es?

Let Christian parents once become awake to the important results
connected with this subject, and they can ordinarily overcome what had
seemed to them mountains of difficulty; nay, more, what seemed
impossibilities, by considerable effort and a good share of
perseverance.

Even one instance of successful experiment in this way should be quite
sufficient to induce others to make similar efforts.

A father who for many years, during his collegiate and professional
studies, was for a long period abstracted from all domestic endearments,
much regretted this, as he was sensible of the prejudicial influence it
had in deadening the affections. Not many years after he became settled
in business, he found himself surrounded by quite a little group of
children. He became exceedingly interested in their spiritual welfare,
and in the success of Sabbath-school instruction. His heart was often
made to rejoice as he contemplated the delightful influence upon
himself of these home-scenes, and which he longed to express in sacred
song. But as he had never cultivated either his ear or his voice, he
felt at his time of life it would be quite useless for him to try to
learn. Neither did the mother of his children know anything about the
rules of music.

They had at one time a very musical young relative for a visitor in
their family. The children were so delighted with his lofty strains that
they kept him singing the greater part of the time. The mother expressed
great regret that neither she nor her husband could gratify the children
in their eager desire to enjoy music.

This young friend said he was sure, if she would but try, he would soon
convince her of the practicability of learning. She promised to try--and
in the attempt she was greatly encouraged by the assurances of her
husband that he also would try.

It was soon found that all the children had a good ear and a good voice,
and particularly the eldest, a girl of seven, who was at length able to
take the lead in singing a few tunes at family worship.

After a few months' trial, no money could have tempted these parents to
relinquish the pleasure and the far-reaching benefits which they felt
must result from this social and exalted pleasure of uniting on earth in
singing the sacred songs of Zion, as a preparation for loftier strains
in Heaven.

* * * * *

It has been beautifully said that Reason is the compass by which we
direct our