examples that surround them. The fixed and uniform habit of pointing out the moral bearing of passing events, however trivial; the discussion of Christian truths at proper seasons: and the familiar, inartificial allusion to them whenever occasion arises, or may be created, as to matters always prominent and interesting-this is another most important branch of Family Religion. Nothing is more indefensible than the position that the sanctity of religion is impaired by familiar discussion of its truths. Every where it is our highest duty and interest. Every where we are guilty, perishing creatures. Every where God is present and scrutinizing the heart for judgment. And although there are times and seasons peculiarly appropriate, or otherwise, for every purpose, yet whatever engagements, or society, would render conversation on religious topics a desecration of them, implies something criminal in the engagement. A scrupulous observance in the household of the sanctity of the Lord's day, and a quiet devotion of the evening of it to closet and family worship; with the firm and conscientious exertion of all the authority which our various relationships impart, to maintain in every bosom a sense of accountability to God; these belong also inseparably to the duty before us. But the obligations upon which I would particularly insist at this time, are those stated and formal exercises, morning and evening prayer in a family, accompanied whenever at all practicable, by the

reading of the Scripture; the invocation of a blessing upon our meals, with a thankful acknowledgment after them of God's good providence; the instruction of children in the Catechism; and, where circumstances will permit, the instruction of servants in the principles of Christianity; to these the promise of the Saviour literally applies. And although they are quiet, unobtrusive duties, attended in general with but little excitement, the satisfaction which they do afford is pure, and the benefit inestimable and lasting. And where they fail, or seem for a season to have failed-as I frankly acknowledge that the utmost diligence and conscientiousness, through singular obstacles, sometimes will they leave us, notwithstanding, the most powerful mitigation of the trial, a conscience void of self-reproach. Exercises so comprehensive, and which are to accompany us through every period of life, from infancy to the grave, must be attended with singular advantages. This point is worthy of candid and devout attention.

Our performance of such a duty could not be impaired without its effect being felt on the moral condition of society. May not the neglect of family religion, solve the problem, often proposed as a perplexing one, to reconcile a recent great augmentation of knowledge, and zeal, and instruments, in behalf of morals, with as obvious an increase in this country, of vice, insubordination, and practical infidelity? In that early period of the world, the

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purest and happiest, when there was no magistrate, no legislator, no collegiate chair, no priest, the whole weight and exercise of every species of office and authority concentred in the venerable patriarchs of our race. Now such a period of primitive simplicity and peace, God gives, or would virtually give, to each individual among us, at an age when the character is as pure and unsophisticated as were mankind in the infancy of the world. But it is a season of tremendous risk and peril. For it is obvious, that if the individual, thus clothed at the same moment, with every sacred responsibility, should prove slothful, incompetent, or treacherous to his offspring, the detriment to the little domestic community must be wide and lasting. I cannot doubt that a mistaken, or unfaithful discharge of the religious duties of the parent, is the most prolific source of vice and wretchedness upon the earth. Who will dispute, that if the foundation be dispensed with, or carelessly laid, the moral superstructure must be liable to be insecure and perishable? Who will dispute, that if the distorted sapling be not trained and pruned by a careful hand, its defects must, after a few summers, be irremediable? Who will deny, that if the human heart, at any period of life, be not supplied with principles and renewed impulses, which God in his love and wisdom has designed and revealed for us, the world, the flesh, and the devil, will take a possession, and exert a trausforming sway, which

every holy agency may afterwards fail, or find it difficult, to displace? And yet, plain as such truths are, there are multitudes of good people, who, night after night, will throng the various places of Christian resort, while the little children, at an age sacred in its simplicity and tenderness, are left to be sometimes corrupted by servants; trained—yes, trained and instructed-in superstition and fanaticism by nurses; or, at the best, left without that intellectual and moral development, which naught so well as a parent's instinctive love and wisdom can supply. It may be an easy and a pleasant thing to lounge through an evening in an assembly, where some topic of popular charity, some vast and dazzling enterprise for the amelioration of the nations of the globe, or some appeal to the devout sensibilities of our own hearts, has derived a new exciting power, from the brilliancy of the scene. But on returning to the dull and monotonous duties of home, (for so contrast will be liable to make them appear,) it may be well calmly to inquire whether all that entertainment necessarily partakes of the character of religion; and whether the risk to the morals of children, to the faithfulness and integrity of domestics, to the quiet enjoyments of the parlor, and, as a consequence of such results, whether the peril to the future prosperity of the household, is well repaid by the indolent gratification of listening to the itinerant barangues, which the spirit and countless enterprises of the age, are

perpetually calling forth. We may hear sacred lectures and appeals, until we forget that such is not the work of salvation. We may hear lectures and expositions of Scripture, until the ceaseless stream of arguments, and metaphors, seems to have carried away all the good soil from the heart, leaving no depository for the seed of divine truth, but a barren sand, which can return no fruit to the husbandman. "Be ye doers of the word," said our Lord, "and not hearers only, deceiving your own souls."

There may be those present with whose previous views of this particular point such observations coincide; and who may suppose that they have, herein, a warrant and confirmation of hostility to all such means of recommending and sustaining Christian charities, and Christian worship. But let it be remembered, that the objection urged, is not generally against the objects and schemes to be patronized, but to the abuse of the means of their support that if there be some alloy mingled with the good effects of these Christian associations, the purpose is still a holy one, and, to a portion of the community, the gratification often worthy and appropriate. And, on the other hand, the amusements of the worldling, while they involve all the sacrifice of domestic duties, which absorbing devotion to religious and charitable associations could occasion, are counterbalanced by none of its happy influences upon the cause of virtue and benevolence.