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    disposition in the mind of a child to do what he finds will please his parents . He is early incited to this , by the promise of *> ome . gratification , by the expectation of some endearment : and ^ uch is the wise structure of our mental jrame , that what is often done

    with a view to some good , gradually becomes itself pleasant ^ and is done without any direct view to that good . Thus a child forms the desire to please his parents , which constitutes another part of filial affection . —Again , in a wise education , it will often be found necessary to check the gratifications of a child , to use the language and tones of displeasure , and sometimes even to inflict pain . £ verv-circumstance of this kind , leaves behind it an impression ,

    which uniting and blending with others of the same kind , produces tbeifeeling oifear . If this , owing to any cause is excessive , it gi \ es to the filial affection a character which makes it rather the source

    of pain than of pleasure , and sometimes even overcomes the love . On the other hand , where it is moderate , ( arising only from that degree o £ ' , privation or pain which is . necessary for the futuie welfare

    of the child , ) so far from lessening the happiness of the filial affection , it increases it , —blending with the love so as to lose its own painful influence , —and , at the same time , giving firmness , and ev « n vigour

    to filial love , by heightening the disposition toobedience , and there . by increasing the pleasing consequences of obediesice , by heightening the fear to offend , and consequentl y preventing the ill consequences of disobedience . Thus by pleasures derived from * ta care and tenderness of parents

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    On-Early- Religious- Education . 533

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    and by the privations and paius , winch their care and tenderness may alike causey a ~ vast number and variety of impressions are produced , which all uniting and blending together , constitute the filial aftvetinn , con ^ isiiixg principally of fear anfJ \ ovcy the desire to please and the . fear to oiientl .

    As the child advances in know - ledge , and as the conscience acquires its po \ vf r , the sense of obligation , the perception of the virtues of his parents , the feelings which he is led to t'ntertain towards God , and a great variety o « f other sources , contribute impressions of ¦ duty > of gratitude , of respect &c . towards the general affection , uniting and blending with it , and increasing its strength and vigour ; so that it ofcen becomes a leading

    affection through the whole oi life I . have taken one case , but the reader may easily pursue the same plan in other cases . Perhaps it may be truly said that in no two

    instances is the filial affection in every respect the same . It is formed frqm impressions so numerous , so various , and often so peculiar ; and depends so much upon peculiarities in the

    disposition and conduct of the parent , and in the disposition of the child . What I wished to illustrate is , the manner in which it is formed ; and though 1 have principally in view the formation of the religious

    affections , yet what 1 have said may lead parents to some obvious g , nd useful reflections with respect to their conduct towards their children . I spoke of the filial affection , as the best foundation for the religious affections . Where love and gratitude and submissivenos *

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1811, page 533, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2420/page/21/