of those who adorn the doctrine of Christ their Saviour, by lives and conversations becoming the gospel, have learned "to remember their Creator in the days of their youth," by uniting with their fathers and kindred in so cial worship. If parents would have their children become worthy members of society and the Christian church, let them commend their little ones to God and the word of his grace, which is able to build them up; let them implore the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, to give them knowledge and understanding, to implant his fear in their hearts, which is the beginning of wisdom, and to keep them by his mighty power from all the evils that are in this world, and at last conduct them to his heavenly kingdom. Thus shall we both procure the divine blessing upon their heads, and by our godly example, train them up in the way in which they should go.

Yet as our example will not suffice, without their own imitation of it; let parents therefore be careful to enforce upon their children the observance of such parts of reli gion as they can easily practise. Let them be taught a form of prayer, suited to their capacities; let them be instructed in its meaning, and enjoined to deliver it with seriousness and fervour, with the understanding and from the heart. Let them however be told, that prayer is not religion, but a means of inspiring us with religious sentiments; and that we must live according to the spirit with which we pray, if we would possess not only the form, but the power of godliness; and be religious "not in name and in word only, but in deed and in truth."-Since public, as well as private devotion is another means of enlightening their minds in the knowledge of the truth; of convincing them of sin, and converting them to righteousness, parents will do well to bring their children to the house of God, to be instructed in those duties which they owe to God, their neighbour and themselves. And when they return to their dwellings, let them be interrogated how and what they have heard; be exhorted to treasure it up in their hearts; and conform to the directions delivered, in their future conduct. If you are thus careful

to afford them every means of growing in grace, they will generally acquire a relish for religious truths, which will be to them an invaluable treasure.

But they must be informed, that religion does not consist in the knowledge of their duty, but in the practice of it; not in contending for points of doubtful disputation, but in the silent unobtrusive exercise of every grace and virtue; not in that empty pretence to superior sanctity which bigots and enthusiasts entertain; but in that vital holiness which transforms us by the renewing of our minds, and renders us inclined to every good work. When they are thus imbued with sound principles, they are in a likely way of producing in their lives the fruits of righteousness. But, before they leave their father's house, to mingle in the world, let them receive some parting counsels, which you may deem expedient for directing their steps. Entreat them anew to remember their Creator in the days of their youth; to search the scriptures; to accustom themselves to meditation and prayer; to reading and mental improvement; to avoid wicked company; to conduct themselves with prudence and propriety; to submit to their superiors; to love their equals, and condescend to their inferiors; to restrain their passions; regulate their affections; and direct their view to a future state in joyful expectation of everlasting life. If such a method of education as this were pursued, it would be accompanied with beneficial effects.-Having thus described the proper manner in which education should be conducted, let us be induced to prosecute it by considering,

III. The great advantages resulting from a good edu

cation.

If children be instructed in those branches of literary knowledge, which they may acquire at a public seminary, they will be thereby qualified to improve their minds, increase their fortune, and to hold a respectable place in society. Of what vast importance is even the capacity of reading, for forming our intellectual and moral character ? The poorest peasant, who can peruse his bible, is thereby enabled to understand the wonderful cheme of revelation;

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and become acquainted with the whole faith and duty of a Christian. Hereby he is furnished with that knowledge, which maketh wise unto salvation. Besides, he can also by this means enlarge his mind from other sources of information, and while he has a book to read, can never be reduced to the necessity of spending his leisure hours in idleness or vice. By the other scholastic improvements which he has made, he will also be fitted for many stations, which he could not occupy without such literary acquire. ments. And by his superior skill in these, he will always be regarded with honour, and arrive at distinction among his equals.

