more of outward adorning, than even Solomon, when arrayed in all the insignia of his kingdom. Adam, in perfection and innocence, when naming his animals, as their Creator brought them to his feet, or when conversing with his garden, was as nothing to this. Strange indeed! that those who listened to the Saviour's manner of reference to such objects, at all times so apposite, and often so affecting, could not descry the voice of Him, by whom all things were created, "whether they be things in heaven, or things on earth, or things under the earth.” Nature, then, it is true, had met with her own Creator, and never, since the morning stars sang together, had she appeared so subservient to religious instruction and reproof, excitement and delight.

Now you have not been born too late to profit by all this. If Christian Parents, you live under the dominion of the Messiah, and possess every advantage in following his example, at whatever distance. The productions of his hand are ever the same, and, to the present moment,

"Still all are under one. One Spirit-His,

Who wore the platted thorns with bleeding brows,
Rules universal nature. Not a flower

But shows some touch, in freckle, streak, or stain,
Of his unrivall❜d pencil. He inspires
Their balmy odours, and imparts their hues,
And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes,
In grains as countless as the sea-side sands,
The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth.
Happy who walks with Him! whom what he finds
Of flavour, or of scent, in fruit or flower,
Or what he views of beautiful or grand

In nature, from the broad majestic oak

To the green blade, that twinkles in the sun,

Prompts with remembrance of a present God.
His presence, who made all so fair, perceived,
Makes all still fairer. As with him no scene
Is dreary, so with him all seasons please." 1

1

Were it at all necessary, I ought to have extended this section to various other subjects: such, for example, as those of Patience and Submission-Temper and Fortitude-the baneful Evils arising from Vanity and Affectation-the Companions with whom your Children come in contact—and the imperative necessity of you, as Parents, making careful selection; for if Christians themselves are in imminent danger from “evil communications which corrupt even good manners," what shall we say of Children whose principles are not yet fixed-whose manners are not yet formed?

Not, however, wishing to extend the subject farther than what seemed necessary for the object in view, I would rather refer to such works as the Practical View of Education, by Mr. Babington-the anonymous author of "Hints for the Improvement of Early Education and Nursery Discipline"-the Parental Duties, by Mr. Braidwood-Domestic Religion, by Mr. Innes -and the various publications by the amiable family of the Taylors—a family which, as a Family, has done more for Domestic Education, in the proper sense of the term, than perhaps any other in Great Britain.

6

In conclusion, may I now presume that the reader is

1 Most of these poetical quotations, I hope the reader well knows, are taken from Cowper,-one of those few poets whose writings will probably be quoted, even in the days when "one song shall employ all nations," and the knowledge of the Lord shall have covered the earth, as the waters do the sea.

fully convinced, that the Christian Parent stands on ground peculiar to himself-far above that of any mere teacher, and that his responsibility, both to God and to his Family, extends correspondingly?-He is to teach, it is true, but he is also to repeat, repeat, repeat with patience, and even pleasure. Here a little, there a little; as he rises up, as he lies down; as he sits in the house, or walks by the way: he or she it is who is to recall explain-rectify-illustrate-enforce many things many times, or many times the same thing: he or she it is who is appointed to be the prompter of their Children-the instigator to good only: he it is, as has been said, who looks not to the infantile mind, as to an empty vessel, into which knowledge only is to be poured. The mind of his Child he would rather compare, in one sense, to the Bee in the first period of its existence, which is fed by the labours of others; but, ere long, as he expects, this little mind will rise, and lift its wings in vigorous employment, to collect sweets from every field or flower.

SECTION EIGHTH.

CONCLUDING ADDRESS.

TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS-extent of that authority which has been conferred by God-the power of affirmation or testimony lodged in the Parents' hands alone-the signal blessing, promised from above, upon their exertions.-To THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST-powerful aid afforded to them by the Domestic Constitution, without either invading the peculiarity of their office, or relieving them from the assiduous discharge of any of its duties the interesting aspect of the primitive Church in relation to Families-the loveliness and value of Christianity when possessed by Children-those Families where the Domestic Constitution ought to be visible, in all its varied beauty and its moral power.

TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS.

THE character with which, as Parents, you have been invested, were it duly considered, is, of itself, sufficient to induce frequent reflection on that constitution of things, at the head of which you stand. You may not, however, have observed before, that in the very constitution of a Family, there is involved so much of solemn and sacred duty;-solemn, inasmuch as the authority conferred upon you, approaches nearer to absolute authority, than that of any other which man can lawfully sustain ;-and sacred, inasmuch as this authority has not only been conferred upon you by God, but to Him, for the exercise or neglect of it, you are at last to render an account.

Solemnity of mind, I admit, is not natural, and often not welcome, to man; but as no disposition of mind is more favourable for the accomplishment of duty, surely you will not object to the means of promoting it?Contemplate then, at least occasionally, the extent of your authority as a Parent. This will not only evince the truth of all that has been advanced, so far as that is consonant with Scripture, but it will solemnize and prepare your mind for the various duties imposed upon you. Say to yourself," Although the extent of my dominion is the smallest upon earth, why is the authority given to me, the most extensive out of heaven? Within my own family, there is no one who can, none who should dispute this with me; and of those around my dwelling, from the highest authority in the state to my next door neighbour, there is no one disposed to interfere. Above myself, upon earth, there is none; and to myself I sometimes feel as though, in this matter, I were only next under God." True, as it regards mankind in general, whatever be your station, low or high, as Parents, unquestionably, you are next under God-even that God whose name is "Jealous" and "the Father of Mercies." An office-bearer in the kingdom of God, the Minister of Christ, who has to watch for souls, stands on more serious ground; but with this one exception-a position more solemn than yours, as it regards relative duty, I confess I am unable to conceive.

The extent of your authority, however, is not the only consideration, which is calculated to increase in you solemnity of mind. By whom was this authority lodged in you, and for what end was it so deposited?