Domestic Portraiture

Christian education, a most important part of every parent's duty, and the root of innumerable future blessings. It may be of use, briefly to notice some causes of lack of success, and also to touch upon the means of a successful Christian education. In considering the causes of lack of success, we must first notice the disregard of one of the most important religious principles-a due knowledge of which lies at the root of all success in this work-that all children are by nature born in sin, and are children of wrath. They inherit from their parents, a carnal mind, which is enmity against God. However pious the parent, his nature is corrupt, and descends to his children. From us they derive that nature, and all success in education must be owing to God's blessing our efforts, and giving them his grace, that they may gain dominion over their natural and inbred corruption. The Christian parent will ever be watchful to detect the workings of this corruption, even in those things which may appear to the eye of the world, pleasing and delightful. That alone which is the fruit of the Spirit-that alone which is superior to nature, will satisfy him. While he will forward and cultivate whatever is lovely and of good report, he will be, above all, anxious, that everything of this kind should proceed from Christian principle, and not from the mere love of human praise.