wherever he goes, they would enter no dwelling without being received with that smile of pleasure which indicates the most respectful and cordial welcome.

8. In all your visits BE PARTICULARLY AT

TENTIVE TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

This is implied in the preceding particular; but it is so important as to demand separate, and most pointed consideration. I have often wondered that a duty so obvious, and recommended by so many considerations, should be so much overlooked by discerning ministers.

Can any thinking man fail to remember, that children are the hope of the church? That e lightened attention and labour bestowed on them, is more likely, humanly speaking, to be productive of the best truits, than those which are bestowed upon persons of more advanced age? That impressions made in the morning of life, are generally among the most permanent and ultimately beneficial? That instructions then given, and sentiments then imbibed, though they may long lie dormant in the mind, often rise into life and fruitfuluess, when he who gave them has gone to his eternal rest?

Can it be forgotten, also, that all experience testifies the importance to a minister himself, of paying particular attention to the Youth of

his charge? It forms a bond of union between him and them which time, instead of severing, will rather strengthen. We can scarcely conceive of a richer gratification in this life, than that likely to be enjoyed by a faithful minister, growing old in his work, when he sees rising around him a train of youthful members, whose parents he loved and edified; whom he baptized and blessed; whom, in their tender years, he watched over, catechised, instructed, entertained and encouraged; and who, in his declining age, gather round him, and honour him as their father in Christ. O, if ministers could fully anticipate the sweetness of this reward, a regard to their own happiness would unite with the purest benevolence, in impelling them to unwearied care in watching over the children of their charge, and in embracing every opportunity to enlighten their minds, and to win their hearts in favour of all that is good.

Nor is this all. Assiduous attentions to children, are among the most direct and sure avenues to the hearts of parents. It often happens, indeed, that parents are more deeply gratified, by kind efforts to promote the welfare. of their children, and are more lastingly thankful for them, than for the same kindness bestowed on themselves. Nay, many parents who have no piety themselves, and who would

not, perhaps, be willing to be very closly questioned on the subject in reference to their own hearts, will take it well, and even gratefully, to have their children carefuly instructed, and pointedly questioned on the same subject, and that even in their own presence. And, let me add, that very striking instances have been known in which, inquiries and exhortations addressed to children, in the presence of their parents, have been to all appearance blessed in the happiest manner to the benefit of those parents themselves. Indeed, I have sometimes doubted whether, in many cases, ungodly parents might not be most easily and successfully approached through the medium of an address to their children, conducted in their presence. On the other hand, it frequently happens that children will lend a favourable ear to their minister, when their parents, though both pious and intelligent, have addressed them in vain.

On all these accounts, then, as well as others which might be mentioned, you ought, in all your pastoral visitation, to direct the most pointed regard to the children and young people of every family. Endeavour to gain their attention, to win their hearts, and to take every opportunity of putting in their way those notices, hints, books, and information of every valuable kind, which may tend to promote their

best interest.

Give them striking texts of Scripture to commit to memory. Reward them, when they do well, with interesting Tracts, of which every minister should always carry with him a small store. Take notice of them when you meet them in the street. Call them by their names with parental kindness. And, to enable you to do this, keep a list, as far as you can, of the children and servants of every family; make a business of keeping up your acquaintance with them; and of recognizing and addressing them on all suitable occasions. There is no doubt that doing this, and especially doing it thoroughly, will require no little additional labour. But I hardly know of any species of ministerial labour more pleasant in itself, more promising, or more generally rewarded by the richest fruits.

9. What I have incidentally recommended with respect to Children, I would recommend in general, as a concomitant of all your pastoral visitation; viz. that you CAREFULLY KEEP A RECORD OF PERSONS AND EVENTS, TO AID YOUR MEMORY. The names, number, character, situation, and wants of many families, would utterly pass from your mind, if you did not secure to yourself the advantage of such a systematick series of memorandums as I have proposed. In this record, you ought to insert in a very brief form, not only information as

to the points which I have hinted at, but also as to every other point important for a pastor to know concerning his people. The fact is, that the habit of keeping such a record, will constrain a pastor to make inquiries in the course of his parochial visits, which might not otherwise occur to his recollection, but which ought never to be forgotten by one who is entrusted with the care of souls; such as,What members of each family are in full communion with the church? Whether any who are not communicants, cherish a hope of an interest in the Saviour? Whether any, not of this character, are under serious impressions? Whether any of them are unbaptized? Whether they are all furnished with Bibles? Whether they are all able to read? Whether they are all punctual in going to the house of Ged? Whether they make conscience of secret prayer? Whether they are well supplied with orthodox and pious Books, adapted to promote their instruction and edification? &c. These, and various other matters, important to be remembered, ought to find a place in the record recommended; and the record, in order fully to answer its proper purpose, ought to be frequently reviewed, corrected, and modified, as new facts arise; and its contents ought to lead to daily and importunate prayer for Divine direction in attending to them aright.