Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 263

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Precious Words to Awaken the Age.

MAY,

order that he might announce it to be completed, he extended to me the invitation to furnish him with some few observations, which he might in- sert by way of preface. I therefore take this opportunity to commend his benevolent purpose, which is truly such as it professes to be, and not any vain pretense, and his words admonishing to virtue, which the gentle and the vul- gar must all alike praise. The intelligent, also, who shall notice it, must not think the less of it, because of its loose and desultory garb, and individu- als of the profession, should any such consider it worthy of their regard, as well as those who are able to appreciate fully, and still more completely to develope the ideas and principles inculcated, must beware that they do not speak light of it, as being only a compilation of detached sentences. They are truly important observations, possessing the efficacy of moral maxims and words of wholesome caution, suitable on the one hand to dissuade from ex- cesses, and on the other unable to tolerate any deficiency of virtue. Surely advice which is thus calculated to encourage the good and to restrain the bad, can not be regarded as at all trivial or unimportant. Thus ends my pre- face. Tankwang, 28th year, 10th month.

Edited by Fung Yuen, styled Kien-făn, a citizen of Ancient Yueh, at the Traveler's Lodge, in the City of Rams (Canton).

Precious Words to Awaken the Age.

FILIAL duty has no bounds. It requires all the energies of the mind. Parents must wait, generally speaking, until they are fifty or sixty years of

age, before their children are to able support them; then the years past are many, and those which yet remain are few. If those who sustain the relation of children, do not serve their parents with their whole heart, then, by and by, their grayhaired parents having passed away, never to return, and no longer to be found in heaven above, or on the earth beneath, then it will be too late to sorrow for their former misconduct, and repentance will be of no avail. That they may never such experience unhappiness, let them see that they provide a support for their aged parents.

When parents see that one of their offspring is poor, they can not fail often to think of it, and in apportioning food and drink and cloth- ing among their children, they sometimes seem to appear partial. It may be, the successful child is required to deliver up to them his earnings, and they then take the property and bestow it upon the It is the just wish of parents to see their children enjoy an equal share of the property. Should therefore the wealthy son whose property is given to the poor one, hastily be disposed to think hardly of such conduct, let him consider within himself, "supposing I should happen to become poor, then my parents will in the same man‍ ner manifest their regard for me.”

poor son.

To

In getting along in the world, to yield one step is magnanimous. To give place, is just so much to advance your own interest. forego one portion, is happiness. To benefit others, is the true method of doing a good turn for yourself.

F