ay not be expelled from school;
they may possibly retain their places in their class; but they are
acquiring those habits which, if not corrected, will bring ruin upon
them by and by.

This boy's sporting habits ought not to be lightly passed over. He was
exceedingly fond of a gun. The indulgence of this passion led him into
habits of idleness and cruelty. Boys should rarely, if ever, be allowed
the use of fire-arms: they are always dangerous. The habits and
associations to which their use leads are generally objectionable. Boys
that are constantly around the brooks after little fishes, and in the
woods in pursuit of little birds, had better be at their books. We
always fear that idle boys will make idle men.

We see from the history of Charles Duran the importance of early
religious training. Had his parents pursued a different course with him,
he might have grown up to be a blessing to them, and a useful member of
society: "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old
he will not depart from it." Prov. xxii, 6.

When, O when will parents lay this to heart! How many fathers and
mothers have been brought down to the grave with sorrow, by neglecting
this important duty!

The history of Charles Duran is a warning to all boys who are inclined
to indulge in Sabbath-breaking; to form bad associations; to tipple; or
to visit places of improper amusement. See his dreadful end! Mark that
fatal night! Remember that he had been preparing for that season of riot
and debauch by previous indulgence. He came not to his wretched
condition all at once. He was preparing for it in his early
disobedience,--in his neglect of instruction,--in his unkindness to his
school-mates,--in delighting to injure those who were smaller and weaker
than himself,--in his idle sporting habits,--in the indulgence of his
bad temper,--in ministering to his perverse will,--in his Sunday
rambling,--in associating with the vile,--in his tippling habits,--and,
finally, in throwing off all parental regard and restraint. He had now
come to the verge of the whirlpool of destruction, and, in a frenzied
moment, he threw himself into the awful vortex! _Beware of the first
sin!_ "Enter not into the paths of the wicked, and go not in the way of
evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." Prov.
iv, 14, 15.

THE END.

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LIFE OF ADAM CLARKE.
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