mighty operations which they are carrying on for the conversion of the world, to divert their attention to the retired and unostentatious duties, to which they are here invited, there are many, we doubt not, who will peruse the treatise with advantage, for we consider it, under the blessing of God, calculated to do much good.

The following are the subjects of this little volume, and the order in which they are treated:-The duties of husbands and wives-of children-of parents-of servants, and of masters-to which the author has added, extracts from president Dwight's sermons, on the duty of educating children religiously, by way of appendix.

Under the first of these divisions, Mr. Innes clearly shews, that both the letter and spirit of the New Testament forbid a christian to intermarry with one who does not give satisfactory evidence of being so; and points out, what he conceives to be the duty of an individual, who, having formed and avowed an attachment, and given and received pledges of fidelity, while both the parties were strangers to vital godliness, has been made to feel its power, previous to the marriage actually taking place.

"It has been asked, What does a regard to Christian duty in this case require? We confess we cannot here recommend a line of conduct of which some have approved, that of at once violating any engagement previously made, on the ground of its having been made in ignorance. We could not quote the authority of Scripture for the breach of a direct engagement, where the happiness, or the supposed happiness, of another is involved. But we should think it most proper for a Christian, so situated, fairly to state the change in his sentiments that has taken place, and how little probability there was that an union in such circumstances would be conducive to mutual happiness. I knew one instance in which this measure was adopted with the happiest effect. After an engagement of some standing, the gentleman's attention was directed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and while he felt the absolute necessity of an interest in its blessings to his own happiness, he was, of course, convinced that it was not less necessary to the happiness of others. But as the object of his affections was a stranger to similar sentiments, he candidly stated the change he had experienced. The lady, however, was so shocked at the idea of Methodism, that she voluntarily relinquished the match, and thus at once absolved him from any obligation. Such an explicit statement, in every case similar to that here alluded to, must appear to every one, not only altogether unobjectionable, but what candour and honour expressly require." [pp. 18-19.]

Mr. Innes next meets the case of the individual, who is

called to the knowledge of the truth after marriage, the other party still remaining in an unconverted state, and ably illustrates and enforces the directions given by the Apostle Paul, on this subject, in 1 Corinthians vii. 12.—He then states the duties inculcated in Scripture, on those who are united in marriage, where each is under the influence of divine truth, and, in this part of his work, thus handles what some may consider a delicate point.

"We have already had occasion to observe, that a wife is not called to submit to the authority of her husband, if he should require her to do what is contrary to the will of God. But a case, which may be considered at least somewhat allied to this part of our subject, deserves to be here stated. It sometimes happens, that where both parties are Christians, there may be, on some points, a difference of sentiment; and, where this occurs, the husband may expect, that where this difference relates to a subject of perhaps confessedly inferior moment, his wife should surrender her own opinion to his. It shews great ignorance, however, of the law of Christ, and of what is necessary to Christian obedience, if he make such a demand, or even intimate that he expects such a concession. Here it ought never to be forgotten, that religion is a personal concern with every individual; that every one at last must bear his own burden; that it is essential to Christian obedience that every one be persuaded in his own mind; and that if a wife change any religious observance, (we cannot in this case say she changes her sentiments,) not from conviction, but merely to comply with the wishes of her husband, she admits a human authority on a point where it is altogether illegitimate--where nothing whatever should be allowed to interfere with the authority of Jesus Christ. Though no other argument ought to be here necessary, in addition to that which we have already stated,-nay, though none other will be necessary to those who have any correct views of Christian principle, and of what is essential to Christian obedience, we may remark, that it argues very little knowledge of human nature to suppose that requiring a compliance in any thing connected with religion, beyond the point to which conviction goes, is the most likely way to attain it. The very urgency which is employed to obtain this compliance, often imparts in the minds of those from whom it is expected, an additional and perhaps imaginary importance to the difference in question. It is apt to make those whom we would wish to persuade, more decided in maintaining their sentiments, from the very apprehension of admitting a false influence on what ought to be a subject of personal conviction. It thus places the prospect of unity of sentiment at a far greater distance than if a spirit of complete forbearance on both sides were maintained. In short, as no profession of unity can be desirable to an enlightened mind, but that which is the result of conviction, it should never be forgotten, that

this can only be attained by a clear scriptural statement of divine truth, and a steady but temperate appeal to the authority of the word of God." [pp. 31-33.]

In treating of the duties of children to their parents, our author uses the word children, "not to denote those who are literally in a state of childhood, but merely to indicate the relation in which they stand, to those who gave them birth :" he observes, that it is not the duty of such, as have arrived at years of discretion, to obey their parents, in those things which are clearly contrary to the revealed will of God;as for instance, to attend places of sinful amusement, or where the gospel is not faithfully preached.-"To act in these cases," he says, "in compliance with the wishes of a parent, though in opposition to the dictates of conscience, would very plainly incur the guilt of loving father or mother more than Him who claims the supreme homage of those who profess to be his followers." Mr. Innes treats this very important, though indeed painful subject, at considerable length, and in conclusion reminds those young persons who may be placed under the distressing necessity of opposing the wishes of a parent, from the imperative call to submit in matters of religion to a still higher authority, that such opposition should always be accompanied, if possible, with "a double respect to the commands of a parent, when they are not inconsistent with the will of God." In that honour and obedience which children owe to their parents, he includes the following particulars :--Children should treat their parents with every external mark of respect-should do them every act of service which lies in their power-should submit to their reproof-listen to their instruction-support them in old age-and be willing to consult them in any important step they may take in life. In the conclusion of this part of his treatise, he thus states, and illustrates the effect which Christianity ought to have on the mind and conduct of a child, who being himself brought to a saving acquaintance with the gospel, perceives that his parents are strangers to it.

