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OUR RELATION TO THE DEITY.

[Part I.

to instruct children in the elements of the Christian religion. Inprimitive times, too, there were great numbers of catechumenswho had come to years of discretion ; but, having been born ofheathen parents, had not been baptized ; — these also were in-structed by catechists, preparatory to baptism. At present,children are generally instructed in the catechism, when they re-ceive any instruction, by their parents, and are at stated timesexamined, in the church after divine service, by the ministerof the parish to which they belong. This union of parentaland clerical instruction in the rudiments of Christianity, hasmany advantages to recommend it; and, in many parishes, is soconducted, as, in a very good degree, to accomplish its object.Sunday school instruction, moreover, has, within the last half-century, taken the place, in a great measure, of the ancientsystem of catechetical instruction. Still, immense numbers ofchildren continue to receive little or no religious education, andthe general regret of pious men, above adverted to, still continuesto be not without just grounds. The first principles of reli-gion, must, still more than those of other subjects, in order tobe taught effectively, be taught during early childhood and youth.Even with the best religious education of children, there is al-ways too much reason to fear, that, as they advance in life, thecares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lustsof other things entering in, may choke the instruction given, andrender it unfruitful.*

4. The benefits, both private and public, which wait on publicworship, are neither few nor small. Prayer has a manifest ten-dency to nourish in us those very graces and virtues for whichwe pray. We shall earnestly desire that for which we habituallyand earnestly pray; and what we earnestly desire, we shall en-deavour to attain. Warm desires naturally ripen into corre-sponding conduct, made manifest in the life and conversation.

Again, by prostrating ourselves in prayer before Him who isclothed with majesty and honor, the pride, arrogance, and self-sufficiency of prosperity are checked, and the discouragement,depression, and despair of adversity are softened and relieved.

Mark iv. 19.