tual abilities which had often attracted my notice during the period of my intercourse with its inhabitants.

"My thoughts were also directed to the effects which were likely to result from my visit. I had circulated extensively among them, that excellent book, which is able to make wise unto salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ; which contains an authenticated, complete, and most satisfactory account of the character, purposes, and will of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and direct the guilty sons of Adam to the only possible way in which they can obtain true and lasting felicity.

"And while I reflect on the responsibility which attaches to the situation of such as are favoured with this account, and the guilt and condemnation of those who receive not the truth in the love of it, that they may be saved; my earnest prayer for the Icelanders was, that they might have grace communi

cated to them from above, to enable them suitably to improve the inestimable privilege which had been conferred upon them."

BRIEF HINTS TO PARENTS, &c.

10001

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

SUCCESS in education depends more on prevention, than cure-more on forming habits, than laying injunctions-more on example, than precept. It is important, however, that rules laid down should be strictly enforced, till obedience becomes habitual.

But when is this interesting business to be begun, and how pursued?

"It is to be begun from the cradle. The first step is to teach the infantile subject implicit obedience to parental authority; and then to rule with such moderation and sweetness, that it shall entirely trust and love the hand that guides it. In this way, the good impressions made upon the young mind, are likely to be indelible."* Persevering, yet gentle firmness, begun in infancy, establishes proper discipline, procures obedience, and prevents almost all punishment.

The subjection of a child's will may be effected before its understanding is sufficiently enlarged to be influenced by reasoning. Generally the first inclination a child discovers, is will. The first business of a parent, therefore, is to subject it. An infant will reach out its hand to take something improper for it to have; if its hand be then withheld, and the countenance and expression of the parent refuse the indulgence, unmoved by its cries or struggles, it will. soon learn to yield. And by uniformly experiencing

*This passage, and those similarly marked in the following pages, are from "The Brief Remarker on the Ways of Man:" work fraught with much useful matter on a variety of subjects.

denial, equally firm, whenever its wishes ought not to be granted, submission will become familiar and easy.

But prudent parents, while they are careful to subdue self-will in their child, will be equally careful to cherish in it every appearance of benevolence and affection.

As children advance in age, and the faculties of the mind expand, parents, by an easy, familiar mode of conversing with them, and adapting their language to their age and capacity, may acquire almost unbounded influence over them. If parents were thus careful to cultivate the young mind from the first dawn of reason, watching every opportunity of communicating instruction, at the same time seeking the Divine blessing on their humble endeavours, we may safely believe they would be rarely disappointed in having their children grow up around them, all that they could reasonably desire them to be.

It is by enlightening the understanding, that children are brought to feel the true ground of parental authority. Injunctions and restraints, if softened by endearment, will generally find returns of obedience; and ungrateful claims to liberty, will rarely oppose parental advice bestowed with meekness. Early to impress the tender mind with clearly defined perceptions of right and wrong, is very important. Much misery may be prevented by it.

FREEDOM BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

According to the wise provision of Providence the fond endearment of parental love, produces an attachment in the breast of the child. A judicious parent will take advantage of this circumstance, to lay a foundation for that entire freedom, which ought ever to exist between parents and children. If con