We do not know a work more suitable to the character and pursuits of a retired missionary, than to attempt to awaken the feelings and excite the attention of the Christian public, to the case of childhood; and if we can judge from the tenor of the present volume no labour is more congenial to the spirit of its author. That in childhood, according to the prevailing expectations of men, religion is so little expected as hardly to be hoped for and rarely to be thought necessary, is a truth of which very slight observation will convince us: men of all ages find it to require such a conquest of every inclination of the natural heart, such a mastery over every thought, word, and action, that they almost of course omit to look for it in children. They see the immensity of the scheme of the Divine conduct, and find, indeed, all the considerations of the religion of Christ so vast, so overwhelming in importance, in grandeur, and in momentous interest, that in their opinion, childhood is too weak to bear the vision of faith, and incapable of realizing its concern with the Divine government.

At the same time the apparent innocency of childhood, its attractive charms, and our tenderness to its wants, fill us with an affection for it which hopes all things, while it lulls to sleep those exertions from which our best hopes would derive the best prognostics of a certain and early fulfilment.

From a variety of considerations, of which the above are part, the prevailing feeling of society respecting childhood piety is, as is stated by the author," that the conversion and piety of children, except in very extraordinary cases was not to be expected, until they arrived at years of discretion" i. e. not in their childhood at all!

The state of facts does in some measure correspond with this opinion: but we confess that we are ready to believe with our author, that this rather springs from the prevalence of the opinion in question, than that the opinion springs from the truth.

We know it is true, that children cannot know so much, cannot do so much (to the eye of man indeed) as men: nor are they as much exposed to temptatious, nor, probably, are they as deep in sin as adults. But these facts do not prove, either that piety is not to be expected, or that faith in a Redeemer is not needed. We do not know that the capacity of knowledge is a very correct test of the capability of vital religion: we do believe, indeed, that knowledge must precede faith, in as much as the former is necessary to supply objects for the exercise of the latter; yet the truths of religion which are necessary to be known to enable the soul to fix its affections on God, are so simple, so evident, and so impressive, that we cannot deem them above the capacity of childhood: and there is on the contrary a less perverted state of the feelings to obstruct the acquirement of this necessary elementary knowledge in childhood than in maturer years.

That childhood cannot do much is, in one sense certainly true. Children cannot become expounders of the doctrines of Christianity, they cannot with propriety reprove or exhort men, and in all designs of action, children are limited by circumstances from doing, apparently, great things. Yet we are sure it is not often considered how powerful the influence of childhood is, nor to how great an extent robust, adult iniquity is affected

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by it. There is in innocence something awful-in the innocence (we speak not of sinlessness in the eye of God, but of the purity which men attribute tochildhood,) of a child, a restraint more powerful upon open sin, than almost any other which comes in direct contact with it. How hardened is he thought, who is capable of expressing before a little child a lewd, or profane thought, or of willingly suffering a child to be led into vice by his own bad example. Who, though himself destitute of the grace of God, and without repentance, that has heard of the requirements of the Gospel, has not desired for his children its holiness and its blessings? and how often has the sabbathbreaking, profane, drunken, (no, for drunkenness quenches even this first natural affection) parent been withheld from his intended sin by the thought, that his little children would see and imitate that which, with bolder guilt, he is daily practising.-Were childhood endued with the graces of Christian repentance and holiness, in addition to the attributed purity which is properly its own, how much more powerful would its influence become, and how effectual would be the inobtrusive and tender reproofs which the silent example and endearing simplicity of childhood would afford.

Children too are not sinful to the extent of men. Yet, are they not born in sin? Who can tell when he first sinned, or when he was other than a sinner?-We would not here pry into things obscurely revealed, or discuss subjects warmly disputed, and we are too well satisfied of the goodness of God to fear to trust the case of our children to him; yet we know that they are not, in the Scripture, expressly excepted from any of the duties to which mankind are all subjected, nor is any age fixed in the Scriptures when piety shall first become a duty, or before attaining which its want is excusable. But there are instances in the word of God, of piety at a very early age, and there are precepts to children, referring to Christian principle, and there are commands to parents, the obedience to which would result in the endeavour to promote their early piety.

Besides, we cannot but see that children at the earliest age, when they are capable of any instruction, do immediately go astray, into known disobedience of what they themselves believe to be their duty. If they are not to become subjects of punishment what is to be their atonement, their redemption, except that which is common to mankind at large. It is true the redemption of Christ may be applied in a manner wholly unknown to us, to the case of early childhood, yet, is there a clear development of any different plan with respect to them than in relation to men at large? Indeed, we cannot touch a subject more important, more deeply interesting to our best feelings.

