and whenever this becomes a general neglect in a country, it may be considered the commencement of that departure from the Lord, which ends in an apostate nation. In Deuteronomy the fourth, and ninth verse, there is the same command, with this additional injunction: "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thine heart, all the days of thy life." How intimately, therefore, do we see the interests of the parent and child interwoven in duty and love to God; and surely we may say with Moses, "Those things which are revealed, belong unto us, and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."-Deut. xxix. 29. And the way in which we can fulfil the command is stated in Prov. xxii. 6: "Train up a child in the way he should go." But we may pass on from the Old Testament to the command as it is contained in the New.

That is the interesting point, to train up a child; I confess I feel it a most difficult duty, said Mrs. Aston.

Again I would impress on your minds the necessity of being yourselves devoted to God; then, though the

responsibility seems the same, the difficulty will be less. In Ephesians vi. 4, we see the whole simplified

by the word of God :— Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." This is a command which, while it enforces your duty, shows you at the same time the way; which is learnt in the blessed word of truth, the Bible, the only directory to that nurture and admonition which is of the Lord. The conjunction of these two duties in the Lord, is a holy and gracious lesson; admonition belonging to the authority of the station, and nurture to the tenderness and love of the parent. It is quite necessary to observe the two, that neither the strictness of discipline may frustrate the operation of love, nor the show of love loosen the bonds of discipline. The Lord has implanted the tender love of the parent with his own hand. He hath made you the natural nurses of your own children, and has appointed you to be their spiritual nurses also. All the supply that can be rendered them, is administered by His wise provision through your hand; and in the same way He ordains your duty to administer what He supplies to you for their souls. They need the tenderest care, watchfulness, diligence; they want the daily bread for the soul,

and the cultivation of a spiritual mind, as well as the charges, and restraints, and reproofs, and counsels of authority; and it is essentially necessary that it be in the Lord. Let them know, and see, and hear whence you derive all you give; that all is from and of the Lord, and their confidence, and dependence, and obedience will more readily follow.

But I fear to weary you with what must appear rather a formal lecture; excuse me if my earnestness has led me to trespass on your patience.

Oh, do not apologize, said Mrs. Aston; my heart is too much bent on the subject to be soon tired.

We will, if you please, change the scene a little, by joining our young friends.

They all rose to accompany me, and we were soon in the midst of the interesting circle. We found them. listening with much attention to the details my sister's children and Mary were giving, of the various incidents which they had witnessed since their last meeting.

CHAPTER XI.

You look so happy, and so well engaged, my young friends, that I almost fear to be felt an intruder.

Oh! no; Louisa has been giving us most interesting accounts; but we should not have felt them so, perhaps, if we had not had your instruction before, and we shall all be quite happy if you will do the same again.

I was pleased to find this remark proceeding with some animation from the boy who had expressed so much surprise at my invitation

Henry, I am glad to hear you feel an interest in the subject: then you can think these parties for religious instruction are capable of giving pleasure?

I do, indeed; but we are all quite anxious to see old Thomas, for Louisa has described him so interestingly, that I wish we might be permitted to have him in the

room.

Charles came to me with quickness, and receiving my directions, went out to bring him in. In the mean time I asked George if he knew any Scripture that would teach the young people how to receive the old man?

Yes, uncle; I know what you mean, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God." Lev. xix. 32.

Thank you, George; this reverence for the old man, remember, is a part of the duty of the fifth commandment; and it is remarkable how the Lord strengthens the command by adding, "and fear thy God," reminding us that it is one testimony of our regard to His word. And if you show him this token of respect, let me enjoin you to do it with attention, and quietly, for fear of agitating the old man, who has not been used to such a party.

If you please, uncle, said Louisa, as I hear him near, we will rise in readiness that he may be less discomposed?

Do so, my dear girl. She rose, and they all followed her example, every eye being turned to the door to see

him enter.

Fearful lest it might alarm him to have the view of