nected view, and since we shall thus avoid repetition, which would be otherwise unavoidable. In the course now pursued, we have shewn the extensive operation of the principle of relationship, and of the provision which has been made by it for the moral education of the young. And we trust enough has been said to prove the importance of the subject, and to ensure attention to some other preliminary notices.

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CHAP. II.

ON THE INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL SELF-DEVOTION; AND ON THE MISCHIEVOUS AGENCY OF EXCESSIVE AFFECTION OVER THE GREAT BUSINESS OF MORAL EDUCATION.

THE duty of maternal self-denial, as a general principle, applicable, and essential to success, in conducting the work of education, has been already considered in a former section. And if this foundation be important in the several branches of physical and intellectual training and development, à fortiori is it of still higher moment in the moral management of infancy and childhood; exactly in proportion as the latter requires a higher effort of courage and constancy on the part of the parent, and is more decidedly opposed to the will and inclinations of the child; and in proportion as the growth of virtuous principle is of more consequence than the development of the corporeal powers, or even of the intellectual faculties; in proportion as the direction of the mental manifestations requires a higher degree of attention than the growth of those which, however valuable, do not necessarily extend beyond the present life; in proportion as the subjugation of the passions is more to be desired than the mere

controul of the will; in proportion as religion is more highly valued than the most exalted efforts of reason; as the soul is of more importance than the body; as the spiritual, immaterial, and immortal principle admits not of a comparative estimate with that which is subjected to perpetual change, disease, decay, and death; in proportion as eternity is of infinitely greater moment than time; and as the happiness of that spiritual principle, throughout its countless ages, is more to be estimated than the transient pleasure of an hour, a day, a week, a month, or at the very best a small accumulation of those "few and evil days" of which the longest human life is composed.

This maternal self-devotion is necessary, not only in the constant effort demanded by the communication of those principles which constitute true wisdom, but also in opposing the perverseness and obstinacy of the will; the aversion of the heart from all that is good, and its corrupt tendencies; since the former are opposed to the latter, while these again are precisely congenial to the natural mind; and therefore the education of the one, and the subjection of the other, will, and must occasion that struggle, which can only terminate in the triumph of principle, by the unwearied fortitude and perseverance of the parent, and by the hard-fought contest and the gradual cession of the long disputed, and most reluctantly yielded territory of pride, and prejudice, and passion on the part of the child. This warfare cannot be maintained, or this victory won,

without giving pain to all parties; a feeling from which nature instinctively shrinks, when it is called upon to suffer, but from which it recoils with abhorrence when it is obliged to inflict, especially on those who are most tenderly loved. Yet this is the reach to which maternal self-devotion aims, and without which the best directed efforts will be unavailing.

One of the first objects of the mother will be to act up to the former of these indications, well knowing, that in proportion as the mind has been furnished with good principles and motives, so will it produce corresponding fruits; so will it be saved from the domination of vice; so will it be preserved from the turbulence of those passions which must be subjugated, and whose government it is which calls for the frequent exercise of self-denial. This is shortly to be attempted by diligent instruction in the knowledge of that religion, whose " ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; length of days is in her right hand, and in her left riches and honour." No sooner do the feeble rays of reason mark the progress of intelligence, and the dawning of that morning, which is the harbinger of a bright and brilliant day, and whose fervid light should only give place to the mild radiance of a calm and cloudless evening, as the mellowed tints of twilight tell us that the setting sun is about to illuminate another hemisphere, than the pencil of truth should be brought to impinge upon the mind, in a degree, and through a medium which

shall be suited to the capacities of infancy. The grand, the simple, yet noble object, is to fortify the mind with good principles; to establish the heart in the right way; to teach the young and the inexperienced to struggle against the influence of temptation, to inform them of the corruption of their hearts, and of Christ, the friend and Saviour of sinners, through whom this corrupt nature may be renewed, and they may be made holy and happy. The real connexion which subsists between these results, must never be forgotten. And while the character of our Saviour is displayed as a Redeemer, it must not be forgotten to call the attention to the moral precepts of which he was the author and great exemplar. It must not be forgotten, that almost at the commencement of his ministry on earth, he pronounced a blessing upon those whose poverty of spirit enabled them to receive the humbling truths of his mission, and upon those who submitted their judgments and their will to be influenced by his laws and government; upon those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness; who manifested a merciful and forgiving temper; who were sincere in following him; who desired to live peaceably with all men; and whose steady, uniform pursuit of truth exposed them to the persecution of a world that lieth in wickedness: it must not be forgotten that his disciples are enjoined to let their light so shine before men, that they seeing their good works, may glorify their Father which is in heaven: it must not be forgotten that Christ