A voice to youth, addressed to young men and young ladies

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Introduction

Early youth is justly considered the most in- ' teresting and important, yet dangerous period ol human existence. It is interesting^ because of the innocence, the hilarity, and the zest for enjoyment, which is then evinced. The mind, like the morning flower, at this period begins more fully to open its leaves to be impressed with the enlivening rays of the sun of knowledge, and evinces by the gradual developement of its powers, that its possessor belongs to a grade of beings vastly more elevated than the brute creation. Youth is the most important time of life, masmuch as the habits then begin to lay their foundations — the character commences its formation, and the occupation is to be chosen — upon which depend mainly, the enjoyments and prosperity of after life. And it is the most dangerous period, because, ardent, volatile, inexperienced, and thirsting for happiness, the young are exceedingly liable to be seduced into wrong paths — into those fascinating, but fatal ways, which lead to degradation and wretchedness. It is at this season, that the sports md amusements of childhood, lose their charm, md their influei ce. Childish things are put away

^ INTRODUCTION.

and there commences a desire for, and a lootring after more mature, yet more dangerous sources of enjoyment.

As the gallant bark leaves the secure haven to go out upon the bosom of the mighty deep, with its snow white sails spread to the inviting wind, its broad flag and gay streamers floating in airbounding o'er the billows •'^as a thing of life," and wholly unconscious that Ocean, in its far regions, is nursing the whirlwind and the storm — so youth launches upon the vast sea of life, decked with all those gay and bright fancies which the imagination vividly paints in the morniag of existence ; spreads the wide expanded sails of hope, and fain would believe that an ever- favoring breeze will speedily waft to prosperity and peace.\ But the young should be aware that, as the wide waste of waters is ploughed into the mountain wave by the fury of the wind, so the sea of life is often swept by howling tempests of disappointment and misfortune; and that upon the one, as upon the other, unless they are guided by the pilots, wisdom and discretion, shrpyvTecked hopes and blasted anticipations must ensue.

Young ladies and young gentlemen — I crave your attention for a sl^ort season, from time to time, as I proceed in a series of Essays, on a variety of subjects intimately connected with youi welfare and happiness. Will yoU lend me a listening ear? Will you occasionally devote an hour, to hear what I have to offer upon topics,

I?3TR0DUCTI0N. 3

which you will acknowledge are of the utmost importance to your peace and prosperity ? Come, sit down with me, and in a friendly manner, we will converse upon those things which pertain to your future success in life. I am aware that,supon. the ears of some youth, the word advice grates harshly. But I attribute this dislike more to the improper manner in which they have been instructed, than to any natural bias. Parents and instructors often seem to imagine there is no method to advise the young, but in the harsh tones of reproof and upbraiding. And the effect of such a course, is to harden those whom they would benefit, and cause them to dislike every thing which comes in the form of counsel. Advice, to be effectual, must be clothed in words of affection and kindness, and accompanied with a tender regard for the feelings of those to whom it is tendered ; and it should be given in such manner as not to imply the degradation of those who are its objects. Communicated in this manner, I think it cannot truly be said, that, as a general rule, youth are averse to counsel. Nevertheless, it IS well known that one of the common failings of the young, is to be wise in their own conceit — to imagine they can get along quite well of themselves, and that they can discover coming evils and avoid them, as readily as their elders in life. This wisdom, however, is of a premature growth, and generally passes away as age advances ; but often, not until it has involved its possessor in troubles and misfortunes which sometimes extencl through life. Hence have arisen those common sayings, that youth is wiser at fifteen than at thirty — i. e. in its own estimation — and that the first indication of true wisdom in the young, is, their ascertaining and acknowledging how little they do, in realityj know.

Listen ! You desire to be happy — you thirst for enjoyment. This is natural, and it is proper. God has designedly implanted this desire within you, and he is perfectly willing that you should gratify it in the proper manner ! But, remember that in this, as in every thing ^Ise, there is aright way and a wrong way to accomplish your object. If you adopt the right way, the desired good is speedily obtained and enjoyed. But if, unhappily, you select the wrong way, so far from securing the wished for happiness, you will reap nought but misfortune, degradation and wretchedness. And m pursuing this wrong course, however you may imagine, for a season, under the fascinations which evil often assumes, that you have found the real enjoyment desired, you will ere long discover — and often too late — that you have embraced a gilded shadow, filled with human wo, Avhile the actual good is far from you. You can but perceive, therefore, the critical condition in which you stand, and the importance and necessity ot obtaining counsel in regard to your future conduct.

