test of all,-whether they will consist with the obligation of the fifth commandment.

I proposed these ideas to my sister during a moment of leisure;-and she said,

I have had the same kind of reflections, though I do not know that I ever deliberated much upon them. I am of opinion that the plan is not a good one, being at variance with those filial and attached dispositions which we ought to endeavor to cultivate. We desire to be as liberal to our children as our circumstances will admit, both in the supply of pocket-money and in the proper apparel for their station; wishing in these respects to establish a kind of equality, only preserving the recollection that it comes from the hand of their father.

What do you mean by equality?

Perhaps I did not use a good expression, but I shall give you a better idea of my meaning, if I point out to your observation the profusion of decoration or dress, which a mother will sometimes adopt for herself, with little attention to the proper habit of her child; while sometimes, on the contrary, the lavish supply given to decorate a child, will transgress the consistency of station or religious moderation. I do not think, in our children, there is a feeling of any other kind on this subject, than the dependence of love, and their father always endeavors to impress upon their young minds the observation of his dependence on our Father in Jesus Christ. I hear him sometimes say, "I am able to give

you this, my children, because it has been given to me; I possess nothing but what I have received; I ask our heavenly Father for our daily bread, He graciously gives it to us, and I can thus share it with you; He supplies the young ravens with food, and clothes the lilies of the field, doth he not much more feed and clothe us!"

You remind me of Thomas's remark, that he makes his children like little partners with him.

It is true that children ought to be allowed to feel that they possess the privileges and interests of their parents' house. The prosperity or adversity of a day, equally affecting each member of the household, because all are alike under the same providential dispensation of the LORD. Thus we participate in each other's feelings, and the interests of their heart are in their home, looking up unto the Lord.

I once observed this particularly manifested in the conduct of a sweet girl, the daughter of an intimate friend, who, upon a sudden reverse of fortune, was explaning to her the necessity of using economy to a greater degree than was customary; when she said, "O, mamma, we can soon do that, I am glad you did not buy me that new frock, for you shall see how nice I will make my old one by new hemming it at the bottom." It soon happened, that by another providence, such as the Lord in his goodness sometimes bestows, an unexpected accession of income was given; I was there at the time, when this dear girl's eyes sparkled with gratitude, as her mother

communicated it, and she exclaimed, How good the Lord is! Now, dear mamma, you can afford to go to the warm baths for your health, and papa I will be made happy to see you better; then she modestly added, and perhaps you can let me have those slates and books I wished for, for my little school. This is the kind of equality and partnership I would wish to have between me and my dear children.

It is a plan, doubtless, full of comfort, and seems to inculcate the three things Thomas spoke of, love, honor, and succor, towards the parent.

My sister's three children had not been inatttentive to this conversation, and having put away their books, they drew around us as if desiring 1 to partake in this privilege also; I therefore showed my readiness to meet their wishes, by addressing Charles.

What do you think on the subject, Charles? Oh, I am so happy in my father's plan, that I do not wish for any other; my cousin Frederick has often spoken to me about his allowance, and said that I ought now to be put upon an allowance. I cannot understand the particular pleasure he feels in it, for he says he never can make it do, and he always has to get his debts paid by his father, who, he says, is generally very angry, and calls him extravagant; but notwithstanding, when the anger subsides, he balances all, and begins again free.

This is a shocking plan, for it engenders many bad feelings and habits. If he so exceeds his

allowance, he becomes an extortioner on his father's purse. He learns to be extravagant without compunction. He incurs a burden of debt, which he places on his father's shoulders; and he becomes discontented with the portion allotted to him.

Uncle, said George, shall I tell you what I thought of, when that Dick Johnson talked of what he allowed his mother?

Pray do.

You know that part of the Gospel, where our Lord speaks about the Jews making void the law by their tradition; who said to their father and mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever ye may be profited by me.

That passage deserves our careful consideration, George; and I am glad you have introduced it; turn to the passage and read it.

He took up a Bible, and opened at the fifteenth chapter of Matthew, and read the third verse, "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? for GoD commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of GoD of none effect by your tradition."

Read the parallel passage, in Mark vii. 11, 12.

"But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother."

It is a remarkable thing, George, that to this day that tradition governs them; for they disregarded these admonitions of Christ, whom in no way would they have to reign over them. I am told, that so early as at eight years of age, both boys and girls are permitted to act upon this plan, nay, even compelled to do so, and that, as soon as by begging or selling any wares, they can bring a small sum to their parents, they say "It is Corban, or a gift; I am free"-and the parent accepts it as Corban, and thenceforth the bond of duty and obedience is broken. The parent chooses to suppose the child able to support itself, and the child is taught to suppose that he owes no further allegiance to father or mother. The consequence is evident before our eyes, in the wretched depravity, and ignorance, and degradation of the poor Jews; who wander in the streets of the metropolis, and over every part of the world, destitute of the rights of parental care, and destitute of that sense of duty which should subsist on their part towards their parents.

Will you tell me exactly, uncle, how to understand that which they add, " by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me."

In this way, my dear George; It is a formal