for that reason that you would allow me to advise you.

With a tone that implied great incredulity he said, Good advice would be very acceptable.

I would then advise you to reflect well upon the principle which operates on your son's mind, and I think it appears to be a sense of his duty to God.

Perhaps it may be; but his duty to God should teach him his duty to his parents.

Very true, it should indeed; but what is to be done if the parent, for want of proper understanding of the truth, should propose any thing to his child contrary to his duty to God?

But that's not my case, Sir;-I want nothing but his advantage.

Temporal advantage, even though it be at the expense of eternal advantage. Now, however natural it is for a parent to desire present good things for his child, yet if they be found to interfere with his future well-being, he ought to renounce them utterly, and sacrifice the present for the future. Your son is setting you the example; you cannot suppose that present advantages are indifferent to him, but he can sacrifice them, rather than risk the injury of his future happiness. "Deny thyself," is the lesson of the Lord, and a lesson of the cross, without which, he cannot follow Jesus. Do you think it gives him no pain to have to decline your wishes? It is evident he suffers daily from this necessity,

and that the whole cause of the difference between you is because you cannot enter into his mind. Had you placed him with one master, and another came to him to demand his attentions, which were, besides, of a quite opposite nature to those in which he was engaged with the first, would you blame him if he refused the one, and held to the other?

But what has that to do with this case, Sir?

That he is engaged to serve one master, even the Lord, and you propose to him to serve another, who is contrary to the Lord. Blame him not that he refuses to serve the one, and adheres to the service of the other. If you have not the same principles, let him act according to his own, which you dare not deny to be right. Seek a master for him who will himself be in the service of the same Lord, and then you will find his ready compliance with your will, then you will understand that whilst he honors you as his father, he can obey you in the Lord.

It would all lead to this, Sir;-that his will, not mine, is to be obeyed.

But you forget that his will is directed by the Lord's will, which is supreme-" whether we must obey God or man, judge ye." I think you would be spared much unhappiness if you would calmly endeavor to understand the cause of the differences which arise between you; and perhaps in so doing, your own heart might be lifted up in praise to that Lord and master, who, with

out your asking Him, has engaged your own son in His gracious service. Remember how it is written, "What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul." Mark viii. 36. But that it is also written, "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Tim. vi. 6. May I prevail upon you to respect your son's motives, and to permit him to act as a young man ought to do, on conscientious principles towards God? You may still differ in sentiment, but you would at least not be putting violence on the gracious disposition of the youth. Why should you be angry that his soul aspires after the greatest happiness, in serving God?

I turned to my friend, and proposed to return home.

As we went out of the house,-I see how it is, he said; and if my Mary is to be one of those who will prefer the will of God to mine, may I find grace to resign my will to His!

Then, my friend, will she be the happy girl that can obey her father in all things; for this will be acceptable to the Lord, and "right."

We parted once more, and on reaching my own door, I found Louisa arriving just at the same time. With a cheerful voice she said,

but

I bring an invitation for us all, uncle; the lady had not a moment to write an answer, she spoke to me herself, and desired me to say that she would be happy to receive us in the school-room at two o'clock.

I am glad you have been a successful messenger; we will make instant arrangements for our visit. Accordingly at the appointed hour we were all there.

The lady received us with friendly courtesy, and entirely prevented any apologies by her immediate accommodation of the party with chairs. She was surrounded by about thirty girls, who were all engaged in repeating texts of Scripture in answer to questions proposed. We begged we might not interrupt the business of the school.

If you will excuse it, I will finish this examination, which is near its conclusion, and then they will sit down to their writing, which will leave me at liberty.

The manner of the children was very pleasing; their faces expressed a love for their teacher, and at the same time they behaved with respect and attention. We felt quite at ease, and as soon as the writing commenced, adverted to our object by saying,

We

We are pressing an inquiry at present into the influences of a consistent religious education over the conduct of children to parents, and it is always an advantage to have living examples; but I find the prevalence of disobedience so great, that I am sorry to say, it is not easy to find many proofs to exhibit, in order to illustrate the power of an education which is directed by God's law.

I can bear testimony to its power by some examples, which, though in humble classes, will

perhaps answer the end you have in view; for wherever the religious instruction has its due influence, there we see a manifest effect on the life and conduct, in the private scenes of home ; especially of children to parents; and many severe trials is principle put to, by the ignorance and ungodliness of the parents. I have many cases of difficulty to direct; and others which bring a delightful acknowledgement of the peace and happiness diffused through a cottage by the example and lovely obedience of a Christian child.

Do you find these instances prevail where there is most knowledge of the Word of God?

Knowledge and grace are distinct gifts: knowledge alone does not effect a change of conduct; knowledge without grace is like "faith without works, dead, being alone." In some cases where there is a readiness to acquire knowledge, there is not a disposition to receive grace; then they are high-minded, and under a pretext of religion, assume a dictatorial manner, often despising their parents, and taking the liberty to throw off restraint. And yet in many other cases, knowledge is of a constraining nature, for they find a condemning sentence against sin, and an encouraging promise to an upright walk; whilst grace without much knowledge will govern the conduct of the child in an obedient submission. But grace with knowledge is the state in which we see the most minute attention to the duties of their station, and the honor due from a child to a parent.