with "ashes and mourning," in families where we expected "beauty and the oil of gladness!"

But the foregoing error is most to be deplored when joined with another, also arising from a source which challenges our respect and veneration; I mean, the hope entertained by some parents, remiss in the spiritual nurture of their children, that the promised blessing to the offspring of pious ancestors will be realised, sooner or later, in their conversion. On the influence of such a sentiment, when united with that which was last under consideration, I need not dwell. Every one must see that when, on the one hand, a low opinion is entertained by parents of the efficacy of human endeavours, in leading their children to true conversion; and on the other, a hope is indulged that the great Shepherd will, at some time or other, gather them to his fold; the efforts in education will be altogether destitute of watchful and persevering energy, and the worst effects may be expected. Whether, however, this latter sentiment be combined with the former or not, it is of an importance sufficient to claim our serious attention. Let us then examine how far it is warranted by Scripture and experience. Those

who hold it, rely on the numerous passages in the word of God, in which a blessing is promised to the seed of his true servants, and more particularly on the gracious declaration in the Second Commandment. These Divine promises are sources of great comfort to Christian parents, strenuously exerting themselves in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. What numbers have been supported by them, when toiling, apparently without success, in the discharge of their parental duties! But even those who are so employed may expect more than the promises were intended to convey. And if such persons, the very persons for whose benefit the promises were given, may look forward for the conversion and final salvation of their children with unwarranted confidence; what shall we say of confidence, what shall we say even of hope, in those who are ill performing the duties of parents, and who, though they will scarcely allow it, make the promises themselves the ground of their neglect?

How far a misplaced hope of this kind may have contributed to the lamentable declension, in many instances, of succeeding generations

from the piety of those which preceded them, cannot be determined: but certain it is, that such declensions stain the page of history in almost all times. Look at the successors of Joshua, and of the Elders of his appointment; at the sons of Samuel and of Eli, of Jehoshaphat, and of Josiah; at the descendants from the members of the first Christian Churches, as well as of the Churches reformed from Popery; at the descendants from the pious ministers ejected in this conntry at the time of the Restoration, and from their hearers: in short, search the annals of the Jewish or Christian church in almost any age, and you will be convinced that the piety of ancestors is very far indeed from being a security to their offspring.

To humble, zealous, well-directed, and persevering efforts, in the work of Christian Education, God gives a signal blessing: but those who will not employ such efforts, have no ground to expect any blessing. They may rather look with awful apprehension to the curses every where denounced in the word of God, against those who have mercies placed within their reach, but will not accept them in the appointed way.

CHAP. II.

The Period from early Infancy to the Learning to read-Faulty Course commonly pursued— A very early Attention to Tempers and Habits recommended-Religion how to be instilledParental Example.

THE years which precede manhood are naturally divided into several periods. The first is, from early infancy to the time when the child begins to read. The next is, from that time to the time of going (if a boy) to school or to a private tutor; and, if a girl, to the age of ten or twelve. On the present occasion my remarks will be confined to these incipient but highly important stages in education.

The period of infancy is generally suffered to slide away with little or no attention to the work of education. The child is supposed to be in a kind of irrational state, which will scarcely admit of moral discipline, and its parents seem to think only of its health and amusement. it wants any thing, its wish must be gratified; if it cries, it is to be quieted by indulgence; or if this cannot be effected, attempts are frequently

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made to cheat it into a belief that the desired object has suddenly vanished. If it has been hurt, the immediate cause of its misfortune, whether animate or inanimate, is not seldom to be beaten, and the child itself is encouraged to join in inflicting the punishment. Things proceed in this way nearly till the time when the child can talk, and often much longer; and when this system is changed for another, still it gives way very slowly, and in many cases some remains of it may be discerned for years after the child is allowed to be capable of instruction. What is the true character and tendency of this course of proceeding? It unquestionably fosters those seeds of evil which abound in our nature. Is man naturally self-indulgent? What then must be the effect of a studied system of indulgence? Is he impatient, and passionate, and vindictive? How greatly must these dispositions be cherished, by not only permitting but encouraging their gratification! Is he disposed, when in pursuit of favourite objects, to be little scrupulous with respect to violations of plaindealing and truth? The artifices to which nurses and female relations resort would almost create such a disposition, were it not originally