JULY 16
Keep your rules, and they will keep you.
Letter, 9th November, 1787
1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed a moment. Never be trifilingly [sic] employed. Never while away time; neither spend any more at any place than is strictly necessary.
2. Be serious. Let your motto be: Holiness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting and foolish talking.
3. Converse sparingly and cautiously with women; particularly with young women in private.
4. Take no step toward marriage without first acquainting us with your design.
5. Believe evil of no one, unless you see it done, take heed how you credit it. Put the best construction on everything. You know the judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner’s side.
Rule of a Helper
