I immediately began conversation, to prevent any awkward embarrassment arising, and said, We welcome you, Thomas, as a pilgrim on the way to heaven, an example we would desire to follow.

Sir, he answered, it has been of special mercy that I cannot say, as old Jacob said, "Few and evil have been the days of my pilgrimage," I have had so many blessings granted to me; but still, if the way through this world was not the pathway to the kingdom of God and His dear Son, I should think it dreary way.

Yes, Thomas; sin is a burden, and a corruptible body is a clog to the soul.

Ah, Sir, but we shall put off corruption, and there shall be no more sin.

Then, turning to my young friends, I said,I think our last conversation ran chiefly upon the Love of God, which rendered his commandments sweet to the soul, and made the duty of honoring father and mother a privilege in the Lord.

We also spoke a little on the distinction between a condition and a promise; I think, therefore, this evening we will follow the doctrine of Love, with that of the Promise, two things combined, which we might almost say in David's language, are "as honey and the honeycomb." George, will you repeat the text in Eph. vi. 1, 2.

"Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with promise."

Now I wish you may be able, my young friends, to place before us as many texts as you

can recollect, which bear upon this subject, connected with a promise or encouragement.

There was a pause of a minute or more, some being totally unable, from their ignorance of the word of God, and others backward from modesty or bashfulness.

I looked to Louisa, and she said,

Col. iii. 20, "Children, obey your parents in all things this is well-pleasing unto the Lord." Then Charles said, The principal promise is that which is connected with the commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Prov. i. 8, 9, "My son, hear the instruction. of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; for they shall be as ornaments of grace upon thine head, and chains about thy neck."

When Louisa had repeated this text, I looked to Anna, and said, See, my dear Anna, what a way this is to attain ornaments and chains, " The instruction of thy father, and the law of thy mother."

Do you remember the text to the same point in Prov. vi. 20-22?

Charles, after a moment's recollection, said, My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother; bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck when thou goest it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee."

I cannot help making a little interruption here, to point out how it is the constant plan of the Scripture to combine both father and mother as alike entitled to the attention and honor of the child; for some children are apt to feel more deference for one than the other; and are even foolishly brought up to make a preference: a sure method of sowing the seeds of discord in a family. But you must observe that the Lord makes them inseparably united in this command; and this points out another important instruction, which is, That the parents should be united in the duties they owe to their children. They should be undivided in purpose and principle; the instruction of the father, and the law of the mother, must be of the same nature, and tendency, and origin ;-of,-in, and to,--the Lord; so that it is remarkably applied as if they were one. The instruction of the father, and the law of the mother, being it, that shall lead, and keep, and talk with them-their guide and counsellor !-Again addressing Anna, I added, Never should I think you so well ornamented, my dear Anna, as when I saw by your obedience and respect to the wishes of your parents, that you had taken them to be the meditation, the counsel, and guide of your way in the Lord. It is easy, my dear young friends, to observe the difference between these essential and internal ornaments, and those vain, costly, but indifferent, exterior decorations, which are bought with the mammon of this world, and are

the gifts of mere fondness, and, perhaps, the offerings of bribery. The one fostering every foolish and hurtful passion of pride, self-esteem, and vanity; the other cherishing those gracious feelings which shall be esteemed by the Lord himself as ornamental. Therefore, be attentive to the sweet precepts of the Word of God, and let the instruction of thy father, and the law of thy mother, be the ornaments of your head, and the chains about your neck; and let parents take care that they are of that intrinsic kind which are dug out of the rich mine of the Scriptures, and are more precious than the gold of Ophir !

There is another kind of promise attached to this command, and if George had pursued his text, Eph. vi. 1-3, to the proper period, he would have repeated it. Do you know the whole connexion, George?

Yes, uncle; but I did not think of going to the end I will now. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right; Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

You observe the change made by the Apostle in the application of the promise. It is supposed it was on account of its being addressed to the Gentile Church, who had not the promise of Canaan, as the land which the Lord promised them. And as the Jews were about to be driven out of the land, on account of their disobedience

to this and other commandments of God, it was not applicable to them in their situation at that time though the command still stands, with all its promise, to be hereafter fulfilled to them, when they shall turn with their whole heart to the Lord. Long life is the promise, and when we live in Christ it is a blessing indeed, as we may be permitted to glorify Him. There are temporal blessings granted to an obedient spirit ; we observe them continually running through the Scripture; and of this particular duty between parents and children it is frequently added, "that it may go well with thee and with thy children," Deut. xii. 28, "when thou doest that which is good and right." And we perceive that the Apostle has combined them in one view, "This is right;" "That it may be well with thee," and "that thou mayest live long on the earth." And perhaps Charles can supply me with a text that will corroborate this truth, that obedience in the Lord is godliness.

Thank you, uncle, for directing my mind by the last connexion of your question. It is this, you desire to have, "Godliness is profitable to all things; having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Tim. iv. 8.

Louisa, there is a disposition of grace which is marked by obedience as one of its features. Do you know what it is? It has a promise even beyond living long on the earth.

The disposition of meekness: the Lord says in