Wesley Corpus

ey insist upon conquering the will of children betimes, because this is the only strong and rational foundation of a religious education; without which both precept and example will be ineffectual. But when this is thoroughly done, then a child is capable of being governed by the reason and piety of its parents, till its own understanding comes to maturity, and the principles of religion have taken root in the mind. “JT cannot yet dismiss this subject. As self-will is the root of all sir and misery, so whatever cherishes this in children, insures their after NON hes nae ‘ a 6) a) 264 : REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Aug. 1742. wretchedness and irreligion: whatever shecks and mortiiies it, promotes. their future happiness and piety. This is still more evident, if we further consider, that religion is nothing else than the doing the will of God, and not our own: that the one grand impediment to our temporal and eternal happiness being this self-will, no indulgences of it can be trivial, no denial. unprofitable. Heaven or hell depends on this alone. So that the parent who studies to subdue it in his child, works together with God in the: renewing and saving a soul. The parent who indulges it does the devil’s work, makes religion impracticable, salvation unattainable; and does all that in him lies to damn his child, soul and body for ever. “The children of this family were taught, as soon as they could speak, the Lord’s prayer, which they were made to say at rising and bed-time constantly; to which, as they grew bigger, were added a short prayer for their parents, and some collects; a short catechism, and some portion: of Scripture, as their memories could bear. They were very early made to distinguish the sabbath from other days; before they could well speak or go. They were as soon taught to be still at family prayers, and to ask a blessing immediately after, which they used to do by signs, before: they could kneel or speak.