and the holy doctrines and precepts of the religion he taught. Teach them to distinguish between good and evil; that whatever God commands is right, and compliance rewarded; that every thing he forbids is sin, and the fruit misery and death. On these, and similar topics, give them line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little.* "For these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."+ Let them be the last subject when you bid them good night;—the first when you meet them in the morning; and let not their meals, nor even their recreations pass by without a word for the benefit of the soul. Honour God by referring them to his word for what you require of them, that they also may learn to walk by the word, and do the same with their children. Use every proper method to convince them of its excellence, that they may love it above gold, yea above fine gold. Accustom them to get some portion of it by heart, and to repeat to you every day; and if these repetitions are made at morning, or evening prayer, they may prove a blessing to others in the family. Observe also, that servants and apprentices are, in this respect, to be treated as children, and should be allowed time to get, and required to repeat daily a verse, or more of that precious word which is appointed for their salvation as well as yours. Encourage them to converse freely with you on the meaning of what they read, or hear; and suit all * Isa. xxviii. 10. Deut. vi. 6. Ps. cxix. 127. the way, your instruction to their capacities, and to the various occurrences which arise, that they may ever be hearing "a word behind them saying, This is walk ye in it."* And forget not, that it is quite necessary, your own example should recommend, and strengthen all the instruction you give; and that all your endeavours must be accompanied with prayer for the blessing and grace of God, who alone can give you success. Parents, bear with me, if I again touch on what has been adverted to before; for indeed there is sufficient cause. God has intrusted you with a talent, the exercise of which is indispensably requisite in the education of your children. It is PARENTAL AUTHORITY. He requires you whether rich, or poor, to govern your own houses well; and to hold your children in subjection. But if you leave them without restraint, or without their feeling that they are subject to your government, you expose them as the ship is exposed in storms, when the rudder is gone, or like one who rides a spirited horse without a bridle. Hold fast your authority then, and let nothing induce you to part with it to hands which God and nature have forbidden to hold it, as many do to their children's ruin, and their own heart-breaking confusion. The appearance of man in infancy is pleasing; for it is the appearance of innocence, lovely and attractive. The recollection also that there is before us an immortal soul in ruins, excites feelings of peculiar tenderness and compassion. And with such feelings, it is probable, infants were regarded by Jesus, when he took them in his arms, and blessed them. But when children, as soon as they can *Isa. xxx. 21. speak, or run about, are permitted to dictate, and bear rule, demanding the gratification of every changeful desire; and, if refused, maintaining an incessant uproar, it is a painful sight, because it discovers the culpable neglect of parents, as these evils might have been prevented by a prudent and timely use of authority. And remember that mere entreaties with children on such occasions are out of place; and to resort to them only, when you ought to exercise an authoritative control, is to resign your staff of office; and a time may come when you will see your children despise you for it. Let ùs hear no more then in commendation of that love which renders you and your children miserable, because it disqualifies you for obeying the commands of Christ, But let us rather attend to his own solemn declaration: "And he turned and said to the great multitudes that went with him, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." This is a voice from Heaven; and he that hath ears to hear it, let him hear. We must relinquish whatever would otherwise prevent our entire obedience to Christ, and thus prove that we love him more than any creature. Christianity does not destroy natural affection; but rectifies it. It does more than require you to love your children; it guards you against abuses, and teaches you how to exercise your affection to the greatest possible advantage both of them, and of yourselves. Cases too will occur, when to withhold corporal correction would be a proof that you, in fact, hate your child; for "he that spareth * Luke, xiv. 25. his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."* This also is a voice from the oracles of God; and all the refined sophistry of the self-sufficient, and worldly wise can never disprove it. But a time of trial comes, when the Christian parent, who has hitherto performed his office well, is called to resign his charge to other hands. And who can describe his apprehensions and feelings on this critical occasion, which may determine what his child is to be for life, and even for eternity? and which may pull down what he has been labouring all along to build up? If his children must go to some school, or seminary of learning, where, says he, shall I place them, that they may be trained in the school of Christ, and taught to take his light yoke, and easy burden upon them, that they may find rest to their souls? Those which are deemed the best seminaries for males, are commonly void of true religion, and even hostile to the holy doctrines of the gospel. The pride of human learning, and the contempt of inferior competitors are encouraged. The writings and opinions of pagans, who were themselves blind to the true wisdom, are inculcated, and extolled as oracles. The fabulous stories, shocking vices, and monstrous obscenities of their imaginary gods and goddesses, the representatives of devils,† are served up for the entertainment of youth. Vice is restrained chiefly by a capricious severity, unaccompanied by the admonition of the Lord. The tendency of the system usually pursued in female schools is doubtless unfavorable to godliness, because it militates against that meekness, simplicity, uprightness, and sobri * Prov. xiii. 24. 1 Cor. x. 20. ety of dress and demeanour which are required by the Christian religion; and because it encourages pride and self-conceit, dissimulation, the adoption of a language and manners inconsistent with sincerity, a high regard for fashion as a law of indispensable obligation, a fondness for exterior ornaments, frivolous accomplishments, and dissipating amusements, and, to sum up the whole, a devotedness to that world, to which the doctrine of Christ requires us to be crucified. Should circumstances require the Christian parent to put his child apprentice, or to send him into common servitude, he feels the same painful concern, and anxiously inquires, 'where shall I place him, with the prospect of spiritual advantages, that he may increase, and not lose that good which, through the divine blessing, he has already received? To fix him in an ungodly family is to expose him to dangers, temptations, snares, and death. Yet it is commonly difficult, often impossible to place him where God is known and served, and his word received as the law of the household. What then is a conscientious man to do in so trying a case? and what advice can be given him? To a parent so circumstanced I would say, have faith in God, seek counsel from him, take proper time for consideration, and let your conscience bear witness, that you do all that is in your power to procure a fit situation for your child. Call to mind, for your comfort, the special promises which God has made to the children of the faithful; and commit your child to his guidance and protection. Follow him also with your prayers and admonitions, that he may stand fast in the faith, and overcome the wicked one. He is safest, |