Filial Duty, Of Parents' Claims And Children's Liabilities.

mind , and the ultimate developement of the physical and mental faculties of their offspring , with what solicitude do they regard their undertakings , success in which calls forth emotions of- joy inexpressible , and the child , the youth , the man , who in his every day life evinces an appreciation

of such disinterested devotion to , and solicitude for , his welfare is not only a blessing to his parents , but experiences such composure in mind , such a calm conscience , such comfort in himself as is impossible to those whose steps diverge from that course which filial duty , affection , and

scriptural injunction point , out to us as the legitimate one . Here Epictetus ' s advice to children may not be out of place .

"Let your respects and services agree , And be proportioned to the quality Of those to whom those services you pay . Is he your father ? Know you must obey And cherish him , considering all his care For you , when weak and helpless yet you were , And bear with him all things , knowing how

Nature obliged him to be kind to you : All this to gratitude is due . He heard your peevish brawling shout t' allay Tour childish wrath , and wip'd your tears away . And can't you bear an angry word or blow ]? rom one so indulgent , One that loved you so , Twice to have given you life in that he fed , In that with so much tenderness he bred Your younger years P "

In our earlier years pains are taken to instrue into our minds the divine command— "Honour thy Father and thy Mother , " but the term i honour' is generally construed as implying ¦ obedience only , and it is by no means rare that when we attain to what is commonly designated

• mature age , the injunction is considered as no longer applying to us , we cast aside and repudiate the restraint of parental authority , in the belief that we are no longer answerable to them . Prosperity is then sometimes a creature of ingratitude , the love , the care , the anxiety and sacrifice , experienced for our sakes are oblivionised , their

age , their infirmities , their poverty , is not heeded , and instances are on record in which their death has been attributable to privation . In wretchedness , frozen , and destitute of bread , they have laid down their weary aching limbs and heart to rise no more , till they ascend to that height , that

heavenly home , " where the Avicked cease from troubling , where the weary are at rest ; " whilst the avaricious , selfish , unfeeling child , revelled in luxury , possessed sufficient means to have enabled him to have rescued them from such a sad and cruel fate . What a contrast is this to the course Avhich the

goodparentpursuestowardshis offspring ; whent ' he cold hand of adversity oppresses us , our thoughts immediately wend homewards . It is to our parents we look for relief ; like the Prodigal Son , we are glad to have recourse to them for succour in the hour of need ; how glad are we to enlist their sympathy and to be able to claim their assistance as

we pour into their ear our tale of woe and grief ; and who is . there so ready to dispel the clouds of sorrow which may have thickened around us . Unlike those who usurp the name of friend , whose friendly offices cease at the approach of distress , with open arms they meet the poverty-stricken

world-sick outcast child , imprinting upon him the kiss of tenderness as tears of sympathy chase each other down his cheek , and with hearty good Avill they cheer the drooping spirits of the wanderer as they utter a Avelcome to their common home once

more . There are many passages in Scripture , many noble examples in the Sacred Volume , and profane history , which may be adduced as illustrative of the broad signification of the Fifth Commandment ; besides , the opinion of learned men strengthens the conviction that more than mere obedience is comprehended in it . The sacred obligation also includes solicitude for tbe necessities and comfort of

those to whom Ave owe our birth , to those who iu helpless infancy tended , and affectionately watched over us and trained our young minds in the paths of rectitude and virtue , a desire at all times to render them joyous and happy , anticipating their wants and relieving them as far as circumstances

admits , the good child should make every possible effort to succour their weakness , soothe their affliction , aud relieve the distresses of his parents ; he should boldly repel the slanderer of their good name , his chief aim should be to use every lawful means in his power to confer happiness on them ,

and to promote their interests , spiritually as well as temporarily ; in fine , he should do unto them as he would expect his children to do unto him .

" Here lies the friend most lov'd , the sou most dear , Who ne ' er knew joy but friendship must divide , Nor gave a father grief but when he died . " Pope thus commends the Honourable Simon Harcourt , whose good qualities the world at large Avould do well to emulate .

Pope , himself , Avas a brilliant pattern of a good son . His biographer observes of him , " The filial piety of Pope was in the highest degree amiable and exemplary , his parents had the happiness of living till he was at the summit of political reputationtill he was at easein his fortune , and

, , without a rival in his fame , and found no diminution of his respect and tenderness . Whatever Avas his pride , to them he was obedient ; and whatever was his irritability , to them he was gentle . Life has amongst its soothing and quiet comforts few things better to give than such a son . "

This great poet affords a pleasing contrast to many sons and daughters , whose amiability and politeness are accorded to strangers , whilst petulance and ill-manners are reserved for home and those for whom parental affection claims a better requital—see the ball-room beau aud belle , how happy and sweet tempered they appear as they tread the weary dance , emulating their vis a >