Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/246

236 to the language of scripture; although you may not fully comprehend the sacred writings, you will thus treasure up in your memory many useful passages, which may become in future highly consolatory. An early acquaintance with the letter of the old and new testaments, has been found substantial props through lengthening years; but all this, my dear young friend, will avail but little, unless you add thereto prayer and praise. Make it therefore a rule, never to be violated, to pray night and morning. The Redeemer, while clothed in humanity, earnestly and fervently addressed the Deity; forget not, therefore, to offer your private addresses to the Father of your spirit, at retiring to rest, and with the early dawn. Your age is the age of inadvertence; you enjoy health, and you are a stranger to the cares of the world. Cheerfulness does indeed become you, but let me pray you to consider the value of time, and the importance of appropriating it to wisdom. Consider your parents; the anxiety they experience upon your account; most ardently do they desire your improvement. Laudably ambitious, they are solicitous that you should be eminent, in whatever profession or employment you may be destined to engage. To see you contemptible, would fill them with the extreme of anguish; and, trust me, nothing will rescue you from contempt, but individual merit, a good disposition, adorned by literature, and embellished by the lighter accomplishments, and especially elevated by christianity. Your parents have laboured indefatigably, to promote you; but it remains with yourself to give success to their endeavours. The mind is not like a vessel, into which we may pour any good quality, whatever the director may choose; it is rather like a plant, which, by the operation of its own internal powers, imbibes the nutriment afforded by the earth. I repeat; it is certain, that instructors can serve you only, in conjunction with your own efforts. Let me then entreat you to exert yourself, if you have any regard for those parents, whose happiness so much depends upon your conduct; if you have any regard for your own honour, felicity, and prosperity; if you hope to be useful, and respected in society. "Always consider me as your friend and servant, JOHN MURRAY."

If the testimony of respectable cotemporaries; of men who disdained flattery, and whose judgment was unquestionable; who delighted to address our departed friend in the strains of panegyric—if these vouchers were permitted to decide in his favour, we could produce a cloud of witnesses. We content ourselves with a few extracts, from the