John Mather Austin - Golden Steps to Respectability, Usefulness and Happiness: Being a Series of Lectures to Youth of Both Sexes, on Character, Principles, Associates, Amusements, Religion, and Marriage

"Onward! onward! Toils despising,
Upward, upward! Turn thine eyes,
Only be content when rising,
Fix thy goal amid the skies."

The Lectures embraced in this volume, were written for the pulpit,in the usual manner of preparation for such labor, without anyexpectation of their appearing in print. The author is but toosensible that they are imperfect in many features, both in matterand style. It is only in the hope that they will be of some benefitto the class to whom they are addressed, that he has consented tosubmit them to public perusal. He has aimed at nothing eccentric,odd, or far-fetched; but has sought to utter plain and obvioustruths, in a plain and simple manner. There is no class moreinteresting, and none which has higher claims on the wisdom,experience, and advice, of mature minds, than the young who areabout to enter upon the trying duties and responsibilities of activelife. Whatever tends to instruct and enlighten them: to point outthe temptations which will beset their pathway, and the dire evilswhich inevitably flow from a life of immorality; whatever willinfluence them to honesty, industry, sobriety, and religion, andlead them to the practice of these virtues, as "Golden Steps" bywhich they may ascend to Respectability, Usefulness, and Happiness,must be of benefit to the world. To aid in such a work, is thedesign of this volume. If it subserves this endif it becomesinstrumental in inciting the youthful to high and pure principlesof action, in hedging up the way of sin, and opening the path ofwisdom, to anyif it drops but a single good seed into the heartof each of its readers, and awakens the slightest aspiration tomorality, usefulness, and religionit will not have been preparedin vain. With a prayer to God that he would protect and bless theyouth of our common country, and prepare them to preserve andperpetuate the priceless legacy of Freedom and Religion, which theywill inherit from their fathers, this book is given to the world, tofulfil such a mission as Divine Wisdom shall direct.

THE AUTHOR.AUBURN, June, 1850.

"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come."1 Tim. vi. 19.

In this language St. Paul asserts a principle which should commenditself to the mature consideration of every youthful mind. If theyoung would have their career honorable and prosperousif theywould enjoy the respect and confidence of community; if they wouldhave the evening of their days calm, serene, and peacefulthey mustprepare for it early in life. They must lay "a good foundationagainst the time to come"a foundation which will be capable ofsustaining the edifice they would erect. The building cannot bereared in strength and beauty, without it rests on a secure"corner-stone." The harvest cannot be gathered unless the seed isfirst cast into the ground. A wise Providence has so ordered it thatsuccess, prosperity, and happiness through life, and a respected and"green old age," are to be enjoyed only by careful preparation,prudent forecast, and assiduous culture, in the earlier periods ofour existence.

"True wisdom, early sought and gained,
In age will give thee rest;
then improve the morn of life,
To make its evening blest."

The youthful live much in the future. They are fond of gazing intoits unknown depths, and of endeavoring to trace the outline, atleast, of the fortunes that await them. With ardent hope, with eagerexpectation, they anticipate the approach of coming yearsconfidentthey will bring to them naught but unalloyed felicity. But theyshould allow their anticipations of the future to be controlled by awell-balanced judgment, and moderated by the experience of those whohave gone before them.

In looking to the future, there is one important inquiry which theyoung should put to their own hearts:What do I most desire tobecome in mature life? What position am I anxious to occupy insociety? What is the estimation in which I wish to be held by thosewithin the circle of my acquaintance?

The answer to these inquiries, from the great mass of young people,can well be anticipated. There are none among them who desire to bedisrespected and shunned by the wise and goodwho are anxious tobe covered with disgrace and infamywho seek to be outcasts andvagabonds in the world. The thought that they were doomed to such acondition, would fill them with alarm. Every discreet youth willexclaim"Nothing would gratify me more than to be honored andrespected, as I advance in years; to move in good society; to havepeople seek my company, rather than shun it; to be looked up to asan example for others to imitate, and to enjoy the confidence of allaround me."

Is not his the desire of the young of this large audience? Surelythere can be none here so blind to the future, so lost to theirown good, as to prefer a life of infamy and its ever-accompanyingwretchedness, to respectability, prosperity, and true enjoyment? Buthow are these to be obtained? Respectability, prosperity, the goodopinion of community, do not come simply at our bidding. We cannotreach forth our hands and take them, as we pluck the ripe fruit fromthe bending branch. Neither will wishing or hoping for them showertheir blessings upon us. If we would obtain and enjoy them, wemust labor for themEARN them. They are only secured as thewell-merited reward of a pure and useful life!

The first thing to be aimed at by the young, should be theestablishment of a GOOD CHARACTER: In all their plans, anticipations,and prospects for future years, this should form the grandstarting-point!the chief corner-stone! It should be the foundationof every hope and thought of prosperity and happiness in days tocome. It is the only basis on which such a hope can mature to fullfruition. A good character, established in the season of youth,becomes a rich and productive moral soil to its possessor. Plantedtherein, the "Tree of Life" will spring forth in a vigorous growth.Its roots will strike deep and strong, in such a soil, and drawthence the utmost vigor and fruitfulness. Its trunk will grow up inmajestic proportionsits wide-spreading branches will be clothedwith a green luxuriant foliage, "goodly to look upon"the mostbeautiful of blossoms will in due time, blush on every twigand atlength each limb and bough shall bend beneath the rich, goldenfruit, ready to drop into the hand. Beneath its grateful shade youcan find rest and repose, when the heat and burden of life come uponyou. And of its delicious fruit, you can pluck and eat, and obtainrefreshment and strength, when the soul becomes wearied with laborand care, or the weight of years. Would you behold such a tree?Remember it grows alone on the soil of a good reputation!! Labor toprepare such a soil.