To this she made no answer, but I could perceive that she stood self-convicted, and having said what I conceived necessary upon the occasion, I dismissed her, observing that it was useless for ladies and gentlemen to establish schools for the education of the infant poor, if the parents did not assist by setting them a good example.
I am happy to state, that the advice I gave her was not thrown away, as I never knew the child guilty of saying a bad word afterwards; and the mother soon brought me another child, of two years and a half old, and said she should be very glad if I would take it into the school, and that she wished a blessing might always attend the gentlemen who supported the institution.

She also requested me to take an opportunity of speaking a few words to her husband, for she was thankful for what had been said to her.

And here I would observe, that although it is most undoubtedly true, that the good taught to children in our infant schools is greatly counteracted by the conduct they witness on their return home, yet we occasionally see, that these little children, by the blessing of God, are made the means of reforming their own parents.

What a gratifying fact it is, that the adult and hardened sinner, may be turned from his evil ways--from death unto life--by an infant's precept or example! Nor is it only in profane expressions that we see the influence of evil.

Some children I have known, in the same neighbourhood, who even beat their parents.