Young men were taught the most ted, but even enjoined, as a fit and submissive obedience to their supe- profitable diversion, Lycurgus orriors. They were required to culti- dered the erection of a statue of the vate quickness in conversation, the god of laughter in the banquetinghabit of enduring hardship, skill in hall. The different classes of youth address, and the art of concealment. were present at these repasts, withThey were even directed to commit out partaking of them; the youngest acts of theft, and if successfully prac- to carry off adroitly something from tised, without detection, they were the tables which they might share highly lauded; otherwise they suf- with their companions, and the fered punishment and disgrace. others to receive lessons of wisdom They were also instructed to express and pleasantry. The law compelled themselves with purity, to perform the other citizens, but especially in the chorusses of dancing and young men, to pay all the regard to music, and to celebrate in verse the the old which they expected or heroes who had died for their coun- wished to be paid them in their detry. The ephori examined the edu- cline. They were to give way to cation and conduct of the pupils the aged man wherever they met every day; and were peculiarly him, to rise whenever he entered careful to ascertain if they were dis- any apartment where they might posed to corpulency, which was happen to be assembled, and to obgreatly abhorred in Sparta. The magistrates sometimes threatened to cite their citizens before the tribunal of the nation, and even to banish them for excessive corpulence; it being deemed a proof of luxurious indolence.

serve silence while he spoke. Their ideas of honour were excessive, and superseded even maternal affection. A son had saved himself in battle by flight, and his mother thus wrote Disgraceful reports are circulated concerning you; refute them, or cease to live."

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At the age when the passions begin to expand, Lycurgus required Among the Athenians, children the guides of youth to exact from were not separated from their pathem modesty, submission, and tem- rents, as in Sparta and other counperance; and stationed a body of tries, to be educated by the state, spies and rivals round them to watch at a public institution: yet their their actions. This was a severe early discipline was deemed of the restriction, and if it could not im- utmost importance. The progress plant virtue, it tended at least to of society tended to the improverepress vice. The Lacedemonians ment of the social affections, and to had various kinds of public repasts, the relaxation of those unceremoin which kings, magistrates, and nious laws which aimed to make private citizens assembled promis- heroes rather than enlightened men. cuously. The conversation fre- Children, therefore, experienced quently turned on morals and great more of the care of their parents, examples of virtue. The old spoke and they were formed for acting a with ardour and precision of noble becoming part in social life. Knowactions, and were always heard with ledge, consequently, took a wider profound respect. Gaity was allow-range, and arts and literature were ed, but accompanied by decorum; cultivated with more assiduity than and as an indication that the sallies military science. Families necesof pleasantry were not only permit- sarily differed in their methods of

instruction, where a national stand-attend, and to be always present at ard was not reared, and the disposi- his performance of any kind, either tions, tempers, habits, and circum- in judicial matters, or in the ordinary stances of parents regulated the cul- assemblies of the people. So that tivation of the youthful mind. The by this means he learned to engage same observations will apply to the Romans and other nations; the methods of education varying according to the character of the people and the government; but in all we find great care bestowed upon the rising generation, with a view either to personal aggrandizement by the public laws, as in the Spartan and distinction, or to promote the renown of their country.

for the laurels and in the contentions of the bar, and to approve himself a man at arms in the wars of the pleaders." It is remarked by Kennett, that "although the care and instruction of youth among the old Romans had been provided for

state, yet the voluntary diligence of parents would have made all such regulations surperfluous."

As during the period of the Roman glory the training up of youth It was by the conquest of Greece, was regarded as a sacred duty, and that the Romans imbibed a taste for contributed essentially to the ad- their learning, and were led to emuvancement of the commonwealth, late their eloquence. It soon beso the subsequent negligence that came the fashion for every Roman prevailed on this point hastened its citizen who expected advancement decay. At the age of six or seven in public life, to complete his studies years the children were committed in the schools of philosophy and to the literatores to learn to read rhetoric in some of the cities of and write; whence they were trans- Greece, till Rome rivalled Athens ferred to the grammar-schools, or in the different departments of litemore frequently to the instruction rature. As all the offices of the of some eminent grammarian, who republic were elective, and as every was supported for the purpose in affair, after having been debated in the house of a distinguished man. the senate, was proposed to the peoMost persons of note kept a profes-ple for their decision, eloquence in sor of oratory or wisdom. As the speaking was essential to the young greatest honour and preferment men who were desirous of distincwere to be expected from success in tion, and they were consequently the former, education was wholly instructed with care in the art of conducted with a reference to the exciting the passions by bold and anticipated exhibitions there. At vigourous appeals. It was thus that, the age of seventeen the young man when the flowers of Grecian rhetoric took the toga virilis, and was intro- had been grafted on the manly duced to his public career. "Among energy of Roman eloquence, oratory our ancestors," says Quinctilian, was advanced to its highest pitch in "the youth who was designed for the speeches of Cicero, Cæsar, the forum and the practice of elo- Mark Anthony, and other illustrious quence, being now furnished with men. Eloquence and military tathe liberal arts, and the advantages of lents, being the high-roads to wealth a domestic institution, was brought and honour, both among the Greeks by his father or near relations, to and Romans, the reason of their the most celebrated orator in the cultivation is sufficiently apparent, city. Him he used constantly to and the popular form of their go

