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mandment is holy and just and good; and that to be so governed is to be blessed.

Fourthly. The inconsistent conduct of parents themselves, is a frequent and powerful obstacle to success in religious education.

gious improvement of the rest, they should be removed if possible, from the family. One profligate son may lead all his brothers astray. I have seen this, in some cases, most painfully verified. A parent may feel unwilling to send from home an unpromising child, under the apprehension that he will grow worse and worse; but kindness to him in this way, is cruelty to the others. Wickedness is contagious, especially when the diseased person is a brother.

Sixthly.-Bad companions out of the house, counteract all the influence of religious instruction delivered at home.

Example has been affirmed to be omnipotent, and its power, like that of gravitation, is always in proportion to the nearness of the attracting body; what then must be the influence of parental example? Now as I am speaking of religious parents, it is of course assumed that they do exhibit, in some measure, the reality of religion: but may not the reality often be seen where much of the beauty of true godliness is obscured, just as the sun is beheld A Christian parent should ever be on the alert to when his effulgence is quenched in a mist; or as a watch the associations which his children are inlovely prospect is seen through a haze, which, clined to form. On this subject, I have said much though it leave its extent uncovered, veils all its to the young themselves in the following work: but beauty. Religion may be seen in dim outline by it is a subject which equally concerns the parent.the children in their parents' conduct, but it is at- One ill chosen friend of your children's may undo tended with so many minor inconsistencies, such a all the good you are the means of doing at home.mist of imperfections, that it presents little to con- It is impossible for you to be sufficiently vigilant on ciliate their regard or raise their esteem. There is this point. From their very infancy, encourage so much worldly-mindedness, so much conformity them to look up to you as the selectors of their com. to fashionable follies, so much irregularity of do- panions; impress them with the necessity of this, mestic piety, such frequent sallies of unchristian and produce a habit of consulting you at all times. temper, such inconsolable grief and querulous com- Never encourage an association which is not likely plaint under the trials of life, such frequent animo- to have a decidedly friendly influence on their relisities towards their fellow Christians, observable in gious character. This caution was never more nethe conduct of their parents, that they see religion cessary than in the present age. Young people are to the greatest possible disadvantage, and the con- brought very much together by the religious institusequence is, that it either lowers their standard of tions which are now formed, and although there is piety, or inspires a disgust towards it altogether.—a great probability that in such a circle suitable Parents, as you would wish your instructions and companions will be found, yet it is too much even admonitions to your children to be successful, en- for charity to believe, that all the active young force them by the power of a holy example. It is friends of Sunday Schools, Juvenile Missionary Sonot enough for you to be pious on the whole, but cieties, &c. &c. are fit companions for our sons and you should be wholly pious; not only to be real our daughters. Encourage them to consider you disciples, but eminent ones; not only sincere Chris- their chief friends; and so act towards them that tians, but consistent ones. Your standard of reli- they shall want no other. On this subject you will gion should be very high. To some parents I would find a few remarks, in a note, in the following work. give this advice, "Say less about religion to your children, or else manifest more of its influence.Leave off family prayer, or else leave off family sins." Beware how you act, for all your actions are seen at home. Never talk of religion but with reverence: be not forward to speak of the faults of your fellow Christians, and when the subject is introduced, let it be in a spirit of charity towards the offender, and of decided abhorrence of the fault. Many parents have done irreparable injury to their children's minds by a proneness to find out, talk of, and almost rejoice over the inconsistencies of professing Christians. Never cavil at or find fault Eighthly. The neglect of young persons by our with the religious exercises of the minister you af-churches and their pastors, is another impediment to tend: but rather commend his discourses, in order the success of domestic religious instruction. that your children might listen to them with greater attention. Direct their views to the most eminent Christians, and point out to them the loveliness of exemplary piety. In short, seeing that your example may be expected so much to aid or frustrate your efforts for the conversion of your children, consider "what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness."

