shall do no damage to his said master, nor see it to be done of others; but to his power shall let, or forthwith give notice to his said master of the same.

"The goods of his said master he shall not waste, nor the same without license of him to any give or lend. Hurt to his master he shall not do, cause, nor procure to be done. He shall neither buy nor sell without his master's license. Taverns, inns, or ale-houses, he shall not haunt. At cards, dice, tables, or any other unlawful game, he shall not play. Matrimony he shall not contract. Nor from the service of his said master day nor night absent himself; but in all things as an honest and faithful apprentice shall and will demean and behave himself toward his said master and all his during the said term.

"And the said James Franklin, the master, for and in consideration of the sum of ten pounds of lawful British money, to him in hand paid by the said Josiah Franklin, the father, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said apprentice in the art of a printer, which he now useth, shall teach and instruct, or cause to be taught and instructed, the best way and manner that he can, finding and allowing unto the said apprentice meat, drink, washing, lodging, and all other necessaries during the said term. And for the true performance of all and every the covenants and agreements aforesaid, either of the said parties bindeth himself unto the other firmly by these presents.

"In witness whereof, the parties aforesaid to these indentures interchangeably have set their hands and seals, this day of —, in the fifth year of our sovereign lord, George the First, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland king, defender of the faith, and in the year of our Lord 1718."

Illustrious American apprentices.-The following are a few of a long list of names that might be given of eminent Americans who commenced life as apprentice boys:

Roger Sherman, of revolutionary memory, was bound to a shoe-maker, served out his term, and worked on the bench till he was twenty-two years of age.

Stephen A. Douglas, United States senator from Illinois, was apprenticed to a cabinet maker, and served diligently,

State the requirements made of the apprentice. Are these requirements right or wrong? State the requirements made of the master. Is there any advantage in such a contract? What are the disadvantages, if any? Tell all you can of Roger Sherman. Stephen A. Douglas.

till, upon his health failing, he was released from his engagement.

Nathaniel Bowditch was bred to his father's trade, as a cooper, and was afterward bound to a ship-chandler. He became eminent as a mathematician and astronomer.

Amos Lawrence was apprenticed to a merchant, and by his diligence, faithfulness, and integrity acquired an immense fortune. He was one of the best, as well as the wealthiest, men of New England.

Andrew Johnson was indentured at ten years of age to the tailor's trade, and served his term of seven years. During his apprenticeship, he learned to read, and, after he was married, his wife taught him to write and cipher. He became President of the United States.

Elihu Burritt, the eminent scholar and friend of peace, is known as the "Learned Blacksmith."

Governor Jewell, of Connecticut, was a tanner; Governor Claflin, of Massachusetts, was a shoe-maker; Vice-President Wilson, of Massachusetts, was a shoe-maker; President Grant was a tanner; and Vice-President Colfax was a printer.

He is truly the independent man who has a trade, and is neither ashamed nor unwilling to follow it. All honest work is honorable.

The student would do well to read the lives of these and other eminent men, who learned to work when young. Tell what you have learned of Nathaniel Bowditch; Amos Lawrence; Andrew Johnson; Elihu Burritt; Governor Jewell; Governor Claflin ; Senator Wilson; General Grant; Schuyler Colfax. Who comes the nearest being an independent man? Why?

CHAPTER XXII.

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."

AMUSEMENTS.

What are the amusements in which the young may properly indulge? This is a question involving much discussion among those who wish to advance the interests and pleasures of youth, as well as among the young people themselves. Assuming, without any argument, that some amusements are necessary and proper, the only question is to determine the kinds which may be enjoyed without the danger of moral or physical injury to the young, or of interference with the rights and feelings of the old. Were we inclined to discuss the merits or demerits of all the games, plays, and methods of diversion in which youth are accustomed to indulge, it would far exceed the limits proposed for this book, The most, and probably the best, that can be done, is to ascertain some general principles, which will apply to every case of amusement, determining its propriety or impropriety, or whether its exercise be right or wrong. When these principles are clearly understood, their

What is the subject of Chapter XXII? Repeat the text. Does the moral law prohibit amusements? Why do amusements require caution? What judgment is expected of those who do wrong ? Are the ways of the heart always right? Why are not all the games and plays discussed? What is proposed ?

application will become a conscientious duty, as every one is morally bound to do what he believes to be right.

PRINCIPLES RELATING TO AMUSEMENTS.

Good or bad amusements.-In determining the propriety of indulging in any kind of amusement, the first question which should occupy the mind is, is this right or wrong in itself? In some cases, the answer can be easily and promptly given, and there can be no doubt of its correctness. If conscience says it is wrong, there should be no hesitation in refusing the indulgence, however fascinating it may seem. We can not afford to violate the dictates of conscience for the sake of any momentary pleasure.

Amusements of doubtful propriety.-Our observation and experience may not enable us to determine whether a certain recreation is injurious, and if we have a doubt, it will be safe to learn the estimation in which it is held by good people, in whose judgment we have confidence. If its history, its associations, and its influences are approved by those who have had the opportunity to know whether it be right or wrong, it will certainly be a strong argument in its favor. We can not afford to disregard the advice of those who are wiser and more experienced than ourselves, nor can we run the risk of losing their respect for the sake of any paltry gratification. We have no right to offend our friends by doing what they consider wrong, and their judgment should lead us to have great doubts as to the correctness of our own views. A decent respect for the opinions of those who love us, demands that we conform to their conscientious views in questions of this character.

Is it the duty of every one to be guided by principle or feeling? Why? If one knows what is right, what is his duty? What is the first principle that should claim our attention? If conscience says a certain pleasure is wrong, what shall we do? If we have a doubt, what shall we do? Who have the best opportunity of judging of such matters, the young or the old? Why? Should we respect the judgment of our elders in selecting our amusements?

Anecdote.-A party of gentlemen were traveling from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, by the Ohio river. In order to relieve the tiresome monotony of the trip, it was proposed that they should indulge in a game of cards. One of the party politely declined to engage in that kind of sport. On being asked the reason for his unwillingness to participate in the play, he replied: "I have always endeavored to preserve an unblemished reputation, and I can not afford to be classed in the mind of any person as directly or indirectly associated with gamblers or gaming. There are many good people, whose esteem I should regret to lose, who would hear with much pain that I had engaged in playing cards on a steamboat; therefore, you will excuse me for not running the risk of doing myself and others a moral injury."

The relations of amusement to business.-Every youth has, or ought to have, some employment, whether of study or business, which will help to fit him for a life of usefulness and honor. When any particular kind of amusement becomes so engrossing as to interfere with the duties belonging to the school, the family, or the employer, it should cease at once. If the love of pleasure is so absorbing as to interfere with the demands and obligations of business, it is time to stop for a little reflection. When recreation is pursued as a vocation; when mere fun is followed as an occupation, to the exclusion of everything else, nothing but sorrow and mortification can be the result. It is written in the moral law, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man.” When the desire for diversion is so controlling that duties are neglected, business is forgotten, and the mind is led from the consideration of serious affairs, the remedy can only be found in the complete and conscientious renunciation of the fascinating folly.

Why should every youth have some employment or business? Can the mind be intensely occupied by business and pleasure at the same time? Which is likely to suffer? What is written of him who has an intense love of pleasure? When amusement and business clash, which should yield? Why?

M. M.-11