184

CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES.

Dr. Newman took only a double second;' but, on standing afterwards for an Oriel fellowship, was instantly recognised by the examiners as a man of unusual powers. To these add Dr. Stanley, now Dean of Westminster and the historian of the Jewish Church, and Mr. Jowett, Greek Professor at Oxford, and we have a very large proportion of the men who have contributed most powerfully to the formation of English politics and English thought as they exist at the present time. Put together the legislative influence of Peel and Gladstone, the school influence of Arnold, the theological influences of Milman, Newman, Stanley, and Jowett, and the religious influence of Keble, and we have a group of men who have modified the whole current of our national existence in a degree which it would be difficult to parallel."

And these men, let the reader remember, gave promise of their future fame in their early career. Those who watched their growing powers, exclaimed, "Such an one, and such an one, will rise to greatness, will accomplish something notable for the welfare of his country and the good of his time." In the resolute, persevering, undaunted Boy, they recognised the courageous and high-principled Man-the man

of noble resolve, of earnest purpose, of intense sincerity, of enlightened sympathies. The Duke of Wellington, when he looked at the Eton play-ground, saw there the training-place of the soldiers who won at Waterloo. Would that in every play-ground in the United Kingdom might be witnessed the arena of development of future heroes! Not to win Waterloos alone, but to contend successfully with error-to wage war against class prejudices-to battle with evil influences, and thus, by honest thought and earnest work, to diminish the mass of human suffering, sin, and sorrow! Boys !—as boys be brave, and honourable, and true, that as men you may also be distinguished by Christian courage, chivalrous self-denial, and unquailing truthfulness; and aim, by noble living, to

"Leave a mark behind,

Shall pluck the shining age from vulgar time,

And give it whole to late posterity."

YOUNG.

"My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:

So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die!

The child is father of the man;

And I could wish my days to be

Bound each to each by natural piety."

WORDSWORTH.

N the preceding chapters we have dwelt upon those qualities of a manly character whose cultivation is needful to

ensure that our life-work shall be fairly and honestly done. We have endeavoured to show that habits of studious application, the choice of an apt vocation in life, diligence, resolution, energy, and moral courage are absolutely essential to every man who would not cumber the ground, but contribute, as far as in him lies, to the great sum of human progress and human

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE HEART.

187

happiness; and that in our youth we must lay the foundation on which to rear the superstructure of an honourable and useful manhood. We have now a few words to say on a higher object,―on the preparation of the soul for the life after death, on the training which must be undergone by every one of us who seeks to secure "the prize of his high calling," the crown of a glorious immortality. We have devoted sufficient space to the Culture of the Mind; let us be permitted a hint or two on the Discipline of the Heart. The child is father of the man, and the fitting preparation for a devout and God-fearing manhood is a devout and Godfearing youth.

Nothing, assuredly, in the sight of God and the angels is more beautiful than early piety. Most boys are apt to regard it as an abstraction, which they cannot realize or bring home to themselves, and, for want of a more perfect knowledge, consider they fulfil all that can be required of them by regular attendance on the Sunday's services. But religion is a thing of daily life; it should colour all our thoughts, enter into all our occupations, regulate all our actions. Don't set it up on a pedestal as an Idea, to be admired and wondered at, but take

188

RULES OF CONDUCT.

it to your bosom as a friend and a consoler, and let your walk in life be guided by its admonitions. Dark must be the soul which shuts itself against the blessed radiance of Hope and Faith, which has no earnest belief in the Saviour, and no aspirations after immortal life! The fool hath said in his heart that there is no God. Ah me, let us fall into no such accursed delusion, but live ever as trusting in His mercy and acknowledging His power.

And now, in what manner shall we act so as to blend religion with our daily life? Is it a task of difficulty, demanding of us the most terrible sacrifices? No: let us simply resolve, like Edwards, the American divine, "never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if we can by any means avoid it." Taking this as our general rule of conduct, we shall derive much assistance, in carrying it out, from the following maxims:

1st. Be careful to cultivate your conscience. We must shun sin at the outset, and refuse to let it come anigh us, lest we grow too familiar with its aspect, and in time lose our horror of its enormities. We must keep a watch upon our tongue, and avoid the un