I I - American Memory

The Copy of Mr, Gordon'j Letter to his Son.'
Dear ChiM,
* A ^ ^ Misfortunes which my own Follies and in-
' f\, corrigible Vices have drawn upon me, will the'
' contrary to all Reafon, refleft on you in all Probabi-
* lity, fo it is but juft that I Ihould make this unfor-
' tunate Death of fome Uie to you, by making it in-
' force my Directions. Remember therefore what I ad-
' vife you to as a Father, and remember that your Fa-
' ther died Ihamefully for not keeping to the Pradlice of
' them himfelf.
'Keep conftantly to your Duty as a Chriftian, apply
* yourfelf earneftly to God for Grace, who is ever
' ready to hear thofe who call unfeignedly on his holy
' Name; flip no Opportunity of publick Prayer, but
' be ever ready to hear Sermons, and wherever you can
' be fure of hearing your Duty explain'd and recomend-
' ed, fo fliall you be out of the Road of Temptation,
' and avoiding the Paths of Sin, remain unacquainted
* with Shame. Piety will not only reward thee with
' an eternal Crown hereafter, but will alfo preferve thee
' from all Danger here. Serve God therefore, and love
' thy Neighbour, nor doubt that he will raife thee in his
' appointed Seafon, and that they ftiall honour and re-
' fpe6l thee.
' Honefty is a Rule from which you muil not part,
*«ither for the fal|e.-.of attaining Riches, or avoiding
* little InconvenietiS^i*^eck: yourfelf in the fmalleft
* Tranlgreffion of this kind, andvthink how fatal this
' Negleft has been in me. If .you are careful and in-
' duftrious. Providence will provide Means for your Sub-
' Hftance, therefore live in a manner fuitable to your
''*"f'^ Circumilances, and avoid fuch idle Pleafares as bring
' on