should they be so uniformly adverted to in those solemn moments?

The interest that is manifested, and the pains that are taken to educate the children of persons in low circumstances, furnish the cheering hope that many will thus be preserved from those habits of idleness and dissipation which are now so prevalent. These when they become parents themselves, will be more generally able to instruct their own children, at least, in the first rudiments of learning. Every mother who has a sufficient portion of learning, ought to teach her children to spell as soon as they are capable of it. And there are very few mothers so situated as to prevent them from performing this duty, if they are careful to occupy their time as they ought to do. To make a child fond and careful of its book, is a great point gained, and one that is, with proper management, not very difficult to accomplish. It will then listen to instruction as an indulgence and pleasure, not as a task. It is a good method, when children do not learn easily, to form the letter we wish them to remember on a piece of paper, and pin it on their sleeve,

By this means, we can repeatedly ask them its name, until they get a perfect knowledge of it. And if a child learns only one, or two letters a day, how soon will it obtain a knowledge of the whole alphabet. It has been often asserted, that some children take months at school to learn their letters. This is time lost; yes, worse than merely lost. This difficulty of obtaining a knowledge of the alphabet, at an age when a child is sent to school, operates as a discouragement, and it is apprehended, that few such children ever acquire that fondness for books, and that love of reading, which they would do if taught before their minds became occupied with other things. Dr. Franklin observed, that he read with facility when very young, and that he did not remember being without that acquisition. To this early instruction of his parents, and a love for reading, he attributes much of his subsequent usefulness to mankind. He also adds this testimony to the care of his parents. "By assiduous labour, and honest industry, they decently supported a numerous family, and educated with success thirteen children, and

seven grandchildren." "He was pious and prudent, she was discreet and virtuous."

A child that is early taught to read, has many advantages. If it is furnished with suitable books, of which there is a great variety, it will improve itself, and obtain a knowledge of many things which will be of future use. And by proper reading, the mind is more likely to be preserved from imbibing those pernicious ideas which are diffused through the medium of false and frightful stories, against which, the infant mind cannot be too carefully guarded. The object which we ought to keep in view, is the cultivation, and perfection of those powers with which we are blessed; that when the time of maturity arrives, they may be employed for the promotion of that happiness to ourselves, and that usefulness to society, for which they were given.

FALSEHOOD, AND DETRACTION.

These vices are often mentioned by Solomon, who doubtless had much knowledge of their effects on the human heart. We, too, see the baneful consequences of tale

bearing, falsehood, and an indulgence of the malevolent passions, and that they are severely felt in families, and in neighbourhoods. "The froward man" continues "to sow strife, and whisperers to separate chief friends." "He that hath a froward heart, findeth no good, and he that hath a perverse tongue, falleth into mischief." These dispositions ought, therefore to be early and especially guarded against in children. For, if they are not suppressed in childhood, they become habitual, and are frequently retained through life, and disqualify the individual for the society of the wise and virtuous. But candour, a just representation of facts, and a proper government of the passions, should be practically encouraged by all who have the care of children; for here, as in other branches of education, example has a powerful effect. If a child has committed a fault, and frankly acknowledges it, he should be as readily forgiven.

In 2nd Kings, 5th chapter, the advantages resulting from candour, intelligence, and an amiable disposition, are peculiarly exemplified in the character of the little captive

maid, who waited on the wife of Naaman, the Syrian Captain. "Now Naaman was a great man, with his master the king of Syria, but he was a leper." This little maid, feeling an affectionate interest in the welfare of her master, and a solicitude for the recovery of his health, said thus to her mistress. "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria, for he would recover him of his leprosy." She had heard, while she was in her own land, of the prophet's fame, and of the miracles he had wrought, and had treasured them up. It is also evident that she was one in whom could be placed the most perfect confidence; for although she was in the station of a servant, her mistress listened to her with attention, and there does not appear to have been the least distrust. On the intelligence being communicated to the King, Naaman was immediately equipped, and despatched to the land of Israel. The circumstances which occurred during his stay there, and how, by complying with the prophet's direction, he was healed of his leprosy, are recorded in the same chapter. There are also exhibited the sorrowful