chastisement. I have no doubt of the propriety and importance of this species of correction. God has abundantly sanctioned it in his word and providence. But, then, it is destined for a child. When he passes from childhood to fifteen or sixteen years of age, unless for downright impudence or disobedience, the rod, I am disposed to believe, does him injury. If he will not then be governed by reason, and kindness, and influence, he needs a stronger arm than the discipline of a domestic circle. Indeed all our efforts to train up our children in the way they should go, exhaust their influence before we are aware of it. The days of childhood-these are the seasons, when

the character is formed.

And if these

are neglected, it will be a miracle of mercy if our children are not lost.

In the maintenance of parental authority, also, it is of the first importance, that the influence of parents should never come in collision. "The demon of discord is the deadliest foe to the education of children." On every topic of education, let there be no jarring between the united head of a family. Many a family, who otherwise would be well-governed, is ill-governed, from this single circumstance.

The

father, for example, is the abettor of theatres and balls, and the mother is opposed to them; the father is the foe

of dancing and late hours, and extrava

gant entertainments, and the mother is the friend and abettor of them all; the father is firm and decided in his author. ity, and the mother chides him as morose and severe, and the enemy of his children's pleasures; and the bone of contention is the child they love; and what wonder, if their authority and their child are sacrificed in the broil, and sacrificed too, for both worlds!

It is an interesting question with every parent to decide, when the government of authority should cease? Here, too, wisdom is profitable to direct. Every parent must assume the responsibility of this decision, and be governed in it by the disposition of his child, the condition of his family, and

not unfrequently by his own condition in life. There are intrinsic difficulties in theg overnment of children, to which no specific principles may in every case be applied. Joyful, and

sometimes bitter experience will teach us lessons every day. And when these difficulties increase, and parents become discouraged, and their hearts sink, let me say to them, never abandon your child, till the last hope is torn from your heart! And be not quick to decide, that the last hope is gone. The last remedy is patience patience-forbearance and hope in God. This leads me to add,

5. Much is accomplished in the education of children, by humble, persever

ing prayer. The pride of parents is apt to be concentrated in their children. Parents of some intellectual activity and resolution, and young parents especially, are very apt to place great confidence in their own skill, and management, and firmness, in the education of their offspring. This pride in our children, and this confidence in ourselves, may meet with severe trials. And it is often best they should meet with them. No matter how soon parents learn the lesson, that the Lord of heaven and earth holds both them and their children in his hands, as the clay is in the hands of the potter. God means they shall renounce their self-confidence, and feel their dependence upon him. When