paradise which is above, there to grow again with renewed vigor, and to flourish in the beauty of eternal bloom. But, supposing that your children will not so speedily pass from time into eternity-supposing that Divine Providence intends to spare them to manhood and old age-still, we urge, they ought to be early initiated into the truths of the Bible. For, in the course of their heedless childhood and inexperienced youth, they will stand in special need of the principles of religion to restrain their wild and unruly passions, to correct their growing propensities to sin, and to preserve them from the influence of vicious company and vicious example, and from the formation of vicious habits, which, once acquired, are with the greatest difficulty subdued. Moreover, it is by early instruction that the deepest and most effectual impressions may be made upon their minds in favor of truth and holiness. Their wills are easily bent, and their hearts are soft and tender-not yet hardened by the deceitfulness of sin and the power of evil customs.

(4.) The duty of instructing children in the truths of revelation may be argued from the promises of divine influence made to them in holy Scripture. Is it not written, “I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring?" (Isaiah xliv, 3.) Does not St. Peter declare that "the promise" of the Holy Ghost is not only "unto you," but "unto your children?" (Acts ii, 39.) "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings" has not God "ordained strength" and perfected praise?" (Psalm viii, 2; Matthew xxi, 16.) And have we not known many instances of children in whom these promises were fulfilled, and who, though very young, have been eminently pious? Nay, do we not find these promises in some sense universally fulfilled? Is it not matter of general observation that the Holy Spirit powerfully strives with children almost as soon as they are capable of reflection? How often does he melt their hearts into gratitude by leading them to think of the divine goodness? Where is the child of five or six years that has not felt the drawings of the Father-that has not been inspired with holy breathings after God, with pious desires and resolutions? Now, if the Holy Spirit vouch

safes his gracious influences to children, it is evidently our duty, and we should esteem it our honor and our pleasure to be coworkers with him, and to promote by early instruction the benevolent designs of his mercy toward them. It is by means of the truths of the Bible that God ordinarily accomplishes the conviction and conversion of men. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm xix, 7.) In such words as these we are taught, again and again, that the Gospel is the grand instrument of regeneration and sanctification. Would you, then, have your children holy and happy? Do you desire that they should become the children of the Highest? Use all means of making them acquainted with the contents of Scripture, with the glorious Gospel of God our Saviour. Accustom them to hear the word of Christ preached on all opportunities. Train them into the habit of attending the public ministry. Teach them, or cause them to be taught, to read the Scriptures for themselves, that they may be enabled, at least in maturer life, to prove all things which they hear, to weigh every sermon in the balances of the sanctuary, and to hold fast what is good. Meanwhile, having access to the Scriptures, they will be confirmed by the private perusal of them in the truths to which they listen in public, and may have recourse to this invaluable treasure at all times and in all places, "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

These arguments, I doubt not, will be deemed sufficient to prove that the things revealed belong unto children. The application of the maxim to the business of this day is easy and obvious. There are many parents who pay no attention at all to their children's education in Christian truth and practice, but leave them to go astray like the wild ass's colt. Ignorant of the Bible themselves, and careless about their own souls, it is not to be expected that they should instruct their offspring in the word and ways of God. There are other parents who, though pious and well-disposed, are poor and indigent, and have not the ability to procure instruction for their little ones in the usual way. The difficulty is increased,

in commercial districts, by the employment of the children of the poor, from a very early period, in different branches of trade or manufacture; so that they have absolutely no leisure to attend schools, if their parents had the inclination and ability to send them. Now, to remedy these evils Sunday-schools were instituted, and for the support of that which is established in this place I have now to solicit your liberal contributions. The object of this school, you will be pleased to remember, is to teach the children who attend it the plain and leading truths of revelation, and, by enabling them to read the Scriptures, to make them wise unto salvation. Can any object be more laudable and benevolent? The objection sometimes urged against Sunday-schools, that they are likely to make the rising generation of the poor pert, forward, and selfconceited, and to raise them above their due rank and station in society, is not at all applicable to this school. The design of its managers is not to make the children philosophers, but to make them Christians. And who will have the presumption to say that Christianity will make men proud and discontented with their station? Nay, verily, it will produce order, fidelity, humility, contentedness, and all good fruits. These children are not instructed in any of the branches of merely secular science, but only in the "things revealed." Nobody thinks of making them fine scholars. The one aim and end of the undertaking is to teach them to read and understand their Bibles. And what method can be more likely than this to make them obedient to their parents, faithful and honest to their employers, loyal subjects to their sovereign, and useful citizens to their country, as well as humble and devoted disciples of their Saviour Jesus Christ?

I invite you, then, to come forward in support of so excellent a scheme. The teachers generously give their services, and you will not refuse as generously to give your money. Remember the multiplied claims of these poor children upon your charitable assistance. Remember your own obligations to Jesus Christ, and manifest your gratitude to him by your kindness to these his representatives. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That

in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." And "it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" through lack of knowledge. Remember the word of your dying Redeemer, how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And, finally, call up the solemnities of that approaching day "when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him :" when "before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats;" and he shall say to those who have proved their faith in him by their love and good works to their fellow-creatures, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was ahungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME." (Matthew xxv, 31-40.)

1

XX.

THE UNREASONABLENESS OF UNBELIEF.

AND HE MARVELED BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF.-Mark vi, 6.

WHEN He by whom the world was made condescended to dwell among men, and so "was in the world," "the world knew him not." Though "he came unto his own," "his own received him not." They "hid as it were their faces from him; he was despised, and they esteemed him not." By none of our Lord's countrymen were these scriptural representations more strikingly verified than by his fellow-townsmen, the Nazarenes. At Nazareth he was educated and brought up; and that comparatively secluded place had the honor to be his general residence during by far the greatest portion of his earthly life. It was at Nazareth that the heavenly "child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;" so that it was plainly manifest that "the grace of God was" pre-eminently "upon him." It was to Nazareth that he went down from Jerusalem after his remarkable conversation with the doctors in the temple, at the age of twelve years; and there he was subject, not only to Mary his real mother, but to Joseph his reputed father-increasing in stature, and in favor with God and man. It was at Nazareth that he deigned to be employed in the occupation of a carpenter, till the proper season arrived for entering upon his ministry. It was at Nazareth, in fine, that his brethren, (or kinsmen,) James and Joses, Simon and Judas, and his sisters (or kinswomen) all dwelt. These circumstances, doubtless, tended to produce in his mind a peculiar attachment to the place with which he was so variously connected. They would, at least, excite a benevolent solicitude that the companions of his childhood and youth might come to the knowledge of the truth, and be interested