Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

mate of our powers, preparatory to their application.

The first thing, therefore, I advise you to do when you return home, is, to study yourself, and study your duties. I shall be grieved and disappointed too, if you do not pursue a steady and a systematic course of reading, to be digested by thought, and applied by observation; and I shall be equally disappointed, if you do not so manage it, that the sphere of thought shall not trench upon that of action. Action is, after all, the main business of our lives; we are to "work while it is called to-day;" and thought is worth nothing, unless it lead to, and embody itself in practice.

With regard to reading I will only give this general hint. Books you would merely like to read, set aside for some time, and content yourself at present with those which are emphatically desirable; those which may be termed foundation reading. In saying this I do not mean to exclude poetry, for I think poetry will do you good; but still take standard, not superficial poetry. There may

come a day when you have little time for grave studies, or even for studies of any kind; when, too, your mind may require unbending and soothing; keep the flowers of literature till then, for then they will cheer and not enervate.

Of course, my love, I know nothing of the kind of life you are destined to lead, or of the society in which you will move; but beware of two things-of so estimating what is intellectual, that you turn with disgust from that which is common-place; and of so tolerating the latter, that you lose your zest for that which is superior. When you are brought most painfully and frequently in contact with mediocrity, in addition to the effort which principle will induce, (the effort not to manifest contempt,) strive not to let your mind lower its own estimate of excellence, or slacken its desires after cultivation. Again, when brought most delightfully in conjunction with mental superiority, strive not to consider all qualities unconnected with intellect, as worthless and uninteresting. Each in its own place. The woman of

1

"Covet

benevolent practicality, however meanly endowed with the gifts of education, shall have her reward; and she who is enabled to perform more intellectual duties, or common duties more intellectually, must see to it, that she be found as active in practice and simple in motive. But do not fancy I want you to get a taste for mediocrity. earnestly the best gifts;" only be not unmindful of the yet "more excellent way." Should it ever so happen that in the course of life you are obliged to associate closely with gossips, redouble your efforts to cultivate and refine your mind, not out of contempt, but as a counterpoise to their influence. Only "let all things be done in order," in love, and in the "meekness of wisdom."

I know you will not be satisfied unless I advert to the subject of religion; yet, knowing as I do, the privileges which you enjoy, I feel as though it were needless in me to add a single word; and all I can say, is comprised in one brief observation-that unless the habit of the Christian's mind be that of seeking grace, the history of his life

will soon be that of falling from it. His stability lies not in determination, in recollection, in knowledge; but in present and continual receiving. I must, however, conclude, I have written inadequately, but from a sincere desire to give you pleasure.

Farewell, dearest; I trust a long, a happy, and a useful life is before you; that your path will always tend upwards, and your Christian progress be that of going "from strength to strength;" till at last you reach that holy place of which we read last night, and of which I trust you think often. Realize "the rest that remaineth for the people of God;" but, oh! remember, that such "rest" is not to be found, perfectly at least, on this side the grave. Again, farewell, and believe me,

Your faithful and affectionate friend.

LETTER XV.

MY DEAREST

BEFORE I was aware you had

discovered for yourself that "earthliness is stamped upon emotion," I had determined to address you on the subject; suspecting, what I now find to be the truth, that you were under its influence, yes, its delicious but dangerous influence. If, however, your note gives me a correct estimate of your state of mind; if, as you assure me, you "keep a constant and vigilant watch over your feelings," and make it a subject of prayer that your attachment " may not prove a snare, but an incitement to the pursuit of all that is truly estimable and excellent," it is suf

H

« FöregåendeFortsätt »