of daily prayer on the habits of business-Anec- CHAPTER III.-THE NATURE AND THE DUTY To the Older Children. - The Gate of Prayer; an Allegory-The various indi- TRUST IN THE SAVIOUR CHAPTER IV.-A TALK WITH JOHN. For the Little Children. What family prayers are for-Susan--The disorderly PAGE 10 29 OF 30 58 The Indians-James's temptations, and his re- CHAPTER V.-THE FAMILY CHANGED. My early life-My mother-Her death and her dying The traveller-The storm-Night-The welcome to - Fire-side scenes -Conversation - Morning General effects of religion - True and CHAPTER II.-THE BIBLE TO BE STUDIED. Methods of studying the Bible - In solitude-Ex- 97 class-Sabbath afternoon-George and Ellen-The lesson Conversation-Prevailing neglect of the Bible-Influence of it upon children-Spirit and CHAPTER III.—THE FRIEND IN NEED. A ride in the wilderness-The lonely farm house- PART I. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. THE MASTER OF A FAMILY A VICEGERENT, NOT A SOVEREIGN. By THE family is not a human institution. certain invariable and perpetual laws of human nature, God has secured its existence in all nations and in all ages of the world. Some theorists have endeavoured to overturn it, but God has laid the foundations of it too deep and strong for them. Extraordinary efforts may, in some detached and limited portions of the community, produce a temporary suspension of these laws. But what they substitute will be artificial, and when the application of artificial means ceases to be made, society must fall back spontaneously into the channels which God has indicated for it. One of the most remarkable features of this extraordinary institution is the successive changes it undergoes in the course of its history. When the young husband and wife first enter upon the new relation, how little do they foresee what is before them! As they take possession, for the first time, of their new house, and enjoy its B cheering aspects, its regularity and quiet, and its expression of domestic peace and joy, how little do they anticipate the trials and vicissitudes,— the deep, and yet unseen fountains of joy and sorrow, which lie in their future way! In a few years how changed! One after another has been added, in various ways, to the company, which began only with two, until, at length, they find themselves presiding over a numerous circle of children, and relatives, and domestics; the father and mother both involved in responsibilities, from which they would have altogether shrunk, had they anticipated them at the beginning. In a few years this happy circle must be broken in upon and scattered. Death comes in and makes one and another his prey. Others gradually arrive at maturity, and leave their father's roof to seek other homes, and to return no more to the ark which sheltered them at first; and at last the father and mother are left alone, to spend their declining years at their solitary fire-side, to look back upon scenes of activity, and trial, and enjoyment, which can never return. Such is the outline of the history of thousands of families. Another peculiar feature of this institution is, the immense power exercised by the head of it. The master of a family has his wife, his children, his domestics, and the other inmates, in his power, to an extent which is not equalled by any other authority. He has their happiness, and, in fact, their characters, almost entirely in his hands. He may make his house their quiet and happy home, the abode of peace, and contentment, and piety, or he may agitate it with eternal discord and confusion. He may train up his children in such a way, that they shall love and honour their |