Founding Father letter

This is a fascinating letter I came across while researching my paper on Christianity and America's founding. The letter is from the Letters of Delegates of Congress, part of the Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation collection from the Library of Congress American Memory site. (The Century of Lawmaking collection is an excellent resource; unfortunately, it is not included in search engine queries. The site has its own search engine, which searches automatically generated text transcriptions of the various records within the collection. The transcriptions are temporary files which expire about an hour after they are generated.)

York Town, May 1. 1778

My Dear Son,
As I suppose you are now at home with your Honored Daddy & Mama, I wish you to use every Endeavour to make them and your Brothers & Sisters comfortable and happy; and at the same Time to improve your Vacation in such a Way as will prove advantageous to your own Education, and honorable to you in Point of Behavior among your Friends & Acquaintances.
Carefully avoid the Allurements of every Vice, and shun industriously the Temptations of youth. Tread diligently in the Paths of Virtue, & strive above all to obtain, through the Merits of your Redeemer, the inestimable Blessings of true Godliness & undefiled Religion.
A Seene is opening, my Dear Child, in this Country for the greatest imaginable Display of Talents and Education, and a Young Man with your Capacity, Abilities and Learning can't fail under God, if he sets out right, of making a Figure in public Life on the great Stage of this new World. Indeed I cannot help contemplating my Sons as shining in future in some of the most splendid Departments of this mighty rising American Empire, the Glory of the western World- and greatly eclipsing their Father in every civil Accomplishment. This is surely in their Power, since they now may improve themselves designedly for this Purpose; whereas he from this amazing Change in human Affairs was unexpectedly & reluctantly, as well as unpreparedly and rapidly pushed from Stage to Stage to the most important Seat he now has the Honor to fill, and to which he finds himself Alas, but too unequal. But how will it ring my Heart, if by any false Step, if by any fatal vicious Indulgence these my fond Hopes shall be disappointed? Then indeed will my grey Hairs descend with Sorrow, & perhaps a speedy Pace, to the Grave.
O my Son, let it be your daily & nightly prayer to be delivered from every Evil & every Temptation, and to be prepared for the whole will & Pleasure of God your Creator, Preserver and constant Benefactor.

Love & Respects to all, & am my Dear Son, your affectionate & Indulgent Father, Nathl Scudder

Nathaniel Scudder was a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a colonel in the Revolutionary War. He died in battle on October 17, 1781 , only three years after this letter was written. One can read the Wikipedia article on him here.