is not blind to the defects of her own character, and to convince them of the sincerity of her repentance when she has done wrong, by her faithful and persevering efforts to do better for the future.
By this mode of conduct, I believe that a more intimate union of feeling, and especially of religious feeling, might be established between the mother and her children, than ever can be attained where there is an attempt to appear infallible before the searching eye of youth; and while the mother exhibits in her own character this strong evidence of Christian meekness, she will draw within the circle of her influence all those relative associations which belong to the real state of human beings upon earth—to the weakness of man, and the forgiveness of God—to the repentance of the sinner, and the mercy on which alone he depends—to the refuge of prayer, and the promises of the Gospel.
The mother would, by this means, more effectually encourage her children in believing that though we have sinned, and come short of the requirements of a just and righteous law, there is a pardon, full and free, offered for the acceptance of all; and that it is not by justifying ourselves in the sight either of man or God, that we can escape condemnation; but by coming, again and again, and not the less because we have erred and strayed from the right way, to weep at the feet of the Savior, renew our resolutions at the footstool of mercy, and to ask if there is not yet a blessing left for the suppliant, who knows not where else to implore it.
It is scarcely possible to conclude a chapter on a subject of such importance as that of religious influence, without one word addressed to those mothers who have never regarded it as a question of vital moment, whether they had any religious influence or not; but as it may chance that some eye will glance over these pages, which has never learned to look beyond the interests of the present life, I would ask, seriously and affectionately, what is that future for which we are all preparing? Is it the meridian of life? No; that can scarcely be, for hope, in the noontime of existence, is as busy with the human
