, "painted on the mind, in the warm, glowing colors which
fancy spreads on objects not yet known, when all is new and all is
lovely!"
SIR WALTER RALEIGH
has justly claimed the respect and admiration of the world for many
high qualities of mind. One of the most admirable of his remarks is an
admonition to youth, which runs as follows: "Use thy youth so that thou
mayest have comfort to remember it when it hath forsaken thee, and not
sigh and grieve at the account thereof. Use it as the spring-time which
soon departeth, and wherein thou oughtest to plant and sow all
provisions for a long and happy life." But this is difficult to do. The
march of youth is through a mountainous country. The scenery is
changing, but the progress is not encouraging. "Self-flattered,
unexperienced, high in hope when young," says the poet Young, "with
sanguine cheer and streamers gay, we cut our cable, launch into the
world, and fondly dream each wind and star our friend." How many youths
have believed they would, by merit alone, rise to the Presidency of the
United States--
THE FIRST MAN IN FIFTY MILLIONS!
Youth keeps a diary, into which it pours a volume of "thought" that
seems a very mine of gems. Take up that chronicle at middle age and see
its weak and driveling character. Observe the almost total lack of one
idea that will aid you to some honorable end! And yet there is
something touching even in the great trust and confidence of childhood.
How sweet and true are the beautiful lines of Thomas Hood called "I
remember, I remember:
I remember, I remember,
The fir trees dark and high;
I used to think their slender tops
Were close against the sky;
It was a childish ignorance,
But now 'tis little joy
To know I'm further off from heaven
Than when I was a boy.
Dr. Watts lays down to youth that it should have a decent and agreeable
behavior among men, "a modest freedom of speech, a soft and elegant
manner of address, a graceful and lovely deportment, a cheerful gravity
and good humor, with a mind appearing ever serene under the ruffling
accidents of life." This programme of action is far beyond the reach of
a well-balanced adult, much further the inexperienced and untried mind
of younger life. But the character which should attain to such angelic
proportions would truly have a reverent place among men's memories.
THE ALPENA.
Youth has no knowledge of God's power. The confid
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