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Charity-Decency in Dress-Death.

64

appear

most careless undress, in the most
ungarded hours, they may have no
reason to be ashamed of their
ance. They will not easily believe
how much men consider their dress,
as expressive of their characters; van-
ity, levity, slovenliness, and folly ap-
pear through it. An elegant simpli-
city is an equal proof of taste and del-
CULTOR VERITATIS.

nature, and he rejoices in it as the
road to blessedness. Sustained by
the hope of glory, he sinks not under
the rendings of pain-the agonies of
disease are considered as the price of
his passport to a happier state, and
resigned, he receives the cup of af-
flictions. The death of the Christian
is the revival of the faith. Those
who stand at the bedside-who be-icacy.
hold him throw off the shackles of
mortality-his countenance beaming
with heavenly smiles, and his lips ut-
tering praise-must surely be con-
vinced that he has followed no 'cun-
ningly devised fables" and even
sceptics must be induced to wish,
that their latter end might be like his.
Sat. Eve. Post.

CHARITY. "Charity," says an old writer, "is a virtue of the heart and not of the hands. Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence of virtue. A man may bestow great sums on the poor and indigent without being charitable; and may be charitable when he is not able to bestow any thing. Charity is therefore a habit of good will or benevolence in the soul, which disposes us to the love, assistance, and relief of mankind, especially those who stand in need of it. The poor man who has this excellent frame of mind, is no less entitled to the reward of this virtue, than the man who founds a college."

DONOR.

DECENCY IN DRESS. -Women

Communicated.

DIED-On Thursday morning the 7th inst. after a short illness of 4 days, Miss EMMELINE HAMILTON, youngest Daughter of the late Judge Hamitton aged Eighteen years.

"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

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should not confine their attention of Rev. J. Keller,

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dress to their public appearance.-W. Duffield, P. M. Bedford county They should accustom themselves to Rev. J. S. Woods, Lewistown,

a habitual neatness. So that in the

Mifflin county.

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Religious Miscellany.

No. 5.

"Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh "
CARLISLE, AUGUST 22, 1823.

From the Christian Herald. PRACTICAL HINTS ON THE FIRESIDE IN

STRUCTION OF CHILDREN.

Vol. II.

ful calling is not imparted with nearly an equal hand. The character of most men certainly receives much of There is no parent who would not its complexion from the circumstanbe gratified with having his childrences in which they act. Above all it become not merely useful, but intelli-is notorious, that the agency of pargent and interesting members of soci-ents and guardians, in preparing the ety. Most parents betray the desire young by their instruction, for spheres to see them early regarded as posses-of activity and influence, and thus sed of superior genius. We have ob-fixing upon them a character of some served, that the most sprightly and kind, is momentously effective." It forward children become, almost of is with this impression, that we wish course, the subject either of excessive to submit a few remarks to parents on admiration, or of carping envy. Those the subject of family instruction. who admire, commonly attribute their It is then obviously the mistake of superiority to native genius; while many parents, that they afford no those who envy, ascribe all, and much daily, practical instruction to the more than all, to their superior advan-younger members of their household. tages. Neither of these judgments | We consider this a mistake, because will be found to be correct; but of the it certainly springs from no want of two we are persuaded that the more affection to their little ones, and is unfriendly one is commonly nearest far from being an intentional neglect, the truth. Without indulging any We see them expending daily some desire to flatter the vanity of those portion of their leisure moments, in conceited parents, who have decided augmenting the toys, or even sharing that their children of course are, and the innocent pastimes of their chil must ultimately prove themselves to dren. But having condescended to be, splendid geniuses, we could wish act the child for the amusement of to see all impressed with the belief, the young, they are content to leave that their youthful charge are endow them in quiet possession of their ig ed with capacities for incalculable im norance. They are satisfied with provement. No one can know, till merely delighting the infant minds, the experiment is fairly made, to which they ought assiduously to inforn what they are capable of attaining. and cultivate. This deficiency is It is surely an instinctive circum never made up, by the conversation stance, that a considerable number of which obtains in the family; because -the young, who were once judged to this conversation is entirely adapted be natively deficient in wit and en- to the older members. It respects terprise, are observed to become sub-chiefly those avocations, characters or stantial and useful citizens; while those of the opposite character, but too frequently disappoint the expectations of all. It may indeed with some appearance of reason, be questioned, whether native genius, or the capacity to become a proficient in the knowledge or excercise of some use

events, which exceed the comprehension of the young. They are thus necessitated to gain most of their practical information of men and things, either from their literary teachers or their more knowing companions.

