which should prompt them to make exertions for the benefit of their children; and to point out some things which parents can do, that would be greatly for their children's benefit.

1. Children are formed by education. 2. Parents ought to feel deeply concerned for the best good of their children. 3. They ought to regard the influence their children will have upon others. 4. They have reason to consider how they themselves will be affected by the manner in which they train up their children. 5. The times in which children are to live ought to be considered. All these topics are sustained with very forcible remarks and illustrations.

Several things are then specified which parents can do for their children. 1. They can cultivate their minds. If children were taught to think, and assisted to find materials for thought, they would find a pleasure in the exercise of their rational faculties, far exceeding the gross pleasures of animal indulgence. 2. They can establish their authority over their children, and keep them under suitable restraints. How can it be expected that they should submit cheerfully to the allotments of Providence, if they have never learned submission to their parents? 3. They can teach them to make it an object to render themselves useful. 4. They can teach them the truths and duties of the gospel. Here the importance of an acquaintance with the doctrines of the gospel, as the foundation of all practical religion, is urged; and it is fully and satisfactorily shown that children can understand these doctrines early, if they are communicated in language which is intelligible. They can understand that God is a spirit, if they can understand that it is their own spirit which thinks, and not their body; and so of the other doctrines of the Bible. 5. Parents can guard their children against the seductive influence of error. 6. They can enforce their instructions by a good example. And, 7. they can pray with and for their children. Should this Tract obtain a general circulation among parents, as we hope it may, the Doctrinal Tract Society' will have performed an important service for Zion, even if this were their only publication.

METHOD OF STUDYING THE BIBLE.-NO. III.

THE method of perusing the Scriptures, recommended in the preceding articles, will be attended with several results beneficial to the Christian. It very much strengthens and invigorates the memory; giving it an ability to fix, retain, and call up facts and subjects with readiness. I have often noticed that many people, in speaking of a knowledge of the Bible, complain of a poor memory. 1 know of no exercise better fitted to remedy this evil than the course here recommended.

Another beneficial result is, it stores the mind with a knowledge of the Bible, in such a form, that one may call it up for meditation at his pleasure. An individual may have a knowledge of many things contained in the Bible, and still, not have them so fixed and arranged as to be able, at all times, to recal them to mind. But if these are treasured up in their connection, with the particular chapter containing each, they will, at any time, be at his command. This will enable him to meditate on them, and to talk of them whenever an opportunity presents itself. He will be able to obey the command of God, which Moses records, Deut. 6: 6, 7.

When he hears others read a chapter, the moment the number is announced, he will anticipate what it contains, and thus be enabled to fix his attention more closely on it; he will have a greater interest excited in his heart; will feel his devotions greatly assisted; and will consequently derive more pleasure and profit than would otherwise be the case.

Another benefit is this; people often have opportunity to ask explanations of Scripture, but cannot call up the particular passages, in regard to which they wish instruction. Now by having subjects, facts, &c. familiarized to their recollection, such opportunities, for improving in Scripture knowledge, may be often embraced with great profit. Only one thing has ever occurred to my mind which might seem like an objection; and that is, the labor requisite to its accomplishment. It is confessedly a great task for the memory. It will be found necessary to review the whole ground frequently. If this be not done, the time and attention given to it, will be like water spilt on the ground. But the toils and difficulties connected with this exercise, so far from being a real objection to it, ought to be regarded as a good reason for adopting it. The exertion, trying as it is, if persevered in, will be amply repaid by the improvement.

TIMOTHEUS.

How ridiculous to imagine that we can be good parents, children, and subjects, when we are not good creatures! Mary Jane Graham.

A PICTURE FOR THE YOUNG.

[SEE PAGE 15 CHILD'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.]

Here is Christian, as he is called, at the wicket or little gate. This gate means Christ, who is the only door to heaven. I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, &c.' The gate is called little or narrow, to show that it is impossible for any of us to enter it and carry with us our sinful practices, ungodly companions, aud worldly idols.'

You see the direction over the gate. Christian obeyed and knocked, and it was opened unto him.' The person who is taking him by the hand and pulling him in, is called Goodwill, and represents the exceeding love which God has manifested towards us, guilty sinners, through the blessed Savior.

