contains all the truth. But, let us see if children are not invited to come to God. Was not Samuel a child when Eli taught him to answer the heavenly call with, "Speak, for thy servant heareth?" Now, though he was very young, the great God I did not refuse to have intercourse with him; but condescended to give him an immediate reply, and it was one of a fearful character-ay, and against Eli himself!— because he permitted his children to do that which was exceedingly evil; and, though a good man, and a priest of the Lord's house, too, did not visit their sin with more than a gentle reproof. In this painful narrative we have a useful lesson addressed to both parents and children: the former are taught the solemn responsibility they are under for the right management of their offspring, and the danger of allowing their natural affection to make them forget their higher duty to God: the children are warned, likewise, against taking advantage of the culpable fondness of an over-indulgent parent to commit sin; for, if you will turn to the First Book of Samuel (iv. 17, 18), you will read the sad end of both Eli and his wicked sons. Let me now quote other passages relative to God's notice of children: "I love them (says Wisdom) that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Again: "Remember now thy Creator,"when? "in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." But I cannot say more to you at present: at our next meeting, I will take up the subject again. Annie. Thank thank you, you, dear mother, for all you have taught me this evening. Second Evening. GOD'S OMNIPRESENCE CONTINUED NATURE OF TRUE PRAYER-FALL OF MAN-SIN UNIVERSAL. "When the great Builder arched the skies, The joyful cherubs tuned his praise, And thus our two first parents stood, And ruined all their unborn race." Mother. Have you forgotten, Annie, the subject we were considering at our last meeting; and which subject I promised to contemplate further when we next came together? Annie. Indeed I have not. You then shewed the willingness of God to hearken C to the prayers of young persons, as well as those more advanced in years. Mother. You have answered correctly; and I am gratified at finding that you are not a careless hearer. Now let us employ the present opportunity in examining some points calculated to improve your mind, and, by implanting right principles, lay a basis for the wise regulation of your life. But, first, in compliance with my engagement, I must observe-that there is not the shadow of a reason for the opinion, that the Father of spirits is not ready to bend a listening ear to the artless breathings of the most youthful of the human family. In the days of the Saviour, parents "brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Now, as Jesus is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," you may be certain that he is as willing to receive children at this, and all future periods, as he was when he sojourned upon earth; and then he declared, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Annie. But as Jesus is gone into heaven, how can anybody go to him there, while they are living in the world? Mother. The Saviour is not more a man than he is God: he is not man alone, nor God alone; but God and man united in one person. As man, he thus spake: "I can of my own self do nothing." As God, he expresses himself thus: "I and my Father are one." Having the Divine nature, which filleth all space, he could tell his believing people, as he has done, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." In this way, he is "nigh unto all them that call |