IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 " lii^ 112.2 1.4 1.6 VQ xs^ V^ rv* 6^ by the correctness of their judgment on practical matters, and the righteousness of their administration, won for themselves a foremost place among the chief benefactors of mankind. The highest form of practical sagacity, like all other things, may be resolved into its constituent elements. When we examine into what it is that constitutes the wisdom of kings and princes, it is found that there are two principal factors without which no monarch can be deemed wise, — the one, the goodness of their desires for their subjects ; the other, the fitness and propriety of their practical measures for translating their desires tinto the realities of national life. Tested by a standard so commonly recognized, the Royal Psalmist has certainly acquired for him- self a most exalted position among the wise rulers of the earth. 37fdf For, if you rcacf this Psalm through it will be scan that, taken as a whole, it is a monarch's expression of earnest benevolent feeling on behalf of the people over whom he reigned ; and, also, an eager looking up to God for His special aid in bringing to pass the realization of his desires. In so far as he thought of the welfare of his realm as being connected with the character of his people, he 3earned to see the wicked diminished and the good increased. " Rid me and deliver me from the hand of strange children" — that is to say, from the presence and in- fluence of those whose vile habits and low tastes make them real aliens to the State — persons who, while using the common lan- guage, and sharing in the benefit of public institutions, are destitute of the true spirit of patriotism. As a supplement to this freedom from pernicious characteis, he hoped that his sons and daughters might grow up in liealthful vigour and pleasing grace- fulness. Nor did he expect to see such a happy issue brought to pass merely by means of wise human legislation, elaborate systems of moral instruction, or pompous military authority. Sensible of the need of a Higher Power to touch the springs of human action and fashion the life of a nation, he, with the fer- vour which ever characterizes the loftiest natures, acknowledged his dependence on God, and explicitly sought the intervention o^^ His mighty hand in rccomplishing so great and important an end. The language of the Psalmist is the property of all good men. Patriots whose patriotism is at all intelligent. State functionaries who measure their responsibilities to God, and especially all Christian parents, can pronounce a hearty " Amen " to the pre- vailing sentiment of this Psalm. We may, therefore, notice in more detail its teaching with reference to our youth ; and in so doing, let us observe : — 1st. The position of importance assigned to the young in an estimate of a nation^ s welfare. Here the young are not put in a corner as though too insigni- ficant for a royal statesman's regard. We have in this Psalm a brief but graphic sketch of national prosperity — a representation of well-being which every man who loves his country will desire to see realized. And it is worthy of observation that, in the enumeration of the elements which enter into the sum of a . people's happiness, the children are made to occupy the foremost place. For next to the desired deliverance of the nation from the influence of strange children^ there comes a prayer that " our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth ; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace." The longer we live, and the more we see of the world and understand what transpires among men, the more do wc sec how unchaufc, .ly wise is the Bible in its references to the means and conditions of human welfare— both domestic and national We are an advancing people in the direction of secular know- ledge and material conquests over nature ; but this old Book ig ever in advance of all our thoughti and exertions in relation to those matters which enter into the highest development of society. The past century has witnessed marvellous improvements on the knowledge and resources enjoyed by or.r forefathers— so much so that, in our lighter and brighter moods, we are wont to indulge in a smile at the modicum of convenience and comfort with which they seemed to be contented. Yet the more we grapple with the moral and spiritual difficulties which, in the midst, and in spite of our modern civilizatioi, confront our spirits and mar our material prosperity, the more do we fall back on the Bible as being the chief authority and safest guide on the momentous matters which lie at the foundation of all permanent, public good. Just as sailors now-a-days, with all their superior knowledge and appliances, cannot afford to dispense with the light of the old sun, the guidance of the old stars, and the ceaseless mobility of the ocean ; so, in the passage of mankind over the rough and dangerous sea of Time towards the unknown shores of Eternity, we derive from the teachings of the Bible the most important contribution to our safety and success. The Bible, then, would have us pay prime attention to our children. It gives them the first place in the catalogue of elements that form the totality of the