If we wish ourselves and our posterity to enjoy the mercies of God, we must avoid the evils which have overthrown other nations. Pride was a leading trait in the character of the people of Sodom, and is it not found to prevail in our country? The children of Israel sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Here is idleness, and from this arises wantonness and evils innumerable. Let parents fear God and work righteousness; let them have the love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and this will qualify them to bring up their children in the will and ways of God. Abraham, the friend of God, thus conducted himself, and after his death God blessed Isaac. Children generally take after their parents.

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