Wore you abjut to travel into a far land, ai

INTROUUCTION. 9

^trainger to the way, and though conscious that your course would be surrounded by innumerable dangers, yet ignorant of their nature and of the best means to avoid them, how anxious would you be to obtain information and advice! Prudence, and the desire of self-preservation, would dictate the propriety of seeking some individual who had travelled the road, or the most dangerous portions of it, and of obtaining his instruetion in relation to the nature and situation of those dangers, and his advice regarding measures to escape them. And what is life, but a journey to a distant clime, upon an untried highway? This important journey the young are just commencing. Undoubtedly, in the exuberance of youthful fancy, all appears fair and bright before you. Vivid imagination strews your pathway with the gayest and sweetest flowers of existence. How bright and beautiful is the future pictured to the young mind ! No clouds or darkness intervene to throw a shade of sadness on the fair prospect of youth's morning,

" Gay are the flowers without a thoni, And bright the hues of opening day; Wild music lingers in its bowel's — Grateful the fragrance of its flowers — And all betokens bhss.

Hope weaves her wild enchanting song, And sings at every path along, That all shall be like this."

But notwithstanding the captivating visions of the imagination, and the sweet whisperings of hopej you well know that your way will be beset by many, many dangers. Appearances are often very 1* e tNTROfiUCTinpj.

deceitful. '' Poisonous berries frequently look tempting to the appetite — ice, when it sometimes seems sound, if ventured upon, will break, and let him who is daring into the waters — and the wise man says, that 'wine, when it giveth its color in the cup, at the last biteth like a serpent, and slingeth like an adder.'" The rose grows in close proximity to the thorn, and beneath the fairest flowers, sometimes nestle the poisonous reptile and the envenomed scorpion. Permit not, then, the beauty in which your fancy paints the future, to lull you into false security in respect to the dangers which that future conceals, or to the necessity of guarding yourselves against them. It rather becomes your safety and interest, as well as duty, to seek diligently for all the instruction and knowledge which can throw light upon your way, in the intricate and uneven windings of earthly existence.

Are additional inducements necessary, to cause you to listen to counsel and admonition? Look abroad into the world. Here is an mdividual who enjoys the respect and confidence of community. The aged venerate him, and " the young rise up and call him blessed." He has no enemies — all are his friends — all speak well of him, all confide in him. How has he obtained this universal esteem? — how has he ascended this eminence of respect? You anticipate the reply. In seeking for happiness, he consulted the experience of those who had travelled before him — he studied

INTR0i5UCTlON. 7

the history of his race, and marked where others had failed, that he might avoid their errors — he listened patiently to words of advice, and in this way, found the true path and faithfully pursued it, and is now enjoying the prosperity and peace to which it conducts. But another picture presents itself for our contemplation. There is a man whose condition is directly the reverse. He is shunned and despised by all around him. Not because he is poor ; but because his poverty has been caused by profligacy and vice. The good avoid him as a moving pestilence — the virtuous point to him as a warning to their children of the sad effects of iniquity — and even his vicious companions are ashamed of him. Follow him in his miserable career. He mingles with the refuse^ the outcasts of society; for they alone will become his associates — he becomes familiar with the alms-house, the penitentiary, and finally ends his days in ignominy upon the gallows ! Is it not important to inquire into the cause of the disparity between the condition of this man, and of the other, whom we noticed ? How did he become involved in so much infamy and wretchedness? Was it his own choice ? — did he desire and seek degradation and ruin? No. In the outset of life, his desires were as those of the youth who is now perusing these lines. He wished to enjoy himself through life, precisely as you do. He intended to take the best measures to accomplish this desire^ as is now undoubtedly your determi-

« INTRODUCTION.

nation — and he no move foresaw or expected that he should end his days in infamy, the object of scorn and disgust, than are such thoughts now dwelling in your mind. But, alas ! he selected the wrong path ! He deemed himself very wise — he knew much better than others in more advanced life, where and how he could obtain true enjoyment — he desired no light or instruction upon this subject— he turned an ear deaf as the adder's, to all the counsel, the advice and admonition of parents, relatives, friends — and with headstrong and willing blindness, strided on in •that way which eventually involved him in the vortex of disgrace and ruin ! Do you desire youir condition to become like his? No — no — say one and all ! And yet it amounts almost to a certainty, that such, or similar, will be your condition, if you imitate his example in the commencement of life. But that example, I trust, you have no desire to follow ; but rather are more wisely inclined to obtain all the information in your power, on those subjects connected intimately with your welfare and happiness.

