Appeal to the Young
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put on Christ by baptism, thus professing to be dead to the world, I have
seen a vanity in dress and a levity in conduct that have grieved the dear
Saviour and have been a reproach to the cause of God. I have marked
with pain your religious declension and your disposition to trim and
ornament your apparel. Some have been so unfortunate as to come into
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possession of gold chains or pins, or both, and have shown bad taste in
exhibiting them, making them conspicuous to attract attention. I can
but associate these characters with the vain peacock, that displays his
gorgeous feathers for admiration. It is all this poor bird has to attract
attention, for his voice and form are anything but attractive.
The young may endeavor to excel in seeking for the ornament of a
meek and quiet spirit, a jewel of inestimable value that may be worn
with heavenly grace. This adorning will possess attractions for many
in this world, and will be esteemed of great price by the heavenly
angels, and above all by our heavenly Father, and will fit the wearers
to be welcome guests in the heavenly courts.
The youth have faculties that, with proper cultivation, would qual-
ify them for almost any position of trust. If they had made it their
object in obtaining an education to so exercise and develop the powers
that God has given them that they might be useful and prove a blessing
to others, their minds would not be dwarfed to an inferior standard.
They would show depth of thought and firmness of principle, and
would command influence and respect. They might have an elevating
influence upon others, which would lead souls to see and acknowledge
the power of an intelligent Christian life. Those who have greater care
to ornament their persons for display than to educate the mind and
exercise their powers for the greatest usefulness, that they may glorify
God, do not realize their accountability to God. They will be inclined
to be superficial in all they undertake and will narrow their usefulness
and dwarf their intellect.
I feel deeply pained at heart for the fathers and mothers of these
youth, as well as for the children. There has been a lack in the training
of these children, which leaves a heavy responsibility somewhere.
Parents who have petted and indulged their children instead of from
principle judiciously restraining them, can see the characters they have
formed. As the training has been, so the character inclines.
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