CXXViii AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



step as you advance along. Now is the accept- 

 able time. Never, never will you have such 

 an opportunity of acquiring that knowledge, 

 and those habits of virtue, which will infallibly 

 insure your superiority on this side of the 

 grave, and your salvation on the other. 



Treat, then, with attention and with gra- 

 titude those good fathers who sacrifice their 

 own comfort to lead you safely through the 

 paths of innocence and knowledge. Should 

 any of your companions try to alienate your 

 affection from these superiors, by turning them 

 into ridicule, oh! my dear boy, listen not for 

 one moment to the observations of such heart- 

 less young fools. The youth who is in the 

 habit of scoffing at his superiors, will never 

 rank amongst the generous and the brave, 

 when he shall enter into the world at large. 

 Should any boy offer you a forbidden book to 

 read, oh ! request him not to approach you 

 with a viper whose sting is mortal. 



Never give an impertinent answer to any of 

 your superiors. Love them, and obey them to 

 the best of your power; and they will most 

 amply repay you by their kindness to you, 

 and by their solicitude for your present and 



