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On a religious Education.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Prov. xxii. 6.

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governed in childhood. If however the labors of faithful parents should not, in every instance, be crowned with success, still they have abundant encouragement in the word of God to hope that their instructions wit be blessed to the happiness of their children.

ever, they are not to be all lenity. If their children will not submit to their authority by mild treatment, coercion is to be used.

T is not a new idea that the characters of mankind are generally formed at an early pe- The care of children during riod. Impressions which are their early years is committed made upon the minds of chil- to their parents, and they are dren in infancy are seldom, if required by God himself to ever, effaced. If early directed" bring them up in the nurture in the paths of virtue, and shewn and admonition of the Lord." the danger of pursuing contra-They are to restrain them from ry courses, they will seldom de- vicious courses, as well as to diviate from them while they live. rect them in the ways of virtue, In the words of an elegant wri- and ever to treat them with lenter; "If the young traveller beity and tenderness. Still, howdirected to set out well in the journey of life, there is a fair prospect, that he will go on to its most distant stages with increasing honor and happiness."I know it is a sentiment, embraIt is a duty which parents owe ced by a few, that parents have no society, and it is a duty which right to control their children, they owe their children, to in- that their minds ought to remain struct and govern them in the free from any bias, until they fear of the Lord, " to train them arrive at sufficient years to form up in the way they should go." sentiments for themselves. But They are urged to the perfor- leaving children to form their mance of this duty from its own opinions relative to morals necessity to render their off- and religion, strikes at the root spring respectable and happy of both the temporal and eternal in life. If they leave them happiness of man. And is it wholly to themselves, freely to uncharitable to suppose, that the act out the depravity of their advocates of this sentiment hearts, or if they train them up in would, were they able, remove the way they should not go, they all sense of moral obligation have the highest reason to be-from the breast, extinguish the lieve they will be vicious and light of divine truth, and leave profligate in their manners, and mankind to grope their way wretched, in their lives. Should through the wilderness of the we inquire why such multitudes world? indulge in every species of vice and give up themselves to work iniquity with greediness, we should find that it was generally in consequence of their not being properly instructed and

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The history of Eli and his sons recorded in sacred writ exhibits, the importance of parental instruction and government and especially, of using coercive measures with children,

when mild means will not pre-struction and government in or vent their indulging in vicious der to secure the eternal salvapractices. The reason and, tion of children; and the pious probably, the only one, why Eli's sons were sons of Belial was, they were not restrained from the commission of heinous crimes. Instead of using that authority over them which God committed to him, he, like many indulgent parents of the present day, simply inquired "why do ye such things? it is no good report that I hear."For thus passing over the shameful and abominable conduct of his sons, the maledictions of heaven fell upon his house. The Most High declared that "the iniquity of Eli's house should not be purged with sacrifice and of fering for ever, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not."

parent who conscientiously discharges his duty is encouraged to hope, that he shall one day meet his child in the world of | glory.

It is a melancholy consideration that the religious instruction and government of children and youth are so much neglected at the present time. Is not the grand adversary of God and man blinding the minds of parents, and leading them and their children captive at his will? Much is said in the word of God respecting the necessity of early restraint. The wise man, speaking by inspiration, says; "Correct thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. Withhold not correction from a child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die Thou shalt beat him with the rud and shalt deliver his soul from hell." Will any one therefore, who means to conduct agreeably to the sacred oracles, have any conscientious scruples respecting the propriety of

The subject now under consideration is highly important, as the welfare of society and the temporal welfare of children are respected; but how much does it rise in importance, when we consider, that their eternal well being depends, in a great measure, upon the manner in which they are instructed and governed in the morning of life-restraining children? When we consider, that they are candidates for a future existence, and that their eternal happiness or misery is suspended, in part at least, upon the education which they receive from their parents, is not the subject to which we are attend-ural and moral world. They ing of the first importance ? Can it be viewed in any other light by such parents, as love the souls of their offspring, and realize that heaven and hell are but just before them? The sacred scriptures abundantly teach the importance of parental inVOL. VI. No. 10.

As impressions which are made in early life are durable, no time can be so proper as this for conveying moral instruction. Children should be early taught that there is a God; and that he is the governor both of the nat

should be taught that he is an infinitely great and an infinitely good Being, that they are wholly dependent upon him for life and every enjoyment, and that they shall, one day, be called before his righteous tribunal to render an account of their con A a a

the idea of a future retribution. They pretend that God is too

duct. What can have a greater | house, when they walk by the tendency to prevent any one way, when they lie down, and from pursuing vicious courses when they rise up." than an assurance that all his In this degenerate age, too actions are viewed by a Being much pains cannot be taken to who will bring every work into impress upon the minds of judgment with every secret young persons these two imthing? As soon then as chil-portant truths, that God reigns, dren become capable of receiv- and that the scriptures both of ing instruction, they ought to the Old and New Testament be taught "the fear of the Lord" came from him. These constiwhich is wisdom, and to de- tute the foundation of all mopart from evil" which "is un-rality and of all true enjoyment. derstanding." Thus instruct- Remove this foundation, and ed, we have reason to hope, you remove all virtue from the they will grow up with habits of breast, and happiness from the virtue, be useful and happy in world. In Christian countries, life, and happy beyond the grave. the number of those who deny No parent can be faithful in the existence of a Supreme Bethe education of his children ing is, usually, small. But even without making them early acin these countries, there are quainted with the sacred scrip- multitudes who deny an overtures. That "all scripture is giv- ruling Providence and ridicule en by inspiration of God" cannot be doubted by any person who candidly examines the arguments in proof of this interesting fact. If then the bible were written by divine inspiration, is it not reasonable to suppose that it is a book of incalcula-ness they are using every possible worth? Can we doubt but its contents regard the best interests of man, even his eternal interests? Shall children then remain in ignorance of this book? When the light of divine truth has shone upon the world, and, like the star in the East, is guiding multitudes to the Saviour of sinners, shall children be left to grope in darkness? Will not parents who have a realizing sense of the preciousness of the souls of those whom God hath committed to their care, be solicitous to make them early acquainted with the scriptures and will they not "teach them diligently unto them and talk of them when they sit in their

