,illustration3 ,engraved by ,c4 ,burt1 from a ,miniature by ,h4,c4 ,shionway4 ,yours truly ,a4 ,g4 ,whittelsey ,,mrs4 ,,whittelsey',s ,,magazine ,,for ,,mothers ,,and ,,daughters4 ,,edited ,,by ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,g4 ,,whittelsey4 ,that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth2 that our daughters may be as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace4--,,bible4 ,,vol4 ,,iii4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,published ,,by ,,henry ,m4 ,,whittelsey1 #abh ,,nassau ,,street4 #aheb4 ,entered according to act of ,congress1 in the year #aheb1 by ,,henry ,m4 ,,whittelsey1 in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court of the ,united ,states1 for the ,southern ,district of ,new ,york4 ,transcriber's note3 ,minor typos corrected and footnotes moved to end of text4 ,,index4 ,,page ,a ,child's ,prayer4 #cfi ,a ,child's ,reading4 #abi ,a ,lesson for ,husbands and ,wives4 #beg ,an ,appeal to ,baptized ,children4--,by ,rev4 ,william4 ,bannard4 #ada ,a ,temptation and its ,consequences4 #ba ,a ,word of ,exhortation4 #e ,brotherly ,love4--,by ,rev4 ,m4 ,s4 ,hutton1 ,d4,d4 #hi1 #aje1 #acg ,children and their ,training4 #cge ,children of the ,parsonage4--,by ,mrs4 ,g4 ,m4 ,sykes4 #bdf ,children's ,apprehension of the ,power of ,prayer4 #cje ,chinese ,daughter4--,letter of ,mrs4 ,bridgeman4 #ah ,cousin ,mary ,rose1 or a ,child's ,first ,visit4 #fi ,despondency and ,hope2 an ,allegory4--,by ,mrs4 ,j4 ,norton4 #ahg ,every ,prayer should be offered in the ,name of ,jesus4 #cef ,excerpta4 #ajj ,excessive ,legislation4 #afg ,extravagance4 #ced ,family ,government4 #cbj ,fault ,finding2 its ,effects4--,by ,ellen ,ellison4 #ac ,the ,antidote4--,by ,ellen ,ellison4 #aef1 #ahj ,filial ,reverence of the ,turks4 #bib ,first ,prayer in ,congress4 #cjh ,female ,education4--,by ,rev4 ,s4 ,w4 ,fisher4 #bga ,physical ,training4 #big ,intellectual ,training4 #ccj #cfc ,frost4 #chd ,general ,instructions for the ,physical ,education of ,children4 #ccf ,gleanings by the ,wayside4 #bag1 #bdi1 #bgg ,god's ,bible a ,book for all4 #bbj ,habit4 #adj ,infants taught to ,pray4 #aib ,inordinate ,grief the effect of an ,unsubdued ,will4 #cja ,instruction of the ,young in the ,doctrines and ,precepts of the ,gospel4 #ca ,intellectual ,power of ,woman4--,by ,rev4 ,s4,w4 ,fisher4 #bee ,know ,thyself4 #ic ,letter from a ,father to his ,son4 #bda ,light ,reading4 #caf ,lux in ,tenebras2 or a ,chapter of ,heart ,history4--,by ,mrs4 ,g4 ,m4 ,sykes4 #bhf ,magnetism4 #agj ,memoir of ,mrs4 ,van ,lennep4 #bd ,ministering ,spirits4 #bj ,mothers need the ,baptism of the ,holy ,ghost4 #cec ,my ,baby4 #cji ,my ,little ,niece ,mary ,jane4 #ee1 #gf ,music in ,christian ,families4 #cdb ,never ,faint in ,prayer4 #bei ,never tempt another4 #ahd ,notices of ,books4 #cf1 #aca1 #afd ,old ,juda4 #if ,one-,sided ,christians4 #bhc ,opening the ,gate4 #bfg ,parental ,solicitude4 #afe ,prayer for ,children sometimes unavailing4 #bac ,promises4 #bbc ,recollections ,illustrative of ,maternal ,influence4 #cg ,reminiscences of the late ,rev4 ,t4,h4 ,gallaudet4--,by ,mrs4 ,g4 ,m4 ,sykes4 #db ,report of ,maternal ,associations4--,putnam1 ,o4 #fd #b;d ,presb4 ,church1 ,detroit1 ,mich4 #hd ,salem1 ,mich4 #hf ,sabbath ,meditations4 #ha ,the ,benefits of ,baptism4--,by ,rev4 ,w4 ,bannard4 #abj ,the ,bonnie ,bairns4 #ec ,the ,boy the ,father of the ,man4 #cci ,the ,boy who never forgot his ,mother4 #bjb ,the ,death-bed ,scene4 #cd ,the ,editor's ,table4 #fg ,the ,family ,promise4--,by ,rev4 ,j4 ,mc,carroll1 ,d4,d4 #aji ,the ,importance of ,family ,religion4--,by ,rev4 ,h4 ,t4 ,cheever4 #dh ,the ,mission ,money1 or the ,pride of ,charity4 #bje1 #bcd ,the ,mothers of the ,bible4--,zipporah4 #aja ,the ,mothers of ,israel at ,horeb4 #acc1 #ahh ,the ,mother of ,samson4 #aig ,naomi and ,ruth4 #bbi ,hannah4 #bfa ,ichabod's ,mother4 #bjc ,rizpah4 #cbe ,bathsheba4 #ceg ,the ,mother's ,portrait4 #caj ,the ,orphan ,son and ,praying ,mother4 #cgh ,the ,promise ,fulfilled4 #aab1 #ade ,the ,riddle ,solved4 #baa ,the ,stupid1 ,dull ,child4 #age ,the ,treasury of ,thoughts4 #afb ,the ,wasted ,gift1 or ,just a ,minute4 #abe1 #aej ,the ,youngling of the ,flock4 #aif ,the ,young ,men's ,christian ,association4--,by ,mrs4 ,l4 ,h4 ,sigourney4 #bbh ,to ,fathers4--,by ,amicus4 #g ,to my ,father4 #cah ,trials4 #bbg ,why are we not ,christians8 #cdf ,woman4--,by ,rev4 ,m4 ,s4 ,hutton1 ,d4,d4 #cgj ,,mrs4 ,,whittelsey',s ,,magazine ,,for ,,mothers ,,and ,,daughters4 99 99 99 99 99 ,editorial4 ,a ,,word ,,of ,,exhortation4 ,sensible of our accountability to ,god1 of our entire dependence upon his blessing for success in all our undertakings1 knowing that of ourselves we can do nothing1 but believing that through ,christ strengthening us we may accomplish something in his service1 we enter upon the duties of another year--the twentieth year of our editorial labors4 ,with language similar to that which the mother of ,moses is supposed to have employed when she laid her tender offspring by the margin of the ,nile3-- ,know this ark is charmed ,with incantations ,pharaoh ne'er employed1 ,with spells that impious ,egypt never knew2 ,with invocations to the living ,god1 ,i twisted every slender reed together1 ,and with a prayer did every ozier weave-- we launched our frail bark upon the tide of public opinion4 ,since then1 with varied success1 have we pursued our course--often amid darkness1 through difficulties and dangers1 and to the present time have we been wafted in safety on our voyage1 because1 as he did ,moses in the ark1 the ,lord hath shut us in4 ,referring whatever of success has attended our efforts to ,his blessing1 and believing that ,he has given us length of days1 and strengthened our weakness1 and poured consolation into our hearts when ready to sink in despair1 in answer to persevering and importunate prayer1 we come to direct our readers to this source of wisdom and aid1--to urge upon them to engage often in this first duty and highest privilege4 ,let us go forth1 dear friends1 to the work we have to do in the education of our families1 having invoked the ,divine blessing upon our efforts1 holding on to the promises of the covenant1 and pleading for their fulfillment in reference to ourselves and our households4 ,as ,mrs4 ,h4 ,more has beautifully said3 ,prayer draws all the ,christian graces into her focus4 ,it draws ,charity1 followed by her lovely train--her forbearance with faults--her forgiveness of injuries--her pity for errors--her compassion for want4 ,it draws ,repentance1 with her holy sorrows--her pious resolutions--her self-distrust4 ,it attracts ,truth1 with her elevated eyes2 ,hope1 with her gospel anchor2 ,beneficence1 with her open hand2 ,zeal1 looking far and wide2 ,humility1 with introverted eye1 looking at home4 ,and who need these graces more than parents1 in the government and training of those committed to their charge8 ,could our ,savior rise a great while before day1--forego the pleasures of social intercourse with his beloved disciples1 and retiring to the mountains1 offer up prayers with strong crying and tears1 unto ,him who was able to save from death in that he feared1 and shall we1 intrusted with the immortal destinies of our beloved offspring1 refuse to follow his example1 and pleading want of time and opportunity for this service1 be guilty of unbelief1 of indolence1 and worldly-mindedness8 ,you labor in vain1 dear readers1 unless the arm of the ,almighty shall be extended in your behalf1 and you cannot receive the blessing except you ask it4 ,let then your supplications be addressed to your ,father in heaven2--pray humbly1 believingly1 perseveringly1 for wisdom and aid1 then may you expect to be blessed4 ,so important is this duty1 and so much is it neglected1 that we could not forbear to urge your attention thereto1 ere we entered upon another year4 ,and will not our ,christian friends remember us in their prayers1 asking that we may be directed in what we shall say and do this present year1 in the work in which we are engaged8 ,and if ,god shall answer our united petitions1 we shall not labor in vain4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,to ,,fathers4 ,,by ,,amicus4 ,how gladly would the writer gain 7were it possible7 the ear of every father in the land1 if it were but for the short space of one quarter of an hour1--nay1 some ten minutes1 at a propitious time1--such a time as1 perhaps1 occasionally occurs1 when business cases are not pressing1 when the mind is at ease1 and the heart has ceased its worldly throbbings4 ,he wants such a quarter of an hour1 if it ever exists4 ,and for what8 ,that he may have an opportunity to propose some worldly scheme1--some plan which has reference to the probable accumulation of hundreds of thousands8 ,nothing of the kind4 ,fathers at the present day generally need no suggestions of this sort--no impulses from me in that direction4 ,they are already so absorbed1 that it is difficult to gain their attention to any matters which do not concern the line of business in which they are engaged4 ,look for a moment at that busy1 bustling man2 you see him walking down ,broadway this morning2 it is early1 quite early4 ,may be he is calling a physician1 or is on some visit to a sick friend4 ,he walks so fast2 and though early1 there is something on his brow which indicates care and anxiety4 ,and yet ,i think no one of his family is sick1 nor do ,i know of any of his friends who are sick4 ,i have seen that man out thus early so often1 and hurrying at just that pace1 that ,i suspect1 after all1 he is on his way to his place of business4 ,that1 doubtless1 is the whole secret4 ,he is engaged in a large mercantile concern4 ,it seems to require--at least it takes--all his attention4 ,he is absorbed in it4 ,and1 if you repair to his store or office at any hour of the day1 you can scarcely see him1--not at all1--unless it be on some errand connected with his business1 or with the business of some office he holds1 and which must be attended to2 and even in these matters you will find him restless4 ,he attends to you so far as to hear your errand2 and what then8 ,why1 if it will require any length of time1 he says3 ,i am very busy at this moment1 ,i can't possibly attend to it to-day2 will you call to-morrow8 ,i may then have more leisure4 ,well1 you agree for to-morrow4 ,please name the hour1 you say4 ,he replies--,i can't name any hour2 but call1 say after twelve o'clock1 and ,i will catch a moment1 if ,i can1 to talk over the business4 ,now1 that merchant is not to blame for putting you off4 ,his business calls are so many and so complex1 that he scarcely knows which way to turn1 nor what calculations to make4 ,the real difficulty is1 he has undertaken too much2 his plans are too vast2 his irons1 as they say1 are too many4 ,this is the morning aspect of affairs4 ,watch that merchant during the day1--will you find things essentially different8 ,the morning1 which is dark and cloudy and foggy1 is sometimes followed by a clear1 bright1 beautiful day4 ,the mists at length clear off1 the clouds roll away1 and a glorious sun shines out broadly to gladden the face of all nature4 ,not so with the modern man of business4 ,it is labor1 whirl1 toil1 all the day1 from the hour of breakfast till night puts an end to the active1 hurrying concerns of all men4 ,there is no bright1 cheerful1 peaceful day to him4 ,scarcely has he time to eat--never to enjoy his dinner1--that must be finished in the shortest possible time3 often at some restaurant1 rather than with his family4 ,not one member of that does he see from the time he leaves the breakfast table till night1 dark night has stretched out her curtain over all things4 ,let us go home with him1 and see how the evening passes4 ,his residence1 from his place of business1 perchance1 is a mile or two distant--may be some fifteen or twenty1 in which latter case he takes the evening train of cars4 ,in either case he arrives home only at the setting in of the evening shades4 ,how pleasant the release from the noise and confusion of the city6 or1 if he resides within the city1 how pleasant in shutting his door1 as he enters his dwelling1 to shut out the thoughts and cares of business6 ,his tea is soon ready1 and for a little time he gives himself up to the comforts of home4 ,his wife welcomes him1 his children may be hanging upon him1 and he realizes something of the joys of domestic life6 ,scarcely1 however1 is supper ended1 before it occurs to him that there is a meeting of such a committee1 or such an insurance company1 to which he belongs1 and the hour is at hand1 and he must go4 ,and he hies away1 and in some business on hand he becomes absorbed till the hours of nine1 ten1 or eleven1 possibly twelve o'clock4 ,he returns again to his home1 wearied with the toils of the day1--his wife possibly1 but certainly his children1 have retired1--and he lays his aching head upon his pillow to catch some few hours of rest1 and with the morning light to go through essentially the same busy routine1 the same absorbing care1 the same wearing1 weary process4 ,this is an outline of the life which thousands of fathers are leading in this country at this present time4 ,we do not pretend that it is true of all1--but is it not substantially true1 as we have said1 of thousands8 ,and not only of thousands in our crowded marts of commerce1 but in our principal towns--nay1 even in our rural districts4 ,it is an age of impulse4 ,every thing is proceeding with railroad speed4 ,every branch of business is urged forward with all practical earnestness4 ,every sail is set--main-sail1 top-sails1 star-gazers1 heaven-disturbers--all expanded to catch the breeze1 and urge the vessel to her destined port4 ,this thirst for gain6 this panting after fortune6 this competition in the race for worldly wealth1 or honor1 where is it leading the present generation--where8 ,to men who have families--to fathers1 who see around them children just emerging from childhood into youth1 or verging toward manhood1--this is and should be a subject of the deepest interest4 ,fathers6 am ,i wrong when ,i say you are neglecting your offspring8 ,neglecting them8 do ,i hear you respond with surprise2--,am ,i not daily1 hourly stretching every nerve and tasking every power to provide for them1 to insure them the means of an honorable appearance in that rank of society in which they were born1 and in which they must move8 ,in these days of competition1 who sees not that any relaxation involves and necessarily secures bankruptcy and ruin8 ,i hear you1 and you urge strongly1 powerfully your cause4 ,you must1 indeed1 provide for your household4 ,you must be diligent in business4 ,you may--you ought in some good measure1 to keep up with the spirit1 the progress of the age4 ,but has it occurred to you that there is danger in doing as you do2 that you will neglect some other interests of your children as important1 to say the least1 as those you have named8 ,are not your children immortal8 ,have they not souls of priceless value8 ,have they not tendencies to evil from the early dawn of their being8 ,and must not these souls be instructed--watched over8 ,do they not need counsel--warning--restraint8 ,o yes6 ,i hear you say1 they must be instructed--restrained--guided--all that1 but this is the appropriate business and duty of their mother4 ,i leave all these to her4 ,i have no leisure for such cares myself2 my business compels me to leave in charge all these matters to her4 ,and where1 my friend--if ,i may speak plainly--do you find any warrant in the ,word of ,god for such assumptions as these8 ,leave all the care of your children's moral and religious instruction1 guidance1 restraint1 to their mother6 ,it is indeed her duty1 and in most cases she finds it her pleasure1 to watch over her beloved ones4 ,and in the morning of their being1 and in the first years of their childhood1 it is hers to watch over them1 to cherish them1 and to bring out and direct the first dawnings of their moral and intellectual being4 ,but beyond this the duties of father and mother are coincident4 ,at a certain point your responsibilities touching the training of your children blend4 ,i find nothing in the ,word of ,god which separates fathers and mothers in relation to bringing up their children in the ways of virtue and obedience to ,god4 ,i know what fathers plead4 ,i see the difficulties which often lie in their path4 ,i am aware of the competition which marks every industrial pursuit in the land4 ,and many men who wish it were different1 who would love to be more with their families1 who would delight to aid in instructing their little ones1 find it1 they think1 quite impossible so to alter their business--so to cast off pressure and care1 as to give due attention to the moral and religious training of their children4 ,but1 fathers1 might you not do better than you do8 ,suppose you should make the effort to have an hour each day to aid your wife in giving a right moral direction to your little ones8 ,how you would encourage her6 ,what an impulse would you give to her efforts6 ,now1 how often has she a burden imposed upon her1 which she is unable to bear6 ,what uneasiness and worry--what care and trouble are caused her1 by having1 in this matter of training the children1 to go on single-handed6 whereas1 were your parental authority added to her maternal tenderness1 your children would prove the joy of your hearts and the comfort of your declining years4 ,but as you manage--or rather as you neglect to manage them1 a hundred chances to one if they do not prove your sorrow1 when in years you are not able well to sustain it4 ,gather a lesson1 my friend1 from the conduct of ,david in respect to ,absolom4 ,he neglected him--he indulged him1 and what was the consequence8 ,the bright1 beautiful1 gifted ,absolom planted thorns in his father's crown1--he attempted to dethrone him1--he was a fratricide1--he would have been a parricide3 and what an end6 ,oh1 what an end6 ,listen to the sorrowful outpourings of a fond1 too fond1 unfaithful parent3 ,my son1 oh1 my son ,absolom1--would to ,god ,i had died for thee1 oh1 ,absolom1 my son1 my son6 ,take another example1 and may it prove a warning to such indulgence and such neglect6 ,eli had sons1 and they grew up1 and they walked in forbidden ways1 and he restrained them not2 yet he was a good man3 but good men are sometimes most unfaithful fathers1 and what can they expect8 ,shall we sin because grace abounds8 ,shall we neglect our children in expectation that the grace of ,god will intervene to rescue them in times of peril8 ,that expectation were vain while we neglect our duty4 ,that expectation is nearly or quite sure to be realized if duty be performed4 ,but ,i must insist no longer2 ,i will only add1 then1 in a word1--that it were far1 far better that your children should occupy a more humble station in life--that they should be dressed in fewer of the silks of ,ormus1 and have less gold from the mines of ,ind1 than to be neglected by a father in regard to their moral and religious training4 ,better leave them an interest in the ,covenant than thousands of the treasures of the world4 ,your example1 fathers1--your counsel--your prayers1 are a better bequest than any you can leave them4 ,think of leaving them in a cold1 rude1 selfish world1 without the grace of ,god to secure them1 without his divine consolation to comfort4 ,think of the voyage of awful length1 you and they must sail so soon4 ,think of the meeting in another world which lies before you and them1 and say1 ,does the wide world afford that which could make amends for a separation--an eternal separation from these objects of your love8 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,fault-,,finding3 ,,its ,,effects4 ,what in creation have you done6 ,careless boy1 how could you be so heedless8 ,you are forever cutting some such caper1 on purpose to ruin me ,i believe4 ,now go to work1 and earn the money to pay for it1 will you8 lazy fellow6 ,coarse and passionate exclamations these1 and ,i am sorry to say they were uttered by ,mr4 ,colman1 who would be exceedingly indignant if any body should hint a suspicion that he was1 or could be1 other than a gentleman1 and a ,christian4 ,his son1 a bright and well-meaning lad of fourteen1 had accidentally hit the end of a pretty new walking cane1 which his favorite cousin had given him a few hours before1 against a delicate china vase which stood upon the mantle-piece1 and in a moment it lay in fragments at his feet4 ,he was sadly frightened1 and would have been very sorry too1 but for the harsh and ill-timed reproof of his father1 which checked the humble plea for forgiveness just rising to his lips1 and as ,mr4 ,colman left the room1 put on his hat and coat in the hall1 and closed the street door with more than usual force1 to go to his store1 the young lad's feelings were anything but dutiful4 ,just then his mother entered4 ,why ,james ,colman6 ,did you do that8 ,i declare you are the most careless boy ,i ever beheld6 ,that beautiful pair of vases your father placed there ,new ,year's morning1 to give me a pleasant surprise4 ,i would not have had it broken for twenty dollars4 ,mother1 ,i just hit it accidentally with this little cane1 and ,i'm sure ,i'm as sorry as ,i can be4 ,and what business has your cane in the parlor1 ,i beg to know8 ,i'll take it1 and you'll not see it again for the present1 if this is the way you expect to use it4 ,you deserve punishment for such carelessness1 and ,i wish your father had chastised you severely4 ,and taking the offending cane from his hand1 she1 too1 left him to meditations1 somewhat like the following3-- ',tis too bad1 ,i declare6 ,if ,i had tried to do the very wickedest thing ,i possibly could1 father and mother would not have scolded me worse4 ,that dear little cane6 ,i told ,henry ,i would show it to him on my way to school1 and now what shall ,i say about it8 ,it's abominable--it's right down cruel to treat me so4 ,when ,i had not intended to do the least thing wrong1 only just as ,i was looking at the bottom of my cane1 by the merest accident the head of it touched that little useless piece of crockery4 ,i hate the sight of you1 he added1 touching the many colored and gilded fragments with the toe of his boot1 as they lay before him1 and ,i hate father and mother1 and every body else--and ,i'm tired of being scolded for nothing at all4 ,big boy as ,i am1 they scold me for every little thing1 just as they did when ,i was a little shaver like ,eddy4 ,what's the use8 ,i won't bear it4 ,i declare ,i won't much longer4 ,and then followed reveries like others often indulged before1 of being his own master1 and doing as he pleased without father and mother always at hand to dictate1 and find fault1 and scold him so bitterly if he happened to make a little mistake4 ,other boys of his age had left home1 and taken care of themselves1 and he would too4 ,i am as good a scholar as any one in school1 except ,charles ,harvey1 and ,i am as strong as any boy ,i play with1 and pity if ,i can't take care of myself4 ,home6 ,yes1 to be sure it might be a dear good home1 but father is so full of business1 and anxious1 and thinking all the time1 he never speaks to one of us1 unless it is to tell us to do something1 or to find fault with what is done4 ,and mother--fret1 fret1 fret1 tired to death with the care of the children1 and company1 and servants1 and societies1 and every thing--it really seems as if she had lost all affection for us--me1 at any rate1 and ,i am sure ,i don't care for any body that scolds at me so1 and the sooner ,i am out of the way the better4 ,i am sure if father is trying to make money to leave me some of it1 ,i'd a thousand times rather he'd give me pleasant words as we go along1 than all the dollars ,i shall ever get--yes1 indeed ,i had4 ,the above scene1 ,i am sorry to say1 is but a sample of what occurred weekly1 and ,i fear ,i might say daily1 or even hourly1 to some member of the family of ,mr4 ,colman1 and yet ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,colman were very good sort of people--made a very respectable appearance in the world1 regular at church with their children--ate symbolically of the body1 and drank of the blood1 of that loving ,savior1 who ever spake gently to the youthful and the erring--and meant to be1 and really thought they were1 the very best of parents4 ,their children were well cared for1 mentally and physically4 ,they were well fed1 well clothed1 attended the best schools--but as they advanced beyond the years of infancy1 there was in each of them the sullen look1 or the discouraged tone1 the tart reply1 or the vexing remark1 which made them any thing but beloved by their companions1 any thing but happy themselves4 ,at home there was ever some scene of dispute1 or unkindness1 to call forth the stern look1 or the harsh command of their parents--abroad1 the mingled remains of vexation and self-reproach1 caused by their own conduct or that of others1 made them hard to be pleased--and so the cloud thickened about them1 and with all outward means for being happy1 loving and beloved1 they were a wretched family4 ,james1 the eldest1 was impetuous and self-willed1 but affectionate1 generous1 and very fond of reading and study1 and with gentle and judicious management1 would have been the joy and pride of his family1 with the domestic and literary tastes so invaluable to every youth1 in our day1 when temptations of every kind are so rife in our cities and larger towns1 that scarcely is the most moral of our young men safe1 except in the sanctuary of ,god1 or the equally divinely appointed sanctuary of home4 ,but under the influences we have sketched1 he had already begun to spend all his leisure time at the stores1 the railroad dpts1 wharves1 engine-houses1 and other places of resort for loiterers1 where he saw much to encourage the reckless and disobedient spirit1 which characterized his soliloquy above quoted4 ,little did his parents realize the effects of their own doings4 ,full of the busy cares of this hurrying life1 they fancied all was going on well1 nor were they aroused to his danger1 until some time after the scene of the broken vase1 above alluded to1 when his more frequent and prolonged absence from home1 at meal times1 and until a late hour in the evening1 caused a severe reprimand from his father4 ,with a heart swelling with rage and vexation1 ,james went to his room--but not to bed4 ,the purpose so long cherished in his mind1 of leaving parental rule and restraint1 was at its height4 ,he opened his closet and bureau1 and deliberately selected changes of clothing which would be most useful to him1 took the few dollars he had carefully gathered for some time past for this purpose1 and made all the preparation he could for a long absence from the home1 parents1 and friends1 where1 but for ungoverned tempers and tongues1 he might have been so useful1 respected and happy4 ,when he could think of no more to be done1 he looked about him4 ,how many proofs of his mother's careful attention to his wishes and his comfort1 did his chamber afford6 ,and his little brother1 five years younger1 so quietly sleeping in his comfortable bed6 ,dearly he loved that brother1 and yet hardly a day passed1 in which they did not vex1 and irritate1 and abuse each other4 ,he was half tempted to lie down by his side1 and give up all thoughts of leaving home4 ,but no4 ,how severe his father would look at breakfast1 and his mother would say something harsh4 ,no4 ,i'll quit1 ,i declare ,i will--and then if their hearts ache1 ,i shall be glad of it4 ,mine has ached1 till it's as hard as a stone4 ,no1 ,i've often tried1 and now ,i'll go4 ,i won't be called to account1 and scolded for staying out of the house1 when there is no comfort to be found in it4 ,and again rose before his mind many scenes of cold indifference or harshness from his parents1 which had1 as he said1 hardened his heart to stone4 ,i'll bid good bye to the whole of it4 ,little ,em1--darling little sister6 ,i wish ,i could kiss her soft sweet cheek once more4 ,but she grows fretful every day1 and by the time she is three years old1 she will snap and snarl like the rest of us4 ,i'll be out of hearing of it any way4 ,and he softly raised the window sash1 and slipped upon the roof of a piazza1 from which he had often jumped in sport with his brothers1 and in a few moments was at the dpt4 ,soon the night train arrived1 and soon was ,james in one of our large cities--and inquiring for the wharf of a steamer about to sail for ,california2 and when the next ,sabbath sun rose upon the home of his youth1 he was tossing rapidly over the waves of the wide1 deep1 trackless ocean1 one moment longing to be again amid scenes so long dear and familiar1 and the next writhing1 as he thought of the anger of his father1 the reproaches of his mother4 ,on he went1 often vexed at the services he was called to perform1 in working his passage out1 for which his previous habits had poorly prepared him4 ,on went the stanch vessel1 and in due time landed safely her precious freight of immortal beings at the desired haven--but some of them were to see little of that distant land1 where they had fondly hoped to find treasure of precious gold1 and with it happiness4 ,the next arrival at ,new ,york brought a list of recent deaths4 ,seven of that ship's company1 so full of health and buoyancy and earthly hopes1 but a few short months before1 were hurried by fevers to an untimely1 a little expected grave4 ,and on that fatal list1 was read with agonized hearts in the home of his childhood1 the name of their first-born--,james ,colman1 aged sixteen4 ,boys6 ,if your father and mother1 in the midst of a thousand cares and perplexities1 of which you know nothing--cares1 often increased seven-fold1 by their anxieties for you1 are less tender and forgiving than you think they should be1 will you throw off all regard for them1 all gratitude for their constant proofs of real affection1 and make shipwreck of your own character and hopes1 and break their hearts8 ,no--rather with noble disregard of your own feelings1 strive still more to please them1 to soothe the weary spirit you have disturbed1 and so in due time you shall reap the reward of well-doing1 and the blessing of ,him1 who hath given you the fifth commandment1 and with it a promise4 ,fathers6 ,provoke not your children to anger1 lest they be discouraged1 for the tempter is ever at hand to lead them astray4 ,the harsh reproof--the undeserved blame--cold silence1 where should be the kind inquiry1 or the affectionate welcome--oh1 how do these things chill the young heart1 and plant reserve where should be the fullest confidence1 if you would save your child4 ,mothers6 ,where shall the youthful spirit look for the saving influence of love1 if not to you8 ,the young heart craves sympathy4 ,it must have it--it will have it4 ,if not found at home1 it will be found in the streets1 and oh1 what danger lurks there6 ,fathers and mothers--see to it1 that if your child's heart cease to beat1 your own break not with the remembrance of words and looks1 that bite like a serpent and sting like an adder6 ,,ellen ,,ellison4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,chinese ,,daughters4 ,chnghi1 ,aug4 #aeth1 #ahea4 ,,my ,,dear ,,mrs4 ,,whittelsey3 ,in order to keep before my own mind a deep interest for this people1 and to awaken corresponding sympathies in my native land1 ,i make short monthly memorandums of my observations among the ,chinese4 ,they are indeed a singular people1 with manners and customs peculiar to themselves2 and it would seem that1 in domestic life1 every practice was the opposite of our own2 but in the kindly feelings of our nature1 those whom ,i have seen brought under the influence of ,christian cultivation1 are as susceptible as those of any nation on earth4 ,at first they are exceedingly suspicious of you1--they do not1 they cannot understand your motives in your efforts to do them good2 and it is not until by making one's actions consistent with our words1 and by close observation on their part1 that you enjoy their confidence4 ,since ,i last wrote ,i have been quite indisposed4 ,during my husband's absence in committee my nurses were ,chinese girls1 one eleven1 the other thirteen years of age4 ,no mother who had bestowed the greatest care and cultivation upon her daughters1 could have had more affectionate attention than ,i had from these late heathen girls1--they were indeed unto me as daughters1--every want was anticipated1 and every thing that young1 affectionate hearts could suggest1 was done to alleviate my pain4 ,one has been four years1 the other a year and a-half1 under instruction4 ,christianity softens1 subdues1 and renders docile the human mind1 before the dark folds of heathenism have deepened and thickened with increasing years4 ,one of these pupils1 after reading in the ,new ,testament the narrative of ,christ's sufferings1 one day asks--,why did ,jesus come and suffer and be crucified8 ,i then explained to her as well as ,i could in her own tongue4 ,she always seems thoughtful when she reads the ,scriptures4 ,will some maternal association remember in prayer these ,chinese girls8 ,during the current month a vile placard has been published against foreigners1 and some of the pupils have been railed at by their acquaintances for being under our instruction4 ,one1 on returning from a visit to her friends1 told me the bitter and wicked things that were said and written2 ,i asked her if she had found them true8 she said ,no4 ,i asked her if foreigners1 such as she had seen1 spoke true or false8 ,she said always true4 ,did they wish to kill and destroy the ,chinese as the placard stated8 ,she replied1 ,no2 but they helped the poor ,chinese when their own people would not4 ,the mothers were somewhat alarmed lest we were all to be destroyed4 ,we told them there was nothing to fear1 and their confidence remained unshaken4 ,the school has enjoyed a recess of a week from study1 but they do not go to their own homes1 except to return the same day4 ,our house is just like a bee-hive1 with their activity at their several employments2 and usually some deprivation is a sufficient punishment for a dereliction from any duty4 ,who will pray for these daughters8 ,who will sympathize with the low-estate of the female sex in ,china8 ,i appeal to the happy mothers and daughters of ,america1 our dear native land4 ,though severed from thee voluntarily1 willingly1 cheerfully1 yet do we love thee still2 thy ,sabbaths hallowed by the voice of prayer and praise2 thy ,christian ordinances blessed with the ,spirit's power4 ,oh1 when will ,china1 the home of our adoption1 be thus enlightened1 and her idol temples turned into sanctuaries for the living ,god8 ,affectionately1 ,,eliza ,j4 ,,bridgman4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,ministering ,,spirits4 ,,lines ,,written ,,for ,a ,,little ,,girl ,,by ,,an ,,episcopal ,,clergyman4 ,do ,,angels minister to me-- ,can such a wonder ever be8 ,oh1 sure they are too great2 ,too glorious with their raiment white1 ,and wings so beautiful and bright1 ,upon a child to wait4 ,yet so it is in truth1 ,i know1 ,for ,jesus ,christ has told us so1 ,and that to them is given ,the loving task to guard with care ,and keep from every evil snare ,the chosen ones of heaven4 ,and so if ,i am good and mild1 ,and try to be a holy child1 ,my angel will rejoice2 ,and sound his golden harp to ,him ,who dwells among the cherubim1 ,and praise ,him with his voice4 ,but if ,i sin against the ,lord1 ,by evil thought or evil word1 ,or do a wicked thing2 ,ah6 then what will my angel say8 ,oh1 he will turn his face away1 ,and vail it with his wing4 ,then let us pray to ,him who sends ,his angels down to be our friends1 ,that1 strengthened by his grace1 ,i may not prove a wandering sheep1 ,nor ever make my angel weep1 ,nor hide his glorious face4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,a ,,temptation ,,and ,,its ,,consequences4 ,not long since1 in one of the cities on the ,atlantic seaboard1 there was a lad employed in a large jewelry establishment4 ,a part of his duty was to carry letters to the post-office1 or to the mail-bag on the boat1 when too late to be mailed in the regular way4 ,on one occasion1 after depositing his letters1 he observed a part of a letter1 put in by some other person1 projecting above the opening in the bag4 ,seizing the opportunity he extracted this letter without being seen1 and took it home4 ,on examination he found it contained a draft for one thousand dollars4 ,forging the name of the person on whom it was drawn1 he presented the draft at a bank and drew the money1 and very soon afterwards proceeded to a distant western city4 ,after a little while1 the draft was missed and inquiries made4 ,it was found that this lad had been near the mailbag on the day when the missing letter had been put in it1 that he was unusually well provided with money1 and that he had suddenly disappeared4 ,officers of justice were commissioned to find him4 ,they soon traced him to his new residence1 charged him with his crime1 which he at once confessed1 and brought him back to meet the consequences of a judicial investigation4 ,after a short imprisonment he was released on bail1 but still held to answer1 and thus the case stands at present4 ,he must of course be convicted1 but whether the penalty of the law will be inflicted in whole or in part1 it will be for the ,executive to say4 ,meanwhile the circumstances suggest some thoughts which may be worth the reader's attention4 ,this lad was a member of a ,sunday school1 but irregular in his attendance1 and this latter fact may in some degree explain his wandering from the right path4 ,he might1 indeed1 have been a punctual attendant on his class1 and still have fallen into this gross sin1 but it is not at all probable4 ,and it is curious and instructive1 that wherever any inmates of prisons1 houses of refuge1 or other places of the kind1 are found to have been connected with ,sunday-schools1 it is nearly always stated in accompaniment that they attended only occasionally and rarely4 ,again1 how much weight is there in ,job's remarkable expression 7ch4 #ca3e71 ,i have made a covenant with my eyes6 ,the eye1 the most active of our senses1 is the chiefest inlet of temptation1 and hence the apostle ,john specifies the lust of the eyes as a leading form or type of ordinary sins4 ,the lad in the case before us allowed his eye to dwell on the letter1 until the covetous desire to appropriate it had grown into a fixed purpose4 ,had he made the same covenant as ,job1 and turned his eye resolutely away as soon as he felt the first wrongful emotion in his heart1 the result had been widely different4 ,but he rather imitated the unhappy ,achan1 who1 in recounting his sin1 says1 ,when ,i saw among the spoils a ,babylonish garment and two hundred shekels of silver1 and a wedge of gold1 then ,i coveted them4 ,a fool's eyes soon lead his hands astray4 ,here also we see the deceitfulness of the heart4 ,a mere boy of fifteen years1 of good ordinary training1 at least in part connected with a ,sunday-school1 and not prompted by any urgent bodily necessity1 commits a crime punishable by fine and imprisonment4 ,had any one foretold to him a week before even the possibility of this occurrence1 how indignantly would he have spurned the very thought6 ,that he should become1 and deservedly so1 the inmate of a felon's cell--how monstrous the supposition6 ,yet so it came to pass4 ,the heart is deceitful above all things1 and he who trusts in it is cursed4 ,multitudes find their own case the renewal of ,hazael's experience4 ,when ,elijah told him the enormities he1 when on the throne of ,syria1 would practice1 he exclaimed--,is thy servant a dog that he should do these things8 ,he was not then1 but he afterwards became just such a dog4 ,but if the heart be deceitful1 sin is scarcely less so4 ,when the poor boy first clutched his prize1 as he esteemed it1 he promised himself nothing but pleasure and profit1 but how miserably was he deceived6 ,after he had converted the draft into money1 and thus rendered its return impossible without detection1 he saw his guilt in its true character1 and for many nights tossed in torment on a sleepless bed1 while at last he was made to take his place along with hardened convicts in a city prison4 ,thus it always is with sin4 ,like the book the apostle ate in vision1 it is sweet as honey in the mouth1 but bitter in the belly4 ,like the wine ,solomon describes1 it may sparkle in the cup and shoot up its bright beads on the surface1 but at the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder4 ,the experiment has been tried times without number1 from the beginning in ,eden down to our own day1 by communities and by individuals1 but invariably with the same result4 ,the way of transgressors is hard1 however it may seem to them who are entering upon it a path of primrose dalliance4 ,and surely whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise4 ,finally1 how needful is it to pray--,lead us not into temptation4 ,snares lie all around us1 whether old or young1 and it is vain to seek an entire escape from their intrusion4 ,the lad we are considering1 had not gone out of his way to meet the temptation by which he fell4 ,on the contrary1 he was doing his duty1 he was just where he ought to have been4 ,yet there the adversary found him1 and there he finds every man4 ,the very fact that one is in a lawful place and condition is apt to throw him off his guard4 ,there is but one safeguard under grace1 and that is habitual watchfulness4 ,without this the strongest may fall--with it1 the feeblest may stand firm4 ,o for such a deep and abiding conviction of the keenness of temptation and the dreadful evil of sin as to lead all to cry mightily unto ,god1 and at the same time be strenuous in effort themselves--to pray and also to watch4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,memoir ,,of ,,mrs4 ,,van ,,lennep4 ,the following review1 written by ,mrs4 ,d4,e4 ,sykes1 of the ,memoir of ,mrs4 ,m4,e4 ,van ,lennep1 we deem among the finest specimens of that class of writings4 ,the remarks it contains on the religious education of daughters are so much in point1 and fall in so aptly with the design of our work1 that we have obtained permission to publish it4 ,we presume it will be new to most of our readers1 as it originally appeared in the ,new ,englander1 a periodical which is seldom seen1 except in a ,theological ,library4 ,an additional reason for our publishing it is1 our personal interest both in the reviewer1 who we are happy to say has become a contributor to our pages1 and the reviewed--having been associated with the mothers of each1 for a number of years1 in that most interesting of all associations1 ,the ,mother's ,meeting4 ,for eleven years1 ,mary ,e4 ,hawes1 afterwards ,mrs4 ,van ,lennep1 was an attentive and interested listener to the instructions given to the children at our quarterly meetings--and it is interesting to know that her mother regards the influence of those meetings as powerfully aiding in the formation of her symmetrical ,christian character4 ,an eminent painter once said to us1 that he always disliked to attempt the portrait of a woman2 it was so difficult to give to such a picture the requisite boldness of feature and distinctness of individual expression1 without impairing its feminine character4 ,if this be true in the delineation of the outer and material form1 how much more true is it of all attempts to portray the female mind and heart6 ,if the words and ways1 the style of thinking and the modes of acting1 all that goes to make up a biography1 have a character sufficiently marked to individualize the subject1 there is a danger that1 in the relating1 she may seem to have overstepped the decorum of her sex1 and so forfeit the interest with which only true delicacy can invest the woman4 ,it is strange that biography should ever succeed4 ,to reproduce any thing that was transient and is gone1 not by repetition as in a strain of music1 but by delineating the emotions it caused1 is an achievement of high art4 ,an added shade of coloring shows you an enthusiast1 and loses you the confidence and sympathy of your cooler listener4 ,a shade subtracted leaves so faint a hue that you have lost your interest in your own faded picture1 and of course1 cannot command that of another4 ,even an exact delineation1 while it may convey accurately a part of the idea of a character1 is not capable of transmitting the more volatile and subtle shades4 ,you may mix your colors never so cunningly1 and copy never so minutely every fold of every petal of the rose1 and hang it so gracefully on its stem1 as to present its very port and bearing1 but where is its fragrance1 its exquisite texture1 and the dewy freshness which was its crowning grace8 ,so in biography1 you may make an accurate and ample statement of facts1--you may even join together in a brightly colored mosaic the fairest impressions that can be given of the mind of another--his own recorded thoughts and feelings--and yet they may fail to present the individual4 ,they are stiff and glaring1 wanting the softening transition of the intermediate parts and of attending circumstances4 ,and yet biography does sometimes succeed1 not merely in raising a monumental pile of historical statistics1 and maintaining for the friends of the departed the outlines of a character bright in their remembrance2 but in shaping forth to others a life-like semblance of something good and fair1 and distinct enough to live with us thenceforward and be loved like a friend1 though it be but a shadow4 ,such has been the feeling with which we have read and re-read the volume before us4 ,we knew but slightly her who is the subject of it1 and are indebted to the memoir for any thing like a conception of the character2 consequently we can better judge of its probable effect upon other minds4 ,we pronounce it a portrait successfully taken--a piece of uncommonly skillful biography4 ,there is no gaudy exaggeration in it1--no stiffness1 no incompleteness4 ,we see the individual character we are invited to see1 and in contemplating it1 we have all along a feeling of personal acquisition4 ,we have found rare treasure2 a true woman to be admired1 a daughter whose worth surpasses estimation1 a friend to be clasped with fervor to the heart1 a lovely young ,christian to be admired and rejoiced over1 and a self-sacrificing missionary to be held in reverential remembrance4 ,unlike most that is written to commemorate the dead1 or that unvails the recesses of the human heart1 this is a cheerful book4 ,it breathes throughout the air of a spring morning4 ,as we read it we inhale something as pure and fragrant as the wafted odor of ----old cherry-trees1 ,scented with blossoms4 ,we stand beneath a serene unclouded sky1 and all around us is floating music as enlivening as the song of birds1 yet solemn as the strains of the sanctuary4 ,it is that of a life in unison from its childhood to its close2 rising indeed like an unbroken hymn of praise to ,god4 ,there is no austerity in its piety1 no levity in its gladness4 ,it shows that virtue in herself is lovely1 but if goodness is ever awful1 it is not here in the company of this young happy ,christian heart4 ,we have heard1 sometimes1 that a strictly religious education has a tendency to restrict the intellectual growth of the young1 and to mar its grace and freedom4 ,we have been told that it was not well that our sons and daughters should commit to memory texts and catechisms1 lest the free play of the fancy should be checked and they be rendered mechanical and constrained in their demeanor1 and dwarfish in their intellectual stature4 ,we see nothing of this exemplified in this memoir4 ,one may look long to find an instance of more lady-like and graceful accomplishments1 of more true refinement1 of more liberal and varied cultivation1 of more thorough mental discipline1 of more pliable and available information1 of a more winning and wise adaptation to persons and times and places1 than the one presented in these pages4 ,and yet this fair flower grew in a cleft of rugged ,calvinism2 the gales which fanned it were of that wind of doctrine called rigid orthodoxy4 ,we know the soil in which it had its root4 ,we know the spirit of the teachings which distilled upon it like the dew4 ,the tones of that pulpit still linger in our ears1 familiar as those of that good old bell1 and we are sure that there is no pulpit in all ,new ,england more uncompromising in its demands1 more strictly and severely searching in its doctrines4 ,but let us look more closely at the events of this history of a life1 and note their effect in passing upon the character of its subject4 ,,mary1 daughter of the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,hawes1 of ,hartford1 ,conn41 was born in #ahba4 ,following her course through her youth1 we are no where surprised at the development of any remarkable power of mind4 ,she was prayerful and conscientious1 diligent in acquiring knowledge1 enthusiastic in her love of nature1 evincing in every thing a refined and feminine taste1 and a quick perception of the beautiful in art1 in literature1 and in morals4 ,but the charm of her character lay in the warmth of her heart4 ,love was the element in which she lived4 ,she loved ,god--she loved her parents--she loved her companions--she loved everybody4 ,it was the exuberant1 gushing love of childhood1 exalted by the influences of true piety4 ,she seems never to have known what it was to be repelled by a sense of weakness or unworthiness in another1 or to have had any of those dislikes and distastes and unchristian aversions which keep so many of us apart4 ,she had no need to unlearn contempt4 ,this was partly the result of natural temperament1 but not all4 ,such love is a ,christian grace4 ,he that hath it1 has it because he dwelleth in ,god and ,god in him4 ,it is the charity which ,paul inculcated2 that which thinketh no evil1 which hopeth and believeth all things4 ,it has its root in humility2 it grows only by the uprooting of self4 ,he who would cultivate it1 must follow the injunction to let nothing be done through strife or vainglory1 but in lowliness of heart esteem others better than himself4 ,as ,jesus took a little child and set him in the midst to teach his disciples1 so would we place this young ,christian woman in the assemblies of some who are called of men ,rabbi1 ,rabbi1 that they may learn from her which be the first principles of the ,christian life4 ,but let no one suppose that there was any weakness or want of just discrimination in the subject of this memoir4 ,it is true that the gentler elements predominated in her character1 and her father knew what she needed1 when he gave her the playful advice to have more of ,cato4 ,without ,christian principle she might have been a victim of morbid sensitiveness1 or even at the mercy of fluctuating impulses2 but religion supplied the tonic she needed1 and by the grace of ,god aiding her own efforts1 we see her possessed of firmness of purpose and moral courage enough to rebuke many of us who are made of sterner stuff4 ,for want of room we pass over many beautiful extracts from the memoir made to exhibit the traits of her character1 and to illustrate what is said by the reviewer4 ,in ,september1 #ahdc1 ,miss ,h4 was married to the ,rev4 ,j4 ,van ,lennep1 and in the following ,october sailed with him for his home in ,smyrna4 ,our readers have learned from the letter of ,rev4 ,mr4 ,goodell1 which we lately published1 through what vicissitudes ,mrs4 ,van ,lennep passed after her arrival at ,constantinople1 which had been designated as her field of labor4 ,it was there she died1 ,september #bg1 #ahdd1 in the twenty-third year of her age1 only one year and twenty-three days from her marriage-day1 and before she had fully entered upon the life to which she had consecrated herself4 ,of her it has been as truly as beautifully said3 ,thy labor in the vineyard closed1 ,long e'er the noon-tide sun1 ,the dew still glistened on the leaves1 ,when thy short task was done4 ,and yet this life1 so little in itself1 may be found to have an importance in its consequences1 hardly anticipated at first by those who1 overwhelmed by this sudden and impetuous providence1 were ready to exclaim1 ,to what purpose is this waste8 ,her day of influence will extend beyond the noon or the even-tide of an ordinary life of labor4 ,sweet ,mary ,hawes 7as she is named by one who never saw her1 and whose knowledge of her is all derived from the volume we have been reviewing71 shall long live in these pages1 embalmed in unfading youth1 to win and to guide many to ,him1 at whose feet she sat and learned to choose the better part4 ,her pleasant voice will be heard in our homes1 assuring our daughters that there is no sphere of usefulness more pleasant than this2 bidding them believe that it is a comfort to take the weight of family duties from a mother1 to soothe and cheer a wearied father1 and a delight to aid a young brother in his evening lesson1 and to watch his unfolding mind4 ,they shall catch her alacrity and cheerful industry1 and her facility in saving the fragments of time1 and making them tell in something tangible accomplished in them4 ,they shall be admonished not to waste feeling in discontented and romantic dreaming1 or in sighing for opportunities to do good on a great scale1 till they have filled up as thoroughly and faithfully as she did the smaller openings for usefulness near at hand4 ,she shall lead them by the hand to the ,sabbath-school teacher's humble seat1 on the tract distributor's patient circuit1 or on errands of mercy into the homes of sickness and destitution1--into the busy sewing-circle1 or the little group gathered for social prayer4 ,it is well too that they should have such a guide1 for the offense of the ,cross has not yet ceased1 and the example of an accomplished and highly educated young female will not fail of its influence upon others of the same class1 who wish to be ,christians1 and yet are so much afraid of every thing that may seem to border on religious cant1 as to shrink back from the prayer-meeting1 and from active personal efforts for the salvation of others4 ,her cheerful piety shall persuade us that it is indeed the simplest1 the easiest1 the most blessed thing in the world1 to give up the heart to the control of ,god1 and by daily looking to him for strength to conquer our corrupt inclinations1 to grow in every thing that will make us like him4 ,her bright smile is worth volumes to prove that ,jesus can indeed satisfy the heart1 and that if the experience of most of us has taught us to believe1 that there is far more of conflict than of victory in the ,christian warfare1--more shadow than sunshine resting upon the path of our pilgrimage1 most of the fault lies in our own wayward choice4 ,the child-like simplicity and serene faith of this young disciple1 shall often use to rebuke our anxious fears1 and charm away our disquietudes with the whisper--that sweet word1 ,,trust1 tells all4 ,her early consecration of her all to the great work of advancing the ,redeemer's kingdom1 shall rouse us who have less left of life to surrender1 to redouble our efforts in spreading like love and joy and peace1 over the earth1 lest when it shall be said of her1 ,she hath done what she could1 it shall also be added1 ,she hath done more than they all4 ,there has been no waste here1--no sacrifice but that by which1 in oriental alchemy1 the bloom and the beauty of the flower of a day is transmitted into the imperishable odor1 and its fragrance concentrated1 in order that it may be again diffused abroad to rejoice a thousand hearts4 ,if any ask again1 ,to what purpose was this waste8--we answer1 ,the ,lord had need of it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we are indebted to ,god for the gift of ,washington3 but we are no less indebted to him for the gift of his inestimable mother4 ,had she been a weak and indulgent and unfaithful parent1 the unchecked energies of ,washington might have elevated him to the throne of a tyrant1 or youthful disobedience might have prepared the way for a life of crime and a dishonored grave4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,instruction ,,of ,,the ,,young ,,in ,,the ,,doctrines ,,and ,,precepts ,,of ,,the ,,gospel4 ,,mrs4 ,a4 ,g4 ,,whittelsey3 ,,dear ,,madam--,it is among the recollections of my early youth1 that your departed husband was pastor of one of the churches in the southern section of ,litchfield ,county1 ,conn4 ,among the distinguishing religious characteristics of that portion of country1 at that period1 was the soundness of the ,congregational churches in the faith of the gospel3 the means for which1 in diligent use1 were1 the faithful preaching of the gospel in its great and fundamental doctrines and precepts2 and catechetical instruction1 in the family and in the school4 ,i am not informed as to the present habits there1 on the latter means4 ,but knowing what was the practice1 extensively1 in regard to the instruction of children and youth1 and what its effects on the interests of sound piety and morals in those days1 ,i feel myself standing on firm ground for urging upon the readers of your ,magazine1 the importance of the instruction of the young in the doctrines and duties of the gospel4 ,the position taken in your ,magazine1 on that great and important subject1 ,infant ,baptism1 is one which you will find approved and sustained by all who fully appreciate the means for bringing the sons and daughters of the ,church to ,christ4 ,i hope that in its pages will also be inculcated all those great and distinguishing doctrines and commands of our holy religion1 which1 in the ,bible1 and in the minds of all sound and faithful men1 and all sound confessions of ,christian faith1 stand inseparably associated with ,infant ,baptism4 ,such instruction should be imparted by parents themselves2 not left to teachers in the ,sabbath-school alone2 as soon as the minds of children begin to be capable of receiving instruction1 of any kind1 and of being impressed1 permanently1 by such instruction4 ,it should be imparted frequently--or1 rather1 constantly1--as ,god directed his anointed people3 ,and these words which ,i command thee this day shall be in thine heart2 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children1 and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house1 and when thou walkest by the way1 and when thou liest down and when thou risest up4 ,it should be done with clearness and simplicity1 adapted to the minds of children and youth2 with particularity2 and with a fullness1 as regards the whole word of ,god1 which shall not leave them uninstructed in any doctrine or command in the sacred word4 ,these points in the manner of instructing the young are suggested1 with an eye to the fact1 that since the establishment of ,sunday-schools1 there is a temptation for parents to leave to others this important work2 that it is therefore delayed till the age at which children have learned to read1--by which time1 some of the best opportunities for impressing truth have become lost--because also there is infrequency and omission of duty2 and because there is not always the requisite pains taken to have children understand what is taught2 and indefinite ideas on the doctrines and precepts of the gospel are the consequences2 and because there is an inclination1 too often indicated1 to pass over some doctrines and precepts1 under the notion that they are distasteful1 and will repel the young mind from religion4 ,we set down as a principle of sound common sense1 as well as religion1 that every truth of the ,bible which is concerned in making men wise unto salvation1 is to be taught to every soul whose salvation is to be sought1 and that at every period of life4 ,let a few words be said1 relative to the advantages of thorough and faithful instruction of the young1 in the doctrines and duties of the gospel4 ,it pre-occupies and guards their minds against religious error4 ,it prepares them early and discriminately to perceive and understand the difference between ,bible truth1 and the words taught by men1 however ingenious and plausible4 ,it exerts a salutary moral influence1 even before conversion takes place1--which is of high importance to a life of correct morality4 ,it prepares the way for intelligent and sound conversion to ,god1 whenever that desirable event takes place2 and for subsequent solidity and strength of ,christian character1 to the end of life4 ,added to these1 it may in strict propriety be asserted1 that the influence of thorough instruction in the sound and sacred truths of ,god's word is inestimable upon the intellect as well as on the heart4 ,divine truth is the grand educator of the immortal mind4 ,it is therefore an instrumentality to be used in childhood and youth1 as well as in adult years4 ,the objection often made1 to omit instruction as advocated in this article1--that children and youth cannot understand it1--is founded in a mistake4 ,thousands and thousands of biographies of children and youth present facts which obviate the objection and go to correct the mistake4 ,it is the beauty of what our ,savior called the kingdom of ,god1--the religion of the gospel1--that while it is to be received by every one as a little child1 it is received by many a little child1 who is early taught it4 ,but on the other hand1 it is an affecting and most instructive fact1 that of multitudes who are left uninstructed in early life1 in the truths of the gospel2 that ,scripture is proved but too true1 ever learning1 and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth4 ,may your ,magazine1 dear ,madam1 be instrumental in advancing the best interests of the rising generation1 by its advocacy of bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord2 into which enters1 fundamentally1 teaching to the young1--by parents themselves1--and that right early1 constantly1 clearly1 particularly and fully1 the truths of the gospel2 the sure and unerring doctrine and commands of the ,word of ,god4 ,with ,christian salutations1 yours truly1 ,e4 ,w4 ,,hooker4 ,south ,windsor1 ,conn41 ,august1 #ahea4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,death-,,bed ,,scene4 ,the following death-bed conversation of a beloved daughter1 detailed to us by her mother1 exhibits such sweet resignation and trust in ,god1 that we give it a place in our ,magazine4 ,would that we all might be prepared to resign this life with cheerfulness1 and with like hopes enter upon that which is to come6 ,mother1 said she1 ,i once thought ,i could be a ,christian without making a profession of religion1 but when ,god took my little ,burnet from me1 ,i knew he did it to subdue the pride of my heart and bring me to the foot of the ,cross4 ,satan has been permitted to tempt me1 but the ,savior has always delivered me from his snares4 ,i was absent from her one day for a short time2 when ,i returned she looked at me with such a heavenly expression1 and said3 ,mother1 ,i thought just now ,i was dying2 ,i went to the foot of the ,cross with my burden of sins and sorrows1 and left them there4 ,now all is peace2 ,i am not afraid to die4 ,her father coming1 she took his hand in hers and said3 ,my dear father1 if ,i have prayed for one thing more than another1 it has been for your salvation1 but ,god1 doubtless1 saw that my death 7which will1 ,i know1 be one of the greatest trials you have ever met with7 is necessary to save you2 and although ,i love my parents1 husband and children dearly as any one ever did1 and have every thing in this world that ,i could wish for1 yet ,i am willing to die--,here1 ,lord1 take me4 ,her sister coming in1 she said to her3--,my dear ,caroline1 you see what a solemn thing it is to die4 ,what an awful thing it must be for those who have no ,god4 ,dear sister1 learn to love the ,savior1 learn to pray1 do not be too much taken up with the world1 it will disappoint you4 ,after saying something to each one present1 turning to me1 she said3 ,my dear mother1 ,i thank you for your kind care of me1 for keeping me from places of dissipation4 ,i thought once you were too strict1 but now ,i bless you for it4 ,i shall not be permitted to smooth your dying pillow1 but ,i shall be ready to meet you when you land on the shores of ,canaan4 ,dear mother1 come soon4 ,to ,mr4 ,h4 she said3--,dear husband1 you were the loadstone that held me longest to the earth1 but ,i have been enabled to give you up at last4 ,i trust you are a ,christian1 and we shall meet in heaven4 ,take care of our children1 train them up for ,christ1 keep them from the world4 ,she then prayed for them4 ,after lying still for some time1 she said3 ,mother1 ,i thought ,i was going just1 now1 and ,i tried to put up one more prayer for my husband1 children1 and friends1 but 7looking up with a smile71 would you believe ,i could not remember their names1 and ,i just said1 ,here they are1 ,lord1 take them1 and make them what thou wouldst have them1 and bring them to thy kingdom at last4 ,when she was almost cold1 and her tongue stiffened1 she motioned me to put my head near her4 ,my dear child1 said ,i1 it seems to distress you to talk1 don't try4 ,oh1 mother1 let me leave you all the comfort ,i can1 it is you who must still suffer2 my sufferings are just over2 ,i am passing over ,jordan1 but the waves do not touch me2 my ,savior is with me1 and keeps them off4 ,never be afraid to go to him4 ,farewell6 ,and now1 ,lord ,jesus1 come1 ,o come quickly4 ,my eyes are fixed on the ,savior1 and all is peace4 ,let me rejoice6 let me rejoice6 99 99 99 99 99 ,,notices ,,of ,,books4 ,,roger ,,miller1 ,,or ,,heroism ,,in ,,humble ,,life1--,is the title of a small ,narrative--a reprint from a ,london ,edition1 by ,carter and ,brothers1 #bce ,broadway1 ,new ,york4 ,the field of benevolent action of this holy man1 was that great metropolis--,london4 ,his life and character were in fact a counterpart of our own ,harlan ,page4 ,the somewhat extended ,introduction to this reprint was prepared by ,dr4 ,james ,alexander4 ,we feel justified in saying1 with his extensive experience1 