encourage every pursuit which can strengthen the mental faculties, or add grace and dignity to personal appearance. But most seriously would we caution you not to teach these things to your children as the all-important objects of their attention, or as having an influence upon their best interests. Daily and hourly should it be impressed upon them, that they are immortal beings, and that that knowledge, and those accomplishments, are alone eminently valuable, which they can carry with them to a future world. They should be made to realize, that prayer to God is their first and most honourable duty; and that this duty must be discharged whatever else is omitted-if indeed it can be supposed to interfere with any. All their actions they should be taught to regulate by the revealed word of God; and even diligence in their studies at school, and propriety of deportment to their parents, instructors, and associates, should be enforced upon religious principles.

Such are our general views in regard to the nature of a religious education. It would be inexpedient, if not impracticable, to attempt their development within the narrow limits of a discourse. We trust that enough has been said to give a direction to the meditations of serious and conscientious parents; and to encourage these meditations upon a subject of such deep importance, your attention is next invited to the value of a religious education.

But how shall we be able to declare its value, which is unspeakable, or to unfold its blessed consequences? Shall we say that it is the only method by which you can secure for your children the approbation of God, and the inheritance of immortal joys? But perhaps the minds of many of you are resting anxiously and almost exclusively upon their worldly happiness and advancement. Shall we say then, that, in a worldly point of view, religious instruction is the richest gift you can bestow upon the objects of your love?

This would be a feeble and inadequate recommendation of religion, considering its real power and excellency. Yet here will we begin. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.* * The promise of the life that is to come, you all acknowledge that the Gospel of Christ possesses. But how, you may ask, has it promise of the life that now is? Will religion aid our children in gaining wealth? Will it raise them to an elevated rank among their fellow men? We answer, that it will not interfere with these plans you have laid out for your children; it will rather promote them.

The grand object of solicitude to every affectionate father, is the happiness of those whom God hath given to him. For this he labours, watches, contrives. It is the chief spring of all his exertions. He would perhaps be satisfied with moderate acquisitions for

1 Timothy iv. 8.

himself. But when he looks round upon the interesting objects of his domestick affections -when his heart is warmed by their caresses, and the deepest affections of his soul are awakened by their innocent and confiding looks, then he thinks of the time when their earthly protector will be removed, and he desires and resolves to secure for them every worldly blessing within his power, that they may love his name and revere his memory. Let him bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and his purpose will be accomplished. Should he leave to them the inheritance of wealth, he may be assured that it will not be dissipated in riotous extravagance, but will contribute to the usefulness and dignity of their lives. And should their only legacy be the virtues, and dying prayers of their parents, with a religious education, they are well prepared either to sustain adversity or to secure that confidence of their fellow men which may lead to prosperity.

It is a remarkable fact, that let a parent be

ever so regardless of truth and justice, or ever so devoted to sensual pleasures, still he would not have his children adopt his principles, or copy his example. No, he would dread this as a most serious evil, and would rejoice to be assured of the stability of their moral principles. Is not this a sure evidence that, however men may seem devoted to the world, they nevertheless fear it like an insincere and treacherous friend? They know how deceptive are its offered pleasures, and experience has taught them the unsatisfying nature of its pursuits; and although they have not themselves the resolution to break from them, they cannot endure the thought, that those whom they love should in like manner be enslaved to vanity. We could not have a stronger argument to prove the temporal value of a religious education.

Would you then have your children successful in their worldly pursuits?—and this is a reasonable and proper desire-the precepts of the Gospel of Christ will render