Surely the Christian mother will feel ample stimulus to press onward, amidst the darkest discouragements, whilst she remembers who has said, "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it." Also, the distinguished commendation God conferred upon Abraham:-"I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." With respect to the mode of instructing youth, none can reasonably question, for a moment, the fact that success materially depends upon that judicious management, which makes the labour of learning rather a pleasure than a task: therefore, a rigorous application to study, which is unbroken by intervals of innocent amusement, is calculated to impede, instead of advance, the work of education, and create such a deeplyrooted disgust, as will effectually prevent further progress, so soon as coercive measures cease to be exercised. As to the nature of the instruction afforded, it may be remarked, that, whilst due attention is given to prepare the child for a right performance of the proper duties of the life that now is, they will always be regarded, by the pious parent, as subordinate to those higher claims, which belong to the life to come. She will recollect, that the present is a state of probation, in which the immortal spirit is to be tutored for eternity consequently, "that the soul be without knowledge" concerning sin and holiness-Christ and God-heaven and hell, "it is not good." These important doctrines being fully developed in the Volume of Inspiration, its dictates of truth will be received with confidence, cherished with affection, and imparted with a seriousness, which will both demonstrate faith in the teacher, and enforce its indispensable necessity on the pupil. The attentive reader will not fail to observe, that the Author's aim has been to awaken consideration to subjects of a momentous description; and, with this end constantly in view, he has carefully avoided whatever might divert to less weighty, though more amusing, topics. Mothers will perceive with how little difficulty they can bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," in so far as correct information tends to the accomplishment of that benevolent design. The principal points discussed are those which are connected with the destiny of mankind universally; and, as the condition of every individual of our race will be immutably fixed at the hour of dissolution, and as death may come at any age, it is hardly possible for maternal solicitude to be employed too early, in urging the beloved objects committed to our charge to obey the Divine injunction ; "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not; nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." In conclusion, it is ardently hoped, that the perusal of the following pages will be accompanied with the Divine blessing upon both parents and children-for "the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." ISLINGTON. B. C. |