and his keen perceptions of truth and of duty in such matters1 this ,introduction is worth all the book may cost4 ,the main thought of the work suggests ,the condition of our metropolitan population--points out the true remedy for existing evils--shows us the value of lay agency1 and how much may be done by individuals of humble rank and least favored circumstances4 ,every parent has a personal interest to aid and encourage such benevolent action4 ,vice is contagious4 ,let our seaboard towns become flagrantly wicked--with railroad speed the infection will travel far and wide4 ,mothers are invited to peruse this little volume--as an encouragement to labor and pray1 and hope for the conversion of wayward wandering sons--for wicked and profligate youth4 ,roger ,miller1 whose death caused such universal lamentation in the city of ,london1 was for many years a wanderer from ,god1 and was at length converted by means of a tract1 given him by the way-side1 by an old and decrepit woman4 ,,newcomb',s ,,manual--,is a carefully prepared little volume1 containing ,scripture questions1 designed for the use of ,maternal ,associations at their ,quarterly ,meetings4 ,,mary ,,ashton--,is the title of a little work recently issued from the press1 delineating the difference between the character of the ,london boarding-school ,miss1 and one of nearly the same age1 educated and trained by the devoted1 affectionate care of a pious mother4 ,the influence which the latter exerts upon the former is also set forth during the progress of the story4 ,those readers who are fond of delineations of ,english scenery and of the time-hallowed influences of the old ,english ,church1 will be pleased with the style of the volume1 while some few mothers may possess the delightful consciousness of viewing in ,mary ,ashton the image of their loved ones now laboring in the vineyard of the ,lord1 or transferred to his more blessed service in the skies4 ,but few such1 alas6 are to be found among even the baptized children of the ,church2 those on whom the dew and rain gently distilled in the privacy of home and from the public sanctuary bring forth the delightsome plant4 ,god grant that such fruits may be more abundant6 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,recollections ,,illustrative ,,of ,,maternal ,,influence4 ,in thinking over the scenes of my childhood the other day1 ,i was led to trace the path of some of my youthful companions into life2 and ,i could not but be struck with the fact1 that in almost every instance1 both the character and the condition were referable1 in a great measure1 to the influence of the mother4 ,some of them were blessed with good mothers1 and some were cursed with bad ones2 and though the conviction is not in all the cases marked with equal distinctness1 yet in several of them1 the very image and superscription of the mother remains upon the child to this day4 ,i sometimes visit the place which was the scene of my early training1 and inquire for those who were the playmates of my childhood1 and ,i receive answers to some of my inquiries that well nigh make me shudder2 but when ,i think of the early domestic influence1 especially the maternal influence1 to which some of them were subjected1 there is nothing in the account that ,i hear concerning them1 but what is easily explained4 ,for the cause of their present degradation and ruin1 ,i have no occasion to go outside of the dwelling in which they were reared4 ,i am glad to put on record1 for the benefit of both mothers and their children1 two of the cases which now occur to me1 as illustrative of different kinds of maternal influence4 ,one of the boys who attended the same school with me1 and whose father's residence was very near my father's1 was1 even at that early period1 both vulgar and profane in his talk4 ,he seemed destitute of all sense and propriety1 caring nothing for what was due from him to others1 and equally regardless of the good-will of his teacher and of his companions4 ,when ,i returned to the place1 after a few years' absence1 and inquired for him1 ,i was told that he was growing up1 or rather had grown up1 in habits of vice1 which seemed likely to render him an outlaw from all decent society3 that even then he had no associates except from the very dregs of the community4 ,in my visits to my native place ever since1 ,i have kept my eye upon him1 as a sad illustration of the progress of sin4 ,he has been for many years--,i cannot say an absolute sot--but yet an intemperate drinker4 ,he has always been shockingly profane2 not only using the profane expressions that are commonly heard in the haunts of wickedness1 but actually putting his invention to the rack to originate expressions more revolting1 if possible1 than anything to be found in the acknowledged vocabulary of blasphemy4 ,he has been through life an avowed infidel--not merely a deist1 but a professed atheist1--laughing at the idea both of a ,god and a hereafter2 though his skepticism1 instead of being the result of inquiry or reflection1 or being in any way connected with it1 is evidently the product of unrestrained vicious indulgence4 ,his domestic relations have been a channel of grief and mortification to those who have been so unfortunate as to be associated with him4 ,his wife1 if she is still living1 lives with a broken heart1 and the time has been when she has dreaded the sound of his footsteps4 ,his children1 notwithstanding the brutalizing influence to which they have been subjected1 have1 by no means1 sunk down to his standard of corruption2 and some of them at least would seem ready to hang their heads when they call him father4 ,i cannot at this moment think of a more loathsome example of moral debasement than this person presents4 ,i sometimes meet him1 and from early associations1 even take his hand2 but ,i never do it without feeling myself in contact with the very personification of depravity4 ,now1 ,i am not surprised at all this1 when ,i go back to the time when he had a mother1 and remember what sort of a mother she was4 ,she was coarse and vulgar in her habits2 and ,i well recollect that the interior of her dwelling was so neglected1 that it scarcely rose above a decent stable4 ,the secret of this1 and most of her other delinquencies was1 that she was a lover of intoxicating drinks4 ,i believe she sometimes actually made a beast of herself2 but oftener drank only so much as to make her silly and ridiculous4 ,it happened in her case1 as in many similar ones1 that her fits of being intoxicated were fits of being religious2 and though1 when she was herself1 she never1 to my knowledge1 made any demonstrations of piety or devotion2 yet the moment her tongue became too large for her mouth1 she was sure to use it in the most earnest and glowing religious professions4 ,a stranger might have taken her at such a time for a devoted ,christian2 but alas6 her religion was only that of a wretched inebriate4 ,now who can think it strange that such a mother should have had such a son8 ,not only may the general corrupt character of the son be accounted for by the general corrupt influence of the mother1 but the particular traits of the son's character may also be traced to particular characteristics of the mother1 as an effect to its legitimate cause4 ,the single fact that she was intemperate1 and that her religion was confined to her fits of drunkenness1 would explain it all4 ,of course1 the education of her son was utterly neglected4 ,no pains were taken to impress his mind with the maxims of truth and piety4 ,he was never warned against the power of temptation1 but was suffered to mingle with the profane and the profligate1 without any guard against the unhallowed influences to which he was exposed4 ,this1 of itself1 would be enough to account for his forming a habit of vice--even for his growing up a profligate2--for such are the tendencies of human nature1 that the mere absence of counsel and guidance and restraint1 is generally sufficient to insure a vicious character4 ,but in the case to which ,i refer1 there was more than the absence of a good example--there was the presence of a positively bad one--and that in the form of one of the most degrading of all vices4 ,the boy saw his mother a drunkard1 and why should he not become a drunkard too8 ,the boy saw that his mother's religious professions were all identified with her fits of intoxication1 and why should he not grow up as he did1 without any counteracting influence8 why should he not settle down with the conviction that religion is a matter of no moment8 nay1 why should he not become what he actually did become1--a scoffer and an atheist8 ,whenever ,i meet him1 ,i see in his face1 not only a reproduction of his mother's features1 but that which tells of the reproduction of his mother's character4 ,i pity him that he should have had such a mother1 while ,i loathe the qualities which he has inherited from her1 or which have been formed through the influence of her example4 ,the other case forms a delightful contrast to the one already stated1 and is as full of encouragement as that is full of warning4 ,another of my playmates was a boy who was always noticed for being perfectly-correct and unexceptionable in all his conduct4 ,i never heard him utter a profane or indecent word4 ,i never knew him do a thing even of questionable propriety4 ,he was bright and playful1 but never mischievous4 ,he was a good scholar1 not because he had very remarkable talents1 but because he made good use of his time--because he was taught to regard it as his duty to get his lessons well1 and he could not be happy in any other course4 ,his teachers loved him because he was diligent and respectful2 his playmates loved him1 because he was kind and obliging2 all loved him1 because he was an amiable1 moral1 well-disposed boy4 ,he evinced so much promise1 that his parents1 though not in affluent circumstances1 resolved on giving him a collegiate education1 and in due time he became a member of one of our highest literary institutions4 ,there he maintained a high rank for both scholarship and morality1 and graduated with distinguished honor4 ,not long after this1 his mind took a decidedly serious direction1 and he not only gave himself to the service of ,god1 but resolved to give himself also to the ministry of reconciliation4 ,after passing through the usual course and preparation for the sacred office1 he entered it2 and he is now the able and successful minister of a large and respectable congregation4 ,he has already evidently been instrumental of winning many souls4 ,i hear of him from time to time1 as among the most useful ministers of the day4 ,i occasionally meet him1 and see for myself the workings of his well-trained mind1 and his generous and sanctified spirit4 ,i say to myself1 ,i remember you1 when you were only the germ of what you are2 but surely the man was bound up in the boy4 ,i witness nothing in your maturity which was not shadowed forth in your earliest development4 ,here again1 let me trace the stream to its fountain--the effect to its cause4 ,this individual was the child of a discreet and faithful ,christian mother4 ,she dedicated him to ,god in holy baptism1 while he was yet unconscious of the solemn act4 ,she watched the first openings of his intellect1 that no time might be lost in introducing the beams of immortal truth4 ,she guarded him during his childhood1 from the influence of evil example1 especially of evil companions1 with the most scrupulous care4 ,she labored diligently to suppress the rising of unhallowed tempers and perverse feelings1 with a view to prevent1 if possible1 the formation of any vicious habit1 while she steadily inculcated the necessity of that great radical change1 which alone forms the basis of a truly spiritual character4 ,and though no human eye followed her to her closet1 ,i doubt not that her good instructions were seconded by her fervent prayers2 and that as often as she approached the throne of mercy1 she left there a petition for the well-doing and the well-being1 the sanctification and salvation of her son4 ,and her work of faith and labor of love were not in vain4 ,the son became all that she could have asked1 and she lived to witness what he became4 ,she lived to listen to his earnest prayers and his eloquent and powerful discourses4 ,she lived to hear his name pronounced with respect and gratitude in the high places of the ,church4 ,he was one of the main comforters of her old age2 and if ,i mistake not1 he was at her death-bed1 to commend her departing spirit into her ,redeemer's hands4 ,richly was that mother's fidelity rewarded by the virtues and graces which she had assisted to form4 ,though she recognized them all as the fruits of the ,spirit1 she could not but know that in a humble1 and yet very important sense1 they were connected with her own instrumentality4 ,such has been the career of two of the playmates of my childhood4 ,they are both living1 but they have been traveling in opposite directions1--,i may say ever since they left the cradle4 ,and so far as we can judge1 the main reason is1 that the one had a mother whose influence was only for evil1 the other1 a mother who was intent upon doing good4 ,both their mothers now dwell in the unseen world2 while the one is represented on earth by a most loathsome specimen of humanity1 the other by a pure and elevated spirit1 that needs only to pass the gate of death to become a seraph4 ,mothers1 ,i need not say a word to impress the lessons suggested by this contrast4 ,they lie upon the surface1 and your own hearts will readily take them up4 ,may ,god save you from looking upon ruined children1 and being obliged to feel that you have been their destroyers6 ,may ,god permit you to look upon children1 whom your faithfulness has1 through grace1 nurtured not only into useful members of human society1 but into heirs of an endless glorious life6 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,reminiscences ,,of ,,the ,,late ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,h4 ,,gallaudet4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,g4 ,m4 ,,sykes4 ,there is a little legend of the ,queen of ,sheba and wise ,king ,solomon1 which is fragrant with pleasant meaning4 ,she had heard his wonderful fame in her distant country1 and had come with a very great company1 and camels that bare spices1 and gold in abundance1 and precious stones2 this imposing caravan had wound its way over the deserts1 and the royal pilgrim had endured the heat and weariness of the way1 that she might prove the king with hard questions1 at ,jerusalem4 ,this we have upon the highest authority1 though for this particular test we must be content with something less4 ,entering his audience-chamber one day1 she is said to have produced two crowns of flowers1 of rare beauty1 and apparently exactly alike4 ,both are for thee1 ,o wise king1 said she1 but discern between them1 which is the workmanship of the ,most ,high1 and which hath man fashioned in its likeness8 ,we read of costly oriental imitations of flowers in gold and silver1 in pearls1 and amethysts1 and rubies4 ,how shall ,solomon the ,king detect the cunning mimicry8 ,solomon the ,wise has determined4 ,he causes the windows looking upon the gardens of his ivory palace to be thrown open1 and immediately the crown of true flowers is covered with bees4 ,like ,king ,solomon's bees are the instincts of childhood1 sure to detect the fragrance of the genuine blossom in human nature1 and settle where the honey may be found4 ,it was a rare distinction of the good man whose name stands at the head of this chapter1 that children everywhere loved him1 and recognized in him their true friend4 ,an enduring monument of his love for children1 and his untiring efforts to do them good is found in the books he has written for them4 ,his ,child's ,book on the ,soul1 has1 if ,i am not mistaken1 been translated into ,french1 ,german1 and ,modern ,greek1 and has issued from the ,mission-press at ,ceylon1 in one or more of the dialects of ,india4 ,it has also been partially rendered into the vernacular at the missionary stations1 in opposite parts of the world4 ,his ,child's ,book on ,repentance1 and his ,histories of the ,patriarchs1 published by the ,american ,tract ,society1 are the result of diligent study4 ,the ,life of ,moses may be specified1 as having cost him most laborious investigation2 and it is true of them all that there is in them an amount of illustrative ,biblical research1 and a depth of mental philosophy1 which more ambitious writers would have reserved for their theological folios4 ,but even his books1 widely as they are known and appreciated1 convey but an imperfect idea of the writer's power to interest and benefit children4 ,they cannot present his affectionate1 playful manner1 nor the genial and irresistible humor of his intercourse with them4 ,mothers were glad to meet ,mr4 ,gallaudet1 but they were more glad to have their children meet him1 even in the street2 for a kind word1 or a smile of pleasant greeting1 told every young friend1 even there1 that he was remembered and cared for1--and these things encourage children to try to deserve favor4 ,in person1 ,mr4 ,g4 was rather short and slender1 but with an erectness of carriage1 and a somewhat precise observance of the usages of refined society1 which gave him an unfailing dignity of appearance4 ,a certain quaintness of manner and expression was an irresistible charm about him4 ,sure ,i am1 that one little girl will always remember the kind hand stretched out to seize her own1--and the question after the manner of ,mrs4 ,barbauld3 ,child of mortality1 whither goest thou8 ,his most remarkable personal characteristic was the power of expression in his face4 ,the quiet humor of the mouth1 and the bright1 quick glance of the eye1 were his by nature2 but the extraordinary mobility of the muscles was owing1 probably1 to his long intercourse with deaf mutes4 ,it was a high intellectual gratification to see him in communication with this class of unfortunates1 to whom so large a proportion of the labors of his life was devoted4 ,it is said that ,garrick often amused his friends by assuming some other person's countenance4 ,we are sure ,mr4 ,gallaudet could have done this4 ,we remember that he did astonish a body of legislators1 before whom there was an exhibition1 by proving to them that he could relate a narrative to his pupils by his face alone1 without gesture4 ,this power of expression has a great attraction for children4 ,like animals1 they often understand the language of the face better than that of the lips2 it always furnishes them with a valuable commentary on the words addressed to them1 and the person who talks to them with a perfectly immovable1 expressionless countenance1 awes and repulses them4 ,in addition to this1 our friend was never without a pocketful of intellectual bon-bons for them4 ,a child whom he met with grammar and dictionary1 puzzled for months over the sentence he gave her1 assuring her that it was genuine ,latin3-- ,forte dux fel flat in guttur4 ,to another he would give this problem1 from ancient ,dilworth3-- ,if a herring and a half cost three-halfpence1 how many will eleven pence buy8 ,persons who are too stately to stoop to this way of pleasing childhood1 have very little idea of the magic influence it exerts1 and how it opens the heart to receive the good seed of serious admonition from one who has shown himself capable of sympathy in its pleasures4 ,those whose privilege it has been to know ,mr4 ,gallaudet in his own home1 surrounded by his own intelligent children1 have had a new revelation of the gentleness1 the tenderness and benignity of the paternal relation4 ,many years since ,i was a watcher by the bed1 where lay his little daughter1 recovering from a dangerous illness4 ,he evidently felt that a great responsibility was resting upon a young nurse1 with whom1 though he knew her well1 he was not familiar in that character4 ,i felt the earnest look of inquiry which he gave me1 as ,i was taking directions for the medicines of the night4 ,he was sounding me to know whether ,i might be trusted4 ,at early dawn1 before the last stars had set1 he was again by the bed1 intent upon the condition of the little patient4 ,when he was satisfied that she was doing well1 and had been well cared for1 he took my hand in his1 and thanked me with a look which told me that ,i had now been tried1 and found faithful and competent4 ,not only was he a man made of tender charities1 but he was an observant1 thoughtful man1 considerate of the little as well as the great wants of others4 ,i can never forget his gentle ministrations in the sick room of my most precious mother1 who was for many years his neighbor and friend4 ,she had been brought to a condition of great feebleness by a slow nervous fever1 and was painfully sensitive to anything discordant1 abrupt1 or harsh in the voices and movements of those about her4 ,every day1 at a fixed hour1 this good neighbor would glide in1 noiselessly as a spirit1 and1 either reading or repeating a few soothing verses from the ,bible1 would kneel beside her bed1 and quietly1 in a few calm and simple petitions1 help her to fix her weak and wavering thoughts on that merciful kindness which was for her help4 ,day after day1 through her slow recovery1 his unwearied kindness brought him thither1 and gratefully was the service felt and acknowledged4 ,i never knew him in the relation he afterwards sustained to the diseased in mind1 but ,i am sure that his refined perceptions and delicate tact must have fitted him admirably for his chaplaincy in the ,retreat4 ,i retain a distinct impression of him as ,i saw him one day in a character his benevolence often led him to assume1 that of a city missionary2 though it was only the duties of one whom he saw to be needed1 without an appointment1 that he undertook4 ,how he found time1 or strength1 with his feeble constitution1 for preaching to prisoners and paupers1 and visits to the destitute and dying1 is a mystery to one less diligent in filling up little interstices of time4 ,i was present at a funeral1 where1 in the sickness or absence of the pastor1 ,mr4 ,gallaudet had been requested to officiate4 ,it was on a bleak and wintry day in spring3 the wind blew1 and the late and unwelcome snow was falling4 ,there was much to make the occasion melancholy4 ,it was the funeral of a young girl1 the only daughter of a widow1 who had expended far more than the proper proportion of her scanty means in giving the girl showy and useless accomplishments4 ,a cold taken at a dance had resulted in quick consumption1 and in a few weeks had hurried her to the grave4 ,without proper training and early religious instruction1 it was difficult to know how much reliance might safely be placed on the eagerness with which she embraced the hopes and consolations of the ,gospel set before her on her dying bed4 ,her weak-minded and injudicious mother felt that she should be lauded as a youthful saint1 and her death spoken of as a triumphant entrance into heaven4 ,there was much to offend the taste in the accompaniments of this funeral4 ,it was an inconsistent attempt at show1 a tawdry imitation of more expensive funeral observances4 ,about the wasted face of the once beautiful girl were arranged1 not the delicate white blossoms with which affection sometimes loves to surround what was lovely in life1 but gaudy flowers of every hue4 ,the dress1 too1 was fantastic and inappropriate4 ,the mother and little brothers sat in one of the two small rooms2 the mother in transports of grief1 which was real1 but not so absorbing as to be forgetful of self and scenic effect4 ,the little boys sat by1 in awkward consciousness of new black gloves1 and crape bands on their hats4 ,everything was artificial and painfully forlorn2 and the want of genuineness1 which surrounded the pale sleeper1 seemed to cast suspicion on the honesty and validity of her late-formed hope for eternity4 ,but the first words of prayer1 breathed forth1 rather than uttered1 in the low tones the speaker was most accustomed to use1 changed the aspect of the poor place4 ,he was genuine and in earnest4 ,the mother's exaggerated sobs became less frequent1 and real tears glistened in eyes that1 like mine1 had been wandering to detect absurdities and incongruities4 ,we were gently lifted upwards towards ,god and ,heaven4 ,we were taught a lesson in that mild charity which thinketh no evil1--which hopeth all things1 and endureth all things2 and when the scanty funeral train left the house1 ,i could not but feel that the ministration of this good man there had been-- ,as if some angel shook his wings4 ,we preserve even trifling memorials of friends whom we have loved and lost2 and even these recollections1 deeply traced1 though slight in importance1 may bear a value for those who knew and estimated the finely organized and nicely-balanced character of the man who loved to do good by stealth1 and who has signalized his life by bringing1 in his own peculiar and quiet way1 many great enterprises from small beginnings4 ,norwich1 ,ct4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,importance ,,of ,,family ,,religion4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,henry ,t4 ,,cheever4 ,it is a very general remark1 at the present time1 throughout our country1 and the complaint comes back1 especially from the great ,west1 through those who are familiarly acquainted with society there1 that there is a growing spirit of insubordination in the family1 and1 of course1 in the ,state2 and it is ascribed to laxity and neglect in the ,mothers as much as in the ,fathers4 ,its existence is even made the matter of public comment on such occasions as the celebration of the landing of our ,pilgrim ,fathers1 those bright exemplars of family religion4 ,and grave divines and theological professors1 in their addresses to the people1 deprecate it as a growing evil of the times4 ,now1 without entering into other specifications here1 may it not be that a chief reason for the increase of family insubordination is to be found in the ,,decrease ,,of ,,family ,,religion8 ,by this we mean ,religion in the household2 in other words1 the inculcation and observance of the duties of religion in ,american families1 in their organized capacity as separate religious communities4 ,family religion1 in this sense1 implies the acknowledgment of ,god in the family circle1 by the assembling of all its members around the domestic altar1 morning and evening1 and by united prayer and praise to the ,god of the families of all flesh2 by the invocation of ,god's blessing and the giving of thanks at every social repast2 by the strict observance of the ,sabbath2 and by the religious instruction and training of children and servants1 and the constant recognition of ,god's providence and care4 ,this constitutes1 and these are the duties of family religion--duties which no ,christian head of a family1 whether father or mother1 can be excused from performing4 ,they are duties which all who take upon themselves the responsibilities of the family should feel it a privilege to observe4 ,the duty of family prayer1 especially by the one or the other head of the household1 as the leading exercise of the family religion1 should be performed with seriousness1 order and punctuality4 ,john ,angell ,james very properly asks if the dwellings of the righteous ought not to be filled with the very element of piety1 the atmosphere of true religion4 ,yet1 how few are the habitations1 even of professors1 upon entering which the stranger would be compelled to say1 ,surely this is the house of ,god1 this is the gate of heaven6 ,it may be that family prayer is gone through with1 such as it is1 though with little seriousness and no unction4 ,but even this1 in many cases1 is wholly omitted1 and scarcely anything remains to indicate that ,god has found a dwelling in that house4 ,there may be no actual dissipation1 no drunkenness1 no card-playing1 but1 oh6 how little of true devotion is there6 ,how few families are there so conducted as to make it a matter of surprise that any of the children of such households should turn out otherwise than pious6 ,how many that lead us greatly to wonder that any of the children should turn out otherwise than irreligious6 ,on the other hand1 how subduing and how melting are the fervent supplications of a godly and consistent father1 when his voice1 tremulous with emotion1 is giving utterance to the desires of his heart to the ,god of heaven for the children bending around him6 ,is there1 out of heaven1 a sight more deeply interesting than a family1 gathered at morning or evening prayer1 where the worship is what it ought to be8 ,it is hardly to be supposed that any pious heads1 or pious members1 of ,american households1 are in doubt whether family worship be a duty4 ,we are rather to take it for granted1 as a duty universally acknowledged among ,christians1 nature itself serving to suggest and teach it1 and the word of ,god abundantly confirming and enforcing it1 both by precept and example4 ,god himself being the author and constitutor of the family relation1 it is but a dictate of reason that ,he should be owned and acknowledged as such1 who setteth the children of men in families like a flock1 who hath strengthened the bars of thy gates1 and hath blessed thy children within thee4 ,of whom it is said1 ,lo1 children are an heritage of the ,lord1 and the fruit of the womb is his reward4 ,it is this great ,family-,god1 whose solemn charges1 by his servant ,moses1 are as binding upon ,christian families now as of old upon the children of ,israel--,thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul1 and with all thy might3 and these words which ,i command thee this day shall be in thy heart3 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children1 and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house1 and when thou walkest by the way1 and when thou liest down and when thou risest up4 ,this is ,god's command1 and ,he will hold every parent responsible for the religious instruction of his or her children4 ,in such an education for ,god1 which is the duty of the parent and the right of the child1 the habit of family worship constitutes an essential part4 ,nothing can make up for the want of this4 ,neither the best of preaching and instruction in the sanctuary or ,sabbath-school1 nor the finest education abroad1 in the boarding-schools or seminaries1 will at all answer for the daily discipline of family religion4 ,this is something which no artificial accomplishment can supply4 ,a religious home education1 under the daily influence of family worship1 and the devout acknowledgment of ,god at the frugal board1 and the godly example and instruction of a pious parentage1 are more influential upon the future character and destiny of the child than all the other agencies put together4 ,the true divine origin of the domestic economy is to train children1 by habits of virtue1 obedience1 and piety in the family1 to become useful members of society at large and good subjects of the ,state1 and above all to be fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of faith4 ,in order to this the strict maintenance of family religion is absolutely essential4 ,it is therefore laid down as an axiom that no ,state can be prosperous where family order and religion are generally neglected4 ,the present condition of ,france1 and the so far successful villainy of her perjured usurper1 are in proof of this position1 which was understood by one of her statesmen a few years ago1 when he said with emphasis on his dying bed1 ,what ,france wants is family religion2 what ,france wants is family religion4 ,on the contrary1 every ,state will be prosperous1 whatever its political institutions1 where family religion and healthy domestic discipline are strictly maintained4 ,disorderly and irreligious families are the hot-beds of disorderly and irreligious citizens2 on the other hand1 families in which ,god is honored1 and the children educated under the hallowed influences of family religion1 are heaven's own nurseries for the ,state and the ,church4 ,the considerations which should urge every ,christian householder to be strict in the maintenance of family religion are therefore both patriotic and religious4 ,the good results of such fidelity and strictness on the part of parents are by no means limited to their own children1 as the experience of a pious tradesman1 related to his minister in a conversation on family worship1 most instructively proves4 ,when he first began business for himself1 he was determined1 through grace1 to be particularly conscientious with respect to family prayer4 ,morning and evening every individual of his household was required to be present at the domestic altar2 nor would he allow his apprentices to be absent on any account4 ,in a few years the benefits of such fidelity in daily family religion manifestly appeared2 the blessings of the upper and nether springs followed him2 health and happiness crowned his family1 and prosperity attended his business4 ,at length1 however1 such