public welfare. Every prudent man who has a spark of am- bition in his soul, will desire to see entering into the prosperity of a nation, a widely-extended and honourably-conducted com- merce agriculture so applied as to develop the richest resources of the soil, such a prevalence of the comforts and necessaries of life that the lowliest may know the content which never com- plains, institutions of benevolence and justice for the relief of un- avoidable sorrow and the maintenance of order, a literature lofty in tone, broad in its range, and stamped with the impress of truth and beauty ; p.nd, also, such moderately-appointed defences as may serve to render our borders safe from the intrusion of the mis- chievous and the vile. Let there be all these material and secular blessings, and many more ; add to them by every possible contri- vance consistent with uprightness of spirit and reverence for the Eternal, and yet the question comes with incisive and resistless force — What of our children ? Nations are not made up of deep- set mountains, fertile vales, and rolling rivers that carry jour commerce down to the sea ; nor of the means of rapid locomotion and swift transit of intelligence from one end of the land to the other ; nor even of men and women who toil and rest, weep and rejoice. Prosperity does not lie in lands, and banks, and com- merce ; nor does it live and die with those whose hands and brains have accumulated wealth and scattered plenty. Our children are more to us than all our holdings ; they are more enduring than the hills ; more precious in the freight th iy bear than all our fleets ; they are the inheritors of our folly or wisdom, our moral debasement or our piety. Their mental culture, their well-acquired knowledge, and their holiness of life, are of greater moment than all besides. Take a home — any home you please ; it may be well furnished, amply provided with comforts and luxuries, — the very perfection of artistic taste and wise utility, — an enviable and legitimate object even of Christian desire and labour to passers-by. But what of the children who dwell there .'* Are they its brightest and most lovely ornaments .? Is the music of their free tongues the sweetest that falls on parents' ears? Are they cultured, refined, chivalrous, loving, and pious ? Is the natural and acquired finish of their character in accord with the exquisite material surroundings amidst which they live? Are they by vir- tue of their pure and noble character the brightest gems and most precious treasures in that home? You who have attained to years of maturity, and especially you whose heads are white with :/ the snow of age, know from widely-extended observation, as also from, it may be, a strangely mingled experience, that our children are the most important elements to our comfort, our joy, ou*" honour, our rest of soul, — in short, our most valued prosperity. If they are sick, or paralyzed, or ignorant, or coarse, or untruth- ful, or ungrateful, or deeply vile, then, indeed, does a dark shadow fall athwart life's weary pathway. If, on the other hand, they enjoy the blessing of blooming health, are wel! instructed, endued with a fine sense of honour, generous, loving, brightened and beautified by the pulsation of a heart full of sincere, unaf- fected piety, then, whatever the splendour or plainness of our dwelling, and the fulness or poverty of our resources, home is gladsome and blessed indeed, and a nation of such homes is of all nations the most happy and prosperous. 2nd. The description given of youthful excellence. " That our sons may be as plants, grown uf in their youths that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.'' In the reference to "plants" and " corner-stones " as illustrative of the excellence of young men and maidens, we recognize an allusion to two sets of qualities and two departments of usefulness. Our " sons" should be charact- erized by vigour— ixQ^\\, and strong, and healthy as " plants." Our " daughters " should be characterized by comeliness — " polished after the similitude of a palace." There is, you are aware, a special distinguishing quality for every object and creature on earth, by means of which it is known, or is to be known, from others that may resemble it in other par- ticulars. It may share in common qualities ; but there is one which is its leading feature, its sign of difference, its abiding and most conspicuous virtue. Thus, the rose is known among flowers, apart from its form and colour, by its special sweetness of per- fume ; vinegar by its peculiar sourness ; metal by its unchangeable hardness. A fox shares in the common qualities of animals ; but its prominent characteristic is cunning ; while a lamb is character- istically guileless, innocent, and frolicsome. In harmony with this diversity in nature, the leading characteristic of our sons should be vigour, — as plants full of life and freshness; not stunted, shrivelled, pale and feeble, ever quiverinj^ on the ccjnhnes of deatli, but abounding with health and strength of body and soul. If you notice a tree, you will not fail to observe that it is a most wonderful instance of the vigour of life, sending forth, as it does, its living sap through every fibre frc.:i the lowest root