pear to me, even until I myself became a father. I had not until then a notion of the yearnings of the heart, which a man hath when he sees his child do a laudable thing, or the sudden damp which seizes him when he fears he will act something unworthy. It is not to be imagined what a remorse touched me for a long train of childish negligences of my mother, when I saw my wife the other day look out of the window, and turn as pale as ashes upon seeing my younger boy sliding upon the ice. These slight intimations will give you to understand, that there are numberless little crimes, which children take no notice of while they are doing, which, upon reflection, when they shall themselves become fathers, they will look upon with the utmost sorrow and contrition, that they did not regard, before those whom they offended were to be no more seen. How many thousand things do I remember, which would have highly pleased my father, and I omitted, for no other reason but that I thought what he proposed, was the effect of humour and old age, which I am now convinced had reason and good sense in it! I cannot now go into the parlour to him, and make his heart glad with an account of a matter which was of no consequence, but that I told it and acted in it. The good man and woman are long since in their graves, who used to sit and plot the welfare of us, their children, while, perhaps, we were sometimes laughing at the old folks at another end of the house. The truth of it is, were we merely to follow nature in these great duties of life, though we have a strong instinct towards the performing of them, we should be on both sides very deficient. Age is so unwelcome to the generality of mankind, and growth towards manhood so desirable to all, that resignation to decay is too difficult a task in the father; and deference, amidst the impulse of gay desires, appears unreasonable to the son. There are so few who can grow old with a good grace, and yet fewer who can come slow enough into the world, that a father, were he to be actuated by his desires, and a son, were he to consult himself only, could neither of them behave himself as he ought to the other. But when reason interposes against instinct, where it would carry either out of the interests of the other, there arises that happiest intercourse of good offices between those dearest relations of human life. The father, according to the opportunities which are offered to him, is throwing down blessings on the son, and the son endeavouring to appear the worthy offspring of such a father. It is after this manner that Camillus and his first-born dwell together. Camillus enjoys a pleasing and indolent old age, in which passion is subdued and reason exalted. He waits the day of his dissolution with a resignation mixed with delight, and the son fears the accession of his father's fortune with diffidence, lest he should not enjoy or become it as well as his predecessor. Add to this that the father knows he leaves a friend to the children of his friends, an easy landlord to his tenants, and an agreeable companion to his acquaintance. He believes his son's behaviour will make him frequently remembered, but never wanted. This commerce is so well cemented, that without the pomp of saying, Son, be a friend to such a one when I am gone; Camillus knows, being in his favor is direction enough to the grateful youth, who is to succeed him, without the admonition of his mentioning it. These gentlemen are honoured by all their neighbourhood; and the same effect which the court has on the manners of a kingdom, their characters have on all who live within the influence of them. My son and I are not of fortune to communicate our good actions or intentions to so many as these gentlemen do; but I will be bold to say, my son has, by the applause and approbation which his behaviour towards me has gained him, occasioned that many an old man, besides myself, has rejoiced. Other men's children follow the example of mine; and I have the inexpressible happiness of overhearing our neighbours, as we ride by, point to their children, and say, with a voice of joy, "There they go." Spectator: FROM THE ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE.. SON. From the creatures of God let man learn wisdom, and apply to himself the instruction they give. Go to the desert, my son; observe the young stork of the wilderness; let him speak to thy heart; he beareth on his wings his aged sire, he lodgeth him with safety, and supplieth him with food. The piety of a child is sweeter than the incense of Persia offered to the sun; yea, more delicious than odours wafted from a field of Arabian spices by the western gales. Be grateful then to thy father, for he gave thee life; and thy mother, for she sustained thee. Hear the words of his mouth, for they are spoken for thy good; give ear to his admonition, for it proceedeth from love. He watched for thy welfare, he hath toiled for thy ease: do honour therefore to his age, and let not his grey hairs be treated with irreverence. Forget not thy helpless infancy, nor the frowardness of thy youth, and indulge the infirmities of thy aged parents; assist and support them in the decline of life. So shall the hoary heads go down to the grave in peace; and thy own children, in reverence of thy example, shall repay thy piety with filial love. BROTHERS. Ye are the children of one father, provided for by his care; and the breast of one mother has given you suck. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers, that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father's house. And when ye separate in the world, remember the relation that bindeth you to love and unity; and prefer not a stranger to thine own blood. If thy brother is in adversity, assist him; if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race and his care be continued to you all in your love to each other. AN AFFECTIONATE ADDRESS ΤΟ YOUNG CHRISTIANS. Ir is comfortable to reflect, that there are many, even within the circle of our own observation, whom we can address as young Christians. We have, with heart-felt satisfaction, dearly beloved, observed the first dawnings of your acquaintance with God; our joy has increased with your growing seriousness; we have sympathised with you in your temptations, and have not ceased to pray, that you may be carried through the dangers which surround you, and that your path may continue to shine more and more, till you have finished your course: and now permit us to offer you a few instructions, to which we beg your patient attention. We do not mean in this place to enter into any particular detail of doctrine. We hope, in general, that you have been convinced of your guilt and depraved state by nature : that you have felt a total inability in yourselves to do any thing effectual for your own recovery; and that, while your understandings have, in some degree, been enlightened to discern the character of the Saviour, as revealed in the Scripture; by the power of the Holy Ghost, you have been enabled to believe in him for salvation, and are determined through grace to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart. We wish only to lay before you a few things which are intimately connected with your spiritual comfort and improvement, and which may assist you in making an honourable profession of the faith of Jesus. We cannot too earnestly recommend the careful and daily study of the holy Scriptures. We begin with this as of great magnitude, and as involving in it the most important consequences. We deny not that a man, whose knowledge in divine truth is limited and obscure, may be saved. His true enjoyment and felicity, however, must be proportionally limited. A distinct, comprehensive, and experimental knowledge of the word of God, is a most valuable attain ment, and is the source of the highest blessedness.—We address you, dearly beloved, as. beginning your christian course. Some of your fellow-christians have long been kept in bondage, by not fully receiving, in faith and simplicity, the word of God. From this cause have arisen their perplexities and difficulties. They did not clearly discern the glory and harmony of the truth, and were therefore frequently embarrassed with what they conceived to be contradictions in doctrine. If, with the humble and teachable spirit of a child you look up to the Father of lights to teach you by his Word and Spirit, you will not be disappointed. "Then shall ye understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Your difficulties and misconceptions shall gradually be cleared up. Enjoying divine instruction, you shall possess that inward and invigorating power of the truth, by which the soul is transformed into the image of God. From being a babe in Christ, you shall attain the state of a young man, and shall even go on to that of a father. Maintaining the spirit of prayer is also of essential importance in the christian life. Hence the many exhortations to it in the word of God. The experience of those who have gone before you bears witness that, while they neglected secret intercourse with God, they felt little of the vital energy and cheerful influence of the gospel. With the utmost solicitude therefore we exhort you to pray »lways. Watch unto prayer; watch in prayer, and watch after prayer. Unless you attend to this, every other mean will be unavailing. You may attain much knowledge, and be able fluently to communicate that knowledge; but the power of the word on your own heart will be indeed partial. Living in the neglect of so plain a duty, you will not be able to answer the painful accusations of conscience, nor will peace settle your mind. To private duties you want some incitements as well as to public duties. A due regard to these will be of singular benefit to the young christian. Surely the command of God, the example of Christ and the solid benefits derived from them, should be prevailing motives. Forget not the saying of your compassionate Saviour, Pray to thy Father, who is in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Spread your discouragements before him, and your 66 |