ebuke."

The power and influence of the home-example are incalculable. Example is
teaching by action. By it the child inherits the spirit and character of
the parent. Such is its influence that you can estimate the parent by the
child. Show me a child, polite, courteous, refined, moral and honorable in
all his sentiments and conduct; and I will point you to a well-conducted
nursery, to noble and high-minded parents, faithful to their offspring.
Theirs is a holy and a happy home; and the blessing of God rests upon it.
But on the other hand, in the wayward, dissolute child I discern unfaithful
parents who have no respect for religion, and who take no interest in the
spiritual welfare of their children. Thus the child is a living commentary
upon its home and its parents. The fruits of the latter will be seen in the
character of the former. The child is the moral reproduction of the parent.
Hence the pious parent is rewarded in his child, and the immoral parent is
cursed in his child. Whatsoever thou sowest in thy child, that shalt thou
also reap.

[Illustration: Sunshine of Youth.]

The precepts of home are unavailing unless enforced by a corresponding
example. Nothing is so forcible and encouraging as the "Follow me." It
proves sincerity and earnestness; and is adapted to the imitative capacity
and disposition of the child. It is all-commanding and resistless. Says
Solomon, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his
friend." Says Paul "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor
anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak."
Says Shakspeare, "One drunkard loves another of the name." Says Dr. Young--

"Ambition fires ambition; love of gain
Strikes like a pestilence from breast to breast;
Riot, pride, perfidy, blue vapor's breath;
And inhumanity is caught from man,
From smiling man."

If such is the influence of example, we must admit the necessity of a true
Christian example in the family. It is necessary because it is the
condition of the efficacy of home-precepts. "During the minority of reason,
imitation is the regent of the soul, and they who are least swayed by
argument are most governed by example." We learn from example before we can
speak. Hence if we would have our children walk in the way of God's
commandments, we must go before them; we must take the lead; we must
exemplify in our action what we incorporate in our oral instructions; our