LECTURE IV.

DUTIES OF THE MIDDLE AGED, AS MASTERS.

EPHESIANS, vi. 9.

And ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing [moderating] threatening; knowing that your master also is in heaven.

MATTHEW, Vii. 12.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

THE subject proposed for your consideration at this time, is the relations and duties of masters. I would be understood to designate by this term, all those who have under their care children and youth, to be instructed and prepared for the practical pursuit of any branch of secular business. But it will be perceived by the course of my remarks, that I have more especial reference to that class of persons, (because by far the most numerous) who are training our youth to different

kinds of mechanical and manufacturing employment.*

If you would correctly estimate the importance of the subject before us, you must consider the number and influence in society, of the class of persons addressed-the multitudes of young men committed to their guardianship and directiontheir powerful agency, either good or bad, in the formation of their characters; and lastly you must reflect how soon these young men, whose influence is now se limited, and whose moral principles and habits are, for this reason, so apt to be undervalued, will come forward into active lifethemselves occupy the places of masters—have in their turn many youthful minds under their control, and be seen exerting an extensive and most important sway over all the dearest interests of the community.

There are perplexities attending the discussion of the topic here proposed, which arise partly from the acknowledged difficulty of the duties devolving upon masters, and partly from the fact, that these duties, vast as is, their importance, have been so seldom explained and enforced, by

*The general principles inculcated in this Lecture, apply to merchants, to farmers, and to employers generally, as well as to mechanics.

men of practical experience. The few remarks to masters, occasionally found in books, will for the most part, appear to be on their obligations to impart religious instruction to those under their care, while little or nothing is said with regard to other duties, or to the general course of conduct to be pursued. This subject has however, at different times occupied my attention, and I would hope that my inquiries have not left me altogether ignorant of those facts and those principles, which should enlighten and guide me in the subsequent discussion.

In the occasional conversations which I have held with intelligent and conscientious masters in relation to their duties, they have spoken of peculiar embarrassments attending the discharge of these duties. They alledge that, in not a few instances, such has been the early education of those committed to their care, that they come to them, under the influence of lax notions and unsettled, if not pernicious habits. They have neither been trained perhaps, to industry, nor to subordination; and have arrived at an age, when the mind reluctantly submits to new and more rigid rules in either of these departments of duty. Masters of much experience, and respectability,

have also, spoken of another difficulty. They allege it as a fact, that oftentimes young men when they have arrived at a certain age, and have acquired some skill in their trade, so that they have reason to suppose, if released from present obligations, they might render their labors more easy or more profitable to themselves, begin to exhibit symptoms of feverish restlessness and impatience of restraint. They evince a strong desire to change places, or at least to divide authority, with those to whom they owe faithful service and cheerful obedience.

It is not to be supposed, that there are not numerous exceptions to these cases; but if something, not unlike what is here described, is not often visible, my young friends have not had justice done them in the premises; and bent as I am, most sincerely, on promoting their highest good, I would be the last to bring up an unfounded report to the injury of any one of their body.

It is further stated, and is unquestionably true, that serious difficulties arise from the want of uniformity among masters in their management and government of those under their care. Some are culpably lax in their rules, and in their general system of conduct. Out of business hours, they care not where their clerks or apprentices go, or what