from God for the use of that day, and not of my own seeking.

I find it easy to keep up the attention of a congregation, in comparison of that of my family. I have found the attention best gained, by bringing the Truths of Scripture into comparison with the Facts which are before our eyes. It puts more stimuli into family-expositions. I never found a fact lost, or the current news of the day fail of arresting the attention. "How does the Bible account for that fact? That man murdered his Father-This or that thing happened in our house to-day-What does the Scripture say of such things?"

It is difficult to fix and quiet your family. The servants are eager to be gone, to do something in hand. There has been some disagreement, perhaps, between them and their mistress. We must seize opportunities. We must not drive hard at such times as these. Regularity, however, must be enforced. If a certain hour is not fixed and adhered to, the family will inevitably be found in confusion.

Religion should be prudently brought before a family. The old Dissenters wearied their families. Jacob reasoned well with Esau, about the tenderness of his children and his flocks and herds. Something gentle, quiet, moderate should be our aim. There should be no scolding: it should be mild and pleasant.

I avoid absolute uniformity; the mind revolts at it: though I would shun eccentricity, for that is still worse. At one time I would say something on what is read but, at another time, nothing. I make it as NATURAL as possible: "I am a religious man: you are my children and my servants: it is NATURAL that we should do so and so."

Nothing of superstition should attach to familyduty. It is not absolutely and in all cases indispensable. If unavoidably interrupted, we omit it: it is well. If I were peremptorily ordered, as the

Jews were, to bring a lamb, I must be absolute. But this service is my liberty, not my task. I do not, however, mean in any degree to relax the proper obligation.

Children and servants should see us acting on the Psalmist's declaration, I will speak of thy testimonies before Kings. If a great man happens to be present, let them see that I deem him nothing before the Word of God.

ON THE

INFLUENCE

OF THE

PARENTAL CHARACTER.

THE influence of the parental character on children is not to be calculated. Every thing around has an influence on us. Indeed the influence of things is so great, that, by familiarity with them, they insensibly urge us on principles and feelings which we before abhorred. I knew a man who took in a democratical paper, only to laugh at it. But, at length, he had read the same things again and again, so often, that he began to think there must be some truth in them; and that men and measures were really such as they were so often said to be. A drop of water seems to have no influence on the stone; but it will, in the end, wear its way through. If there be, therefore, such a mighty influence in every thing round us, the Parental Influence must be great indeed.

Consistency is the great character, in good parents, which impresses children. They may witness much temper; but if they see their Father "keep the even tenor of his way," his imperfections will be understood and allowed for as reason opens. The child will see and reflect on his parent's intention: and this will have great influence on his mind. This influence may, indeed, be afterward counteracted : but that only proves that contrary currents may arise. and carry the child another way. Old Adam may be too strong for young Melancthon.

The implantation of principles is of unspeakable

importance, especially when culled from time to time out of the Bible. The child feels his parent's authority supported by the Bible, and the authority of the Bible supported by his parent's weight and influence. Here are data-fixed data. A man can very seldom get rid of these principles. They stand in his way. He wishes to forget them, perhaps; but it is impossible.

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Where Parental influence does not convert, it hampers. It hangs on the wheels of evil. I had a pious Mother, who dropped things in my way. I could never rid myself of them. I was a professed Infidel: but then I liked to be an Infidel in company, rather than when alone. I was wretched when by myself. These principles, and maxims, and data spoiled my jollity. With my companions I could sometimes stifle them: like embers we kept each other warm. Besides, I was here a sort of Hero. I had beguiled several of my associates into my own opinions, and I had to maintain a character before them. But I could not divest myself of my better principles. I went with one of my companions to see The Minor." He could laugh heartily at Mother Cole-I could not. He saw in her the picture of all who talked about religion-I knew better. The ridicule on regeneration was high sport to him-to me, it was none: it could not move my features. He knew no difference between regeneration and transubstantiation-I did. I knew there was such a thing. I was afraid and ashamed to laugh at it. Parental influence thus cleaves to a man: it harasses him-it throws itself continually in his way. I find in myself another evidence of the greatness of Parental Influence. I detect myself to this day, in laying down maxims in my family, which I took up at three or four before I could posof years age, sibly know the reason of the thing.

It is of incalculable importance to obtain a hold

VOL. TIT.

29*

on the conscience. Children have a conscience; and it is not seared, though it is evil. Bringing the. eternal world into their view-planning and acting with that world before us-this gains, at length, such a hold on them, that, with all the Infidel poison which they may afterward imbibe, there are few children who, at night-in their chamber-in the dark—in a storm of thunder-will not feel. They cannot cheat like other men. They recollect that ETERNITY, which stands in their way. It rises up before them, like the ghost of Banquo to Macbeth. It goads them: it thunders in their ears. After all, they are obliged to compound the matter with conscience, if they cannot be prevailed on to return to God without delay. "I MUST be religious, one time or other. That is clear. I cannot get rid of this thing. Well! I will begin at such a time. I will finish such a scheme, and then!"

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What

The opinions-the spirit-the conversation-the manners of the parent, influence the child. ever sort of man he is, such, in a great degree, will be the child; unless constitution or accident give him another turn. If the parent is a fantastic man -if he is a genealogist, knows nothing but who married such an one and who such an one-if he is a sensualist, a low wretch-his children will usually catch these tastes. If he is a literary man-his very girls will talk learnedly. If he is a griping, hard, miserly man-such will be his children. This I speak of as GENERALLY the case. It may happen, that the parent's disposition may have no ground to work on in that of the child. It may happen that the child may be driven into disgust: the Miser, for instance, often implants disgust, and his son becomes a Spendthrift.

After all, in some cases, perhaps, every thing seems to have been done and exhibited by the pious parent in vain. Yet he casts his bread upon the waters. And.