LETTERS TO PARENTS. LETTER I, On Early Religious Instruction. THE inhuman and barbarous conduct of the ancient Jews, who "sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils," excites your astonishment and abhorrence. You cannot conceive how a practice so revolting to the feelings of humanity could have been adopted, and naturally conclude that if you had lived in that age, the reigning Moloch would have looked in vain for an offering from your family. But you should recollect, that children left to rise up in life under the powerful influence of depraved principles, are more effectually sacrificed to the great adversary, and you stand responsible for the crime which such a sacrifice involves. By some artifice or other you may now elude the force of this charge, but you will not always be so successful. The hour is coming when you will be compelled to give an account of the manner in which they have been trained up, and if it should appear, that you have neglected to give them proper religious instruction, you will be condemned. Probably you suppose that this duty, like many others, may be discharged by proxy, and that if you place them under the care of proper teachers, and occasionally administer deserved reproof, the necessity of personal labour is superseded. But your suppositions are not to nullify the command of God. Your duty is to be regulated, not by your own inclinations, but by his law; and though you may determine to evade its application, you will not be able to resist its condemning sentence. The usual practice of inducing them to learn hymns, portions of scripture, catechisms, and some forms of prayer, which are adapted to their age, is deserving of the strongest commendation. But to suppose that the whole of your duty is discharged, when this is accomplished, is making a palpable mistake. The answer to a question may be repeated without being under stood, the prayer may be presented while the heart is unimpressed by its solemnity or design. Instruction, limited to these exercises, may assume all the formality of mere custom, and prove comparatively useless. You should explain and illustrate, in the most simple and engaging manner, the various truths which are contained in the Scriptures. Avoid the general yet fatal maxim of teaching them to expect the favour and protection of God, as a Reward for their obedience. "If you are are a good child, God will love you." "If you say your prayers, learn your lessons, and be obedient to your Parents, you will go to heaven when you die." Such expressions may be in unison with the deistical notions which abound in society, but that you, who profess to receive your religious opinions from the Scriptures, should dare to employ them is astonishing. Does not such a mode of address teach the young mind the pernicious doctrine of human merit? Is it not sowing the tares with the wheat, and planting the seeds of error in a congenial soil? Teach them that they are sinners-lead them to the Saviour-unfold to their view the glories of his person-the design of his mission-teach them to rely on his merits for salvation, and to commit their final destiny to |