than the dying concern and counsel of the saints.
Perhaps no other means are oftener blessed to this end. This leads us
to observe,

III. That the part we act here may have consequences, long after we
shall have gone off the stage. This venerable Kenite left a solemn
charge to his posterity; but who could foresee the effect? There was
little reason to expect that his descendants would regard it, and be
advantaged by it for centuries; yet it seems to have been the case!
His counsels, strengthened by his example, made an indelible
impression, and were means of distinguishing his family for many
generations!

This should encourage others to follow his example--to charge their
children to "keep the way of the Lord, and walk in his ordinances and
commandments blameless." Who knows that his posterity may not imitate
those of this man of God? And for as long a term? Who can determine
that his good example, and counsels may not do good on earth, when his
body shall be mouldering in the grave, and his soul rejoicing in the
presence of his God.

On the other hand, there is more than equal reason to expect that a
parent's bad example will be no less extensively influential to
mischief. Many are seduced to their ruin by the contagion of evil
example; nor is any other more perniciously prevalent than that of a
parent, or progenitor.

Be it then the concern of all who fear the Lord to charge their
children, to fear him, and to set them the example of "standing
before the Lord." So to do, is to sow the seeds of virtue and piety. A
harvest may follow, even after expectation hath failed. If no other
advantage accrues, the faithful will deliver his own soul; he may be
the occasion of delivering others; "converting sinners from the error
of their ways; saving souls from death, and hiding multitudes of
sins." *

* James v. 19, 20.

IV. The honorable mention made of the Rechabites, and the blessings
promised them, should influence children to listen to the pious
counsels of their parents, and attend the duties which they consider
important, and charge them to attend, especially at the close of life.

That the godly when on the verge of eternity, are divinely influenced
to warn their friends, and predict the good or evil before them, was
an opinion which prevailed among the ancients. Therefore the sacred
attention paid to their dying words, and scrupulous regard of their
dying counsels. Whether we admit, or reject the sentiment, t