Important Advice to Scholars and Students

The first object which the scholar should have at heart, is his duty to God, whom he ought particularly to fear, invoke, and serve in his youth, regarding him as his chief master, as the father of lights, and as the beginning and end of his studies. Should the career of science appear hard to the young man in the beginning, he must not be disheartened: he should often, and with confidence, implore the assistance of the Holy Ghost; for God never fails to aid and enlighten the scholar who lives in his fear, and is careful to purify his intentions by consecrating his studies to his honour and glory. The love which a student ought to have for God, should engage him to raise his heart frequently towards the fountain of all knowledge, and often to approach the sacraments, not only to maintain the innocence of his soul, and to preserve himself from sin, but also to dispose himself the better for answering the designs which God may have on him. To, testify his zeal and affection for Jesus Christ, he will if possible, hear Mass daily; but let him be careful to guard against distractions in the holy place. It is a bad sign when a scholar is void of piety and devotion. How much is that youth to be commended, who, on his road to school and returning home, spends a few minutes in adoring Jesus Christ, and imploring his assistance, or in having recourse to the blessed Virgin for her aid and intercession! What grace will he. not obtain from Heaven, by persevering in this pious practice! We know from the testimony of many holy doctors and masters of sciences, that they acquired their profound knowledge and erudition at the feet of Jesus Christ.

The second duty necessary for a scholar is love and gratitude towards his parents, who indefatigably labour to make him happy, both here and hereafter. How black must be the ingratitude of the scholar, who loses his time, and refuses to second the pious designs of parents, who frequently submit to great inconveniences to procure a maintenance for their child, and to defray the necessary expenses of his education! What a subject of affliction for parents after exhausting their means and embarrassing their family, to find that all their care and expense have been thrown away upon an ignorant, idle and abandoned youth! Such conduct in a young man will draw down, sooner or later, the vengeance of Heaven.

The third duty of a scholar is the respect, love and obedience which he owes to his masters and governors. The respect due to those who instruct us, does not permit any joke or ridicule at their expense. Such behaviour betrays great want of breeding; and to despise their admonitions shews an equal want of virtue. The scholar should love his master as his father: he should, therefore, not grieve or afflict him. He ought moreover to have confidence in him, declare to him his doubts and difficulties, and ask for an explanation of what he cannot understand. The fear of God ought to inspire a scholar with submission: when he resist a master, who uses with moderation the authority he has over him, he resists God himself and commits a sin. Let him receive his instructions with docility and his corrections with patience. — A scholar who is engaged in the higher branches of literature, should only attach himself to the opinions of his master, when they are conformable to the sentiments and spirit of the Church. If he have intelligence and discernment enough to discover, that his master teaches him a doctrine contrary to that of the Church, or in contradiction to that of the Holy See, he should no longer follow that master: for, as St. Paul says: «He must not suffer himself to be carried about with every wind of doctrine.» Ephes. IV. 14.

The fourth duty of a student is a spirit of courtesy, peace and charity towards his schoolfellows. He must avoid those pointed jests which give pain and annoyance to others; all reproaches, all kinds of mimicry, ludicrous and wanton tricks, as being marks of bad, low breeding. What a pleasing spectacle is it to see scholars imitate young Tobias, of whom the Holy Ghost says, that When he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, he did no frivolous thing in his work? Tob. I. 4. — A virtuous student never engages in the party disputes of quarrelsome people, nor ever indulges in the least contempt or antipathy against such schoolfellows as are of a different country or province. In the sight of God, we are all brethren; all Christians are children of God and brothers of Jesus Christ: consequently we ought, as St. Paul insinuates, mutually anticipate one another in marks of honour and civility, and to have but one heart and one soul. A wellbred youth is always ready to offer his services to others, and to prevent them from quarrelling as far as lies in his power. It is also a very laudable thing for a scholar to help such of his schoolfellows as he finds to be rather slow and backward in their class. The young student, who follows this advice, will be loved and respected: and his virtuous example will not fail to make impression upon the minds of his schoolfellows.