to the loftiest leaf, steadily forcing its way outward and causing the si/e, colour, and proportions of the entire mass of timber, bark, twigs, leaf and blossom to yield to its mighty silent power. Just so; the life in you young men, the bodily life, the mental life, and the religious life, should be a mighty power working vigorously through your entire nature — expanding, developing, freshening and beautifying your whole self. That being your ideal of vigour, see to it that you be not known as fine, feeble, dainty dandies, who cannot face a breeze or fear to soil their hands with lionest toil. On the onr side, avoid the rough, coarse, rude, and slovenly habits and tastes of , those who pride themseb.es in bearishness of growl and action ; and, on the other, eschew the mincing, efieminate, foppish ways of those who, having neither the breed of true gentlemen in their blood or brains, nor the grace and natural sweetness of ladies, perpetually offend good society by their mawkish sentimentality and fussy nonsense. Be full of the naturalness which becomes young men ; fresh with a well-cared-for stock of bodily and men- tal health ; pervaded by a pure and wholesome life which draws its nourishment trom the gentle dews of God's Spirit, and tne reviving beams of the Sun of Righteousness. " Daughters" differ from " sons" in the quality which should chiefly characterize them. They are to be as " corner-stones polished after the similitude of a palace," — that is to say, they should be distinguished for comeliness^ embracing, as this does, the quiet gentle graces which embellish private and domestic life. When our daughters become free and easy with everybody on every occasion, loud and ready with their tongue under all cir- cumstances, bold and fond of public exhibitions of themselves for the sake of publicity, then do they cease to be clothed with that loveliness which has ever given to woman her mighty silent power over rougher and stronger natures. Let there be a culti- vation of bodily vigour for the sake of health, and let the mind 9 be braced by studious application to difficult subjects, because of tbe advantages accrufng from extended knowledge and mental discipline ; but take care, amidst the dangers incident to modern life that you never lose the quiet, graceful, retiring, self-contained spirit ; the delicate sense ; the refinement and the fine perception of the more subtle and tender moralities which form the charm of domestic life, and enhance the power and beauty of female piety. ■ ... And as sons and daughters have their respective virtues, so have thev their respective departments of usefulness. The power of our "^sons" is to be exercised outside— \n general activity, " as plants." Their vigour is to enrich the world with fruitful ne'ss of action. The power of our " daughters " is to be at home —in domestic influence. Their presence is to be as the quiet binding power of " corner-stones"— the means of holding together the entire fabric of social and domestic life. And a finer sphere ofusefulness cannot be found than the home, where hearts are most open to wise counsel and winning aflfection, and where, also, those who are compelled by stress of circumstances, to fight the rough battles of life in daily business, know best how to appreciate the gentleness and love which tend to keep the heart tender and warm, and thus become refreshed for enduring calmly and manfully the trials and crosses of coming days of conflict. " Daughters" who learn the happy art of making home life sweet and restful to weary fathers, husbands, and brothers, render to mankind a most noble service, as do the " sons," who, with the love of God as the mainspring in their hearts, brave the hard world outside and acquire for themselves an honourable livelihood. 3rd. The -work requisite to ensure the prevalence of youth- ful excellence. When the Psalmist offered his prajer to God that his country might be blessed with the presence of sons and daughters of the class already referred to, it is obvious that he was prepared to use means which, in combination with dependence on Divine aid, were likely to bring such an event to pass. And in propor- tion as we are earnest in our desire to see our young people grow 10 up in Christian excellence, shall we apply with intelligence and zeal the means placed at our disposal by Providence for securing that object. The basis of ail successful effort, on behalf of the young, is to be found in the strength of our conviction as to the importance of their spiritual welfa»e. No great moral triumphs have ever been achieved apart from deep conviction. Earnestness of pur- pose and persistent endeavour to reach a goal have frheir root in the primary beliefs of the soul, and this is in no sphere of exer- tion more true than that of the higher education of youth. If we care more for their pleasure and artistic enjoyment of life, more for their social pride among their fellows, and more for their secular success than for the growth of their souls in Christliness, we shall not, in that case, take much interest in measures selected by more earnest hearts for promoting their salvation and spiritual culture. But if we really believe that strong and healthy piety — exhibiting its