Orrin's mother loved to see her little boy play at proper times. She did not always require him to be studying, or reading books. When he went to play she was careful that his mates should be good boys who did not take the name of God in vain, or use coarse and vulgar language, or quarrel and fight. She told him always to treat his mates kindly, to be just and fair in his sports, and at all times to "do unto others as he would wish others to do unto him." She reminded him that "even a child is known by his ways," and that "cheating play never prospers."
Wherever there is a library of useful books, a young person can gain a store of knowledge. Orrin was very fond of reading, and his uncle gave him the liberty of reading in his study, whenever he wished to do so. There Orrin spent many hours, gaining useful knowledge; and as he had a very good memory, he found, many years after, much use for the instruction he received in this way. Solomon says, "Get wisdom, get understanding, take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, keep her, for she is thy life."
Those who have read the history of this good boy, will like to hear something of him as a man. He became not only a respectable, but a useful and pious man. He was a kind friend; he warned and reproved those he found doing wrong. When a man, he was as fearless in reproving sin as he was when a boy. If he saw a young man profaning the Sabbath day, he kindly warned him of his evil way and would invite him to go with him to the house of God. His example was, also, a silent teacher of all.
