MORAL LAW. CHAPTER I. "He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise.” GOOD SOCIETY. "What must I do to secure a place in good society?" is a question that often perplexes the minds of the young as they begin to mingle with the world. The answer depends upon what is meant by the term. People differ as to what constitutes good society, and therefore a variety of definitions of it may be given, depending upon the diversity of their views. One supposes good society to be an association of those who are rich and able to afford the luxuries of good living and elegant houses; of fashion and fine dress. Another thinks it consists of those who trace their family name and history back through generations of honored ancestors. Another imagines that official position or prosperous business gives a sure title to good society. The society of the Good.-While wealth, good family connections, office honorably obtained, and flourishing business are very desirable, yet any of these alone, or all combined, do not make their possessors fit to enter such society and enjoy its benefits, without having some other and better What is the subject of this chapter? Repeat the text. What question commences the chapter? Why do people differ in their ideas of good society? What is a true definition? (7) qualifications. The definition we shall give of good society is the SOCIETY OF THE Good. People are like birds: they go in flocks, each kind by itself. Those of similar feelings, tastes, and habits associate together. The good prefer to mingle with the good, and the bad are generally found with each other. There is truth in the old proverb, "Tell me the company you keep, and I'll tell you what you are." The Good.-But who are "the Good?" The answer is: "They who are educated to know, and trained to practice, the rules of good morals and gentle manners." Neither high birth, nor station, nor wealth, nor fashion, nor even intelligence alone can make the gentleman or lady. These proud titles properly belong to those who are "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." To be a lady or a gentleman is a high distinction, and worthy the study of every one who possesses an honorable ambition. There is not a boy in the land so poor, nor a girl so humble, who may not aspire to the knowledge which will secure this enviable superiority. That it is a most important study, all who reflect upon the subject must admit, since it enables us to be good and to do good. Not a day passes in the company of others, in which we are not called upon to practice the lessons of morality and exhibit our knowledge of good manners. These lessons in goodness and politeness are necessary, if we would enter good society; for they are practiced only in its circles. Counterfeit gentlemen and ladies are as common as counterfeit money; if there were no value in good currency, nobody would take pains to imitate it; so, if there were no real men, gentle-men, there would be no shams. Why are people like birds? Who are "the good?" Why may we tell a man's character by his company? What are the characteristics of a gentleman? Who may learn to be a gentleman? Why should we study this subject? Who are counterfeit gentlemen and ladies? The King of Men.-The Scottish poet, Burns, gives his idea of "the king o' men" in the following extract: "What tho' on hamely fare we dine, Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, For a' that and a' that, Their tinsel show and a' that, "Then let us pray, that come it may, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, It's coming yet for a' that, Since the principles and laws of morality form so important a part of a good education, we shall offer such helps in these pages as will afford instruction upon this subject, and at the same time teach those rules and maxims of politeness, which will enable the student to enter the society of the good with ease and comfort to himself, and with the approbation of his friends. Our suggestions, we trust, will also be profitable to the family and the school, since that which is of such special advantage to the individual, can not fail to be desirable where numbers are closely united. *Humble. May bear the victory. Who is described as the king o' men? Give the idea of the poet in his or in your language. What is the object of this book? What advantage to the individual may be derived from this study? What benefit to the family and school? Why? CHAPTER II. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." HABITS. Illustration.-"A young man in Waltham, Mass., was very feeble, but not sick. He was advised by his physician to set out upon a journey on foot, but was cautioned not to walk at any time till exhausted. He began his journey in the morning, and, with short exertion and frequent rest, he walked three miles on the first day, and was fatigued. The next morning, to his surprise, he felt more vigor and courage to go on, and started again. He walked on that day in the same manner, and accomplished four miles before night. He thus gained strength and energy day by day, adding little to little, and finally walked to Niagara Falls, more than five hundred miles. After viewing these to his satisfaction, he returned in a much shorter time than he went. But he did not return by a direct course. He visited the interesting places in the neighborhood of his homeward route, and at the end of his sixth week reached home, having walked more than a thousand miles in fortytwo days. On the last day he had walked forty miles, and was so little fatigued with the day's journey that in the evening he felt sufficient energy to visit his young friends in the neighborhood." The successful performance of delightful music, as many school-girls know, is only attained by diligent practice. An accomplished player on the piano-forte will take a new piece of music and play four parts, observing the What does the incident of the invalid illustrate? What is the second illustration? marks of musical notation, and singing the words at the same time. Another will perform a difficult piece of instrumental music while listening to and perhaps engaging in a conversation. It seems impossible that eyes, fingers, feet, and voice should be brought into such perfect harmony of action, but it is only an illustration of the law of habit. Years of patient practice and diligent study are necessary to secure such results. Habit defined.-Habit may be defined as a condition of mind or body which results from the frequent performance of an action. Man is called a creature of habit, because all his actions of mind and body are due to repetition. Animals learn to walk, swim, and fly by instinct. Man acquires the arts of walking, swimming, and talking by practice. When a habit is once firmly established it becomes our master, and we rarely have sufficient strength of will to overcome it, although its continuance be condemned alike by reason and experience. We often do its bidding without thought or reflection, not being aware of its influence, and sometimes when we are fully conscious of its power and are desirous of escaping its trammels, our weakness is manifest in our failure. The boy who was charged with whistling in school denied that he did it, and when censured for untruthfulness, again insisted that he did not, for "it whistled itself." Possibly he was not far wrong, as he meant that he whistled unintentionally and even unconsciously, since the habit had been acquired by a continued practice, and was indulged without any thought or design. Good and bad habits.-Habits are said to be good or bad, as they are the result of actions that are right or wrong. When we speak of a man of good habits, we Define habit. Why is man called the creature of habit? Is it easy to overcome habits? Why? Do persons always think while performing certain actions? Give an illustration. May the boy have been truthful? When are habits good or bad? |