affections? Why may they not become instructed in the knowledge of his will? Why may they not be rendered such, in their demeanour and their general tempers, as that they may at once increase in stature, and in favour with God and 66 man ?"

It is for Christian parents to give answer to these questionings. And let it be remembered always, that what is said, at any time, from this place respecting proper discipline of children, must always be interpreted as spoken to their parents, and not so much to children themselves. They it is, who are originally chargeable with obligations claimed, and duties pledged, upon the part of their little ones; they are most surely answerable, in the first stages of life, for very much of the behaviour of their children, and for the forming of their character. Engaging as the example of our Saviour's childhood is, when thoughtfully regarded, it cannot be expected that an infant mind should be enabled to digest it all at once, nor even have the slightest notion of it as an example for its own practice, unless it shall be duly pointed out as such. And even then must little ones be taught to copy it, long before they can adequately understand it; and taught too, not by strangers, nor by artificial means alone, in

place of fathers and of mothers who have grievously forsaken them; but by the parents that have fed and nourished them, whose flesh and blood they are. The seed can never any where be sown, and the harvest reaped, together. The fruit of early preparation must be left for time to ripen ; and doubtless, under God's grace and mercy, much will ripen; and shew itself abundantly and blessedly in many an after life directed by an honest and good heart.

Let not such imitation be despaired of, as a thing impossible. Besides all higher thoughts of comfort upon this score, it may be confidently said, that little ones will imitate what they are taught to imitate, or which is set before them. Mark only how they copy wickedness, and you will be convinced of this: and shall we doubt they may be led to copy good? But then, the saving recollections always must be kept alive within the mind: and here it is that we may see the parents' own concern and interest in the matter to be so absolutely needed. Whatsoever may be done by others to assist this excellent culture, it is not likely to avail, if it be left alone. The teaching and the care of school must be enforced and seconded by the authority of home; the lessons heard, or the examples pointed out, at

church must be supported by the watchfulness, and exhortations, and behaviour of the parent. Else will the beauty of holiness, as shewn in Christ's person, soon lose its comeliness and power under the continual corrupting influence of an evil family example; and the instruction gained, or feelings quickened on one special day of piety and godliness in seven, will never keep its ground against the fearful odds which are at work against it throughout six ordinary days of reckless living-of profaneness, or dishonesty!

Only let the question thus be weighed, and it may not be easy to imagine any single means more likely to improve the hearts and lives of Christians generally, than this of which we now are speaking" the holding up the early pattern "of the child Jesus to the imitation of their "children." May it not be reasonably judged to be a means of likelihood to act with two-fold power-at once to set the young upon the right way, and to reclaim the old? May not a Christian faith in truth and soberness indulge the hope, that many a one who never had before been led to think of any good example for the sake of his own everlasting happiness, may well be brought, by heavenly grace, to ponder seri

ously the highest and the best of all examples, for sake of the eternal welfare of his child?

Think only, what a good inheritance for any parent to bestow upon his child there might be found, if he could only send him forth into the world (his own conscience bearing witness) with some such exhortation as the following.

Remember, my child, that you have been baptized into the name of JESUS CHRIST; to "the profession of a Christian; and to the hope "of everlasting life. You have been taught his

precepts; you have heard his promises; you "have been taught to look on his example. As

yet, such course has kept you in the ways "of peace and innocence: it has made you a "lover of the church, and of the beauty of "holiness; it has obtained for you a knowledge "of God, and of his laws; and it has made

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you dutiful and obedient, loving and beloved. "The time is come that you must now go forth "into a world, where you will behold many very "different examples; for all most surely do not "love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and "truth. You will be therefore put to trial in

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your faith, and called to imitate the same

"blessed Master as a man, whom you have been

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taught to copy as a child: you will be surely "called on not to please yourself, even as Christ pleased not himself; perhaps to be reviled, or undergo indignity, even as the case was found with him. But, be the trial what it may, do "you keep stedfast to the model of your child"hood. This will always be a light to lighten

you; and it is a light which cannot be put out. Look still to JESUS CHRIST as your example, "and you will still be safe. It may be the Almighty's will, for many wise purposes, to "let you meet temptation; but keep your eye on the one mark proposed, and there will be

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a way of safety; for he will never leave you, "nor forsake you. Never will he allow you "to be tempted above that you are able; but "will with the temptation also make a way "for you to escape, that you may be able to "bear its. Never be ashamed of your divine "Master, and he will take concern for you."

Suppose (I say) a Christian parent could with truth address his child, on going forth in life, in some such terms as those which we have thus imagined—would it not be itself a good, nay, far the best, inheritance? Can we refuse to see