our desire, he came to us. His eyes were red with the scalding tear of anguish, but he endeavored to wait calmly our business.

I am sorry to say, we have just been the witnesses to your distress, and I would wish, if it were possible, to help you to some remedy.

What remedy! he exclaimed, yielding to the feeling which overpowered him. My son's lost, and nothing moves him.

The woman turned to set by some chairs, with the intention of hiding the tears that flowed down her cheeks at this declaration.

He is indeed very bad, all the sin of his heart seems at work, and it is no slight proof of it when such disobedience is manifested. Have you tried to bring him up in the fear of God?

When he was young and tractable, I took him to Sunday-school, and to Church, and always set him a good example; but he's followed wicked lads, and turned out as you see; he grew so stubborn and high-minded, we could not manage him, and at last he left us quite.

How came he to be able to leave you? did he not depend on you for his support?

No; he's been able to earn his own bread ever since he was twelve years old.

Have you any other children?

Yes, two, a boy and a girl.

Are you bringing them up in the same way? I don't know what better to do; but I dare not let them see their brother, much, for fear they should turn out the same.

I would not wish to add to your trouble, but perhaps you'll take it as a friendly warning, if I say, that they are very likely to be the same.

He started, and said,-Why, Sir, do you know aught amiss of them?

No, I do not know them, but I know somewhat amiss of you.

What, pray, Sir?

That you have neglected your duty to your

children!

How, Sir?

I think you have taught them neither the love of the Lord Jesus, nor the commandment of God. You're wrong, Sir, for I've taught them the Commandments and all the Catechism.

You mean to say, that you have made them learn them like parrots, to repeat word by word; but you have not taught them how to observe them, you have not taught them to love and honor and succor you and their mother; you have put them upon caring for themselves, after the principle of this selfish world, and if they have no better motive, they will each please themselves according to the different turn of their dispositions, and you and their mother will be quite out of the question with them, because they understand not that the will of the Lord is, that they should in word and deed honor their father and mother. You teach them to serve themselves; their own pleasure and their own belly is their god, and they will seek after them as after idols I advise you seriously to think of this before it be too late.

He seemed to ponder my words, but not clearly to comprehend them; however, as I saw he was a reflecting man, I led away my young friends, and left him to weigh and inquire what was the purport of them.

There were two young girls walking our way, and they seemed engrossed in deep conversation; one of them opened a paper very carefully, showing the contents to the other, who exclaimed

Oh! in a tone of wonderful admiration.

It's not pink, it's rose colour. Isn't it a bonny ribbon? I saw Miss Lucy Grey's bonnet with such a colored ribbon, and I determined with my next money to buy such an one; the man in the shop told me this was off the same piece, and he said they call it rose colour. I've sent my Sunday bonnet to be cleaned, it will cost me two shillings, but I don't mind, I shall earn what will pay for it. Mother said, I'd best buy a new petticoat, but you know that is not seen.

Oh! Nanny, the other said, I wish my mother would let me have my own earnings; I'd work so hard if she would, and then I'd buy a ribbon like it; but she buys every thing for me, and she likes such old fashioned things, drawing up her frock, see, I've this thick stuff petticoat, and black stockings, and a pair of strong shoes, and another such a pair for Sundays; she never buys me smart things.

Oh! it's best to have your money for yourself, and then you can do as you like.

We all listened to this conversation, and as they stopt to talk further on the subject, we passed on and hastened home, and were quite ready for refreshment; during which, the children related all the occurrences of the morning to their mother, accompanied with very discriminating observations, and my own mind was furnished with a key to some species of disobedience to parents, which had often surprised me before, and now especially engaged my attention.

CHAPTER VII.

THE next morning Louisa reminded me of the old man, by saying,

Remember Thomas's old father, uncle.

With pleasure; if your mamma will permit it, we will go this morning.

Will you consent, mamma?

Defer it till the evening, my dears, for I do not like you totally to neglect your usual avocations. But perhaps it may rain in the evening,Charles said.

I shall be sorry if you should be disappointed, but we will trust to the event.

I am sure it will rain,-George said, with a little tone of impatience,-for the sky has clouded in.

If it should, my dear George, you will, I hope, know how to bear a disappointment of your own will, which would arise from two causes that are not only good, but, also, beyond your control. What two causes, mamma?

First, the will of God, who sendeth the rain ; and second, the will of your mother, who desires your regular instruction.

My sister had a particularly happy mode of blending an affectionate manner with a firmness of purpose, so that while her children felt her authority, they were sensible of her kindness.

Not another attempt was made to change the mind of their mother, and even the little pet which had assailed George, wore off, and they were soon busily and cheerfully engaged.

I took the opportunity of throwing together my reflections upon the incidents of the morning, and of investigating the operation of that system of independent labor, which has grown into such general use amongst the laboring classes of society. I could not help thinking, that however plausible the plea for industry sounded, it sprung from a corrupt principle of greediness for gain in the parents, which substituted a selfish worldly motive as a stimulus, instead of a godly and dutiful principle, prompted to action by a spirit of love. It seemed to proceed from a covetous disposition in the parents, desiring to make a gain of their children, and producing the same feeling in them; for of course, their industry would be tainted with a lurking covetous desire,