not entered upon preoccupied ground. This work is not a repetition, in a new form, of what is contained in other books for young men ; it embraces, in the main, other topics, or presents considerations in addition to those embraced in previous works. The several chapters are a connected series, designed to conduct the mind forward in the most natural course. It has been my first object to awaken in our young men a due sense of their responsibilities and duties; next, to point out to them the nature, means, and uses of knowledge, and to encourage their pursuit of it; next, to show the nature and value of right principles, and how they may be known and formed; next, to illustrate the importance of early habits, point out right habits and the way to form them upon sound principles; next, to disclose a method of ascertaining the nature and truth of religion, by experiment and induction. Considering the sacred Scriptures as the only sure support of virtue and religion, I have next proceeded to prove their authenticity, genuineness, credibility, and inspiration. To this topic, the reader's special and repeated attention is earnestly solicited. Supposing that some, however, may not have been persuaded to enter upon the way of virtue and religion, I have next proceeded to exhibit the imminent dangers of young men, and the evils which they may be instrumental of bringing upon themselves and others, by a course of profligacy and sin; next, the good which they may secure to themselves and to their fellow-beings, by a course of virtue and religion. This is followed by a chapter upon completeness of character, embracing the various topics of health, including cheerfulness, exercise and recreation, regular hours, cleanliness, diet, drink, medicine; also of business; of refinement and politeness; of entertainments; of marriage ; with a conclusion upon the Christian balance of mind. I fear that the grave subjects will demand a more severe attention than some will wish to give, and that the secular topics may by others be deemed unnecessarily minute and trifling. As to the grave subjects, their nature demands a serious and earnest attention; as to the lighter and more secular topics, though they include many particulars in themselves trifling, yet they have much to do in completing the character and in promoting a man's usefulness. I have endeavored to say nothing which is not of sufficient importance to be said in a work like this, addressed to young men. The reader will perceive that I have not aimed at literary beauty; it has been my simple design to exhibit important truth so clearly as not to fail of being understood. If an obscure or ambiguous sentence shall be found on these pages, it will not be because the writer has not endeavored to avoid it-sometimes, perhaps, at the expense of rhetorical taste. I have endeavored to write in view of the maxim, that 66 Thoughts are the sons of heaven, and words the daughters of earth." The work contains but few anecdotes; they are introduced simply for illustration and proof. None of them are fictitious or embellished; they are known facts. This statement is merely for the reader's information, and not intended as an objection to allegorical or fictitious exhibitions of moral truth, when they are so understood. I have endeavored to adapt the style to the variety of subjects. Every person accustomed to writing, will sympathise with the difficulty of doing this, and will be indulgent to partial failures. Throughout the book I have generally used the first person, considering this the true and proper style of address; and it is hoped that my young reader will not consider the plain, direct, preceptive manner in which I address him, as expressing the dictatorial and dogmatical air of a teacher, but the unconstrained confidence and simplicity of a friend. It is but a humble mite, reader, which I pretend to give you; and if you should see fit to receive it with candor, and should in any measure derive advantage from it, you will richly reward your unworthy friend and servant, THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. PROSPECTS OF OUR COUNTRY. Rapidity of its population; physical resources; enterprising character of its inhabitants; civil and political institutions; benevolent efforts; prospective elevation and moral power; agency and responsibilities of its young men. KNOWLEDGE. Nature and importance of knowledge; the desirableness of securing it while young; acquired then most ea- sily; the knowledge earliest acquired the longest retained d; val- uable capital; enables one to feel his own strength; saves from grovelling temptations; -Two ways of obtaining knowledge — the one observation and experience, the other books- both impor- tant;Theory and synthesis, analysis and induction ;— Objections MEANS AND USES OF KNOWLEGE. Must believe that you can obtain it determine to do it not expect or attempt too much at once- ascend the steps of knowledge in the order of nature; simplicity and order of the universe ;- Public lectures - what PRINCIPLES. Principles defined; their importance; only safe God requires them ; — Right principles shown, as distinguished from those of men of pleasure, honor, ambition, vanity, and secular mo- EARLY HABITS. Importance of early habits; most easily formed; hardest to alter; determine your society; secure or for- feit public confidence; will probably determine the future character and condition of the soul;-Most important habits to be formed - due consideration and respect to superiors; temperance in all things; engrossing attention; industry, frugality, and benevolence; pru- dence and moderation; right use of the tongue; graduating all your RELIGION. Internal and experimental evidence; the doc- trine of inductive demonstration, as employed in natural science, ap- plied to religion; Inferences-men are responsible for right religious opinions; essential errors in religion cannot be innocent; impiety THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. Internal, experimental, and exter. nal evidence defined; - Authenticity, genuineness, and credibility of the Old Testament; what constitutes proof; Traditionary testimony to authenticity of the Pentateuch - respecting the work of creation; primeval paradise and human innocence; sacrifice for sin; prom- ised Messiah; longevity; deluge; profane historians ;- Genuineness of the Pentateuch; remaining Scriptures of the Old Testament — NEW TESTAMENT. Does not teach a different religion from the Old; - Historical facts of Christianity; testimony of profane his- torians of coins, medals, marbles, &c.. of the evangelists and apostles of the Jewish nation, and of others;-Genuineness; quoted by the fathers; different sects; agreement of manuscripts; human reverence for what is deemed sacred; fate of spurious copies. |