a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable,* we shall be persuaded, that it is not sufficient to enforce a strict regard to the Sabbath as a law; but that we should also endeavor to infuse a love for the day, as one of peculiar privileges; and parents may promote this feeling, by keeping in view that it is to be a time of rest, as well as of religious duty, by devoting themselves more than ordinarily to their children; and by rendering the Sunday the season for the best kind of domestic enjoyment.

Public Worship.--Silence, self-subjection, and a serious deportment, both in† fa

*Isaiah, lviii, 13.

It may not be irrelevant to the subject before us to observe, not only the value of family worship for the sake of our children, but also the importance of conducting it so as to render it to them a profitable and attractive service. "Let them find it short, savory, sim. ple, plain, tender, heavenly. Worship thus conducted is an engine of vast power in a family. Family religion is of unspeakable importance; the spirit and tone of your house, the bye conversations in your family, will have great influence on your children."-Cecil's Re

mains.

mily and public worship, ought to be strictly enforced in early life; and it is better that children should not attend, till they are capable of behaving in a proper manner.* But a practical respect for the Sabbath, and for the services of religion, is but an effect of that reverence for every thing sacred, which, it is of primary importance early to establish, as a habit of mind. No subject connected with religion ought to be treated lightly in the presence of children. If, for example, we think that we may employ the words of Scripture in a jocose or trifling manner, that we may make slighting remarks on the sermon of the day; that we may ridicule the voice and manner of the

preacher; that we may speak contemptuously of others, because their religious principles or habits differ from our own, without injury to ourselves; at least we are in

* Children may be taught to behave well in public worship, before they are two years old. When they do not, let them be debarred the privilege of going the next Sabbath, which will, most commonly, produce the desired effect.-AM. ED.

danger of leading our children to view religion through a critical and satirical medium; and thus to throw in their way one of the greatest hindrances to religious advancement. To take the name of God in vain, (as, by using it in common conversation, or on every emotion of fear and surprise,) is an offence so glaring, that a warning against it might be necessary, were it not that some, even well-meaning people, almost unknown to themselves, are apt to fall into it, from the effect of example, and early habit. Such a use of the Divine name, is not only to be most seriously prohibited; but those exclamations, which, in fact, convey nearly the same meaning; as, Mercy! Bless me! Good Heavens! Good gracious! &c.*

*The too frequent use of the names of God, in our addresses at the Throne of Grace, is to be guarded against, as this is taking His name in vain. Leusden, (an emi. nent professor of Hebrew, at Utrecht,) says, that he once offered to give a sum of money to a very poor Jew at Amsterdam, if he would pronounce the name of Jehovah : but he answered, that he did not dare do it. Although this may have been superstition in the Jew, yet any thing approaching to lightness or irreverence, should be avoided.-AM. ED.

Firmness, and, sometimes, resolution and authority, may be required in the first establishment of religious habits; and, as far as it is necessary, they should be exercised; but never in such a manner as to render the most sacred duties a galling and burthensome yoke. An excess of strictness is injurious in the general management of children; but is especially to be avoided in their religious education. If, in that, we draw the line too tight, we may not only excite a distaste for what is good; but induce concealment and hypocrisy. In religion, more than in any other object, it is of the first importance to gain over the affections; to draw the hearts of our children by the cords of love; that they may know, and feel for themselves, that "her ways are ways of pleasantness; and that all her paths are peace:"

“Nor know we any things so fair,

As is the smile upon her face."*

Care must be taken not to press too closely upon children such non-sensical points

*Wordsworth's Ode to Duty.

as from the distinguishing peculiarities of the various sects of Christians. It is a question worthy of much serious consideration, whether such points are of a nature to be imposed as a law upon those who are placed under our authority; and whether in doing this, there may not be a danger of "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," and of fettering the conscience, by false associations of right and wrong? We are more likely to prepare our children for the reception of truth, if secondary distinctions are not brought into prominent view, and if our efforts are directed to the great object of leading them to that knowledge of God, and of his son Jesus Christ, which alone is life eternal.*

If children live under a religious influence, some vigilance will be required, lest they should assume a seriousness which is not real. Every thing unnatural, every thing bordering on hypocrisy, is to be most carefully checked; and that divine test deeply impressed on their hearts, as on our own;

* John xvii. 3.

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