the more

the motives which cause it. Religion teaches us our duty to God; it enumerates what things are displeasing to him; and it declares, in strong language, the punishments which result from disregarding its precepts. Man, a fallen corrupted creature, cannot fulfil the duties of what is termed the law, and, on this account, would have felt the dreadful punishments of sin, had not his gracious and merciful Maker provided a ransom, a mediator, a redeemer. Few in this favoured land can be ignorant of our blessed Saviour; the most of us profess to be his disciples, and take the name of Christians. But though we cannot fulfil the law, we must not think that it is to be disregarded; it rather becomes our duty, being Christians, to attend to it.. Swearing may be considered to be forbidden in the third commandment, the words of which are, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Our Saviour more particularly mentions it in his sermon on the Mount, when speaking of swearing, he commands his hearers to let their communication be NAY, NAY; YEA, YEA: he adds, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. In the general epistle of James, we have a beautiful and expressive account of this sin: "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? so can no fountain yield both salt water and fresh." As Christians, therefore, it is our clear duty not to swear. It seems, however, to be generally allowed, that there is a necessity for oaths being taken in civil and criminal cases, as a surer method of obtaining the truth from witnesses, than trusting to their bare word;-It may be necessary, but oaths should not be multiplied: they are

of

of a serious and solemn nature, and not to be trifled with.

It is the duty of all profane swearers immediately to set about reforming. Habit is strong, but may be overcome. It is easier conquered to-day than to-morrow. They ought to obtain a proper sense of their duty to God; and for this purpose, the sacred Scriptures, which contain his revealed will, should be daily read and studied. Regular attendance on the hearing of the word is another mean which deserves to be employed. But with these helps it is vain to hope for improvement, unless by the grace of God. We can do nothing of ourselves. By the grace of God-by the reading and hearing of the Word, and other outward means of communicating salvation, profane swearers may justly hope to get rid of this sin, in as far as human frailty will admit; for, alas! in every thing we offend-in thought, in word, and in deed. It is the duty of those who are not guilty of profane swearing, to caution, advise, and remonstrate with those who are guilty, so that they may be led to repentance. On hearing a neighbour, an acquaintance, or a stranger, profanely swear, can we not easily say, "My friend, be careful; you are wilfully breaking one of the commandments of Maker:-Do not take his name in vain; your for he will not hold you guiltless." Even should the of fender be higher in rank, it is our duty to caution him-he is our brother, we are all equal by nature, we are descended from one common Father, and are all liable to the punishment awaiting the transgressions of the law of God. The example of the celebrated Colonel GARDINER in this point deserves to be imitated. He could not hear any one swear without giving reproof;-even in the presence of Royalty, his reverend biographer, Dr DODDRIGE, thinks he would have shown, by a speaking countenance, his dis approbation. For the encouragement of those who en deavour to check it, I will relate a fact which I have heard

from

rom an honest man. A gentleman one day on a public oad was heard, by a minister of the gospel, to swear; the minister, a plain and sincere Christian, thought it his duty o give him his best advice, and therefore made up to him, and told him how improper his language was. The genleman, I think, said little or nothing at the time, but next day he sent for his adviser, and, after thanking him For his conduct, gave him a pretty large sum of money to listribute in a charitable way. This will prove advice is not always given in vain; our advice may not have at first a good effect, but after some time it may, when the still small voice of conscience whispers and joins with our endeavours. Whatever may happen we at least have done our duty, and whether the person profits or not by our warnings, we will have this pleasing reflection, we tried to do him good. I conclude by warning all swearers to flee from the wrath to come; to speak always with reverence and holy dread of their Maker; and persevere to give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; and walking thus humbly with their God, they may through the atening blood of Jesus Christ, hope to hear these cheering and affectionate words: "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." May God grant his blessing to this feeble effort, and makė it of use to my brethren of mankind. A CHRISTIAN.

Bank's of Tyne.

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On the Duty of Parents.

us,

[FOR THE CHEAP MAGAZINE;]"

THE vices and follies of youth which we see every day we may in a great measure lay to the charge of parents. It is their duty to "bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" to point

out to them the path which they ought to tread, and shew them the gates which lead into the field of under standing. But, alas! there are many who neglect this great and important duty-they are more careful and anxious about things of less value. With what care and trouble do we see parents accumulating the treasures of the world, for the sake of their offspring-anxious to leave an inheritance that may go down to their children's children. If a parent forgets not his children's interest in the transitory affairs of this world, how much more ought he to be concerned in the things which both belong to his own and his children's happiness, in the world to come.

Youth is a season in which the seeds of virtue and religion may be sown, but that period is of a short duration, and soon slips by-if these seeds are forgotten to be planted in the mind at an early period, it may not receive, them at another season.. Notwithstanding these reflections, we see parents who are careless enough to pay but little attention to the bringing up of their children; they 'take the matter but coolly, and lay it not to heart. I wish such parents would but consider a little, both for for their own and their children's good. What a pleasant thing it is to an affectionate father to see the child whom he has brought up turn out to his wish and expectations;such a child will ever do all he can to make his parents happy in this world, and after death shall have taken them away, he will pay to them the last tribute of gratitude and love; and is this not a sufficient reward to a parent for his labour and care?—it is; but this is not his only comfort; while in life he enjoys the blessing of a good conscience, as having done his duty to his child, and hopes to receive a reward in the mansions of everlasting glory.

Happy is the father of a good child, but unhappy the father of a bad one; and far more unhappy still is the

father

ather who has himself to blame for the bad conduct of his hild. Awful indeed must it be at that great day, when oth the father and the son must appear before the judg hent seat of heaven to receive their sentence. To the ricked shall be said: "depart from me, ye cursed, into verlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."?: Then shall the child upbraid the father-saying, “it is ou that has brought all this misery upon me; cursed be he day that I was born!

.

What a reproach! a child, in the presence of his father, ursing the day in which he was born, and charging him is the author of his misery. Would not this be enough to nake the father curse the day of his own birth, and say with Job of old, "Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man-child conceived."

14 July, 1813.

A. Y. W

The Cottager's Advice to his Daughter

UPON HER GOING TO SERVICE.

Christian Charity.

I BELIEVE, my daughter, that all mankind who act agreeable to the lights afforded them, will be accepted by God: I believe this, because I hope the sincerity of my own heart will be accepted by him, though I should err; and, for the same reason that I would show mercy to others, I hope mercy will be shewn to me.

God forbid that thou shouldest look upon any one as a foe to heaven merely because he differs from thee in opinion; or be an enemy to any person, who, as far as thou knowest, is a friend to God. Do not thou, who art dust and ashes, pretend to decide the fate of others ; nor let it