Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

Piety to God the foundation of good Morals.

What I shall first recommend, is piety to God. With this I began, both as the foundation of good morals, and as a disposition particularly graceful and becoming youth. To be void of it argues a cold heart, destitute of some of the best affections which belong to that age. Youth is the season of warm and generous emotions. The heart should then spontaneously rise into the admiration of what is great; glow with the love of what is fair and excellent; and melt at the discovery of tenderness and goodness. Where can any object be found, so proper to kindle those affections, as the father of the universe and the author of all felicity? Unmoved by veneration, can you contemplate the grandeur and majesty which his works everywhere display? Untouched by gratitude, can you view that profusion of good, which, in this pleasing season of life, his beneficient hand pours around you? Happy in the love and affection of those with whom you are connected, look up to the Supreme Being, as the inspirer of all the friendship which has ever been shewn you by others: himself your best and your first friend : formerly, the supporter of your infancy, and the guide of your childhood ; now the guardian of your youth, and the hope of your coming years. View religious homage, as natural expression of gratitude to him for all his goodness. Consider it as the service of the God of your fathers, of Him to whom your parents devoted you; of Him, whom in former ages your ancestors honoured; and by whom they are now rewarded in heaven. Connected with so many tender sensibilities of soul, let religion be with you, not the cold and barren offspring of speculation, but the warm and vigorous dictate of the heart.