the holy name of God in vain, by uttering curses, and calling his Maker to bear witness to them; if he joins in filthy dis course, which would raise the blush of shame on the cheek of all who are modest are mod and think seriously; if he wastes the hours which should be spent with his family, or might be profitably employed upon his garden, or in any other of his own concerns if he gives these hours of leisure to drinking in company with those who are as idle and ill disposed as himself; or employs them in any of the ways I have mentioned; he sins against God, and God, he may be assured, will call him to judgment, by his Son Jesus Christ, unless he seeks to make his peace with heaven, by praying earnestly for pardon, in the name of his Redeemer, and for that change of heart and life which is always meant when we speak of repentance.

We see, therefore, that as the child is prepared, at all times, to do what his parent commands, and knows no other rule but to follow, in every thing, the will of his father or mother; so the Christian

is required to place Christ ever before his eyes, and to act, at all times, as in his presence

i

Let us consider what effect this thought ought to have on us in discharging the various duties of our calling..

St. Paul, a servant of Christ, and a minister of the Gospel, gives the following direction to married men: "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

It is the duty then of a husband to treat his wife with kindness. Having engaged themselves to each other as companions for life, they must each bear the burthen of the other. Instead of wrangling and disputing, they must behave with gentleness, must carefully avoid all occasion of quarrel, and study how each may contribute to the comfort of the other, and bring up their children, if they have any, in the fear of God, with a just sense of their duty, and an earnest wish to do it in every situation, and under all circumstances. The wife is bound to obey her husband

* Col. iii. 19.

in alls lawful commands, in every thing, that is, which is not contrary to the rules of the Gospel. St. Paul says, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord: for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: therefore, as the "Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." The husband and wife would do well to consider, that, as they can have no separate interest, they ought to bring their wishes, as much as possible, into an agreement, so that each may be ready to consult the inclinations of the other. What can be a more melancholy and painful sight, -than to see the parents of one common family at strife? What can be more pleas-ing, than to see them kind to each other, and striving to make home a scene of innocent cheerfulness and heart-felt content? How good and joyful a thing it is to dwell together in peace."?

Children must learn to honour their parents. So much has been done for

d Eph. v. 22-24.

"

them in infancy, and till they are able to take care of themselves, that they are bound to shew their thankfulness throughout their future lives. They must, above all, be careful to do as they are ordered, for this is to honour their parents, and this God Almighty expects at their hands.

On the other hand, parents must ever bear in mind, that, as children are a gift that cometh from the Lord, and such they are declared to be in the 127th Psalm, ver. 4, they must take all possible pains to render the gift worthy of the giver; they must therefore bring up their children in the instruction of the Gospel, and where a provision is made to teach them regularly their duty, as it is in this parish, by means of the Catechism, parents must take particular care that their children attend their minister constantly. They would do well also to ask them some of those questions in private, by way of keeping the subject on their memory, which are put to them publicly in the church.

Masters also are bound, as Christians, to give their servants what is just and equal, not grudging them a fair recom

pence for their work, but dealing with them as they would have others do Sto them, ever mindful that they also have a Master in heaven who has his eyes constantly upon them.\ cenbendeck

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Servants are called upon to be faithful to the interests of their masters; to consider how they may make themselves most useful by turning their time to the best account. Eye-service is hateful in the sight of God; for how can it be expected that he who deceives his master upon earth, as often as it is in his power, will be careful to please his Master in heaven? The duties I have just mentioned do not belong to all, but all are required to regard their fellow-creatures as friends, and -neighbours, and brethren.

As servants of Christ, therefore, we must seek to do good to all wherever we have an opportunity; we must not wait to be asked for our assistance, but must offer it where we can be of service. And, in a thousand instances, we may make our selves useful if we have but the will to serve our neighbours. How many little acts of attention, which can scarcely be