por la mañana y por la noche, a actos de devoción hacia Dios, como su Creador, Conservador y Bienhechor, mediante alguna forma de oración sencilla y breve, adecuada a su edad y capacidad, les será de muchísima más utilidad para la religión, el conocimiento y la virtud que el distraer sus pensamientos con indagaciones curiosas sobre Su insondable esencia y ser.
§137. Habiendo introducido poco a poco en su mente, a medida que lo veas capaz de ello, semejante idea de Dios, y habiéndole enseñado a rezarle y a alabarle como Autor de su ser y de todo el bien que hace o puede disfrutar; abstente de hablarle de otros espíritus hasta que la mención de ellos surja a su paso, con ocasión de lo que más adelante se expondrá, y su lectura de la historia sagrada lo lleven a indagar al respecto.
§138. But even then, and always whilst he is young, be sure to preserve his tender mind from all impressions and notions of spirits and goblins, or any fearful apprehensions in the dark. This he will be in danger of from the indiscretion of servants, whose usual method is to awe children, and keep them in subjection, by telling them of raw-head and bloody-bones, and such other names as carry with them the ideas of something terrible and hurtful, which they have reason to be afraid of when alone, especially in the dark. This must be carefully prevented: for though by this foolish way, they may keep them from little faults, yet the remedy is much worse than the disease; and there are stamped upon their imaginations ideas that follow them with terror and affrightment. Such bugbear thoughts once got into the tender minds of children, and being set on with a strong impression from the dread that accompanies such apprehensions, sink deep, and fasten themselves so as not easily, if ever, to be got out again; and whilst they are there, frequently haunt