Such instruction should be imparted by parents themselves; not left to teachers in the Sabbath-school alone; as soon as the minds of children begin to be capable of receiving instruction, of any kind, and of being impressed, permanently, by such instruction.  It should be imparted frequently—­or, rather, constantly,—­as God directed his anointed people:  “And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up.”  It should be done with clearness and simplicity, adapted to the minds of children and youth; with particularity; and with a fullness, as regards “the whole word of God,” which shall not leave them uninstructed in any doctrine or command in the sacred word.  These points in the manner of instructing the young are suggested, with an eye to the fact, that since the establishment of Sunday-schools, there is a temptation for parents to leave to others this important work; that it is therefore delayed till the age at which children have learned to read,—­by which time, some of the best opportunities for impressing truth have become lost—­because also there is infrequency and omission of duty; and because there is not always the requisite pains taken to have children understand what is taught; and indefinite ideas on the doctrines and precepts of the gospel are the consequences; and because there is an inclination, too often indicated, to pass over some doctrines and precepts, under the notion that they are distasteful, and will repel the young mind from religion.  We set down as a principle of sound common sense, as well as religion, that every truth of the Bible which is concerned in making men wise unto salvation, is to be taught to every soul whose salvation is to be sought, and that at every period of life.

Let a few words be said, relative to the advantages of thorough and faithful instruction of the young, in the doctrines and duties of the gospel.  It pre-occupies and guards their minds against religious error.  It prepares them early and discriminately to perceive and understand the difference between Bible truth, and the words taught by men, however ingenious and plausible.  It exerts a salutary moral influence, even before conversion takes place,—­which is of high importance to a life of correct morality.  It prepares the way for intelligent and sound conversion to God, whenever that desirable event takes place; and for subsequent solidity and strength of Christian character, to the end of life.  Added to these, it may in strict propriety be asserted, that the influence of thorough instruction in the sound and sacred truths of God’s word is inestimable upon the intellect as well as on the heart.  Divine truth is the grand educator of the immortal mind.  It is therefore an instrumentality to be used in childhood and youth, as well as in adult years.