Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

time when we are best qualified to examine it with calmness and deliberation; let us then diligently apply ourselves to the investigation, recollecting, that we are required to govern our minds and spirits, as well as our conduct, by the revealed will of God; and that we are not, on this point, any more than others, allowed to become conformed to the world. Your correspondent contemplates the "Holy Alliance" with rapture; he seems to feel a sure and certain hope that the monarchs who entered into it will introduce the happy æra, so long predicted, so earnestly desired. I cannot contemplate it with such entire satisfaction, or such unshaken confidence.

of peace, than on the hasty and exultant resolutions of princes? I should rejoice to see the attention of Christians, of all denominations, excited to this subject, and to see them co-operate in the abolition of war, as they did in the abolition of the Slave Trade; but I fear the present Society will not be able, from its plan, to unite all the friends of peace: I cannot therefore help wishing to see a society formed with the same object, (to promote permanent and universal peace ;) but who could conscientiously seek the promotion of that object by the publication of pamphlets, tending to prove the unlawfulness of all war which is not strictly defensive, or intended, like the attack on Algiers, to recover those who have been unlawfully taken captives.

idea be conveyed in other words? might it not be designated A so

Signing such a paper in the hour of victory, when the mind was in a state of self-complacency, Many who disapprove of the and no opposition expected, ap- plan of the Peace Society, but pears to me to afford but little who are equally desirous of attainsecurity for the future pacific ing the object, could, and I have conduct of those monarchs. If no doubt would take an active circumstances arise that irritate part in such a society. The the temper, inflame the passions, name of Peace Society is pre-ocor present temptations of advan-cupied; but might not the same tage, I fear it will only prove a record of good intentions. Does it amount to much more than a CIETY FOR THE ABOLITION resolution to be virtuous, made in OF WAR? I do not wish to see the absence of temptation? and, any society formed that should be alas! who that knows the world, a rival to that which already exwho that has studied the humanists, but one that might become a character, can place much reli- coadjutor; and if both societies ance on such resolutions. Allow endeavour to promote the cause me to ask, has no subsequent fact of peace, in the spirit of peace, occasioned any misgiving of as there can be no doubt they heart? are all the treaties since would, the temperate and friendly entered into by these monarchs, discussion that would take place, remarkably distinguished by a as to the principles on which war spirit of equity and moderation? ought to be opposed, would do does the boasted glory of the honour to the Christian character, "Holy Alliance" remain still un- and elicit truth. tarnished? or may we not learn from subsequent events, to depend rather on the patient and persevering efforts of the friends

[ocr errors]

I am, Sir,
Your constant Reader,
C. M. W. L.
April 6, 1818.

ON THE

to be devoured by alligators, it is

HONOUR DUE TO PARENTS. not to be expected that much filial

ALL the relative duties are highly important; when properly discharged they promote the happiness of society, and redound to the glory of God. Were I to draw a scale of these duties, assigning to each its proportionate share of importance, it is probable I should place at the head of that scale the duties of husbands and wives. As the matrimonial connection is the most intimate, so the duties which it involves are the most deeply interesting. Let those who are conscientiously desirous of doing the will of God, in this relation, read frequently, among other passages, the two following, 1 Pet. iii. 1-7, and Ephes. v. 22-33.

regard should be cherished. But the youths of Britain are blessed with parents who cherish towards them the kindest feelings, and it is but right that their parents in nature should enjoy the warmest affections of their hearts.

by Divine appointment, at the head of his family. And if order and happiness are to reside in the fa. mily, his will must be obeyed. The command of the sacred scripture is binding, "Children obey your parents in all things, for this is fit."

2. If you honour your father and mother you will cheerfully obey them. Affection does not necessarily nor even generally imply obedience. There may be very strong affection between brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends; but as no superiority and subordination are implied, no obedience can be required or yielded. It is very different with respect to your parents; the relation of a child to his parent involves the authority of the latter. The wisdom which is supposed to If the first stroke upon the accompany years entitles a parent scale be appropriated to the du-to respect; besides, he is placed, ties of husbands and wives, the second should express the duties of parents and children. O that parents would duly consider the task they have to fulfil, and endeavour, in an humble dependance upon the grace of God, to be found faithful to their trust! The following thoughts are ad-willing and cheerful. A wise pa» dressed to children and young rent will insist upon the compli people:-" Honour thy father ance of his children, so far as the and thy mother!" What does this outward act is concerned; but honour imply? this, on your part, may be a conformity arising merely from fear and compulsion, while the heart is altogether disobedient. Your parents, in this case, may themselves credit, while they are aiming at your real good; but you do them no credit; you render them no honour, while you decline cheerfully to obey them.There is only one exception to this general rule, which I hope is not of frequent occurrence, viz. when the commands of a parent

