The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Register

SERIOUS REFLECTIONS.
From Fordyce's Sermons to Young Ladies.

An accomplished woman never can become an object of neglect: she must always remain an object of distinction amongst her acquaintance. When she was young, she might please more; but as even then she pleased chiefly by her mind, she will therefore continue to please still. The discerning few, at least, will discover in her, beauties, which neither the inroads of age, nor the ravages of sickness can deface. When "declined into the vale of years," she will still from the superiority of her character stand forth an exalted figure. Sense and capacity, joined to worth and sweetness, are exempted from the condition of all things which are to lose their influence when they lose their novelty. "The ornament of grace which wisdom shall give to thy head," will not appear with less lustre, when infirmity shall cause that head to shake. "The crown of glory which he shall deliver to thee," will in reason's eye, receive new dignity from grey hairs: or rather, according to our inspired author, those "grey hairs are" themselves "a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness."

Do you know a woman far advanced in life, but yet in virtue and understanding, who, with mild insinuation, employs them to render wise and happy those about her, especially the young: who, for such in particular, makes every kind allowance, not forgetting those early days, when she too stood in need of indulgence; who, when her health will permit, takes pleasure in seeing herself surrounded by a circle of youth innocently gay, condescending even to mix in their little sports, and by a graceful complacency of look, and pleasing remainder of ancient humour, to encourage and promote their harmless amusements? Do you know such a woman? Then speak your opinion freely. Will this youthful circle be in any danger of despising her, because she is old? On the contrary, will they not contend with one another, who shall pay her most veneration, who shall stand highest in her affection? Can you conceive a character more respectable, and at the same time more amiable? What is there good or excellent, to which she will not have it in her power to win them? In truth, most of the grievances complained of by mortals, are self created. They proceed from that fondness of fancy which gives consequence to trifles, or from those gusts of passion which produce agitation without a cause. But, next to the power of religion, can you imagine any means of avoiding both, so probable as the wise and calm pursuits to which I would now persuade you? Permit me, my beloved hearers to succeed. Defer not by the cultivation of your minds, as well as hearts, to lay in a store of enjoyment and comfort, such as you can repair to in secret, when all abroad is unsolacing and insipid.

Every thing external is hastening to change and dissolution. You yourselves are gliding insensibly down the current of time. You are on your passage to eternity: and can you bear the thoughts of resigning a passage as important as it is short, to the blind impulse of chance, caprice, and ignorance? Or suppose, you are so far careful of consequences, as to secure a safe arrival; can you, like illiterate and incurious mariners, sailing by some beautiful coast, be satisfied to hurry along without attending to the various prospects and numerous objects which nature and art have spread out before you; or, without taking advantage of the best assistance you can find on your voyage, to improve in whatever is instructive, ornamental and praiseworthy? Have you forgotten that, when landed on the blissful shore, your felicity will bear no inconsiderable proportion to your present attainments in knowledge: that the most enlarged understandings, where the dispositions have been of a piece will be rewarded by the noblest discoveries—in short, that they who shine now with the fairest lights of wisdom, shall, like the more distinguished stars of heaven, be crowned hereafter with superior splendor?