We speak not now, it will be ob

66

Practical Hints on the Fireside Instruction of Children.

bly vacant, or become a receptacle of such as are trifling and destructive. But while many parents are too much in the habit of omitting this fam

served of that literary instruction, || thoughts, must either remain miserawhich may be obtained at school. Many parents perhaps are too anxious to have their children learned, who think very little of rendering them usefully intelligent. Nor do we re-iliar instruction of their children, there fer to the formal instructions in the are others who diligently teach their great principles of Christianity, which children what might better be omitted. every pious parent will be sure to im- It is an unfortunate notion, which part. Our remarks apply particular- some appear to have imbibed, that ly to the filling up of those moments any species of knowledge is preferaof leisure from other occupations, ble to ignorance; and almost any, sewhich most parents regard as due to lect and valuable enough for a child. their offspring; to that familiar, fire- To this it must doubtless be attributed, side conversation, which may be ren- that many are at so great pains to dered appropriate, highly delightful render their infant charge expert only and profitable to the young. We wish in what may serve to display their perto convince parents of their bounden sons, and amuse their older acquaintduty to hold frequent conversations ance. It is far more painful than aswith these little stammerers, and to tonishing, to a considerate person, to supply them as they advance in years, witness the manœuvres of some of these with that kind of knowledge, which little pets; to perceive how anxiously neither their experience nor their oth- they have been drilled into those er instructions can be expected to af- ephemeral accomplishments, which ford. No accurate acquaintance with have inflated their little minds with the sciences, nor very extensive ac- self-conceit, and rendered them intolquaintance with the world, is requis-erably troublesome, without adding ite to do this. Experience and observation, are of themselves important qualifications for the task. The most illiterate parent possesses a sufficient measure of these to render his intercourse with his infant children both interesting and instructive.

one mite to their stock of useful knowledge. An early attention should certainly be given to the manners of the young. They should be taught to be submissive to parents, guardians, and instructors; respectful to their superiors, and benevolently polite to all. But none have cause to omit this But to make a parade and sort of exinstruction of their offspring. Such hibition of their exterior accomplishneglect is not only unnatural, as it ments; to call them forth in the parwithholds from them what some of lor to bow or to sing, and especially the interior animals are observed to to dance and be praised, is to give impart to their young, the knowledge, them the fatal impression, that they by which they may provide for them-are to regard themselves as the end selves; but most unpardonable, as it of all their doings; and such trifling exposes them to every species and attainments, as the most serious bu measure of evil. Let such neglect-siness of their lives; it is to create ers consider, that all the useful knowl- within them an early aversion to solid edge among men is acquired knowl- and useful accomplishments. edge; and that what is morally right and useful has need to be perseveringly inculcated, to be practically felt and retained; that the mind which is not carefully furnished with usefulance with some of them. It does not,

We admit that the knowledge of children must be limited, not only to a comparatively small number of subjects, but to a superficial acquaint

Practical Hints on the Fireside Instruction of Children.

and aid in disappointing the fondest expectations.

however follow, that they must be restricted to such as are, in themselves, either ridiculous or useless. God has But we too often observe that pargraciously accommodated much of his ents who bestow no inconsiderable works, and of his inspired word, to pains to inform the minds of their the capacities and obligations of chil-children on the most necessary subdren. It is quite as easy to amuse jects, fail very much in their method and instruct them with some descrip-of imparting instruction. It is the tion or story taken from the Bible, as practice of some to do it in the most it is to fill their minds with distress-formal and forbidding manner. The ing fears or stupid wonder, by ac- child is called for, at the regular hour counts of murderous giants and ma- to receive his accustomed lecture. lignant hobgoblins. It is as easy to If the subject should respect his morfurnish their minds with useful facts, al and religious obligations, he is exand practical truths, as to lead them pected to stand and hear, much after into fairy land, and minister only to the manner of a criminal, without their selfishness and pride. A child proposing any inquiries, or making may be usefully conversant with some any reply. Having received what of the most exalted subjects. Lethe considers a most tedious, if not a those who have never made the expe- most unnecessary charge, to be dutiriment, test the capacity even of ve-ful, industrious, and pious, he trips ry little children, for moral and religious improvement; and they will probably be astonished at the extent and sublimity of their views. "if," said a child seven years old to his twin brother, "God fills heaven, as our master has told us to-day, there is no place left for and me. We cannot go to heaven if we are good." "Do you think," was the reply of his little brother, "that you see that man walking yonder?" "Yes." "Does your think stop him?" "No." "Well, God is like your think, he wont stop any body, if he does fill heaven.”