1. If you honour your father and mother you will affectionately love them. The best thing you possess is your heart; and you must honour your parents by giving them your hearts. One of the very darkest features of pa ganism is mentioned by the apos

tle;

"Without natural affection." Where parental feeling will allow the mother to expose her infant to be eaten up by ants, and the father to cast his son into the river

And this obedience should be

do

interfere with the commands of God. It may, indeed, happen, that the parental authority should enjoin practices prohibited by the scriptures, or prohibit a conscientious attention to the reveal ed will of God; in that case, the path of duty is plain; it is better to obey God than man; but, even then, care should be taken to make it manifest, that disobedience is the result of a pious and humble regard to the command of the MOST HIGH.

3. If you honour your father and mother, you will treat them, when you are grown up into life, with deference and respect.

In the earliest years of a child, his ignorance is such, that he must necessarily admit, in the most unqualified manner, the opinions of his preceptor; but as the intellect begins to develope itself, and this child thinks for himself, it will sometimes happen, that his views will not correspond with the sentiments of his parents. When this happens to be the case, the youth should express his opinions with great modesty and diffidence. Nothing can be more indecorous and unlovely than that collision which one is sometimes compelled to witness in families, when a youth contends with warmth and asperity against the opinions of an aged and venerable parent.

ment to his beloved offspring. In process of time, this young person acquires considerable information; but, alas! you see him assume airs of superiority in the presence of his father, and criticise his ungrammatical expressions, and thus expose the very parent whose kindness and good sense gave the unworthy child all his advantages. If you feel as you ought, you will, on all occasions, treat with respect both the opinions and feelings of those whom you are commanded to honour.

4. If you honour your father and mother you will minister to their relief in old age, should that be necessary-and Providence has furnished you with the means.

Solomon says, "Honour the Lord with thy substance:" i.e. consecrate it to the Lord. So you may be called to honour your parents by supporting them during the infirmities of affliction and old age.

Where can you see a more grateful spectacle than an old man or woman in the house of a child, treated with every mark of respect, and being nourished and cherished as its necessities and infirmities may require?

Contrast with this, a son or daughter living in ease and competence, if not in affluence, but suffering an aged father or mother to subsist upon the scanty pittance of a workhouse allowance, or upon the bounty of Christian charity. The latter is as reproachful to the child as the first is honourable.

There is another way in which the feelings of a parent may be severely tried, while the sensibilities of the child may be blasted in the estimation of all observers; it is this:-A kind and indulgent parent, who has not himself had a liberal education, is very anx- The duty which is thus set ious to give one to his child. He before you, is a most reasonable toils with incessant labour; he one.-Suffer me to remind you: denies himself many of the com- 1. That it is the command of forts of life, on purpose to afford God. No obligation can be so every opportunity of improve-high as this: it is the will of God.

Attention should be paid to the place which this command occupies. It is one of the commands of the decalogue. Many commands were delivered to the Jews in the wilderness, but there were ten commands written upon two slabs of stone, with the intention, doubtless, of giving them a decided pre-eminence. This command is one of the ten; and it is the first precept in the second table, as if to intimate that it is the most important of those duties which one creature owes to another.

toiled, and laboured, and exerted themselves amidst the difficulties of life, to procure you bread to eat, and raiment to wear, when you thought but little whence they came? Your parents. Who watched the first dawnings of reason, and the first exercise of the affections, and, through a series of years, endeavoured to cultivate and mould your intellect, and your heart for virtue, and piety, and happiness? Your parents. Who feel continued solicitudes for your reputation, your success in business, and honourable connecAnd you will observe, that this tions in life? Your parents. Who command has a promise annexed are abridging themselves of many to it," That thy days may be long personal indulgencies, in order to upon the land which the Lord thy leave you a portion, when they God giveth thee." It is the first shall have gone the way of the commandment with promise.-whole earth, and are numbered Though this promise belonged ex-with the dead? Your parents. clusively to the Jews, who had an inheritance in Canaan, yet it shews the respect which God has to the individual who obeys the command. On the other hand, the displeasure of God is very strongly expressed against the child who is disobedient to his parents.See Prov. xxx. 17, "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it."And also, Deut. xxi. 18, "If a man had a stubborn and rebellious son, his parents were to make the case known to the elders of the city, and he was to be stoned with stones till he died."

