that they know not how to conquer them, except by methods which would never have been necessary, if they had been taught obedience from the beginning. If a child have been accustomed from infancy to do what he is bid, and if his little heart have been gained by the kindness of a prudent mother, her displeasure will be his punishment, her praise will be his reward. Rough language and blows are almost always proofs that the parent did not know how to govern. It is observed of one sect of Christians, who have a remarkable command over their passions, that they never raise their voices in speaking to their children, or ever permit them to speak loud to each other. The good effects of this rule will be evident to all who steadily pursue it. The child will attend to the meaning of your words, instead of being frightened with the sound of them; and will soon know that he is governned like a reasonable creature, and not like a brute beast, which has no understanding.

This point being once gained, and the child being accustomed to immediate and ready obedience, without dispute or murmur, it remains that you use this power for his real good. Carefully watch the very first appearance of any thing wrong in his disposition, and check it immediately. Care

fully guard against deceit.

Teach him to

own his faults; and when he does so, forgive them; but convince him that they are faults, and must be rooted out. Above all, give him early impressions of religion; teach him to fear GOD, and to tremble at the punishments prepared for the wicked in the next world. These are what we all ought to fear.

As your children grow up, give them reason to consider their parents as their best friends. Encourage them to open their hearts to you, and assist them in conquering their faults. Make use of every assistance you can procure, in teaching them their duty. Let them have such instruction as you can afford, but do not attempt to put them above their rank in life, for it will only make them discontented and unhappy. If it be possible, never let them be idle; for idleness is the root of all evil. Children should have time to play as well as to work, but they should not get a habit of doing nothing. Accustom them to be active, industrious, and neat. The more a man can do for himself, the less dependent he is upon other people. He who has learnt to be industrious and contented, is rich and happy. He who is idle and discontented, must be poor and miserable. When your children are of an age to marry and settle, prove your love for them by doing

every thing in your power to make them happy. Assist them with your advice, and endeavour to prevent their being connected with a person of bad character; but do not suppose that you have any right to insist on their marrying any person against their own inclination. In every thing set them a good example, and pray to God to bless them.

Such are the duties of husbands and wives, of parents and children; and may GOD of his infinite mercy grant, that all who humbly endeavour to perform them for his sake, and according to his commandment, may escape the greatest affliction which a good mind can feel; I mean the pain of knowing that those whom they love most are unworthy of that love the pain of seeing all their care and tenderness repaid with ingratitude. May all who have done their part with diligence, be rewarded by seeing the blessed effects of their care; may the husband and wife, the parent and child, love and bless each other; may they unite in serving GOD faithfully on earth, and in glorifying his name for ever in Heaven!

2 CORINTHIANS viii. 9.

FOR YE KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD

JESUS CHRIST, THAT THOUGH HE WAS
RICH, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME
POOR, THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY
MIGHT BE RICH.

H

AVING considered the duties which we all owe to GOD, and some of those which particular situations of life require from us, as children, as husbands, as parents; I will, in the present discourse, address myself particularly to those who depend on their own industry, with the blessing of GOD, for their support; and make some observations which relate principally to their situation in life.

Whatever opinion men may form of the advantages attendant on riches, and however they may despise poverty, it appears from the Gospel, that these things are not so regarded by Him who made both the rich and the poor. We find that our Saviour CHRIST hid himself from those who would have made

レ

him a king, and that for our sakes he became poor. We are told that he was born in a stable, and laid in a manger; that he was supposed to be the son of a carpenter; that he was so poor, that it was necessary for him to work a miracle, in order to pay the accustomed tribute; and he describes his own situation in these remarkable words,"Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head."* Such was the situation in which the LORD of heaven and earth was pleased to appear amongst men; and by doing so he has exalted the humble, and made his example particularly useful to the poor. He did not appear in the character of a rich man, of a conqueror, of a statesman, or of a monarch; but the poor man sees his Saviour perform all the duties of his own situation in life, and may learn from him humility, patience, and resignation. To him then let us look for the pattern of every virtue, while we consider the duties which belong to an humble station in this world; and let us learn to reverence that station in which the Son of God did not disdain to appear.

Many, who pretend to wish well to the poor, endeavour to make them discontented * Luke ix. 58.