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PRACTICAL BELIEF OF THE BIBLE.

The truth is, the parent is the appointed and responsible guardian of the child, as much in reference to religion, as in reference to its education or profession. Precisely as much. And do we condemn in unqualified terms that parent who throws a worthless son upon society, without education, without character, without a profession? Is not such a parent treacherous alike to society and to that son? He surely is. And every mother who sends out from her protection a child who is not, while a child, an intelligent believer in the Bible, is no less to be censured. She has neglected an essential part of her responsibility. Not teach her child the Bible, til his "judgment" is "mature"! She might as well withhold his food till his digestive organs are "mature." His judgment never will be mature, until the lessons of infinite wisdom make it so.

2. Every child needs religious principles long enough before he is capable of forming them independently.

At all events, he will form his character long before he attains the "mature judgment of manhood." A child at fifteen has ordinarily the elements of his character. At twenty it is nearly consolidated. Its direction is given. The most irreligious man insists that every one should have some moral character. He must have fixed principles of veracity and honesty. He must entertain a just abhorrence against such sins as overthrow society. He must have something about him, on which the obligations of an oath may be safely predicated. All these are properties which enter vitally into the very structure of civil society. Their necessity no one will deny. Society is a wreck without them. They are as essential in the youth of 12 and 15 years, as in the man of 40. And we are to infix these principles of moral character, without making use of the Bible! This certainly savors of Egyptian severity-it is demanding the full tale of brick, yet withholding the straw. This pernicious sentiment amounts to pure infidelity. It aims to overthrow the very foundations of social order. For on what, let me ask, are those principles of moral uprightness to be based? Exclude the Bible as their basis, and what substitute have you? Here is an anxious mother, who wishes to train her child up as an upright citizen, to restrain his vicious propensities, and shield him from temptation. Will you tell him it is not right to run into the excesses of vice? How do you know it is not right? he inquires. Will you say it is inexpedient ? The question of mere expediency and right, if you lay aside the authoritative decisions of the Bible, is one on which he feels as competent to judge as you are; and he has as good a right to judge. And if you leave the Bible out of view, you cannot prove to the child, against the strength of his sinful inclination, either the obligation or expediency of strict moral uprightness.

How, then, is the mother to train her child to moral principle? How is she to check the tendencies of unfolding depravity? How is it usually attempted to be done, where the Bible is not used? Go into the nursery and listen to the horrid tales about "the bears" and "ghosts" which are made to haunt like household gods the infant imagination. But even from this most reprehensible course we may learn one lesson. Parents invariably feel that some restraint is needed, and that restraint must be based upon the religious susceptibilities, if I may so call them, of our nature. But what pitiful weakness to

prefer such superstitious terrors, instead of the substantial, real and enforcing truths of Revelation! The child soon learns the deception-naturally concludes that all the obligations of virtue are thus unfounded: you know what follows.

Not so the restraints of Bible truth. They are at once effective, uniform, permanent. If they gain an entrance to the mind, they are rarely dislodged. And it ought to be well considered that the skilful use of religious truth in the government of children, is infinitely better than nursery superstitions, or even the rod itself. The latter may be sometimes needed. But the sword of the Spirit is better. I wish all mothers would try it.

I had four or five reasons more which I wished to urge. But I see I am taking too much room. If you desire it, I will present hereafter a few additional considerations, when you shall have more room, and I more leisure. P.

For the Mother's Magazine.

EARLY IMPRESSIONS.

"TO MOTHERS IS COMMITTED THE MOULDING OF THE WHOLE MASS OF HUMAN MIND, WHEN IT TURNETH AS WAX TO THE SEAL."

From Jane Taylor's preface to the "Mother's Journal," it has been suggested, by a late sensible and pious writer, whether more might not be done than is generally attempted, in early education, in rendering the first impressions of religion cheerful and encouraging, rather than gloomy and apprehen

sive.

Instead of a reluctant acknowledgement of the necessity of preparation for death, might not the young be taught, as their first lesson in Christianity, to exult in the thought of being born to an endless existence, and in the fact, that boundless happiness is offered to their acceptance?

