7

us in the hour of affliction, and teaches us to look
It will
calmness upon our ruined and blasted hopes.
pluck the suicidal dagger from our grasp, when we,
moment of phrenzy and despair, but little heed the s
or ignominy that may settle upon our reputation.
are the good effects of religious instructions. Another
important reason why children should be instructed a
early age in those sacred principles, is, that it guards
protects them in after years from the inroads of doubt
skepticism. What the christian is taught by revelati
what the wise man learns by reflection and research
short, all the practical and useful lessons of life shoul
explained to us, in some degree, at our entrance upon
pathway of existence. Then, after our judgement is
tured, we will find a confirmation of those important tru
We will be prepared to resist the sophistry of the wor
wise. Nothing can shake our convictions of the existe
of a God, or of the immortality of our souls; beca
without these, life would appear to us a mystery-relig
a phantom, and the whole universe a contradiction of its

The mind must be deeply imbued in religious princi
at an early age, or its acquisition of them, in after years
rendered difficult and oftentimes uncertain. It will beco
entangled in the mazes of doubt, and be obliged to com
with a thousand illusions and prejudices. Sometimes i
enfeebled in the pursuit, and looses its vigor, or sinks i
utter hopelesness and despondency. In this situation
madly plunge ourselves into the whirlpool of passion a
lust, while sensuality and debauchery are the only oc
sonte of our thought, and we go through the world as

look with It will even in a en we,

d the shame

on. These

nother very

cted at an guards and

f doubt and revelationesearch-in ife should be ice upon the ement is maortant truths.

f the worldly the existence ils; because, ery-religion ction of itself. us principles ter years, is will become 1 to combat netimes it is r sinks into

situation we passion and

serted and unpitied beings. These are indeed the lamenta. ble consequences of an early neglect of religious instructions, by which the mind would be prepared to resist the vice and pollution of the world.

Take away religion, and you take away the foundation of much that is noble and exalted in man. He who possesses it, looks upon the world with an increase of admira tion-he feels himself glowing with renovated love to his fellow creatures--he acknowledges the invisible and all pervading power of the eternal; he looks upon the moon and the stars that are glittering in the blue chambers of the hea. vens, and regards them as the evidences of a better and brighter world. Religion throws a brilliancy upon the morning of life; it embellishes the gay and fanciful dreams of childhood; and it steals, like a refreshing dew, upon the hearts of the young and innocent, softening their feelings and affections, without their knowing from whence it proceeds. Why then should we deprive them of this happiness? Why take from them these sources of earthly consolation? Why repress or blight those god-like energies of the soul, that will arouse them to an anticipation of eternal life? No; let us rather picture to them the great and exalted character of Jesus Christ, that they may endeavour to imitate the glorious attributes and perfections of him who exclaimed, in the infinitude of his love, "suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not."

Let us not neglect his commands. Let us consecrate

them to him in whose name thou won hautiond Lafana tha..

acquainted with the blessings he achieved for us on Let us illumine their infant minds with the light of truth, and in time they will be able to look abroad a ultingly behold and appreciate the splendor and m cence of the deity.

THE RELIGION OF CHILDHOOD.

Second Reflection.

Once more I return to the contemplation of childhoodthose blissful and innocent moments of our existence. By religion, the heart is already chastened-the passions checked in their course, and piety reigns triumphant through all the changes and temptations of life.

In vain may you attempt to keep a child in ignorance of its maker. It feels his immediate presence-it questions you about the ruler of heaven and earth-it asks you who has caused the sun and moon and stars to shine-who launches forth the livid and glaring lightnings from the gloomy clouds-who makes the awful and terrific thunder to roll and mutter over our heads. Then, why will you conceal from it the existence of a God, or of his only begotten Son? It is all in vain. Your greatest precautions will avail you nothing. It will hear the name of its Creator lisped by its playmates, or pronounced among strangers, and thus uninstructed, it is in danger of forming erroneous or unworthy opinions. From the father and mother, therefore, the child should first learn the existence of a supreme and overruling power. They alone must mould its character, and instil into its mind such knowledge as is best suited to its age and capacity. Let it be taught that God is the

where present-that without him, no grass could gr nor fruits ripen, nor flowers bloom-that without him thing could have existence. These lessons it will not ea forget, and its love for you will be partly transferred to great friend and provider of the universe.

When the germs of religion are implanted in the m of a child, its education is less difficult. You may for it doing any wrong; but it is only the recollection of omniscient being that can restrain its evil thoughts. Y may punish its disobedience to your commands; but oth omissions must be dealt with by conscience alone.

It is for the parents to unlock the heart of a child, th a spirit of christian zeal may have entrance. For th purpose something more is required than a few formal pr cepts. Your advice may be remembered, but its good sults will not be made manifest in its actions. Your exer your heartless a plary conduct is worth more than all measured instructions. Tell your children no falsehoo lest they might imitate your example. Use them wi kindness and respect, and they will learn to conduct then selves in like manner to others. Touch not the propert of your neighbors, if you would not contaminate the minds; and remember that to you may be traced thei faults and imperfections; that their virtuous and am able conduct, is nothing more nor less than a reflection yourselves. Do not show yourselves indifferent to publi worship, nor careless and thoughtless in your private de votions. Let your prayers be marked with the deepes reverence and solemnity. Although your children cannot