"What then is the effect which Christianity ought to produce on the mind and conduct of a child in such circumstances? He ought, in the first place, never to forget the relation in which he stands to those who gave him birth. This change of sentiment on his part, does not infringe upon the parental authority. Nay, as a child in such a situation must feel the deepest concern about the spiritual interests and future happiness of his parents, he will most

studiously endeavour, by every mark of attention to their comfort, to gain their confidence, to win their affection, that by thus inspiring them with a favourable impression of the new principles he has embraced, he may be the instrument of leading them also to see their value, and thus be partakers of that salvation which is the joy and rejoicing of his own heart. The spiritual condition of his beloved parents will be the frequent subject of his fervent supplication at the throne of divine mercy; and though he will feel it a duty which requires the utmost delicacy, for a child to address any thing in the form of admonition to a parent, he will not omit it, but will watch those softer moments of parental tenderness, to suggest some useful hints respecting the necessity of a personal interest in the salvation of the gospel to our present comfort and our future hope.-Such attempts on the part of Christian children have not always been in vain; some have enjoyed the high satisfaction of being instrumental of leading their own parents to the knowledge of that truth which alone can make them happy for ever. I recollect hearing of a remarkable instance of this occurring several years ago in our neighbouring kingdom. A young clergyman, whose father also was of the same profession, some time after he entered the church, had his mind impressed with a sense of the importance of the things pertaining to his eternal peace. After he became convinced that there is no name given among men by which any one can be saved, but the name of Jesus, and no safety but by faith in his atonement, he could not avoid communicating his discovery to his venerable parent, who, through the means of his son's correspondence with him, was led to adopt the same views of divine truth. The good old man was so sensible of the benefit he had thus derived from the letters and conversation of this most valuable correspondent, and that it was through his instrumentality that he had been led to discern the way of acceptance before God, that he ever afterwards used to address him as his beloved father in the gospel. And is it possible to conceive a higher honour conferred on a human being, than that of being the instrument of communicating to those who gave him birth the knowledge of that truth by which, in the language of inspiration, men are said to be born again, and interested in those blessings which shall last through eternity. The possibility of attaining an object so transcendently interesting and glorious, must be, to Christian children placed in the circumstances we are now supposing, the most powerful incitement to fervent prayer, accompanied with persevering assiduity and unceasing watchfulness." [pp. 72-75.]

We regret that our limits will not allow us to follow the excellent author through all his important observations on that class of duties which belong to parents. We think him perfectly correct in calling the attention of mothers

especially to this momentous subject, for children are chiefly with them in the early part of life, when the basis of a religious and judicious course of instruction and discipline must be carefully laid; and we doubt not that many of our readers, as well as ourselves, have been struck with the circumstance, that in the accounts given in by young ministers at their ordination, of their religious experience, many have referred their earliest impressions of divine things to parental instruction, and chiefly to the tender and affectionate exhortations and counsels of pious mothers.We may trace the piety of some of the most illustrious characters in scripture to the same source. Samuel, one of the greatest prophets Israel ever saw, was not a little indebted to the pious solicitude of his mother Hannah; and through the early instructions of his grand-mother Lois, and his mother Eunice, Timothy was from a child acquainted with the Holy Scriptures.

We are not disposed to insinuate that the best method of instruction possible, most diligently and conscientiously pursued, will secure the renewal and salvation of the child, or that the very worst, or even the neglect of education altogether, will prevent it. We are not prepared, with some, to ascribe to a religious education an efficacy that belongs alone to the grace of God, or to limit by any system, however excellent, the Holy One of Israel;-but we must place it very high in the scale of means, and lay much stress upon it, as frequently blessed to the formation of a character truly pious, and the ultimate salvation of the soul. We call that a religious education, of which the Bible is the basis-the text book-and the guide-in which its doctrines and its duties are made the principal, and deemed the most important branches of instruction; in which the acquisition of human knowledge and accomplishments is regarded as a secondary consideration; and the main object is, the formation, not of the elegant female, the accurate scholar-the successful tradesman, or the polished gentleman-but of the genuine Christian,-a character formed, not for the passing scenes and perishable interests of time merely, but for the enduring and unchangeable realities of eternity. And all that is necessary to train the individual for success, and usefulness, and even admiration, in the pursuits of life and circles of society, is perfectly compatible with this, and nothing need be taken or withheld from the polish of the gentleman, or the skill of the man of