PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. It is proper to remark, that many of the statements in these Lectures, which may seem severe, or overdrawn, in New England, are literally true in the West. Insensibility to public indebtedness, gambling among the members of the Bar, the ignoble arts of Politicians,-I know not if such things are found at the East,—but within one year past an edition of three thousand copies of these Lectures has been distributed through the West, and it has been generally noticed in the papers, and I have never heard objections from any quarter, that the canvass has been too strongly colored. 1* EXTRACTS FROM NOTICES OF FIRST EDITION. OPINIONS OF DISTINGUISHED LITERARY MEN. [From Wm. H. McGuffey, Professor at Woodward College, Cincinnati, Ohio.] "Mr. Beecher sketches character with a masterly hand; and the old, as well as the young, must bear witness to the truth and fidelity of his portraits. I would recommend the book to the especial attention of those for whom it was designed, and hope that the patronage extended to this may encourage the author to make other efforts through the press, for the promotion of enlightened patriotism and sound morals." [From D. H. Allen, Professor at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio.] "We have a variety of books designed for young men, but I know of none worth half as much as this. It will be sure to be read, and if read, will not be easily forgotten; and the young man who reads and remembers it, will always have before him a vivid picture of the snares and pitfalls to which he is exposed. Every youth should possess it. Every father should place it in the hands of his sons. It should be in every Sabbath School Library, on board every Steam-boat, in every Hotel, and wherever young men spend a leisure hour,” [From Dr. A. Wylie, President of the Indiana University, at Bloomington.] "The indignant rebukes which the author deals out against that spirit of licentiousness which shows itself in those frivolous works which he mentions, and which are corrupting the taste as well as the morals of our youth, have my warmest approbation. That the genius and wit of Addison himself should be set aside for the trash of such works is lamentable: it is ominous. The warnings which Mr. Beecher has given on the subject of amusements are greatly needed: and his satire on that of "repudiation," no less. In short the book deserves a place on the shelf of every householder in the land, to be read by the old as well as the young." [From Dr. C. White, President of Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana.] "Rev. H. W. Beecher's Lectures follow a long series of elaborate and able works addressed to young men by some of our best writers. It is no small merit of this production that it is not less instructive and impressive than the best of those which have preceded it, at the same time that it is totally unlike them all. Mr. Beecher has given to young men most important warnings, and most valuable advice with unusual fidelity and effect. Avoiding the abstract and formal, he has pointed out to the young the evils and advantages which surround them, with so much reality and vividness, that we almost forget we are reading a book instead of looking personally into the interior scenes of a living and breathing community. These lectures will bear to be read often." [From Hon. John McLean, Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.] "I know of no work so admirably calculated, if read with attention, to lead young men to correctness of thought and action and I earnestly recommend it to the study of every young man who desires to become eminently respectable and useful." [From E. W. Sehon, General Agent Am. Bible Society for the West.] "The intention of the author is well preserved throughout this volume. We commend the book for its boldness and originality of thought and independence of expression. The young men of our country cannot too highly appreciate the efforts of one who has thus nobly and affectionately labored for their good." [From James H. Perkins, Pastor of the Unitarian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio,] "I have read Mr. Henry W. Beecher's lectures to young men with a great deal of pleasure. They appear to me to contain advice better adapted to our country than can be found in any similar work with which I am acquainted; and this advice is presented in a style far better calculated than that common to the pulpit, to attract and please the young. I should certainly recommend the volume to any young man of my acquaintance as worthy of frequent perusal, and trust our American pulpit may produce many others as pleasing and practical." [From T. R. Cressy, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.] "There is so much ignorance among good men in general, in all our cities and large towns, of the astonishing prevalence of vice, especially of licentiousness and of its procuring causes; and there is such a false delicacy on the part of those who know these things, to hold them up to the gaze of the unsuspecting, that this book will not pass for its real worth. But it is a valuable work. It speaks the truth in all plainness. It should be in every family library; every young man should first read and then STUDY it." [From J. Blanchard, Pastor of the Fifth Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.] "The book is both pleasing and profitable: filled with vivid sketches and delineations of vice; weighty instructions, pithy sentiments, delicate turns of thought, and playful sallies of humour and in style and matter is admirably adapted to the tastes and wants of the class for whom it is written." [From T. A. Mills, Pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.] “The matter of this work is excellent and the style striking and attractive. The dangers of young men are vividly portrayed, and much moral instruction given. Many of the popular errors |