re, are more likely to become the children of God. And
remember, further, that your Heavenly Father knows just what solicitudes
you feel, their weight, their painfulness; and just so long as you feel
them, and in consequence of them, _act_ in the use of those legitimate
means which God has instituted for the restraint and conversion of your
children, you have reason to hope. The very end and object of those
Christian anxieties are just what you desire, and for which you are
daily praying--the conversion of your children; and if you pursue a
proper course under them, you are probably more likely to see your hopes
accomplished than if they did not exist.

I had contemplated adding other suggestions, but time and space will not
allow. But I cannot dismiss this subject without saying, that instead of
ever complaining that God has imparted to you such a deep anxiety for
the spiritual good of your children, let that time thus spent be
employed in fervent, importunate and agonizing prayer for them. That is
the best way of washing off these accumulated and accumulating loads of
anxiety. Plead in view of your deep solicitude--plead in Christ's
name--plead by the worth of your children's souls--plead by every
consideration you can think of, and then plead by every consideration
which the All Omniscient mind of God can think of--especially plead the
divine honor and glory, as involved in such a desired result, and when
you have done all these, then act wisely, and efficiently as you can.
Never give up--never falter--not even for a moment. But be steady to
your purpose--yet in every step of your progress say, "O God, thy will
be done."

* * * * *

Original.

EXCESSIVE LEGISLATION.

A family is a community or government, of which the parents are the
legislators, and the children are the subjects. The parents are required
by the family constitution to superintend and direct the conduct of
their children, and others under their care. And children, by the same
authority, are required to obey their parents. "Children, obey your
parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." But
parents are more than legislators; they possess the executive power.
They are to see their rules carried out. And, still further, they are to
judge of the penalty due to infraction and disobedience, and of the time
and manner in which punishment is to be inflicted. The authority vested
in parents is great