Fifthly.-Another obstacle to the success of religious instruction, is sometimes found in the wild conduct of an elder branch of the family, especially in the case of a dissipated son.

The elder branches of a family are found, in general, to have considerable influence over the rest, and oftentimes to give the tone of morals to the others: they are looked up to by their younger brothers and sisters; they bring companions, books, amusements into the house; and thus form the character of their juniors. It is of great consequence, therefore, that parents should pay particular attention to their elder children; and if unhappily their habits should be decidedly unfriendly to the reli

Seventhly. The schisms which sometimes arise in our churches, and embitter the minds of Christians against each other, have a very unfriendly influence upon the minds of the young.

They see so much that is opposite to the spirit and genius of Christianity in both parties, and enter so deeply into the views and feelings of one of them, that their attention is drawn off from the essentials of religion, or their prejudices raised against them. | I look upon this to be one of the most painful and mischievous consequences of ecclesiastical contentions.

This, however, does not so much appertain to parents in their separate capacity, as in their relation as members of a Christian society, and even in this relation it belongs less to them than to their pastors. There is a blank yet to be filled up in reference to the treatment of the young, who are not in church communion. As a Dissenter, I object of course to the rite of Confirmation as practised in the established church: but we want something, I will not sav like it, but in lieu of it. We want something that shall recognise the young, interest them, attract them, guard them.*

Ninthly. The spirit of filial independence, which is sanctioned by the habits, if not by the opinions of the age, is another hinderance, and the last which I shall mention, to the good effect contemplated and desired by a religious education.

The disposition, which is but too apparent in this

* See an excellent sermon by the Rev. J. Bennett, entitled "The duties of the Churches towards the Rising Generation."

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age, to enlarge the privileges of the children by diminishing the prerogative of their parents, is neither for the comfort of the latter nor for the well-being of the former. Rebellion against a justly constituted authority can never be in any case a blessing, and all wise parents, together with all wise youth, will unite in supporting that just paternal authority, which however the precocious manhood of some might feel to be an oppression, the more natural and slowly approaching maturity of others, will acknowledge to be a blessing. Children who find the parental yoke a turder, are not very likely to look upon that of Christ as a benefit.*

Such, my dear friends, as they appear to my mind, are the principal obstacles to the success of those

There is a very useful sermon of Dr. Winter's on the subject of this address.

efforts which are carried on by many for the religious education of their children. Seriously consider them: and having looked at them, endeavor to avoid them. Survey them as the mariner does the flame of the light-house, for the purpose of avoiding the rock on which it is placed. Recognise your children, as every Christian parent should do, not only as animal, rational, social beings, but as immortal creatures, lost sinners, beings invited to eternal life through the mediation of Christ; and while you neglect not any one means that can promote their comfort, reputation, and usefulness in this world, concentrate your chief solicitude, and employ your noblest energies in a scriptural, judicious, persevering scheme of religious education."Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

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CHRISTIAN FATHER'S PRESENT.

CHAPTER I.

ON THE ANXIETY OF A CHRISTIAN PARENT FOR THE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF HIS CHILDREN.

MY DEAR CHILDREN-Never did I pass a more truly solemn or interesting moment, than that in which my first born child was put into my arms, and I felt that I was a father. A new solicitude was then produced in my bosom, which every succeeding day has tended to confirm and strengthen. I looked up to heaven, and breathed over my babe the petition of Abraham for his son, "O that Ishmael might live before thee." Recognising, in the little helpless being which had been so lately introduced into our world, a creature born for eternity, and who, when the sun was extinguished, would be still soaring in heaven, or sinking in hell, I retired to the closet of private devotion, and solemnly dedicated the child to that God, who had given me the precious boon; and earnestly prayed, that whatever might be his lot in this world, he might be a partaker of true piety, and numbered with the saints in glory everlasting.

