made upon its perception, long before it can think for itself; yea, indeed, these constitute the very elements of its thoughts and desires; or of its aversions. It should then be handled and treated; dressed, fed, and amused, with all that propriety and sobriety of treatment, which is naturally calculated to make just impressions of what is comely, decent, and proper, in the elementary contour of human character; being entirely unaccustomed to any thing foolish, whimsical, or ridiculous, but to the very contrary. And why should not this be universally the case? Is not every mother's son naturally the same with Samuel and Timothy, and equally near and dear to his mother?-a sensitive, rational creature, destined for eternity?-capable of being trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ?— of being thus prepared for the high destiny of eternally glorifying and enjoying its almighty Creator? Why, then, not receive and treat this high privileged creature, as Hannah and Eunice did their sons? who as far as mother's interest and agency could go, devoted them to the Lord; always considering and treating them accordingly; and thus training them up for God.

In the course of some twelve or sixteen months, the beloved little creatures not only understand looks and gestures, but begin also to understand words. The endearing epithets of father and mother soon convey to the infant mind the most pleasing impressions and recollections. It also gets early acquainted with the common literal acceptation of the terms good and bad, pretty and ugly, love and hate, sweet and bitter, make, break, &c. &c.; and thus soon become the capable subject

of oral instructions. Now as soon as this capability by being exercised for some time upon common sensible objects, its attention should be interestingly and incessantly called to a realizing grateful acknowledgement of its Creator. This, we presume, may be successfully attempted in the following manner:—

Mother. My dear child, where is your father? He is ploughing the corn to make cakes for you. Do you not love father for that? Who bought you this pretty coat, my dear? Do you not know it was father? Do you not love father for buying you this pretty coat to keep you warm? Do you know who made it, my dear? It was mother made it. Do you not love me for making you this pretty coat? Give me a kiss, if you love me; my sweet son. Do you know who made you, my dear? It was heavenly Father. Do you not know, my dear son, that you have a heavenly Father, who lives away up in heaven, above the sun, moon, and stars; who made you, and me, and your father, and gave you to us, to be our son? Do you not love heavenly father, my dear, for making you, and me, and your father; and for giving you to us to be our son? 'Tis heavenly Father that keeps us alive, and takes care of us; that makes all the good things grow in the fields, in the garden, in the orchard; all the good berries, and apples, and fruits of every kind, that we eat; and all the beautiful buds, and blossoms, and flowers, that smell so sweet. Do you not love heavenly Father, my dear, for making you all these good things? &c. &c.

Thus most infants, from twelve to eighteen

months old, are capable of being instructed; so that at the age of two years, they would mostly be able to connect the idea of the heavenly Father, with every object of delight and enjoyment; and, thus, not only become duly acquainted with the divine existence, but also with the delightful attributes of his nature, his power, wisdom, goodness, and love.

To accomplish this blissful attainment would, however, in the mean time, require the incessant attention of the parents; especially of the mother, whose special province it is to form the infant mind. It would have to be the constant business of every day, as far as opportunity would permit. Yes, indeed, suitable opportunities should be sought for presenting to the child's consideration the various objects, both terrestrial and celestial, with which Heaven has graciously favoured us, for the blissful purpose of acquiring and communicating the knowledge of our bountiful Creator. Thus, by the time the child had completed its third year, it would have become a practical deist or theist : it would recognize God in every thing; and every thing in its relation to God, as his creature; and so be prepared, in due time, for the enjoyment of our holy religion; which is founded upon a realizing persuasion of the being and perfections of our heavenly Father.

Moreover, while the child is thus training, in the arms, and under the tender care of its maternal guardian, it should be kept out of the way of corrupting examples, as much as possible. Its associates, if it have any, should be pupils of the same school, that have received the same maternal

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training. For evil communications corrupt good manners;" especially in infancy and early youth; for, at this period, "custom becomes indeed, a second nature." Nor will it unfrequently happen, that, after all the care that can be taken to train the infant mind, and to preserve it from the contagion of bad example, there will still be need for coercive measures; for "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.' Prov. xxii. 15. Withhold not correction from thy child; for if thou beatest him with the rod he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell." Prov. xxiii. 13, 14. Hence it necessarily follows, that "He that spareth his rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, chasteneth him betimes." Prov. xiii. 24. However, we should not correct to gratify passion; nor should we ever threaten or inflict chastisement, till it appear indispensably necessary; and then it should be done, not in wrath, lest we provoke our children to wrathful resentment, and they be discouraged; but in the name of the Lord; that is, upon principle of obedience. See Eph. vi. 4, and Col. iii. 17— "Whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, even the Father, by him." And "Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. x. 31. Wherefore, upon the whole, it should be done with prayers; if it be done to "save a soul from hell-to the glory of God;" "For salvation is of the Lord." And this way of administering correction is divinely calculated to have the proper effect, both upon the

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parent and upon the child. Upon the latter, as expressive of the heinous nature, ruinous effects, and terrible consequences of sin; for a child ought not to be seriously corrected, till it can be made sensible of the evil of disobedience; which, for the most part, it may be, if duly instructed, by the time it is three years old; for, by that time, it might be made equally acquainted with its obligations both to its heavenly and earthly father; for it has its parents' word alike for both; and, beyond that, for the first five or six years, it can know nothing of either. This solemn prayerful way of correcting is also equally calculated to have the proper effect upon the mind of the parent, by filling it with deep impressions of its sacred responsibilities both to God and the child, and also with the blissful assurance that the chastisement, thus administered, shall not be in vain in the Lord; for it is written, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. xxii. 6. But the training

here intended is not confined to correction for ineidental faults; it covers the whole area of a Christian education, both with respect to sentiment, speech, and behaviour-to food, raiment, and exercise. Hence the necessity of first commencing with the mind, in the nursery; next, of adverting to the use made of speech, when the child has acquired it; and lastly to its actions, when it understands right and wrong.

Also, its food and raiment should be plain, simple, and suitable; to answer the natural and necessary purposes of health and convenience;not for pampering appetite, luxury, and pride.