A PRESENT TO

CHILDREN AT SCHOOL.

Dear young friends,

We have long regarded you with great affection, and felt a tender concern for your welfare. When Jesus Christ was upon earth, he discovered a kind regard to youth; he took children into his arms and blessed them, saying, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.' ." Influenced by his love and example, we have paid some attention to young people, and have tried to instruct them in the knowledge of his will; and it gives us pleasure to say that many of them have listened with seriousness, and have become dutiful children, diligent servants, and happy Christians.

Your present and future good lies near our heart. You have been taught to read the scriptures; you have learned your catechism; you have been led to the house of God; now, the design of this paper is, tenderly to inquire what real good you have got by these privileges. More is done for you than for many others, and therefore more may be expected from you. There are many poor children whose souls no man careth for; they are suffered to ramble about the streets or fields on the Lord's day; they keep company with the vicious and profane; they learn bad words and bad ways; and thus a foundation is laid for their poverty and nisery in this world, and for their eternal ruin in the world to come. But, my dear children, you have friends who care for your soul, and labour for your good: and as you have been for some time in the school, we should be glad to know how you have profited by the instructions given.

1. As you have been often told that you have an immortal soul, are you deeply concerned about its eternal happiness? Most people pay much attention to their bodies, but few mind their souls. Their conduct plainly shews they forget God and their souls too. And do not you neglect your soul? When you see a play-fellow buried, do you consider that when you die, your soul must leave the body, and either rise to dwell with Christ in glory, or be banished to a dreadful hell forever?

2. You have been taught that all mankind are, by nature, in a state of sin and misery; all are defiled, guilty, helpless creatures. Sin has ruined all mankind; "the whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint;" yea, 66 the heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." This is the true state of all persons, until they receive the grace of God. It is the state of children, as well as of grownup people. The scriptures tell you of forty two children who were killed by two bears for mocking Elisha, a servant of God: so that you see God is angry with wicked children; and though you may not have committed the same sin, you have committed others. Are you sensible of this? if not, all the sermons you have heard have been in vain, and you have learned your catechism to no purpose: indeed you have learned nothing to purpose till you are convinced that you are a guilty sinner; and, without Christ, a lost sinner.

3. You have often heard of salvation; have you understood how you may obtain an interest in it? Some ignorant people think they shall be saved because they are not so bad as others, or, because they go to church, or say their prayers, or do some other good works; but though these things are right, we must say when all is done, "We are unprofitable servants." No man is saved by the merit of his works; the scripture says, "By grace ye are saved, not by works; and, indeed, if man could save himself, what nee would there be of Christ? But he is the only Saviour, and "there is no name under heaven whereby we can be saved, but the name of Christ." Now are you fully convinced of this? and, knowing your need of salvation, do you fly for refuge to Jesus? do you look to him to save you? do you cry from your heart, "Lord, save me, or l perish?"If so, then do you as firmly believe,

4. That without holiness no man can see the Lord," or go to heaven? Wherever there is true faith, there is holiness also; for true faith always "works by love," and makes men good and holy. Though no man is saved by the merit of his works, yet true faith always produces good works. You may see some people profess faith in Christ, who break the Sabbath, get drunk, tell lies, take the name of God in vain, are idle and wicked; but these are hypocrites and self-deceivers, and will bring upon themselves

swift destruction. God forbid you should be like them ! But if you are a true believer, you will love God, and hate sin. You will live as under the eye of God, who observes. you both night and day, wherever you are, whatever you say, or do, or think. God sees you, and when you are tempted to commit sin, you will say "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" You will be particularly careful to keep the Sabbath day holy; the whole day, from morning to night. While you remain in the schools, you will behave very dutiful, obedient, and affectionate to your parents. And when you have a master or mistress, you will be honest, careful, diligent, minding your business, and so serving God while you are serving men. If you are holy, you will like holy company, and no other; you will say with David, "I am a companion of thểm that fear thee;" and of others you will say, "depart from me, ye wicked men, for I will keep the commandments of my God."

