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To be convinced of this we need only call to mind our own, early days, and think of the ideas we then formed of things which we are now too apt to consider above the capacity of children. Sermons by many are included in this catalogue; and that they are included in it, with some degree of propriety, is allowed. But that they might become more useful to the young, (not to say to the more advanced) if proper pains were bestowed upon them, must also be grant ed; for repeated experience has confirmed the observation. Were parents to do their duty, and to require from those committed to their care an account of what they heard in church; if they laboured to reduce to the level of their capacity the great truths, to which their attention was directed in public; children would soon be formed to the most useful habits, Instead of indulging their juvenile propensities, and having their minds occupied about trifles, they would then be ready to grasp every word and sentiment of the preacher; and although he might say much they could not understand, yet they might be expected to acquire some new ideas.

The most alluring methods should be taken to excite their attention; and we ought never to demand more of them than we can reasonably expect. At first, perhaps, they may be unable to pick up a single sentiment. But do not discourage them-be satisfied even with a single word. If they are applauded for what they bring forward at one time, the principle of emulation will spur them on to greater attention at the next. And although nothing should for sometime be remembered, yet one great and important end will be gained—the attention will be roused, and the mind will be fixed on a definite object. Other effects than these, however, will soon be produced; the first difficulty being overcome, by constant application new ideas will neces sarily be gained. At first, no doubt, they may be shy to communicate

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communicate what they have learned; they will find themselves embarrassed for want of words; they will be restrained by natural diffidence, and, indeed it is not to be expected that their ideas will be very distinct or precise. But when they give the least hint of what they would wish to express, assist them, (at least in their first attempts) to bring it forth. They will perhaps endeavour to recollect the precise words in which the preacher clothed his ideas; but do not discourage them from using their ówn. Indeed, it is perhaps a better proof of their understanding a subject, that they use their own language to express it. After a sentiment has been given, either in the words in which it was originally delivered, or in those which occurred to the young hearer, let it be repeated in several different ways, and set in a variety of lights; and by doing this, a lasting impression will be produced on the mind. Let this, or some similar plan, be adopted, and in a very short time the most pleasing and useful effects will be the result. In these effects also, the parents themselves will be sharers-their own minds will be improving, while they are thus exercising their children, and labouring to promote their advancement in knowledge and virtue; and the task in which they engaged will every day become more agreeable and interesting.

THOUGHTS ON THE NEW YEAR.

I've seen the youth in beauty's pride
And highest health to-day,

Before to-morrow's evening-tide,

A breathless lump of clay.

Then what's our life? a vapour sure!

Away it swiftly flies;

The joys of life, how insecure!

How trifling such a prize.

I HAVE entered on a new year, and so have unnumbered

thousands of the human race who shall never see its close.

What

What an affecting thought, that possibly I may be among the number who, before this year is closed, may be gathered to their fathers! The place that now knows me, may then know me no more. The sacred writers employ a variety of striking figures, and metaphors, borrowed from natural objects and common occurrences, all highly descriptive of the shortness, and uncertainty of the present state. Our life is by them compared to a post charged with important dispatches that require speed; to a swift vessel sailing before a prosperous gale; to the rapid flight of an eagle, when he darts upon his prey; and to the fleeting shadow that passes almost imperceptibly along the fields, How beautiful and emphatic is the language of Job on this subject: "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. His days are determined, the number of his months are with God, who hath appointed his days that he cannot pass." In James, chap. IV. 14. a striking metaphor is likewise made use of: "What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.' Give me leave, my young friends, particularly to address you on this important subject. You and I are yet spared to begin another year, and it is known only to God, if we shall live to see the end of it. All of you, perhaps, are now rejoicing in your youth, busily employed in forming schemes for future years, little aware, that ere the close of the sent, you may be numbered with the dead. Allow one who is young and who was once thoughtless like yourselves, one who dearly loves you, and who would do any thing to promote your happiness, to entreat you to consider your ways.

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Ask yourselves the question, my young friends, "May I not be among the number of those, who, before another VOL. II.

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year be expired, will be numbered with the dead?” Let all of us, young and old, be anxious to have in our possession the "One thing, needful," let us flee to the beloved friend of sinners; to Him who said "suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Let our hearts be deeply impressed with a sense of the shortness and uncertainty of time; of our accountability to Him who made us; and that the day is fast approaching when we must give an account of ourselves to God. the appointed day he will summon before his awful and equitable tribunal the living and the dead of all nationsjudge them according to their works, and pronounce upon them the irrevocable sentence of everlasting happiness or misery. "Whatsoever then thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." A——M. D 5th Nov. 1813.

The Grave stript of its Terrors.

“Believe, and look with triumph on the tomb !"

On

IN the gospel of Christ, the name of death is altered into sleep. Christ, who has subdued it, seems to have given it this new name, that it might not have a frightful sound in the ears of his beloved. Though it was sometimes called sleep in the Old Testament, yet that chiefly regarded the silence, and darkness, and inactivity of the state; whereas in the New Testament, and in the 12th of Daniel, 'tis called sleep, to denote that there is an awaking time. The ancient Christians, upon this account, called the church-vard where they buried the dead, a sleeping-place. And though the grave may be termed the prison of death, yet death is not lord of the prison; he can detain the captives there but during the pleasure of Christ, for he who is alive for evermore has the keys of death and hell that is, of the separate state, Rev. i. 18. WATTS

RULES AND REGULATIONS

To be observed by MOTHERS and NURSES in the management of INFANTS and bringing up of CHILDREN, by Th. N. R.

INTRODUCTORY PAPER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHEAP MAGAZINE.

SIB, IF my heart does not greatly deceive me, in taking the pen I am actuated by motives that may be recollected at my last hour with conscientious satisfaction. The indolence and infirmity of advanced life has rendered writing rather a painful task; but I am convinced, that whosoever do not endeavour to perform all the good in their power have incurred actual guilt. Without any pretensions to genius or extraordinary sagacity, very moderate powers intently devoted to an important object, must gain more complete acquaintance with its peculiar relations, than superior minds who have not bestowed upon it equal attention: and it is unquestionably a bounden duty to sacrifice some personal ease, or too sensitive delicacy, if extensive diffusion may be obtained for facts or maxims involving the dearest interests of society. Half a century spent in studying the propensities of early age, and applying the result of those observations to practical. use must confer some knowledge; and it would be an offence against humanity to fail in seizing every occasion of communicating to others the advantages so derived.

If the sentiments contained in the following pages on the duties of Mothers and Nurses shall appear compatible with the scope of your laudable undertaking, they are at your service; and as your benevolent work will certainly be perused by multitudes who fill these important situations, especially in the humbler walks of life, I am the more solicitous that they be inserted. Perhaps no means can be devised so efficacious for introducing universal purity of morals, as to inspire domestics with a just sense of their high destination as rational and immortal beings. But these elevated ideas must

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