ply for your returning wants a world of infantile enjoyments? how many restless hours you have maed, to be succeeded by wearisome days of attention and labour: did you ever see their heavy and repeated sighs? have they not often wept over you, when they saw you in pain, and were not able to relieve you? they have left no means untried to give you ease; hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month have they sat by your bed side in the time of affliction, and watched you when asleep. They have prayed for you, when sick, supported you, when unable to walk; carried you in their arms, rested you on their knees, listened to your complaints and have endeavoured to remove them, wiped away your tears, complied with your desires, purchased toys and books for your instruction and entertainment; clothed, fed, and protected you in every danger, and perhaps have saved your lives. They gave you the opportunity of obtaining useful knowledge, neglect it not by your carelessness, idleness, and inattention when at school; all this your parents have done, and much more; then, how can you be undutiful and disobedient? are you not under great obligations to your parents? can you ever repay them for their kindness? yes, by your duty and affection; by your attention and obedience you can do much; you can add to their comforts, sweeten their cares, brighten their sorrows, share their griefs, watch them on a bed of sickness, render them com

fortable and happy in their last days, and then, with affection and pain, close their eyes in death.

3. Because it is the command of God, "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Honor means the continual exercise of fear and love. This precept requires, not only that we should shew our parents respect and deference, but likewise that we should assist and relieve them, and perform such services for them as they may stand in need of. We read of a majestic, holy Gud, whom angels and archangels adore, condescending to direct children how they should conduct themselves towards their parents-will any child now in the presence of God, presume to neglect the fifth command? will you not rather say, my dear children, that it is the express command of your Master, your Redeemer, your Sanctifier, your Judge; the character of obedient children, goes before them wherever they go, and will secure them the love and confidence of the wise and good. How pleasant to think, that you never wilfully caused your parents' eyes to be filled with tears of anguish, their cheeks to redden with anger, or their bosoms to be pained with an uneasy thought "Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father; for I am the Lord your God."

III. I will endeavour to encourage you in the performance of this important duty.

1. By setting before you some examples from the word of God, the Bible, or Scriptures. How submissive was Isaac to the authority of Abraham his father, when he was about to of fer him to God as a sacrifice, on the mount Moriah. How great was the affection of Joseph for his father, when he met him at Goshen, and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while: How different was the conduct of the rest of Jacob's sons. David, while he suffered so much from the envy and cruelty of Saul, discovered great tenderness towards his parents, he presented an address to the king of Moab to let his father and mother reside at Mizpeh, till he knew what God would do for him. Imitate the respect of Solomon for his mother; for we read, that when she came to speak to him, he rose up to meet her, and bowed himself before her, and sat down on his throne; and caused a seat to be set for his mother, and she sat on his right hand. But there was one great example more, which you ought all to follow, I mean the Lord Jesus; he was subject to the authority of his parents; and when he was dying on the cross, he did not forget his mother, but commended her to the cular care and regard of John, the beloved disciple.

"Jesus who reigns above the sky,

And keeps the world in awe,
Was once a child as young as I,
And kept his Father's law.

"At twelve years old he talk'd with men,
(The Jews all wond'ring stand)
Yet he obey'd his mother then,

And came at her command."

2. By the promises which God hath made to obedient children. "Honor thy father and thy mother-that is called by the apostle, the first command with promise-that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord;" not only pleasing, but well pleasing unto the Lord.

3. You here read that you will enjoy the favour and approbation of God, if you obey your parents; can you think of any thing more delightful, more honorable, than to do that which is pleasing unto the the Lord? this should stir you up to perform it; it is he that commands it, and that looks down from Heaven to see how you observe it; he sees when you obey, and when you do not; he knows all your private ways and secret thoughts. If you sincerely obey your parents, in all things, the Lord is pleased, well pleased with your conduct; and he will bless you with many favours; you shall be comfortable and happy in this world, and eternally happy in the world to come: He will present obedient children with brighter crowns, with higher seats, and they shall dwell much nearer to him, than those children who repent

of their disobedience, and obtain pardon in the of their lives. .

latter

part

"For those who worship God, and give

Their parents honor due;

Here on this earth they long shall live,

And live hereafter too."

I shall now conclude, by mentioning, one of the most awful threatenings of God, against disobedient children. "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." Compare this threatening with what you have heard-with the happiness promised to obedient children; say, would you part with the love of your parents, and the favour of God, for this calamity? Have you never read of the punishment of Absalom for his disobedience, and rebellion against his father? he was hanged by the hair of his head in the boughs of an oak his hair was his pride, and it was the instrument of his death. Let me advise you to learn by heart the 18th 19th 20th and 21st verses of the 21st chapter of Deuteronomy.

O ye disobedient children, repent of your past conduct; do not add one pain more to those you have already given your dear parents; do not provoke God any longer. Your parents are willing to forgive you; your heavenly Father is also willing to forgive you. Let every little child say with me