Gladdening its hearth and race? Dim grows the semblance on man's heart impress'd-— Come near, and bear the beautiful to rest! Ye weep, and it is well! For tears befit earth's partings!-Yesterday, Where'er he moved-the welcome and the bless'd! Look yet on him, whose eye -But not where death has power may love be bless'd— Come near! and bear ye the beloved to rest! How may the mother's heart Dwell on her son, and dare to hope again? Is he not gone, our brightest and our best? Look on him! is he laid To slumber from the harvest or the chase? Death holds not long unchang'd his fairest guest,--- His voice of mirth had ceased Amidst the vineyards! there is left no place Earth must take earth to moulder on her breast; Yet mourn ye not as they Whose spirit's light is quenched !—for him the past His birthright's hope away! All is not here of our beloved and bless'd- LESSON IX. Charity.-POLLOCK. Breathe all thy minstrelsy, immortal harp! Let me record His praise, the man of great benevolence, The helpless, the last mite beyond his own Nor did he wait till to his door the voice And would not ask. And who can tell what sights While from his hand he gave the bounty forth! Of unprovided helplessness, revive, As on them looked the sunny messenger That mark'd his deeds, and wrote them in the book He gave and sought no more, nor questioned much, the poor Heaven's fairest dress! and round him ranged in white, LESSON X. Formation of Character.-Addressed to Young Men. Ir is ever to be kept in mind that a good name is in all cases the fruit of personal exertion. It is not inherited from parents; it is not created by external advantages; it is no necessary appendage of birth, or wealth, or talents, or station; but the result of one's own endeavours,the fruit and reward of good principles, manifested in a course of virtuous and honourable action. This is the more important to be remarked, because it shows that the attainment of a good name, whatever be your external circumstances, is entirely within your power. No young man, however humble his birth, or obscure his condition, is excluded from the invaluable boon. He has only to fix his eye upon the prize, and press towards it, in a course of virtuous and useful conduct, and it is his. And it is interesting to notice how many of our worthiest and best citizens have risen to honour and usefulness by dint of their own persevering exertions. They are to be found, in great numbers, in each of the learned professions, and in every department of business; and they stand forth, bright and animating examples, of what can be accomplished by resolution and effort. Indeed, my friends, in the formation of character, personal exertion is the first, the second and the third virtue. Nothing great or excellent can be acquired without it. A good name will not come without being sought. All the virtues of which it is composed are the result of untiring application and industry. Nothing can be more fatal to the attainment of a good character than a treacherous confidence in external advantages. These, if not seconded by your own endeavours, will "drop you mid way; or perhaps you will not have started, when the diligent traveller will have won the race." Thousands of young men have been ruined by relying for a good name on their honourable parentage, or inherited wealth, or, the patronage of friends. Flattered by these distinctions, they have felt as if they might live without plan and without effort,-merely for their own gratification and indulgence. No mistake is more fatal. It always issues in producing an inefficient and useless cha racter. In the formation of a good character, it is of great importance that the early part of life be improved and guarded with the utmost care and diligence. The most critical period of life is that which elapses from fourteen to twenty-one years of age. More is done during this period, to mould and settle the character of the future man, than in all the other years of life. If a young man passes this season with pure morals and a fair reputation, a good name is almost sure to crown his maturer years, and descend with him to the close of his days. On the other hand, if a young man, in this spring season of life, neglects his mind and heart; if he indulges himself in vicious courses, and forms habits of inefficiency |