Page 15 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

14 THIRD BOOK OF
lived; that characters are unchangeable; that we carry into advanced li all the ults and passions of our early days, and that there is no greater happi­ ness than to rm in our youth those laudable incli­ nations which accustom us, om childhood, "to the Joke of the Lord."
2. If we regarded only our repose in this life, and had no other interest than to prepare r ourselves quiet and happy daJs, what previous enjoyment it would be, to sti e in their birth, and turn at last to virtue, so many violent passions which a erwards rend the heart, and cause all the bitterness and mis rtuneofli ! Whatfelicity,tohaveencouraged none but innocent and amiable propensities, to be spared the wretched recollection of so many criminal pleasures, which corrupt the heart and su y the imagination, leaving a thousand shameful and im­ portunate images, which accompany us almost into virtue, survive our crimes, and are equently the cause of new ones! What happiness to have passed our rst years in tranquil and harmless pleasures, to have accustomed ourselves to contentment, and not contracted the mourn l necessity of engaging in
violent and criminal pleasures, making the peace and sweetness of innocence and virtue insupportable, by the long indulgence of ardent and tumultuous passions!
3. When youth is passed in vfrtue and in dread of vice, it draws down mercy on the remainder of our Jives; the Lord himself watches over our paths; we become the beloved objects of his special care and
paternal goodness.
M SILLON.