During the days of your infancy I watched von, together with your sainted mother, with all the fondness of a parent's heart. We have smiled upon you when you were slumbering in healthful repose; we have wept over you when tossed with feverish restlessness and pain; we have been the delighted spectators of your childish sports; we have witness ed with pleasure the developement of your intellectual powers; and have often listened with somewhat of pride, to the commendations bestowed upon your persons and attainments;--but, amidst all, one deep solicitude took hold on our minds, which nothing could either divert or abate, and that is, a deep anxiety for your spiritual welfare-for your religious character.

You cannot doubt, my children, that your parents love you. We have, in all your recollections, a witness to this. We have, as you know, done every thing to promote your welfare, and, so far as was compatible with this object, your pleasure also.We have never denied you a gratification which our duty and ability allowed us to impart; and if at any time we have been severe in reproof, even this was a more awful form of love. We have spared no expense in your education; in short, love, an intense love, of which you can at present form no adequate conception, has been the secret spring of all our conduct towards you; and as the strongest proof, and purest effort of our affection, we wish you to be partakers of true piety. Did we not cherish this anxiety, we should feel that, amidst every other expression of regard, we were acting towards you a most cruel and unnatural part. Genuine love desires and seeks for the objects on which it is fixed, the greatest benefits of which they are capable; and as you have a capacity to serve, and enjoy, and glorify God by real religion, how can we love you in reality if we do not covet for you this high and holy distinction? We should feel that our love had exhausted itself upon trifles, and had let go objects of immense, infinite, eternal consequence, if it were not to concentrate all its prayers, desires, and efforts, in your personal religion.

Almost every parent has some one object which he desires above all others on behalf of his children. Some are anxious that their offspring may shine as warriors; others, that theirs may be surrounded with the milder radiance of literary, scientific, or commercial fame. Our supreme ambition for you is, that whatever situation you occupy, you may adorn it with the beauties of holiness, and discharge its duties under the influence of Christian principle. Much as we desire your respectability in life, and we will not conceal our hope that you will occupy no mean place in society, yet we would rather see you in the most obscure, and even menial situation, provided you were partakers of true piety, than see you on the loftiest pinnacle of the temple of fame, the objects of universal admiration, if at the same time your hearts were destitute of the fear of God. We might, indeed, in the latter case, be tempted to watch your ascending progress, and hear the plaudits with which your elevation was followed, with something of a parent's vanity; but when we retired from the dazzling scene to the seat of serious reflection, the spell would be instantly broken, and we should sorrowfully exclaim, "Alas! my son, what is all this, in the absence of religion, but soaring high to have the greater fall!"

You must be aware, my dear children, that all our conduct towards you, has been conducted upon these principles. Before you were capable of receiving instruction, we presented ceaseless prayer to God for your personal piety. As soon as reason dawned, we poured the light of religious instruction upon your mind, by the aid of familiar poetry, catechisms, and conversation. You cannot remember the time when these efforts commenced. How often have you retired with us, to become the subjects of our earnest supplications at the throne of grace.You have been the witnesses of our agony for your eternal welfare. Have we not instructed, warned, admonished, encouraged you, as we laid open to your view, the narrow path which leadeth to eternal life? Have we not been guided by this object in the selection of schools for your education, companions for your amusement, books for your perusal? Has not this been so interwoven with all our conduct, that if at any time you had been asked the question, "What is the chief object of your parents' solicitude on your account," you must have said at once "For my being truly pious?" Yes, my children, this is most strictly true. At home, abroad, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in adversity, this is the ruling solicitude of our bosoms.

