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To fear God then is to fear sin, which offends God, our Father . 
Here you see true virtue, and all that is not directed by this rule, is hut 
false virtue. Those who fear not to offend God, and fear only the primi¬ 
tive consequences of sin, are by no means virtuous, or at most, they possess 
but false and hypocritical virtue. 
Often, then, my dear young reader, beg this fear of Almighty God, 
for when you possess it, you will be happy, you will be protected and re¬ 
ceive the blessings of Heaven. 
All the malice of men and devils will not be able to disturb you. 
Hext comes Love of obedience , which means: “Honor thy father 
and thy mother, that thou mayst be long-lived ” * 
It is God who gives you this command; note well that this is the only 
commandment, to the observance of which the Lord has attached a recom¬ 
pense on earth; judge from this, my dear young reader, how much He de¬ 
sires that children should render due honor to their parents. 
How, the respect you ought to have for your parents, consists in re¬ 
ceiving their advice, remonstrances, and corrections, with docility; in 
dreading to cause them any uneasiness; in concealing their defects; in 
never speaking ill of them; and in never using harsh or disrespectful words 
to them. 
Ah, what a crime it is for a child to despise those who have given it 
life! 
Take delight, therefore, in rendering to your parents the respect, 
love, and obedience, which are due to them; by so doing you will fulfill the 
law of God, and be the happiness and consolation of your beloved parents. 
Another important duty of youth consists in being ever engaged in 
some useful work, outside the time of needed relaxation and repose. 
Tor, if this period of life be not spent in something useful, there is 
every danger of contracting vices that will remain until death; and because 
♦Exod. xx :12. 
