Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 1).djvu/216

 little is often ill-directed. Consider your present troubles as a chastisement for some misconduct, some rash actions resulting from the impetuosity of youth; receive the correction with humility, but give not way to despair. Believe me, there is no merit in retiring from the world; society has its claims not incompatible with your sacred duties; on the contrary, duty towards God, and duty towards your brethren, is equally commanded and inculcated. A young man may have a thousand opportunities of doing active service to his fellow creatures, and of promoting the cause of religion and virtue. Retirement suits not with the ardour of youth; let me advise you therefore to resume your situation in life, whatever it may be, to scan over your past actions with discrimination and impartiality; you will then discover the errors that have impeded your expectations of happiness; you will chalk out for yourself a new path, and the end will be mental tranquillity, and the never-fading satisfaction of having been beneficial to the extent of