the exhilarating return of Spring, its infantine lips first essay to interpret their doubtful meaning, and to make intelligible their interesting prattle. The zealous mother still continues her train of duty; she perseveringly renders her services necessary to the welfare and gratification of her rising offspring; and, like a skilful florist, she rejoices in seeing the plant flourish under her care, glorying in its strength, and attentively observing the blossoms that successively unfold.

The following lines may be truly appropriated to her present feelings :

"I'll watch thy dawn of joys, and mould

Thy little mind to duty-

I'll teach thee words, as I behold

Thy faculties, like flowers, unfold
In intellectual beauty."

And the God of Nature has wisely annexed an equally strong tie on the partner of her social duties. Trace the exultant joy that gladdens the countenance of a father when he listens to his darling's first efforts, so eager and so artless, to tell a new tale of its spotless beauty and innocence: or mark that secret, unutterable delight, with which he watches the dawning of reason from the feeble mind; and his gradually advancing pleasure, as increasing intelligence develops itself in winning smiles and wondering contemplation.

But the slumbering passions of the child awaken it loves dearly,-it grows angry,-it

:

looks gravely, and weeps mournfully; it manifests self-will, and betrays those early indications that demand the most assiduous care. Thus early, human nature requires the gentle aid of those whom love has cemented in mutual harmony; it appeals forcibly to parental kindness, to soothe with deep feelings of anxious responsibility the susceptible heart, so soon melted by their tenderness and mild reproof; to check the innate pride, which, as the child of wrath, it inherits; and to protect it from the chilling blast, by the warm mantle of instinctive love.

In the morning of life, when reason is weak and unstable, the passions naturally appear more ungovernable and violent; but if the child be early habituated to repress these ebullitions, by that judicious restraint alone deserving the name of parental affection, it will con the lesson of control in its infant mind, and learn to conquer those little humours and fancies, which, by taking the right direction, lead to fortitude and wisdom. The natural temper hereafter will be chiefly dependent on the influence these passions have upon the disposition; consequently, a reflecting mind will be duly impressed with the importance of rightly governing the propensity to evil, and of promoting

the tendency to good. By encouraging the softer passions, meekness, love, benevolence, and pity, —it is more than probable that such will produce an amiable disposition, by which manhood will be distinguished; but if these are neglected in childhood, the reigning passions of its corrupt original will predominate, and insensibly gain a criminal ascendancy over the purer ones.

We have, in Scripture, a holy and instructive example, which beautifully illustrates, while it enforces, the duty of an endearing condescension to these infantine objects of our regard. "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." And the same great Shepherd of our salvation, in commending his flock to the care of Peter, desired that his lambs might be fed with the pasture of holiness and instruction. "He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom." Let every parent, therefore, imitate the

Psalmist: "Come, ye

gracious invitation of the children, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord." This beginning of wisdom early engrafted in the mind, will be a reasonable foundation for erecting a system of moral and practical doctrine to conduct them through life: it is that which immediately relates to the attributes of divine nature, and will reveal the true character of

their mediatorial Redeemer. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings He has ordained strength;" their infant hearts will daily grow in knowledge, and imbibe an humble veneration for His perfections and glories: they will be rendered capable to believe, that He is the rewarder of all that diligently seek him; and thus delightfully receive the holy spirit of truth, as it is in Jesus. The bard who made "The Seasons" the subject of his verse, has sublimely expressed it, a

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Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,
To teach the young idea how to shoot,

To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind,
To breathe th' enlivening spirit, and to fix
The generous purpose in the glowing heart."

But in the cultivation of childhood, there should be a peculiar caution that the mind is not perplexed by that zealous enthusiasm, which often defeats, rather than accelerates, the intentionally pious design while they are babes, we must feed them with milk, reserving the stronger food for a maturer age; and parents in the first instance should impart religious instruction with great caution, lest their little hearts become oppressed with dread, rather than inspired with reverence for their great Creator, and the good seed, which has been indiscriminately scattered on every occasion, produce indecision and irremediable error. An able writer has remarked, "Wherever Nature designs a

production, she always disposes seeds proper for it, which are as absolutely necessary to the formation of any moral or intellectual excellence, as they are to the being and growth of plants." The beauty and utility of art are often disjointly fashioned by the hand of man, but this is never the case in Nature: she fails not to make good her engagements, and promises nothing beyond that she is able to perform; under her guardianship, the good qualities of childhood are culled and brought forward; and in this manner, early piety and talent pave the way of Christian society to embellish in good time its evil economy. But those parents who hope to derive this comfort from their grown up children, must use their corresponding exertions to improve these qualities; or they cannot reasonably expect to reap, where they have not sown. As vigilant gardeners, they will keep them weeded; enrich the new-made soil, and water it with that spiritual instruction, which in return will refreshen their own souls,* and bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is the way of pleasantness, and the path of peace, which, like the morning light, shineth more and more unto the perfect day.+

Childhood is that impressible age, when in+ Prov. iv, 18.

* Prov. xi, 25.