who labors on the Sabbath, the same as on other days. The testimony of Sir Mathew Hale, an eminent English judge, is often quoted in proof of this. He said, that the more faithfully he applied himself to the duties of the Lord's day, the more happy and successful was his business during the week. A day of rest from earthly labor and worldly care affords good opportunity to look after those spiritual interests which the hurry and bustle of work-day life are so apt to shut out from the mind. The quietness of such a day is particularly favorable to the use of those means for the cultivation of piety which have before been mentioned. It permits us undisturbed to study God's Holy Word, to commune with Him in secret, and to examine our own conduct and feelings. We may also attend upon public worship, and blend our prayers with others of the great family of God, with united voices sing His praise, and listen to instruction from His word. It is animating and pleasant too, amid the stillness of a calm, bright Sabbath morning, To walk together to the kirk, And all together pray. While each to his great Father bends, Old men, and babes, and loving friends, Testimony of Sir Mathew Hale? For what does a day of rest from worldly care afford opportunity? To what is its quietness particularly favorable? What does it permit? What other privilege does it afford? What is animating and pleasant of a bright Sabbath morning? The leisure of the Sabbath affords an opportunity for studying the works of nature, in which God so fully reveals Himself to us. may There we "Find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything." We may not inappropriately devote some of its hours to visiting the sick; to comforting the poor and suffering; to instructing the ignorant; and to elevating and reforming the degraded and the wicked. Those who disregard the Sabbath, and suffer the cares of the world to occupy their unbroken attention, from week to week, or who spend the day in vain amusements with parties of mere pleasure, can pay very little regard to the interests of their spiritual and better nature, and will be very liable to be led into corrupting vices, if not into crime. new Only a small number of our duties to God is here given. They are like His mercies, every morning and fresh every evening." Our whole life should be one of duty to Godshould be spent in conformity to His will. And this is no hardship; for duties, rightly viewed, are our truest pleasures, and the performance of For what does the leisure of the Sabbath afford opportunity? What may we find in nature? To what else may we devote some part of the Sabbath? What class of persons can pay very little regard to their best interests? Are all our duties to God here given? What should our whole life be? Why is this no hardship? them secures peace to ourselves, peace with all the world, and blessedness forever in Heaven. Children should never think they are too young to do right; and this is doing God's will -doing their duty to Him. They can do their duty can obey God-much more easily when they are young than afterwards. Therefore, the question with every child, in regard to everything, should be, Is it right? The subject of duties to God is not further pursued here, because the preaching of the Sabbath, and the teachings of the Sabbath-school, are particularly designed to give instructions in regard to them. PART SECOND. DUTIES TO OURSELVES. NEXT in importance to our duties to God, are those which we owe to ourselves. Though very much affected by the influences around us, our character is, in a great degree, what we individually make it. By an early and determined effort at self-discipline, we may become Are children able to do their duty? What should be their question in regard to everything? Why is not the subject of duties to God further pursued here? What is the subject of Part Second? How do these duties rank? Why have they a high rank? How may we become almost any. thing we please? almost anything we please. Children are able to comprehend and to practise their duties to themselves; and the sooner they begin to do so, the easier is the task, and the better are their prospects for attaining eminence in everything good or great. They should readily obey the instructions of parents and teachers in regard to these duties. If they suffer themselves to follow the wrong impulses of their own inclinations, they will form habits which will cause them much suffering in after life, and that can be overcome only by many a severe and difficult' struggle. CHAPTER I. CARE OF THE BODY. ONE of the first duties we owe to ourselves is to keep our bodies in perfect health. If they are suffering from disorder, our minds suffer with them, and we are able to make very little progress in knowledge or in goodness, and are unfitted for discharging our duties to others. There are certain laws of health which deserve particular attention. 1. A constant supply of pure, fresh air is in What is said of children's practising their duties? To whom should they look for instruction in them? What if they follow the wrong impulses of their own inclinations? Subject of Chapter I.? One of the first duties we owe ourselves? What if they suffer from disorder? First law of health? dispensable to health. To secure this, nothing impure should be suffered to remain either within or about our dwellings, and every occupied apartment, particularly sleeping rooms, should be thoroughly ventilated each day. Scholars should coöperate with their teachers in having their schoolrooms well aired several times a day. They must not peevishly complain of the cold when the doors and windows are opened to admit a change of air. Their bodies will feel all the better for it, and when they return to their studies, their minds will act with greater energy, and they will be surprised at the increased ease with which they are able to learn and understand their lessons. 2. Perfect cleanliness is essential to the same object. The whole surface of the body should be often bathed or washed. The poorest child can do this daily, simply by the aid of a dish of water and a sponge. Besides its importance to health, there is a charm in cleanliness, of which nothing else can supply the place. We like to look at one whose fresh and glowing skin gives evidence of a plentiful use of pure water. If the skin is kept clean, the teeth thoroughly brushed, the hair neatly combed, and the finger-nails well attended to, we feel a complacency in the person, What necessary to secure this? Duty of scholars in regard to this law? What will be the effect of admitting fresh air into the schoolroom? Second law of health? Is it enough to wash the hands and face? What inducement to cleanliness besides health? What renders the person of another agreeable, though the dress be coarse or mean? |