son your troubles, and your sicknesses will be equally unacceptable if you dwell upon them and make them your constant subject. Be very cautious, also, in sounding your own praise; nothing can vindicate your vanity, nor plead an excuse in the minds of those who hear you. "Meddle not with state affairs," is a sacred maxim, well worthy of your attention, as the heat of political arguments often brings a man into disrepute ; it is a sort of folly to interfere in things so far above us ; from their distance our judgment may be deceived. The best way to pre vent any evil effects of government is, not to quarrel with its actions, but amend our own; for it is an essential part of subjection to submit to the discretion and wisdom of those who rule us. But, more particularly let not your speech violate that veneration which is due to the Supreme Being, for all his attributes. I regret to observe a strange impiety in some characters, who make a sport at godliness, and seem to know the Scriptures for no other end but to use them for their recreation, like tennis balls: but if" God be in heaven, and we upon earth," our words should be few in every sense, and, most certainly, they ought to be only those which are reverend. And here let me dissuade you, most earnestly, against the sin of swearing,* which is too common with many men, who use oaths as ornaments of speech, without any other consideration: but think not, O young man, that the holy God, who, with such fearful threatenings, hath declared how much he abhoreth all iniquity, will let this sin pass unobserved, since he hath solemnly said the blasphemer shall not go un * Jeremiah saith, "Because of swearing the land mourneth," and Christ says, "Swear not at all." punished. In this righteous judg ment there needs no attempt to vindicate the ways of Providence, if we consider, here is no temptation to excuse us; in other sins our appetites are gratified; we please our love, or we serve our hate; but what gratification has the swearer in view? none but that rebellious spirit which opposes itself to God; and he will assuredly find it a fearful thing, for a vain and foolish habit, to fall into his bands. The effects of this senseless practice are so terrible they will not bear reflection; and your father can only earnestly pray that you may avoid the habit and escape the pun ishment. My next advice will be on the choice of your recreations; in which you will perhaps think advice not very pertinent, as every one can choose his own amusements, and follow them innocently yet even here, a father's love is awakened, to direct you to those paths, which may truly prove paths of peace. That you should not make amusement your business, I need scarcely remark; for necessity has imposed this salutary law upon you, as well |