eye upon the prlze, and press towards It, In course of virtueus and useful conduct, and 1t is his. And it is inter- esting to notice how many of our wor- thlest and best citizens have risen to honor and usefulness by dint of their own persevering exertions. They are to be found in great numbers, in each oi tine iearned professions, and ii every department cf business, and they stand forth, bright and animating examples of what can be accomplished by resolution and effort. Indeed my friends, in the formation of character, personal exer- ton is the first the second, and third virtue. Nothing great or excellent can be acquired without it. 4 good name will not come without being sought. All the virtues of which if is composed are the results of untiring application and industry.

 Thousands of young men have been ruined by relying for a good name on their honorable parentage, or inherited wealth, or patronage of friends. Flat tered by these destinations, they have felt as if they might live without effort merely for their own qualification and indulgence. No mistake is more fatal. It always issues in producing an inefii- clent and useless character. On this account 1t is that character and wealth rarely continue in the same family more than two or three generations.

 In the formation of good character, 1t is Of great importance that Me eoriy port of iye Dc an1proved and guarded with the utmost carelulness. The most cri- ticle period ofiife is that which elapses from fourteen to twenty-one years of age. More is done during this period to mould and settle the character of. the future man, thah all the other years of lie. tia young man passes this season with pure morals and fair reputation, a good name Is almost sure to crown his maturer years, and descend with him to the close ofhis days. Onth other hand. if young man in this spring season of life, neglect his mind and heart, if he in- dulges himself in vicious courses, and forms habits of ineflicieney and sloth- fitness. he experiences loss which no efforts san retrieyes and brings stain upon his character which no tears can wash aways

 Youthful thoughtfulness, know, is won't 10 regard the indescretions and vicious indulgeneies of this period, as of little importance. But, believe me, my friends, they have great influence in forming your future character, and deciding the estimation in which you are to be held in community. They are the germs of bad habits; confirmed afe ruin to the character aud the soul. The errors and vices of young man, even when they don ripen into habit,

 impress blot on the name, which is rarely effaf sd.

 They are remembered in subsequent life, the public eye is often turned back to them: the stigma is seen; it cleaves fast to the character, and its unhappy effects are felt to the end ofhis days.

 A fairreputation, it should be remem- bered, is Ca plant delicatein its nature, and by no means rapid its growth" :" A character which has cost many years to establish, is often destroyedin single hour, or even in a minute. Guard, then with peculiar vigilance, this forming, fixing season of yoar existence.

 