a father, and seek it in repentance and submission, as the way in which you may find your restoration to the bosom of a father and as respects God, remember what is written in 1 John ii. 1, 2,-" If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins.'

Beware, dear children, of a spirit of hypocrisy; be open, be honest, be ingenuous in your behaviour to your parents, that they may know what you really are, and be able to apply their instruction suitably to your several states and dispositions. When you are sensible of sin, confess your sin, and seek the aid of your dearest friends to direct you aright; and when they see it necessary to correct you, do not rebel. "He that hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Prov. xxix. 1.

You have read the awful end of the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, how the judgments of God were upon them, and how their being cut off in their sins affected their aged father, and occasioned his death and the Lord charged Eli himself with guilt, because, when he knew their sins, he restrained them not. You see, therefore, that your parents' exercise of restraining authority, however your mind may dislike to yield to it, is absolutely necessary to remove the guilt of your blood from their heads, and to save you, if possible, from the wrath and judgments of God. When they thus show their solicitude for the welfare of your souls, you ought

to be grateful with the fullest feeling of love. Did you ever remark in the gospel, the eager desires of parents for their children?

Yes, often, for all diseases of the body, uncle; but how few seemed to think of their souls! Tell me, Louisa, how you discriminate.

She answered, I think it is evident by their bringing them to be cured of fevers, of lunacy, of devils, of sicknesses,-but they never said, Lord, heal their souls! Lord, forgive their

sins!

You said, few seemed to think of their souls; Who are the few?

Louisa colored a little, and said, Perhaps, dear uncle, I am mistaken, but I always liked to think thus of those who brought young children to Jesus, that he might touch them they seemed only to want His blessing, it was for no bodily disease. And then how graciously he took them, as if he were pleased with the act; "He took them up in his arms and put his hands on them, and blessed them." Mark x. 16. Oh! uncle, I often think my own dear father and mother did that for us, when we were young children, and that the Lord did do as they desired; He blessed us.

What makes you think He did bless you, Louisa?

Because He has given us so many spiritual blessings, as the apostle says, in heavenly places. "He has cast our lot in a pleasant place;" where, though it be still in the wilderness, there is the

heavenly manna round about our tent, and springs of living water!

Charles looked at his sister, as she spoke, and his heart seemed to swell with the same grateful feeling of acknowledgement of the goodness and mercy of God; but he did not speak a word.

This animated burst of filial tribute from the lips of Louisa affected all that were present, and the parents, especially, involuntarily turned their eyes towards Louisa's mother.

My sister's feelings were naturally of quick sensibility, but she had been so much in the practice of bringing them into subjection to the Lord, that though her countenance showed the inward emotion of her heart, she was able to preserve a calm and quiet manner, saying,

What can be so grateful to a mother's heart, as to see the Lord graciously answering her desires, and awakening her children to a sense of spiritual blessings! What a safeguard from the temptations of the world and of sin, that they should find the Lord their portion, and their exceeding great reward?

Pray, Sir, said Old Thomas, may we look once more to the Scriptures, and take out the perfect example of a son, in Jesus, our Lord, the Son of the Father?

That is just what I wished, Thomas.

The Lord Jesus, in his humiliation, becoming son of man, exhibited in that character, perfect obedience to father and mother, which is fully implied by that expression, He" was subject unto

them;" and so in all the full developement we see Him also as the Son of God. His delight being to do the will of the Father, Ps. xl. 8. the will of Him that sent Him! constantly referring all to the will of the Father: "This is the will of him that sent me!" And though His undertaking our redemption was his own will also, He delighted most to call it the will of the Father. "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.” John vi. 38; and so though He were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which He suffered," Heb. v. 8. and was obedient even unto death. In this we see how he was typified by Isaac, when Abraham would have offered him up, only He, far beyond the type, not only intended, but did fulfil to the full, in the infinite perfection of all obedience. "He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross!" Phil. ii. 8.

Remember, dear children, this infinitely holy character of obedience in Christ, and that what He did for our salvation, was done by Him, as in obedience to the Father. The honor and glory of the Father were made his great object, that in redeeming sinners, He might satisfy all His demands, and manifest the unchangeable perfection of all the truth and attributes of God the Father. And so He said, "Father, I have finished the work thou gavest me to do:" "I have glorified thee on the earth." John xvii. 4." That the world may know that I love the Father; and

as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do." John xiv. 31.

Remember, moreover, dear children, that it is through that finished work of our redemption from sin and death, that we are brought into the privilege of entering into the paths of holiness and peace: That through that finished work the Holy Ghost and the Father are propitiated; and we receive the sanctifying of the Holy Spirit, through the reconciled love of the Father, as well as the cleansing and atoning blood of Jesus. Thus the provision for our obedience is made. Let us ask, as we are permitted, the Holy Spirit for our guide and support; for our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him!

We are now about to separate ;--may this little privilege we have enjoyed be amongst those things which shall be recorded on high, as done in the Lord! If it has been given and received in His name, it will not be in vain. May such a blessing come down on you from the Lord of love, as to raise your hearts to Him, and by the Holy Ghost given you, make you seek that conformity to the image of Christ, which shall lead you to desire to do the will of your heavenly Father, and to glorify Him on earth, according to the measure of your grace, by delighting in His Commandments; for by this shall all men know that you love the Lord, when you keep His commandments, pressing after the attainment of the Promise.