It remains to be a fixed principle, that if we desire to have companions in our children when they arrive to years of maturity, we must prepare their minds by furnishing them with proper ideas, and inculcating proper sentiments. Mutual love, and mutual interest, form a much stronger, and more durable tie between parents and children, than any other that can be devised. Coercion may, in childhood, produce prompt obedience, but if it destroys affection, what hope can we reasonably entertain, that when such children get from under parental authority, they will retain a respect for what they have been compelled to adopt, without a conviction of its propriety, or necessity? If the rod is ever used, it ought only to be done after there has been sufficient time to reflect upon the nature of the fault, and to ascertain that correction would be for the child's real benefit. But there should be no anger manifested in the presence of the child, and certainly there should be none felt at the time of correcting it. Special care must therefore be taken, to correct and govern our own passions, as children observe their effects much sooner than we are aware.

As love is the foundation of all our happiness, so it ought to be the predominant motive of all our actions. We must convince children that our requisitions to do, or to leave undone, are the effects of love, and that obedience to our commands will contri- . bute to their own comfort and enjoyment. For similar reasons, it is of the utmost importance, that children be early, and properly informed, respecting the attributes of the Supreme Being. He must not be represented to them as a partial, tyrannical Sovereign; but as a kind, merciful, and affectionate parent, providing for all our necessities, and acting for the benefit and everlasting happiness of his children; and that his love and his care are universal, as is shown by the general tenor of the Holy Scriptures. Numerous passages might be selected thence, for the support of this doctrine. When Cain was wroth and his countenance was changed, because his brother's offering was more acceptable than his own; was it not said to him, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." The royal

Psalmist, when speaking of the goodness of the Lord, of which he appears to have been very sensible, says, "As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." At another time; "Bless the Lord, O my soul! and forget not his benefits." In the Revelations, it is recorded by John in the name of the Most High, "I will give to him that is athirst, of the fountain of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

The advantages arising from early mental associations of this kind, are incalculable. An instance of their happy effect, is very feelingly set forth by Elizabeth Hamilton, in her letters on education, in the following narrative. "One young man, it has been my happiness to know, who entered upon life at the age of sixteen, without any guide but his own principles, without monitor, but the precepts of education, and the dictates of his own heart. Unsullied by the temptations of a capital, he was plunged into the temptations of a camp. Fond of society, where his cheerful temper and easy

manners formed him to shine; but still fond of improvement, neither the inducements of camp, or city, interrupted his unwearied pursuits of literature and science. Surrounded by companions, who had caught the contagion of skepticism, he, at this early period of life, listened to their arguments, weighed, examined, detected their futility, and rejected them! In prosperity and adversity, in public and in private life, the sentiments of religion, retained their influence on his heart. Through life they were his guide; and in death his consolation. When sinking, by painful steps, into an early grave, "With what gratitude," he exclaimed, "With what delightful gratitude do I look back to my infancy, and to the judicious conduct of my mother, who made religion. appear to me in colours so engaging, and so congenial! Had I been taught as other boys are taught, my passions would have made. me an easy prey to vice; my love for enquiry, would have led me to infidelity. She prepared me for the trial of faith and virtue, and, thanks to God, I have come off victorious. Had religion been made to me a

gloomy task in infancy, where would now have been my consolation!"

If the principle of love were more generally fixed in the human mind, and children were induced to obey, because they love, what a good foundation would be laid for the operation of that Holy Spirit, which is love itself. And how many more of the votaries of religion should we then see holding forth to the world this animating language-The ways of virtue are ways of pleasure, and in pursuing her paths there is great delight. Thus would be fulfilled the command of Him, who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid (or hinder) them not."

EXAMPLE OF QUEEN ESTHER.

During the sprightliness of youth, the benevolent affections are quick and active, and susceptible of the readiest cultivation. A child that is taught to obey from the principle of affection, will not hesitate to forego its own inclination to serve another whose comfort depends on its exertions. And the longer the mind has enjoyed the sweet tran