Hearken, then, to one who, though comparatively not far advanced in years, yet may be considered past the most dangerous period of youth — one who has mixed not a little with the world — tasted of its sweets and its bitter — been a learner in the school of experience, and as usual, paid dearly for some of the knowledge which he has thus obtained — and who, not having yet, by rea-

INTRpDUCTlON. U

son of age, lost the vivid Impressions thus enstamped upon his mind, is enabled more readily to appreciate the peculiarities of your situation, and to realize to a good degree, the nature of the dangers around you. I would speak to you as a brother— I would warn, advise, and counsel, as one deeply interested in your welfare and prosperity. I have no wish to deprive you of a single enjoyment, that is proper for you, as intellectual and moral beings — and surely, as wise youth, you can desire to participate in none other. 1 shall make no efforts to frighten you mto compliance with the advice imparted ; but shall appeal exclusively to your reason, your good sense, to convince you of the propriety of doing that which will enhance your respectability and true happiness, and of avoiding those things which will involve you in disgrace and wretchedness — that if possible, I may benefit those whom I address.

In carrying my design into execution, I shall first address both sexes indiscriminately, upon those subjects in which it may be supposed they are mutually interested. In the next place, my remarks will be confined exclusively to those topics which pertain to young men. And lastly, the vouns: ladies will be addressed.

Chapter I. The Necessity Of Reflection

By reflection, I would signify, the habit of often and seriously meditating upon the various topics connected with your prosperity and enjoyments. On arriving at years of understanding, you perceive that the race to which you belong, exists in company with countless grades of other creatures. And you also discover that man is elevated far above, and is, indeed, ruler over all other forms of earthly existence. The cause of this exaltation, it can not fail to be perceived, arises from the superior faculties with which you are endowed — the intellectual and moral capacities which compose the mind. These mental powers make man all that he is — the sage, the philoso • pher, the mathematician, the astronomer — capable of penetrating deep into the operations of Nature's la^vs — capable of converting the elements to his purposes, and of ascending high the infinite scale of attainable knowledge. Take from the liuman race these powers, and the bright chain

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THE NECESSITY OF REFLECTION. II

wiiich links them to a higher world, to a more lofty grade of beings, is severed, and they sink to the level of the brutes — differing from them only in form and feature. For what purpose are these ennobling faculties bestovi^ed upon you? — taremain idle and dormant? Surely not. Nature never imparts any power but for use. To animals is granted instinct for their guidance and control ; and the dictates of this instinct, which is ever in active operation, they invariably follow while life endures. But to man has been given the higher power of reason, for a similar purpose — to direct and govern him in his intercourse with his felloAvbeings. These mental faculties in man, should no more be idle, than is instinct in brutes. And a neglect in ihe one case, would be as deleterious to the enjoyments of its possessor, as in the other.

The habit of exercising the mind in reflection upon the future, as well as the past and present, is one of the most valuable that can be established. And yet it is one, in regard to which, the young are extremely liable to fail. The present — the present — with its amusements and its gayeties, absorbs the greater proportion of their thoughts, And when they occasionally glance at the future, it is too often, but to dress it in the bright attire of the imagination — in the blooming garlands of life's sweetest pleasures. I would not unnecessarily overshadow present enjoyments, by the gloomy clouds of future anticipated evils. But the young should bear ia mind the truth of the stanzas —

"The beam of the morning, the bud of the Spring,

The promise of beauty and brightness may brmg ;

But cloufls gather darkness, and, touched by the fi'ost,

The pride of tlic plant and the morning are lost.

Thus the bright and the beautiful ever decay,

Life's morn and life's flowers— O, they quick pass away !"

It is important that youth should remember these things, because they are true ; and because a knowledge of them may inspire the mind with a sense of the importance of frequently casting your thoughts into the future, to select your course of life, rather than to rush blindfolded along. When the ship approaches a dangerous coast, a " look out" is stationed, to warn of the approach to reef or breaker. So the young, in navigating the dangerous voyage of life, should establish reflection as the " look out," to give timely notice of those fatal shoals of imprudence and vice, upon which so many, originally possessing the brightest prospects have been wrecked.

There are many advantages accruing from a well established habit of reflection. It will enable you to form those just conceptions of your nature and constitution, and of the laws by which they are governed, that will make you wise in regard to the true sources of your happiness. It will show the vast distinction between those enjoyments that are proper to you, as intellectual beings, and those belonging more expressly to your animal nature. Reflection will convince you that your higher faculties are bestowed upon you, to become sources of more pure, elevated and lasting enjoyments, than can possibly be experienced from the passions. It will teach you that the individuals who forget or overlook these evident truths, and who depend for all their happi ness, upon the indulgence of evil propensities, not only disgrace themselves, and the race to which they belong, but are deprived of all the advantages of the higher poAvers bestowed upon them, and might as well have been created the brute, as for any important benefit which they obtain from these valuable sources. It will convince you that those in this condition, are in a bondage, deep, disgraceful and miserable— a bondage to be feared more deeply than prisons, chains and fetters. It will satisfy you that " man was created for purposes high and noble— such as angels engage in, and in comparison with which, all other objects sink into insignificance, and all other enjoyments are contemptible as ashes."

