Page:Execution, or, The affecting history of Tom Bragwell.pdf/13

 Well pleased, that even himself, had now become an attentive hearer, I went on. "I have been the more particular, my young men, to impress on your minds a sense of the Divine presence, both from nature and scripture, from an anxious wish to check the first approaches to vice by the most powerful antidote in my power; being sensible, that there is no error into which parents can fell of a more dangerous tendency, than their taking so little pains to instil into the minds of their children this great and fundamental truth, this ground-work and foundation of all religion, that they are always in the presence of God!

"We are also told in the New Testament, that 'he that cometh to GOD must believe that is,’ as well as that 'he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' Indeed, what can be expected from the conduct of those, whatever other useful knowledge they may have acquired, who have not been taught, that, when out of sight of their parents, guardians, or friends, an All-seeing Eye still watches their motions, an Omni-present Ear still hears their words, an Omniscient God still knows the secret thoughts and most hidden intents of their hearts.

"To this, more than to any other cause, (for all others are but secondary to this,) that 'God is not in all their thoughts,' would I trace that un-blushing wickedness which now stalks abroad in the world at noon-day, and has also of late been productive of such shocking scenes of blood among men in the silent hours of darkness. Surely the