ence the feeling of natural and spiritual helplessness becomes
developed in the child; the sense of dependence on a superior is awakened;
and with these, all those feelings of confidence and veneration, which lay
the foundation of religious affections, are unfolded. The parent's
influence, both as to kind and degree, depends, therefore, upon the
character of home-sympathy. If it is but natural, the parental influence
will not extend beyond the worldly gain and temporal welfare of the child.
The parent will exert no power over the soul. But if it be spiritual, and
extend beyond the mere instincts of natural affection, it will expand the
mind, and develop all the melting charities of our nature. It will pass
with a new transferring and transforming power, from husband to wife, from
parent to child, from kindred to kindred. Wherever it finds its way;
whatever fiber of the heart it may touch, it begets a new and holy
affection, unites the energies, lightens the toils, soothes the sorrows,
and exalts the hopes, of all the members. It reflects a softening luster
from eye to eye, goes with electric flash from heart to heart, glows in its
warmth throughout all its moral courses, accumulates the home-endearments,
stimulates each member to religious exertions for all the rest, and lays
the foundation in each heart for an unbroken home-communion of their
sainted spirits in heaven! It cements them together in their tent-home,
creating a sweet concord of hearts and hopes and joys; and then elevates
them unitedly in fond anticipation of reunion in their eternal home. They
blend their tears together over the grave of buried love, and enjoy the
saintly sympathy of loved ones gone before them.

This is its most lovely feature. Tell me, is there not a bond of sympathy
between Jesus and His people here,--between loved ones in heaven and their
pious kindred on earth? Do not the tears of the Christian home reflect the
tears of Jesus? These are to the heart like the dews of Hermon,--like the
dews that descended upon the mountains of Zion.

"No radiant pearl which crested fortune wears,
No gem that, sparkling, hangs from beauty's ears,
Not the bright stars which night's blue arch adorn,
Nor rising sun that gilds the vernal morn,
Shine with such luster as the tear that breaks
For others' woe, down virtue's lovely cheeks."

Is such, Christian brother, the sympathy of your home? It will be a
safeguard against the follies and the fa