Page:Susanna Wesley (Clarke 1886).djvu/47

Rh ment; as in the morning they were directed to read the psalms and a chapter in the Old Testament, after which they went to their private prayers, before they got their breakfast or came into the family.

"There were several bye-laws observed among us. I mention them here because I think them useful. "First, it had been observed that cowardice and fear of punishment often lead children into lying till they get a custom of it which they cannot leave. To prevent this, a law was made that whoever was charged with a fault of which they were guilty, if they would ingenuously confess it and promise to amend should not be beaten. This rule prevented a great deal of lying, and would have done more if one in the family would have observed it. But he could not be prevailed upon, and therefore was often imposed on by false colours and equivocations which none would have used but one, had they been kindly dealt with; and some in spite of all would always speak truth plainly.

"Second, that no sinful action, as lying, pilfering at church or^on the Lord's day, disobedience, quarrelling, &c. should ever pass unpunished."

(One feels that in the last sentence Mrs. Wesley must have been interrupted, or that possibly a line or two of her letter may have been lost (it has been several times printed), for usually she was very clear-headed and precise in what she wrote, and certainly would have considered pilfering on any day and in any place sinful.)

"Third, that no child should be ever child or beat twice for the same fault, and that if they amended they should never be upbraided with it afterwards.

"Fourth, that every signal act of obedience, especially when it crossed upon their own inclinations,