was the rapid increase of trade1 and the importance of devoting every possible moment to his customers1 that he began to think whether family prayer did not occupy too much time in the morning4 ,pious scruples indeed there were against relinquishing this part of his duty2 but soon wordly interests prevailed so far as to induce him to excuse the attendance of his apprentices2 and it was not long before it was deemed advisable for the more eager prosecution of business1 to make praying in the morning when he first arose1 suffice for the day4 ,notwithstanding the repeated checks of conscience that followed this sinful omission1 the calls of a flourishing business concern and the prospect of an increasing family appeared so pressing1 that he found an easy excuse to himself for this unjustifiable neglect of an obvious family duty4 ,but when his conscience was almost seared as with a hot iron1 it pleased ,god to awaken him by a peculiar though natural providence4 ,one day he received a letter from a young man who had formerly been an apprentice1 previous to his omitting family prayer4 ,not doubting but that domestic worship was still continued in the family of his old master1 his letter was chiefly on the benefits which he had himself received through its agency4 ,never1 said he1 shall ,i be able to thank you sufficiently for the precious privilege with which you indulged me in your family devotions6 ,o1 sir1 eternity will be too short to praise my ,god for what ,i have learned4 ,it was there ,i first beheld my lost and wretched estate as a sinner2 it was there that ,i first found the way of salvation1 and there that ,i first experienced the preciousness of ,christ in me the hope of glory4 ,o1 sir1 permit me to say1 ,never1 never neglect those precious engagements4 ,you have yet a family and more apprentices4 ,may your house be the birth-place of their souls6 ,the conscience-stricken tradesman could proceed no further1 for every line flashed condemnation in his face4 ,he trembled1 and was alarmed lest the blood of his children and apprentices should be demanded at his hands4 ,filled with confusion1 and bathed in tears1 ,i fled1 said he1 for refuge in secret4 ,i spread the letter before ,god4 ,i agonized in prayer1 till light broke in upon my disconsolate soul1 and a sense of blood-bought pardon was obtained4 ,i immediately flew to my family1 presented them before the ,lord1 and from that day to the present1 ,i have been faithful1 and am determined1 through grace1 that whenever my business becomes so large as to interrupt family prayer1 ,i will give up the superfluous part of it and retain my devotion4 ,better lose a few dollars than become the deliberate moral murderer of my family and the instrument of ruin to my own soul4 ,now this experience is highly instructive and admonitory4 ,it proves how much good may be doing by family worship faithfully observed when we little know it1 and the importance1 therefore1 of always maintaining it4 ,it proves the goodness of ,god in reproving and checking his children when they neglect duty and go astray4 ,and it shows the insidious way in which backsliding begins and grievous sin on the part of ,god's people4 ,may the engagements of business never tempt any parent that reads this article to repeat the tradesman's dangerous experiment6 ,but if there be any that have fallen into the same condemnation1 as it is to be feared some may have done1 may ,god of his mercy admonish them of it1 and bring them back before such a declension1 begun in the neglect of family religion1 shall be consummated in the decay and loss of personal religion1 and the growing irreligion both of your family and your own soul4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,bonnie ,,bairns4 ,this exquisitely touching ballad we take from the ,songs of ,scotland1 ,ancient and ,modern1 edited by ,allan ,cunningham4 ,he says1 ,it is seldom indeed1 that song has chosen so singular a theme2 but the superstition it involves is current in ,scotland4 ,the ladie walk'd in yon wild wood1 ,aneath the hollow tree1 ,and she was aware of twa bonnie bairns ,were running at her knee4 ,the tane it pulled a red1 red rose1 ,wi' a hand as soft as silk2 ,the other1 it pull'd a lily pale1 ,with a hand mair white than milk4 ,now1 why pull ye the red rose1 fair bairns8 ,and why the white lily8 ,oh1 we sue wi' them at the seat of grace1 ,for soul of thee1 ladie6 ,oh1 bide wi' me1 my twa bonnie bairns6 ,i'll cleid ye rich and fine2 ,and a' for the blaeberries of the wood1 ,yese hae white bread and wine4 ,she sought to take a lily hand1 ,and kiss a rosie chin-- ,o1 naught sae pure can bide the touch ,of a hand red--wet wi' sin6 ,the stars were shooting to and fro1 ,and wild-fire filled the air1 ,as that ladie follow'd thae bonnie bairns ,for three lang hours and mair4 ,oh1 where dwell ye1 my ain sweet bairns8 ,i'm woe and weary grown6 ,oh1 ladie1 we live where woe never is1 ,in a land to flesh unknown4 ,there came a shape which seem'd to her ,as a rainbow 'mang the rain2 ,and sair these sweet babes plead for her1 ,and they pled and pled in vain4 ,and ,o6 and ,o6 said the youngest babe1 ,my mither maun come in2 ,and ,o6 and ,o6 said the eldest babe1 ,wash her twa hands frae sin4 ,and ,o6 and ,o6 said the youngest babe1 ,she nursed me on her knee4 ,and ,o6 and ,o6 said the eldest babe1 ,she's a mither yet to me4 ,and ,o6 and ,o6 said the babes baith1 ,take her where waters rin1 ,and white as the milk of her white breast1 ,wash her twa hands frae sin4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,my ,,little ,,niece1 ,,mary ,,jane4 ,this little girl was doubtless one of those whom the ,savior early prepares for their removal to his pure and holy family above4 ,the sweet1 lovely1 and attractive graces of a sanctified childhood1 shone with a mild luster throughout her character and manners1 as she passed from one period of intelligence to another1 until she had reached the termination of her short journey through earth to heaven4 ,peace to thy ashes1 gentle one6 ,light lie the turf upon thy bosom1 until thou comest forth to a morning1 that shall know no night6 ,after the birth of this their first child1 the parents were continually reminded of the shortness and uncertainty of life1 by repeated sicknesses in the social circle1 and by the sudden death of one of their number1 a beloved sister4 ,whether it was that this had its influence in the shaping of the another's instructions1 or not1 yet such was the fact1 that the subject of a preparation for early death1 was not unfrequently the theme1 when religious instruction was imparted4 ,the mind of the mother was also impressed with the idea of her own responsibility4 ,she felt that the soul of the child would be required at her hands1 and that she must do all in her power to fit it for heaven4 ,hence she was importunate and persevering in prayer1 for a blessing upon her efforts2 that ,god would graciously grant his ,spirit1 not only to open the mind of her child to receive instruction1 but also to set it home and seal it there4 ,her solicitude for the spiritual welfare1 of the child was such1 as often to attract the notice of the writer2 while the results forced upon her mind the conviction1 that the tender bud1 nurtured with so much care and fidelity1 and watered with so many prayers and tears1 would never be permitted to burst into full flower1 in the ungenial soil of earth4 ,mary ,jane had hardly numbered three winters1 when a little sister of whom she was very fond1 was taken dangerously sick4 ,her mother and the nurse were necessarily confined with the sick child2 and she was left very much alone4 ,i would fain have taken the little girl home with me2 but it was feared that a change of temperature might prove unfavorable to her health1 so ,i often spent long hours with her1 in her own home4 ,precious seasons6 ,how they now come up to me1 through the long vista of the dim and distant past1 stirring the soul1 like the faint echoes of melting music1 and wakening within it1 remembrances of all pleasant things4 ,i had been spending an afternoon with her in the usual manner1 sometimes telling her stories1 and again drawing forth her little thoughts in conversation1 and was about taking leave1 when ,i said to her1 ,mary ,jane1 you must be sure and ask ,god to make your little sister well again4 ,sliding down from her chair1 and placing her little hand in mine1 she said with great simplicity1 ,who will lead me up there8 ,having explained to her as well as ,i could1 that it was not necessary for her to go up to heaven2 that ,god could hear her1 although she could neither see him nor hear his answers1 ,i reluctantly tore myself away4 ,yet it was well for the child that ,i did so2 for being left alone1 the train of her thoughts was not diverted to other objects2 and she continued to revolve in her mind1 as was afterwards found1 the idea of asking ,god to make her sister well4 ,that night1 having said her usual evening prayer1 ,our ,father1 ,now ,i lay me down to sleep1 c41 the nurse left her quietly composed to sleep1 as she thought1 but having occasion soon to pass her door1 she found that ,mary ,jane was awake and talking loud4 ,on listening1 she found that the little girl was praying4 ,her language was1 ,my dear ,father up in heaven1 do please to make my little sister well again4 ,before her sister recovered1 she was taken sick herself4 ,a kind relative who was watching by her bedside one night1 offered her some medicine which she refused to take4 ,the watcher said1 ,i want to have you take it2 it will make you well4 ,the sick child replied3 ,the medicine can't cure me--the doctors can't cure me--only ,god can cure me2 but ,jesus1 he can make me well4 ,on being told that it would please ,god1 if she should take the medicine1 she immediately swallowed it4 ,after this she lay for some time apparently in thought2 then addressing the watcher she said1 ,aunty ,b----1 do you know which is the way to heaven8 ,then answering the question herself she said1 ,because if you don't1 you go and ask my uncle ,h----1 and he will tell you which is the way4 ,he preaches in the pulpit every ,sabbath to the people to be good1--and that is the way to go to heaven4 ,were the dear child to come back now1 she could hardly give a plainer or more scriptural direction--for1 without holiness1 no man shall see the ,lord4 ,before ,mary ,jane had recovered from this sickness1 a little brother was added to the number2 thus making a group of infants1 the eldest of whom could number but three years and one month4 ,as the little ones became capable of receiving impressions from religious truth1 ,mary ,jane1 though apparently but an infant herself1 would watch over them with the most untiring vigilance4 ,one thing she was very scrupulous about2 it was their evening prayer4 ,if at any time this had been omitted1 she would appear to be evidently distressed4 ,one evening while her mother was engaged with company in the parlor1 she felt something gently pulling her gown4 ,on looking behind her chair1 she found little ,mary ,jane1 who had crept in unobserved1 and was whispering to her that the nurse had put her little brother and sister to bed without having said their prayers4 ,it was often instructive to me to see what a value this dear child set upon prayer4 ,i have since thought that the recovery of her infant sister1 and her own prayer for the same1 were so associated in her mind1 as to produce a conviction of the efficacy of prayer1 such as few possess4 ,being confined so much to the nursery1 the mother improved the favored season1 in teaching her little girl to read1 to sew and spell2 keeping up at the same time her regular routine of instruction in catechism1 hymns1 c4 ,she had an exercise for the ,sabbath which was admirably adapted to make the day pass1 not only pleasantly but profitably4 ,in the morning1 unless prevented by illness1 she was invariably found in her seat in the sanctuary1 with such of her children as were old enough to be taken to church4 ,in the afternoon she gave her nurse the same privilege1 but retained her children at home with herself4 ,the moment the house was clear1 ,mary ,jane might be seen collecting the little group for the nursery2 alluring them along with the assurance that now mother was going to make them happy4 ,this meeting was strictly in keeping with the sacredness of the day4 ,it was also a social meeting1 each little one as soon as it could speak1 being required to take some part in it1 the little ,mary ,jane setting the example1 encouraging the younger ones in the most winning manner2 and always making one of the prayers4 ,the ,bible was not only the text book1 but the guide4 ,it furnished the thoughts1 and from it the mother selected some portion which for the time1 she deemed most appropriate to the state of her infant audience4 ,singing formed a delightful part of the exercises4 ,the mother had a fine voice1 and the little ones tried to fall in with it1 in the use of some hymn adapted to their tender minds4 ,these meetings were also very serious1 and calculated to make a lasting impression on the tender minds of the children4 ,at the close of one1 the mother who had been telling the children of heaven1 turned to ,mary ,jane1 and said1 ,my dear child1 if you should die now1 do you think you should go to heaven8 ,i don't know1 mother1 was her thoughtful reply2 sometimes ,i think ,i am a good girl1 and that ,god loves me1 and that ,i shall certainly go to heaven4 ,but sometimes ,i am naughty4 ,j---- teazes me1 and makes me unthread my needle1 and then ,i feel angry2 and ,i know ,god does not love me then4 ,i don't know1 mother4 ,i am afraid ,i should not go to heaven4 ,then encouraging herself1 she added in a sweet confiding manner1 ,i hope ,i shall go there2 don't you hope so too1 mother8 ,oh1 who of our fallen race would ever see heaven1 if sinless perfection only1 were to be the ground of our admittance there8 ,true1 we must be free from sin1 before we can enter that holy place2 but this will be1 because ,god hath made ,him to be sin for us who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him4,a ,how much of the great doctrine of ,justification by ,faith in ,christ this little girl could comprehend1 would be very difficult to tell4 ,but1 that she regarded him as the medium through which she must receive every blessing1 there could be no doubt4 ,he died that she might live2 live in the favor and friendship of ,god here1 and live forever in his presence hereafter4 ,since commencing this simple narrative1 ,i have regretted that more of her sweet thoughts respecting ,jesus and heaven could not be recalled4 ,every thing relating to the soul1 to its preparation for another and better state of existence2 to the enjoyments and employments of the blessed1 had an almost absorbing power over her mind2 so that she greatly preferred to read of them1 and reflect upon them1 to joining in the ordinary sports of childhood4 ,yet she was a gentle and loving child1 to her little companions1 and would always leave her book1 cheerfully and sweetly1 when requested to join their little circle for play4 ,but it was evident that she could not as easily draw back her thoughts from their deep and heavenly communings4 ,whenever she witnessed a funeral procession1 instead of lingering over the pageant before her1 her thoughts would follow the individual into the invisible world4 ,was the person prepared for death8 ,had the soul gone to ,god8 were questions which she pondered with the deepest interest4 ,a short time previous to her death1 she was permitted at her urgent and oft repeated request1 to witness the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper4 ,her mother was much affected to see the interest which the dear child manifested on the occasion1 and also the readiness with which she entered into the meaning and design of the sacred ordinance4 ,the entire sixth year of ,mary ,jane was a period of unusual confinement4 ,several members of the family were sick during that time2 her mother more than once2 and she was often confined for whole days to the nursery amusing the younger children and attending to their wants4 ,hence1 when a visit to the 'water-side' was talked of1 the proposal was hailed with joy4 ,the prospect of escaping from her confinement1 of being permitted to go freely into the fresh air1 to see the ocean1 and gather shells and pebbles upon its beach1 was hailed with joyous emotion4 ,yet all these delightful anticipations were destined to disappointment4 ,the family did indeed go to the 'water-side'2 but they had scarcely reached the place when their second daughter was taken alarmingly ill4 ,when the dear child was told that she must return home with her little brother1 not a murmur escaped her lips4 ,not that she cared nothing for the ocean1 or the treasures upon its beach2 but she had learned the great lesson of self-denial1 although so young4 ,a moment before1 and she was exulting in prospect of the joyous rambles in which she should participate1 amidst the groups of sportive children collected at the watering place4 ,but when the carriage was brought to the door1 and her little bonnet was being tied on1 not even1 ',i am sorry' was uttered by her1 although her whole frame trembled with emotion4 ,with a hurried1 though cheerful1 'good bye1 mother1' she leaped into the coach and was gone4 ,the two children were brought home to me2 and as day after day passed and no favorable intimation reached us respecting the sick child1 ,i had ample opportunity to see how she resorted to her old refuge1 prayer4 ,often would the dear child return to me with the clear light shining in her countenance1 after a short season of retirement for prayer4 ,i feel my heart grow warm1 now1 after the lapse of a quarter of a century nearly1 as ,i recall that look1 and that winning request1 ',aunty1 may ,i stay with you8 the children plague me4' ,her two little playmates were boys2 and they could not understand why she refused to unite in their boisterous sports4 ,she could buckle on their belts1 fix on their riding caps1 and aid them in mounting their wooden horses2 but why she would not race up and down with them upon a cane1 they could not comprehend4 ,she was patient and gentle1 towards her little brother4 ,it was a great treat to her1 to be permitted to take him out to walk4 ,i have seldom seen more gratitude expressed by a child1 than she manifested1 when she found that 'aunty' reposed confidence enough in her1 to permit her to take him out alone4 ,and how careful she was not to abuse that confidence1 by going beyond the appointed limits4 ,often since then ,i have found myself adverting to this scene1 as furnishing evidence that a child who fears ,god can be trusted4 ,i can see the dear little girl now1 as she arrived at a particular corner of the street1 from which the house could be seen1 before turning to go back again1 stopping and gazing earnestly at the window1 if perchance she might catch a bow and smile from aunty1 expressing by her countenance more forcibly than words could1 you see ,i am here4 ,,to ,,be ,,continued4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,how ,,early ,,may ,a ,,child ,,be ,,converted ,,to ,,god4 ,in conversation with some ,christian friends1 a few days since1 one young lady remarked that she should never forget a sermon preached by her father several years before1 in which he remarked that ,christian biographers of the present day differed very much from those inspired of ,god to write for succeeding generations1 for they did not fear to tell the faults and expose the sins of primitive ,christians who were to be held up as examples1 while those who now wrote took every possible pains to hide the faults and make the subjects of their memoirs perfection itself1 not admitting they had a fault or flaw in their characters4 ,since hearing these remarks from my pastor1 said she1 ,i have never tried to cultivate a taste for memoirs and have seldom looked into one4 ,depend upon it1 my dear friend1 ,i replied1 you have denied yourself one of the richest means of growth in grace1 and one of the most delightful pleasures afforded the ,christian2 and while your pastor's remarks may have been true of some1 ,i cannot agree with him in condemning all1 for ,i have read most that have come within my reach for ten years past1 and have seen but two that ,i thought merited censure4 ,but you will admit1 continued my friend1 that those published of children are extravagant1 and quite beyond any thing seen in common life4 ,no2 ,i can admit nothing of the kind1 for let me tell you what ,i witnessed when on a visit to a friend missionary's family at ,pairie du ,chien3 ,the mother of little ,george was one of the most spotless characters ,i ever saw1 and as you witnessed her daily walk you could not but realize that she enjoyed intercourse with ,one who could purify and exalt the character1 and 'keep staid on ,him in perfect peace the soul who trusted in ,him4' ,and should it have fallen to my lot to have written her memoirs1 ,i am quite sure it would have been cast aside by those who think with you that memoirs are extravagant4 ,i cannot think because ,david committed adultery1 and the wisest man then living had three hundred wives1 and ,peter denied his ,savior1 that all other ,christians living in the present enlightened age have done or would do these or like grievous sins4 ,it has been my lot at some periods of my life to be cast among ,christians whose confidence in ,christ enabled them to rise far above the attainments made by the generality of ,christians1 indeed so far as to be almost lost sight of1 who would shine as brightly on the pages of written ,christian life4 ,but1 as ,i was going to say1 little ,george was not yet four years old when his now sainted mother and myself stood beside his sick bed1 and beheld the sweet child with his hands clasped over his eyes1 evidently engaged in prayer1 with a look of anguish on his face4 ,we stood there by his side1 watching him constantly for over an hour1 not wishing to interrupt his devotions1 and at last we saw that look of distress gradually disappear1 and as silently we watched him we felt that the influence of ,god's ,spirit was indeed at work in that young heart4 ,at last he looked up at his mother1 and a sweet smile lighted up his little face as he said1 ',mother1 ,i am going to die2 but don't cry1 for ,i am going straight to ,jesus2 my sins are all forgiven1 mother4' ,how do you know that1 my sweet child8 ,why1 ,jesus said so1 ma4 ,said so2 did you1 indeed1 hear any voice1 my son8 ,o no1 mother2 but you know how it is4 ,he speaks it in me1 right here1 here1 mother1 laying his little hand on his throbbing breast4 ,i don't want to live2 ,i want to go where ,jesus is1 and be ,his own little boy1 and not be naughty any more2 and ,i hope ,i shan't get well1 ,i am afraid if ,i do ,i shall be naughty again4 ,o1 mother1 ,i have been a great sinner1 and done many naughty things2 but ,jesus has forgiven me all my sins1 and ,i do wish sister would go to ,him and be forgiven for showing that bad temper1 and all her other sins2 don't you1 ma8 ,contrary to expectation this lovely boy recovered1 and a few days after he got well ,i saw him take his sister's hand and plead with her to come and pray4 ',o1 sister1' he said1 'you will lose your soul if you don't pray4 ,do1 do ask ,jesus to forgive your sins1 ,he will hear you1 ,he will make you happy2 do1 do come right to ,him1 won't you1 sissy8' ,but his sister 7who was six years old7 turned a deaf ear to his entreaties1 and it grieved him so1 that he would go away and cry and pray for her with exceeding great earnestness4 ,months after1 he had the happiness of seeing his sister converted to ,jesus1 and knowing that his infant prayer was answered1 and great indeed was the joy of this young saint1 as well as that of the rest of the household as they saw these two of their precious flock going off to pray together1 not only for themselves1 but for an older brother1 who seemed to have no sympathy with them4 ,well1 said my friend1 this is indeed as remarkable as any thing ,i ever read1 and ,i must say1 hearing it from your own lips1 has a tendency to remove that prejudice ,i have felt toward reading children's conversion4 ,did this child live8 ,o1 yes1 and remains a consistent follower of ,jesus2 he is now twelve years old4 ,this is a very remarkable case1 continued my friend2 very rare precocity4 ,i have never met with any thing of the kind in my life4 ,yet1 ,i have known several such instances in my short life1 one more of which ,i must detain you to relate4 ,,to ,,be ,,continued4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,report ,,of ,,the ,,maternal ,,association1 ,,putnam1 ,,ohio4 ,time1 in its rapid flight1 my dear sisters1 has again brought us to another anniversary of our ,association4 ,it seems but yesterday since we held our last annual meeting1 but while we have been busy here and there1 the fugitive moments have hurried us along almost with the celerity of thought through another year4 ,were it not an established usage of our society1 that something like a report be rendered of the past1 the pen of your secretary would have remained silent4 ,the thought has often arisen1 what foundation have ,i for giving that which will be of any interest to those who may come together8 ,it is true that each month has witnessed the quiet assembling of a little band in this consecrated place1 but how small the number6 ,have we all been here1 with united hearts1 glowing with love for the souls of our children1 and feeling that we had power with ,god1 that we had in our possession that key which is said to unlock heaven1 and bring down precious blessings upon those committed to our charge8 ,have not family cares been suffered1 too often1 to detain some from the place of meeting8 and their absence has thrown the chill air of despondency over those who were here4 ,the average attendance during the year has been but five1 while fourteen names are upon the record as members4 ,are we manifesting that interest in this important cause which those did who were the original founders of this society8 ,almost all of those are now absent1 several have removed to other places2 two1 we trust1 have long since been joining in the praises1 and participating in the enjoyments1 of heaven2 and others1 by reason of illness or the infirmities of age1 are usually detained from the place of prayer4 ,but we trust their hearts are with us2 and shall we not endeavor to be faithful representatives of those whose places we now occupy8 ,have we not motives sufficient to stimulate us to a more diligent discharge of duty8 ,god has given to us jewels of rare beauty1 no gem from mountain or mine1 no coral from the ocean's flow1 can compare with them4 ,and they are of priceless value too2 ,christ's blood alone could purchase them1 and this ,he gave1 gave freely too1 that they might be fitted to deck ,his diadem of glory4 ,he has encased these gems in caskets of exquisite workmanship1 and given them to us1 that we may keep them safely1 and return them to ,him when ,he shall ask them of us4 ,shall we be negligent of this trust8 ,shall we be busy1 here and there1 and suffer the adversary of souls to secure them to himself8 ,we know that ,god is pleased to accept the efforts of the faithful mother2 his language to us is1 ,take this child and nurse it for me1 and ,i will give thee thy wages4 ,but on this condition alone1 are we to receive the reward promised that they be trained for ,his service4 ,and have we not the evidence1 even now1 before us of the fulfillment of ,his precious promise8 ,those of us who were privileged on the last ,sabbath to witness the consecration of that band of youthful disciples to the ,savior1 felt that the efforts of faithful mothers had been blessed1 their prayers had been answered1 and when we remembered that six of those loved ones were the children of our little circle1 and others were intimately connected with some of our number1 we felt our confidence in ,god strengthened1 and ,i trust all gained new encouragement to labor for those who were yet out of the ark of safety4 ,there are others of our number with whom ,god's ,spirit has been striving1 and even now ,his influences are being felt4 ,shall they be resisted1 and those thus influenced go farther from ,him who has died that they might live8 ,not many years since ,i was permitted to stand by the death-bed of a mother in ,israel4 ,her sons were there1 and as she looked at them with eyes in which we might almost see reflected the bright glories of the ,new ,jerusalem1 she exclaimed1 ,dear sons1 ,i shall meet you all in heaven4 ,why1 we were led to ask1 does she say this8 ,two of them had already reached the age of manhood1 and had as yet refused to yield obedience to their ,heavenly ,father4 ,but she trusted in her covenant-keeping ,god1 she had given them to ,him2 for them she had labored and prayed1 and she knew that ,god delighted to answer prayer4 ,we realized the ground of her confidence1 when tidings came to us1 ere that year had expired1 that one of those sons1 far away upon the ocean1 with no ,sabbath or sanctuary privileges within his reach1 had found the ,savior precious to his soul4 ,the other1 ere long1 became an active member of the church on earth4 ,is not our ,god the same in whom she so implicitly trusted1 and will ,he not as readily bless our efforts as hers1 if we are truly faithful8 ,we are all1 ,i trust1 prepared to-day to render a tribute of praise to our ,heavenly ,father1 who has so kindly preserved us during the year now passed4 ,as we look around our little circle we find no place made vacant by death1 ,i mean of those who have been the attendants upon our meeting4 ,we do not forget that the messenger has been sent to the family of our eldest sister1 and removed that son upon whom she so confidently leaned for support4 ,he who so assiduously improved every opportunity to minister to her comfort and happiness1 has been taken1 and not only mother and sisters have been bereaved1 but children1 too1 of this association have1 by this providence1 been made orphans4 ,we trust they have already realized that precious promise1 ,when my father and mother forsake me1 then the ,lord will take me up2 and may ,he whose judgments are unsearchable1 and ,his ways past finding out1 enable that sorely afflicted mother to say1 ,though ,he slay me1 yet will ,i trust in ,him4 ,what the events of the coming year are to be1 as it regards ourselves1 we know not4 ,we would not lift the curtain to gaze into futurity2 but may we each have strength and wisdom given us to discharge faithfully every duty1 that whether living or dying we may be accepted of ,god6 ,,sarah ,a4 ,,guthrie1 ,secretary4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,editor',s ,,table4 ,the steamer ,humboldt1 after a long passage1 having encountered heavy seas1 and been obliged to put into port for repairs1 has just arrived4 ,she has proved herself a stanch vessel1 thoroughly tested her sea-going qualities1 and escaped dangers which would have wrecked an ordinary steamer4 ,her passengers express the utmost confidence in the vessel and her officers1 and advise travelers to take passage in her4 ,our bark has now accomplished a voyage1 during which it met many dangers and delays which as thoroughly tested its power and capacity2 and we too meet with expressions of kindness and confidence1 some of which we venture to extract from letters which the postman has just laid on our table4 ,a lady1 residing near ,boston1 writes thus3 ,permit me to assure you1 my dear ,madam1 of my warmest interest in you and your work1 and of my earnest desire that your enterprise may prove a successful one4 ,your work certainly deserves a wide circulation1 and has in my opinion a stronger claim upon the patronage of the ,christian public than any other with which ,i am acquainted4 ,you must have met with embarrassments in commencing a new work1 and hence1 ,i suppose1 the occasional delays in the issuing of your numbers4 ,a lady from ,michigan writes3 ,my dear ,mrs4 ,w41 we rejoice in the success which has thus far attended your efforts in the great work of your life4 ,may their results1 as manifested in the lives and characters of the children of the land1 for many many years1 prove that your labors were not in vain1 in the ,lord4 ,we were beginning to have some anxiety as to the success of your ,magazine from not receiving it as early as we expected2 no other periodical could fill its place4 ,may you1 dear ,madam1 long be spared to edit it1 and may you have all the co-operation and patronage you need4 ,a friend says3 ,our pleasant interview1 after a lapse of years1 and those years marked by many vicissitudes1 has caused the tide of feelings to ebb and flow till the current of my thoughts is swollen into such a stream of intensity as to lead me1 through this channel of communication1 to assure you of my warmest sympathy and my deep interest in the important work in which you have been so long engaged4 ,it was gratifying to learn from your lips that amid the varied trials which have been scattered in your pathway ,god has been your refuge and strength--a very present help in trouble1 and cheering to hear your widowed heart sing of mercy and exult in the happiness of that precious group who have gone before you into the eternal world4 99 99 99 ,my dear friend1 may the sentiments and doctrines inculcated in your work drop as the rain1 and distill as the dew1 fertilizing and enlivening the sluggish soul1 and encouraging the weary and heavy-laden4 ,i know you need encouragement in your labor of love1 and as ,i expect soon to visit ,m----1 when ,i shall greet that precious ,maternal ,association to which ,i belonged for so many years1 and which has so often been addressed by you1 through the pages of your ,magazine1 as well as personally1 ,i shall hope to do something in increasing the circulation of the work there4 99 99 ,your friend1 ,e4 ,m4 ,r4 ,we have many other letters from which we might make similar extracts1 but our purpose in making the above was to give us an opportunity to say to our friends1 that our bark is again ready for sea1 with the flattering prospect of making a pleasant voyage1 and that our sails are trimmed and need but the favoring breeze to speed it on its way4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,cousin ,,mary ,,rose2 ,,or1 ,a ,,child',s ,,first ,,visit4 ,,by ,,georgiana ,,may ,,sykes4 ,how capricious is memory1 often retaining through life trivial and transient incidents1 in all the freshness of minute details1 while of far more important events1 where laborious effort has been expended to leave a fair and lasting record1 but faint and illegible traces frequently remain6 ,far back in my childhood1 so far that ,i am at a loss where to place it1 is a little episode1 standing so far apart from the main purport of its history1 that ,i do not know how it happened1 or whether the original impression was deepened by its subsequent recurrence4 ,this was a visit to the village of ,w----1 the home of my ,cousin ,mary ,rose4 ,i remember distinctly the ride2 short it must have been1 since it was but four or five miles from home1 but it seemed long to me then4 ,there was great elation of spirits on my part1 and no particular excitement2 but a very sedate pace on the part of our old horse1 to whose swinging gait a monotonous creaking of the old-fashioned chaise kept up a steady response1 not unharmonious1 as it was connected in my mind with the idea of progress4 ,i remember the wonders of the way1 particularly my awe of a place called ,folly ,bridge1 where a wide chasm1 filled with many scattered rocks1 and the noisy gurgle of shallow water1 had resulted from an attempt to improve upon the original ford4 ,green fields1 and houses with neat door-yards1 thickened at last into a pretty village1 with a church and school-house1 stores and workshops4 ,then1 turning from the main street1 near the church1 we took a quiet lane1 which soon brought us to a pause1 where our wheels indented the turf of a green slope1 before the gate of a long1 low dwelling1 half buried in ancient lilac trees4 ,this was the home of ,aunt ,rose1 who1 though no veritable aunt of mine1 was one of those choice spirits1 to all the world akin1 around whose memory lingers the fragrance of deeds of kindness4 ,here1 by special invitation1 ,i had come on a visit--my first visit from home4 ,i had passed through no small excitement in the prospect of that event4 ,i had anxiously watched every little preparation made for it1 and my own small packing had seemed momentous4 ,i felt to the full the dignity of the occasion4 ,the father and mother1 the brothers and sisters1 the inseparable and often tedious nursery-maid1 ,harriet1 were all left behind4 ,i stood for the first time on my individual responsibility among persons of whom ,i had known but little4 ,the monotony of home-life was broken in upon1 and my eyes and ears were both open to receive new impressions4 ,doubtless1 the careful mother1 who permitted me to be placed in this new situation1 was well satisfied that ,i should be subjected only to good influences1 but had they been evil1 ,i should certainly have been lastingly affected by them1 since every thing connected with the house and its inmates1 the garden1 the fields1 the walks in the village1 lives still a picture of vivid hues4 ,what induced the family to desire my company1 ,i do not know2 ,i have an idea that ,i was invited because1 like many other good people1 they liked the company of children1 and in the hope that ,i might contribute to the element of home-cheerfulness1 with which they liked to surround their only daughter1 my ,cousin ,mary ,rose1 whose tall shadowy figure occupies in my recollections1 as it did in reality1 the very center of this household group4 ,that she was an invalid1 ,i gather from many remembered trifles1 such as the constant consideration shown for her strength in walks and rides1 the hooks in the ceiling from which her swing-chair had formerly hung 7at which ,i used to gaze1 thinking it such a pity that it had ever been removed72 her quiet pursuits1 and her gentle1 and rather languid manner4 ,she must have been simple and natural1 as well as refined in her tastes1 and of a delicate neatness and purity in her dress4 ,if she was a rose1 as her name would indicate1 it must have been a white rose2 but ,i think she was more like a spotted lily4 ,there was her father1 of whom ,i remember little1 except that he slept in his large arm-chair at noontide1 when ,i was fain to be quiet1 and that he looked kindly and chatted pleasantly with me1 as ,i sat on his knee at twilight4 ,i found my place at once in the household4 ,if ,i had any first feelings of strangeness to be overcome1 which is probable1 as ,i was but a timid child1 or if ,i wept any tears under deserved reproof1 or was in any trouble from childish indiscretions1 the traces of these things have all vanished2 nothing remains but the record of long summer-days of delight4 ,up and down1 in and out1 ,i wandered1 at will1 within certain limits4 ,an old cider mill 7for such things were in ,new ,england7 in the orchard was the remotest verge in one direction2 to sit near it1 and watch the horse go slowly round and round1 and chat with ,chauncey1 the youngest son of the house1 who was superintending it1 was a great pleasure2 but most of my out-of-doors enjoyments were solitary4 ,i think this must have given a zest to them1 for at home ,i was seldom alone4 ,i was one of a little troop of brothers' and sisters1 whose pleasures were all plays1 gregarious and noisy4 ,it was a new thing to be so quiet1 and to give my still fancies such a range4 ,i was never weary of watching the long processions of snow-white geese1 moving along the turfy sides of the road1 solemn and stately1 each garnished with that awkward appendage the poke1 which seemed to me very cruel1 since1 in my simplicity1 ,i believed that the perpendicular rod in the center passed1 like a spit1 directly through the bird's neck4 ,then1 how inexhaustible were the resources of the flower garden1 on the southern side of the house1 into which a door opened from the parlor1 the broad semicircular stone doorsteps affording me a favorite seat4 ,what a variety of treasures were spread out before me3 larkspurs1 from whose pointed nectaries ,i might weave circles without end1 varying the pattern of each by alternate proportions of blue1 and pink1 and white4 ,there were foxgloves to be examined1 whose depths were so mysteriously freckled2 there were clusters of cowslips1 and moss-pinks to be counted4 ,there were tufts of ribbon-grass to be searched as diligently as ever merchandise in later days1 for perfect matches2 there were morning-glories1 and moon-sleeps1 and four o'clocks1 and evening primroses to be watched lest they might fail to be true to their respective hours in opening and shutting4 ,there were poppies1 from whose diminished heads the loose leaves were to be gathered in a basket1 7for they might stain the apron17 and lightly spread in the garret for drying4 ,there were ripe poppy-seeds to be shaken out through the curious lid of their seed-vessel1 in which a child's fancy found a curious resemblance to a pepper-box2 ,i often forced it to serve as one in the imaginary feasts spread out on the door-step1 though there were no guests to be invited1 except plenty of wandering butterflies1 or an occasional humming-bird1 whizzing about the crimson blossoms of the balm4 ,oh1 the delights of ,aunt ,rose's flower-garden6 ,then1 there were the chickens to be fed1 and the milking of the cows to be assisted at1 and a chat enjoyed1 meanwhile1 with good-natured ,nancy1 the maid1 to stand beside whose spinning-wheel when1 in an afternoon1 she found time to set it in motion1 herself arrayed in a clean gown and apron1 was another great delight4 ,but my greatest enjoyments were found in ,cousin ,mary ,rose's pleasant chamber1 which always seemed bright with the sunshine4 ,from its windows ,i looked out over fields of grain1 and fruitful orchards1 and green meadows1 sloping all the way to the banks of the blue ,connecticut4 ,i doubt if ,i had ever known before that there was any beauty in a prospect4 ,there was plenty of pleasant occupation for me in that chamber4 ,i had my little bench1 on which ,i sat at her feet1 and read aloud to her as she sewed1 something which she had selected for me4 ,though ,i never had an opportunity of knowing her in years when ,i was more capable of judging of character 7for we were separated1 first by distance1 and now1 alas1 by death71 ,i am sure that she must at that time have been of more than the average taste and cultivation among young ladies4 ,sure ,i am that she opened to me many a sealed fountain4 ,my range of reading had been limited to infant story-books and easy school-lessons4 ,she took from her book-shelves ,cowper1 and made me acquainted with his hares1 ,tiny and ,bess1 and enlisted my sympathies for his imprisoned bullfinch4 ,she turned over many leaves of the ,spectator and ,rambler1 till she found for me allegories and tales of ,bagdad and ,balsora1 and showed me the ,vision of ,mirza1 the ,valley of ,human ,miseries1 and the ,bridge of ,human ,life2 ,i caught something of their meaning1 though ,i could not grasp the whole1 and became so enamored of them that when ,i returned home nothing would satisfy me but the loan of my favorites1 that ,i might share the great pleasure of these wonderful stories with my friends there4 ,how great was my surprise to find that the same books held a conspicuous place in the library at home6 ,the little pieces of needlework1 too1 which filled a part of every day1 unlike the tedious1 never-ending patchwork of school1 were pleasant4 ,cousin ,mary ,rose well understood how to make them so1 when she coupled the setting of the delicate little stitches with the idea of doing a service or giving a pleasure to somebody4 ,this was a bag for ,nancy4 ,to-morrow1 it was a cravat for ,chauncey4 ,now1 this same ,chauncey was my special delight1 he being a lively youth of eighteen1 the only son at home1 with whom1 after tea1 ,i had always a merry race1 or some inspiriting game of romps4 ,and then1 feat of all1 came the hemming of a handkerchief for ,mr4 ,williams4 ,but who was ,mr4 ,williams8 ,i had no manner of idea who he was1 or what relation he held to the family1 which entitled him to come in unceremoniously at breakfast1 dinner or tea-time1 and gave him the privilege of driving my ,cousin ,mary ,rose over hill and valley for the benefit of her health4 ,in these rides ,i often had my share1 for my little bench fitted nicely into the old-fashioned chaise1 where ,i sat quietly between the two1 looking out for wonders with which to interrupt the talk going on above my head4 ,not that the talk was altogether unintelligible to me4 ,it often turned on themes of which ,i had heard much4 ,it spoke of ,god1 of heaven1 of the goodness and love of the blessed ,savior1 of the hopes and privileges of the ,christian4 ,i liked to hear it2 there was no constraint in it4 ,they might have talked of any thing else2 but ,i knew they chose the topic because they liked it1--,i felt that they were true ,christians1 and that it was safe and good to be near them4 ,sometimes the conversation turned on earthly hopes and plans1 and then it became less intelligible to me4 ,one ride1 ,i remember1 which occupied a long summer afternoon4 ,we left home after an early dinner1 and wound our way over hills rocky and steep1 from which we would catch views of the river1 keeping always near its bank1 till we came to ,mr4 ,williams's own home1 or rather that of his mother4 ,what a pleasant visit was that6 ,how ,mr4 ,williams's mother and sisters rejoiced over our coming6 ,what a pet they made of me6 and how much they seemed inclined to pet my ,cousin ,mary ,rose4 ,i have an indistinct idea of a faint flush passing now and then over the ,white ,rose4 ,what a joyous1 bountiful time it was6 ,such pears1 and peaches1 and apples as were heaped up on the occasion6 ,how social and cheerful was the gathering around the teatable1 lavishly spread with dainties6 ,how golden and glorious looked the hills1 the trees1 and the river in the last rays of the setting sun1 as we started from the door on our return6 ,how the sunset faded to twilight1 and the dimness gave place to the light of the rising moon1 long before we reached the door1 where anxious ,aunt ,rose was watching for us6 ,how much talk there was with the old people about it all2 for ,i suspect that1 in their life of rare incidents1 it was the custom to make much of every thing that occurred4 ,what an unlading there was of the chaise-box1 and bringing to light of peaches and pears1 which kept the journey in remembrance for many days after6 ,that night1 as on every other night of my stay1 my kind cousin saw me safely placed in my bed1 after ,i had knelt beside her to repeat my evening prayer4 ,then1 as she bent to kiss me1 and gently whispered1 ,god bless thee1 child1 she seemed to leave her serene spirit as a mantle of repose4 ,when the ,sabbath came1 ,i walked hand in hand with her to the village church4 ,there was much there to distract my attention1 particularly in that rare sight1 the ample white wig 7the last of the wigs of ,connecticut67 on the head of the venerable minister1 who1 though too infirm for much active service1 still held his place in the pulpit2 but ,i listened with all my might1 intent on hearing something which ,i might remember1 and repeat to please ,cousin ,mary ,rose2 for ,i knew that she would expect me to turn to the text1 and would question me whether ,i had understood it4 ,i have pleasant hymns too1 in recollection1 which date back to this very time4 ,they have outlived the beautiful little purse which was ,mr4 ,williams's parting gift to me1 and the tortoise-shell kitten1 with which ,aunt ,rose sought to console me1 in my grief at seeing myself sent for to return home4 ,the summons was sudden but peremptory1 and ,i obeyed it with a sad heart4 ,i cannot tell how long afterwards it was1 for months and years are not very different in the calendar of childhood1 when ,i was surprised with the announcement that a change had come over ,cousin ,mary ,rose4 ,she was changed to ,mrs4 ,williams1 and had gone with him1 ,i think1 to the ,south4 ,i doubt if any trace of the family is still to be found in the pleasant village which was their home4 ,the parents have gone to their rest4 ,the younger members removed long ago to the distant ,west4 ,my ,cousin ,mary ,rose1 for many years a happy and useful wife1 has at last found1 in some part of the great western valley1 a peaceful grave4 ,i do not know the spot where she lies1 but ,i would fain twine around it these little blossoms of grateful remembrance4 ,there is a moral in this slight sketch which ,i wish to impress on the daughters who read this ,magazine4 ,it is that their influence is greater than they may suppose4 ,children read the purpose1 the motive of conduct1 and understand the tenor of character2 they are attracted by feminine grace and refinement2 they are keen admirers of personal beauty1 and they can be won by goodness and gentleness4 ,never1 dear young friends1 overlook or treat with indifference a child thrown in your way4 ,you may lose by it a choice opportunity of conferring happiness and lasting benefit4 ,norwich1 ,conn4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,my ,,little ,,niece1 ,,mary ,,jane4 ,,concluded4 ,when the sick child had recovered1 and the family were again collected1 ,mary ,jane was sent to school4 ,this was a delightful change to her--she loved her teacher1 she loved the little girls1 she loved her book1 but more than all1 her needle4 ,the neatly folded patchwork made by her little fingers1 is kept as a choice relic to this day4 ,she had been in school just one month when she was taken sick4 ,whether this was owing to the confined air of the school-room1 or to a too close application to her studies and work1 is not known4 ,she returned from school one evening1 and having sat with the family at the table as usual1 she went to her mother1 and with rather unusual earnestness requested her to take her in her lap and tell her a story4 ,to be told a story in mother's lap was regarded as a great indulgence by the children4 ,the little ones on hearing her request1 ran to mother and insisted on being attended to first4 ,take me up1 mother1 and do take me up4 ,at length ,mary ,jane with her usual self-denial restored quiet by requesting her mother to begin with the youngest first4 ,when a short story had been told her little brother1 and she was about occupying the desired position1 she again yielded her right to the importunities of her younger sister4 ,a longer story was now told1 in which she became quite interested herself1 so that when her turn came1 she appeared somewhat exhausted4 ,as her mother took her in her arms1 she laid her head upon her shoulder1 saying it ached very hard4 ,it was thought that sleep would restore her1 so she was placed in bed4 ,at midnight the mother was aroused by the ineffectual efforts of ,mary ,jane to awaken her nurse4 ,on entering the chamber1 she found that the dear child had not slept at all4 ,her head was throbbing with pain1 and she was saying in a piteous manner1 ,i can't wake up ,nancy4 ,her mother immediately carried her to her own bed1 and having placed her there1 perceived that from an almost icy coldness1 she had suddenly changed to an intense and burning heat4 ,her father was standing by the bed uncertain whether or not to call a physician1 when in a pleased but excited manner she called out to him to see all those little girls4 ,she imagined that little girls were all around her1 and although somewhat puzzled in accounting for their presence1 yet she appeared greatly delighted to see them4 ,after this she lay for some time in a dozing state1 then she became convulsed4 ,during her short but distressing sickness1 she had but few lucid intervals4 ,when not lying in a stupor her mind was usually busied amidst past scenes4 ,at one time as ,i was standing by her pillow1 bathing her head1 she said in a piteous tone1 ,i can't thread my needle4 ,then in a clear sweet musical voice she called ,nancy to come and help her thread it4 ,at another time her father supposing her unconscious said ,i fear she will never get well4 ,she immediately opened her eyes1 clasped her little hands and laying them upon her bosom1 looked upward and with great earnestness commended herself to ,god3 ,my dear ,father up in heaven1 she said1 please to make me well1 if you think it is best2 but if you do not think best1 then please to take me up to heaven where ,jesus is4 ,after this1 she continued for some time in prayer1 but her articulation was indistinct4 ,one expression only was audible4 ,it was this1 suffer little children to come4 ,what gratitude is due to the tender and compassionate ,savior for this rich legacy of love1 to the infant mind6 ,how often has it comforted the dying1 or drawn to the bosom of everlasting love1 the living among little children4 ,suffer little children to come unto me4 ,the preciousness and efficiency of this touching appeal seem to be but little realized even among believing parents4 ,were it otherwise1 should we not see more of infant piety1 in the families of professing ,christians8 ,once as the gray dawn approached1 she appeared to wake as from a quiet sleep1 and asked if it was morning4 ,on being told that it was1 she folded her hands and commenced her morning prayer4 ,soon1 however1 her mind wandered1 and her mother finished it for her4 ,from this time she lay and moaned her little life away4 ,but whenever prayer was offered1 the moaning would cease for a short interval1 indicating that she was conscious1 and also interested4 ,during the last night of her life1 her mind appeared perfectly clear4 ,she spoke often of heaven and of ,jesus2 but little is recollected1 as her mother was not by4 ,not apprehending death to be so near1 she had been persuaded to try to get some rest4 ,suddenly there was a change4 ,the mother was called4 ,approaching the bed she saw that the last struggle had come on4 ,summoning strength1 she said1 ,are you willing to die and go to heaven where ,jesus is8 ,the dear dying child answered audibly1 ,yes4 ,the mother then said1 ,now you may lay yourself in the arms of ,jesus4 ,he will carry you safely home to heaven4 ,again there was an attempt to speak1 but the little spirit escaped in the effort1 and was forever free from suffering1 and sorrow1 and sin4 ,in the morning ,i went over to look upon my little niece1 as she lay sleeping in death4 ,aunty ,b---- was there standing by the sofa4 ,uncovering the little form she said1 ,she has found the way to heaven now2 alluding to the conversation she had with ,mary ,jane1 more than three years before4 ,soon1 the person whose office it was to prepare the last narrow receptacle for the little body1 entered the room and prepared to take the measurement4 ,having finished his work1 he seated himself at a respectful distance1 and gazed on the marvelous beauty of the child4 ,at length turning to the father he asked1 ,how old was she8 ,six years and eight months1 was the reply4 ,so young6 he responded2 then added that he had often performed the same office for young persons1 but had never seen a more intelligent countenance1 at the age of fifteen4 ,yet notwithstanding the indications of intellect1 and of maturity of character1 so much in advance of her tender age2 her perfectly infantile features1 and the extreme delicacy of their texture and complexion1 bore witness to the truthfulness of the age1 beneath her name on the little coffin3 six years and eight months4 ,and now as my thoughts glance backwards and linger over the little sleeper upon that sofa1 so calm and beautiful in death1 a voice seems sounding from the pages of ,revelation that she shall not always remain thus1 a prey to the spoiler4 ,that having accomplished his work1 ashes to ashes1 dust to dust1 ,death shall have no more power1 even over the little body which he now claims as his own4 ,but it shall come forth1 not as then1 destined to see corruption1 but resplendent in beauty1 and shining in more than mortal loveliness2 a fit receptacle for its glorified inmate1 in the day of the final resurrection of the dead4 ,let all ,christian parents who mourn the loss of pious children1 comfort themselves with the words of the apostle1 ,them also that sleep in ,jesus1 will ,god bring with him1 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints1 and to be admired in all them that believe4 ,it was in the month of ,november that ,mary ,jane died1 and was buried2 reminding one of those lines of ,bryant3 ,in the cold moist earth we laid her1 ,when the forest cast his leaf2 ,and we mourn'd that one so lovely1 ,should have a life so brief4 ,yet not unmeet it was1 that one1 ,like that young child of ours1 ,so lovely and so beautiful1 ,should perish with the flowers4 ,on the return of her birth-day1 ,february #bb1 when if she had lived1 she would have been seven years old1 the following lines were sent to the bereaved mother by ,mrs4 ,sigourney4 ,,the ,,birth-,,day ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,born4 ,thy first born's birth-day1--mother6-- ,that cold and wintry time1 ,when deep and unimagined joy ,swell'd to its highest prime4-- ,thy little daughter smileth1-- ,thy son is fair to see1-- ,and from its cradle shouts the babe1 ,in health and jollity3 ,but still thy brow is shaded1 ,the fresh tear trickleth free1 ,where is thy first born darling8 ,oh1 mother1--where is she8 ,and if she be in heaven1 ,she1 who with goodness fraught1 ,so early on her ,father--,god ,repos'd her bursting thought3-- ,and if she be in heaven1 ,the honor how divine1 ,to give an angel to ,his arms1 ,who gave a babe to thine6 ,l4 ,h4 ,s4 99 99 99 99 99 ,human improvement must begin through mothers4 ,it is through them principally1 as far as human agency is concerned1 that those evils can be prevented1 which1 age after age1 we have been vainly endeavoring to cure4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he that is good will infallibly become better1 and he that is bad will as certainly become worse2 vice1 virtue1 and time1 are three things that never stand still4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,sabbath ,,meditations4 ,john #e3a4 ,it is a time of solemnities in ,jerusalem--a feast of the ,jews--and crowds throng the sacred city1 gathered from all parts of ,judea1 mingling sympathies and uniting in the delightful services which the chosen people so justly prize4 ,the old and young1 the joyful and the sad1 all classes and all conditions are there1 not even are the impotent1 the blind1 the halt1 the withered1 absent4 ,through the aid and kindness of friends they have come also1 cheered and animated by the unwonted excitement of the scene1 and doubtless hoping for some relief in known or unknown ways1 from their various afflictions4 ,among these1 a numerous company of whom are lying near the sheep-gate1 let us spend an hour4 ,by ,god's help it shall not be wasted time4 ,how many are here who for long years have not beheld the sun1 nor looked on any loved face1 nor perused the sacred oracles4 ,a lesson of resignation we may learn from them1 in their proverbial peacefulness under one of the severest of earth's trials1 for who ever looked on aught but content in the face of the born-blind8 ,here also are those who have felt the fearful grasp of pain1 whose nerves have been shocked1 and the whole frame tortured by untold sufferings2 and those who cannot walk forth on ,god's earth with free elastic step1 nor pursue any manly toil--the infirm1 the crippled1 the helpless4 ,how it saddens the heart to look upon them1 and hear their moans6 ,yet they all have a look of hope on their faces4 ,the kind angel who descends to ruffle the hitherto calm waters of the lake may be near at hand4 ,soon sorrow to some of these will give place to proportioned gladness4 ,he who can first bathe his limbs in the blessed wave1 says the sacred oracle1 shall find relief from every infirmity4 ,first3 ,it is a short and simple word1 yet how much of meaning it contains1 and in its connection here how much instruction it affords6 ,it is ever thus under the moral and providential government of ,god4 ,the first to ask his blessing are those who gain it4 ,those who seek ,him early are the ones to find ,him4 ,the prompt and active are the successful competitors4 ,to those who with the dawning day are found offering their daily sacrifice1 ,he vouchsafes most of his blessed presence4 ,give ,him thy first thoughts then2 so shalt thou keep ,him company all day1 and in ,him sleep4 ,it is those who dedicate to ,him the freshness of youth1 that thrive most under ,his culture1 and still bring forth fruit in old age4 ,their whole lives are spent beneath the shadow of his wings1 and they know not the doubts and fears of those who long wandered before they sought that sheltering spot4 ,they who are on the watch1 who see the cloud as big as a man's hand1 are the largest recipients of the blessing when the ,spirit is poured out from on high4 ,the lingerers1 who think they need not bestir themselves1 for the blessing is sure1 may nevertheless fail1 for though there was a sound of rain1 the clouds may scatter1 when but a few drops have fallen1 and the first be the only ones who are refreshed4 ,but we are wandering4 ,in this porch lies one who scarce bears any resemblance to living humanity1 and from his woe-worn countenance has departed the last glimmering of hope4 ,thirty and eight years a helpless being6 a burden to himself and all around him6 ,alas1 of what untold miseries has sin made human flesh the inheritor6 ,he came long since to this healing pool1 with cheerful anticipations1 perhaps undoubting faith1 that he should soon walk forth a man among men4 ,but he has been grievously disappointed4 ,he seems friendless as well as impotent4 ,listen while he answers the inquiry of one who speaks kindly to him3 ,sir1 ,i have no man1 when the water is troubled1 to put me into the pool2 but while ,i am coming another steppeth down before me4 ,this is indeed hopeless wretchedness4 ,but who is it thus asking1 ,wilt thou be made whole8 ,little didst thou dream1 unfortunate1 yet most fortunate1 of sufferers1 who it was thus bending tenderly over thy painful couch6 ,said we that thou wert friendless2 that none knew thy woes8 ,blessed be ,god1 there is ever ,one eye to see1 ,one ear to hear1 ,one heart to pity4 ,when my spirit was overwhelmed within me1 then thou knewest my path4 ,he is not far from every one of us4 ,but1 though ,he is ever near1 yet ,god often waits long before he relieves4 ,why is it thus8 ,we do not always see the reason1 but we may be sure it is infinite wisdom that defers4 ,he would have us feel our dependence on ,him1 and when we do feel this1 when we hope no more from any earthly source1 and turn a despairing eye to ,him1 then he is ever ready to rescue4 ,even toward those who have long withstood his grace1 and rebelled against his love1 is he moved to kindness when ,he seeth that their power is gone4 ,we must sometimes have the sentence of death in ourselves1 that we should not trust in ourselves1 but in ,god which raiseth the dead4 ,even where we would accomplish most1 when we would fain secure the salvation of those dearest to us1 when we would win eternal life for our children1 we must be made to rely on ,him who1 as he can raise the dead1 even call life from nothing1 can also revive the spiritually dead1 and break the sleep which threatens to be eternal4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he is gone--while we looked1 suddenly he rose in the full vigor of manliness1 and now1 exulting in his new-found faculties1 he is walking yonder among the multitude1 carrying upon his shoulders the couch which has so long borne his weary1 helpless frame4 ,see1 one with frowning countenance and harsh words arrests his steps1 and wholly unmindful of the joy which lights his pale face1 reproves him with severe and bitter words3 ,it is the ,sabbath day4 ,it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed4 ,the command indeed is1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 take heed to yourselves and bear no burden on the ,sabbath day1 nor bring it in by the gates of ,jerusalem4 ,neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the ,sabbath day2 neither do ye any work2 but hallow ye the ,sabbath day1 as ,i commanded your fathers4 ,he stands dismayed and troubled4 ,in his new-found happiness he has forgotten the solemn mandate4 ,timidly he answers1 ,he that made me whole1 the same said unto me1 ,take up thy bed and walk4 ,thou hast answered well4 ,only the ,lord of the ,sabbath could have done on thee this work of healing4 ,go on thy way rejoicing4 ,return not to seek ,him1 ,he was here1 he spoke to thee2 but he is gone4 ,none saw him depart4 ,everywhere present1 ,he is1 yet1 when ,he will1 invisible to mortal eyes4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,reports ,,of ,,maternal ,,associations4 ,,second ,,presbyterian ,,church ,,of ,,detroit4 ,another year has passed over us1 and we1 a little band1 have met to recount1 and gratefully to acknowledge1 ,god's goodness and loving-kindness to us and our families4 ,our ,association1 commencing as a small stream1 has not yet grown to be a mighty river2 yet it has flowed steadily in its course1 and we confidently believe1 has sent forth sweet and hallowed influences1 refreshing some thirsty souls with pure and living waters4 ,during the year now past1 our meetings have been continually sustained1 although sickness and absence from the city1 especially during most of the summer1 have deprived us of the attendance of a large proportion of our members4 ,notwithstanding our meetings have been much smaller than we could desire1 and sometimes tempted us to be faint and weary in well-doing1 still we believe that our prayers and consultations have been a source of blessing to ourselves and to our offspring4 ,we are told that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much4 ,we feel assured that we can testify to the faithfulness of the promise1 for not only can we gratefully acknowledge the love of ,god in shedding more grace upon our hearts2 but the gracious call of the gospel of salvation has been accepted by some of our precious children1 and we trust that they are now in the narrow way that leadeth unto life4 ,oh1 may the ,spirit of all truth guide their youthful steps through all the thorny mazes of life1 preserve them from the alluring and deceitful charms that surround them1 and bring them at last to those blissful mansions prepared for those who love and serve ,god4 ,we do indeed rejoice with those dear mothers who have been made the recipients of so large a blessing--that of seeing the precious lambs of the flock gathered into the fold of the ,good ,shepherd4 ,oh1 may the prayer of faith ever encircle them in this only safe retreat from the ravening wolves and the hungry monsters of sin6 ,but whilst we rejoice with those of our number who have been so greatly blessed1 we turn with heartfelt sympathy toward those whose hearts have been wrung by the loss1 to them1 of the objects of their hopes and affections4 ,three of the children of members of this ,association have died during the past year4 ,thus we believe so many sweet angels of ,god have gone from our midst and escaped the sorrows of this evil world4 ,let the dear parents think of them as already far surpassing their own best attainments1 and praising the blessed ,savior1 in the heavenly paradise1 and turn their more anxious and diligent thoughts to the living4 ,two children have been added by birth to the number of those connected with the ,association4 ,our membership has not greatly changed within the past year4 ,three mothers have united with the ,association since the last ,annual ,report1 and three have left us1 making the number the same that it was one year since4 ,while we regret the loss of each and all of those who have departed from our midst1 we think it would not be deemed invidious to express our deep sense of the loss we have sustained by the removal from the city of ,mrs4 ,parker1 the former secretary4 ,her devotion and faithfulness in every sphere of duty1 afforded us all an example well adapted to stimulate us in the discharge of our obligations1 as well as to guide us in the paths of usefulness4 ,we hope and pray that she may long be spared to shed a hallowed influence around her wherever her lot may be cast4 ,our quarterly meetings have been sustained with interest and profit4 ,portions of ,scripture have been committed by the children1 and the instructions and truths contained in them have been enforced by appropriate remarks from the ,pastor4 ,we consider this an invaluable means of instilling saving truth into the tender minds of our children1 and would urgently request that it be accompanied by the constant and believing prayers of all parents4 ,upon a full review of the past year1 we see abundant cause for gratitude and encouragement4 ,we have especial occasion for thankfulness that none of our number have been removed by death4 ,since we know that the ,lord has thus prolonged our stewardship1 that we may work in his vineyard1 let us be the more diligent1 that we may be prepared to render our account with joy at the last day4 ,amongst the means for preparing ourselves for the faithful discharge of our duties to our own families1 and as members of this ,association1 we take pleasure in acknowledging the pre-eminent merits of ,mrs4 ,whittelsey's ,magazine1 and would urgently recommend its more general perusal and circulation4 ,during the past summer some of us enjoyed the inestimable privilege of hearing her experienced counsel1 and fervent exhortations4 ,we believe that her visit to this city resulted in much good1 and we wish her abundant success in her noble calling4 ,dear ,mothers1 let us persevere1 looking unto the covenant-keeping ,god for the salvation of our children1 as well as for the triumph of the ,gospel throughout the community and this sin-ruined world4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,salem1 ,,michigan4 ,we have been brought1 through the kindness of our ,heavenly ,father1 to this the first anniversary of our ,maternal ,association4 ,we meet to-day that we may together look back upon the year just closing1 and recall the mercies and judgments of our ,god1 in which ,i think we cannot fail to recognize the guiding hand of our ,heavenly ,father1 who we believe has presided over and defended the dearest interests of this our little society4 ,we bless his name that a few individuals1 sustaining the sacred name of mother1 and upon whom consequently devolve important duties1 were led to roll their burden1 in all its magnitude1 upon an ,almighty arm1 and in a united capacity to plead for promised grace4 ,we rejoice that this feeling has been perpetuated1 and that there have been those who have not forsaken the assembling of themselves together1 but who have been drawn to the place of prayer by an irresistible influence1 esteeming it a privilege thus to resign their numerous anxieties into the hands of an all-wise ,god4 ,and may we not rejoice1 dear sisters1 that as each returning fortnight has brought its precious opportunity for prayer and instruction1 our hearts have cheerfully responded to its call1 and that we have hailed these seasons as acknowledged and well-tested sources of profit4 ,if they have not proved so to us1 have we not reason to fear that our guilt will be greatly increased1 and that we shall share the condemnation of those who have been frequently and faithfully reminded of duty1 but who have failed in its performance8 ,during the past year we have had twenty-two meetings1 the most of which have been attended by from six to ten mothers4 ,a small number1 indeed2 yet ,god1 we remembered1 promised that where two or three are met together in ,his name1 ,he would be in their midst to bless them4 ,on the #gth of ,may the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,harris preached to the children1 from the text1 ,suffer little children to come unto me1 and forbid them not4 ,sixteen ladies were present1 and twenty-three children4 ,on the #bhth of ,september1 ,professor ,agnew addressed mothers on their various important duties4 ,at the commencement of the year we numbered twelve mothers and twenty-three children1 under the age of fifteen4 ,we now number sixteen mothers and thirty-three children2 one little one has been added to our number4 ,god1 in wise providence1 and for some wise purpose1 has seen fit to lay his afflicting hand upon us4 ,early in the year it pleased ,him to call an aged and beloved father of one of our sisters from time to eternity4 ,with our sister we do most sincerely sympathize2 may it truly be said of us1 as an ,association3 ,we share each other's joys1 ,each other's burdens bear1 ,and often for each other flows ,the sympathizing tear4 ,but ,god has come nearer still unto us as an ,association1 and has taken one of our little number1 dear sister ,elizabeth ,c4 ,hamilton1 who was one of the four mothers who met together to converse and to ask counsel of our pastor on the subject of forming this ,association4 ,on the #aath of ,october1 her spirit took its flight from this frail tenement of clay1 as we humbly trust to the mansions of the blest4 ,with her bereaved and afflicted companion and infant daughters1 we do most sincerely sympathize4 ,may we remember that we have promised to seek the spiritual and eternal interests of her children as we do that of our own6 ,let us not cease to pray for her children until we shall hear them lisping forth the praises of the dear ,redeemer4 ,as we commence a new year1 shall we not commence anew to live for ,god8 ,ere another year has gone1 some one of this our little number may be called from time to eternity2 and shall we not prove what prayer can do2 what heavenly blessings it will bring down upon our offspring8 ,but perhaps some mother will say1 ,i should esteem it the dearest of all privileges1 if ,i could lay hold in faith on ,god's blessed promises1 but when ,i would do so a sense of my own unworthiness shuts my mouth4 ,but which of ,god's promises was ever made to the worthy recipient8 ,are they not all to the unworthy and undeserving8 ,and if ,satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees1 shall we not take courage1 and claim ,god's blessed promises for ours1 and often in silence and in solitude bend the knee for those we love most dear8 ,while memory lasts ,i shall never forget my mother's earnest1 supplicating1 trembling voice1 as she pleaded with ,god for ,christ's sake to have mercy on her children4 ,and shall our children forget ours8 ,no1 dear sisters1 let our entreaties with our ,god be as they will1 ,i think they will not be forgotten4 ,therefore1 let us be more awake to this subject1 let us sincerely endeavor to train our children up for ,god1 that they may be useful in his service while they live1 and that we may be that happy band of mothers that may be able to say in ,god's great day3 ,here1 ,lord1 are we1 and the children which thou hast given us4 ,a4 ,,hamilton1 ,secretary4 ,salem1 ,wash4 ,co41 ,michigan1 ,dec4 #ca1 #ahea4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,brotherly ,,love4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,mancius ,s4 ,,hutton1 ,d4,d4 ,be kindly affectioned one to another1 with brotherly love1 in honor preferring one another4 ,in no system of morals or religion1 except the ,bible1 can such a precept be found4 ,it at once proclaims its divine author4 ,we feel as we read it--here speaks that ,god and ,almighty ,father who so loved the world as to give his ,son to die to save it4 ,we feel that none but a being who regards himself as the ,father of all1 and who would unite his children in the bonds of family affection1 would think of urging upon a company of men and women1 gathered from all classes and conditions of life1 the duly regarding each other with the same sincerity1 tenderness1 respect and kindness as if they were the nearest relatives4 ,such is the force of the expression1 ,be kindly affectioned one to another4 ,the word expresses properly the strong natural affection between parents and children2 but the apostle is not satisfied with this1 and uses the word to qualify that brotherly love which our ,lord has made the badge of discipleship4 ,it should be with the tenderness and the unselfishness which characterize the filial and paternal relation1 blending love with natural affection1 and making it manifest in common intercourse4 ,oh1 how different this from the spirit of the world1 the spirit which seeks not to bless others1 but self2 not to confer honor but to obtain it2 which aims not to diffuse respect1 but to attract all others to give honor to ourselves4 ,i design at present to use this divine injunction as conveying the ,holy ,spirit's direction and description of proper family intercourse1 in reference1 particularly1 to children in the family circle4 ,i notice very briefly 7for the direction must commend itself to the heart of every child7 its application to parents3 ,be kindly affectioned toward your father and mother4 ,it is indeed hardly necessary to urge this duty1 for ,god has in his wisdom so constituted us1 as in a good degree to insure the duty of filial love even in those who do not regard his own authority over their spirits4 ,no child can for a moment reflect upon the love and care which he has received from his parents1 without a moved heart1 although he can never know their full power until he himself becomes a parent2 but here indeed lies the difficulty1 and here do ,i find the necessity of dwelling for a moment upon this point4 ,children do not reflect upon this4 ,few ever sit down1 calmly and consecutively1 to recall the parental kindness1 and therefore1 would ,i ask each of you1 my young friends1 that you may obey this injunction1 and be kindly affectionate towards father and mother1 to consider their kindness to you4 ,why1 if you look at it1 you will hardly be able to find that they have any other care in the world1 or any other object1 than yourselves4 ,what does that kind mother of yours do which is not for her children8 does she not seem always to be thinking of you8 have you never noticed how her eye brightens with delight when you or any of your brothers or sisters do right1 or even when she looks around on the health and happiness of her children8 and1 when you or any of her dear ones are ill1 how sad she looks1 how her cheek will become pale1 and how she will watch and wait at the bed-side of her child1 how her own hand gives the medicine1 how nothing can call her away from home1 no friends1 no amusements1 often not even the church and ,sabbath-day1 and if she did go to church while you were ill1 she went there to pray that ,god would make you well4 ,and ,i would have you also think of the large surrenders of ease1 time and fortune which your father is daily making for the benefit and comfort of his children4 ,how many fathers will compass land and sea in quest of provision for them1 and in order to give them name and station in society8 ,how many adventurously plow the ocean in their behalf8 ,how many live for years in exile1 and in the estrangement of a foreign land1 with nothing to soothe them in the midst of their toil and fatigue1 but the image of their dear and distant home8 ,how many toil and plan1 day after day1 and year after year1 from early morn until late at night1 for no other object than to gather wealth1 which in their love they expect and intend their children to enjoy1 when they themselves have gone down to the grave6 ,oh1 my young friends1 though ye have not perhaps thought of it1 yet the devotedness of a parent to his children1 in the common every-day duties and comforts of life1 often equals and surpasses that which history has recorded for us of the sublimest heroism4 ,it would often seem utterly impossible to wear out a father's affection or a mother's love1 and many a child1 after the perversities and losses of a misdirected manhood1 has found himself welcomed back again to the paternal home1 with all the unquenched and unextinguishable kindness of his early and dependent childhood2 welcomed even amid the hardships of poverty1 with which declining years and his own hand1 perhaps1 have united to surround the whitening heads of the authors of his being4 ,now1 it is in view of the reality and strength of these parental regards1 thus flowing from a father's or a mother's heart upon their children1 that we bid you see the force1 the reason1 and the right of the direction1 ,be kindly affectionate in all your intercourse with them4 ,and it is in the same view that we appeal to your own hearts1 and ask whether it be not most revolting and wrong for a son or daughter to utter the word1 or dart the look1 or feel the feeling which is prompted by wickedness2 a disdainful son or disrespectful daughter is a sight most painful to every right-minded man4 ,but while ,i mention this as the rule which should govern the family in their treatment of those who stand at its head1 ,i would also beg leave to remark1 that this same law should govern the heads of the family towards each other and all the members4 ,this is the only way by which reciprocal affectionate regard and treatment can be inculcated and insured4 ,the ,holy ,spirit has deemed this so important1 that ,he has given the express injunction to parents3 ,fathers1 provoke not your children2 and it is an injunction which parents need constantly to remember4 ,the natural and necessary subjection of the children to parental authority1 unless the hearts of the parents be guided by religious principle1 will often induce an arbitrary and enforced obedience1 which1 unless guided and controlled by affection1 will have only the appearance of harshness1 and will only produce unpleasant feeling4 ,parents should never forget that it is always as unpleasant to a child to have his will and plans crossed as it is to themselves1 and that1 therefore1 it is their own obedience to the injunction1 ,be kindly affectioned1 which alone can make their authority both strong and pleasant4 ,there are again so many cares and anxieties connected with the details of family arrangements1 and there are so much thoughtlessness and perversity in the depraved hearts of the most amiable and properly disposed children1 that the patience of even the all-enduring mother will often be tried in a manner which nothing but divine grace can sustain4 ,ill health and natural irritability1 so constantly exposed to attack1 will often increase the difficulty1 and thus make the injunction1 ,be kindly affectioned1 one of the most arduous duties of life4 ,but the triumph of principle will always be accompanied with corresponding valuable results in the happiness and comforts of the whole family circle4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,know ,,thyself4 ,many instructive lessons may be conveyed to the minds of children in story and in verse4 ,we do not now remember who is the author of the story we are about to relate4 ,it may be familiar to many of our readers4 ,we venture1 however1 to repeat it in our own words1 as it has an important moral worthy the attention of the old as well as the young3-- ,a man and his wife were hard at work in a forest1 cutting down trees4 ,the trees were very hardy and tall1 and their axes were dull2 the weather was cold and dreary1 they were but poorly clad1 and they had but little to eat4 ,at length1 the woman1 in her despondency1 fell to crying4 ,her husband very kindly inquired1 ,what is the matter1 my dear wife8 ,i have been thinking1 said she1 of our hard fate1 and it does seem to me a hard case that ,god should curse the ground for ,adam's sake1 just because he and his wife had eaten a green apple2 and now all their descendants must earn their bread by the sweat of their brow1 all their days4 ,the man replied1 ,do not1 my dear wife1 distress yourself thus1 seeing it will do no good4 ,she continued1 ,i do think that ,adam and ,eve were very foolish to listen to any thing that a serpent had to say4 ,if ,i had been in the place of ,eve ,i am sure ,i should have done otherwise4 ,to this her husband replied1 ,true1 my dear wife1 ,eve was a very silly woman4 ,i think1 if ,i had been in ,adam's place1 before ,i would have listened to her foolish advice1 and run such a hazard1 ,i would have given her a smart box on the ear1 and told her to hold her tongue1 and to mind her own business4 ,this remark made his wife very angry1 and here followed a long dialogue on this topic till they began mutually to criminate each other as well as the serpent4 ,now1 a gentleman1 who had all this time been concealed behind the trees1 and had heard their complaints1 and listened with grief to their fault-finding disposition1 came forward and spoke to them very kindly4 ,he said1 ,my friends1 you seem to be hard at work1 and very unhappy4 ,pray tell me the cause of your misery1 and whether ,i can do anything to comfort you8 ,so they repeated to this gentleman what they had been saying4 ,he replied to them thus3 ,now1 my dear friends1 ,i am truly sorry for you1 and ,i desire to make you more comfortable4 ,i have a large estate1 and ,i wish to make others as happy as ,i am myself4 ,i have a fine house1 plenty of servants1 and every thing desirable to eat and to drink4 ,i have fine grounds1 filled with shrubbery and fruit trees4 ,if you will go and live with me you have only to obey the regulations of my house1 and as long as you do this and are contented1 you shall be made welcome4 ,so they went with this gentleman4 ,at once he took off their rough and ragged garments1 and clad them in a fine suit of clothes1 suited to the place1 and put them into a spacious apartment1 where for a time they lived very happily4 ,one day this gentleman came to them1 and said business of importance would call him from home for some days4 ,in the mean time he hoped they would be happy and do every thing in their power to reflect honor upon his hospitality till his return4 ,he said he had but one other suggestion to make1 and that was1 that for his sake they would be very careful to set a good example before his servants1 and do every thing cheerfully that they should direct1 for up to this hour not one of his servants had ever questioned the reasonableness of his commands4 ,they thanked him kindly for his generous supply of all their wants1 and promised implicit obedience4 ,they now had1 if possible1 more sumptuous meals1 and in greater variety than ever1 and for a few days every thing went on well4 ,at length1 a servant placed a covered dish in the center of the table1 remarking that he always had orders from his master1 when that particular dish was placed upon the table1 that no one1 on pain of his displeasure1 should touch it1 much less lift the cover4 ,for a few days these guests were so occupied in examining the new dishes that this order was obeyed4 ,but the woman at length began to wonder why that dish should be placed on the table if it were not to be touched2 she did not for her part see any use in it4 ,every meal she grew more and more discontented4 ,she appealed to her husband if he did not think such a prohibition very unreasonable4 ,if it were not to be touched1 why was it placed on the table8 ,her husband at length grew very angry2 she would neither eat herself nor allow him to eat in peace4 ,she at length remonstrated1 she threatened2 she used various arguments to induce him to lift the cover2 said no one need to know it1 c4 ,still her good-natured husband tried to reason her out of this notion4 ,she now burst into tears1 and said her life was miserable by this gentleman's singular prohibition1 which could do no one any good2 and she was still more wretched by reason of her husband's unkindness1--she really believed that he had lost all affection for her4 ,this remark made her husband feel very badly4 ,he lifted the cover and out ran a little harmless mouse4 ,they both ran after it1 and tried their best to catch it1 but in vain4 ,while they were feeling very unhappy1 and were trembling with fear1 the gentleman entered1 and seeing their great embarrassment1 inquired if they had dared to lift the cover8 ,the woman replied that she did not see what harm there could be in doing so4 ,she did not think it kind to place such a temptation before them2 it could do no one any good4 ,the man added that his wife teazed him so that he had no peace1 and rather than see her unhappy he had lifted the cover4 ,the gentleman then reminded them of their fault-finding while in the forest1 their hard thoughts of ,god1 of the serpent1 and of ,adam and ,eve4 ,had it been their case they should have acted more wisely6 ,but1 alas6 they did not know themselves6 ,he immediately ordered his servants to take off their nice new clothes and to put on their old garments1 and he sent them back to the forest1 ever after to eat their bread by the sweat of their brow4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,old ,,juda4 ,many years since1 ,i took into my service an old colored woman by the name of ,juda4 ,she was a poor1 pitiful object1 almost worn out by hard and long service4 ,but ,i needed just such services as she could render1 and intrusted to her the general supervision of my kitchen department4 ,under the care bestowed upon her she fast recruited1 and ,i continued to employ her for three years4 ,i gave her good wages1 and1 as for years ,i had induced all my help to do1 ,i persuaded her to deposit in the savings' bank all the money she could spare4 ,fortunately for poor old ,juda1 she laid up during these three years a considerable sum4 ,before this1 she had always been improvident1 careless of her earnings1 and from a disposition to change often out of place4 ,but as one extreme is apt to follow another1 when she found that she had several dollars laid aside1 entirely a new thing for her1 there was quite a revolution in her feelings and character4 ,she now inclined to covetousness1 and could hardly be persuaded to expend a sum sufficient to make herself comfortable in extreme cold weather which sensibly affected her in her old age and feeble health4 ,at length her disposition to hoard up her earnings increased to that degree that she resorted to many unnecessary and imprudent means to avoid expense and to evade my requirements with regard to her apparel4 ,but for this parsimony she might have held out some years longer4 ,she greatly improved in health and strength for the first two years1 and was more comfortable and useful than ,i expected she would be4 ,always at her post1 patient1 faithful1 economical and obliging1 ,i really felt grateful for the relief she afforded me in the management of a large family2 but at length ,i was obliged to dismiss her from my service4 ,for a few months she found employment in a small family1 but soon fell sick1 and required the services of a physician4 ,she had to find a place of retirement and take to her bed1 and soon her money began to disappear4 ,her miserable sister1 who had exercised an injurious influence over ,juda1 and whom ,i had found it necessary to forbid coming to my house1 now came constantly to me for this money1 for ,juda's use1 it is true1 but which ,i had reason to fear was not wisely spent4 ,under this impression1 ,i broke away from my cares and set out to look after her welfare4 ,i was pained to find her in a miserable hovel1 surrounded by a crew of selfish1 ignorant1 lazy and degraded women1 who were ready to filch the last farthing from the poor1 helpless invalid4 ,my first interview with ,juda was extremely painful4 ,she hid her head1 her great wall eyes rolling fearfully1 and cried bitterly1 ,oh6 ,i am forever undone4 ,why did ,i not listen to your entreaties1 and heed the kind advice of my good master1 to lay up treasures in heaven as well as in the savings' bank6 ,i remained silent by her bedside1 thinking it better for her to give full vent to her agonized feelings before ,i should probe her wounded spirit1 or try to console her4 ,oh1 said she1 that ,i could once more have health1 that ,i might attend to what ought to have been the business of my life--the care of my soul4 ,yes1 ,juda1 ,i replied1 but ,i see1 ,i think1 plainly1 how it would be had you ever so much time4 ,you would not be very likely to improve it aright1 for even now you are wasting this last fragment of time that remains to you in fruitless regrets2 why not rather inquire earnestly1 ',is there still any hope for me8 ,what shall ,i do to be saved8 ,lord1 save me1 or ,i perish4' ,for some time her emotions choked her utterance1 at length she seized both my hands so forcibly that it seemed as if she would sever them from my wrists1 and exclaimed1 ,oh1 pray for me6 ,her condition was an awful one4 ,from the nature of her ailment she was a loathsome object4 ,not one of her old companions would approach her1 for to them she was now peculiarly an object of terror4 ,her entreaties that ,i would not leave her in the power of such cruel wretches1 to perish alone1 and without hope1 prevailed over my own reluctance and the remonstrances of my husband1 and summoning up all my resolution1 ,i remained with her1 with but little respite1 for three days and nights4 ,her bodily sufferings continued to be extreme to the last1 but were nothing in comparison to her mental agonies4 ,what a condition of mind and body was hers6 ,every moment demanding something to cool her parched tongue1 or to allay her fears1 or to encourage her hopes4 ,never shall ,i forget the last night of painful and protracted suffering4 ,the miserable woman who pretended to assist me in watching1 had taken some stupefying potion1 and ,i watched alone1 as ,david expressed it1 longing for the first ray of the morning4 ,at length1 the day dawned1 and ,i was relieved by good old ,mr4 ,moore4 ,as he entered1 ,i said to him1 ,poor ,juda is still living1 and is a great sufferer2 will you not pray for her8 ,he replied1 ,i come purpose pray with ,juda4 ,then kneeling1 prayed1 ,oh ,lord1 ,oh ,lord ,god ,almighty1 we come to thee for this poor dying creature4 ,have mercy on her precious soul--,lord ,god1 it will never die4 ,forgive her sins2 oh1 ,lord ,god1 take the lead of her thoughts to-day1 ,,to-,,day1 ,,to-,,day2 ,lord ,god1 take the lead of her thoughts to-day1 for ,christ's sake4 ,amen4 ,this was indeed her dying day1 and ,i could not but hope that this humble but pertinent prayer was prevalent with ,god4 ,very many times since then1 as ,i have caught the first glimpse of day1 have ,i said1 ,this may prove my dying day1 and prayed1 ,oh ,lord1 take the lead of my thoughts to-day4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,god ,,is ,,faithful4 ,the fruits of maternal influence1 well directed1 said a good minister1 are peace1 improvement1 and often piety1 in the nursery2 but if the children of faithful mothers are not converted in early life1 ,god is true to his promise and will remember his covenant1 perhaps after those mothers sleep with the generations of their ancestors4 ,several years since1 that same minister stated1 he was in the ,alms-house in ,philadelphia1 and was attracted to the bedside of a sick man1 whom he found to be a happy ,christian1 having embraced the ,gospel after he was brought1 a stranger in a strange land1 to that infirmary4 ,though religiously educated by a pious mother1 he clandestinely left home at the age of ten years1 and since that period--he was now forty1 or more--had been wandering over the earth1 regardless of the claims of ,god or the worth of his own soul4 ,in ,philadelphia he was taken with a dangerous fever1 and was brought to the place where ,i met him4 ,there1 on that bed of languishing1 the scenes of his early childhood clustered around him1 and among them the image of his mother was fairest and brightest1 and in memory's vision she seemed to stand1 as in former days1 exhorting him to become the friend and disciple of the blessed ,savior4 ,the honeyed accents were irresistible4 ,through the long lapse of thirty years--though she was now sleeping in the grave--her appeal came with force to break his flinty heart4 ,with no living ,christian to direct him on that bed of sickness1 remembering what his mother had told him one-third of a century before1 he yielded to the claims of ,jesus4 ,here the power and faithfulness of a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering ,god were exhibited4 ,here was a mother's influence crowned with a glorious conquest4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,excerpta4 ,,an ,,american ,,home4--,the word ,home we have obtained from the old ,saxon tongue4 ,transport the word to ,africa1 ,china1 ,persia1 ,turkey or ,russia1 and it loses its meaning4 ,where is it but in our favored land that the father is allowed to pursue his own plan for the good of his family1 and with his sons to labor in what profession he chooses and then enjoy the avails of his labor8 ,the ,american ,home is the abode of neatness1 thrift and competence1 not the wretched hut of the ,greenlander or ,caffrarian1 or under-ground place of ,kamschatka4 ,the ,american ,home is the house of intelligence2 its inmates can read2 they have the ,bible2 they can transmit thought4 ,the ,american ,home is the resting-place of contentment and peace2 there is found mutual respect1 untiring love and kindness2 there1 virtue claiming respect2 there1 the neighbor is regarded and prized2 there1 is safety2 the daily worship2 the principle of religion4 ,ten thousand good people noiselessly at work every day1 making more firm all good felt at home or abroad1 and fixing happiness and good institutions on a basis lasting as heaven4 ,,christian ,,union4--,in ,d',aubigne's ,reformation we find a short1 beautiful sentiment on the subject of ,christian ,union4 ,he says3 ,truth may be compared to the light of the sun4 ,the light comes from heaven colorless and ever the same2 and yet it takes different hues on earth1 varying according to the objects on which it falls4 ,thus different formularies may sometimes express the same ,christian truth1 viewed under different aspects4 ,how dull would be this visible creation if all its boundless variety of shape and color were to give place to one unbroken uniformity8 ,how melancholy would be its aspects1 if all created beings did but compose a solitary and vast unity8 ,the unity which comes from heaven1 doubtless has its place2 but the diversity of human nature has its proper place also4 ,in religion we must neither leave out ,god nor man4 ,without unity your religion cannot be of ,god2 without diversity it cannot be the religion of man1 and it ought to be of both4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,zipporah4 ,in the mountainous and wild region which lies around ,horeb and ,sinai1 were found1 in the days of that ,pharaoh1 whose court was the home of ,israel's law-giver1 many descendants of ,abraham1 children of one of the sons which ,keturah bore him in his old age4 ,we know little of them1 but here and there on the sacred page they are mentioned1 and we gain brief glimpses of their character and of the estimation in which they were held by ,jehovah4 ,like all the other nations1 