Perhaps the fascinations of the world would be more successfully counteracted, if, instead of lectures given without sympathy, on its vanity and danger, the great objects of our faith and hope were more frequently and more cheeringly exhibited, as in themselves infinitely desirable, and worthy of every sacrifice; if their attention were particularly invited to those passages of Scripture which bring immortality to light, and they were taught to contemplate as words of wondrous and mighty import, that He has "promised to us eternal life."

If there is any part of the conduct of mankind which may be supposed, beyond any other, to excite the astonishment of angels, and the triumph of devils, must it not be the unconcern respecting a future state of existence, manifested by a dying world? And though the cause of this insensibility may be traced to the blindness and perversion of our fallen nature; yet might not something be done to counteract the evil, by an early and habitual direction of the mind to the grand prospects of futurity? And might not a generation, thus trained, produce in after life less of that questionable kind of religion, which consists in seeking rather a refuge from hell, than a portion in heaven? It is the lively perception, that "the favor of God is better than life;" that his presence will be fulness of joy; that this beautiful world, with all its að

mirable contrivances to accommodate and delight us, is but an imperfect shadow of that "new earth" wherein dwelleth righteousness;-it is this perception which makes the difference between a cold and comfortless religion, and the peace which passeth all understanding; the joy which is indeed unspeakable.

As an illustration of the foregoing sentiment, perhaps the following incidents may not be inapplicable. A mother had been induced to attend a protracted meeting during one whole week. Anxious to persuade her friends and neighbours to enter the ark of safety while the door continued open, and before their attention, which was now arrested, should again be wholly given to temporal objects, her own soul glowing with love to God, and indulging sweet communion with the father and with his son, Christ Jesus, her desires to bring others into this same endearing union and communion, could not now be readily repressed. Saturday evening came. The conflict in this mother's breast was now intense. Her maternal feelings inclined her to remain at home, and instruct her children, as had been her invariable practice every evening, reading, and praying, and singing alternately with them; dwelling often upon the love of Christ manifested to little children, and the joys of the heavenly world. But on this last day of the week, this mother had met an Indian girl of uncommon intellectual attainments, who had expressed a desire to attend the meeting that evening; and like the man at the pool of Bethesda, would naturally wait for some one, to lead her to that fountain which cleanseth from all sin. As this native girl of the forest had a special regard for this mother, this fact seemingly enhanced her obligations to be at the meeting. After requesting her children to be dutiful, and to spend their time profitably, she commended them to God, and repaired to the meeting. At the close of worship, this mother returned to her little flock, trembling as she approached her nursery, and fearing that her children might have mismanaged during her absence. On opening the door, little Julia, a child nearly seven years of age, who had hopefully given her heart to Christ a few months previous, said, mother, we have had a delightful evening. We have conversed, and sung, and prayed, and wept all the evening. "Julia," said the mother," and what made you weep." "We could not help it," mother, she replied; "we have been begging Thomas and Peggy, (a little colored girl) to give their hearts to Christ, but they were so hard that they would not break; but they did at last, and they both prayed for you and for father. We have wept a great deal ; this, I know, did no good, but we could not help it." "Mother," continued Julia, her young heart overflowing with joyful emotions at the apparent success which had crowned these faithful efforts, "I have often feared the cholera, but I think I should not fear to die now; I think I should sleep sweetly in Jesus."

Her cousin, Frances, a little girl two years older, modestly said, "Aunt, we have been talking too about the golden harps and streets in heaven. I think that chapter in Revelation which tells about heaven, is the sweetest in all the Bible." "Mother," said Julia," will you read that chapter to us now?” The mother joyfully laid aside her bonnet, and took the Bible, while her children clustered around her. After reading this vivid description of the New

FILL THE WATER POTS WITH WATER.

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Jerusalem, she inquired of her children if they thought there were streets in heaven like ours, and if they supposed them to be really paved with gold. "No," replied James, her eldest son, a lad ten years old, "I do not understand that to be the meaning. I think this whole description is figurative. The righteousness of the saints will be perfected in heaven, and will be so brilliant that it will outshine gold. Holiness or righteousness will then not only pervade every thing, but will lie upon every thing, so that it will seem to "Mother," continued James, "I do not stand out, as if overlaid with gold. understand the river of life to be really water, or crystal. I think it an emblem of the "water of salvation," which, when compared to crystal, will be seen to be more pure and transparent than even crystal.