How intently have we marked the developement of your character, to see if our fondest wishes were likely to be gratified. We have observed your deportment under the sound of the gospel, and when you have appeared listless and uninterested, it has been as wormwood in our cup; while, on the other hand, when we have seen you, listening with attention, quietly wiping away the tear of emotion, or retiring pensive and serious to your closet, we have rejoiced more than they which find great spoil.When we have looked on the conduct of any pious youth, we have uttered the wish, "O that my child were like him!" and have directed your attention to his character, as that which we wished you to make the model of yours. When, on the other

hand, we have witnessed the behavior of some pro-life, filled places of honor and usefulness in the feldigal son, who has been the grief of his parents, the lowship of the faithful. thought has been like a dagger to our heart, "What if my child should turn out thus !"

1. Now we cherish all this solicitude on our own account. We candidly assure you, that nothing short of this will make us happy. Your piety is the only thing that will make us rejoice that we are parents. How can we endure to see our children choosing any other ways than those of wisdom, and any other path than that of life? How could we bear the sight, to behold you travelling along the broad road which leadeth to destruction, and running with the multitude to do evil? "O God, hide us from this sad spectacle, in the grave, and ere that time comes, take us to our rest." But how would it embitter our last moments, and plant our dying pillow with thorns, to leave you on earth in an unconverted state; following us to the grave, but not to heaven. Or should you be called to die before us, and take possession of the tomb in our names, how could we stand at the dreadful post of observation, darker every hour, without one ray of hope for you, to cheer our wretched spirits! How could we sustain the dreadful thought, which in spite of ourselves would sometimes steal across the bosom, that the very next moment after you had passed beyond our kind attentions, you would be received to the torments which know neither end nor mitigation! And when you had departed under such circumstances, what could heal our wounds, or dry our tears!

We are anxious for your being pious that you might be the instruments of blessing the world by the propagation of religion. The moral condition of the world is too bad for description. If it be ever improved, this must he done by Christians. True piety is the only reformer of mankind. A spirit of active benevolence has happily risen up, rich in purposes and means, for the benefit of the human race. But the men, in whose bosoms it now lives and moves, are not immortal upon earth; they too must sleep in dust, and who shall succeed them at their post and enter into their labors ? Who will catch their falling mantle, and carry on their glorious undertaking for the salvation of millions?If it be ever done, it must be done of course by those who are now rising into life. The propagation of religion to the next generation, and to distant nations, depends on you, and others of your age.-While I write, the groans of creation are ascending; and future ages are rising up to plead with you, that you would bow to the influence of religion, as the only way of extending it to them.

3. But we are chiefly anxious, after all, on your account.

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My children, the anxiety which we feel on this head, is far too intense for language. Here I may truly say, poor is thought, and poor expression." If piety were to be obtained for you only by purchase, and I were rich in the possession of worlds, I would beggar myself to the last farthing to render Should you become truly pious, this circumstance you a Christian, and think the purchase cheap.will impart to our bosoms a felicity which no lan-"Godliness is profitable for all things, having the guage could enable me to describe. It will sweeten promise of the life that now is, as well as of that all our intercourse with you, establish our confi- which is to come." As I shall have more than one dence, allay our fears, awaken our hopes. If we chapter on the advantages of piety, it will not be are prosperous, it will delight us to think that we necessary to enlarge upon them here, any further are not acquiring riches for those who will squan- than to say, that true godliness will save you from der it on their lusts, but who will employ it for the much present danger and inconvenience, promole glory of God when we are in the dust. Or, if we your temporal interests, prepare you for the darkest are poor, it will cheer us to reflect, that though we scenes of adversity, comfort you on a dying bed, and cannot leave you the riches of this world, we see finally conduct you to everlasting glory. The want you in possession of the favor of God, and that por- of it will ensure the reverse of all this. Sooner or tion, which after comforting you on earth, will en- later such a destitution will bring misery on earth, rich you through eternity. My dear children, if and be followed with eternal torments in hell. you are anxious to comfort the hearts of your parents, if ye would fulfil our joy; if ye would repayments and possessions without piety? What are all our labor, anxiety, affection; if ye would most effectually discharge all the obligations which you cannot deny you owe us, Fear God, and choose the ways of religion: this, this only, will make us happy. 2. We cherish this solicitude on behalf of the church, and the cause of God.

