of heaven. If there is but one lesson a parent can instill into the mind of his child, let that lesson be, the fourth commandment. Let a child be taught to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; and into what a sphere of moral influences is he at once thrown; by what a circumvallation that separates from snares and death is he surrounded; and how near is he brought to the kingdom of heaven! I doubt whether it is possible for a child, early taught to reverence the Sabbath, ever to become an abandoned man, without first breaking through the restraints of this sacred day. But I remark

It is a consideration of moment, that children should be judiciously instructed in the estimate they form of this world. A multitude of pious parents instill into the minds of their children much too fervid a zeal for advancement in the world. As a matter of prudence and discretion, the spirit of the world is so anxiously infused into their minds, that the great object of their pursuit insensibly becomes the attainment of wealth and honor. We do not mean that parents should feel no solicitude for the character and condition of their children in the present life. It becomes them to be anxious to see their children qualified for usefulness and respectability of character; to urge them to unbending fidelity in their profession, whatever it may be; and to inspire them with that generous love of excellence, that ardent desire of good, that shall aim at distinction in

the best sense of the word. It is not an easy matter in the practical lessons of every day, for parents to draw the line between that love of distinction which the gospel requires, and that which is the offspring of a supremely selfish and worldly heart. It is very natural for them to smile upon their children whenever they discover in them a spirit that is eagerly set on worldly good; that is shrewd and overreaching; and thus to leave the impression on their minds, that in the estimation of their parents there is no good to be compared with this world. No doubt we all sin in this, and sin greatly against God and our children. It becomes parents to be incessantly watchful, lest they cultivate in the young bosoms where the love of God and heaven ought to predominate, no higher and nobler principle than the love of earth. If our children are taught, that the great business of men in the present world, is to heap up wealth, attain honors, and enjoy human life; what will be the probable termination of their career? Would we train them up for usefulness and heaven, they must often be told to put a low estimate upon every thing beneath the sun. They must not be excluded from the world, but taught how vain and empty a thing it is. The sooner a child is led to see that there is a higher object of pursuit than his own advancement; that there are more elevated and enduring joys, than the sordid and transitory pleasures of time and sense; that

popularity, power and wealth may all be attained, and yet he himself be left the miserable victim of disappointment and sorrow; the earlier do those principles take root in his mind, which bear fruit unto eternal life. It is of vast importance that this one thought should be lodged in the bosom of every child,—that the earnest desire of his parent's heart is to educate him not for enjoyment, but usefulness; not for this world, but the next; not for earth, but for heaven. If parents know themselves; if they know what is in the hearts of their children; they will always tremble for them in the prospect of high advancement. The wisdom that comes from above will lead them often to say to their child, as God did to the Prophet,—" Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not."—Let children be taught that God sent them into the world to do their duty, to fill up their life with usefulness, and thus to honor his great name. Let this generous principle have its seat in their hearts, and a controlling influence on their lives; and more is accomplished for their real happiness, than though they were elevated to the thrones of princes, or became possessors of untold millions.

No small pains should be taken to imbue the minds of children with a benevolent spirit. This is a chord to which the conscience always vibrates. They should be taught to feel that a selfish spirit is a low, abject and mean spirit; and that there is none more elevated, more grand and

noble, than a benevolent and disinterested one. I know not any one thought from which the mind of a child or youth will receive a more wholesome direction than this. Let your children be taught the evil of a selfish, and the beauty and excellence of a disinterested spirit. Show them their obligation to regard the welfare of others. Form in them the habit of consulting the wishes and feelings of those with whom they have intercourse. Fix their minds upon objects that are great and good. Prepare them for enterprises of benevolence. Show them that it is more blessed to give than to receive, more pleasure in conferring a favor than accepting it, and more lasting joy in the enlarged, public spirit of the gospel, than the low, grovelling spirit of the world. Teach your child to rise above this grovelling principle, and to feel that there are interests greater than his own, and, if he has an enlarged and princely spirit, interests which he himself will be the happier for consulting. Let his grand enquiry be, not, What does my interest require? but what does my duty require? what does benevolence require? what does the spirit of kindness and disinterestedness require? what does God require? Teach him to despise a mean, contracted, selfish spirit, as one that is barren of every moral virtue, and prolific in every thing detestable and vicious. These suggestions lead me to add

The main object of attention in the education

of children, is their religious character. The late revered Thomas Scott, the author of the valuable Commentary on the Bible, who had been remarkably happy in the education of his family, being once requested to intimate to some of his friends, the method of education which he had been led to adopt, replied, "Few things are looked back on by me with less satisfaction, than my own conduct in respect to my children, except in one particular, which appears to have been the grand secret—and that is, that I have always sought for them, as well as for myself, in the first place, the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Happy parent! happy children! where the "kingdom of God and his righteousness," take the precedence in every plan and arrangement for human life! Who does not discover the wisdom, the piety, the parental affection, the controlling influence of such a course of moral training. To the religious character of our children, every thing else ought to be made subservient. The high privilege and obligation of parents is, to "bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Whatever others may say, or do, Christian parents should choose for their children, that good part which shall not be taken from them. Every thing else should be to them, like the small dust of the balance. The weight of parental solicitude, the vigor of parental effort should be exhausted here. Our