Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reflections On The Commencement Of The Year M,Dcc,Xcviii.
self , if not in fact much mure so—many entertained the most brilliant expectations of what it should afford to their honour , amusement , or advantage ; and in consequence they formed a most extensive scale of operations that should engage their attention , not only for the present , but for many years to come . Some much-esteemed friends have paid the last tribute to nature ; and some of themin the gaiety
, and splendour of youthful enjoyment , have been called off from the stage of activity , and ushered into the unseen world . These are natural and affecting contemplations , which will arise in that season in him whom voluptuousness has not totally deprived of sensibility , and will produce a temporary resolution , at least , in that mind which is not quite hardened against the compunctions of conscience . This
measurement of time , therefore , as being productive of reflection , is of the most essential service to the cause of-Virtue , by awakenino- occasionally the minds of numbers to a sense of the uncertainty of life , who would otherwise continue totall y immersed in sensuality or stupid indifference . Consequently the sense of duty will , at intervals , become strong from the consciousness of neglect , and fro / n the thought of how little of life remains to make up the deficiency . On balancing accounts at the close of another year , we find how
much time we have heedlessly squandered , how many , good resolu-. tions we have broken , how greatly we have omitted the plainest points of duty , and how very little we have studied even our temporal interest . This melancholy conclusion will produce a blush where virtue yet remains . Hours , days , weeks , and months have glided away , in which , if no evil has been committed , yet no virtues have been attained ; no good has been doneeither to ourselvesto any of
, , our fellow-creatures , or to the community at large . And well would it be for the generality , if here the account were to close , and no dark reflections were to " rise on the conviction of many vicious , or , at least , many foolish actions , ivhich have largely marked the ended year . But , however favourable the account may be , still dispassionate reason will suggest the propriety and necessity of making the
fast a lesson for the future period . Whatever we find that has not been to our credit in the preceding year , should be studiously avoided in that which is now begun . To this end should we be careful in endeavouring to trace the causesof the folly which we lament , in order that we may the better know how to deport ourselves when they shall again encounter our passions . If we are insensible to ' this caution , the consequence may be , that the same temptations will produce on us the same effect , and that too in an encreased degree of turpitude .
Are we not rapidly moving on to a state where no satisfaction will be enjoyed , but by the . exercise of our intellectual powers , and in which memory will , of course , bear a predominant part ? If then we are conscious of a wilful mismanagement of the space allotted us here , of a perversion of those faculties , and a neglect of the opportunities which we have had for improvement , what can we expect
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reflections On The Commencement Of The Year M,Dcc,Xcviii.
self , if not in fact much mure so—many entertained the most brilliant expectations of what it should afford to their honour , amusement , or advantage ; and in consequence they formed a most extensive scale of operations that should engage their attention , not only for the present , but for many years to come . Some much-esteemed friends have paid the last tribute to nature ; and some of themin the gaiety
, and splendour of youthful enjoyment , have been called off from the stage of activity , and ushered into the unseen world . These are natural and affecting contemplations , which will arise in that season in him whom voluptuousness has not totally deprived of sensibility , and will produce a temporary resolution , at least , in that mind which is not quite hardened against the compunctions of conscience . This
measurement of time , therefore , as being productive of reflection , is of the most essential service to the cause of-Virtue , by awakenino- occasionally the minds of numbers to a sense of the uncertainty of life , who would otherwise continue totall y immersed in sensuality or stupid indifference . Consequently the sense of duty will , at intervals , become strong from the consciousness of neglect , and fro / n the thought of how little of life remains to make up the deficiency . On balancing accounts at the close of another year , we find how
much time we have heedlessly squandered , how many , good resolu-. tions we have broken , how greatly we have omitted the plainest points of duty , and how very little we have studied even our temporal interest . This melancholy conclusion will produce a blush where virtue yet remains . Hours , days , weeks , and months have glided away , in which , if no evil has been committed , yet no virtues have been attained ; no good has been doneeither to ourselvesto any of
, , our fellow-creatures , or to the community at large . And well would it be for the generality , if here the account were to close , and no dark reflections were to " rise on the conviction of many vicious , or , at least , many foolish actions , ivhich have largely marked the ended year . But , however favourable the account may be , still dispassionate reason will suggest the propriety and necessity of making the
fast a lesson for the future period . Whatever we find that has not been to our credit in the preceding year , should be studiously avoided in that which is now begun . To this end should we be careful in endeavouring to trace the causesof the folly which we lament , in order that we may the better know how to deport ourselves when they shall again encounter our passions . If we are insensible to ' this caution , the consequence may be , that the same temptations will produce on us the same effect , and that too in an encreased degree of turpitude .
Are we not rapidly moving on to a state where no satisfaction will be enjoyed , but by the . exercise of our intellectual powers , and in which memory will , of course , bear a predominant part ? If then we are conscious of a wilful mismanagement of the space allotted us here , of a perversion of those faculties , and a neglect of the opportunities which we have had for improvement , what can we expect