that if they meet with no injury from the living, it is most certain the dead will never hurt them, and that he who fears God, need have no other fear.  It is also common with many persons, to put a disobedient child into a room by itself.  I cannot approve of this method, as the child is frequently frightened into quietness without improving his temper in the least; if it be day time it is not so bad, but if it be dark, the consequences are often serious, and materially injure the constitution of the child.  The more I reflect upon this subject, the more do I see its impropriety.  I would rather use the rod, in moderation, and mercy.  I am sure it is better for the disobedient and unruly child, and more according to the dealings of the Creator with us all.  I can truly say my punishments, which have not been slight, have done me good.  As children we cannot see these things; as men and thinkers, we can.  Yea! and kiss the rod.

3.  GUARD AGAINST FORGETFULNESS.

The circumstance I am about to mention, shews how necessary it is to teach by example as well as precept.  Many of the children were in the habit of bringing marbles, tops, whistles, and other toys, to the school, which often caused much disturbance; for they would play with them instead of attending to their lessons, and I found it necessary to forbid the children from bringing anything of the kind.  After giving notice, therefore, two or three times in the school, I told them that if any of them brought such things, they would be taken away from them.  In consequence of this, several things fell into my hands, which I did not always think of returning, and, among other things, a whistle belonging to a little boy.  The child asked me for it as he was going home, but having several visitors at the time, put him off, telling him not to plague me, and he went home.  I had forgotten the circumstance altogether, but it appears the child had not; for some time after, while I was lecturing the children upon the necessity of telling truth, and on the wickedness of stealing, the little fellow approached me, and said, “Please, sir, you stole my whistle.”  “Stole your whistle!” said I; “did I not give it you again?” “No, teacher, I asked you for it, and you would not give it to me.”  I stood self-convicted, being accused in the middle of my lecture, before all the children, and really at a loss to know what excuse to make, for I had mislaid the whistle, and could not return it to the child.  I immediately gave the child a halfpenny, and said all I could to persuade the children that it was not my intention to keep it.

However, I am satisfied that this trifling mistake of mine did more harm than I was able to repair during some time; for if we wish to teach children to be honest, we should never take anything from them without returning it again.  Indeed, persons having charge of children can never be too cautious, and should not, on any account whatever, break a promise; for experience has taught me that most children have good memories, and if you once promise a thing and do not perform it, they will pay very little attention to what you say afterwards.