features variously in harmony with the natural aptitudes and social position of sons and daughters respectively — is " the one thing needful " — '' tlie pearl of great price " — and of more value than the gain of the whole world, then, under the force of such impressions, we shall spare no pains to assir.t them to attain to such blessedness. May we hope, so far as you are con- cerned who are now attending to these remarks, that the un- believing scoffers who live around and exercise their wonted gifts in weighing the professions and practices of Christians, can dis- cover no valid ground for insinuating that you afford no practical evidence of the sincerity and intensity of your belief in the supreme importance of your children's salvation ? But as the basis of all persistent effort lies in our strong con- victions of its necessity, so the beginning of it should always be made in our homes. A more grievous social and moral calamity could scarcely happen than would happen if public institu- tions and church action were to be taken as occasions for relieving ourselves, as parents, of what is our highest duty and honoured privilege. No external appliances, however wisely conceive^ and judiciously employed, can possibly be a substitute for parental care r.nd affection. Civilization cannot improve on nature in the sphere of home life. Obligations based on the primary condition 11 of society, survive all the changes incident on external im- provement. The loss of a parent's love and constant influence can never be compensated by elaborate systems of teachinn in crowds. Home is, and must be, the centre of the holiest and tenderest influences. Our children are given to us not to be merely fed, clothed, and taught how to use their hands with skill for the keeping together of body and soul during the space of three- score years and ten ; but to be trained in the nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord, and so become qualified for a higher and nobler course when the mortal frame has been laid in the dust Their souls are, therefore, precious in our sight. It may not, in every instance, be possible to carry out a course of systematic teaching at home— for there are circumstances in some families which pre- clude such a line of action ; but it is possible in the poorest and busiest, as also in the richest and most quiet of homes, silently and orally to sow the seeds of sound principle, of reverence for things human and Divine, and of elevated taste ; and , by the daily force of parental affection steeped in the tender love of God, to win young hearts over to the fellowship and service of Christ. Beyond this, however, we should avail ourselves of the ap- pliances furnished of the zeal and enterprise of the Church. Those most familiar with the history of mankind know well, that the religious training of the young is a work of such mag- nitude and difficulty as to demand every kind of wise agency to supplement our own exertions within the sphere of home, — the more so in an age of extreme activity and pressing fascination of evil under the semblance of good. It is of considerable value to associate our young people very early with Church life. There are hallowed remembrances in connection with God's " holy hill of Zion." A young heart is less lonely in the world when con, scious of having in spiritual things a Church-home. Of many, it may be said that nearly all they know of the Scriptures has been learnt in the Sabbath-school, while we are constantly meeting with instances of persons who ascribe their deepest and most abiding impressions to the instruction and pious influence of teachers in the Sunday-school. Looking at the subject in its negative aspect, one can hardly conceive of the vast moral and religious disaster that would 12 result from the closing henceforth of all our Sabbath-schools, What, in such a case, many parents would do with their children, through all the length of a Sjjjbath day, it is hard to say. Our most ordinary observation teaches us that, under such conditions, the degeneracy of the next generation would be as certain as would be the final decay of vegetation and beauty were the sun to set to rise no more. The more thoroughly you consider the claims of youth on the Church's care — the more you reflect on the good which has already issued to home, Church and nation, from Sabbath-school instruction, and on the solemn charge to feed His lambs, delivered by Christ to one who was to give fairest proof of His love — the more earnest and hearty will be your co-operation with this good work. And here let me ask you to aid us by sending, so far as may be within the range of possibility, your own children to the School of the Church to which you belong ; by accepting the honourable office of teacher when clearly called thereto ; by manifesti: g sympathy with those engaged by occasional visits to the School, and by joining in the prayers of the Church, that those who teach amidst many discouragements and hopes, may be strengthened and cheered from on High, and that those who are taught may be made the true children of God by the renewing of the Holy Ghost. By so doing, you will bless yourselves, and become more qualified to participate in the final joy of yoiir Lord.