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What then, my children, are all worldly acquire

the accomplishments of taste, the elegances of wealth, wreaths of fame, but as the fragrant and many-colored garland which adorns the miserable victim about to be sacrificed at the shrine of this world? Original genius, a vigorous understanding, a well stored mind, and all this adorned by the most We are every year conveying to the tombs of amiable temper, and most insinuating address, will their fathers, some valued and valuable members neither comfort under the trials of life, nor save of the Christian church. We are perpetually call- their lovely possessor from the worm that never dies, ed to witness the desolations of the last enemy in and the fire that is never quenched. Oh! no; they the garden of the Lord. How often do we exclaim may qualify for earth, but not for heaven. Alas, over the corpse of some eminent Christian and be- alas! that such estimable qualities should all perish nefactor, Departed saint, how heavy the loss we for want of that piety, which alone can give immorhave sustained by thy removal to a better state!-tality and perfection to the excellences of the huWho now shall fill up thy vacant seat, and bless like man character! thee both the church and the world?" My children, under these bereavements, to whom should we look but to you? To whom should we turn but to the children of the kingdom, for subjects of the kingdom? You are the property of the church. It has a claim upon you. Will ye not own it, and discharge it? Must we see the walls of the spiritual house mouldering away, and you, the rightful materials with which it should be repaired, withheld? We love the church, we long for its prosperity, we pray for its increase, and it cannot but be deeply distressing to us to witness the ravages of death, and, at the same time, to see the want of religion in those young persons, whose parents, during their

Can you wonder then at the solicitude we feel for your personal religion, when such interests are involved in this momentous concern?

CHAPTER II.

ON THE DISPOSITIONS WITH WHICH WE SHOULD ENTER
UPON AN INQUIRY INTO THE NATURE CF RELIGION.

RELIGION is a subject of a spiritual and moral na-
ture, and therefore requires another and a different
frame of mind to that which we carry to a topic,
purely intellectual.

The first disposition essentially necessary, is a ther prepossessions nor prejudices; they present deep seriousness.

Religion is the very last thing in the universe with which we should allow ourselves to trifle. Nothing can be more shocking and incongruous than that flippancy and inconsiderateness, with which some people treat this dread theme. When Uzzah put forth his hand, in haste to support the ark, his life paid the forfeit of his temerity; and if the man, who takes up his Bible to inquire into the meaning of its contents, with a frivolous and volatile temper, do not suffer the same penalty, it is not because the action is less criminal or less dangerous, but because God has now removed the punishment a little farther distant from the sin. I cannot conceive of any thing more likely to provoke God to give a person up to the bewildering influence of his own inherent depravity, and consequently to a confused and erroneous perception of religious truth than this temper. To see a person approaching the oracle of God with the same levity as a votary of fashion and folly enters a place of amusement, is indeed revolting to taste, to say nothing of more sacred feelings. Religion enthroned behind the veil in the temple of truth, and dwelling amidst the brightness which the merely curious eye cannot bear to look upon, refuses to unfold her glories, or discover her secrets, to the volatile mind; and delivers to every one who draws near to her abode, the admonition of Jehovah to Moses, "Put off thy shoes, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."

their unfurnished minds to their teachers to receive, with implicit confidence, all that they are taught. Docility is essential to improvement in every thing; for if a child go to school puffed up with high notions of his own attainments, imagining that he knows as much as his master can teach him, and with a disposition to cavil at every thing that is communicated; in this case, improvement is out of the question; the avenues of knowledge are closed. In nothing is docility more necessary than in religion, where the subject is altogether beyond the cognizance of the senses, and the discoveries of reason. Christianity is purely and exclusively matter of revelation. Of course, all our knowledge on this topic must be derived from the Bible; to the right understanding of which, we must carry the same consciousness of our ignorance, the same destitution of prejudice and prepossession, the same implicit submission of the understanding, as the child on his first going to school does to his instructer. We must go to the word of God with these convictions in our mind, "This is the master, from whom I, who know nothing, am most implicitly to receive all things. My teacher is infallible and I am not to cavil at his instructions, however in some things they may transcend my ability to comprehend them."

