LETTERS TO PARENTS. LETTER III. The Encouragements which are given to Parents to give Religious Instruction. "TRAIN up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." But is it not melancholy to reflect on the numerous exceptions to this general rule which have occurred. Cain, the first-born child of man, rose against his brother and slew him. Ham, who, with his pious relatives, passed in safety over the wreck of nature, became the distinguished patron of idolatry. Ishmael, the eldest son of Abraham, was a wild man; his hand was against every man and every man's hand against him. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were consumed by fire from the Lord, for their impiety. But we need not refer to the page of history to prove that children do not always inherit the principles which adorned the character of their parents, for many instances have fallen under our own immediate observation, which substantiate the fact. Talents which have been consecrated by the vows of the mother to the service of the Sanctuary, we have seen employed in ridiculing its solemnity, and the most promising appearances, after exciting the gratitude of the father's heart, we have known disappear. The issue being so very opposite to what was expected may excite astonishment, but on investigation it is probable that this feeling will subside, and we shall perceive that nothing different could have been rationally anticipated. The early formation of the youthful character devolves on the Mother, but it is the province of the Father to compleat it. His avocations and pur suits are unfavourable to the conscientious discharge of his duty. His attention is engrossed by business. The complicated machine which he has to superintend, is so intricate in its parts, and exposed to so many accidents, that his mind is habitually distracted. ings are of a worldly nature. His general feel His conversation in the moments of relaxation turns on the occurrences of the day, and if he stands allied either in interest or affection with the conflicting politics of the times, he is in danger of forgetting the glories of another world amidst the confusion of the present. His character sometimes becomes a snare. He stands high in public estimation. He is chosen to regulate and control the movements of a religious society. The vows of humanity are upon him, and he is compelled to attend to the cries of the fatherless and the widow. The poor, the ignorant, and the dissipated, awaken his sympathy and consume his time. His numerous engagements detain him from home, and often is he obliged to confess "mine own vineyard have I not kept," while he is diligently attending to the cultivation of others-Exhausted and fatigued by the diversified labours of the day, and irritated by the obstinacy and petulance of those with whom he has associated, he returns absolutely incapable of discharging the devotional exercises of his family with energy or feeling. These circumstances, on their first occurrence, occasion many unpleasant reflections, but after they become habitual, they are vindicated on the principle of necessity; and by an inverted R order of reasoning, it is presumed that regular attention to foreign claims will justify a partial neglect of those of the family, and that public duties are of more importance than domestic or private ones. What is the consequence? The children are permitted to rise up to years of reflection, without receiving that course of pious instruction which they require. Their moral taste becomes vitiated, their passions acquire strength, and perceiving from the conduct of their Father, that religion, in his estimation, is only a secondary object, they hastily presume that it is unworthy their notice. When such an impression is received, they either reject the Gospel System with scorn, or treat its external forms with polite respect rather than cordial esteem. To expect in the ordinary course of events, a contrary result, would be as romantic as to expect to gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles. On whom must the guilt of such an issue be charged? On the children? Unques tionably they are answerable to God for their own decisions, but the Parent is not exonerated, and though he may try to extenuate his conduct, he cannot justify it. He may urge his engage. ments and his pursuits, as excuses, but the reply |