There is, too, another reason (many others indeed which we cannot notice) why we should not yield to the common error as to the supposed inapplicability of vital religion to childhood, we mean the susceptibility of childhood. When our thoughts and feelings are settled into habits, and our objects of worldly pursuit have become more dearly prized from having been longer cherished, we feel a repugnance to turn our minds off to the consideration of our spiritual interests: our sense of guilt is dulled, and our devotion to the world more earnest ; childhood, on the contrary, presents a page much nearer to a blank, on which the lines of truth may be more easily written; it possesses feelings which do not need to be called

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so often, before they respond to the reproaches of conscience and the calls of duty and we do firmly believe, that the Christian public would be astonished at the extent to which conversions would take place were children drawn, with the same assiduity of purpose, to a consideration of the truths of the Gospel, as they are to the pursuits of the world. We do also believe, and this little volume before us convinces us the more of it, that parents would find this duty one of the most pleasing to which they are called, and far less disagreeable to their children, if pursued with mildness and cheerfulness, than they have ever ventured to believe.

We could not dismiss this subject with less than we have written, and we regret that we cannot insert at large the introduction to parents prefixed to this volume, considering it one of the most sensible and valuable papers on the subject, and, what is far less praise, one of the most elegant, which the religious literature of modern days possesses.

The next subject on which we are led to remark, by this volume, is the mode in which the drawing of childhood to Christianity is to be made. It will not be denied that in general it should possess all the mildness, tenderness and cheerfulness of parental affection that the intellectual faculties of the mind should be drawn into exercise as much as possible in connexion with the feelings of the heart. The curiosity and the sympathy of children have been the parts of the mind by which it has, to a very considerable extent, been attempted to draw them to a contemplation of the truths of the Gospel; and the pigmy tomes of religious narrative, many of them possessing great excellence, have almost vied in numbers with the trash of our toy shop libraries. We do not think that this method deserves the almost exclusive use which it enjoys, and we think that the mind and imagination are exposed to nearly the same undue excitement and inefficacious feeling which form so strong an objection to novel reading. On this subject our author well remarks:

"The sober name of sermons will not, it is hoped, doom the volume to neglect. It need not be thought impossible or even difficult to interest children in sermons, if they are suited to their case, and their capacity; if they are brought home to their business and bosoms. There is no need of supposing that children require the interest of continued and eventful narrative, more than adults. Their minds are equally susceptible of pleasure and benefit from suitable direct communications; they have all the faculties of the human soul, and it is but fair to suppose, that they, like others of their kind, will be most interested in the just and proportionate use of them all. They are not monsters, to whose deformity we must minister by purveying to a predominant and overgrown faculty; but each of them, men in miniature, whose complete and perfect growth we are to promote, by a judicious ministry to every part.

"Children may indeed be more readily interested in narrative than in such direct instructions as are here offered them; and hence we see them often rapidly hurrying over story after story, and refusing as dry and insipid whatever invites their minds to regular and continued reflection. But such children have already had their curiosity fed, until it has overgrown every other faculty; and the natural result will be that they will either eventually become cloyed with a provision so unfitted to their whole nature, and thus be no readers at all; or which is little better, continue unthinking story readers to the end of their lives It is the office of the parent to prevent or recover his child from a disease so fatal to his improvement as a rational being, and betimes, to train him up in his mental habits, in the way he should go. This is peculiarly important in regard to the subject of religion, which demands daily and sober reflection and self-examination.

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"We do not object to a proportion of useful and interesting narratives for either old or young; both need and enjoy them as an amusement and relief; and both may intermingle them with other pursuits with pleasure and profit. But it certainly cannot be necessary to believe, that when it is our object to teach children, we must always go round about to their minds They will apprehend, arrange, retain, and enjoy our instructions better, if with adapted and interesting illustration, we come directly and openly to our business, and tre them as considerate and thinking beings; and thus also will they acquire those regular, considerate, and consistent habits, which the business of life and the daily living for eternity require.”—pp_11—13.

The general nature of these sermons will appear from their titles. "Sermon I.-Pious children, members of the kingdom of heaven. Sermon II. -Children urged to enter the kingdom of heaven. Sermon III.-Children urged to enter the kingdom of heaven. Sermon IV.-God's readiness to give his Holy Spirit. Sermon, V.-Christ, an example of obedience to parents. Sermon VIChrist's obedience to his mother. Sermon VII-On avoiding evil company. Sermon VIII On hating reproof. Sermon IX.-The unhappy and happy lot; a comparison of Heathen and Christian birth. Sermon X.-To unchristian children in a Christian land. Sermon XI.—Filial motives to piety."-pp. 15, 16

The three first sermons are designed to show the blessedness of childhood piety, its necessity, its urgency, and its practicability: the fourth, the need of the Holy Spirit, and the willingness with which it is bestowed. The other sermons, excepting the ninth and tenth, are designed to strengthen the connexion between parental influence and tenderness and the susceptibility of childhood, so far as relates to the reception of the Gospel. The ninth and tenth are very interesting, being a comparison between the state of Christian and Heathen childhood and a pressing persuasive to Christian children to improve their privileges. The last sermon, on "filial motives to piety," belonging to the class last mentioned, is truly pathetic, and in our opinion almost a model of eloquence of this peculiar species.

It will be observed that the range of sermons is not so extensive as could be desired: yet as a beginning perhaps this volume is enough, and we say this the more cheerfully as we are promised more.

Before taking our leave of them, we would add, as to the style and mode of instruction, that it is simple and elegant; the sermons would, in their language as well as matter, please mature years and refined taste, while they are so plain that children will find no obstacles to possessing themselves of the author's ideas and illustrations. If we should find any fault, it would be, that some of the sermons are not quite so definite nor quite so direct as we should desire.

Already has this article far exceeded the limits we designed for it, and we must now bid our author adieu, and assign to our readers the pleasing employment of judging our critique from the only two quotations for which we can at present spare room.

The opening scene from the first sermon from the text, "But Jesus said, suffer little children," &c., is as follows

"Matthew, Mark, and Luke, inform us, how the Lord Jesus called little children to himself, and took them in his arms and blessed them. If you wish to see the whole beauty of the scene, you must read the account given by each. A more lovely sight was never shown to the eyes of men.

"You know how the Lord Jesus was often thronged by the people, and how kindly he taught them and healed their diseases. There was, I suppose, a crowd around him when these little children were coming forward for his prayer and blessing. The Pharisees were striving to entangle him in his talk ;' the people VOL. IX.

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were wondering' at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth ;' and the lame, the blind, the dumb, the maimed, were lying at his feet to be healed. There was no room for children in the crowd; and the disciples thought there was no regard for them in the mind of their Master; and they rebuked the boldness of those parents who were bringing children without being asked, to break in upon his discourses, and to prevent the working of his miracles. They thought his glory mus be shown, in silencing his learned enemies, in healing the sick, and raising the dead. They knew not yet, that he came down from heaven, as the friend, and guide, and Saviour of little children.

"It was well for those little children who were now seeking the Lord Jesus under the guidance of their parents, that they had a friend, who, though pressed on every side, yet knew all that was passing in the outskirts of the crowd. Even before they were near enough to tell their errand to his outward ear, he knew divinely, the meaning of each motion, and read the expression of each countenance; yes; and he saw into the depth of every heart; he saw even within their hearts that no common want or sorrow urged forward the parents, or their children He knew that they desired his holy blessing, and the benefit of a Redeemer's prayers. Well was it for them that they were approaching one, who gives to none because they are able to repay, and who values as highly the praise perfected from the mouth of babes and sucklings, as from the kings and princes of the earth.

"See them rising towards the summit of a hill, where sits the blessed Jesus, 'full of grace and truth' The mingled throng of his enemies and friends; the lame, and the sick, and the blind, led along, and borne to his feet; the healed, whose diseases were cured, whose limbs were strengthened, whose eyes were opened, and whose grieved hearts were gladdened, by his one word; these block up their way, and the disciples forbid their approach; but they catch the Saviour's eye, and see his hand beckoning them to come, and hear his voice kindly sounding over all that crowd, saying, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' The crowd opens at his word; a pathway is cleared, they draw near to his feet, and are gathered in his arms, and blessed; and into the ear of all that wondering, listening crowd, he returns the lesson; Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.'"-pp. 17-20.

The last sermon, on Filial Motives to Piety, contains much excelent advice, and many judicious remarks.

"I. A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

"A foolish son, says another proverb, is a grief to his father. "You have a power over the happiness of your parents. You can by your folly outdo all common forms of trouble. You can, by your folly, pierce your mother's heart, and send into it a pang, even worse than the agonies of death And by your mere continuance in folly, you can embitter every day, and even her whole life, while she is daily surrounded with prosperity; you, yes you, can hide comfort from her soul, while nature smiles around her, and while the bounties of Providence are poured lavishly upon her. And had she not a refuge, a very present help in every time of trouble, your folly could make her wish that she were not a mother, could drive her to despair.

"All this you can do, because she loves you. Could she cease to love you; could she break the tie that binds you to her heart; could she suffer you to break that tie; could she forget that you were her son, she might be eased of her heaviness; but now she must be doomed to daily, unchanging sorrow, if she loves a foolish, hardened, accursed son, the heaviness of his mother.

"A vicious and abandoned son is the heaviness of his mother; a grief to his father. In a merely worldly point of view, how unhappy his case, and how afflicting to his parents! He has broken the restraints which bound him to them; he is becoming every day more careless of right and wrong; he fears neither man nor God; his evil passions wax stronger and stronger, and one vice and folly succeeds rapidly to another. He is pursuing his swift way to all the ruin of which man is capable in this life. He bids fair to be poor and wretched; to destroy his bodily health; to have a disturbed and unhappy mind; to be an example of all that is evil, and an injury to all that is good.