indisposed to a topic which is most vitally connected with its happiness, and which should receive a large share of its attention.

This indifference is to be attributed chiefly, I think, to improper impressions in regard to the nature and objects of religion.

The young look upon it as something gloomy, saddening, and distasteful--something that forbids enjoyment, chains in dire bondage the free, glad spirit of early life, and casts dark and cheerless shadows on the suns.h.i.+ne of youth's bright morning! They imagine it to stalk forth from a dark cell, arrayed in hood and cowl, to frown upon them in their innocent pastimes--to curdle their blood with severe rebukes, because of the buoyancy of their hearts and to drive them back with scowling reprimands, when they would walk in the sunny paths which G.o.d has kindly opened for their elastic footsteps. Hence they close their ears to its invitations; turn away from its instructions, as something designed to impose a heavy yoke upon them; and postpone its claims, to be attended to among the last acts of life.

That these views and feelings should widely prevail, on a subject so important as religion, is a matter of deep regret. They are erroneous and deleterious in the extreme. Let the young strive to become acquainted with the true nature of the religion of Christ, and they will learn that such are not its requirements, nor its fruits. It is not the purpose of its Divine Author to sadden the heart, or fill the mind with gloom; but to cheer and gladden the soul, and lead it to the highest and sweetest enjoyments of existence. It is not the aim of religion to deprive the young of any real enjoyment--any recreation proper to their age or their nature, as intellectual, moral, and spiritual beings. But it would a.s.sist the young to distinguish between permanent happiness, and those hurtful and wicked gratifications which corrupt the heart, and plunge the whole being into the dark pool of sin and woe. Religion is the friendly Guide sent from our Father in heaven, to lead his creatures away from peril and woe, and direct their footsteps into the most beautiful and happy paths of existence.

"Through life's bewildered way, Her hand unerring leads; And o'er the path her heavenly ray A cheering l.u.s.tre sheds."

What sight can present itself to the eye more pleasing than a _religious youth_. By this I do not mean a gloomy, downcast, sorrowful young man, or young woman, whose countenance is overcast with shadows, and whose presence chills every beholder. It is a darkened superst.i.tion, a cold, cheerless asceticism, and not the Christian religion, which gives this unnatural and forbidding appearance. A religious youth is one who is cheerful and happy--whose countenance is pervaded with an expression of benevolence, a smile of contentment--who is constant in attendance on public wors.h.i.+p--who respects the Scriptures, and makes their daily perusal one of the fixed duties of life--who loves G.o.d, and strives faithfully to keep his commandments--who reverences the Saviour of man, and takes him as a pattern in all things--who is honest, industrious, economical, and strictly temperate. Behold the fair picture! Is it not goodly to look upon? Can earth furnish a spectacle more beautiful? Such a youth is beloved of all men.

Angels, Christ, the Father, smile their approval on every one treading this high pathway

"Sweet is the early dew Which gilds the mountain tops, And decks each plant and flower we view With pearly, glittering drops; But sweeter far the scene On Zion's holy hill, When there the dew of youth is seen Its freshness to distill."

Is there a youth in the audience who does not desire to occupy a position so elevated and so honorable? Do not imagine it is beyond your reach. Every one can attain to it by proper exertion. It is not difficult of accomplishment. With pure desires, and right intentions, nothing is more feasible. In fact, so to conduct as to secure such a character, and attain to such a position, is the most easy, pleasant, and happy path in which the young can walk. All others are full of difficulty, vexation, trouble, and wretchedness.

All others yield fruit the most bitter and poisonous--fruit which, however luscious and tempting it may appear to the eye, like the apples of Sodom, will turn to ashes in the hand.

