"Do this and live;" but it is peculiar to the fifth commandment to have a promise annexed to it, such as is not given to the others. It is written, God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love. He has a reward of grace; He suffers our obedience to be regarded as a proof of love and grace, and grants that the works of the saved shall follow them. (Rev. xiv. 13.) But they are no conditions by which we live, or for which we live; had it been so, it had been no more a promise. He in His own grace is pleased to hold out a promise, which is His own free offer and gift, to which we have no right nor claim of ourselves. Besides, it is not the life that is in Jesus, which is here promised upon our attention to the fifth commandment, that is secured to us on another foundation, even Jesus himself. We find the Lord frequently setting promises before us for fruits of grace and faith. The promises are the earnests of the inheritance which we possess in Christ Jesus, and the fruits of grace show to us the character of the people who are to be inheritors. Do you understand the distinction better?

I think I do.

You must be always careful to distinguish a promise from a condition. If you seek to keep the law as a condition, you will either be an ignorant Pharisee, supposing yourself righteous in your own works; or you will be cast down in despair in finding how far you come short of the

righteousness of the law. If you remember the commandment as one of love and promise, you will be free in your obedience; and encouraged to perseverance, by a fear of disregarding the promise. There is much more to be said on this subject, but at present I will go no further.

Then, after a little pause, I looked round on all my little company, for some of them seemed a little overpowered by this long reasoning. Now tell me, my dear young people, do you not already feel drawn to love the fifth commandment? especially as you may consider it so closely connected with your daily, hourly duty to your own dear earthly parents; whom you ought to love and obey, and who love you so intensely, that they always seek your benefit and happiness, according to their persuasion of what shall most contribute to them?

There appeared a general assent to my appeal, some whispered a little Yes, others raised their eyes to seek the countenances of their parents who were present, and others appeared to be reflecting on the application of the question.

It will, however, be well to give your minds a little preparatory direction to the meaning of the duty enjoined by the word "honor." It is a term used to imply respect, deference, attention, obedience, gratitude;-and these feelings can only be exemplified by actions. When, therefore, the Lord commands you to honor your father and your mother, you must bear in mind that it lays upon you these obligations:-that

you take no undue liberties with them; that you submit to their commands, not opposing your own inclinations, but yielding them to their superior wisdom; that you pay constant attention to their wishes; that you obey their injunctions; and that you be grateful for the tender care and instructions you daily receive from them. Tell me now what you mean by the honor you are to pay to your parents?

Some of them answered separately-
To respect them.

To give up my wishes to theirs.

To pay every attention to their desires.
To obey all their injunctions.

To be grateful for all their kind care.

Very well; remember these simple rules as some explanation of honor, and when you fail in them, recollect you are not honoring them; and when you endeavor to honor them, may it be as the proof both of love to the Lord Jesus, and that you do not despise the promise of God.

Thinking this little instruction sufficient for a first interview, and calculated to induce some further thought on the subject during the week, I then proposed that we should conclude, saying, As we are now directed to look to the Lord, whose Name is Love, we will not separate without commending ourselves to him in a short prayer. Remember, therefore, how near the Throne of Grace we are, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. At the foot of that

throne let us bend our knees, and implore from the heart that the Spirit of Grace may be granted to us, to love the Law of the Lord; and let us pray that it may be written on the tables of our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, that we may keep it in the love of Jesus.

When we had concluded, there was a little bustle amongst the party, in preparing for their departure, and some of the parents expressed their sentiments to me on the subject of the evening, in a way that gave me a hope I had obtained an interest.

I saw many little indications amongst the young people, of the necessity of urging their attention to this duty; one resisting the care of the mother, in wrapping her up for fear of cold; another, disrespectful in manners; a third, totally indifferent to the injunctions given to be steady and careful, whilst others were silently attentive and conforming to the wishes of their parents.

Louisa had received the charge of her mother to render all the little services in her power, and she was busily engaged in the courtesies and kindnesses the occasion demanded.

Very soon we were left to our own party, and naturally continued our conversations on the subject, which had been engaging us;-suggesting plans for our future meeting. In pursuance of which, I engaged my nephews and niece to accompany me the next morning, if spared, to make some researches among our poorer neighbors.

CHAPTER VI.

WE bent our steps early in the morning to the garden of little Jane's father, who civilly permitted his friends to walk in it occasionally. We found them all busily commencing their morning work in the garden; Jane and her two brothers were ready, with their little woolen aprons on, and coarse baskets in their hand; Thomas, their father, had a spade, rake, and hoe over his shoulder; and a little girl, about five years old, was standing at a little distance, as if not quite so ready in mind as the others to proceed to her occupation; she was pouting with an air of discontent. Jane looked at her, and said,

Come, little Sarah, go gather the gooseberries. Sarah shook her elbows as if refusing, without advancing a step.

The father looked at her, and she hung her head ashamed, but still did not move.

Come, little Sarah, again said Jane, go gather the gooseberries.

Let her alone, Jane, said Thomas, I have told her what I expect her to do.

Jane looked wistfully at her, as if she would persuade her.

Come on, my children, Thomas cheerfully said, we must make the most of time; Jane and her brothers moved briskly after their father, and were soon at the far end of the garden, and