and wish to be thought superior to others; that those with whom they compare themselves have perhaps more worth and less pride; and that whoever is ostentatious, generally meets with a cool reception, and many mortifications from the world; that their talents will soon be appreciated when they come to be known; and that their characters will be more esteemed, the less careful they are to expose themselves to observation.

Another good quality which should be recommended to youth, is diligence. Let them be excited to assiduous application in the pursuit of those studies which they have undertaken, as the only means of acquiring a competent acquaintance with them; and they will perceive that thereby they will overcome all the difficulties which obstruct their progress. One who has learned the art of diligence, will not fail to attain distinction in any profession however arduous; whereas he who in youth has spent his time in habits of indolence, can never be brought to prosecute any undertaking, with that steadiness which is requisite to ensure success. If then you would have your offspring respectable in their future stations, accustom them to diligence; which will have a powerful influence in promoting their prosperity.As a constant safe-guard to innocence, and an unblemished reputation, which are the greatest blessings of human life; let children be taught to fear the reproaches of their conscience, and the disgrace attached to vicious conduct. So long as they stand in awe of that inward monitor which warns them what to do and what to avoid, they will not deviate far from the path of rectitude; and so long as they are desirous to secure the good opinion of mankind, they will maintain some degree of consistency of conduct. Let parents therefore teach children to reverence themselves; to dread the disapprobation of the virtuous; and above all to fear that God, who cannot look upon sin but with detestation, and can cast them both soul and body into hell-fire.

Since children in general are impetuous in their pas sions, and ungovernable in their appetites; they must be urged to restrain these within the bounds of moderation. They must be taught to curb their desires of objects

beyond their reach, and which have perhaps no value but what is derived from the illusions of the fancy. They should learn that many things in the world are the superfluities of fortune, which do not render their possessor at all happier than he who wants them; and that Provi dence having denied us certain luxuries of life, designed that "in whatever state we are, we should therewith be content."-As they will be constantly meeting with provocations from others, which stir up the irritable feelings, they should be persuaded to restrain the passion of anger; which will perpetually interrupt the peace of their own minds, and produce violent enmities with those around them. They should be convinced from experience, how much more prudent it is to overlook the indiscretions of others as unworthy of notice, than suffer them to inflame us to a pitch of fury which deprives us of self-command; and from these considerations, let them forsake wrath, and fret not themselves in any wise to do evil.

As they will be apt to indulge sanguine expectations from the world, they should be warned that our hopes are often disappointed, and therefore they should not place their happiness in the prospect of what may never fall to their lot; and as they may fear impending disasters, their minds should be fortified against every casualty, by teaching them, that every event is directed by the superintendence of the Almighty, "who maketh all things to work together for good" to those who love and obey him. In short every passion which begins to exert itself in their youthful minds should be timely checked, by the discipline of reason, and by a constant representation of such considerations, as have a tendency to allay, and keep them within proper bounds. Thus, by such discipline as has now been recommended, may children be trained up in the way in which they should go. In order, therefore, that education may have its due effect on their minds, let us consider,

II. The proper manner of conducting it to beneficial

purposes.

This includes many particulars, which should be all ob

served by parents if they would have their children walk in the truth. The first means to be employed in bringing up your families in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, is to set apart certain seasons as opportunity occurs, at least a certain portion of the sabbath, for instilling into their minds the principles of religion and virtue.-Private Christians may be assisted in performing this part of duty to their children, by many of those catechetical treatises, which they have in their possession. These contain the most important truths, which are necessary to be known and believed in order to salvation. But they require some elucidation, before they can be rendered intelligible to the minds of children. Let parents and teachers, therefore, endeavour to give such a familiar explanation of the doctrines and duties therein contained, as may be easily apprehended, and readily believed. Let them be careful to shew, that religion is intended to improve their characters, and regulate their conduct; and let an appeal be made to their own sense of right and wrong, whether the divine commands and precepts are not reasonable, and whether they ought not to be observed.-Children, at a very early period may be convinced, that there is a God who created and preserves us; who has our life and fortune in this world, and our eternal fate in the world to come entirely at his disposal, and therefore it is their duty to fear and serve him; that as they are entrusted to the charge of their parents, obedience is better than perverseness; that as they are connected with their equals, good nature is more amiable than contention; that as they have minds capable of cultivation, knowledge is preferable to ignorance; that as they must succeed in the world by their own industry, diligence is better than indolence; that as every one despises the vicious and esteems the virtuous, they must therefore live soberly and righteously and godly, in the world. In short, every obligation of religion, every duty of life, every beauty of virtue and deformity of vice, should be represented to the youthful mind; and these important lessons of instruction should be begun early, inculcated constantly, and enlarged on at all times and on all occasions, till they are received