This mother retired to rest, relying upon the promise, that if we "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," all other things will be added; and still more impressed with the truth of the sentiment, that whatever the mind of a child contemplates, to that object it naturally becomes assimilated. If this principle be true, what mother would not earnestly desire to have her little ones, in early childhood, contemplate the glories of heaven, the character of Christ, and the purity of his law, in order that the nature of the impressions which she stamps not only indelibly but eternally, may be for ever increasingly holy.

For the Mother's Magazine.

"FILL THE WATER POTS WITH WATER," JOHN II. 7.

A piece in the Sabbath School Journal, entitled "Scripture Principles of Education," founded on the passage above quoted, contained a sentiment so full of encouragement to mothers, that I feel constrained to offer it for insertion in the Mother's Magazine. The sentiment is this. Parents and Sabbath School Teachers are only required to fill the water pots with water, and leave it to the Lord to convert it into wine. The water we have thus to dispose of, is the written word; it is pure; it is free; it is abundant. We cannot take too much of it; we cannot give too much; it is the property of all, and there is enough for all. This blessed word should fill our own hearts. We should endeavor to imbue the hearts of our children with it, and our poor and more ignorant neighbors, and thoughtless and careless friends, and all besides that come within our reach. If we compass the world to propagate the Gospel, our work is still the same-to pour water into empty vessels, ready for the master's use. While reading this interesting and instructive Scripture lesson, my mother's my mind reverted to a scene directly in point, which occurred in nursery. It was in the days of my early childhood, long before the introduction of Sabbath Schools. My mother had not herself enjoyed the advantages On the contrary, she had heard and seen much to of a religious education. prejudice her mind against what was then termed "revivals," "new lights," "new divinity," and "night meetings;" all of which were considered, even by some divines, as the effects of fanaticism. But her early attachment to one who had devoted himself to the study of theology, inclined her mind to serious reflection, and at length she was led to embrace a

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tears.

THE ONE FAULT.

Savior. Subsequently she became the wife of a minister, and the mother of eight children. It was then she experienced the want of early religious instruction. Her own ignorance was often the fruitful source of pain and regret, and she had much to contend with, arising from her former prejudices. One Sabbath in particular, the period alluded to above, she had seated herself, as usual, with her beloved children, when a sense of her incapacity to explain the word of life was so overwhelming, that she could not conceal her emotions from the little group who were wont to hang upon her lips, with fond delight. In an agony of grief she burst into Her children gathered closer around her and with importunity sought an explanation of her sorrow, while tears of sympathy trembled in every eye, and even the little one took its pin-afore to wipe away its mother's tears. As soon as she could command herself, she said "my dear children, I was overcome with a sense of the worth of your precious souls, and my own inability to explain to you the Bible in a way to satisfy myself." I shall never forget the expression which passed over my mother's face, as she took the "word of life," and simply read it; but there was an emphasis and a pathos in her style of reading, that made an impression upon my mind never to be effaced. On referring to this scene several years afterwards, my mother informed me that from that very hour, she was never at a loss in what way to interest and instruct her children from the Bible. She read and explained it, in the best manner she was able, looking to God, and humbly relying upon him to set it home with power upon their hearts and consciences. "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it," is an important lesson for every mother to learn experimentally. "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed," said the blessed Savior, "ye might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root and be thou planted in the sea; and should obey you."

For the Mother's Magazine.

THE ONE FAULT.

What is the matter with you, my dear Eliza? inquired Mrs. R. You look unhappy; you speak unkindly to your sister; and you treat me disrespectfully. Is this my reward for taking you out to walk with me, and for the basket I have just purchased for you?

I did not intend to treat you with disrespect, Mrs. R. I was only provoked with sister Jane. I thought for once I should have the pleasure of judging for myself, in the purchase of an article, without her interference-a pleasure I have not enjoyed for at least a twelvemonth.

Why this change in your conduct, Eliza? said Mrs. R. You appeared in fine spirits and very happy during our long walk, only one half hour since. You subject yourself to the suspicion of being very capricious. Do not keep me in suspense. Come, Eliza, explain yourself.

Will you please to excuse me, Mrs. R. I acknowledge it is but a trifling affair, yet it makes me angry to have sister Jane always have her own way. I do not think I am to blame for her faults.

I cannot excuse you, Eliza, replied Mrs. R., now assuming a tone of displeasure. That cannot be deemed a trifle which not only puts a whole family