children; and that those of the former stand first, both in order and importance. Let the fond mother survey the lovely infant in her arms; let the delighted father contemplate the rosy groupe around his kness, and reflect with feelings of deep and anxious responsibility, that the real welfare of these darlings depends, as the means, almost entirely upon themselves,-upon their affection taking at once the right direction. That fondness, indeed, which excites parents to injudicious indulgence, is pure selfishness; that which impels them to restrain and educate them, alone deserves the name of parental love. There is no view which a reflecting mind can take of this subject, but what is calculated to impress upon it an idea of its vast importance. There is no relation we may bear to society, which has not an imperious claim on those who are furnishing it with new members; no period, however remote, which present tuition may not affect: and shall the rearing of a family be deemed a light matter? shall its duties yield to every frivolity that solicits attention?-Should not this rather be the language of parental solicitude? "I have : so many human beings-so many immortal creatures committed to my charge; I know the snares, temptations, and trials which have beset my own path; I anticipate similar ones in theirs already they manifest their propensity to evil, their averseness to good: amid all their diversity of tempers and dispositions, I perceive one characteristic symptom of their corrupt original. O, thou God of the families of the earth! shall I ever give Thee reason to repent of having granted me children, as thou once didst of having created man, because of his evil imaginations? Who is sufficient for these things? Thou that givest wisdom to those who ask it, teach me to train up these children for Thy service here on earth, and for the enjoyment of Thee in the world above!" For those who are thus earnest and sincere, there is abundant encouragement: they will not labour in vain, or spend their strength for nought; but will assuredly reap some fruits of their anxiety and toil, although, perhaps, not of the kind or degree which they had anticipated. Evil precepts and examples have their reward; and may not judicious discipline, and pious instruction, anticipate some reward also? Yet, it must be confessed, that the best instructions, although founded on genuine. piety, sometimes fail, from want of sufficient skill to direct them. Parents cannot acquit themselves well in this arduous task, if they have not acquired the habit of reflecting, and observing if their minds are unfurnished, and their knowledge of men and things narrow and circumscribed. Such persons deem it sufficient to tell their children, that this is right, and that is wrong, without being able to discover the motives which actuate or to warn of the consequences likely to result. Is it any wonder, if, while children enjoy the present gratification of an evil action, they resolve to repeat it, in spite of admonitions which do not excite their interest, or attract their attention? in spite even of chastisements, for which they are not taught to see the necessity, or discern the full meaning? Besides these fundamental duties, there are others which belong both to parents and children, during the succeeding stages of life, and which extend to its latest period. To explain and enforce some of these subsequent obligations, is the more particular object of the following pages. "Cool age advances venerably wise, Turns on all hands its deep discerning eyes, Sees what befel, and what may yet befal, Concludes for both, and best provides for all." РОРЕ. "Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers." PROV. xvii. 6. YOUNG persons who are naturally disposed to "rise up before the hoary head," will rarely be remiss in filial respect and obedience; but where this amiable sentiment of reverence for age does not exist, parents themselves are generally the first to feel the absence of it. Surely something beyond an internal expression of respect is intended by that divine injunction, something perhaps more honourable and advantageous to the giver than to |