eligion in its living, moving and
breathing form before them. They should thus go in and out before them,
leading them step by step to heaven.

"As a bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt her new-fledged offspring to the skies,
They tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way!"

It is also necessary because of its adaptation to the capacities and
imitative disposition of children. They judge by the organs of sense, and
by their perceptions of truth through externals. Naked abstract truth does
not sufficiently interest them. They are pleased with history, narrative,
illustration, more than with philosophy. They are awake to the first and
receive from them a lasting impression; while the impression made by the
second is dreamy and ephemeral. They will never forget your example because
it is adapted to their taste and capacity. Long after they have forgotten
your precepts upon the duty and privilege of prayer, will they remember
your prayers; and long after the influence of the former has faded, will
that of the latter rule and allure them to God. Hence the necessity of a
Christian home-example. "If any have children or nephews, let them learn
first to show piety at home."

If such, then, are its influence and necessity, we can easily infer the
duty of parents to show their children a Christian example. If they form
their character upon the approved model of their parents, then the duty to
give them a Christian model is very obvious. They will rather follow your
ungodly example than obey your godly precepts. "To give children," says
Archbishop Tillotson, "good instruction and a bad example, is but beckoning
to them with the head to show them the way to heaven--while you take them
by the hand to lead them in the way to hell."

This duty is, therefore, enforced by the most powerful motives. The
influence and benefit of a pious example; the promised rewards attending
it; the deep curse that attends its absence; the misery which a bad example
entails upon all the members of the Christian household; and especially the
fruits of both a good and bad example, in eternity,--all these
considerations should prompt you to the faithful performance of this duty.
If the members of your household may he ruined here by a bad example, what
will be its consequences in the eternal world?

"If men of good lives,
Who, by their virtuous actions, stir up others