GOSPEL DELTA

Wisdom for Young Men

// June 10th, 2009 // Life

I. 19th Century Wisdom for Young Men

Counsels of the Aged to the Young (excerpt)

Archibald Alexander, 1844

“It is greatly to be desired that the lessons of wisdom taught by the experience of one set of men should be made available for the instruction of those who come after them. We would therefore solicit your patient, candid and impartial attention to the following counsels:

1. Resolve to form your lives upon some certain principles, and to regulate your actions by fixed rules.
2. While you are young, avail yourselves of every opportunity of acquiring useful KNOWLEDGE.
3. Be careful to form good HABITS.
4. Be particular and select, in the company which you keep, and the FRIENDSHIPS which you form.
5. Endeavor to acquire and maintain a good REPUTATION.
6. Manage your FINANCIAL concerns with economy and discretion.
7. Aim at CONSISTENCY in your Christian character.
8. Be CONTENTED with the station and circumstances in which Providence has placed you.
9. Let your fellowship with others be marked by a strict and conscientious regard to truth, honor, justice, kindness and courtesy.
10. Do not live merely for yourselves, but also for the good of others.
11. Be faithful and conscientious in the discharge of all duties which arise out of the relations which you sustain to others.
12. Exercise incessant vigilance against the dangers and TEMPTATIONS by which you are surrounded, and by which you will certainly be assailed.
13. Govern your TONGUE!
14. Keep a good CONSCIENCE.
15. Cultivate PEACE.
16. Learn to bear AFFLICTION with fortitude and resignation.
17. My next counsel is that you set a high value upon your TIME.
18. Cherish and diligently cultivate genuine piety.
19. Seek divine direction and aid-by incessant fervent prayer.
20. Make immediate preparation for death.

Do you ask what preparation is necessary? I answer, reconciliation with God, and a fitness for the employments and enjoyments of the heavenly state. Preparation for death includes repentance towards God for all our sins, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and reliance on His atoning sacrifice, regeneration of heart, and reformation of life; and finally, a lively exercise of piety, accompanied with a comfortable assurance of the divine favor. In short, genuine and lively piety forms the essence of the needed preparation for death. With this your death will be safe, and your happiness after death secure.

But to render a deathbed not only safe but comfortable, you must have a strong faith, and clear evidence that your sins are forgiven, and that you have passed from death unto life. Be persuaded then, before you give sleep to your eyes, to commence your return unto God, from whom like lost sheep you have strayed. “Prepare to meet your God.” (Amos 4:12) “So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him!” (Matt 24:44)

Seek deliverance from the fear of death by a believing application to Him who came on purpose to deliver us from this bondage. With His presence and guidance we need fear no evil, even while passing through the gloomy valley and shadow of death. He is able by His rod and His staff to comfort us, and to make us conquerors over this last enemy!

II. 21st Century Wisdom for Young Men

Wisdom from Proverbs

Mark Driscoll, 2009