Reflection is an important safe-guard in selecting associates, forming habits, choosing occupations, and, indeed, in all that concerns youth. — The young man or the young woman who thinks deeply, will act wisely. Thev will be aware of the nature of the dangers which hover around their path, and therefore, will act cautiously and safely. They will be enabled to penetrate those specious appearances in which vice so frequently presents itself— they will look beneath the gaudy veil which so often covers the deformities of sin, 2 and behold the native blackness of the monster. They will be aware that "all isnotgold that glitters," and will readily detect the gilded imitation when it would occupy the place of the pure metaL They will weigh well the influences and the effects of every important step, and not be led astray by the deceitful devices of the transgressor.

How few, who are now advanced in years, would not act materially different Avere they to pass over the track of life again ! Experience has taught them wisdom. In looking back upon their history, they can clearly perceive where they have been mistaken, where they have failed, where they have acted foolishly. And could they again pass through life, this dearly bought wisdom would enable them to amend where they before had gone counter to their true welfare. How many, when it is too late, unavailingly regret, that in early years, they had not been more reflective and cautious. The young are now, where the aged would desire to be, to do better than they have done. But as this can not be, they willingly impart their wisdom and experience to youth, to enable them to avoid those evils which they experienced. Those who have failed, readily instruct you where they missed their way ; and all wise youth will listen and reflect deeply on their suggestions. Solomon says — " A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." There is no indica/ion more promising in youth, than a desire to hear counsel in regard to their future conduct* And when such listen to words of instruction, they will treasure them up as food for future meditation.

Permit me to impress upon the minds of all the youth who read these lines, the importance of seeking for wise counsel, and of bestowing much thought and reflection upon all those subjects connected with their prosperity. Meditate not only on those affairs which are transacting around yoU) but upon the prospects of the future which open to your view. Reflect upon the sources of human happiness and human wo — ascertain the real causes of peace and satisfaction on the one hand, and of degradation and wretchedness on the other. Examine with thoughtful care, the history of your race, and the history of those of your acquaintance who are advanced in years. — Ascertain and remember what has caused one individual to be respected and loved, while another is shunned and despised. And where you perceive that others have failed, do you remedy ; for let it always be remembered, that the same causes which led others to infamy and ruin, will involve you in the same disastrous circumstances, if you place yourselves within their influence. Meditate seriously upon the dangers which surround the path of the young. Were you pursuing a solitary road, around which you had reason to apprehend lurked the deadly assassin, how cautiously would you proceed — with what vigilance

16 THE NECESSITY OF REFI.EC FION.

and watchfulness would you examine every object you approached. But remember, there are legions of foes hovering around the pathway of life, ready to assail you at every opportunity — they are the human vices. They will beset you at every turn, and fasten upon you with all their accompanying woes, unless warded off by a firm and determined opposition. But let cautious reflection be your handmaid, and you will be enabled, in a good degree, to withstand the temptations which surround you, and to walk in that wise path wherein lies every pure earthly enjoyment.

Chapter II Claims On Youth

The y oung should be fully aware that there are claims upon them, of the most important and enduring nature. And it is highly necessary, that they should become acquainted with the character of these claims, that they may qualify themselves to discharge them in an efficient manner.

1. Society has claims on the Young. — In every civilized and well regulated community, there are certain important duties, of a public and general character, which must be properly discharged, to insure the safety and welfare of its members. — Those who now execute these trusts will soon become old and pass from the stage of life. They cannot alw-ays remain, to instruct by their wisdom, and guide by their counsels; but as time's unceasing wheels roll on, they recede from our view, and no more mingle with us. " I look forward a few short years, and see the aspect of society entirely changed. The venerable fathers who have borne the heat and burden of the day, 2* 17

18 tLAlMS ON YOUTH.

