afford no pleasure to think, that "the God in whose hand our life is" we have offended, by profaning His holy name. This reflection canhot but fill the soul with a sense of guilt, and fear, and dread.

The grossness of this offence may in some measure be illustrated, by supposing the name of a departed friend, a dear parent, perhaps, whose image never occurs without awakening the deepest and most tender emotions of gratitude and love, -bandied about with unfeeling familiarity and indecent levity, or thrust into every pause of speech as a vulgar by-word.

The prohibition not to "take the name of the Lord in vain," is not confined merely to the names of God, but it extends to everything associated with the idea of Him. Jesus Christ says: "Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King." The spirit of this includes all quoting from Scripture in trifling conversation, or by way of merriment; all mockery or ridicule of sacred things, or even speaking of the operations of nature in a light manner. Such expressions as these, "It wants to rain to-day," "It will stop snowing when it gets ready, "and so forth, had better be avoided.

With what will the remembrance fill the mind? How may the grossness of the offence be illustrated? Is the command not to take God's name in vain limited to the names of God? To what does it extend? What does Christ say upon the subject? What does the spirit of this include? What expressions had better be avoided?

The habit of using by-words is somewhat akin to swearing, and very naturally leads to it. It is not only very foolish, coarse and vulgar, but it is sinful, as coming into the class of "idle words," of which Christ says "men shall give account in the judgment."

He that relates the wicked jests of another with delight, adopts them as his own, and is little better than if he were the author of them.

-"Pick out of mirth, like stones out of thy ground,

Profaneness, filthiness, abusiveness.

These are the scum with which coarse wits abound."

Profaneness is a sure mark of an irreligious mind, for no one intent upon doing God's will, and preparing his soul for the society of the good and happy in the next world, can indulge in derision and jests upon God and sacred things. Some writer remarks, "When you hear any one use profane language, you will not wrong him if you conclude that this is only one of a nest of vipers which he carries in his heart; and although this is the only one that now hisses, yet each, in his turn, is master of the poor wretch, who is giving his life-blood to feed them.”

Children ought early to understand the importance of forming good habits in this, as in all respects. When a habit is once formed, it is very hard to overcome it. Some boys, in other

What is akin to swearing? What is said of it? What is said of relating the wicked jests of another? What lines of an old poet are given? Of what is profaneness a mark? Why? What remarks are quoted? What should children early understand? Why?

respects very good, have learned, from the bad example of others, "to take God's name in vain," and though they feel it is wrong, and are ashamed of such a wicked and disgraceful habit, it will often steal upon them unawares. If a boy finds himself in the company of one who uses profane language, he ought to fly from him as he would from one infested with a loathsome and contagious disease; because, by hearing profane words from another, he will, before he is aware, come to use them himself, and when the habit is once formed, it will cleave to him like his skin, in spite of his best resolutions to overcome it. Children may be a great benefit to others, by carefully forming those habits which are good, and discouraging everything which is wrong.

CHAPTER V.

MEANS BY WHICH PIETY MAY BE CULTIVATED.

Piety consists in the exercise of love and reverence towards God, and in obedience to His will. It embraces all the duties which have been spoken of in the preceding chapters, and, in short, all the duties which we owe to God.

Piety may be cultivated by maintaining a

How illustrated? What if a boy finds himself in the company of one who uses profane language? Why? How may children be a great benefit to others? Subject of Chapter V. In what does piety consist? What does it embrace? How may it be cultivated?

spirit of devotion; by prayer; by self-examination; and by the observance of the Sabbath.

1. A devotional spirit consists in making a religious use of everything we see, or know, or feel. When we see the sun rise in the morning, it will lead us to reflect that it is God who gives us its joyous light and pleasant warmth. We shall feel that the pure snow of Winter, with all the beauteous forms which it takes, and all the merry enjoyments that it affords, is brought forth from His treasuries. The fresh greening of Spring, with its opening of buds and flowers, and its unbinding from icy fetters the silvery, purling streams, will tell us God is here, diffusing around us these beauties and charms. If a new infant brother or sister is given to us, we may feel that it is a precious gift, fresh from God's own forming hand; and should death come and take from us a mother or brother, or very dear friend, a spirit of devotion, leading us to see God's hand in all that happens, will cause us to dry our tears for their removal from our present sight, and to follow them in pleasant thought to that happy, heavenly Father's home, whither, if they have earnestly sought to please God, their spirits have gone, and where we, in a little time, may hope to rejoin them, if we strive to live here as God approves. We may learn that our existence, and that of the whole universe, depends upon constant

In what does a devotional spirit consist? How illustrated? What may we learn of our own existence, and that of the universe?

changes, over which we have no control, but which involve the superintending power of God. Each of these changes is adapted to the conditions of the beings and things that it affects, and governed by laws which display almighty power, and infinite wisdom and goodness. Thus everything that we can know teaches a lesson about God; and if we are careful to learn this lesson, everything will show forth to us His attributes, and lead us to cultivate a devout temper of mind. "The heavens will declare unto us the glory of God, and the firmament will show his handiwork; day unto day will utter speech, and night unto night show forth knowledge of Him."

By observing also the events which befall nations and individuals, a devotional spirit may be cultivated. When we think of the recent over-turnings in France, we cannot but adore the wisdom of that Being who raiseth up one and casteth down another, and causes freedom to triumph over oppression. The Bible teaches us that God overrules all things in regard to each person separately, as well as to a large number forming a nation. This is what is. meant by the works of Providence. If an individual is happy, he should trace it to God's

To what are these changes adapted, and by what governed? What does everything teach, and what show forth? What illustration from Scripture! Another way of cultivating a devotional spirit? How illustrated? What does the Bible teach us? What expression is used to denote this?