misfortune, he felt much more grieved than if it had befallen himself. Whenever he had been careless in performing his little tasks, or had done any thing wrong, he often said: How willingly would I undergo any punishment, and see myself deprived of every good thing I possess, if but my dear parents would not be displeased with me. When he observed the servants, or any of his brothers and sisters acting wrong, or doing mischief, he informed his father of it in private, whenever he considered it of importance; but when it was trifling, he was silent. He never wanted encouragement from his parents to learn. He rose at an early hour, and went cheerfully to his preceptor. When amusing himself at play, he was neither noisy nor foolish; and when occupied, he always did something that was useful. When his sister was desired to fetch something from the next room, he would run before her with great alacrity, to save her the trouble. For every present he received he expressed his heartfelt thanks. He frequently related to his playcompanions what good Parents he had, and how kindly they treated him; and to please and gratify them in every thing was his highest ambition. He therefore would rather suffer

himself to be wronged by his brothers or companions, than engage in any dispute or quarrel which might displease his Parents; and when he had been so imprudent as to quarrel with any of them, he was ashamed and felt sorry for it, for he wished to save his Parents every kind of displeasure and grief. In this manner he endeared himself, as you may easily imagine, to every one around him; his masters distinguished him, and held him up as a model for imitation. In the whole circle of his relations he was highly thought of, and considered as excelling all the rest of their children. When he was grown up and had acquired much useful knowledge, God visibly blessed him, and made him in his turn a father of pious, clever, and obedient children. When his father died, he took his mother into his house to live with him, on whom he bestowed the most affectionate care and attention during the remainder of her days. She, in return, prayed daily and hourly to God for the welfare of such a pious son, and, when breathing her last, gave him her blessing with many affectionate tears. Such pious prayers and good wishes did not remain unheard. Her son increased in wealth and honours; most of his children are at this time

provided for and prosper; and he enjoys health, comfort, and tranquillity of mind at an advanced age.

CONVERSATION XXIII.

Mother. Last Sunday, our clergyman, after having catechised the children and explained to them the fifth commandment, addressed them in a most impressive manner. I should wish to repeat to you the substance of his charge, and shall be glad, my dear child, to hear afterwards what you think of it.

6.

My dear children!" said he, "after the explanation I have just now given to you, I hope you are all aware what great obligations you are under to your Parents, and how careful you ought to be in conscientiously fulfilling your duties towards them. For it is through them that God has preserved your life. Without their solicitous care and unremitting attention, you would have died immediately after your birth; they have fostered and cherished you, even before you knew that you were in existence; from the first moment of your life to this period they have given you food and

raiment; they have guarded you from errors and evil, and led you to all good. Every thing that is on and about you belongs to them: you are not your own; you are exclusively theirs. God therefore has given them an uncontrolled power over you; he has permitted, nay, even commanded them to correct you, whenever you do wrong: they are responsible for your conduct, and will be brought to account at the last day, if, through their neglect, you have been led to destruction. Hence they are bound to give you a suitable education, to correct you, and to employ every means conducive to your becoming good, wise, and pious. It is therefore your first and most sacred duty to do readily every thing (if not in direct opposition to God's commandments) which your Parents desire; to shew, on every occasion, the respect due to them; to love them with filial affection; to render them happy as far as lies in your power; to be grateful to them; to assist them in your turn, and to be kind to them whenever you

can.

"These are the duties you owe to your Parents. Whoever neglects these duties is an abomination in the eyes of God and men; for he is guilty of ingratitude, a most degrading

and heinous sin. But he who, with a willing mind, discharges these duties, has God's own promise that he will love and bless him; he is to enjoy heaven's best gifts; he will prosper, and his life will be long in the land which the Lord God has given him. Therefore, ye children, obey your Parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst live long on the earth. Ephesians,

vi. 1-3."

Now tell me, my dear child, what you think, and how you feel, when you reflect on your own conduct towards your Parents?

Child. Oh! I feel shame and sorrow; for many times I have neglected these duties, and grieved my beloved Parents by disobedience, Yes, I am indebted to them for every thing. They have given me whatever I wanted. They have bestowed the most tender care upon me, and still continue their love and kindness towards me. From henceforth I will honour them all the days of my life; I will obey them, and endeavour to prove a grateful child to them.

Mother. And I, my dear child, praise you