Yes, the Bible, the Bible alone, is the infallible teacher in religious matters, from whose authority there does and can lie no appeal; before whose solemn dicta reason must bow in humble silence, to learn and to obey. This is docility, by which I mean, not a supple disposition to believe what others believe, or to adopt the creed which they would impose upon us; no, this is surrendering our understanding to be enslaved by human authority: but teachableness, means going direct to the master, with this determination, whatever he teaches I will believe, be it so sublime, so humiliating, so novel, and, to my present limited capacities, so incomprehensible as it may.

The subjects treated of by religion, are of the most awfully important nature. Every thing about it is serious. The eternal God, in every view of his nature and operations-the Lord Jesus Christ in his sufferings and death-the soul of man, in its ruin and salvation-the solemnities of judgment-the mysteries of eternity-the felicities of heaven-the torments of hell, are all involved in the mighty comprehension of religion. Should such themes be ever touched with irreverence? My dear children, I warn you against the too common practice of reducing to the level of mere intellectual theories, and Are we, then, to exclude reason from the busiof treating with the same indifference as the sys-ness of religion? By no means. It would be as abtems of philosophy, that sacred volume, which, to surd to attempt it, as it would be impossible to acuse the words of Locke, "has God for its author, complish it. The whole affair of piety is a process salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of reason: but then it is reason submitting itself to of error, for its contents." Do not forget, then, that the guidance of revelation. Reason bears the same the very first requisite, not only in religion itself, relation to religion, and performs the same office, but also in that frame of mind, which enables us to as it does in the system of jurisprudence: it exaunderstand its nature, is seriousness. mines the evidence, by which a law is proved to be an enactment of the legislature; interprets according to the known use of terms and phrases, its right Eternal consequences hang upon this question.-meaning, and then submits to its authority. Thus As we mistake it, or understand it, we shall travel in matters of religion, its province is to examine the onward to heaven or hell. An inquiry of such im- evidences by which the Bible is proved to be a reportance should, of course, be urged with the deep-velation from God; having done this, it is to ascerest anxiety. It might be rationally expected, that events so awfully tremendous as death and judgment; a subjecí so deeply interesting as whether we shall spend eternal ages, in torments or in bliss, could in no possible case, and in no constitution of mind whatever, fail of exciting the most serious apprehension and concern. And yet there are multitudes, who have talked a thousand times about religion, but yet have never had in all their lives one hour's real solicitude to know whether their views of its nature are correct. Is it to be wondered then, that so many remain in ignorance, or plunge into error?

2. A great solicitude to be guided aright, is the next disposition, and nearly allied to the former.

tain, according.to the fixed use of language, its true meaning; and then to submit to its authority, by believing whatever it reveals, and obeying whatever it enjoins. This is what we mean by prostrating our reason before the tribunal of revelation, than which surely nothing can more accord with the design of the Bible, or the ignorance of the human mind.

But, suppose reason should meet with palpable contradictions in the word of God, is she to believe them? This is putting a case which cannot happen, since it is supposing that God will give his sanction to a lie. There can be no contradictions in the word of God; the thing is impossible. But still it will be replied, Is not one kind of evidence for Our Lord laid great emphasis on this, when he the divine authority of revelation, derived from its said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little contents? and if so, may not reason make the nachildren, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of ture of a doctrine a test of its truth? At best this is heaven." Children, when they first go to school, but a secondary species of evidence, and cannot ophave a sense of their own ignorance; they have nei-pose the primary kind of proof. If it cannot be

3. Docility, or a teachable disposition, is of great consequence.

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