In process of time, as their wings become formed, another instinct begins to appear—­that of desiring to use the wings and come forth into the air.  The development of this instinct and the growth of the wings advance together.  Later still, when the proper period of maturity arrives, other instincts appear as they are required—­such as the love of a mate, the desire to construct a nest, and the principle of maternal affection.

Now there is something analogous to this in the order of development to be observed in the progress of the human being through the period of infancy to that of maturity, and we must not look for the development of any power or susceptibility before its time, nor be too much troubled if we find that, in the first two or three years of life, the animal propensities—­which are more advanced in respect to the organization which they depend upon—­seem sometimes to overpower the higher sentiments and principles, which, so far as the capacity for them exists at all, must be yet in embryo.  We must be willing to wait for each to be developed in its own appointed time.

Dependence upon Divine Aid.

2.  Any one who is ready to feel and to acknowledge his dependence upon Divine aid for any thing whatever in the growth and preservation of his child, will surely be ready to do so in respect to the work of developing or awakening in his heart the principles of piety, since it must be admitted by all that the human soul is the highest of all the manifestations of Divine power, and that that portion of its structure on which the existence and exercise of the moral and religious sentiments depend is the crowning glory of it.  It is right, therefore—­I mean right, in the sense of being truly philosophical—­that if the parent feels and acknowledges his dependence upon Divine power in any thing, he should specially feel and acknowledge it here; while there is nothing so well adapted as a deep sense of this dependence, and a devout and habitual recognition of it, and reliance upon it, to give earnestness and efficiency to his efforts, and to furnish a solid ground of hope that they will be crowded with success.

The Christian Paradox.

3.  The great principle so plainly taught in the Sacred Scriptures—­namely, that while we depend upon the exercise of Divine power for the success of all our efforts for our own spiritual improvement or that of others, just as if we could do nothing ourselves, we must do every thing that is possible ourselves, just us if nothing was to be expected from Divine power—­may be called the Christian paradox.  “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do.”  It would seem, it might be thought, much more logical to say, “Work out your own salvation, for there is nobody to help you;” or, “It is not necessary to make any effort yourselves, for it is God that worketh in you.”  It seems strange and paradoxical to say, “Work out your own salvation, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do.”