65
IN PIETT.
occupy two or three weeks the fourth precept, during the same time ; the fifth during two weeka the sixth to the ;
ninth should be taken together, and learned in the course of two weeks ; and when the tenth has been learned, the whole should be repeated distinctly at the several prayers. And the child itself may recite ; yet in the presence of its father or mother, or nurse, or any other person appointed
now
to the duty of seeing that
when
it
make no
mistake, and of setting
Attention to gesture, however, ought not to be forgotten, for the child should not be allowed to look this way and that, to swing itself to and ifc
right
fro,
or
move
hesitating.
its
hands, but by
devotional propriety.
In
all
means be accustomed to be instructed and
this it should
encouraged, nay compelled by rebuke, or chastisement, if requisite ; sometimes by the rod or by a refusal of its repast, it obey. "With the view to this, children should be counselled before or even during prayer. If after all they
until
punishment should follow, either immediately at when prayer is ended, so that they may be aware that proper attention must be insisted upon. All must be done prudently, however, lest instead of loving they
transgress,
the time, or
should begin to dislike sacred things. 15. In the fifth year, an evening prayer ought to be added to the exercises of piety, for example "I thank Thee, :
my
Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ Thy beloved
Son, that
hast graciously kept me all this day by Thy I pray Thee to pardon all my sins, which I
Thou
free mercy.
me by Thy grace all Thy hands I give up myself, my body and soul, and my all. May Thy holy angels be with me, so that Satan may not be able to say I am his. Amen." This prayer to be followed by the Lord's prayer " Our Father, Ac." have naughtily done
through this night
kindly keep
for into
:
16.
When
children have learned this prayer, the follow" I may be learned give Thee thanks,
ing morning prayer
: