cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy."

In respect to your civil and political duties, I shall be very brief. It is doubtless incumbent on every young man to acquaint himself with the nature and condition of our institutions, so far as is necessary in order to act the part of a good and faithful citizen in sustaining them. As soon as you are old enough to vote, you owe a duty at the ballot box. You ought to become qualified to vote intelligently, or if necessary, to sustain any public office that may be laid upon you. Every young man of good sense may easily do this. Not many of our public offices require a great amount of learning or talent. Indeed there is frequently too much of this thrust into them for the public good, unless rendered safer by that moral integrity which the Bible calls "wisdom." What is most needed in all our civil offices, is an honest mind and good practical common-sense. I hope my young reader will be well qualified not only to vote, but also to sustain any office that may be assigned him.

But never seek for office. In some of the Southern and Western States, you know it is customary for men to set up themselves as candidates.

I make no objections to this. It seems to be an open, honest way of doing the thing, and has some advantages over the concealed and artful methods sometimes practiced by demagogues at the North. But what I mean to advise is, that you never covet or desire any public office. If one is laid upon you, accept and discharge it if you can; but always prefer to be excused. I should advise this, even on the score of your own private interest. There is scarcely an office in the land, in which you can realize as much money as you must sacrifice in accepting it; and as to the honor, it is too late to speak of that. We have yet many excellent and honorable men in office, but such are the tendencies of things, that I sometimes fear the time will come when the office of a civil magistrate will be positively disrespectable, and when no honorable man will receive one, except out of sheer charity to his country.

No. You need not push your way through dust and toil and scandal into any of our public offices, for the sake of honor. You can be quite as honorable without; and I almost think a little more so. At least, the chances are more in your favor as a private citizen. Be content to let others have all the thrones and chairs of state; if you are in a good business, lay it down as one of your first principles, NEVER TO SEEK AN OFFICE.

But I know what is in man, and therefore do not expect every one of my readers will follow this advice. The consequence will be that he will reap sorrow. Yet if all our young men would do it, what a glorious change would twenty-five years realize in our government! The reign of demagogues would cease from the land, the most worthy and best qualified men would everywhere be placed in office, to hold it as benevolent servants and stewards of the public weal. This is the true perfection of republican government. It is that state in which all who are capable are willing to rule, but who yet prefer that others should do it; in which it is as honorable to serve as to reign, and the emoluments of office have no charm to tempt mercenary spirits; and in which all who rule well, find that reward in the gratitude, love, and confidence of the people, which is ever due to a good and faithful magistrate.

Nothing but the prevalence of the religion of the gospel can produce this state of things; again therefore let me say, if you love your country, if you would demean yourself as a true patriot and do your part faithfully towards handing down the blessings we enjoy, with increase, to coming generations— if you would have the hundreds of millions and among them your own children and grandchildren, that will people these realms a century hence, enjoy

CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE.

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the blessings of free institutions, of equal laws equally administered, of intelligence, virtue, happiness and glory you must give the full influence of your name, your character, your property, your prayers, your example and your efforts, To Extend THE RELIGION OF JESUS OVER OUR LAND AND THROUGH THE WORLD.

CHAPTER XIII.

VARIOUS TOPICS.

"That ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

COMPLETENESS of character is greatly to be desired. Having laid the foundation for a strong, noble, and enduring edifice, in substantial knowledge, right principles, true virtue and religion, let nothing be wanting to finish, beautify, and adorn it. There are many subordinate things which enter into the composition of a finished character, which though comparatively small, yet have an important bearing upon a man's usefulness and happiness. The most essential of these may be noticed under a few general heads.

HEALTH.

It is every inan's duty to take good care of his health. Mens sana in corpore sano a sound mind in a sound body, is justly styled the greatest of earthly blessings. You may have all other things that earth can give, and yet without health to enjoy them, what are they to you? I knew