I had contemplated adding other suggestions, but time and space will not allow.  But I cannot dismiss this subject without saying, that instead of ever complaining that God has imparted to you such a deep anxiety for the spiritual good of your children, let that time thus spent be employed in fervent, importunate and agonizing prayer for them.  That is the best way of washing off these accumulated and accumulating loads of anxiety.  Plead in view of your deep solicitude—­plead in Christ’s name—­plead by the worth of your children’s souls—­plead by every consideration you can think of, and then plead by every consideration which the All Omniscient mind of God can think of—­especially plead the divine honor and glory, as involved in such a desired result, and when you have done all these, then act wisely, and efficiently as you can.  Never give up—­never falter—­not even for a moment.  But be steady to your purpose—­yet in every step of your progress say, “O God, thy will be done.”

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Original.

EXCESSIVE LEGISLATION.

A family is a community or government, of which the parents are the legislators, and the children are the subjects.  The parents are required by the family constitution to superintend and direct the conduct of their children, and others under their care.  And children, by the same authority, are required to obey their parents.  “Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”  But parents are more than legislators; they possess the executive power.  They are to see their rules carried out.  And, still further, they are to judge of the penalty due to infraction and disobedience, and of the time and manner in which punishment is to be inflicted.  The authority vested in parents is great, and most judiciously should it be exercised.  God has given general directions in his word touching the exercise of their authority.  To Him they are amenable.  And by all the love they bear to their offspring, their desire for their welfare, and the hope of the future approbation of God, they should endeavor to bring up their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

But are not parents apt to legislate too much?  This is often an error in all legislative assemblies.  Perhaps there is not a State in the Union in which the laws are not too many, and too minute.  Every legislator feels desirous of leaving his impress on the statute book.  And so there is yearly an accumulation of laws and resolves, one-half of which might probably be dispensed with, with advantage to the people.