and influence of the duty of parents, let it be considered that the obligations of children arise chiefly, I might almost say, entirely, from their first discharging, at least in the greater and more essential instances, their natural obligations. Of this, a few easy reflections upon the subject will soon convince us. My parent, I allow, to be the instrument, or secondary cause, of my being. Let me then examine, whether any, or what degree of, filial duty results from this one single circumstance, abstracting from all other motives. The mere derivation of existence may either be a benefit, or a most heavy deplorable infelicity, as proper, or no provision at all is made for the comfortable support of it, and as its first opening prospects and manners are directed. But the parent, we will suppose, nourishes his child with an affectionate indulgent care, and with all the circumspection and assiduity that nature requires, in its infirm helpless state of infancy; assists and cherishes its understanding, in its tender growth; does his utmost, according to his ability, to inculcate and impress religious principles, and raise, in its mind, right moral sentiments; besides providing for it the necessary nutriment and accommodation suited to its rank. And this conduct most certainly consti tutes an indispensable tie of duty on the child's part. But does not the obligation result almost from this alone? Is it at all derived from the instrumental communication of being? From the involuntary, unintentional, and merely casual communication of an eligible and happy being? No: most certain it is, and self-evident, that parents can properly demand no reverence, no gratitude, nor honour, upon this account only; and that the bare relation of a parent, disclaiming the proper offices and duties of a parent, is a relation quite unnatural, and can, therefore, never be justly assigned, as the ground of nature's filial, mutual, and corresponding laws. I beg leave to subjoin one general remark here; and that is, that parental government is, or ought to be, from its peculiar character, as well as from the ultimate design of it, the most easy, mild, and gracious of all others. Oppression and tyranny are contradictions to its very nature. And the excess it rather inclines to, where the warmest affections and propensities of nature are cherished and indulged, is that of a too great softness and relaxation of authority. The parent, in common, is much more likely to drop the reason, than the benevolent and tender feelings of a man, And though this in particular instances may be very wrong, and attended with injurious and fatal consequences, yet it plainly shews us to what kind of behaviour the character of parent leads upon the whole; and that the general direction and bias of nature, in the exercise of parental power, is to clemency, and not to rigour. But, then, it is proper to be remarked, that what has been before said cannot imply in it that parents should impose no restraints that may accidentally raise even a violent resentment in children of a perverse and irreclaimable temper; but only, that they be careful not to - give just cause of provocation and complaint by an undeserved ill treatment. For the stubborn will be apt to complain, if all their wild and fantastical humours are not fully gratified: the vain, if they are limited and circumscribed in any article of their profuseness and ostentation: the licentious, if they are controlled in their extravagances of pleasure and luxury. But, notwithstanding this, it is the parent's duty to be resolute and inflexible, and not to relax the least point of his natural and rightful authority; because the honour of children, and their happiness both here and hereafter, depend on their being regulated, and wisely bounded, in all the demands of their obstinacy, pride, and wanton desire. To indulge, here, is the same as to corrupt and ruin. But, in common, let the exercise of their authority be mild and persuasive. Let them avoid all appearances of an arbitrary and domineering tyranny. Let not their commands be rigorous Let them not treat their children as slaves, and exchange the character of father for that of oppressor and enemy. Let them deny no proper conveniences, nor abridge any innocent gratifications. For this is utterly unbecoming their stations, monstrous and unnatural in itself, and the consequence of it will probably be an utter alienation of the children's affection and duty; and exciting such strong passions of discontent and resentment, as may end, at length, in avowed contempt and disobedience. Thus have I prepared the way for the great point of all, viz., the proper Education of children. But this, on account of its singular importance, I shall make the subject of a distinct head. In which, to render the whole more impressive, and clear to all capacities, the principles already mentioned, in a general way, must be frequently re-assumed, and argued from, and more copiously and minutely enforced. ON EDUCATION. IN treating of education at large, but more especially of religious education, it is equally necessary, that the chief and most dangerous impediments should be removed, as it is, or can be, that the fittest and most approved rules should be prescribed: because, while these obstructions remain, and are likely to have their fatal repugnant influence, it is scarcely possible that the strictest rule, in reason, should have any more real effect, than if it was absolutely unknown. If you would cultivate the soil, it is here, as in inanimate nature, you must prevent the growth of noxious weeds that will suffocate the seeds of wisdom and virtue in their very birth; and by their rankness and luxuriancy deprive the latter of their necessary nourishment, and hinder their ever rising to a state of maturity. Let parents, therefore, take particular care, that an aversion to the terror of their authority creates only a slight and contempt at their admonitions. By their kindness and condescension, let them |