gospel: the means for which, in diligent use, were, the faithful
preaching of the gospel in its great and fundamental doctrines and
precepts; and catechetical instruction, in the family and in the school.
I am not informed as to the present habits there, on the latter means.
But knowing what was the practice, extensively, in regard to the
instruction of children and youth, and what its effects on the interests
of sound piety and morals in those days, I feel myself standing on firm
ground for urging upon the readers of your Magazine, the importance of
the instruction of the young in the doctrines and duties of the gospel.
The position taken in your Magazine, on that great and important
subject, Infant Baptism, is one which you will find approved and
sustained by all who fully appreciate the means for bringing the sons
and daughters of the Church to Christ. I hope that in its pages will
also be inculcated all those great and distinguishing doctrines and
commands of our holy religion, which, in the Bible, and in the minds of
all sound and faithful men, and all sound confessions of Christian
faith, stand inseparably associated with Infant Baptism.

Such instruction should be imparted by parents themselves; not left to
teachers in the Sabbath-school alone; as soon as the minds of children
begin to be capable of receiving instruction, of any kind, and of being
impressed, permanently, by such instruction. It should be imparted
frequently--or, rather, constantly,--as God directed his anointed
people: "And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine
heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou
shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou
walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up."
It should be done with clearness and simplicity, adapted to the minds of
children and youth; with particularity; and with a fullness, as regards
"the whole word of God," which shall not leave them uninstructed in any