into the heart, and produce the fruits of righteousness in the conduct.

Another direction which is necessary to be observed in conducting the education of children is, to study their temper and disposition; and render their ruling passion subservient to the acquisition of virtuous habits. Thus, some will be found desirous of fame, and should be encouraged to persevere in their literary pursuits, from the hope of attaining eminence and distinction; and they should be especially reminded that honour will accompany them, if they maintain their integrity, and endeavour to keep a conscience void of offence. Others may be indolent and thoughtless, who are still susceptible of shame; let us apply this principle to quicken their activity, and excite them by emulation, to equal others, lest they be universally despised. Thus, let us discover what passion has most influence on their minds, and use it as a handmaid in conducting their education.

It will be no less requisite to check every appearance of vice, by proper discipline and chastisement. Whenever they discover symptoms of disobedience, let them be denied some innocent gratification till they have learned to comply with your wishes; when they are querulous or discontented, bestow your kindness on others who may better deserve it, till they are disposed to regain your favour; when they are angry without a cause, you may cure this propensity by expressing your astonishment at such unreasonable conduct; and when they are guilty of any act of wickedness, remonstrate with them on the impropriety of such behaviour; inflict such well-timed punishment as may indicate your displeasure; make them sensible of the enormity of their fault, and promise to avoid a similar transgression for the future.-But let parents beware, when called to express their indignation at the vices of their children, of passionate invectives and undue severity; for punishment loses its effect, when it is conceived to be the ebullition of anger, rather than an indication of just displeasure. The object of it is exaspe rated at us, instead of being sorry for his own offences. Therefore, whenever correction is administered, let it be

accompanied with suitable representations of the guilt of such a practice as you condemn; the evil that would ensue were it suffered to become habitual, the necessity of checking it by proper discipline, and the punishment which you deem expedient to inflict for such a violation of the rules of good conduct. Such a method as this will render chastisement salutary, and seldom necessary to be repeated. But as children are in general more easily allured by commendations to the practice of what is right, than deterred by reproof from the commission of what is wrong; parents should therefore stimulate them to the love of excellence, by giving them such tokens of approbation, as may encourage them to persevere in the ways of welldoing. When they proceed in their literary studies with indefatigable zeal; and when they maintain an innocent and exemplary behaviour; let us extol their virtues, and assure them that it is only by continuing to support their character, they shall be respected by us and every one around them.

But, in order that our children may improve in virtue, and abstain from vice, it is of primary importance, that we exhibit before them an example of godliness and uprightness in our own demeanour. It is well known, that example has more influence with them than precept; and that they will naturally imitate us in every respect. If we be pious and holy, peaceable, gentle, and kindly affectioned; they will soon acquire a relish for such tempers also, as they see them daily exercised before their eyes. But if we are ungodly and profane, passionate and intemperate, they will unavoidably fall into the same habits, notwithstanding all the advice which we may give to the contrary. Let parents, then, be careful to practise what they recommend, otherwise their instruction profiteth nothing. It must occur to every one, that parents cannot discharge their duty to their children aright, without maintaining the worship of God in their families, and praying with them for such blessings, both temporal and spiritual, as they require. It is by such means that a regard to religion is preserved among men, and the practice of it transmitted from one generation to another. Most