vernments encouraged this employment of talent. Still it must not be forgotten that the great mass of the people were in a state of unlettered ignorance, as must of necessity have been the case before the invention of printing. This ignorance was favourable to the popularity of individuals of rank, wealth, or genius; and was both more easily acquired and more splendid, though more readily lost through the caprices of an untaught multitude, than in modern and more generally enlightened times.

WHAT SHALL I THINK ABOUT?

what is it to be received to the arms of my best-beloved, Christ! what enjoyment have those souls that walk all the day in the light of his countenance, and sleep all the night of affliction upon the lap of his love!

3. When you are putting on your apparel, think: How came I to the necessity of covering my nakedness? By Adam's fall sin ushered in shame; shall I, then, glory in my shame, or be proud for that of which I should be humbled? O rather let me be truly sensible of my spiritual nakedness, and look after the robes of Christ's righteousness to cover my soul's deformity, that the shame thereof may not appear.

THE mind is ever active: the 4. When you see the morning thoughts must be occupied either sky or rising sun then think: Truly with good or evil. "How long light is sweet, and it is a pleasant shall vain thoughts lodge within thing for the eyes to behold this sun. thee?" To prevent the recurrence Blessed be God who has set up this of "vain thoughts," and to furnish candle, by which poor mortals may the mind with materials for good see to walk or work: what a dark and profitable thinking, the follow-dungeon and confused chaos would ing subjects of meditation are ex- this world be without it! But, oh, tracted from the treatise entitled the blessed mercy we have in the "Heart Treasure." glorious Gospel, without which we should be in the darkness of ignorance, and go into utter darkness. 5. When you pray in your

chamb

1. When you wake in the morning, think thus: The great Jehovah can and will as easily raise our mortal bodies at the general resurrec-ers, think: Now my father in heaven tion, as my frail body now. This sees me in secret; darkness or closesleep is the image of death. Death ness hides not from him; my God is but a sleep; the grave my bed; sees the movements of my body, and the resurrection the morning. 10 the imagination of my heart. O for that when I wake I may be still an upright frame of spirit! O that my with God; and then at my last heart were now seasoned for God awaking I "shall be satisfied with all this day! The Searcher of hearts his likeness," and the upright shall will have his eye upon me whitherhave dominion in that blessed morn-soever I go. Ŏ that I could set the ing. Lord in my sight in all places, com2. When you have had a good panies, and occasions! night, think: Blessed be the keeper 6. When your families are toof "Israel, that neither slumbers gether, think: How sadly and nor sleeps;" the "Lord only makes suddenly might a breach have been me dwell in safety;" even 'thus made! Oh, that God should make he gives his beloved sleep ;" and if this image of death a means of life! natural sleep be so refreshing, oh, We are alive, that is rich mercy;

we are in health, that is more; we What a vast world is this! and yet, are called together, so will God what is this to the heavens? and gather his saints together. How what are both earth and heaven many of this family shall be of this number? Lord, grant that none under my charge may be an Ishmael an Esau. O that we may all

or

meet in heaven!