2. It is the expression of filial gratitude.

Children form very inadequate ideas of the obligations under which they are to their parents. Who watched over your infant hours, and paid you a thousand attentions, by night and by day, without which you would have perished? Your parents. Who

VOL. X.

Who have made a constant prac
tice of bearing you on their hearts,
and pleading for you at a throne
of grace, perhaps when you had
no disposition to plead for your
selves, and might be in circum-
stances of great danger? Your
parents. And shall aй this kind-
ness (and the half has not been
told,) be overlooked?
Then,
indeed, must your heart be a
stranger to gratitude.

"And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who wast so very kind to me.

MY PARENT."

"Ah! no; the thought I cannot bear!" is the reply of every inge nuous and affectionate youth.

3. The feeling of respect and honour to parents, is very nearly allied to the best feelings of a usefulcitizen and a pious Christian.

That relation which a child is first capable of understanding, is the relation between a child and his parent. And probably the whole of a child's virtue, in his youngest years, consists in the love

2 F

and obedience which he renders | with sorrow to the grave. You

will then read your sin in your punishment. But if you have been dutiful and kind, in your youth, you may be blessed with a peaceful and affectionate family, which will witness your happy exit from life, like a shock of corn fully ripe. But should it not please God to visit you signally in this life, there is a day of judg ment, and a future state, when all your deeds shall meet with a just recompense of reward. It will be well, if each individual looks into his own heart, and enquires whether he has been guilty of vio

to his father and mother. But as he grows older, there are other relations and duties, which he is capable of understanding and practising. Such are the relations in which he stands, to the town and country in which he lives, and to the blessed God, his Creator and Preserver, and the duties that flow from them. Now, if you see a person who has not been used to honour his father and his mother, you need feel no surprise, that he should be disobedient to the laws of his country, and the commands of his God, because his feelings are not dis-lating this holy command. And, ciplined to subjection and respect to superiors. It is in the natural course of things, that the young person who is so perverse and ungrateful as to disobey his parents, should become a turbulent disorderly member of civil society, and an atheistical impugner of the revealed will and authority of heaven. If you wish to be among the virtuous and the pious, remember that you begin early, and at home, under the parental roof.

4. Finally, it will be proper to remind you of the retributive justice of heaven.

Let the young remember, while they are grieving the hearts of their pious and affectionate parents, by their dissipated, gay, and disobedient conduct, that there is an eye constantly observant of their conduct, and a hand that writes down all their faults. Your sin is not so much against your parents as against God; and he will recompense you. "With what measure you mete, it shall me measured to you again." The time may come when you will find yourself at the head of a disobedient family, which will ruin your peace, and bring your grey hairs

alas! how many are there, who
must plead guilty to a very alarm-
ing degree. Think not, my young
friend, that it is a small sin, of
which you have been 'guilty, by
disregarding your parents. Per-
haps conscience has not done its
duty. You may even flatter your-
self, that, because you are not
dishonest, nor profane, nor ad-
dicted to some of the grosser
vices, that your character stands
fair in the sight of God and man,
But, consider for a moment! Has
not the heart of a beloved parent,
who could even die for your wel-
fare, been wrung with anguish,
when you have been plunging into
the midst of temptation, amidst
the gaities of the theatre, or other
places of carnal amusement and
dissipation! And this, in opposi-
tion to wishes, most affectionately
and strongly expressed. Can it be
a little sin thus to violate the laws
of heaven, in opposition to the
very dictates of nature herself?-
Surely, nothing but the precious
blood of atonement can wash away
your guilty stains; to that precious
fountain may you apply, that you
may be pardoned, and purified as
a peculiar people, who shall be
zealous of good works.

T. M.

AF

« AnteriorContinuar »