340. Worldly prosperity is in general a hot bed, in which vice and folly flourish. 341. As it is but foolish weakness that makes children so delight in bawbles, that they would not leave them for all your lands; so it is but foolish worldliness and wickedness that makes you so delight in your houses and lands, and meat and drink, and ease and honour, as not to part with them for heavenly possessions.-Baxter. 342. In some countries of Africa, where they are at times infested with both, they dread locusts more than lions. A swarm of light, vain, and evil thoughts, often does more mischief than the most violent temptations. 343. Learn daily the needful lessons of contentment. As your sins have forfeited every blessing, you may be thankful for any thing that divine goodness shall bestow. 344. Be not so weak or vain as to expect admiration for your dress or appearance. When Croesus asked Solon what he thought of his riches and royal splendour, Solon replied, I have never thought highly of human grandeur since I saw a peasant. If you are proud of finery, you may see all your gay colours surpassed in a peacock or a beetle. 345. Be earnest and unwearied in the pursuit of knowledge and the practice of piety. When tempters or triflers would call you aside, say as Nehemiah did to Sanballot, I am doing a great or necessary work, I cannot come." 346. Let not adversity tear off the wings of hope; neither let prosperity obscure the light of prudence.-Economy of Human Life. 347. The hypocrite worketh in the dark as a mole, and fancieth he is safe; but he blundereth . into light and is betrayed, and exposed with his dirt on his head.-Ibid. 348. Take heed that you do not fall into sin, and God will take care you shall not finally plunge into misery. 349. You cannot have right views of this world, unless you take in the prospect of the next. While you look transiently on temporal, and stedfastly on eternal objects, all things will appear in their true dimensions. 350. If you have an interest in Christ, and walk as he walked, your life will be gain to the world, and your death gain to yourself. PART III. DIRECTIONS, OR HINTS OF ADVICE. On Dress. MOST young people wish to make a shewy appearance. They are anxious for gay clothing, to outshine their equals and rival their superiors. How many do we see far more diligent in adorning their bodies, than improving their minds. Perhaps you may say, What then am I to be negligent and slovenly, and render myself disgusting? By no means, that would be running into the opposite extreme. On the subject of dress, let me beg your attention to a few words of advice. 1. Avoid every thing that borders on indecency. Some kinds of dress seem as if they were purposely contrived to display, or produce wantonness. These are quite unfit for either sex, in any age or rank. Let it be your full determination never to follow fashion, when fashion forsakes modesty. After the fence of virtue is once broken down, it lies exposed to a thousand invaders. Be not then ambitious to imitate those giddy worthless fops, who flutter in all the resorts of gaiety and folly : What is a butterfly at best, 'Tis but a caterpiller dres-Gay. 2. Avoid all extravagance, or that which would cause inconvenience from too great expence. That dress may be highly proper in one station, which is very unsuitable in another. Young people are apt to look above them, and catch at what is beyond their reach. We sometimes see servants wear more splendid and expensive apparel than their masters or mistresses. But nothing can be pleasing or becoming that is out of place. Let your dress and appearance be consistent with your circumstances. By costly clothing, which you can ill afford, you will only make yourself ridiculous. What fools behold with envious eyes, 3. Beware of giving up too much time to dress. If you had garments embroidered with gold or adorned with gems, they could not shield you |