Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/66

 of obstinacy and self conceit, submit yourselves to their instructions, admonitions, and restraints. Be not however satisfied with submission only, for gratitude has more extensive, claims. Reflect upon the nature of your obligations to those who have borne cheerfully with all the cares, anxieties, and labours, arising from your state of infancy and youth. They have protected you when helpless, instructed you when ignorant, loved you amidst all your errors, and will continue to love you even to the close of their existence. Favours like these you have never received from any other created being, therefore next to your father in heaven, you are bound to love and reverence your parents. Be dutiful and affectionate, studying their wishes in all you do. A different course of conduct will afflict those to whom you are bound by every tie of nature and gratitude, and lower you in your own opinion. You would not surely wound those whose kindness to you has been such as you at present cannot realize, or in future ever repay; or fail in the first duty of your life, forcing hope to sigh at the promise of your future years.

Those who have been eminent for piety and true wisdom, have invariably performed the requisitions of this most interesting connection. If you are anxious for their fame, be careful not to