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YOUTH'S COMPANION.

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A WORD PRELIMINARY.

HE period of youth is usually pictured by poets as one of thoughtless glee. Cares are said to come only with manhood. The young are no doubt for the most part exempted from serious anxieties, but life even at an early period is by no means free from troubles, in which may be included the consciousness that we are subject to the performance of certain duties that are not always agreeable. Without in any way depressing the proper buoyancy of early years, but, as will be seen, rather recommending the exercise of a joyous spirit, happy in the sports and recreations suitable to the period of life, I desire in a friendly manner to call attention to those obligations which more or less are the concern of every human being; also to offer such hints for youthful guidance and instruction as may help to remove difficulties, and open up, so far as circumstances will allow, a course of usefulness, and its attendant satisfaction.

Directly addressing the young, as a parent might be supposed

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to do within the family circle, I would say that among the earliest things with which you require to be made acquainted, are these important truths-That the present life, with all its allurements, is but a period of trial and preparation for something better: That on each of us is laid a heavy responsibility, which cannot be shifted to another: And that according as we act our part amidst the distractions and temptations of the world, so shall we be here and hereafter happy or miserable. From the outset in our career, as you will readily learn, we are beset by two opposite and rival tendencies-one towards evil, and producing undue self-esteem, bad temper, disregard of the rights of others, cunning, meanness, dishonesty, malice, falsehood, intemperance, and other contemptible vices; the other towards good, and, under God's blessing, productive of purity of thought, uprightness, truth, respect for the feelings and rights of our fellow-creatures, and, in all likelihood, mental tranquillity and comfort till the end of our days.

Life may be described as a constant war between these rival tendencies, and young as you are, you must make your choice of the part you desire to take. To commence, you are called on to be obedient to parents, guardians, teachers; tractable in learning what well-disposed persons, more experienced than yourself, place before you; resolute in overcoming petty obstacles; and prompt to deny yourself indulgences inappropriate to your position, if not absolutely sinful. I should recommend you to do all this, for the reward is great-even if it amounted to no more than the approval of your own conscience. You will understand, however, that a course of this kind cannot be followed without resisting every evil inclination, and that you cannot do so without incurring some degree of present pain or mortification. Are you, in short, craving God's assistance, desirous to put on the whole armour of good resolution, and battle manfully against the paltry temptations to err, which stand in your way, and so achieve a

glorious triumph?-or are you content to yield shamefully to base inclinations, and so sacrifice your good name and immortal hopes, for the sake of merely momentary gratifications?

You may probably have read that pleasing allegory, by John Bunyan, the Pilgrim's Progress, in which are symbolised the difficulties which beset a Christian in his journey through life. I will recall a passage to your remembrance. It is that in which the Interpreter is described as shewing Christian a 'stately palace, beautiful to behold,' into which, however, no one could effect an entrance without performing certain feats of valour."Then the Interpreter took him and led him up toward the door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book and his ink-horn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein; he saw, also, that in the doorway stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in amaze. At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying: "Set down my name, sir;" the which, when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So, after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace; at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, saying:

"Come in, come in;

Eternal glory thou shalt win."

So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they.'

In this allegorical incident is figured the heroic ardour which must be necessarily exerted in the good work set before you. To conquer, you must valiantly push on, in patience and amidst tribulation, trampling difficulties under foot. Do I hear you courageously say:

'SET DOWN MY NAME, SIR!'

GENERAL OBJECTS OF EDUCATION.

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DUCATION is a word from the Latin, the fundamental meaning of which is to lead or bring out; that is to say, it brings out certain faculties, and so may be said to improve or perfect that which, if left alone, would be dormant and

almost worthless.

A little consideration will shew that man consists of at least two distinct parts. First: A bodily frame possessed of animal senses, wants, propensities, instincts-that is to say, we need to eat, drink, sleep, take exercise, and pursue other desires which are natural to our system. Second: The mind or sentient and immortal part of our being, in which are comprehended the intellectual powers, by which we are able to think, observe, and acquire knowledge; also the moral sentiments and feelings, through which we form attachments, feel remorse in doing wrong, and are happy in performing acts of kindness, thankful for God's mercies, and submissive to His will.

This is but an imperfect outline of man's physical and mental nature, which should be studied in works confined to