t that the
parent is justified, and his parental affinities require him to make
all possible efforts to bring that soul to repentance. And he should
pray and wrestle with God, as fervently, as importunately, as
perseveringly as the object sought is important and desirable.

But, then, here is a point never to be overlooked, and yet is it not
often overlooked? viz., that the grand governing motive of the parent in
seeking the salvation of his child should be the glory of God--not
simply the honor of that soul, as an heir of a rich inheritance--not
simply the exemption of his child from misery--nor yet his joy, as a
participator in joys and glories which mortal eye has not yet seen, nor
human heart yet conceived. The glory of God! the glory of Jesus! that is
the all in all--the paramount motive, which is to guide, govern parents,
and all others in their desires and labors for the salvation of children
and friends!

I do not mean to intimate that parents _can_ ever, or _ought_ ever to
take pleasure in the contemplated ruin of their children. God takes no
pleasure in the death of him that dieth. But it is not enough for the
parent simply to wish his child _saved_. That desire may be selfish, and
only selfish. And that prayer which terminates there, may be as selfish
as was the desire of Salome that her sons might occupy the chief places
of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The parent may, indeed, wish, and ought
to wish, that his child may be _saved,_ and for that he should labor and
toil--but in a way which will illustrate the marvels of redeeming mercy,
and which shall be in consonance with the established principles of the
Gospel.

The parent, then, who prays for the salvation of his child, irrespective
of all other considerations, excepting his exemption from misery, prays
in vain, for he prays with a heart which is supremely selfish. Where is
the parent who could not thus pray? Pray, do I say; such is not prayer.
Such pleas, however ardent, however long, however importunate, can never
be consistently answered. Prayer, to be acceptable and effectual, must
always have the glory of God in view, and be offered in submission to
the divine will. It must have reference not merely to what is good, but
to a good which shall consist with those eternal principles of justice
and mercy, according to which God has decided to conduct the affairs of
his spiritual kingdom. We may never wish our children to sit with Christ
in his kingdom