Satan, just as he is pictured on the castle behind Christian, when he sees any one fleeing from the wrath to come, is greatly enraged and endeavors to wound and destroy him. This he often does by the sneers and ridicule of friends and associates; or by trying to persuade him to put off the subject a little longer. This is the way, youthful reader, that Satan may now be seeking to destroy your soul. God commands you to give him your heart: but this enemy says, it will be time enough by and by.' Will you listen to the voice of Satan, while the shafts of death are flying thick and fast

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around you, and even Satan himself is bending his bow and making ready his arrow for your ruin! Dear youth, flee now to the wicket-gate and there knock and it shall be opened unto you. This is the only door-the only way of escape. The blessed Savior stands at the door with open arms and says, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me; Whosoever will let him come.'

THE VISITER'S MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS TO SABBATH SCHOLARS.-No. XVII.

JONAH ON BOARD THE SHIP.

See! the fugitive Jonah making his way toward a seaport. Meaning of fugitive? To what seaport?

[Joppa is one of the most ancient seaports in the world. It is said to be the place where Noah lived and built the Ark.]

On the shore of what sea is Joppa? In what direction from here? About how many miles?

What good woman is mentioned in the book of Acts as living in Joppa? What part of Joppa do you think Jonah went to first?

[In seaports what is the common name for those places where the vessels load and unload ?]

What inquiries did he probably make of the merchants and seamen ? Having found a vessel going to Tarshish, what did he probably inquire of the Captain?

What business was then transacted between them?

How did each regard the bargain, as you suppose ?

What is that which if the Captain had known, he would not have taken this passenger even for ten times the fare?

All things being ready, and the wind fair, the vessel sails. There sits Jonah at his ease and every thing seems to him to be-what?

Did he not congratulate himself?-How? He looks over the side of the ship, and sees how smoothly and briskly they are going;-what does he think? He looks astern toward the place he is leaving;-what is his thought? He looks ahead toward the place he is going;-how does he flatter himself?

What always comes sooner or later upon those who disobey God?

After sailing awhile, how was the scene changed-what difference was there in the wind? What difference in the sea? What difference in the sky? What difference in the motion of the vessel? What loud creaking noise was that they heard? What difference in the voices and movements of the Captain and sailors? What change in their feelings?

Who had caused this difference?

Meaning of mighty tempest?

What seemed to threaten them?

If the sailors were so much alarmed what does that prove concerning the storm?

What is it said every man did?

What religious truth did they all appear to be ignorant of?

What was deemed necessary to be done to the ship?

If you had been on board, and had had with you twenty bags of dollars,

why would you have been willing to throw them over?

What is it necessary for every one to be willing to cast away in order to save the soul?

What did Jesus say about a right eye and a right hand?
What did he say about the value of the soul?

In what respect was the ship still overladen; the lightening it of the goods having made it no lighter?

While the rain was rattling, and the wind roaring, and the waves rolling, and the goods sinking, and the sailors crying; where was Jonah, what was he doing all this time? What else, perhaps, beside sleeping? What might he have been dreaming about?

Who came to him and shook him, and waked him up?
What were the three first words the Captain said to him?

Say the same in a little different way.

What name did the Captain give him?

What did he earnestly beseech him to do?

What do even heathens think every man must have?

How do you think Jonah felt on awaking

Is it probable or not, that he then prayed for forgiveness and deliverance? Why do you think so?

What does it appear the sailors believed concerning the tempest ?
What were they anxions to find out?

What did they propose to each other to do?

Where could each one of them have found a sufficient cause for the evil?

What was every one willing to think concerning some one else?

How could Jonah have saved them the trouble of casting lots?

Do you recollect other instances of casting lots found in the Bible?
What is said in Proverbs about the lot?

Why is casting lots in general now improper?

What is one very bad use now made of the lot?
What is it you should never buy?

If any one should offer to give you a lottery ticket, ought you to take it?
On whom did the lot fall?

What may be inferred respecting Jonah from the fact that the seamen were then obliged to question him?

What questions did they put to him?

What did Jonah then tell them?

What alteration seems now to have begun in Jonah's feelings?

In what way did the seamen suppose the storm would abate?

When they said, "What shall we do to thee?" is it probable they had any thought of taking his life?

How did Jonah manifest his penitence and willingness to suffer punishment ?

How did the seamen show their humanity and their desire to avoid the death of Jonah ?

What did they first do when they found that they must cast Jonah overboard?

Did they pray to be delivered from their peril of sea, or from their peril of something else? Peril of what?

What solemn thing was done after this prayer?

What great change immediately took place?

What was the character of two minutes of that scene; the one before, and the one after Jonah was thrown; by what words would you describe its impressions?

What was the effect on the minds of the seamen ?

What did they do?

Notwithstanding all their loss and trouble it is very probable that many of the seamen became unspeakable gainers by this voyage.

VOL. III.

18*

In what way