With a loud voice she puts up her petitions which, till now, under
similar circumstances, have not even been whispered aloud.

But her emotions have risen so high, that not only does her voice become
inarticulate, but her tears fall like April showers upon the face of
her, till now, unconscious child.

The child looks inquiringly. It now perceives that that countenance,
which has hitherto been lighted up only by smiles, and been radiant with
hope, at times is beclouded by fears. No wonder if this scene should
attract the attention of this infant listener. Perhaps it is overawed.
It rises up, it looks round to see if any one is present, with whom its
mother is holding converse. Seeing no one, it hides its little head in
the folds of its mother's dress, and is still.

What does all this do but to awaken, on the part of the mother, a still
deeper interest in the welfare of her sympathizing little one. She now
realizes as she never did before, what an influence she has in swaying
the mind and affections of her darling child, and her responsibility
seems to increase at every step. She presses her child more and more
fondly to her bosom. With daily and increasing faith, love and zeal, she
resorts to the throne of grace, and pleads for that wisdom she so
pre-eminently needs.

It cannot be but that her love to her child should be daily strengthened
by such communings with her own heart and her Savior, in sweet
fellowship with her little one, though so young as not fully to
comprehend all it sees and hears, yet it will remember and be
influenced, eternally, by what has been done and said in its presence.
This mother fully realizes that she is under the watchful eye of God,
her Maker and Redeemer--that the Holy Trinity--the mysterious "three in
one" have been present, more than spectators of what has transpired. For
she is sure that these aspirations after holiness for herself and for
her child are not earth-born--but emanations from the triune God.

It is natural to suppose that lasting impressions would be made upon the
heart of a child thus early taught to pray.

No wonder if this little child, ever after, should find a sacred
pleasure in visiting the place where prayer is wont to be made, which at
first was hallowed and sweetened by tender and endearing associations.

And we would here remark, that it is chiefly by the power of association
that young children can be supposed to be benefited by such teachings
and exam