CHAP.  VIII.

Conclusory remarks, as they relate to those who compose the world at large—­Advantages, which these may derive from the contents of this work—­from a view of many of the customs—­and of the principles explained in it—­from seeing practically the influence of these customs and principles in the production of character and happiness—­and from seeing the manner of their operation, or how they produce the effects described.

I shall now endeavour to make my conclusory remarks useful as they may relate to those who may be called the world.

To state the object, which I have in view, I shall observe at once, that men are divided in opinion as to the lawfulness, or expediency, or wholesomeness of many of the customs, fashions, and accomplishments of the world.  We find some encouraging in their families, and this without any hesitation, and to an almost unlimited extent, those which many, on account of religious considerations, have expelled.  We find others again endeavouring to steer a course between the opinions and practice of these.  The same diversity of sentiment prevails also with respect to principles.  The virtuous or moral are adopted by some.  The political by others.  That the political often obtain both in education and in subsequent life, there is no question.  Thus, for example, a young man is thought by some to be more likely to make his way in the world with the address which fashionable accomplishments may give him, even if he be a little dissipated, than one of strict virtue with unpolished manners.  Thus again in actions and transactions, policy is often preferred to express and open declarations of the truth.  Others again are of opinion, that the general basis of principle should be virtue, but that a latitude may be, allowed for a seasonable policy.  Thus an education is going on under Christian parents, as if Christianity had objects in view, which were totally opposite to each other.

It is in this point of view chiefly, that I can hope to be useful in this conclusory part of my work.  We have seen in the course of it both customs and principles laid open and explained.  We have seen the tendencies and bearings of these.  We have seen them probed, and examined by a moral standard.  We have seen their influence on character and happiness.  We have seen the manner in which they act, or how these effects are produced.  A revision therefore of these cannot but be useful, but more particularly to parents, as it may enable some of these, in conjunction with the knowledge they possess, to form probably a more correct system than they may have had it in contemplation to adopt, for the education of their youth.

The first advantage then, which those who compose the world at large may derive from the contents of this work, will be from a review of some of the customs which have been censured in it.