under the domestic roof, in proportion as order and subordination are maintained, the same analogy will be found to hold good, which we admire in the delightful field of nature,—

"Where order in variety we see,

And where, though all things differ, they agree.”

It is obvious, that the daily incidents of the domestic circle are, comparatively, but of small account; and it is therefore the more to be regretted, that they should ever prove the seeds of such evil in future life; which, without doubt, they must, if not properly regarded, and brought under the guidance of well-regulated government. But, on the other hand, should they be so, instead of being matter of regret, they furnish the very means of preparing the inmates for acting their part in the free and full society of future existence. Indeed, in a well-regulated family, these same tiny events can be not only disposed of to advantage, but occasionally referred to by such Parents, with their Children around them, in language which may be of lasting benefit to every ear. From their lips such language as the following, will not only prove salutary, but pleasing to the recollection of every Child; and more especially when their Parents are no longer present to enforce it.

"Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our misery from our foibles springs;
Since life's best joys consist in peace and
ease,
And though but few may serve, yet all may please :

O! let the ungentle spirit learn from hence,

A small unkindness may give great offence.

To spread large bounties though we wish in vain,
Yet all may shun the guilt of giving pain:
To bless mankind with tides of flowing wealth,
With rank to grace them, or to crown with health,

Our little lot denies; yet lib'ral still,
Heav'n gives its counterpoise to every ill :
Nor let us murmur at our stinted powers,

When kindness, love, and concord, may be ours.
The gift of ministering to others' ease

To all her sons impartial she decrees;
The gentle offices of patient love,

Beyond all flattery, and all price above;
The mild forbearance at a brother's fault,
The angry word suppress'd, the taunting thought;
Subduing and subdued, the petty strife,
Which clouds the colour of domestic life;
The sober comfort, all the peace which springs
From the large aggregate of little things;

On these small cares of daughter, wife, or friend,
The almost sacred joys of Home depend:
There, Sensibility, thou best may'st reign,
HOME is thy true legitimate domain."

Many and great indeed are the advantages which must accrue to both Children and Servants where such Family Government is at once studied and maintained; nor must the Parents themselves now be forgotten, after duties, delightful in many respects, but arduous and difficult as these must ever be. What, then, shall be done for the Parents who excel in Family Government? Duty, it is true, always brings along with it its own reward, and, in the present case, a reward so rich, that it can with difficulty be expressed in language, and certainly can never be fully comprehended by mere description; while the future enjoyment of both Parents, in the present life, absolutely hinges upon their fulfilment of such duty. But still this is not all which is held out in Scripture to the parental eye: on Parents such as these, the Saviour of the world, even after he was enthroned in glory, condescended to look down, and then did he point them out to general notice, upon

one of the most important occasions which ever does occur in his own kingdom here below. In his Church, intending there should always be found two classes of individuals bearing the highest responsibility; in both cases, it seems, he must glance at the subject of Family Government, or Domestic order, subordination and harmony: as much as to signify to every succeeding age that they are Christians, but of inferior character indeed, who have not paid a due regard to this duty; nay, that though other qualifications might seem, at once, to present a man to observation, there was one negative which was to destroy all other positives. Such a man might have even cherished the desire of such an office-" A bishop then," says the Almighty, "a bishop then must be- -one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection, with all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?" The deacons, too, it seems, must be men "ruling their Children and their own houses well;" not indifferently, but well.

Thus did the Redeemer of mankind, not only fix his eye on this subject, but by so doing, and at such a time, meant to fix ours. So invaluable and singular a prize or favour is nowhere else held out, in the whole compass of the Book of God, to any who excel in any other way. Favours these, which are the highest ever bestowed on mortal man on this side the grave;-favours, too, by which He not only meant to fix the eye of his associated people, but of every member there, in every age, at every such solemn and interesting moment; and thus, in a way peculiar to himself, while providing for the government of his own House, bring up also, in a secondary manner, the government and guidance of the

Family, to the highest possible pitch of perfection! Suggesting, at once, equally, to both pastors and their flock, that upon this one subject, in a vital degree, depended the moral health and energy, the peace and prosperity, of his entire Kingdom !

In conclusion, however, it is fully granted, because it is true, that no man, whether in his individual, or domestic, or social capacity, even by faith in God, or obedience to Him as an effect of that faith, can ever be raised entirely above the curse pronounced at the beginning on the family of Adam; nor will any such man ever admit the vain expectation: but still he finds that, through the tender mercy and kindness of God, that curse may be greatly mitigated; and he is the only person who knows, for himself, and in his domestic circle, that wisdom's ways are 66 ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

In our search after Domestic felicity, therefore, come we must, at last, to the same conclusion which the wisest of men once did, in his inquiry after sublunary bliss in general:- "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments;" since this, after all that can be said, involves the whole happiness of man: "for God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Then, as to our Family circle, will this filial fear and obedience be found to have involved the only happiness which can bear such scrutiny: the only enjoyment which will then be shewn to have been legitimate, and the only species of enjoyment on which the Almighty Judge will pronounce the sentence of his final and everlasting approbation.

SECTION SIXTH.

FAMILY DEVOTION.

The obligations to Family Worship-The abuse to which it has been exposed-The best seasons for Family Devotion-The profitable performance of Domestic Worship.

ALTHOUGH all that is incumbent on the Father or Mother of a Family might be inferred from what has been already advanced, and is certainly implied in many passages, the religion or Christianity of a Family is so essentially connected with the principles on which Divine Worship is offered there, and the spirit in which it is conducted, that some special notice of this subject becomes necessary. The observations which follow, therefore, are intended to embrace the obligations to Family Worship-the abuse to which it has been exposed the best seasons for Family Devotion-with the various exercises which are included in the profitable performance of Domestic Worship.

I. The Obligations to Family Worship.-The disposition of some men, professing Christianity, to ask peremptorily for a particular precept in certain cases of incumbent moral duty, is one which every Christian would do well to examine; not only that he may never be troubled with it himself, but that he may be at no loss in answering such a man, if he is called to converse with him. The particular duty to which he