W0365 SCHOOL ESSAY BY [DR.] CALVIN MCQUESTEN
Aug 28 1825
From: Bradford Academy, Bradford, [Massachusetts, U.S.A.]ON GUARDING AGAINST VICIOUS HABITS
While pursuing the journey of life, our feet are often diverted from the narrow path of rectitude, to those which lead directly to minor transgrefsions,1 but are often the avenues to the greatest licentiousnefs and most appalling crimes. Trifling transgrefsions often appear of small moment to the unwary and inexperienced youth. But unlefs we guard against small transgrefsions, we shall eventually be led to imbibe the opinion that there is no iniquity in them. The first inadvertent step will be followed by remorse of conscience; but by indulgence that faithful monitor will cease to chide; till at length we are lost to absence of virtue, honour and integrity.
The time of our lives; when we are about setting out to establish ourselves in the world, is particularly important and trying. At this interesting period, no acquisition more nearly concerns our future tranquility, than the knowledge to discern between good and evil. Our paths are beset thick with snares and dangers, which, at first, seem hidden from our view but rise in progrefsion before us as we advance from the cradle to the grave.
And nothing will ever effectually guard us against the evils coincident with humanity, than a firm belief of the existence, perfections and the omnipresence of God. This being deeply imprefsed on the mind, that we are at all times under His inspection, that to Him we are amenable, will overawe the most abandoned. It is an ancient maxim and worthy of our regard, that our happinefs depends on our virtue, and our virtue on the conforming of our hearts and conduct, to the laws prescribed us, by our beneficient [sic] creator.
C. McQuesten [Calvin]
1 Calvin uses the now archaic "fs" for "ss" throughout his early period, which we have retained for authenticity.