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giving line upon line, and precept upon precept; here a little and there a little," for training up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In childhood, the mind is flexible, and easily susceptible of any impression which parents and teachers may impart, and may be rendered submissive to any mode of discipline which they are desirous to recommend. Now, therefore is the time to form the character for future life; now is the time for communicating such information as may be necessary to qualify them for acting their part as men and Christians. -Besides, in a few years those little ones, who are now under the charge of their parents, must enter into the world, and provide for their own subsistence; when they shall no longer have such an opportunity of devoting their time, to improve themselves in useful and religious knowledge. Now therefore is the time for acquiring the ele ments of education, which may enable them to hold a respectable rank in society.

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It is a wise provision made by the legislature of this country, that by means of public institutions for the instruction of youth, the poorer classes of society may their families taught, at a small expense, the most im portant branches of knowledge, which may be subservient both to life and to godliness. And it is the duty of every parent to avail himself of the facilities hereby afforded, for obtaining for his children such a competent share of education, as may be serviceable in future life.-It is no less incumbent on them to impart religious information to their rising offspring; that they may acquire betimes the knowledge of those truths which are able to make them wise unto salvation. Accordingly it is here recommended in the text, to train up a child in the way he should and when he is old he will not depart from it. As the education of children, both by parents and teachers, is a subject well deserving our most serious attention; it may perhaps tend to our edification, if we consider in the remainder of this discourse,

I. The nature of that education, which every should receive from religious parents.

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II. The proper method of conducting it to beneficial purposes.

III. The great advantages resulting from a good education.

IV. The motives which should induce parents and teachers to assiduity, in discharging this important duty. And then, apply the subject to practice.

I. The nature of education is often misunderstood, as it is conceived to be nothing more, than affording them a few years attendance at a place of literary instruction. And when parents have entrusted their children to the charge of one, who is capable of teaching them the ordinary system of education; they frequently absolve themselves from all further concern for their increase in knowledge and growth in grace. It is no doubt the duty of public instructors to convey, from time to time, such lessons of religion and morals, as are expedient for training the minds of youth to habits of serious reflection. Bus as their province is more especially confined to scholastic discipline; it becomes the peculiar duty of parents to train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.-This includes many particulars, which we shall now consider more fully in detail. After they have initiated them by baptism, as members of the Christian church, they should regard the salvation of their souls as the one thing needful; and employ all the usual means which may be effectual for promoting their edification. For this purpose, as soon as children are capable of knowing good and evil; parents should instantly begin to inform them of the great truths of religion, in a plain and familiar manner, as they are able to bear them. The youthful mind is sooner capable of understanding subjects which may be deemed abstract, and above the level of its capacities, than most people are aware of. Very soon does the power of reflection discover itself, and draw inferences from the facts which are presented to its observation. Whenever, therefore, the first dawn of reason appears; let parents instruct their children concerning their Creator, and the relation in which they stand to him as

his creatures, Let them be informed, that this world and all the creatures that are therein, are the workmanship of his hands; let them be taught, that he rules over the system of nature by his universal providence; that he gives us all things we enjoy; preserves us in life, or can remove us by death, according to the good pleasure of his will. Let them be persuaded, that as they thus depend upon God for life, and breath, and all things; it is reasonable to acknowledge him in all their ways, that he may direct their steps. Let them be instructed, that God looketh down from heaven, and beholds the ways of the children of men; is well pleased with them, when they walk uprightly, but that "his face is set against those who do evil;" that therefore if they would secure his favour, they must live in his fear and keep his com mandments. Let them be reminded, that there is another state of happiness and misery to which the souls of men are consigned after their dissolution from the body, according as their actions in this life have been virtuous or vicious; and, that as none of us know how soon we may be called to give an account of our conduct, it is therefore necessary to spend every day in such a manner as we would wish, if we knew that this night our souls would be required of us.-Let them also be informed of the degeneracy of human nature, which appears in these violent tempers and impetuous passions that swell their breasts, and lead them to the commission of many acts of wickedness.-Let them be acquainted with the provi sion made in the gospel, for saving them from the consequences of sin, by the mediation of Christ, if they will believe in his name and obey the gospel. Let them be taught, that the great design of Christianity is to encou rage men to return to their duty, when they have deviated from it, by proclaiming a pardon to every penitent transgressor, if he endeavours to walk in newness of life. -Let them be persuaded, that to fear God and keep his commandments, is the whole duty and interest of man; and that they should know betimes the Lord God of their fathers, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind; "for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and under

standeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; if they seek him, he will be found of them; but if they forsake him, he will cast them off for ever."

As they must soon be sent into the world to act their part in society; it is necessary to teach them the several duties which they must hereafter practise in their intercourse with their fellow-creatures, Since they are at present under your own superintendence, and are daily engaged in the society of their equals; now is the time. to habituate them to such tempers as will be found conducive to their own satisfaction, and that of those with whom they are connected.-For this purpose, let parents maintain that authority over their children, which is requisite to ensure a ready and willing obedience. Never let them dispute your commands; but shew them that your will is preferable to theirs; that you know what is conducive to their advantage, and that you never order any thing but what is intended to promote it. When they are thus persuaded, that you are better able to judge than themselves respecting the propriety of their behaviour; they will implicitly obey, and submit with filial affection. But if they should be suffered to call in question your authority, and refuse subjection to your injunctions; they will acquire a habit of disobedience, which will be vexatious to yourselves, and the bane of their prosperity in future life. Let their subordination, then, be established at home; and, when they enter into the world, they will render that submission and respect which are required in the stations which they may hereafter occupy.Teach them also to entertain kindness and good will to those of their associates, with whom they have daily intercourse. Our nature prompts us to social intimacy, and we feel ourselves happy in the company of our equals. But rivalship of interests, and opposition of sentiments soon inspire us with hostile dispositions to those with whom we have formed the strictest friendship. Such ungenerous feelings should be discouraged in the breasts of children; they should be taught " to love one another with pure hearts fervently;" to cherish the benevolent affections to their little partners, and dwell toge

ther like brethren in unity. Such a habit of friendly regard will continue to influence their conduct, when they afterwards join the society of their equals in maturer years.But, there is a caution necessary to be observed, respect ing the companions of children; that they be free from any vicious habits; amiable in their tempers, and irreproachable in their manners. No parent would wish his son to associate with others, who would lead him astray from the path of rectitude. Let therefore the virtuous youth be taught to abhor the vices of the profligate; let him be instructed to avoid intimacy with such dangerous associates, and frequent only the company of the welldisposed.

In all their intercourse with yourselves and others, ac custom your children to sincerity and truth in their de clarations. Let no desire to conceal their faults, and to escape punishment ever be allowed so far to prevail, as to superinduce a tendency to prevarication; but let a lie be odious in their estimation; let them be taught, that if they are known to be capable of falsehood, no one will believe them, even in their most serious assertions; and that they will be held in universal detestation. Let them be informed, how much every one will value them, when they can depend upon their veracity; and that by adher ing to truth, they will grow in favour with God and man. -It cannot be too soon recommended to them, to le just and honest in all their transactions; to take no undue advantage of the simplicity or ignorance of others; but to deal fairly and honourably with their fellows; and endeavour to act by this equitable rule whatsoever they would, that others should do unto them; let them do so to others; "for this is the law and the prophets." In like manner, let them be accustomed to feel pity for distress wherever it appears; not to indulge a spirit of inhumanity in treating any person with contempt; nor any thing with cruelty for the gratification of their humours. -Of equal importance, and no less amiable, is modesty, which should be inculcated on youth from their most tender years. Let them therefore be persuaded, that it is most unbecoming in the young to boast of their merits,