was or thinks him worthy of imitation. The eyes of mankind, generally, like to rest upon the splendor and magnificence of the world. It was only Christ who observed the poor widow casting her mite into the treasury,-the whole of her little property-and exclaimed that she had given. more than the rich who contributed from their abundance. How unlike to this was the Pharisees, who went about the streets publicly distributing alms, knowing that they would receive the applause of the multitude, who judge chiefly from outward appearances. But the rich man, who exercises his benevolence in an unassuming manner, feels a far more enduring pleasure. The eyes of the world are upon him. He receives the meed of praise, and many endeavour to imitate his exemplary deeds. In this way much. is effected by his good example. Thus we behold the pleasures of wealth. In the possession of a good man, it proves an inestimable blessing to society.

We must not forget, however, that wealth has greater inducements to sensual gratifications than poverty. Therefore the man who is not inflated with high rank; who is not overbearing with much power; and who is temperate with an abundance, is worthy of our highest esteem and reverence: because, to acquire these virtues, he had to contend with greater temptations, than he who dwells in obscurity. Christian virtue in purple robes; in the palace or on the throne, is not less estimable, as some would suppose, than that to be found in the abodes of misery; indeed, it often appears more resplendant, because its acquisition is attended with much more difficulty. Misfortune strengthens and

by opulence. That individual is truly in possession of tian piety who retains the purity of his character, whe rounded by the ease and blandishments of life; wh not become tyrannical in his authority; who defen innocent from the wicked, and the just from the u who, while he is elevated by this rank over thousands, upon them all as his brethren; provides for their and preserves, sacred and inviolable, their rights. He an empire that is not of this world; he gathers his trea for something more permanent than the enjoymen earth.

Mankind, to be happy, must learn the secret of poor in their wealth, or, like the widow who threw her into the treasury; rich in their poverty.

THE RELIGION OF CHILDHOOD.

First Reflection.

There is much difference of opinion among men, as to the propriety of instilling religious ideas into the minds of children, before their judgement has been matured, or they are capable of judging for themselves. We often hear it made the subject of dispute in companies; and find christian parents divided upon this subject, when they are united upon every other. They are undecided as to the period when their religious instruction should commence, or the manner that it can be the most profitably taught at so tender an age.

Childhood and religion, to the reflecting mind, are both equally solemn and important considerations; and we cannot think too earnestly about their judicious combination. There are upright, and even pious men, who think they cannot warn us too faithfully against the practice of making children acquainted, at an early age, with the maxims and truths of religion. They point out, what they are pleased to term, the innumerable dangers and evil consequences arising from such a source. To what, they enquire, is owing the present fearful decline of christianity? Why is it so utterly neglected by young people? From whence comes their aversion or indifference to public worship? Why are

thov mookzons of the godly and deem them either weak.

minded or hypocritical? The mystery is solved in th timation by answering that religious ideas were instil to their minds before they were capable of compreh them that they thereby received unworthy or fals ions of the excellence of God, and of the truth of vealed word: that the prayers which they were tau repeat, were merely a task for the memory, about the heart knew nothing; and consequently that they look upon public or private worship as an idle cerer which is only observed for the sake of decency or cu a work of the lips in which the feelings are not engag

Every day's experience attests the truth of what we said. On the other hand, credit is due to those parent avoid an error like this, under the conviction that th pressions of our childhood are infinitely more lasting those of later years.

Where there are two extremes there is always a me that will be chosen by the judicious few. Our Saviour "suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid not." Then, why should we withhold them from a munion with the invisible Father? Why shall we i vene between them and their God? or entirely concea grandeur and glory from their view on account of limited comprehension? Are we so enlightened-are minds so capacious, that we can behold in a single gla all the glorious attributes and perfections of the deity? so, then why are we so selfish as to prevent little chil from approaching the presence of their eternal ruler preserver? While we sink into the dust, and worship

ed in their ese instilled in›mprehending or false opinth of his ree taught to bout which t they will

; ceremony, y or custom; engaged. hat we have parents who that the im-lasting than

fore the infinite Jehovah, let them also cry, Abba, Father!
Our Saviour says:
"whoso shall offend one of these little
ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a mill-
stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drown-
ed in the depths of the sea." Let every one attend, faithful-
ly, to this sacred injunction, and then they will not, either
by evil example or improper instruction, estrange their minds
from the eontemplation of God.

This is the conduct to be pursued by christian parents in moulding the characters of their offspring. Nor is it less important to individuals in any other situation of life. We are all responsible to the Supreme Judge of the world for the example we afford to others. No man stands entirely alone in the world; we are all more or less connected together, as members of the same great family; therefore our actions have a corresponding influence upon each other.

What is the religion of childhood? Do we not observe it in the smile of the innocent babe? Can we not trace it in the love of children to their parents? in their first awakened feelings of respect and veneration, even though they know nothing of the mysteries of creation-or can comprehend but little of the beneficence of a bountiful creator? These are the almost hidden germs, which, if properly nourished, will soon expand with renovated life, and plentifully bring forth the fruits of devotion.

If religion has not grown up with us from childhood, it cannot have the same beneficial influence upon our characters. In this way it becomes indissolubly rivited upon the heart and hears us up in all the difficulties of life. It soothes