you

away with a glad heart to his thoughtless pastimes, until the approaching repetition of good and necessary counsel destroys his spirits. Others again reserve their most serious advice, especially on religious topics, for the season of correction. It is while the rod is held over him in a threatening mood, or he is entering the place of confinement, or his spirit is chafed with the thoughts of a disgraceful punishment, that the child is first and principally reminded of his moral obligations. The effect is obvious. He learns to associate the most interIf we are not greatly deceived in esting and important of all subjects, this view of the subject, there are with indignant looks, with reproaches consequences of a very serious na- and chastisement. The remembrance ture connected with the early direc- of the well-meant lesson, brings along tion of the mind to worse than trif- with it the recollection of what he ling objects. Parents greatly mistake, would gladly forget. And he is likewho imagine, that their first instruc-ly to banish them both, as much as tions of the young, can have no prac-possible, from his reflections. tical bearing towards the habits and We do not, however, by these repursuits of useful life. Very greatly do they err, whose intercourse with their younger children, is merely a partaking with them in their infantile sports. It is a course fearfully calculated to sink their future character,

marks, condemn entirely the formal lecturing of children; still less do we object to parents founding their gov ernment on christian principles. We think it necessary that chastisen ent should be administered in the very

Sandwich Islands.

spirit of the gospel: and that children deed be varied, according to the subshould be brought to penitence, and ject of instruction. But with an asthe confession of their faults, through pect always cheerful and inviting, he the pressure of its obligations. A should never fail to check every dismoral government, it has been shown position in his charge, to trifle with in a former paper, is the only one what is momentous and solemn. He which promises to effectuate the peace should, if possible, excite in them a and order of the family circle. But spirit of inquiry, and a laudable curithen it does not follow, that parents osity. But I need not enlarge on this are wise in restricting their most se- topic. Every sensible parent underrious instructions, to such ungrateful stands what kind of Fireside converopportunities; when the minds of sation with his children, is best calcuchildren, at all times sufficientlylated to delight and inform them. It averse to what is good and useful, is far more necessary to inculcate asare rendered more obstinate by being siduity and perseverence in this labor crossed. The application of religious of love. For he who would realize principle, on such occasions, should complete success, must diligently rather be founded on former lessons, study the best means, and be observon those concessions which the cul-ant of the most favorable opportuniprit himself has made, and the no- ties of performing it. We must contions he has imbibed under the infu-sider it an object worthy to employ ence of a more teachable spirit. The not only his leisure moments, but time is one which calls rather for the some portion of his thoughts, amidst mention of principles already incul- even his most serious avocations. He cated, and the remembrance of past must be a man of prayer, and look to instructions than the inculcating of the Father of all spirits, to succeed what is new and ungrateful to the his endeavors to form aright the deathchild. less minds intrusted to his care.

AMICUS.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Letter from the Mission to the Corresponding Secretary.

following extract is made, just in time for a [We received the letter from which the place in this number. It is dated Honoruru, Jan. 11, 1823.]

We must not expect to carry the heart even of a child by storm. We may frown him into silence, and scare him into almost any concessions. The little trembler may be forced to hear, and perhaps to remember a moiety of his dreary lecture; but he cannot thus be won to the cheerful practice of what is amiable and good. No more can he be laughed into proper feel- We are happy to learn that so ings and useful habits. The practice great a proportion of the number to of those parents, who continue to cor- be sent to us, are destined to preach, rect the faults of their young by ridi- as the field is now much more widely cule, and to inform their minds by open for that kind of labor, than it rendering their instructions merely a has at any period appeared to be. The source of amusement, is liable to very king, two days since, in a communiserious objections. No other method cation to the mission written by his could be devised so calculated to des-own hand, and sent in at the public poil the heart of its finest sensibilities, examination of the school, expressed to blunt the moral sense, and to ren- sincerely his desire, that all the chiefs der the unfortunate child, a thought-of all these islands, might listen to less devotee of pleasure. the words of the preachers, learn the The manner of the parent may in-will of Jesus Christ and be saved by

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