"Know ye

ing his disciples' feet, he exclaims, what I have done to you ? Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do, as I have done to you ; if ye know these things, happy are ye, if ye do them." John xiii. 12, 13, 14, 15, 17. Thus at once giving an example, and a lesson of humility, and referring this to the principle of desiring to excel, which in its miserable pollution, has perversely engendered that pride, which is so abominable in the sight of God. And again, towards the close of his mission, and shortly before the consummation of his finished sacrifice, he appeals to the past events of his life, and pleads them in that beautiful prayer which has been recorded by the evangelist John, "I have glorified thee on earth, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory, which I had with thee, before the world was." John xvii. 4, 5. And lastly, during his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, he prays, "O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew xxvi. 39. Thus plainly indicating that the grand aim of his eventful life, was to do the will of God, to fulfil his character as the Saviour of sinners; and that this hope, this devotion, this desire, sustained him, when his soul

was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; when he suffered the intolerable agony of the desertion of his heavenly Father; when the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and when by his stripes we were healed.

If then the desire after excellence be a principle of the christian religion; if it actuated our Saviour through life; if it form a groundwork for action, and a motive for the continuance of exertion, and a stimulus to higher attainment, it is surely one which ought to be cultivated. But this is that which has been so completely marred by sin, as to exist no longer in the human mind, as such, and to be found only in its debased, perverted and perverting, fallen disposition, pride.

Pride as pride can never be encouraged it is in every point of view evil; but the original principle, the desire to excel may be cultivated; and when implanted by the Spirit of grace, it will subdue pride, and shew its legitimate tendency, to produce humility, by teaching man to form a just estimate of his character, and by shewing him how immeasurably he falls short of what he ought to be, and what he might be. These two objects will not be lost sight of by the parent; the aspiration after excellence will be diligently cultivated; and it will be developed in action with the prayer, that the Spirit of God, may bless the exertion, and communicate that life-giving energy, which can alone command success. With this

view, she will most carefully follow out the principle into conduct; and will shew, that it leads to entertaining a proper respect for our own character, provided that it is based upon the good motive we have supposed; provided it do not contravene the institutions of society; and provided, above all, that it be coincident with the laws of God. With these restrictions, it may assist us in forming a just view of our own worth, and worthlessness, and may sometimes save us from conduct which is degrading to a rational, humiliating to an intellectual, and sinful to an immortal being. If it may assist us in maintaining the path of virtue, save us from the pollution of vice, and enhance the traits of consistent character; if it be directed by a principle of doing towards others, as we would wish them to do to ourselves; if it be pointed towards the attainment of the highest degree of perfection, of which our intellectual and spiritual nature is susceptible; it may then become to a certain extent, the safeguard of manners, a preservative from base conduct, a stimulus to good action; it may secure from entire destruction, some portion of that dignity, which was originally conferred upon man; it may preserve from servility and abjectness, while it will purify the inclinations, ennoble the views, and instruct to emulate that which is good. But the christian parent, recollecting the hold, which pride possesses over the human heart, will feel the importance of watching

over its influence, lest it should pervert all that is good into itself; for although this is impossible, where the heart is renewed by divine grace, yet it is hers to act, long before this renewal may have taken place to sow the seed, to water it abundantly, to wait for a blessing, for that early and latter rain which has been promised, and which will produce a harvest of good.

56

CHAP. XI.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED-ON DISObedience TO PARENTS-ON THE LOVE OF PLEASURE-ON CARELESSNESS OF RELIGION.

DISOBEDIENCE to parents is often the result of pride and self-conceit, but it will also frequently be found to have existed long anterior to their possible influence. It is a disposition which is manifested with the earliest knowledge of the nature of a command; and the state of mind which produces it, the recoil from parental submission and filial duty will be perceptible, even before that mind has been sufficiently instructed to know, as a matter of reason, the nature of obedience, and the necessity for its exercise.

The influence of this principle is extensive, and gives a permanent tinge to the mental manifestations. Thus, the parent is the appointed guide, the guardian, the support, the counsellor and director of the child; but if her instructions be despised and contemned; if her guidance and protection be wilfully rejected; if her advice and her counsel be lightly esteemed and neglected, what must be the consequence? Left to the natural waywardness of its own heart, it must