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7 to james warren jr. Plymouth, [c. July] 1773 My dear Child, At the same time that I feel a truly sympathetic sorrow for the afflicted parents who are now mourning the sudden death of one of your young companions, my heart overflows with gratitude to the great preserver of man, that he hath thus far protected you from the unforeseen evils that continually await us. Little did the heedless youth think when he dived into the cool and pleasing stream1 that he was taking a leap into the eternal world, into a new state of existence, where his condition would be instantly and unalterably fixed. I sincerely pray that this instance of the brevity of life, may be improved to the permanent interest of the youth of the Academy of which my son is a member. Consider, my child, that though you may escape the danger so recently fatal to one of your class, yet there are ten thousand avenues that lead down to death. But while you reflect on this gloomy subject, may conscious integrity, and a firm trust in that being who has guarded you thus far, animate you to an endeavour to persevere in the path of duty, diligently striving to mend the heart and to improve your morals at the same time that you are improving the means to cultivate your understanding. Then will neither the contemplation nor the approach of death, give much anxiety to a mind constantly acting on such principles. My tenderness towards you,—my concern for your present and future happiness , might lead me to say much more on this interesting subject,—but to a well disposed mind, the least hint will be treasured up and usefully improved, especially when impressed from the lip of a fond mother whose peace the remainder of her life depends on the behaviour and well being of her children. More particularly attentive I am to the character and conduct of my eldest son not only because he has an equal share of my affections, with his other brothers but because the honour of the whole depends in some measure at least for a time, on the behaviour and example of the eldest branch of a family. You have hitherto given us reason to hope that your diligence and application will crown the wishes of your parents;—may you be more and more careful as you advance to maturity, to improve the to james warren jr., july 1773  17 passing moments, to ripen your judgment, and mature the principles of virtue, which I hope are implanted deep in your breast. As you now reside constantly in the Academy, amidst a number of thoughtless,—and many of them unprincipled youth, you are much in the way of temptation and folly. Yet, alas such is the world, that every year which rolls over your head will bring with it new allurements to vice. Remember that when once the barriers are broken down, and the bounds prescribed to virtue can be overleaped without horror, there is danger that a mind thus perverted will never recover the tranquillity that arises from innocence . Pushed on by the eager desire of happiness, which reigns in every bosom, he may feel it in guilty gratifications which only plunge deeper in misery, and leave a thorn in his breast, which time nor even eternity can eradicate without bitter repentance. Think then my son, whither all your steps tend;—and let not the frequency of ill examples, the clamour of unruly passions, nor the persuasive arguments of evil tongues contaminate your morals. Often reflect on the superior pleasure you will enjoy, if when you have finished the term allotted for the completion of your studies, you can look inward and feel no remorse for any criminal action, and outward with a hopeful prospect of advantage to yourself and usefulness to others from an unblemished character and the testimony of a good conscience. Then will you meet all around you with the assurance of the approbation of the judicious and virtuous , a happy token that you will finally obtain the plaudit of the judge of all our ways, who sees the secret springs of all the actions of man. I am not apprehensive that you will ever willfully cause the painful disappointment to yours that some unhappy parents feel,—who if their sons do not fall into gross errors, they yet have the mortification to see them more attentive to...

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