capable of understanding at a very early period. They can comprehend, as well as the most acute philospher, that God created all things; that he is in every place, though we cannot see him; that he sees all our actions, and knows all our thoughts; and that he will bring every work into judgment.

But the scheme of religious instruction must not rest here. The whole system of evangelical truth is not above the comprehension of children, if it be laid before them in plain language, and in a familiar manner. The vehicle which conveys instruction to their minds in the most pleasing and impressive form, is the History of the Bible. The facts recorded in the Books of the Old and New Testament are so striking, that we often see children extremely desirous of hearing them repeated, when a repetition of mere moral precepts would prove wearisome.

From this history the principal doctrines of Christianity may be collected, as they are therein exemplified. We see, in the conduct of the Almighty towards his creatures, the most affecting instances of his power, his justice, and his mercy. In this history appears the original purity of man, and his apostacy from God. The degenerate state of the human heart is marked throughout the

Bible in the strongest characters: and the necessity of holiness, in order to the enjoyment of God, is clearly displayed. The method whereby alone we can obtain pardon of sin, and be restored to the divine favour, is illustrated by the whole series of the Jewish economy, and the repeated details of our Saviour's sufferings. A parent, who is able to make a plain and judicious comment on these recorded facts, enjoys the surest means (through divine grace) of impressing evangelical truths upon the minds of his children.

A spiritual exposition of the moral law should always accompany the history of redemption, as an enlightened conscience must lead us to sincere self-condemnation, before the offers of mercy made in the gospel can be truly valued and accepted.

The doctrines of Christianity, being all of a practical nature, requiring of us corresponding affections and conduct, the practical application should always attend the system of religion.

It is a prudent measure in parents to keep out of sight the various controversies which have unhappily taken place among the sincere disciples of Christ. The conduct of the great Creator and Governor of the world towards his creatures, though founded on per

fect righteousness, is in many respects to us inscrutable. Yet through this cloud the goodness and grace of the Almighty shine forth with such bright beams, as are sufficient to enlighten the understanding, and warm the heart, of every true believer.

Children should be taught to hear and read the word of God with the most profound reverence; and to be content with such knowledge as removes all doubt with respect to their own duty.

As God has been pleased to manifest himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, the history of the Redeemer should be inculcated upon the minds of children in the most forcible manner. The discourses, the actions, and sufferings of Christ, should be impressed by a frequent and minute detail; nor should his present intercession for us ever be forgotten.

I have already observed, that religious instruction ought to make a part of the familiar conversation of a christian parent; yet the appropriation of certain seasons for this important work remains indispensably necessary. Among other invaluable benefits which the institution of the Sabbath offers, that of affording the most suitable opportunity for private instruction is not the least. When we are detached in this sacred season, from worldly

considerations and employments, the minds of parents and children are then in the best state of preparation for giving and receiving the knowledge of those things that appertain to our salvation.

But at whatever time, and in whatever manner, religious instruction is given, the greatest care should be taken to impress such sentiments on the minds of children as are in exact conformity to the word of God. We are more apt to form such ideas of the Supreme Being as are dictated by self-love, than implicitly to receive the declarations of the Bible respecting the character of God. In this sacred book we have a history of the conduct of the Almighty towards his creatures, under a variety of circumstances, and from these historical facts, as well as from express declarations, our notions of the divine character should originate. It is of the utmost consequence that children should be taught to draw their ideas of God from the declarations and historical facts of the Bible; for, without this foundation laid in the mind, their whole system of religion must be erroneous.

With the scriptural character of God are intimately connected the purity of the divine law, the method of salvation by a Mediator, and the necessity of personal holiness. The

instructions which are given to children should always keep those fundamental truths in view for without a deep sense of these things, our knowledge must be superficial, and our service formal.

Children should be taught, as soon as they become capable of reflection, to attend to the workings of their own minds: that they may discover the deceitfulness of their hearts, and become thoroughly acquainted with their inbred corruption. Christ is precious to those only who know their own vileness; and the influences of the Holy Spirit will be earnestly sought by those alone, who are deeply conscious of their own depravity, and moral inability.

Christian education will still be imperfect, unless to pious instruction there be added the pious EXAMPLE of the parent. Children are acute in discovering any deviation from those precepts which are enforced upon them. They keep a watchful eye upon the conduct of their parents; and are glad to discover any thing that can prove an argument in favour of relaxation in their own obedience. On the contrary, a constant visible regard in the parent to the commands of God, which he is daily enforcing, tends to make the most powerful impression on the minds of his children, and