And let pious parents be persuaded to labor and not faint in the discharge of the duties which they owe to God, and the young immortals committed to their care.  Though their counsels may be condemned, and their prayers seem not to be regarded by him who hath power to change the heart, let them not be discouraged, but persevere.  “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.”  Though the seed lie long under the clods, it will not be lost, but some how, bring forth fruit.

The counsels, warnings, and examples of faithful godly parents commonly make some impression on the children who affect to disregard them.  The most dissolute have their serious moments; their pangs of remorse and terror.  At such seasons their parents’ warnings, prayers and tears recur to their minds, and seem to rise up before them.  This often happens after parental labors have ceased; and after the impressions they might have made, were supposed to have been effaced, they sometimes produce happy effects.

Few children who have been dedicated to God, taught to know and serve him, and the consequences which will follow their conduct here, and witnessed their parents’ deep concern, and earned cries to God in their behalf can forget them—­they must, they do, at times, affect them.  While any thing of this nature remains, there is hope.  Some, who in early life, scoff at warning and counsel, are afterwards brought to repentance:  And such often testify, that impressions made by parental faithfulness in their tender years, were the means of their awakening and amendment.  This should encourage those whose children give them little hope, to persevere in the discharge of duty.

“The Lord said of Abraham—­I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord might bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”  What?  The richest and most lasting blessings—­because “he would command his children—­to keep the way of the Lord.”

“It is not a vain thing to serve God.  Then—­(when he maketh up his jewels) shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.”  In no other way can we serve him more acceptably than by following Abraham’s example—­“commanding our households to serve the Lord,” and setting them the example.  Whoso doth it, “shall in no wise lose his reward.”

And happy the youth who second the endeavors of their parents to render them a godly seed.  Such “will find life and obtain favor of the Lord.”  Here, they rejoice the hearts of those who love them, and smooth the rugged path of age.  The years which to others have no pleasures in them, are not devoid of comfort to those who witness filial piety and hope to live again in a godly offspring.  Such parents rejoice in death, and their godly seed, will rejoice with them forever, in heavenly mansions.