CHARLES'S HABITS.
Good habits are of the greatest importance. If they are cultivated by
the young, they become fixed and permanent. Evil habits, unless they are
corrected, will increase in number and strength. The young should beware
of the first evil habit. A boy does not become a bad boy all at once: he
gives way to one bad habit, and then to another. One small sin prepares
the way for another and a greater one. Dr. Clarke says, "Sin is a small
matter in its commencement; but by indulgence it grows great, and
multiplies itself beyond all calculation." The old rabbins used to say
it was like a spider's web at first, and that it increased till it was
like a cart-rope. This is seen in the case of Charles Duran. His
expulsion from school did not improve him: he grew up in the indulgence
of his bad temper, and, instead of being a lovely, industrious boy, fond
of his studies, and attentive to his various duties, he was idle, lazy,
and vicious. When he ought to have been in school, he was fishing, and
idling away his time along the margins of the brooks and rivers. He soon
learned to use a gun, and much of his time was spent in the woods,
hunting birds, squirrels, and rabbits. Idle habits are very dangerous. A
boy or man that is habitually idle cannot be good,--mark that. The devil
will always find mischief for such persons, and he will be very sure
to get them into it.
[Illustration: CHARLES HUNTING.]
Charles had, what many boys desire, a gun, and was very fond of
shooting. Besides shooting squirrels and birds, he would shoot at marks
on his father's out-buildings and fences. There was not a door, not a
board, not a post, and scarcely a rail, in all the out-buildings and
fences, that was not full of shot-holes. This kind of shooting was a
dangerous practice. I wondered, when I examined the premises, that the
barn and sheds had not taken fire from the burning wads. It was
dangerous also to the poultry and cattle. But he thought nothing of
these things; from day to day it was shoot! shoot! shoot!
Pursuing this course, it is not strange that Charles should grow up
rough in his manners, and coarse in his language. Gentleness is lovely
always, wherever found; but it appears most lovely in children and
youth. It indicates a good heart, and good training. It helps young
persons into the best society, and secures them warm and valuable
friends. Roughness of manner drives our friends from us, and prevents
many from becoming friends. This fact is illustrated in the history of
this spoiled boy. He might have had a large circle of friends, but now
few, very few indeed, loved or esteemed him.
One vice does not long remain alone. Idleness begets vice. Viciousness
shows itself in various forms: in lying, Sabbath-breaking, theft,
swearing, and intemperance. Charles grew worse and worse,--adding sin
to sin. He became greatly addicted to swearing. He frequently spent the
Sabbath in wandering about the fields, instead of attending church. He
found, as the depraved always do, kindred spirits, with whom he
associated. With these he learned to drink to excess, and was not
unfrequently under the influence of strong drink.
There is a standard in vice as well as in virtue. While some are held up
as models of virtue, others may be regarded as the very personification
of evil. We should learn to profit by both,--be encouraged by one, and
warned by the other.
The unfortunate boy whose history I am detailing finally became a
proverb in his native town. Good mothers often exhorted their children
not to be like Charles Duran! Who of my little readers would like such a
distinction as this? Try to live so that parents may point you out as
good examples for their children to follow.