if

Thus far we have viewed the subject in rela tion to the welfare of society-the welfare of man, as a rational, immortal being. But do not the poor brutes deserve our sympathy? How often are they broken down upon the course, not actually goaded to death? And if they survive their injuries aud partially recover, are they not turned over to the livery-stable keeper, hack, or drayman, to perform services for which they were illy fitted, even in their best days, and to sink, under accumulated wrongs, into a state of non-existence? But in this state, they have greatly the advantage of those rational and dignified animals, to whose pleasure they have been sacrificed, as they have no souls to be either happy or miserable after death; while, on the other hand, their persecutors stand a chance of falling into a state, compared with which, even non-existence would be gladly embraced as a blessing!

When, therefore, both man and beast are taken into the account, how powerful are the motives in every breast attuned to humanity, morality and religion, for abolishing the practice, of which we complain, as being irrational and barbarous in relation to the dumb animals sported with; a wide departure from the virtuous habits of our pilgrim ancestors; dangerous, in the highest degree, to the purity and prosperity of

the rising generation; destructive to the good order and happiness of society; and above all, obnoxious and offensive in the eyes of our Divine Creator and benefactor!

You have seen, my young readers, that to attend the theatrical representations, and those at the circus of a somewhat different description, but equally unworthy of your attention, will cost you individually perhaps two hundred and fifty dollars per annum; and if to this you add the expense of dancing attendance at the RaceGround a week or a fortnight in the year-for the races, we believe, are kept for a week annually, if no longer, in at least two of those counties in this state, which have preserved so little of the wisdom and virtue of the Congress of 1778, as to tolerate such vile nuisances; you may then set down the whole annual expense at about three hundred dollars, more or less; in some cases perhaps less, in many others certainly more: Not that we wish to keep shaking these dollars over your heads, as school-masters shake their rods over the heads of their scholars. We hope and believe you have too much good sense to be moved merely by such repetitions: And yet we cannot refrain from adding, that three hundred dollars is a pretty round sum indeed to be entirely and wantonly wasted upon idle, contemptible, worthless and

wicked pursuits! Can you seriously, for a moment, contemplate such a waste of property, without feeling a sentiment of pity, if not contempt, for those who are weak or wicked enough thus to squander what God, in his goodness, gave them for more exalted and purer purposes: And will you not, then, may we respectfully ask you, since you must, on reflection, perceive that we are right, beware of Theatres, Circusses and Race-Grounds, as you would beware of walking over the crust of a burning volcano, when previously apprised of the fact, that it would certainly break through, and let you down to immediate and irredeemable destruction? If you consult your own prosperity, respectability and happiness, you will, my young readers, exercise the same prudence in this case as you would in that; for rely upon it, the risk of ruin is little if any thing greater or more appalling in one case than the other. If there be any difference, it is in favor of falling into the volcano; for by that step your life is extinguished at once, and there is to be sure an end of you as to this world; but if the grace of God be in your hearts, the fire of the volcano cannot extinguish that; and you may therefore be still in hope of a resurrection to the life everlasting; whereas, if seduced into a vicious career, and cast into disgrace and infamy, by the unhallowed allurements I have de

scribed, and persisting in the foul course, you may linger out a long continued state of wretchedness here, bearing the marks and the character of a vagabond; living neglected and despised for years; dying at last in a poor-house or a penitentiary—and going-where? Not down into a burning volcano, which will in a few minutes consume your body, whilst it leaves your soul unscathed, unhurt; but down into that everlasting flame, where both soul and body must suffer the pangs of eternal woe! If you shudder at the prospect, then beware of the precipice which hangs over it, and approach it not; fly from it without a moment's hesitation: For on this verge, whoever stops to pause, is sure to perish.

LESSON IV.

INTEMPERANCE.

[This Lesson was written and delivered, in the first instance, at the request of a Temperance Society, composed mostly of FARMERS, but comprising a number of the LEGAL PROFESSION, on the first of January 1833. It now, for the first time, appears in print; and we humbly hope for the benefit of our young readers.]

MR. PRESIDENT

THE pernicious consequences of Intemperance to the bodies and the souls of men, have been sounded in our ears from a thousand forums, pulpits and presses :-Societies, filled with able advocates for abolishing totally the use of ardent spirits, have rapidly risen up in almost every town and city of this great and growing republic:-Innumerable tracts, many of them fraught with instruction of the deepest interest on this important subject, have been widely circulated and read by thousands if not millions:The fervent prayers of hearts warmed with piety to God, and good will to man, have ascended to Heaven from the altar and the fire-side, for the advancement of the benevolent cause in which we are engaged: To these numerous admonitory warnings of the ruinous consequences of