of the child's religious nature, and the diligent use of those
means by which it may become an adopted child of God.

Education should be suited to the wants and the destination of the child.
Religion is its first want,--the one thing needful, the chief concern; and
should, therefore, be the first object of attention in home-training. The
fear and love of God should be the first lesson taught. This is the
beginning of wisdom. Teach your children to love Him above father and
mother, sister and brother. The child is capable of such ideas of God.
Children can possess the sentiment of God; and when this is instilled and
developed as a rudiment of their character, they have a preparation for the
grace of God. What is the mere secular, without such a religious education?
It is education without its essence; for piety is the essence of all
education. Irreligious training is destructive,--a curse rather than a
blessing,--only a training up to crime and to ruin. "The mildew of a
cultivated, but depraved mind, blights whatever it falls upon." "Religion,"
says Dr. Barrow, "is the only science, which is equally and indispensably
necessary to men of every rank, every age, and every profession." "The end
of learning," says Milton, "is to repair the ruins of our first parents, by
requiring to know God aright, and out of that knowledge, to love Him, and
to imitate Him."

We see, therefore, that religious training is the only true palladium of
your children's happiness and destiny; and should be the great end of all
home-teaching. Tinge all their thoughts and feelings with a sense of
eternity. Train them up to build for another world. Stamp the impress of a
future life upon their tender hearts. Beget in them longings after
immortality. See that their designs extend beyond this world. As the
Spartan mother gave character to her nation by the instructions she gave
her child, so you give character to your religion, your church, your home,
by the spiritual culture of your offspring. Let the jewels you give them be
the virtues and the gifts of the Holy Ghost,--the ornaments of a meek and
quiet spirit.

"Take the germ, and make it
A bud of moral beauty. Let the dews
Of knowledge and the light of virtue, wake it
In richest fragrance and in purest hues."

Childhood is the period in which the principles of Christianity can be the
most effectually engrafted in our nature. Its pliability at that period
insures its free a