If the young are looking simply for a peaceful and happy life, where prosperity will be the most likely to attend them, and where the richest and choicest blessings will be showered on their pathway, they will find it in the practice of religion. So far from being a heavy burthen, a grievous cross, it is the lightener of all burthens, the easiest of all yokes, the kindest, truest friend, to help along the rough spots, and smile and cheer in the darkest hours of man's earthly pilgrimage. Listen to the representations of religion found in the Word of G.o.d: "Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."[5] "Come, ye children, hearken unto me. I will teach you the fear [reverence] of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."[6] "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the unG.o.dly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate, day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither. And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."[7] There is nothing sad and gloomy in these views; but everything pleasant and inviting.

[Footnote 5: Prov. iii. 15, 16, 17.]

[Footnote 6: Ps. x.x.xiv. 11-14.]

[Footnote 7: Ps. i. 1, 2, 3.]

I would disabuse the young of the idea that religion is needed only by the aged, the sick, and the dying; and that it can be of no essential service at other times. It does indeed become the h.o.a.ry head, more than the jewelled diadem. It is the comforter of the sick--the supporter of the departing spirit--giving it a sustaining power which all earth's riches cannot purchase. But religion is quite as appropriate and essential to the youthful as to the aged and sick. It is equally as important that men should _live_ right, as _die_ right. There is no way so effectually to insure a peaceful and happy death, as to live a good and useful life. Religion leads to such a life, and prepares the way for such a death. Hence the necessity that the young should give themselves up to its influences in the morning of their days, that their meridian may be fruitful of good, and their evening sunset calm and serene.

Away, then, with the supposition, that religion is not adapted, nor necessary to youth. "The flower of youth never appears more beautiful, than when it leans towards the Sun of Righteousness."

Religion is the brightest ornament with which the young can bedeck themselves. The fragrant blossom which crowns the tree, is not more beautiful, or hopeful of coming fruitfulness, than is religion to the freshness of youth. Indeed, as the blossom is necessary to insure the rich and golden fruit, so is early religion requisite to a useful and prosperous career. It is the best preparation the young can secure for after life, whatever calling they may pursue. There is no occupation, no pursuit, no profession, which they will not be far better prepared to enter, by the influence of an enlightened, cheerful, enlarged Christian faith and practice. These will interfere with no useful enterprise, no honest business, no laudable calling; nor prevent the prosecution of any of the many projects among men, which comport with the public good, and are executed on principles of integrity. Religion will make its possessors better and more successful laborers, mechanics, manufacturers, agriculturists, merchants, and more respected and useful members of any of the learned professions.

If there is any pursuit, any business, which you cannot prosecute with the sanction of religion, avoid it at once and forever. You had better do anything else than engage in it. I would have the young strongly impressed with this view. It would be far preferable to suffer poverty and obscurity, in an honest and useful calling, than to obtain the possession and fame of great riches, in a pursuit which the pure and enlightened principles of Christianity would condemn. Although you may succeed in h.o.a.rding up mountains of gold in such a pursuit, and in possessing broad domains and "the cattle on a thousand hills," yet all this will not afford you one throb of genuine enjoyment. There would be that in the manner of obtaining these possessions, which would utterly deprive them of all power to impart happiness. Wealth secured by extortion, fraud, or any practice or business of a corrupting nature, injurious to the morals, and destructive to the well-being of community, will be of no more value to him who thus obtains it, as far as his happiness is concerned, than so much dust. It is the consciousness of having obtained riches in honest and useful pursuits, that gives zest and relish to the enjoyments they procure. Without this consciousness, the man of wealth has less of pure peace and happiness than the poorest honest man in the wide world. In the very nature of things, as a wise and holy G.o.d has const.i.tuted us, this must inevitably be so. All past history and experience furnish indubitable proof of the correctness of this position. If I can impress this single truth on the hearts and memories of the youthful, I shall do them a service of a value beyond all human computation.

These considerations, I trust, will tend to convince the young of the vital importance of obtaining now, at the commencement of their career, the direction and influence of well-grounded and enlightened religious views and principles. I would have them become neither fanatics nor bigots; but would urge them to place themselves under the pure and divine light of the gospel of Christ, that they may be exalted to the highest and n.o.blest principles of human action, and to the summit of human enjoyment.