d possess unanimity of spirit and
practice in making up and giving the home-example. They should walk
unitedly, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, in all the ordinances and statutes
of the Lord blameless.

CHAPTER XXI

THE CHOICE OF PURSUITS.

"For what then was I born? to fill the circling year
With daily toil for daily bread, with sordid pains and pleasures?
To walk this chequered world, alternate light and darkness,
The day-dreams of deep thought followed by the night-dreams of fancy?
To be one in a full procession?--to dig my kindred clay?
To decorate the gallery of art? to clear a few acres of forest?
For more than these, my soul, thy God hath lent thee life!"

The choice of positions and pursuits in life is one important and
responsible mission of home. Children look up to their parents to aid them
in this. They are to have them prepared for a useful citizenship in the
state. Life demands that each of us, in obedience to the law of
self-preservation and of our relations to human society, prepare for some
useful occupation, not only for a livelihood, but also for the benefit of
the state. The duty and the interest of the parent are to bring up the
child to such a pursuit as is best adapted to his circumstances and
abilities. Our character, success and happiness in life, depend upon our
obedience to this law of adaptation.

As such pursuits are chosen and prepared for, while under the guardian care
of our parents, it is evident they should take an active part both in the
choice and the preparation. They are responsible for these as far as their
influence extends. It is their duty to afford their children aid in
choosing and preparing for a useful and appropriate occupation, to fit them
for the circumstances in which the Providence of God may place them, and to
educate them for an efficient citizenship in the state.

This is but developing the principle of self-preservation in the child, and
fitting him for a proper adherence to it in after life. The home prepares
the individual for his legitimate position in the state as well as in the
church; and this implies not only his education in the principles and
practice of virtue and religion, but also in some useful and appropriate
pursuit, by which he may meet the wants and prepare for the exigencies of
life. To rear up your children therefore, in idleness and ignorance of any
useful occupation, is not only doing great injustice to the child, but a