Ye who have mourn'd when autumn leaves were taken, When the ripe fruit fell richly to the ground; When the old slept, in brighter homes to waken, Where their pale brows with glory wreaths were crown'd: Ye who have sigh'd for kindred voice to bless you, Large are the mansions in yon heavenly dwelling, There, like an Eden, blossoming in gladness, Bloom the fair flowers the earth too rudely prest; Then thither haste, all ye who mourn in sadness,—— "Come unto me, and I will give you rest." Philadelphia. MORAL EDUCATION. BY MRS. M. M. WEBSTER. THE advantages resulting from early religious instruction are of such vital importance, that the attention of every parent should be unceasingly directed thereto, as the expanding mind of his progeny becomes capable of receiving its first impressions; since characters are well known to retain their origi nal cast, as the texture of wood or stone does not change, notwithstanding the incisions made in the one, or the impressions of the graver's instrument upon the other. Accident may deface, or care heighten its beauty, but its nature is unchanging; still we behold with delight, the polish which the efforts of art have so successfully wrought upon the rude material, giving as it were a new semblance, and enhancing its value to an incalculable degree. And surely, what we may correctly denominate character, exhibits itself almost in the first dawnings of infancy. Every discriminating and contemplative mother must be conscious that the little nurslings of her care have their respective appetites and passions, long before reason can be supposed to exert any influence over their young minds. One is ardent in the pursuit of amusement before the first revolving year has opened the portals of its lips to pronounce in lisping accents the name most dear to infancy. This propensity may degenerate into too great a desire for the vain pomps of life, if the young immortal is not early taught to direct its wayward fancies to higher objects than the attainment of sublunary enjoyments. Another evinces an arbitrary disposition in the very bud of being, by a restless impatience for its nourishment. We have seen children of scarcely eight months, who would utter ceaseless cries of anger, and absolutely refuse the proffered food, if withheld, by accident or design, a moment after their eager hand was stretched out to receive it, using all their little energies to play the tyrant no less than to show their evil dispositions, and inborn propensities. And if not guided and governed by the restraining love of her, whose judicious care must direct into a better channel these infantile powers-even before the ear is open to the counsels of wisdom, much that is subversive of happiness here and hereafter, will be the awful result. We hear and read much of inborn corruptions of the heart of that inherent sin which clings to all of Adam's race before the bright influence of redeeming love dispels, with its sunny radiance, the dark clouds of nature. But alas! how few parents realize that such is the state of their children, and how small the number, compared with the aggregate mass of mankind, who will even acknowledge the domination of such a rule. Moral education cannot be commenced too early, since from the natural tendencies to evil, the mind will adopt much that is injurious before we are aware that it is open to any impressions. The unwavering principles of good must therefore be inculcated almost by anticipation. Some theorists will urge, that a proper degree of pride, (as they term self-respect,) will, if early instilled into the mind, often stand in stead of innate rectitude. But how dangerous would be this experiment, I leave to the reasoning Christian to decide. Were it not better to inculcate in the hearts of our children the love and fear of their beneficent Creator? Uncompromising principles, free from self-love, must always be the result of such instruction, since the mind, tutored to look to the Great First Cause, for reward or approbation, will never waver, nor turn aside from the path of truth, because the basis on which those principles are established, is too sure and steadfast to totter before the temptations of the world or the delusions of sin. All parents, no less than all philosophical reasoners, must be convinced of the facts stated; but yet we must learn how to approach, whether with the persuasive eloquence of tenderness, or the harsher voice of command, the versatility of minds and tempers, with which we are called to commingle. How to treat the differing shades and degrees of good and evil, is a consideration of the first magnitude, since they are shown forth in the very dawnings of the youthful mind, and a mistaken suggestion may be productive of unfortunate, if not fatal consequences. Children of the same parents, are often as unlike as the trees of the same forest. The oak is less pliant than the willow; and the hurricane which sweeps the earth in its fury, may shiver the giant king, whilst the bending graces of the other is its surest protection against the storm. Thus it is with the human mind. Some can be brought to yield to every breath of counsel, and receive, as by impulse, the rudiments of virtue. Others again, may be stubborn and unbending as the oak, and require the continued energies of years to bring them to subjection. Then is the advantage of "line upon line," "precept upon precept," which instilled into the heart by uniform and untiring efforts, will produce the germ of wisdom. To continue the simile, the forest lirio spreads its broad arms around, giving shelter from the blast, and shade from the scorching heats of summer; whilst the tall fir-tree throws up its spiry head towards heaven, appearing to rejoice in its pride and loneliness. These emblems of humanity are no less apt and obvious than the others, and plainly portray the instinctive properties of youth. Some young people delight to spread their influence afar, and give to every one a portion of their own modicum of pleasure; whilst others, wrapped in their own pride and self-sufficiency, cast a glance of disdain at the humbler associates with whom their lot is cast, and seem to say within their own hearts, "What are they, that I should stoop from my sphere to comfort or console them?" Parents should early learn to read and understand the characters of those confided to their trust, or many difficulties will arise, many mortifications ensue to both parties. It is of great importance in domestic relations, that those entrusted with the moral education of youth, should know how to discriminate between venial error and absolute tendencies to vices of a high grade. Let them, then, learn to judge with charity, and reprove with meekness. Let them weigh with discriminating |