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From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 48<br />

by that illustrious magistrate."<br />

That Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n made this volume <strong>the</strong> basis of her home instruction, <strong>the</strong>re is ample proof. The character<br />

of her son bore faithful witness <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> fidelity with which she taught and enforced <strong>the</strong> excellent counsels<br />

which <strong>the</strong> distinguished author gave in his "Contemplations." It will assist our purpose <strong>to</strong> cite some of its<br />

lessons in brief, as follows:<br />

"An humble man leans not <strong>to</strong> his own understanding; he is sensible of <strong>the</strong> deficiency of his own power and<br />

wisdom, and trusts not in it; he is also sensible of <strong>the</strong> all-sufficient power, wisdom, and goodness of Almighty<br />

God, and commits himself <strong>to</strong> Him for counsel, guidance, direction, and strength."<br />

"Consider what it is thou pridest thyself in, and examine well <strong>the</strong> nature of <strong>the</strong> things <strong>the</strong>mselves, how little<br />

and inconsiderable <strong>the</strong>y are; at least how uncertain and unstable <strong>the</strong>y are."<br />

"Thou hast, it may be, wealth, s<strong>to</strong>res of money; but how much of it is of use <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>e? That which thou spendest<br />

is gone; that which thou keepest is as insignificant as so much dirt or clay; only thy care about it makes thy<br />

life <strong>the</strong> more uneasy."<br />

"Thou has honor, esteem; thou art deceived, thou hast it not. He hath it that gives it <strong>the</strong>e, and which He may<br />

detain from <strong>the</strong>e at pleasure."<br />

"Much time might be saved and redeemed, in retrenching <strong>the</strong> unnecessary waste <strong>the</strong>reof, in our ordinary sleep,<br />

attiring and dressing ourselves, and <strong>the</strong> length of our meals as breakfasts, dinners, suppers; which, especially<br />

in this latter age, and among people of <strong>the</strong> better sort, are protracted <strong>to</strong> an immoderate and excessive length."<br />

"Gaming, taverns, and plays, as <strong>the</strong>y are pernicious, and corrupt youth; so, if <strong>the</strong>y had no o<strong>the</strong>r fault, yet <strong>the</strong>y<br />

are justly <strong>to</strong> be declined in respect <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir excessive expense of time, and habituating men <strong>to</strong> idleness and vain<br />

thoughts, and disturbing passions, when <strong>the</strong>y are past, as well as while <strong>the</strong>y are used."<br />

"Be obstinately constant <strong>to</strong> your devotion at certain times, and be sure <strong>to</strong> spend <strong>the</strong> Lord's Day entirely in<br />

those religious duties proper for it; and let nothing but an inevitable necessity divert you from it."<br />

"Be industrious and faithful <strong>to</strong> your calling. The merciful God has not only indulged us with a far greater<br />

portion of time for our ordinary occasions than he has reserved for himself, but also enjoins and requires our<br />

industry and diligence in it."<br />

"Honesty and plain dealings in transactions, as well public as private, is <strong>the</strong> best and soundest prudence and<br />

policy, and overmatch craft and subtlety."<br />

"To rob for burnt offerings, and <strong>to</strong> lie for God, is a greater disservice <strong>to</strong> His Majesty than <strong>to</strong> rob for rapine or<br />

lie for advantage."<br />

"As he is overcareful that will not put on his clo<strong>the</strong>s for fear of wearing <strong>the</strong>m out, or use his axe for fear of<br />

hurting it, so he gives but an ill account of a healthy body that dares not employ it in a suitable occupation for<br />

fear of hurting his health."<br />

"Improve <strong>the</strong> opportunity of place, eminence, and greatness <strong>to</strong> serve God and your country, with all vigilance,<br />

diligence, and fidelity."<br />

"Reputation is not <strong>the</strong> thing primarily <strong>to</strong> be looked after in <strong>the</strong> exercise of virtue, for that is <strong>to</strong> affect <strong>the</strong><br />

substance for <strong>the</strong> sake of <strong>the</strong> shadow, which is a kind of levity and weakness of mind; but look at virtue and<br />

<strong>the</strong> worth of it, as that which is first desirable, and reputation as a fair and useful accession <strong>to</strong> it."

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