If these be the advantages of a literary education, how much more valuable are those derived from a religious one? If a person has been instructed in the fear of God in his childhood, he will retain a sense of the divine authority and inspection during the remainder of his life; and will be deterred from the perpetration of wickedness, by the settled conviction, that God is with him when he goes out and when he comes in, and spieth out all his ways. Therefore he lives as seeing him who is invisible.-If a child has been accustomed from his infancy to call upon God in private, and worship him in public; to read the scriptures, and meditate on the words of everlasting life; he will be taught to look up to heaven for direction in all the perplexing vicissitudes of life, and find that the Lord doth guide him by his counsel; he will "not forsake the assemblies of the faithful as the manner of some is;" he will take the word of God as the man of his counsel, and by pondering on it day and night, he will be guided in the path of integrity and happiness.

If children are also taught betimes the duty of submission and obedience to parents and teachers, they will find no difficulty in "rendering to all their due, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour."-If they are enjoined to be kindly-affectioned one to another, they will cherish this amiable temper to those with whom they are afterwards connected; and thus gain the love and good-will of all around them.-If they are cautioned to avoid compa nions who are addicted to vicious practices; they will

afterwards be careful not to enter into the path of the wicked, nor go in the way of evil men; lest they become partakers of their sins," and share in their punishment.— If they are directed to speak truth and adhere to honesty; they will soon be known for their inviolable veracity, and every one will confide without scruple in their declarations, and entrust his affairs to their disposal.-If they have acquired the habit of diligence in youth; they will continue to prosecute their lawful undertakings with assiduity and success. They will excel in business, and obtain both wealth and renown. "The hand of the diligent maketh rich. Seest thou a man diligent in his affairs, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.” If children have been inured to act according to the dictates of conscience, and dread the reproaches of their own minds; they will gradually learn to have a strict regard to rectitude of conduct, and be incapable of swerving from the path of duty, though interest or pleasure should allure them, when they know "that their own hearts would condemn them, and God, who is greater than their hearts, and knoweth all things."

If also they are early instructed to govern their passions, to restrain their desires, and subdue their anger, to moderate their hopes and to calm their fears; they will in future life find the salutary influence of such discipline. They will perceive, the longer they are acquainted with the world, that nothing is so valuable as to render us uneasy under the want of it; that no injuries are so great as should inflame our resentment; that the blessings of life are so uncertain as not to deserve our anxiety; and that no evils are so terrible as should disturb our composure. In short, if our mind is brought under proper discipline by a good education, we may pass with delight and honour through the present world, and arrive at happiness in the world to come. Such being the advantages of a good education, you surely require few other motives to engage you in bestowing so important a blessing on your offspring. But as there are many considerations which might be urged to enforce compliance with this duty, I proceed to mention,

IV. The motives which should excite parents and teachers to assiduity in performing this office to the rising generation.

Let parents reflect, that it is only by affording their children a competent education suited to their circumstances in life, that they can provide for their future welfare in the world. Such is the state of society in this country, that no man can be advanced to any place of trust; nor even be fitted to act his part with propriety in any condition however obscure, without a certain share of literary attainments. If a man is entirely ignorant of the common branches of education, he must labour under disadvantages which he can never surmount, in his transactions with men; and be deprived of one great means of becoming acquainted with his duty to God. Let parents therefore not deny their children such an invaluable privilege as a good education; especially when it can be procured at so small an expense.

If you reckon it desirable to provide for their worldly comfort, be persuaded it is no less requisite to promote the salvation of their souls. For this purpose, religious instruction is equally indispensable; that their minds may be enlightened in the knowledge of God and of themselves, of their duty and destination. For this purpose, the regulation of their habits, the formation of their tempers, the restraint of their passions, and the well-ordering of their conduct, is a mode of discipline which we should pursue if we would have them holy here, and happy hereafter. Would you not wish " their souls to prosper" as well as their outward circumstances? would you not desire to see your children pious and virtuous? and do you not expect that they shall live the life of the righteous, that their latter end may be like his in this world, and that they may be heirs of glory in the world to come? If this is your earnest solicitude for your rising offspring, be persuaded that your careful attention in bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord must be exerted if you would have them walk in the truth. For if the principles of holiness are not instilled in their younger