has been nourished under the shelter of the parent stem, and bent
according to its inclination, is transferred to the open world, where
of its own impulse and character it must take root, and grow into
strength, or sink into weakness and vice.

3. HOME TIES.--The thought of home must excite a pang even in the
first moments of freedom. Its glad shelter--its kindly guidance--its
very restraints, how dear and tender must they seem in parting! How
brightly must they shine in the retrospect as the youth turns from
them to the hardened and unfamiliar face of the world! With what a
sweet sadly-cheering pathos they must linger in the memory! And then
what chance and hazard is there in his newly-gotten freedom! What
instincts of warning in its very novelty and dim inexperience! What
possibilities of failure as well as of success in the unknown future
as it stretches before him!

4. VICE OR VIRTUE.--Certainly there is a grave importance as well as
a pleasant charm in the beginning of life. There is awe as well as
excitement in it when rightly viewed. The possibilities that lie in
it of noble or ignoble work--of happy self-sacrifice or ruinous
self-indulgence--the capacities in the right use of which it may rise
to heights of beautiful virtue, in the abuse of which it may sink to
the depths of debasing vice--make the crisis one of fear as well as of
hope, of sadness as well as of joy.

5. SUCCESS OR FAILURE.--It is wistful as well as pleasing to think of
the young passing year by year into the world, and engaging with its
duties, its interests, and temptations. Of the throng that struggle
at the gates of entrance, how many may reach their anticipated goal?
Carry the mind forward a few years, and some have climbed the hills
of difficulty and gained the eminence on which they wished to
stand--some, although they may not have done this, have kept their
truth unhurt, their integrity unspoiled; but others have turned back,
or have perished by the way, or fallen in weakness of will, no more to
rise again; victims or their own sin.

6. WARNING.--As we place ourselves with the young at the opening gates
of life, and think of the end from the beginning, it is a deep concern
more than anything else that fills us. Words of earnest argument and
warning counsel rather than of congratulation rise to our lips.

7. MISTAKES ARE OFTEN FATAL.--Begin well and the habit of doing well
will become quite as easy as the habit of doing badly. "Well