to the immense and infinite God? What multitudes of people are there in this city! but oh, what an assembly shall meet at the great day! O, my soul, art thou not too like yon7. When you are to read the der hard rock, or fruitless tree, or word, or go to prayer in your fami- barren mountain? Look about thee, lies, think: O what mercy it is that make something of these objects. I may read this blessed book! Lord, 11. When you are discoursing open mine eyes, that I may under- with others, think: Of every idle stand the wonders of thy word. word I must give an account, and What an infinite, glorious, gracious in a multitude of words there wantGod is this, to whom I am to pray! eth not sin. O, my soul, think O for a suitable frame! Oh, the twice, before thou speak once, Will mercy of a throne of grace, of a this be to the glory of God and blessed Advocate ! Who knows but the edification of others? Let no some may be touched now, if I pray corrupt communication proceed aright! from thee; say what thou wouldst 8. When you go out of your say if Jesus Christ stood by thee houses to work or travel, think: in his human nature; speak here the world is full of snares and temp- as thou must speak in heaven, or tations, and my heart is full of sin wouldst be found speaking at death. and treachery. Little, ah! little 13. When you are alone, O think; do I know what corruptions may I am now in the presence of the break out or afflictions break in upon omnipresent God: these are preme before my return; the least oc- cious hours that go over my head. casion of sin may seduce me, the Why should I squander away my least accident may overthrow me. time and thoughts about trifles? O, The Lord bless and preserve my my soul, thou hast a noble faculty going out and my coming in, from of reflection! find work at home, this time forth and for evermore. busy thyself about thy soul, thou 9. When you are travelling by mayest find work enough. O that the way, think: My life is a journey; I might be never less alone than I am in constant motion towards when alone. When thou hast no eternity. Every action is another creature to converse with, my soul, step; heaven is my home. I can- converse with God. not get thither without diligent exertion; Lord, let me not miss my way, or miscarry in the end; take me by the hand, support me by thy Spirit, keep me from fainting, give me some good provision by the way, and bring me to the end of my faith at last, even the salvation of my soul. 10. When you see various objects before your eyes, deduce some holy matter therefrom, as thus:

13. When you eat, think: Oh, how beneficial are the creatures to us living, and how serviceable, being dead; they accomplish the end of their creation and appointment. O, my soul, sit thou as queen-regent over thy sensual appetite! take heed of excess, put a knife to the throat of intemperate desires, be not brutish by a sinful abuse, be saint-like by a sanctified use of creatures;

look up to God for a blessing, else these dead things cannot preserve life.

14. When you rise up well refreshed, think: If the creatures be so nourishing and supporting, what is the creator? Oh, the sweetness of the blessed feast of fat things in the Gospel! oh, the delicacy of the wine in my father's kingdom! why should I abuse the gifts, forget the Donor, eat and drink, and rise up to play? Many better than I want these refreshments. O for a thankful heart! What a bountiful master do I serve! what a great housekeeper is the Lord, who provides for so great a family in heaven and earth!

Resolved-"That the missionary be requested to draw up a letter, to be forwarded, by this committee, to the secretaries of the Colonial Missionary Society, detailing the nature, extent, and results of his labours; and affording such information relative to the circumstances, and wants of the colony, as his observation and experience shall enable him to supply.'

This object perhaps cannot be better secured than by giving a short account of my colonial history.

I arrived in this colony about ten months ago, and was received with every expression of Christain kindness. Those concerned in sending for me have, since my arrival, paid 15. When you go to public or- incessant attention to my welfare, dinances, think: Oh, how glad am and evinced the greatest solicitude I when people say, Come, let us go for my success. The Rev. Mr. up to the house of the Lord! What Miller has kindly consented to an a mercy is the Sabbath, this sweet occasional interchange of services day of rest! What a blessed thing with me. This of course breaks the to have the benefit of these public ordinary routine of labour, and is in places and solemn assemblies! It other respects beneficial. So far as is a comely sight to see people flock kindness, sympathy, and good will to ordinances, as doves to their win- are concerned, both from ministers dows. Lord, grant that some soul and people, I have nothing to wish. I feel impelled to say this from a sentiment of gratitude; to encourage others; and to remove misconception from the minds of some of my friends, who may possibly read this communication.

may

be caught this day in the net of the Gospel. O for a prepared and profiting heart; this may be the last day of grace. O. H.

COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

For nine months I have been en

Report of the Rev. Joseph Beasley, Mis-gaged in preaching in the interior, sionary in Van Diemen's Land, describing at a great number of places. I have his itinerant labours in that island, and the uniformly met with a cordial recepspiritual destitution of its scattered population, and a most attentive hearing. I have now a kind of circuit, of To the Secretaries of the Colonial Mission- about fifty or sixty miles, including ary Society.

tion.

fourteen places, in each of which I GENTLEMEN, usually preach once a fortnight. ON the ninth of this month a The congregations, at different resolution was passed by the committee of the Van Diemen's Land Home Missionary Society, of which the following is a copy:

neighbourboods vary from fifteen to sixty or seventy people; and are continually increasing. The larger proportion of these are convicts, or