The next morning we were again assembled for instruction: I now
began to reflect, for the first time, on the step I was about to take,
and the circumstances which had led me to it.
I repeat, and shall perhaps repeat again, an assertion I have
already advanced, and of whose truth I every day receive fresh
conviction, which is, that if ever child received a reasonable and
virtuous education, it was myself. Born in a family of unexceptionable
morals, every lesson I received was replete with maxims of prudence
and virtue. My father (though fond of gallantry) not only possessed
distinguished probity, but much religion; in the world he appeared a
man of pleasure, in his family he was a Christian, and implanted early
in my mind those sentiments he felt the force of. My three aunts
were women of virtue and piety; the two eldest were professed
devotees, and the third, who united all the graces of wit and good
sense, was, perhaps, more truly religious than either, though with
less ostentation. From the bosom of this amiable family I was
transplanted to M. Lambercier's, a man dedicated to the ministry,
who believed the doctrine he taught, and acted up to its precepts.
He and his sister matured by their instructions those principles of
judicious piety I had already imbibed, and the means employed by these
worthy people were so well adapted to the effect they meant to
produce, that so far from being fatigued, I scarce ever listened to
their admonitions without finding myself sensibly affected, and
forming resolutions to live virtuously, from which, except in
moments of forgetfulness, I seldom swerved.
Pages:
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92