er fear, without either disrespectful familiarity or
mechanical servitude.

The efficiency of home-discipline depends upon its early introduction, upon
the decision with which it is administered, upon its adaptation to the real
wants of the child, and upon the manner in which it is applied.

It should be commenced in due season, as soon as the child can understand
its meaning and object. The child should be made to understand that he
lives under authority and restraint. This will prepare him for a profitable
correction when necessary. The great fault of many parents is that they
begin too late to correct their children, and leave them until then in
ignorance of its nature and intent. Hence, the child will not appreciate
the parent's motive, and will lack that pliability of spirit which is
essential to reformation. "The sceptre," says James, in his Family Monitor,
"should be seen by him before the rod; and an early, judicious and steady
exhibition of the former, would render the latter almost unnecessary. He
must be made to submit, and that while young, and then submission will
become a habit; the reins must be felt by him early, and he will thus learn
to obey them."

Home-discipline should be steady, uniform, consistent and reasonable. Both
parents and children should be guided by the dictates of reason and
religion. It should not be administered by the caprice of passion, nor
received in the spirit of insubordination. It should be prompted by a
parent's heart, and inflicted by a parent's hand. Convince the recreant
child that you correct him from motives of love, and for his own good. Let
reason and love be at the bottom of every chastisement; let them hold the
reins and guide the rod; and when the latter is used, let it be from
necessity. Lay no injunction upon your child without the ensurance of a
compliance.

Your discipline should never involve impossibilities or uncertainties;
neither should you permit your child to sport with your injunctions. Every
command should produce either obedience or correction. You should be firm
in the infliction of a threatened chastisement, and faithful in the
fulfilment of a promise to reward. Many parents are always scolding,
threatening and promising, but never execute and fulfil. As a consequence
they run from one extreme of discipline to another.

In home-discipline, parents should act harmoniously and cooperate with each
other. They should be of one mind and of one heart, an