eadfast amidst all
the efforts to heathenize him during his captivity in Babylon? His early
religious culture. It was the means of his preservation. The truth had been
deeply engraven upon his heart when young, and nothing could ever efface
it. His early home-impressions glowed there with pristine freshness and
power amid all the terrors which surrounded him in the den and before the
throne of his implacable foe. These home instructions may be silenced for a
time, but never destroyed. They may be overshadowed, but not annihilated.
Says Dr. Cumming, "The words spoken by parents to their children in the
privacy of home are like words spoken in a whispering-gallery, and will be
clearly heard at the distance of years, and along the corridors of ages
that are yet to come. They will prove like the lone star to the mariner
upon a dark and stormy sea, associated with a mother's love, with a
father's example, with the roof-tree beneath which they lived and loved,
and will prove in after life to mould the man and enable him to adorn and
improve the age in which he is placed."

Be faithful, therefore, in the spiritual culture of your children. Give
them "line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a
little." Lead them on by degrees to Christ until each indelible impression
becomes an established habit. In the morning of their life sow the seed;
and God will give the increase; and then in the day of judgment your
children will rise up and call you blessed!

SECTION II.

NEGLECT AND ABUSE OF HOME-EDUCATION.

"Accomplishments have taken virtue's place,
And wisdom falls before exterior grace;
We slight the precious kernel of the stone,
And toil to polish its rough coat alone.
A just deportment, manners graced with ease,
Elegant phases, and figure formed to please,
Are qualities that seem to comprehend
Whatever parents, guardians, schools intend;
Hence all that interferes, and dares to clash
With indolence and luxury, is trash!"

Home-education in all its parts is most sadly neglected and abused at the
present day. Many parents think that the office of teacher is not included
in the parental character and mission. The neglect of home-training seems
to arise out of an existing-prejudice against it. Some think that education
will unfit their children for industry,--will make them indolent and proud.
They regard mental culture as an enemy to both industry and virtue. Strange
delusion! T