many of your elders, all who love you best and most truly, are regarding your conduct, and the signs of your moral course. You are considered not merely as children, but as those who are soon to be the men and women of society. The old are tottering and passing away; the middle-aged are growing old; the circle of time is steadily rolling round; and very soon, though it may not seem so to you in looking forward, you will leave your schools, and the studies and sports of childhood, and take your part in the business and concerns of the world. Your dispositions, and qualities, and habits, your knowledge and your ignorance, will exert their full influence. Your character will be part of the character of your country. Is it a wonder, then, that you are looked upon with an intense interest? Is it a wonder, that many eyes are seriously and affectionately watching you, to discover, if they can, by your position and progress now, what will be your place and your path hereafter? That you are objects of such regards, cannot make you vain. You will rather be made humble in view of the love which yearns toward you, and of the work you are called upon to perform. I beseech you to

strive with all your might to fulfil the hopes which are formed of you. Improve the time which your Creator gave you for the express purpose of improvement. Store your minds with true knowledge; and bear this in your minds especially, my children, that the chief end of all your studies, an end beyond comparison more important than any other, is, that you may be made good and useful, - good and useful. You can easily remember this truth, for like almost all important truths, it is plain and simple. Remember it, and act upon it. Act upon it faithfully and constantly. Then you will amply repay all that has been paid for you; then you will fill with joy many expecting hearts; then your parents and your friends will bless you; your country will bless you; your Saviour and your God will look down favorably upon you, and will take you to themselves in bliss and glory, when your course on earth is ended.

A CATECHISM

FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN.

PART I.

Question. Can you tell me, child, who made

you?

Answer. God made me and all things.

Q. For what did God make you?
A. To be good and happy.

Q. What is it to be good?

A. To love and obey my parents, to speak the truth always, and to be just and kind to all persons.

Q. Can God know whether you be good or

not?

A. Yes; for though we cannot see God, yet he sees us, wherever we are, by night as well as by day.

Q. What will God do for you, if you be good?

A. He will love me, and make me happy. Q. Can you do anything for God, who is so good to you?

A. I can only love him, obey him, and be thankful to him; I can do nothing for him. Q. Can you speak to God?

A. Yes; he has bid us to pray to him for everything which is fit for us, and he is always ready to hear us.

Q. In what manner should you pray to God?

A. Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, has given us a form of prayer, called the Lord's Prayer. Q. Repeat the Lord's Prayer.

Give us

A. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Q. What will God do to those who are not good?

A. He will punish them.

Q. Is God able to punish those who are not good?

A. Yes; he who made all things can do all

things; he can take away all our friends, and everything which he has given us; and he can make us die, whenever he pleases.

Q. After you die, shall you live again?

A. Yes; God will raise us from the dead, and if we be good, we shall die no more.

Q. Where shall you live again, if you have been good?

A. If I have been good, I shall go to heaven, where I shall be very happy forever.

Q. What shall become of the wicked, when they die?

A. They shall meet with their just punish

ment.

Q. When you do anything which is wrong, should you not be afraid that God, who sees you, will punish you?

A. Yes; but he has promised to forgive us, if we be sorry for our sins, and endeavor to sin no more.

Q. Who has told us, that God will forgive us, if we repent of our sins, and endeavor to sin no more?

A. Many persons by whom God spake, and particularly Jesus Christ.

Q. Who was Jesus Christ?