rate the mind in every event, and through every period of life.

Here fact comes in to the support of theory; and I can assert the observations I have presumed to make, to be amply justified by experience.

One gentleman it has been my happiness to know, who entered upon life at the age of sixteen, without guide but his own principle, without monitor but the precepts of education, and the dictates of his own heart. Unsullied by the temptations of a capital, he was plunged into the temptations of a camp. Fond of society, where his cheerful temper and easy manners formed him to shine, but still fonder of improvement, neither the inducements of camp or city interrupted his unwearied pursuits of literature and science Surrounded by companions who had caught the contagion of scepticism, he, at this early period of life, listened to their arguments; weighed, examined, detected, their futility; and rejected them! In prosperity and adversity, in public and in private life, the sentiments of religion retained their influence on his heart. Through life they were his guide, in death his consolation. When sinking by painful steps into an early grave," with what gratitude," he exclaimed, “with what delightful gratitude do I now look back to the period of my infancy, and to the judicious conduct of my mother, who made religion appear to me in colours so engaging and so congenial! Had I been taught as other boys are taught, my passions would have made me an easy prey to vice; my love of inquiry would have led me to infidelity. She prepared me for the trial of faith and virtue, and, thanks to God, I have come off victorious. Had religion been made

to me a gloomy task in infancy, where would now have been my consolation?"

I find this subject is still too much for me.

Adieu.

LETTER VI.

Same Subject continued.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

IF the establishment of religious principle in the minds of our pupils, on a firm and lasting foundation, appear to us an object of importance, we shall not be satisfied with a slight and hasty survey of the means of accomplishing it. I shall, therefore, make no apology for resuming a subject which, in the light I view it, as the only never-failing source of joy and consolation, is worthy of the highest degree of attention.

The graces and virtues which adorn the Christian character are of such intrinsic value, as to attract the esteem and veneration of the confirmed infidel. Why is the fruit admired, while the tree that bringeth it forth is heid in contempt? Why is the true source denied or despised, while the stream that flows from it is held in universal estimation? Is it not because the tree is not examined, nor the source analized? Because fruit which springs not from that tree, bears its name; and waters of bitterness pretend to have derived their origin from the fountain of sweets?

The duties of religion are considered as separate and distinct from the common concerns of life; and those who pique themselves on the strictest performance of them, are not always most amiable and engaging. What Mrs. Moore so well observes of the learning of ladies, may justly be applied to the religion of devotees. "It stands out, as it were, above the very surface of their minds, like the appliquee of the embroiderer; instead of having been interwoven with the growth of the piece, so as to have become a part of the stuff." There is a pedantry in religion as well as in knowledge, into which minds that are thoroughly enlightened will not be apt to fall. The affected use of technical terms upon scientific subjects is generally considered as savouring more of vanity than knowledge; yet some worthy people make it a matter of conscience to interlard their conversation with a sort of technical piety, which, by exciting disgust or ridicule in the young and unthinking, is productive of the worst effects. The human mind is so constituted, as very unwillingly to admit the assumed superiority, which pretentions to uncommon sanctity imply. A grateful sense of the Divine Goodness, cheerful submission to the Divine Will, diffusive charity, and extensive benevolence, touch the chords of sympathy in every generous breast; but by the austerity of a devotee, no such sympathy was ever yet awakened.

At a time of life when the world appears to wear a smiling and inviting aspect, if religion be drest in frowns, she will gain few willing votaries. In our endeavours to impress religious principle upon the tender mind, we must have it still in our recollection that the laws of nature can never be violated

with impunity. Let us remember, that youth is the season of cheerfulness; that the infancy of all animals is frolicsome and gay; that whatever is gloomy is then disgusting; and that when the animal spirits are in full play, the mind may not be capable of discriminating between the serious and the gloomy. Could long and serious lectures be given to children in favour of falsehoods, vanity, and sensual indulgence, I believe few more effectual methods could be taken to cure them of those propensities. But while the whole tenor of agreeable associations lays the foundation of these vices, we reserve the disgust of serious lectures for religion and virtue!

"It is observable," says Hartley, "that the mere transit of words, expressing strong ideas, over the ears of children affects them." On this principle the idea of an unseen Benefactor, who is the Giver of every good, the Author of all the felicity of which the infant heart is sensible, may easily be conveyed to the mind at a very early period. By a little pains, the most pleasing associations may be formed with the idea of this unseen Benefactor. Let the moment be seized, when the little heart dilates with joy at some unexpected pleasure, to form its first attempt at prayer. "I thank thee O GOD, for making my mamma, or other friends, so good to me," may be quite sufficient; and if sugguested upon proper occasions, and repeated not as a formal duty but a spontaneous effusion of the heart, it will not fail to produce an effect upon the affections. As the sphere of observation is enlarged, and the sources of pleasure multiply upon the mind, every object of nature that inspires admiration,

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every social endearment which produces delight, may be made instruments to conduct the infant heart to GOD. Let me not be laughed at for the confession, and I shall freely acknowledge to you that I at this moment look back with infinite pleasure to the delightful period, when, with the simplicity of infant innocence, I poured out my little soul in grateful thanks to the Almighty for the happiness enjoyed at a dancing school ball! Nor am I certain, that all the catechisms and all the hymns with which my poor memory was loaded, produced half the benefit to my mind as that which flowed from this powerful association of felicity with its Divine source.

I confess it is much easier, and perhaps more gratifying to our vanity as well as to our indolence, to make children get long prayers and catechisms by heart, than thus by gentle and imperceptible degrees to impress them with feelings of gratitude and affection for their Heavenly Father. But whoever would succeed in the great work of education, must begin by conquering vanity and indolence in themselves, for these are the great, the perpetually occurring obstacles to success.

I believe the recollection of most people who have been educated by pious parents, will furnish them with numerous instances of the inutility of loading the memory at an early period with creeds and catechisms which are totally beyond the comprehension. Even those which are best adapted to the capacity of childhood lose all their meaning, when detached into the small and broken portions, by the repetition of which they are committed to memory. Often, in these repetitions of detached