Wesley Corpus

* When the house was rebuilt, and the children all brought home, we entered upon a strict reform; and then was begun the custom of singing psalms at beginning and leaving school, morning and evening. Then also that of a general retirement at five o’clock was entered upon; when the oldest took the youngest that could speak, and the second the next, to whom they read the psalms for the day, and a chapter in the New Testament; as, in the morning, they were directed to read the psalms and a chapter in the Old: after which they went to their private prayers, before they got their breakfast, or came into the family. And, I thank God, the custom is still preserved among us. There were several bylaws observed among us, which slipped ny memory, or else they had been inserted in their proper place; but I mention them here, because I think them useful. “1. It had been observed, that cowardice and fear of punishment often lead children into tying, till they get a custom of it, which they cannot leave. To prevent this, a law was made, that whoever was charged with a fault, of which they were guilty, if they would ingenuously con fess it, and promise to amend, should not be beaten. This rule prevented a great deal of lying, and would have done more, if one in the family would have observed it. But he could not be prevailed on, and therefore was often imposed on by false colours and equivocations ; which none would have used, (except one,) had they been kindly dealt with. And some, in spite of all, would always speak truth plainly. “2. That no sinful action, as lying, pilfering, playing at church, or on the Lord’s day, disobedience, quarrelling, &c, should ever pass unpunished. “<3. That no child snould ever be chid, or beat twice, for the same fault; and that if they amended, they should never be upbraided with it afterward. “4, That every signal act of obedience, especially when it crossed upon their own inclinations, should be always commended, and frequently rewarded, according to the merits of the cause.