are dropping, one after another into the grave, and soon they will be gone. Of those, too, who are now the acting members of society, some have passed th^ meridian of life, others are passing it, and all will soon be going down its decline, to mingle with the generations Avho have disappeared before them from this transient scene of action. To a mind seriously contemplating this fact, it is an inquiry of deep interest — who are to rise up and fill their places ? To whom are to he committed the invaluable interests of society ? who are to sustain its responsibilities and discharge its duties? You anticipate the answer."* It is upon the young that these duties and responcibilities will devolve. You will soon be called to occupy all the various stations now held by those more advanced in life. You will become parents, and guardians, and directors in all that pertains to the welfare of society. Soon will it depend upon you to determine, whether religion, morality and virtue shall prevail and shed theif benign influences upon community, or whether infidelity, immorality and deep corruption, shall blight all that is valuable in our midst. Soon will it oe your prerogative to declare, whethet institutions of learning shall be fostered anci multiplied, sending their light into the dark abodes of ignorance and raising man to that ele- V!- lion in knowledge for which his faculties so

♦Hawes' Lectures.

eminently fit him, or whether the darkness and ignorance of ancient times, with all their follies, iheir superstitions and wretchedness, shall return and shut out the beams of science and art, and plunge this happy land into degradation and ruin. Soon will it be with you to decide, whether wholesome restraints, good order, harmony and peace, shall prevail and continue to impart their blessings, or whether all shall be unbridled profligacy and wild anarchy. Soon will it be in your power to perpetuate and hand down to succeeding generations, those wonderful improvements in the arts and sciences, and in all that pertains to our prosperity, which have so eminently characterized the present age, and which are sending their blessings to earth's far ends, or whether the spirit of improvement shall be arrested in its valuable career, all anticipations of future exaltation and perfection be cut off, and the mind, with its high capabilities, made to stagnate in stupid indolence ! In fine, all those interests which render life a blessing, will ere long come into the keeping and control, and be at the disposal of those who are now youog.

Do you not, then, perceive that society has claims, deep, abiding, important claims upon you? And how will you answer them? Surely I can receive but one reply to this inquiry, from all youth of reflection and forethought. You undoubtedly discover the propriety, yea, the urgent necessity of preparing to discharge these claims with honor to yourselves and advantage to your fellow-beings. It becomes you, therefore, to study diligently the character of our government and the genius of our institutions — to meditate upon the peculiar character of the privileges and blessing which we, as a people, enjoy — to reflect upon the nature of the true interests of society, and of the most efficient modes of forwarding them. As a spur to these duties, you have but to reflect upon the immense sacrifice of treasure and of life, by which our numerous advantages were obtained. The blood of our fathers cries to us from the stained battle-fields of old, to cherish "as the apple of the eye," those exalted privileges, which it was shed to obtain. To this voice you will not turn a deaf ear. Permit not selfishness to chill your energies in this work of preparation. Let it be remembered that you are bound by a thousand ties, to your fellow-beings — your interests and enjoyments are indissolubly interwoven with theirs — and, therefore, in discharging public duties, and advancing public prosperity, you are but securing your own welfare and happiness. " He who does no good, gets none. He who cares not for others, will soon find that others will not care for him." He who neglects public interests, has no just right to expect that the public will cherish his : and the tendency of such neglect, is to produce this result.

2. The world has claims upon the youth of this land. — Here, under the blessings of Fleaven, our

CLAIMS ON YOUTH. ^t

fathers were enabled to establish a government upon the broad principles of civil and religious freedom. Here man enjoys all those rights to which, as an intellectual, religious and social being he is entitled by nature and immutable equity. Here we are blessed with every privilege and with every means of comfort and happiness that can be expected in this imperfect state of existence. Here we enjoy liberty of speech, liberty of the presSj liberty on all matters* connected with reli^ gion, liberty in every respect, as far as accountable beings can possess it.

But let it be remembered that here only, are these privileges enjoyed. In every other section of the globe, mankind are deprived, to a greater or less extent, of these blessings of freedom. — Except in this land, justice, equality and liberty, in their true acceptation, are unknown on earth; and man's dearest rights are trampled beneath the iron hoof of tyranny ! Among the greater proportion of mankind, all that elevates human nature, and causes it to put forth its high powers and capabilities, is wanting. Now if the nations of the earth are ever to become emancipated, it must be accomplished by the spirit which goes forth from this people—by the example which the inhabitants of these United States, set before the world. Let the flame of liberty which has been kindled in this land, continue to burn in its pristine splendor, and in due time, its pure and holy light will penetrate and dispel the darkness of Other hemispheres. It will flash from land to land, from shore to shore, from the rivers even unto the ends of the earth — until man, every where, shall enjoy all those rights which his Creator has made him capable of exercising. But if the principles of freedom here established, become neglected — if the love for its blessings be swallowed up by selfishness, ignorance or corruption — the sacred flame will be quenched in darkness, the hopes of millions will expire, and earth again become a universal Aceldama !