which writes down our deeds may be read by us at last with entire satisfaction; and that all our hours may be spent, whether we work or play, to fit us for the unending blessedness of the life hereafter.

"Alas! our time is here so short,

That in what state soe'er 't is spent,
Of joy or woe, does not import,

Provided it be innocent.

But we may make it pleasant, too,
If we will take our measures right,
And not what Heaven has done, undo
By an unruly appetite."

VI. THE YOUNG MAN IN THE STATE.

THUS far in our course we have considered to such length as our limits have allowed, the position and duties of a young man in the various conditions of life -at home, in business, and in society. It becomes necessary to consider him in his political relations; to ascertain his connection with his country, and to see what duties grow out of such connection. So our subject, this evening, is Patriotism, or the Young Man in the State.

In a certain degree, the train of our thoughts hitherto has been related to the subject now under consideration. For a genuine patriotism would demand that a young man should be faithful to all individual, family, social and business duties, that he might make the best contribution possible to his country. The faithful, honest, generous and energetic man, building up a good home, remembering his dependence upon others in society, and diligent in his business is conferring a benefit upon his country no less than upon himself. Though this be so, it is still not unprofitable to devote our thoughts more particularly to a subject like this,

which brings us in direct contact with one of the noblest human virtues.

We define Patriotism, in general terms, as a love of one's own country. We recognize its existence in the hearts of the people of every clime and every nation. The most sterile regions of the earth, and the most unpromising circumstances can not quench in the hearts of men a love of the land which gave them birth. It is at once their happiness and their pride. It now incites them to heroic action, it now gives to them a consciousness of secure repose; it now fills them with aspirations for their country's highest welfare; it now sends them out to achieve that welfare at the cost of all earthly possessions and good. Now it makes them forget all things for the land they love the best; and now, it leads them with a self-devotion that inspires admiration, to willingly give up life itself, and all that makes life blessed, if their country demands the sacrifice. What the old Latin proverb said, " Dulce et decorum est pro patriâ mori," -Sweet and honorable is it for one's country to die-is the expression of every true man's best feeling. Whatever may be its source, and whatever elements combine to produce it, whether love of home, of neighborhood, of State, community of language or community of interests, or whether there is something deeper than all these, here is the feeling, and I, for one, thank God that he has put it into men's hearts. However poor, or weak, or insignificant one's country may be, still that love does not die

out. The Irish emigrant, whose beautiful land has been cursed for ages by cruel oppression on one hand, and fierce and bloody vindictiveness on the other; which God has made so bright, but selfish man has so cruelly darkened over by his sin, never forgets the "old country," to which his hopes return, and in which his memories are buried; where are the graves of his fathers, and where he hopes some day himself to die. The German's eyes are strangely moistened when he thinks of the Fatherland dear still, though

its oppression drove him forth. The bosom of the Hungarian swells with honest pride when he remembers the glories of his country's history, or weeps over her sad fate, as she lies bleeding beneath the tyrant's foot. And France and Italy are held in affectionate remembrance by their exiled sons, though the perfidious usurper holds both within his merciless grasp. The Swiss recounts the story of Tell; the Norwegian and the Swede do not weary in their reminiscence of Northern Skäld and Saga. There can scarcely be a heavier grief-next to that of the bereavement of dear friends -than that which is caused by a forced expatriation. Other lands may be better and more fruitful, may have a brighter sky and a warmer sun, may be filled with more plenty, more happiness, and more of earthly good, but however much may be said of these, there is still no land like the land one calls his own.

Still, notwithstanding the strength and depth of this feeling, it does not express the entire meaning of the

word Patriotism. The love of country, merely as such, is a comparatively weak sentiment. There is something stronger and far more profound, and that is, the love of the idea which the country ought to embody. The love of what is on the outside is a superficial feeling. That which should engross the soul is the love of what is internal, what gives beauty and vigor to the outward life. When we love a friend, we love the beauty and purity of the inward life, whatever may be the character of the outward condition and circumstances. True love does not join itself to a handsome exterior, but to a beautiful heart; for within the outside beauty there may be an unlovely spirit, while a plain and homely exterior may be the guise of an angelic soul. Just so it is with a genuine patriotism. It is not the love of the country's name, nor of its material greatness, prosperity, or wealth; nor of its rocks and hills, its rivers, lakes, plains, and mountains; nor even of its position among the nations; perhaps not altogether of the grand achievements of its history-but the love of what is pure and true and right and noble in the national life of what is lovely, great, glorious in the national idea -the love of what is found to be the design which God meant the nation should accomplish. And as no true love concerns itself with fond endearments and professions of attachment and protestations of affection, but in a real desire to accomplish the loved one's good and the real labor for the loved one's benefit, so a real love of country by no