e should be no
interregnum,--no time when the boy should be utterly unfriended, loosed
from restraint, and a prey to unclean and hateful things. But this is
not done, and we should not wait for it. The Prince of Evil never stands
upon etiquette. He is instant in season and out of season; and those who
would circumvent him must be equally prompt and vigilant. The Church
should weave its meshes of watchful care and love and friendship so
close that nobody can slip through unseen.

A duty rests upon all merchants and tradesmen, upon all, indeed, who
employ clerks or apprentices, which is not discharged when their
quarterly payments are made. A man is in some sense the father of the
young men whom he employs, and he should do them fatherly service. It is
not possible to enter into relations with any human being without at the
same time incurring responsibility concerning him. How much might be
done for young men, if merchants would feel a domestic as well as a
mercantile interest in them! It may not be advisable to renew the old
custom of making clerks and apprentices members of the family; but
surely the pleasantly lighted parlor, with its pictures, its piano, its
little sheltered window-nooks, its agreeable daughters, its matronly and
dignified mother, may be made a Mecca for the homesick young pilgrim,
without any sacrifice that shall seem too great to the followers of Him
who laid down the glory which He had with the Father before the world
was, for nothing but that He might save sinners. Is it a dangerous thing
to introduce strangers into a young family? But is the character that is
not good enough for the drawing-room quite safe and harmless in the
counting-room? If merchants, master mechanics, and employers generally,
would set a premium upon integrity and good manners, those qualities
would not long be found wanting. Incalculable is the influence which
these civilizing surroundings would have upon a susceptible boy. Only
let them come in early. Do not wait till sin has thrown out its more
brilliant and showy lures, and then attempt to tear him away from them
already half polluted; but while his soul is yet unstained, while,
lonely, inexperienced, self-distrustful, he is ready to be moulded by
the first skilful touch, let it come from the wise hands of honorable
and responsible men whose position gives weight to their opinions, from
the gentle hands of motherly women, and merry, guileless girls.
Provide,--even if it