ewed. 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 of 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 {7} 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 begun is half
ended," says the proverb; "and a good beginning is half the battle." Many
promising young men have irretrievably injured themselves by a first false
step at the commencement of life; while others, of much less promising
talents, have succeeded simply by beginning well, and going onward. The
good, practical beginning is, to a certain extent, a pledge, a promise, and
an assurance of the ultimate prosperous issue. There is many a poor
creature, now crawling through life, miserable himself and the cause of
sorrow to others, who might have lifted up his head and prospered, if,
instead of merely satisfying himself with resolutions of well-doing, he had
actually gone to work and made a good, practical beginning.

8. BEGIN AT THE RIGHT PLACE.--Too many are, however, impatient of results.
They are not satisfied to begin where their fathers did, but where they
left off. They think to enjoy the fruits of industry without working for
them. They cannot wait for the results of labor and application, but
forestall them by too early ind