One might hence therefore, it may be, reasonably believe, that God reserves to himself, by some extraordinary interposition of his providence, that Reformation which we are assur’d, will some time be effected.  But yet if all Persons, eminent by their Quality, who merit not to be rank’d among the Vicious and Ignorant, would give the Example, much would thereby be done towards the introducing of a general amendment:  Since these could make a greater care of Education in the above-mention’d Respects, become, in some degree, Fashionable:  And even a reasonable thing will not want Followers, if it be once thought the Fashion.  We have seen also that Mothers, in regard of their Childrens Instruction, ought to take upon themselves, as their proper Business, a very great part in that concernment; and one would think that there were no inconsiderable number of Ladies amongst us, who might, with hopes of success, be address’d to, that they would indeavour to acquit themselves herein of their Duty.  I mean all such as are unhappily Marry’d; for what so good Reparation can they find for the misfortune of having foolish and vicious Husbands, who neglect or treat them ill, as the having Children honour’d for their Vertue, and who shall honour and love them, not only as their Parents, but as those to whom they owe much more than their Being?

To perswade such whose Heads are full of Pleasure, and whose Hours pass gaily, to seek their satisfaction in things of which they have never yet had any tast, could not reasonably be thought other than a vain Attempt:  But they who are wretched, one would think, should be easily prevail’d with to hearken to any Proposition, which brings but the least glimpse of Happiness to them; and were that tenderness of their Children, which ingages Mothers to do them all the good they can, less natural than it is to Vertuous Women, one would imagine, that when from these alone they must expect all their Felicity in this Life, they should readily contribute what is in their Power to the securing to themselves this only Blessing which they can propose; and which they cannot miss of, without the greatest increase imaginable to their present unhappiness:  Childrens Ill-doing being an Affliction equal to the Joy of their doing well.  Which must be an unspeakable one to such Parents as are conscious, that this is in great measure the Fruit and Effect of their right direction.  Nor is there any thing which a vertuous Man or Woman does not think they owe, or is too much for them to return to those to whom they believe themselves indebted for their being such.  How great a Felicity then may a Mother, unhappy in the Relation of a Wife, (by procuring to herself such Friends as these) lay up for her declining Age, which must otherwise be more miserable than her unfortunate Youth?  And how much better would she employ her time in this care, than in the indulging to a weakness, very incident to tender Minds, which is to bemoan themselves, instead of casting about for Relief against their Afflictions, whereby they become but yet more soften’d to the Impressions of their Sorrow, and every day less able to support them?