5. As, from the nature of things, you must be sensible that your stay in this world will be short, have you any good reason to believe that you are prepared to die? Death is a foe you can neither escape, nor bribe, nor conquer. The hour of your departure will come. It is true you may not die yet, but it is possible you may die very soon; and should it be to night, are you prepared to meet your God? Be not deceived," the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven." Lying, swearing, sabbath breaking, disobedient children, cannot dwell in glory. You must be born again by the renewing of the Holy Ghost; you must be interested in Christ, as your God and Saviour, or you cannot go to heaven. But,

6. If you are not fit to die, do you earnestly pray to God, to prepare you? All good people pray. It is your duty to pray, and it is your happiness that God will hear your prayers. Don't think you are too young to pray. King Josiah served the Lord when he was but eight years old.. Jeremiah sought the Lord as soon as he could speak. Timothy knew the scriptures from his infancy; and there always have been pious children. There have been many in the Sunday Schools, some of whom are likely to be very useful and some have died young, and are gone to heaven. Mary Turner, who lived in L, was one of these; her

.

character and behaviour, when at school, were such as engaged the attention of the visitors; when at her book, she did not idle away her time, but was attentive to what was said. Her behaviour at the place of worship was very serious; in short, her conduct was such as always met with approbation. She was taken ill, 22d August, 1799: during her illness she was often heard to pray and sing hymns. To one of her sisters she said, "If you go on as you have done, where God is, you can never be.” Though in much pain, she was very happy, and just before she died, she said, “Come, come, come Lord Jesus, come.' This dear child was only eleven years old. Do you feel a desire to die like her? then be concerned to live like her. Pray to the Lord to have mercy on you. Say to him, "O blessed Saviour, enlighten my mind, renew my heart, and enable me to believe in thee."

Religious Education; or, Instructions of Piety.
CHILDREN, in years and knowledge young,

Your parents' hope, your parents' joy,

Attend the counsel of my tongue,

Let pious thoughts your minds employ.
If you desire a length of days,
And peace to crown your mortal state,
Restrain your feet from impious ways,
Your lips from slander and deceit.

The eyes of God regard his saints,
His ears are open to their cries,
He sets his frowning face against
The sons of violence and lies.

To humble souls and broken hearts,
God with his grace is ever nigh;
Pardon and hope his love imparts,
When men in deep contrition lie.

He tells their tears, he counts their groans,
His Son redeems their souls from death;
His Spirit heals their broken bones,
They in his praise employ their breath.

ANDOVER:

PRINTED FOR THE NEW ENGLAND TRACT SOCIETY,

BY FLAGG AND GOULD.

1820.

[5th edit. 6,000

TO CHILDREN.

A NEW HEART THE CHILD'S BEST PORTION.

My dear Children, I hope you will mind what I an now going to say to you. I am going to read you a sermon, made on purpose for children, and made so plain, that I hope you will understand it all. I suppose you know that you have souls, which must live when you die, and must go to heaven or hell forever. Now do you not think it is right to mind your souls, so that they may not go to hell? I know that you love to play, and it is right you should play sometimes; but you should mind something else besides play. You know there is a God that lives in heaven, and it is he who gives you meat, and drink, and clothes; it is he who keeps you from being sick, and from dying; and he does this that you may have time to think of him, and pray to him. For I would have you know, that it is a terrible thing for God to be angry with you. It is a great deal worse than for your father and mother, or master, to be angry with you. Perhaps they may beat you when they are angry; but God Almighty can cast you into hell, to be burned in the fire forever and ever. Perhaps you will say, I hope he will not do so to me. My dear children, I hope so too; and I read this to you, that you may know how to avoid that misery, and that you may learn the way to heaven. Now Jesus Christ is the way to heaven. He came down from heaven, to save us from going to hell; and he did this by suffering and dying for our sins, that we might not suffer for them ourselves; just as if one of you were going to be beat, and punished for doing wrong, and another person should, in love to you, and to keep you from being hurt, be beat in your stead, and so you escape the punishment. The first thing that must be known in order to your being saved, is this; that you are sinners; that you have "left undone what you ought to have done, and that you have done the things you ought not to have done.” When your parents have been angry with you for doing wrong, you have perhaps thought of it afterwards, and have been very sorry