exalted a Being to regard the
concerns of men, and to be at
the trouble of calling them to
an account. While they thus
affect to extol him for his great-

ble means to remove him from
the throne of the universe. And
in nothing would they so much
rejoice, as in seeing the Sove-
reign of the world despoiled of
power, and reduced under their
control. When men can make
themselves believe,
"There is no God who reigns on high,
"Or minds the affairs of men,"

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They are prepared to go all
lengths in wickedness, and per-
petrate the most horrid deeds.
Should these sentiments become
universally prevalent, the whole
world would become one vast
field of blood; and lamentation
mourning and woe, would be
inscribed on
every object in
creation.

If then children are to become members of society, and to mingle with such characters as have now been mentioned, ought they not to be thoroughly established in the belief of this grand doctrine of all religion, that God is infinite in his perfections, and that he reigns without a rival both in the natural and moral world?

But at the present day, there are many more who deny the truth of revelation than there are who deny the existence and government of Jehovah. It is no uncommon thing to find men who are bold enough to declare, there is no truth in revealed religion. Even in New-England which, perhaps, is the most virtuous part of the globe, numbers of such persons may be found. Is there not great danger that children will imbibe their corrupt opinions, unless, by the repeated warnings and instructions of their parents, they have been made to feel a reverence for the scriptures? If they have never been taught that the bible is the word of God, and that they ought to make it the man of their counsel and the guide of their youth, are they not in danger of being spoiled "through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ?" That philosophy which is opposed to divine revelation, and which is the, favorite science of atheists, deists and unbelievers, although much studied, teaches only the way which conducts to death. Its advocates, notwithstanding they pretend to walk in great light, and to compassionate the humble followers of Jesus for their ignorance and

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blindness are themselves involved in darkness more dreadful than Egypt ever experienced. From the sentiments of such men, who "are pure in their own eyes and yet not washed from their filthiness," may God deliver our youth and children.

They with

If the importance of parental instruction and government be so great as has now been represented, can this duty be too much urged upon parents? If the welfare of future societies, if the temporal and eternal happiness of children so much depend upon their early education, can parents be too often exhorted to faithfulness? their offspring will soon add to the congregation of the dead, and appear before the judgment seat of Christ. At that dread day, when the whole human race shall be assembled, when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, when the motives which have impelled to action shall be examined, in what light will the conduct of unfaithful parents be viewed by a righteous Judge? When they have been required to train up their children in the way they should go, and thus prepare them for glory, honor and immortality, what must be their sensations, if thro' want of proper instruction in youth they are lost for ever? Can such parents as have neglected to instruct and govern their children appear undismayed before the bar of God, and say, here are we and “ the children which thou hast graciously given" us? "Can their heart endure or their hands be strong." when God shall deal with them for their criminal negligence which occasioned the eternal destruction of multitudes of his

interposition of an invisible hand. Through almost the whole of this long time, he did but very little business, and was a great charge upon the family ; appearing more disposed to increase than to alleviate their burdens. After the three first years, as he has since told the writer, he had no design of injuring himself but felt very bitter towards all his fellow men, especially such as were consid

creatures? Their children will attempt to extenuate their guilt by alleging, that they were never restrained from vicious courses nor directed in the paths of virtue. And while sentenced to the regions of darkness for their evil deeds, they will be flaming torches to light their parents to a place of tenfold torment. Let heads of families then be entreated to "train up" those committed to their | care" in the way" they "shouldered men of real piety. His go," let them do it in the fear of God, with special reference to the great day of judgment, and the retributions of eternity.

PHILOTEKNON,

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heart, as he acknowledged, was so very vile that he could not feel pleased with hearing a prayer, or any religious conversation, and was very desirous of flying away from his neighbors and former friends whenever they came into his house. It was his almost universal practice, upon such occasions, to rise from his seat, and sideling towards a door, repeat in a low voice, seemingly in great agitation, the words, I can't, I can'tand if he could not well get out of the room would express great uneasiness, and frequently go sq

as to request or

to go home.

In the autumn of 1798, which was about nineteen years after his first falling into this state, he for the first time, manifested some degree of kindness. Being a shoe maker, and one day observing a little boy exposed to the frost without shoes, hẹ felt pity for him, and of his own accord set himself to make a pair, which he accomplished.After this he became more in

Nearly twenty years before his death, he fell into a state of such despair, and (as was supposed,) derangement of mind, as occasioned great trouble in his family. During two or three of the first years, he ap-clined to read books on religious peared to make several attempts against his own life, but was prevented, sometimes in such an extraordinary manner as induced a belief of an uncommon

subjects; and the awakening soon spreading in the place, he began to be solicitous for his eternal welfare. And though his infirmities would not permit

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