they were mostly idolaters1 against whom ,he threatened vengeance for their inventions and abominations4 ,but among them were found some families who evidently retained a knowledge of ,abraham's ,god1 and who1 although they did not offer him a pure worship1 seem1 nevertheless1 to have been imbued with sentiments of piety1 and intended to serve ,him so far as they were acquainted with his character and requirements4 ,for these1 from time to time1 a consecrated priest stood before the altar1 offering sacrifices which were doubtless accepted in ,heaven1 since sincerity prompted1 and the spirit of true obedience animated1 the worshipers4 ,in the family of this priest1 who was also a prince among his people1 a stranger was at one time found1 who had suddenly appeared in ,midian1 and for a slight kindness shown to certain members of the household1 had been invited to sojourn with them and make one of the domestic circle4 ,he was an object of daily increasing interest to all around him4 ,whence had he come8 ,why was he thus apparently friendless and alone8 ,wherefore was his countenance sad and thoughtful2 and his heart evidently so far away from present scenes8 ,seven sisters dwell beneath the paternal roof1 and we can readily imagine the eagerness with which they discussed these questions and watched the many interviews between him and their father1 which seemed of a most important character4 ,the result was not long kept from them4 ,moses was henceforth to perform what had been their daily task1 and as his reward1 was to sustain the relation of son1 husband1 and brother in the little circle4 ,zipporah1 whether willingly or reluctantly we are not told1 became the wife of the silent man1 nor has he1 in the record which he has left1 given us any account of those forty years of quiet domestic life1 watching his flocks amid the mountain solitudes1 and in intercourse with the priest of ,midian1 and taught of that ,god who chose him before all other men4 ,as a familiar friend1 he was daily learning lessons of mighty wisdom1 and gaining that surpassing excellence of character which has made his name immortal4 ,was the wife whom he had chosen the worthy daughter of her father1 and a fit companion for such a husband8 ,did they take sweet counsel together1 and could she share his noble thoughts8 ,did she listen with tearful eyes to his account of the woes of his people1 and rejoice with him in view of the glorious scenes of deliverance which he anticipated8 ,did she appreciate the sublime beauties which so captivated and enthralled his soul as he pored over the pages of that wonderful poem which portrays the afflictions of the man of ,uz8 ,did she worship and love the ,god of their common father with the same humility and faith8 ,we cannot answer one of the many questions which arise in our minds4 ,all we know is1 that ,zipporah was ,moses's wife1 and the mother of ,moses's sons1 and we feel that hers was a favorite lot1 and involuntarily yield her the respect which her station would demand4 ,silently the appointed years sped4 ,the great historian found in them no event bearing upon the interests of the kingdom of ,god1 worthy of note1 and our gleanings are small4 ,at their close he was again found in close consultation with ,jethro1 and with his consent1 and in obedience to the divine mandate1 the exile once more turned his steps toward the land of his birth4 ,zipporah and their sons1 with asses and attendants1 accompanied him1 and their journey was apparently prosperous until near its close1 when a strange and startling providence arrested them4,b ,an alarming disease seized upon ,gershom1 the eldest son1 and at the same time intimations not to be mistaken convinced his parents that it was sent in token of divine displeasure for long-neglected duty4 ,god's eye is ever on his children1 and though ,he is forbearing1 ,he will not forever spare the chastening rod1 if they live on in disobedience to his commands4 ,both ,moses and ,zipporah knew what was the appointed seal of ,god's covenant with ,abraham1 and we cannot understand why they so long deferred including their children in that covenant4 ,we do not know how many times conscience may have rebuked them1 nor what privileges they forfeited1 but we are sure they were not blessed as faithful servants are4 ,now there was no delaying longer4 ,the proof of ,god's disapprobation was not to be mistaken1 and they could not hesitate if they would preserve the life of their child4 ,there is doubtless something abhorrent to our ideas of propriety in a mother's performing this rite upon an adult son1 for ,gershom was at this time probably more than thirty years of age1 but we must ever bear in mind that she was complying with a divine requisition1 and among a people1 and in a state of society whose sentiments and usages were very different from ours4 ,her duty performed1 she solemnly admonished ,gershom that he was now espoused to the ,lord by this significant rite1 and that this bloody seal should ever remind him of the sacred relation4 ,the very moment neglected obligations are cheerfully assumed1 that moment does ,god smile upon his child4 ,he accepts and upbraids not4 ,the frown which but now threatened precious life has fled1 and children rejoice in new found peace1 and in that peculiar outflowing of tenderness1 humility1 and love which ever follows upon repentance1 reparation and forgiveness4 ,for some reason1 to us wholly inexplicable1 ,moses seems to have sent his family back to the home which they had just left1 before reaching ,egypt1 and they resided with ,jethro until the tribes1 having passed through all the tribulations which had been prophesied for them1 made their triumphant exodus from the land of bondage and encamped at the foot of ,sinai4 ,jethro1 who seems to have taken a deep interest in the mission of ,moses1 immediately on hearing of their arrival1 took his daughter and her sons to rejoin the husband and father from whom they had been long separated4 ,touching and delightful was the re-union1 and we love to linger over the few days which ,zipporah's father spent with her in this their last interview on earth4 ,the aged man listened with wonder and joy to the recital of all that ,jehovah had wrought4 ,he found his faith confirmed and his soul strengthened1 and doubtless felt it a great privilege to leave his child among those who were so evidently under the protection of the ,almighty1 and before whom he constantly walked in the pillar of fire and cloud4 ,with a father's care and love1 he gave such counsel as he saw his son-in-law needed1 and after uniting with the elders in solemn sacrifice and worship1 in which he assumed his priestly office1 he departed to his own land4 ,we seem to see ,zipporah1 as with tearful eyes she watched his retreating footsteps1 and felt that she should see her father's face no more on earth4 ,not without fearful struggles are the ties which bind a daughter to her parents sundered1 though as a wife she cleaves to her husband1 and strives for his sake to repress her tears and hide the anguish she cannot subdue4 ,one comfort1 however1 remained to ,zipporah4 ,soothingly fell on her ear the invitation of her husband to her brother1 the companion of her childhood1 ,we are journeying unto the place of which the ,lord said1 ,i will give it you3 ,come thou with us and we will do thee good3 for the ,lord hath spoken good concerning ,israel4 ,deprecatingly she doubtless looked upon him1 as he answered1 ,i will not go1 but ,i will depart to mine own land1 and to my kindred2 and united in the urgent entreaty1 ,leave us not1 ,i pray thee2 forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness1 and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes4 ,with her husband and brother near1 on whom to lean1 she must have been cheered1 and the bitterness of her final separation from home alleviated4 ,feelings of personal joy or grief were soon1 however1 banished from her mind by the mighty wonders which were displayed in the desert1 and by the absorbing scenes which transpired while ,israel received the law1 and were prepared to pursue their way to ,canaan4 ,of her after history we gather little1 and the time of her death is not mentioned4 ,one affliction1 not uncommon in this evil world1 fell to her lot4 ,her husband's family were unfriendly and unkind to her1 and she was the occasion of their reproach and ridicule4 ,but she was happy in being the wife of one meek above all the men upon the earth1 and she was vindicated by ,god himself4 ,what were her hopes in prospect of seeing the promised land1 in common with all the nation1 or whether she lived to hear the terrible command of ,god to ,moses1 ,avenge ,israel of the ,midianites1 we do not know4 ,the slaughter of her people may have caused her many a pang1 and she probably went to her rest long before the weary forty years were ended4 ,she has a name and a place on the sacred page1--she was a wife and mother1--and though hers is a brief memorial1 yet1 if we have been led to study the word of ,god more earnestly1 because we would fain learn more concerning her1 that memorial is not useless4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,brotherly ,,love4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,mancius ,s4 ,,hutton1 ,d4,d4 ,be kindly affectioned one to another1 with brotherly love1 in honor preferring one another4 7,continued from page #ib47 ,i remarked that this precept was important in the heads of families1 in regulating their intercourse with each other1 as well as that between themselves and their children4 ,i take it for granted that there is in truth no want of real affection and regard between husband and wife1 and yet there may be1 in their treatment of each other1 frequent violations of the duty of kindly affection4 ,the merely outward manner is indeed never as important as the real feeling1 but it always will be regarded more or less as the indication of the real feeling1 and parents should never forget1 that in their children they have most observant and reflecting minds2 and you may rest assured that the parental cords are loosed most sadly when the child is led to remark that his parents do not cordially harmonize4 ,nay1 more1 if those parents be ,christians1 such conduct throws a shade of doubt over their ,christian character4 ,there were both force and sincerity in the remark of the man who1 when the reality of his religion was questioned1 replied3 ,if you doubt whether ,i am a changed man1 go and ask my wife4 ,i fear that many a professing ,christian could not stand this test2 he could appeal with confidence to the testimony of his church1 and receive the most favorable answer1 but could he appeal with the same confidence to the testimony of his home1 of one who knows him best8 ,is his intercourse with them whom he truly loves best1 always regulated by the law of that kindly affection which religion imperatively demands1 nay1 which good sense and common humanity require8 ,many a man will speak at times to his wife in a most unkind and even uncourteous manner1 in a manner in which he would not dare to speak to any one else2 ,i know he may not mean unkindness1 but is it not a wrong8 ,i say nothing of its unchristianness2 is it not a wrong done to her who loves him more than she does all the world1 to treat her far more uncourteously than the world would do8 ,is it not shameful that she who has borne all the pain1 and care1 and anxiety1 and burden of his children1 should ever have an unkind word or look from him8 ,nay1 is it not a meanness1 an entirely unchristian meanness1 that a husband should presume upon the very loveliness of his wife1 upon the very affections of her pure heart1 to treat her thus rudely8 ,and is it not as cowardly as it is mean1 thus to act towards one whose only defense is in himself8 ,i say cowardly1 for were many a husband to speak1 and to act towards another woman as he allows himself to do and to speak towards his own wife1 he would not always escape the punishment due his ungentlemanly conduct4 ,let us1 who are husbands and wives1 endeavor all of us to be on the watch in this thing2 and let it be our rule to treat no one in the world more kindly or more politely than we do our own wives and our own husbands4 ,not long since1 at the bedside of a dying wife1 ,i heard a husband1 with quivering lip and tearful eye1 say1 ,beloved wife1 forgive me1 if ,i have ever treated you unkindly4 ,if you would be saved from the anguish of ever feeling that you needed forgiveness from the dying lips of your dearest earthly ones1 be kindly affectioned1 therefore1 one to another4 ,let us1 in the next place1 seek to apply this direction to the intercourse of brothers and sisters4 ,no association of beings on earth can be more interesting than that of the family2 there are found the tenderest sympathies and the most endearing relations4 ,there the painter seeks for the sweetest scenes by which to exhibit his art1 and the poet finds the inspiration which gives melody to his song4 ,the highest praise which we can give to any other association of men1 whether in church or state1 is to say that they dwell together as a family2 and cold and hard indeed must be that heart which does not sympathize and rejoice in family ties4 ,in nothing short of the developments made in the cross of ,jesus do the wisdom and love of ,god towards our race shine more conspicuously than they do in this grouping us in families4 ,the result has been1 that society has been preserved1 even though the authority of ,god has been condemned2 and even the annals of heathenism afford us very many displays of those kindly feelings1 which adorn and beautify human nature4 ,these would not have existed1 had not the heart been cultivated in the family2 and where religious principle is added as the guiding influence of the circle1 the family becomes the nursery of all that is great and good in our nature1 it becomes the very type and antepast of heaven4 ,now1 the great development of this religious principle would chiefly show itself in obedience to the apostolic injunction in the precept1 ,be kindly affectioned1 one to another1 with brotherly love2 in honor preferring one another4 ,i do not1 however1 so much seek just now to urge upon the members of the family the existence of kind feelings1 for ,i take it for granted that in obedience to the call of nature1 and the ties of blood1 these feelings are already in existence2 but what ,i desire to present is the duty of always making these feelings apparent in common intercourse1 for just in proportion to the neglect of this1 is the family influence on the happiness of its members affected4 ,if you would combine the greatest possible elements of unhappiness you could not imagine any which would surpass that of a family of brothers and sisters1 hating each other1 yet compelled to live together as a family1 where no word of kindness passes from one to the other1 where no act of kindness draws out the affections1 where the success of one only excites the envy of the others2 no smile lights up the countenance2 no gladness found in each other's society1 the aim of each to thwart and annoy the other4 ,in such dwellings there would be no light1 no peace1 no joy1 no pleasant sounds4 ,indeed such a picture does not belong to even our fallen world1 it is the description of the misery of the lost4 ,a picture1 perhaps1 of a family in hell4 ,the further1 therefore1 from this1 my friends1 that you can remove your own family1 the greater will be your own happiness and comfort1 and you must remember that the responsibility of this rests upon each one of you individually4 ,let your brother or sister never receive an unkind1 unbrotherly or unsisterly act1 never perceive an unaffectionate look1 nor experience an uncourteous neglect1 and you will do very much towards making your family the abode of as perfect peace as can be enjoyed upon earth1 and cause it to present the loveliest and most attractive scene this side of heaven4 ,now1 ,i will freely acknowledge that in urging this duty upon brothers and sisters1 ,i am setting you upon no easy work2 ,i know that it will require often much self-denial1 much restraint in word and deed1 but the gain will far more than repay the struggle4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,family ,,promise4 ,,by ,,joseph ,mc,c,a,r,r,e,l,l1 ,d4,d4 ,the promise is to you and to your children1 and to all that are afar off1 even as many as the ,lord our ,god shall call4 ,from the beginning of the creation ,god has dealt with man as a social being4 ,he made them a male and a female1 and the first institution in innocence and in ,eden1 was marriage4 ,in his dealings with ,adam1 ,god deals with the race4 ,he made with them his covenant when he made it with ,him4 ,hence1 by the disobedience of one1 many were made sinners2 in ,adam all die4 ,with ,noah he made a covenant never to drown the world again by the waters of a flood4 ,this promise belongs to the children of ,noah1 the human race4 ,to ,abraham1 the father of the faithful1 the ,almighty ,god said1 ,i will establish my covenant between me and thee1 and thy seed after thee1 in their generations1 for an everlasting covenant1 to be a ,god unto thee and to thy seed after thee4 7,gen4 #ag3g47 ,in token of this covenant1 ,abraham was circumcised1 and his family1 and his posterity1 at eight days old4 ,this principle of the ecclesiastical unity of the many1 this family1 is continued under the new dispensation of the covenant1 and distinctly announced in the memorable sermon of ,peter1 on the day of ,pentecost3 ,repent and be baptized1 every one of you1 for the remission of sins1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost2 for the promise is unto you and to your children1 and to all that are afar off1 even as many as the ,lord our ,god shall call4 7,acts #b3ch1 #ci47 ,accordingly1 when ,lydia believed she was baptized1 and her household2 and when the jailor believed he was baptized1 he and his1 straightway4 7,acts #af47 ,and so clearly was this principle established1 that it extends to the children of parents of whom one only is in the covenant2 for the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife1 and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband1 else were your children unclean1 but now are they holy4 7#a ,cor4 #g3ad47 ,the first mother derived her personal name from this great principle4 ,under the covenant of works her name is simply the feminine form of the man1 ,hebrew3 ,,isha the woman1 from ,hebrew3 ,,ish the man4 ,but when1 in the awful darkness which followed the fall1 the first light broke upon the ruined race1 in the grand comprehensive promise1 ,i will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed3 he shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel1 it was promised that she should be the mother of a ,savior who should destroy the grand adversary of man1 though he himself should suffer in his inferior nature in the eventful conflict4 ,in view of this great honor1 that she should be the mother1 according to the flesh1 of the living ,savior1 and all that should live by his mediation and grace1 ,adam called his wife's name ,eve1 ,hebrew3 ,,khava1 because she was the mother of all living1 ,hebrew3 ,,hay4 7,gen4 #c3bj47 ,the family identity1 established at the beginning of the dispensation of grace1 and continued to the end of divine revelation without the least shadow of change1 gives to ,christian parents their grand encouragement and constraining motive to seek the salvation of the children whom ,god hath given them4 ,his former respects1 first1 themselves1 and then their children1 as part of themselves4 ,as it is necessary that they should believe the promise to themselves1 in order that they may enjoy it2 so they must believe the promise respecting their children1 in order that the children may enjoy the blessing4 ,and as they must prove the reality of their faith in the promise which respects themselves by their works1 so they must prove the reality of their faith in the promise which respects their children by the faithful discharge of the duties which they owe to ,god in their behalf4 ,fathers1 provoke not your children to wrath1 but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord4 ,train up a child in the way he should go1 and when he is old he will not depart from it4 ,a soldier is not trained for the service of his country or the field of battle by a few lectures on the art of war4 ,he must be drilled1 practiced1 in the very things which he must do upon the field of blood4 ,so the children of believers1 who are to take the places of their fathers and mothers in the grand warfare against ,satan1 the world1 and the flesh1 must be practiced in these very truths1 and graces1 and duties which they must labor and do1 that they may be saved and be instrumental in extending that kingdom which is righteousness and peace and joy in the ,holy ,ghost1 to the end of the earth and to the end of time4 ,let ,christian parents make full proof of the family promise1 use it in their prayers at the ,throne of grace1 cling to it as the anchor of their hope for those who are as dear to them as their own lives1 and prove the sincerity of their prayers by unmeasured diligence in instruction and parental authority and influence1 and a holy example4 ,it was a high commendation of ,abraham1 in whose seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed1 that ,he who is the fountain of honor and blessing should say1 ,i know ,abraham1 that he will command his children1 and his household after him1 and they shall keep the way of the ,lord1 to do justice and judgment1 that the ,lord may bring upon ,abraham the thing that he hath spoken of him4 ,if you would not that the blood of souls should be found in your skirts at the last day1 and that the souls of your own children1 plead incessantly the family promise1 plead it in faith1 approved by diligence and a holy example1 not only point the road to heaven1 but lead the way4 ,so shall each ,christian parent say to the ,redeemer1 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints and admired in all that believe1 ,here am ,i1 ,lord1 and the children which thou hast given me4 ,let children of ,christian parents plead the promise made on their behalf4 ,it has kept the true religion from becoming extinct2 it will yet fill the earth with the glory of the ,lord as the waters cover the sea4 ,plead it for yourselves and show your faith in it by giving yourselves up to ,emanuel1 the great high priest of our profession1 as free-will offerings in the day of his power1 as his progeny1 whom he will adorn with the beauties of holiness1 as the dew from the womb of the morning1 when reflecting the light of the sun refracts the prismatic colors4 ,say with ,david1 ,i am thy servant1 the son of thine handmaid1 and therefore belonging to ,his household1 to serve ,him1 to glorify ,him1 to enjoy ,him forever4 ,but beware1 on the peril of your souls1 how you abuse your relation to the family of ,god4 ,think not in your hearts we have ,abraham to our father2 make not the holy promise1 nor its holy author1 a minister of sin1 an apology for unbelief and all ungodliness4 ,wilt thou not at this time cry unto me1 ,my father1 thou art the guide of my youth8 ,hear1 believe1 plead and obey the gracious word4 ,i will pour water upon him that is thirsty1 and upon the dry ground4 ,i will pour my ,spirit upon thy seed1 and my blessing upon thine offspring1 and they shall spring up as among the grass1 as willows by the water courses2 one shall say1 ,i am the ,lord's1 and another shall call himself by the name of ,jacob1 and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the ,lord1 and surname himself by the name of ,israel4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,promise ,,fulfilled4 ,leave thy fatherless children with me1 and ,i will preserve them alive4 ,how often has this promise been offered in the prayer of faith at the mercy-seat1 and proved a spring of consolation to the heart of a pious widowed mother6 ,in the desolation caused by the death of the husband and father1 who was the helper1 counselor1 and guardian in reference to spiritual as well as temporal interests1 and in the deepened sense of parental responsibility in the charge now singly resting upon her1 how often and readily does the widow cast herself upon the sure and precious promise of the covenant1 ,i will be a ,god to thee and to thy seed after thee4 ,in the faith of this her heart imbibes comfort1 her prayers become enlarged and constant1 and her efforts become wisely directed1 and steadily exerted1 in behalf of the spiritual interests of her children4 ,when we carefully observe such cases1 we shall find proof that the blessing of the ,god of grace peculiarly rests upon the household of the pious and faithful widow4 ,god1 in the truth and promises of his ,word1 takes peculiar notice of the widow and the orphan1 and his providence works in harmony with his word4 ,the importance and efficiency of maternal influence in every sphere of its exercise cannot be too highly estimated1 but nowhere does it possess such touching interest1 or such high promise1 as the scene of widowhood4 ,how would faith1 laying hold upon the truth of the following promise1 and securing its proper influence in all appropriate labors1 realize the fulfillment of the blessing3 ,this is my covenant with them1 saith the ,lord2 my ,spirit that is upon thee1 and my words which ,i have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth1 nor out of the mouth of thy seed1 nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed1 saith the ,lord1 from henceforth and forever4 ,isaiah #ei3ba4 ,these remarks receive a new confirmation in the case of the recent deaths of two young sons of ,,mrs4 ,,jane ,,hunt1 widow of the late ,rev4 ,christopher ,hunt1 pastor of the ,reformed ,dutch church in ,franklin street1 in this city4 ,they died within eight days of each other1 the elder1 ,de ,witt1 in his twentieth year1 on the #aith of ,january1 and the younger1 ,joseph ,scudder1 in his sixteenth year1 on the #aath ,january1 both of pulmonary disease4 ,their father1 the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,hunt1 was a faithful and successful minister of ,christ1 much beloved by the people of his pastoral charge4 ,the writer of this well remembers a sermon preached by him at the close of a series of services in the visitation of the ,reformed ,dutch churches of this city1 which was solemn and impressive1 from the text1 ,there is but a step between me and death4 ,this was in ,january1 #ahci4 ,at this time the seeds of disease 7perhaps unconsciously to himself7 were springing up within him1 and after a few more services in his church1 he was confined to his house1 and lingered until the following ,may4 ,his soul was firm in faith and full of peace1 on his sick and dying bed4 ,he committed them1 again and again1 to the care and faithfulness of their covenant ,god1 and felt that therein he left them the best of legacies1 whatever they might want of what the world could give4 ,at the time of his decease1 they had four children1 the youngest of whom was three weeks old4 ,the two oldest were the sons to whose deaths we are now adverting4 ,the two youngest 7daughters7 are surviving4 ,the elder son was seven years old at his father's death4 ,the responsible trust of rearing these children for ,christ and heaven was thus cast upon the widowed mother4 ,mrs4 ,hunt is the daughter of the late ,joseph ,scudder1 of ,monmouth1 ,n4,j41 and sister of the venerable1 long-tried1 and devoted missionary1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,john ,scudder1 now in ,india4 ,brought up under the influences and associations of piety1 she was early brought to a saving acquaintance with ,christ1 and a profession of faith in ,him within the church4 ,the consistency and ripeness of her piety has been evinced in the different spheres and relations of life where ,providence placed her4 ,with the infant children cast upon her care1 at the death of her husband1 she plied herself with toilful industry to provide for them1 while her soul was ever intent upon their early conversion to ,christ4 ,she aimed to give these sons such a course of education as would1 under ,god's sanctifying blessing1 prepare them to engage in the work of the ministry1 perhaps the missionary service4 ,she had the gratification of seeing them as they grew up evincing thoughtfulness of mind1 amiableness of spirit1 and correctness of conduct1 and by an affectionate spirit1 and ready obedience1 contributing to her comfort4 ,at the time of his death1 ,de ,witt was in the ,junior class1 and ,joseph had just entered the ,freshman class1 and there had gained a good distinction for study and scholarship1 and drawn forth the respect and affection of their instructors and fellow-students4 ,while pursuing his own studies1 the elder brother led on the younger brother at home1 and it is believed that by his close application he hastened the bringing on of his disease4 ,in addition to this1 the mother's heart was yearning for the proofs of their having given their hearts to ,god4 ,attentive as they were to divine truth in the sanctuary and ,sabbath-school1 in the reading of it at home1 and careful in forming associations favorable to piety1 she yet looked beyond these to their full embrace of1 and dedication to1 the ,savior4 ,how mysterious is that dispensation which1 at this interesting period1 when these only two sons were moulding their characters for life opening before them2 and when they seemed to be preparing to realize a mother's hope1 and reward a mother's prayers1 and toils1 and anxieties1 they should1 both together1 within a few days of each other be removed from time to eternity4 ,but in the circumstances and issues of their sickness and death we find an explanation of this apparent mystery by the satisfactory evidence they afforded of their being prepared by an early death to be translated to the blissful worship and service of heaven4 ,previous to a brief sketch of the sick-bed and dying scene of these dear youths1 a circumstance may be adverted to1 beautifully and strongly illustrative of the value and efficacy of the prayer of faith4 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,scudder1 in his appeals1 has frequently and ardently pressed upon parents the importance of the duty of seeking the early conversion of their children1 and their consecration to the service of the ,savior4 ,with his heart intent upon this duty in the spirit of continued believing intercession1 ,god has signally blessed him in his own large family of children in their early conversion to ,christ1 and in the training of his sons for the foreign missionary service in which he is himself engaged4 ,two of his sons are now engaged in that service2 one training for it some time since entered into the heavenly rest1 and others are now in preparation for it4 ,on the #abth of ,november last1 #ahea1 ,dr4 ,s4 addressed a letter from ,madura1 in ,india1 to his nephew1 ,de ,witt ,hunt4 ,so remarkable is this letter1 not only in the matter it contains1 and spirit it breathes1 but also in the fulfillment of the prayers it refers to1 as the end of the two months stipulated found ,de ,witt brought into the hope and liberty of the ,gospel1 on the very verge of his removal to heaven1 that we make the following copious extracts from it3 ,my dear ,nephew1--,my daughter ,harriet received your letter by the last steamer4 ,i have not the least evidence from the letter that you love the ,savior1 for you do not even refer to him4 ,on this account ,i may perhaps be warranted in coming to the conclusion that he is not much in your thoughts4 ,be this1 however1 as it may1 ,i have become so much alarmed about your spiritual condition as to make it a special subject of prayer1 or to set you apart for this purpose2 and ,i design1 ,god willing1 to pray for you in a special manner until about the time when this shall reach you1 that is1 about two months4 ,after that ,i can make no promise that ,i shall pray for you any further than ,i may pray for my friends in general4 ,i have now set apart a little season to pray for you and to write to you4 ,do you wonder at this8 ,has it never occurred to you as a very strange thing that others should be so much concerned in you1 while you are unconcerned for yourself8 ,i can explain the mystery4 ,your friends have seen you1 and your uncle1 among the rest1 has seen you walking on the pit of destruction1 on a rotten covering1 as it were1 liable at every moment to fall through it1 and drop into everlasting burnings4 ,this you have not seen1 and therefore you have remained careless and indifferent4 ,whether this carelessness and indifference will continue ,i know not4 ,all that ,i can say is1 that ,i am greatly alarmed for you4 ,it is no small thing for you to trample under foot the blood of ,christ for eighteen years4 ,justly might the ,savior say of you1 as he said of his people of old1 ',ephraim is joined to idols1 let him alone4' ,your treatment of the blessed ,savior is what grieves me to the heart4 ,what has ,he not done to serve you8 ,were you to fall into a well1 and a stranger should run to your help and take you out1 that stranger should forever afterwards be esteemed as your chief friend4 ,nothing could be too much for you to do for him4 ,of nothing would you be more cautious than of grieving him4 ,and has ,christ come down from heaven to save you8 ,has ,he died for you8 ,has ,he shed his very blood for you that you might be delivered from the worm that dieth not1 and the fire which is never quenched8 ,and can you be so wicked as not to love ,him8 ,my dear nephew1 this will not do2 it must not do4 ,you must alter your course4 ,but ,i will stop writing for a moment and kneel down and entreat ,god's mercy for you4 ,i will endeavor to present the sacrifice of the ,redeemer at the ,throne of grace1 and see if ,i cannot1 for this sacrifice' sake1 call down the blessing of the ,holy ,spirit upon you4 ,as a remarkable coincidence evidencing an answer to earnest believing prayer1 this letter found both the nephews drawing near to their eternal state4 ,under the discipline of the ,holy ,spirit1 the end of the two stipulated months for special daily prayer in his behalf1 found ,de ,witt brought into the light and liberty of the ,gospel1 rejoicing in his ,savior4 ,a few incidents occurring in the progress of the sickness1 and during the death-bed scene1 will now be adverted to2 and as the death of ,,joseph took place first1 ,i shall first allude to his case4 ,he was in his fifteenth year1 and last fall1 in ,september1 entered the ,freshman class in the ,new ,york ,university4 ,he had been characterized from childhood for an amiable and docile spirit1 filial kindness and obedience1 and correctness of deportment4 ,his mind opened to religious instruction in the family and ,sabbath-school4 ,he loved the ,bible1 and it is believed was observant of the habit of prayer4 ,it was the anxious prayer1 and assiduous labor of his pious mother that all this might be crowned with the saving knowledge of ,christ as his ,redeemer4 ,he took a cold soon after entering the ,university which at first excited no alarm1 but it was soon accompanied with hectic fever1 which made rapid progress1 and gave indications that his death was not remote4 ,in the early part of ,november1 their mother1 realizing these indications1 and also the precarious state of ,de ,witt's health1 who had been afflicted with a cough during the whole of the preceding year1 which had been slowly taking root1 and now furnished sad forebodings of the issue1 plied her labors with greater earnestness for their spiritual welfare4 ,the visits and conversations of ,rev4 ,mr4 ,carpenter were most acceptable and blessed after this period4 ,i shall here make extracts from some notes and reminiscences furnished me by the mother3 ,the evening of ,sabbath1 ,november #af1 was a solemn one to myself and sons4 ,we spent the time alone2 ,i entreating them to yield their hearts unto ,god1 they in listening to the words of their mother as though they felt and understood their import4 ,i begged them not to be wearied with my importunity1 and wearied they had been had they not cared for the things belonging to their everlasting peace4 ,i knew not how to part with them that night until they should yield themselves1 body1 soul and spirit1 to ,whom they had been invited often to go4 ,after this1 ,joseph's disease rapidly advanced1 and the physicians pronounced his case hopeless4 ,he was throughout meek1 quiet1 patient4 ,mrs4 ,hunt again writes3 ,sabbath morning1 ,november #cj1 ,i endeavored to entreat ,god to make this the spiritual birthday of my children4 ,i was with ,joseph in the morning1 reading and conversing with him4 ,in the afternoon ,i urged him to go to ,christ just as he was1 feeling his own nothingness1 and casting himself upon ,his mercy4 ,he replied1 in a low1 solemn voice1 ',i have tried to go many times1 but ,i want faith to believe ,i shall be accepted4' ,after a few minutes he said1 ',sometimes ,i think ,i shall be1 and sometimes that ,i shall not be4' ,again1 there was a pause and waiting1 and then his gentle voice was heard saying1 ',i can give my heart to the ,savior4' ,truly did ,i bless ,god for his loving kindness and tender mercy4 ,it is worthy of observation1 that the evening before1 ,saturday1 a small number of pious young men of their acquaintance met for special prayer on behalf of ,joseph1 ,de ,witt1 and another young man very ill4 ,i continue to quote ,mrs4 ,h43 ,on ,friday night1 the #b;d of ,january1 ,i asked him in regard to his feelings4 ,he replied1 ',i pray that ,i may give myself away to ,christ1 and ,he may be with me when ,i pass through the valley of the shadow of death4' ,i remarked1 then1 ,joseph1 you want to enter the heavenly ,canaan1 to praise ,him1 and cast your crown at his feet4 ,he said1 ',yes1 to put on the robe of righteousness4' ,on ,wednesday night1 ,january #g1 he was restless4 ,after he awoke on ,thursday morning1 ,i said to him1 ,joseph1 try now to compose yourself to prayer2 to which he assented and closed his eyes4 ,during the day he remarked to me1 ',i prayed for the teachings of ,god's ,holy ,spirit that ,i might be made wise unto salvation2 that he would lift upon me the light of his countenance1 and uphold me with his free ,spirit2 give me more light that ,i may tell around what a precious ,savior ,i have found4 ,i say1 ,precious ,savior1 wash me in thine own blood1 and make me one of thine own children4 ,i come to thee just as ,i am1 a poor sinner4' ,on ,wednesday1 the day before ,de ,witt received the letter from his uncle1 ,dr4 ,scudder1 before referred to and quoted4 ,joseph wished me to read it to him1 which ,i did4 ,after ,i had finished1 he remarked1 ',before ,uncle ,scudder prays for me all his prayers will be fulfilled1' but afterwards added1 'he thought his uncle would now be praying for him1 and sending a letter to him4' ,after this he grew weaker and weaker1 and continued peacefully and patiently to wait his coming death1 giving expressions of fond attachment to his mother1 in acknowledgment of her pious care4 ,on ,saturday he was visited1 as he lay very low1 by ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c41 who held a plain and satisfactory conversation with him4 ,passages of ,scripture and hymns were read to him1 which gave him pleasure1 and to the import of which he responded4 ,he expressed to him the blessed hope of soon reaching heaven4 ,he sank during the night1 and died at half-past one o'clock1 of the morning of the blessed day of the ,lord1 ,january #aa1 #aheb1 surrounded by weeping but comforted ,christian friends4 ,t4,d4,w4 ,,to ,,be ,,continued4 99 99 99 99 99 ,john ,newton one day called upon a family whose house and goods had been destroyed by fire4 ,he found its pious mistress in tears4 ,said he1 ,madam1 ,i give you joy4 ,surprised and almost offended1 she exclaimed1 ,what6 joy that all my property is consumed8 ,i give you joy1 he replied1 that you have so much property that no fire can touch4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,benefits ,,of ,,baptism4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,wm4 ,,bannard4 ,son4--,father1 how do you reconcile the distinction which the apostle ,paul makes in #a ,cor4 #g3ad1 between children as holy and unclean1 with the fact that all the descendants of ,adam inherit a corrupt nature8 ,father4--,the distinction is not moral1 but federal or ecclesiastical4 ,the apostle is speaking1 you perceive1 of the children of believers and unbelievers4 ,the one1 he says1 are holy1 the other unclean4 ,but he does not mean by this that the children of pious parents are by nature different from others1 or that1 unlike them1 they are not tainted with evil4 ,he means that they stand in a different relation to ,god and his church4 ,holy1 in ,scripture1 means primarily set apart or consecrated to a sacred use4 ,thus1 the temple at ,jerusalem1 its altar1 vessels and priests1 were holy4 ,the ,jews themselves1 as a people1 were in covenant with ,god4 ,they belonged to him1 were set apart to his service1 and in this sense holy4 ,now1 the apostle is to be understood as teaching that children of believing parents1 under the ,gospel1 are allowed to participate in this heritage of ,god's ancient people1 and hence are holy4 ,son4--,but how can this be8 ,father4--,i will tell you1 briefly1 though ,i cannot now go into detail4 ,in virtue1 then1 of their parents' faith in ,god's covenant1 into which he entered with ,abraham1 and through him with all believing parents1 their children1 also1 are brought into covenant with him and entitled to its privileges and blessings4 ,they are set apart and given to him by their parents when they are sealed with the seal of his covenant in baptism4 ,in this manner1 and in this sense1 they become holy4 ,son4--,in what sense are all others unclean8 ,father4--,the children of unbelievers are unclean because they sustain no such relation to ,god4 ,they have not been consecrated to him by their parents' faith in offering them to him in the ordinance of baptism1 and are not interested1 therefore1 in the provisions or benefits of the ,abrahamic covenant4 ,they have1 moreover1 no special relation to the church2 no more title to its immunities1 deeper interest in its regards1 than the children of the heathen4 ,they may1 indeed1 when they reach a suitable age1 hear the ,gospel1 and upon repentance and faith1 be admitted to its ordinances1 but they have no special claim upon its care1 or right to its prayers and nurture4 ,son4--,but1 after all1 is not this relation one of mere name or form8 ,has it any positive or practical benefits8 ,father4--,it is1 indeed1 too often disregarded1 yet it is positive in its character and fraught with striking benefits4 ,if you will give me your attention ,i will state a few of the benefits which accrue to children from this relation4 ,you1 then1 my son1 and all children of believing parents who have been consecrated to ,god in baptism1 are considered as thereby belonging to ,him4 ,you are set apart to his service1 in a sense that others are not1 and consequently are holy4 ,in this solemn dedication1 your parents professed their faith in the triune ,god1 and their desire that you should be his servants4 ,they took him to be your ,god according to the terms of his covenant2 they desired that you might be engrafted into ,christ1 and claimed for you the promise of the ,holy ,spirit to regenerate and sanctify you4 ,now this1 in itself1 is an unspeakable blessing4 ,on their part it was an act of faith and obedience4 ,in compliance with the divine direction1 they claimed for themselves and for you a privilege which has been the birthright of the church in all ages4 ,they commended you in the most solemn manner to ,god--the ,god of ,abraham1 of ,isaac1 and of ,jacob1 a covenant-keeping ,god1 who is rich in mercy1 infinite in resources1 and who has promised to be a ,god to thee and to thy seed after thee4 ,it is an unspeakable blessing to be thus placed under his protection1 to be brought within the bonds of his covenant1 and to be entitled to that pledge of mercy which he has made unto thousands of them that love him and keep his commandments4 ,if it were a privilege for children to be brought to ,christ to receive his blessing while he was on earth1 equally is it a privilege to be brought to him now that he is exalted to the majesty on high1 and able1 as then1 to save unto the uttermost4 ,though ,god has a regard for all his creatures1 both his word and providence assure us he has a special interest in his people4 ,his language is1 ,jacob have ,i loved1 and ,israel have ,i chosen4 ,his elect are those in whom he delights4 ,their names are in his book of life4 ,all things are overruled for their good4 ,they are regarded with more than maternal tenderness1 for though a mother forget her infant child1 ,god will not forget his people4 ,and in this affection their children share4 ,repeated instances are given in which the offspring of believers1 though wicked1 were spared for the sake of their parents4 ,the descendants of ,david were not utterly banished from the throne for generations1 for their father's sake4 ,of ,israel it was said1 when oppressed for their sins by ,hazael1 ,king of ,syria1 the ,lord had compassion and respect unto them1 because of his covenant with ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 and would not destroy them1 neither cast he them from his presence as yet4 ,even since they have rejected and crucified their ,messiah1 there is a remnant of them left1 according to the election of grace1 who are beloved for their father's sake4 ,the children of the covenant do unquestionably receive manifold temporal and spiritual mercies1 and to this more than anything else on earth1 it may be1 they are indebted for their present and eternal well-being4 ,they are not forgotten when those who bore them to ,god's altar1 and dedicated them to him in faith1 have passed away4 ,when father or mother forsake1 or are called from them1 the ,lord shall take them up4 ,though they stray from the fold of the good ,shepherd1 and seem to wander beyond the reach of mercy1 often1 very often1 does ,his grace reclaim and make them the monuments of his forgiving love4 ,this covenant-relation is indeed one whose benefits we cannot here fully estimate1 for they can be known only when the secret dealings of ,god are revealed1 and we are permitted to trace their bearing upon an eternal destiny4 ,they do not secure salvation in every instance1 but who shall say they would not obtain even that blessing were they never perverted1 and were parent and children alike faithful to the responsibilities they involve8 ,son4--,these are1 indeed1 great benefits1 but are there any other8 ,father4--,yes2 besides sustaining this marked and honored relation to ,god1 the baptized sustain a different relation to his church from that of others4 ,they are members of the visible church4 ,their names are enrolled among ,god's preferred people4 ,they have a place in the sanctuary of which ,david sung1 ,how amiable are thy tabernacles1 ,o ,lord of hosts4 ,nor is this relation without its benefits4 ,they are brought thereby within the supervision and nurture of the church4 ,they become the subjects of her care1 instruction and discipline4 ,in addition to household privileges1 to the prayers1 examples and labors of pious parents1 they have a special claim to the prayers and efforts of the church4 ,they are remembered as the sons and daughters of ,zion4 ,for them the public prayer is made4 ,they can be interceded for not only as needing the grace of ,god1 but as authorized to expect it in virtue of their covenant with him4 ,with all faith and hope may they be brought to the throne of mercy as those of whom ,god has said1 ,i will be their ,god4 ,they may claim1 too1 as they ought to receive1 a special solicitude on the part of ministers1 officers and members of the church1 in their instruction1 and in the tender interest which those of the same body should feel in each other4 ,they are to be watched over1 sought out and cared for in private and in public2 to be borne with in their weakness and reclaimed in their wanderings4 ,they are ,lambs of the flock1 dear to the good ,shepherd1 and to be loved and labored for1 therefore1 for his sake4 ,though they become openly wicked it is not beyond the province of the church to rebuke them for their sins1 warn them of their danger1 and by all the moral means in her power to seek for their reformation4 ,and these considerations are fraught with benefit4 ,it was the lament of one of old1 a lament that may be taken up by numbers in our day--,no man careth for my soul4 ,but the church does care for the souls of her baptized children4 ,she recognizes them as within her pale1 provides in her standards for their nurture1 and though not faultless in her treatment of them1 she does seek their improvement1 through the influence of her ministers1 and by urging upon parents their responsibility4--,there is in these facts1 moreover1 a tendency to draw them to the church1 to bring them within hearing of the ,gospel and within the scope of its ordinances4 ,they will be attracted to the sanctuary of their fathers and attached to the faith and worship of those among whom they have been solemnly dedicated to ,god4 ,how often in after years do we in fact see them coming themselves and esteeming it a privilege to bring their own children to receive1 as they have received1 the seal of the covenant6--,the baptized are1 further1 candidates for all the immunities of ,christ's house4 ,they may come to the ,lord's table as soon as they have attained to the requisite knowledge and piety4 ,it is a distinguished honor1 and exalted privilege1 to be a guest at ,christ's table1 to partake of that feast which is a type of the marriage supper of the ,lamb1 and to this they are invited whenever they are ready publicly to avow their faith and love as his professed disciples4 ,they are for the present excluded1 as children in their minority are forbidden to exercise the rights of citizens2 or rather in virtue of their power to discipline1 as well as instruct1 the officers of the church may exclude them1 like other unworthy members1 from the communion4 ,but it is the aim and desire of the church that they may speedily acquire the knowledge1 faith and godliness that shall qualify them for this delightful service4--,now1 all this is happy in its tendency and beneficial in its effects4 ,it is a high honor to sustain a covenant relation to ,god1 and to be favored with the peculiar regard of his people4 ,it is a privilege to stand in a different relation to the church of ,christ from that of a mere heathen1 and to share in the kind offices and be objects of the prayers of those who are the excellent of the earth1 and whose intercession availeth much4 ,it is a blessing to be under influences adapted to counteract the power of an evil heart and an evil world1 and thus be made meet for the glories of ,christ's kingdom4 ,and though the baptized may be1 in fact often are1 insensible to these benefits1 they do in themselves constitute their choicest mercies4 ,if valued and improved1 they will become effectual for their salvation4 ,and should they be brought ultimately to share in the blessings of this covenant1 they will praise ,god for the agency it exerted1 and adore the wisdom and beneficence of its arrangements4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,wasted ,,gift2 ,,or1 ,,just ,a ,,minute4 ,whatsoever thy hand findeth to do1 do it with all thy might4--,,ecclesiastes #i3aj4 ,dear mother1 said little ,emily ,manvers1 as she turned over the leaves of an elegant annual which she had just received1 ,is not uncle ,albert very kind to send me this beautiful book8 ,i wonder sometimes that he gives me such costly presents1 but ,i suppose it is because he sees me so careful of my gifts4 ,mrs4 ,manvers smiled4 ,that speech sounds rather egotistic1 my dear4 ,do you really think you are such a very careful little girl8 ,i am sure1 mother1 replied ,emily1 coloring slightly1 that ,i take more care of my things than many other girls ,i know4 ,there is my wax doll1 ,i have had three years1 and she is not even soiled2 and that handsome paint-box uncle gave me a year ago this ,christmas1 is in as good order as ever1 though ,i have used it a great deal2 there is not one paint lost or broken1 and the brushes and crayons are all safe and perfect4 ,that is as it should be1 my daughter1 returned ,mrs4 ,manvers1 for even in small things1 we should use our gifts as not abusing them2 but what will you say when ,i tell you that you possess a treasure of inestimable value1 which you often misuse sadly1 and neglect most heedlessly1--a gift that properly employed will procure wonderful privileges1 but which ,i sometimes fear you will never learn to value until you are about to lose it forever4 ,why1 mother1 what can you mean6 exclaimed ,emily1 in astonishment4 ,it can't be that costly fan cousin ,henry sent me from ,india1 that was broken when ,i laid it down just a minute1 instead of putting it immediately away1 or do you mean my pet dove that ,i sometimes have not a minute's time to feed in the morning2 you cannot surely think that ,i will let it starve4 ,no1 ,emily1 answered the mother1 it is something far more precious than either1 although by your own admission you have two gifts of which you are not at all careful4 ,but ,i fear that if ,i tell you what the treasure is1 ,i shall fail in making you see clearly how much you misuse it2 ,i will therefore keep a little memorandum of your neglect and ill-usage of it for one week1 and that ,i hope will make you more careful in future4 ,i will begin on ,monday1 as to-morrow1 being the ,sabbath1 ,i have this gift of yours more under my immediate care4 ,emily wondered very much what this wonderful treasure could be that she used so badly1 and puzzled her brain the whole evening in guessing1 but her mother told her to have patience1 and in a week she would find out4 ,emily ,manvers was a kind1 amiable little girl1 between ten and eleven years old2 she was dutiful and obedient1 but had an evil habit of procrastination1 which her mother had tried in vain to overcome4 ,it was always time enough with ,emily to do everything1 and consequently her lessons were frequently imperfect1 and her wardrobe in a sad state1 as ,mrs4 ,manvers insisted upon her daughter sewing on strings1 and hooks and eyes1 when they were wanting1 thus endeavoring to instill early habits of neatness4 ,put not off till to-morrow what should be done to-day1 was a copy the little girl frequently wrote1 but she never allowed its meaning to sink into her heart4 ,it was this truth which her mother hoped now to teach her4 ,on ,monday morning1 ,emily jumped up as soon as her mother called her1 and seated herself on a low stool to put on her shoes and stockings2 there was a story book lying upon the table1 and as her eyes fell on it1 she began to think over all the stories it contained1 7some of them quite silly ones1 ,i am sorry to say17 and pulling her night-dress over her feet1 sat thinking about worse than nothing1 until her mother opened the bed-room door1 and exclaimed in surprise1 ,what6 not dressed yet1 ,emily6 ,it is full fifteen minutes since ,i called you4 ,i will be dressed directly1 mother1 said she1 jumping up quite ashamed1 and she hurriedly put on her clothes1 brushed her hair and prepared for breakfast4 ,after breakfast she had to look over her lessons1 but remembering her mother's remarks1 she stole a few minutes to feed her doves1 and then hurried to school afraid of being late4 ,on her return home in the afternoon1 her mother told her to mend her gloves1 which she had torn4 ,emily went to her work-basket1 but could not find her thimble4 ,where can my thimble be8 she cried1 after looking two or three minutes for it4 ,oh1 ,i remember now2 ,i left it on the window sill1 and off she ran to get it4 ,she was gone some time1 and on her return her mother asked1 ,couldn't you find your thimble1 ,emily8 ,yes1 mamma1 but ,james and ,george were flying their kites1 so ,i stopped just a minute to look at them4 ,i will sit down now4 ,she opened her work-box and took out a needle1 then looking about said1 ,why1 where is my cotton spool8 ,i left it on the chair a minute ago4 ,she moved the chairs1 turned up the hearth-rug1 and tumbled over her work-box in vain2 the cotton could not be found4 ,presently she espied puss1 under the sofa1 busily employed tossing something about with her paw4 ,oh1 you naughty kitty1 you have got my spool1 cried ,emily1 as she stooped down and caught hold of the thread which puss had entangled about the sofa legs2 but kitty was in a playful mood and would not give up the cotton-spool at once1 so ,emily amused herself playing with the cat and thread for some time longer4 ,at last1 she remembered her gloves1 and sitting down mended them in a few moments4 ,had ,emily's mother told her that she looked at her watch when the little girl first went for the thimble1 and that she had passed exactly three-quarters of an hour in idleness1 she would not have credited it4 ,after a while ,mrs4 ,manvers sent ,emily up stairs to get something for her4 ,she stayed so long that her mother called1 ,emily1 what keeps you so8 ,nothing1 mamma2 ,i stopped just a minute to look at my new sash1 it is so pretty4 ,ten minutes more were added to the wasted time4 ,the next day ,emily came home from school without any ticket for punctuality4 ,how is this8 asked the mother2 you started from home in good time8 ,yes1 mother1 returned the little girl1 but ,i stopped just a minute to speak to ,sarah ,randall1 and ,i know our school-clock must be wrong1 for it was half-past nine by it when ,i went in4 ,mrs4 ,manvers took the trouble to walk around to the school and compare her watch with the clock2 they agreed exactly1 and thus she found her daughter had wasted half an hour that morning4 ,do you know your lessons1 ,emily8 she asked1 after her return1 as the little girl had been sitting for more than an hour with her books upon her lap4 ,not quite1 mother4 ,have you been studying all the time1 my dear8 ,pretty near2 there was a man beating his horse dreadfully1 and ,i just looked out of the window a minute4 ,mrs4 ,manvers smiled1 and yet sighed1 for she knew that ,emily had spent half an hour humming a tune and gazing idly from the window upon the passers by4 ,,to ,,be ,,continued4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,a ,,child',s ,,reading4 ,in this day of books1 when so many pens are at work writing for children1 and when so many combine instruction with entertainment1 every family should be1 to some extent1 a reading family4 ,books have become indispensable2 they are a kind of daily food2 and we take for granted that no parent who reads this ,magazine neglects to provide aliment of this nature for his family4 ,how many leisure hours may thus be turned to profitable account6 ,how many useful ideas and salutary impressions may thus be gained which will never be lost6 ,if any family does not know the pleasure and the benefit of such employment of a leisure hour1 we advise them to make the experiment forthwith4 ,the district library1 the ,sabbath-school or village library in almost every town afford the facilities necessary for the experiment4 ,but my object is not so much to induce any to form the taste for reading1 for who1 now a-days1 does not read8 nor is it to write a dissertation on the pleasures and advantages of reading2 but simply to suggest a few plain hints upon the subject matter and the manner of reading4 ,and1 in the first place1 the parent should know what his child reads4 ,the book is the companion or teacher4 ,parent1 would you receive into your family a playmate or a teacher of whose tastes and habits and moral character you were ignorant8 ,would you admit them for one day in such a capacity without having previously ascertained as far as possible their qualifications for such an intimate relationship to your child8 ,but remember that the book has great influence4 ,it puts a great many thoughts into the mind of the young reader1 to form its tastes and make lasting impressions2 and how can you be indifferent to this matter1 when our land is flooded with so many vicious and contaminating books2 when they come1 like the frogs of ,egypt1 into every house and bed-chamber1 and even into the houses of the servants6 ,a single book may ruin your child6 ,you yourself may not be proof against evil thoughts and corrupt principles4 ,look well1 then1 to the thoughts that come into your child's mind from such a companion or teacher of your child as a printed book1 having perhaps all the fascination of a story or a romance4 ,and1 besides1 there are so many volumes that are tried and proved1 and acceptable to all1 that there can be no excuse for admitting into your family any which are even of a doubtful character4 ,and do not merely exercise supervision over the books which come to you and ask admission4 ,avail yourself of the best means of information1 and choose the best books2 ,i mean those best adapted to your purpose4 ,do not get too many1 but make a choice selection4 ,judge whether your child can comprehend what you put into its hand2 whether it is fitted to convey instruction1 or wholesome entertainment1 or right moral impressions4 ,if it can do neither of these1 it will be either an idle or a vicious companion for your child1 and you should exclude it at once4 ,but1 furthermore1 see in what manner the book is read4 ,draw out the thoughts of your child upon it2 ascertain whether it has been read understandingly and is remembered4 ,in this way you will strengthen the power of attention and of memory and judgment1 and exercise also the power of language1 by drawing out an expression of thought4 ,in this way reading will be doubly interesting1 and will be an invigorating exercise without overloading and clogging all the powers of thought4 ,but1 one thing more3 ,is your child inclined to pore over its books too much8 ,be careful1 lest its mind be over-stimulated at the expense of the body4 ,many a child is at this hour undermining its physical constitution by reading in the house1 when it should be playing out of doors1 or using its muscular system in some kind of domestic employment4 ,beware of any cause which shall induce a sickly precocity or a hotbed mental growth4 ,let no partiality for mental prodigies induce you to make physical invalids4 ,the sacrifice is too great2 seek rather a healthy and complete development of the whole child1 watching each power as it unfolds1 and training all for the most efficient fulfillment of the practical duties of life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,notices ,,of ,,books4 ,we venture to devote more space than usual to ,notices of ,books1 as we have a large number on our table deserving a word of commendation4 ,we shall confine ourselves to the class of works of which the topics of consideration come within the scope of this magazine4 ,,memoirs ,,of ,,the ,,life ,,and ,,trials ,,of ,a ,,youthful ,,christian1 in ,pursuit of ,health1 as developed in the ,biography of ,,nathaniel ,,cheever1 ,m4,d4 ,by ,rev4 ,,henry ,t4 ,,cheever4 ,with an ,introduction by ,rev4 ,,george ,b4 ,,cheever1 ,d4,d4 ,new ,york3 ,charles ,scribner4 ,we have laid down this book1 after attentive perusal1 with the feeling that among the many things to be learned from it1 one stands prominently forth1--the beauty of family affection in a ,christian household4 ,to our ,beloved and ,honored ,,mother1 these ,memorials of her ,youngest ,son are affectionately ,dedicated4 ,here we stand at the foundation stone1 and are not surprised afterward to see taking their place in the fair edifice of family love1 stones polished after the similitude of a palace4 ,the history presented in this memoir has no startling incidents4 ,the subject of it1 a beautiful and promising boy1 full of life and happiness1 is suddenly smitten with a disease which hangs like an incubus upon his progress through life1 and terminates his course just after he has entered successfully on the practice of the medical profession1 in the island of ,cuba1 led1 as he had previously been1 on repeated voyages across the ocean1 by the hope of permanent benefit from change of climate4 ,scattered through the book are descriptions of scenery1 observations on men and manners1 and pleasant narratives1 which give variety to its pages1 but its charm rises in the character of uncommon loveliness which it presents2 in the unvarying cheerfulness and patience with which the young sufferer met pain1 disappointment of cherished plans of life1 defeat and delay in his efforts for intellectual improvement1 separation from the friends to whom his sensitive spirit clung with a tenacity of affection which is often developed by suffering1 but which seems to have been an original element in his nature2 years of banishment from the home circle1 and at last1 death1 away from every friend1 on the ocean1 which he was struggling to cross once more that he might breathe his last sigh on his mother's bosom4 ,the conscientiousness1 the integrity1 the simplicity of this young ,christian are as beautiful to contemplate as his elasticity of spirit1 his cheerful submission1 and his resolute determination to be all that1 with the shattered materials1 he was capable of making himself4 ,his patient efforts1 retarded by his severe sufferings1 to educate himself1 and acquire a profession1 are touching and instructive1 though few1 who have not experienced the slow martyrdom of chronic disease1 can fully appreciate his energy1 or sympathize with his difficulties4 ,better than all this is his unwavering trust in ,god1 from his boyhood to the day of his early death4 ,here was the secret of his joyfulness4 ,his biographer well remarks1 ,beyond all doubt the inalienable treasure and guarantee of cheerfulness1 being reconciliation to ,god1 was in that heart1 whose pulsations are still beating in the leaves of this book4 ,in his sky the star of hope was always in the ascendant4 ,the aspect which life had to him1 notwithstanding all his suffering1 was green and cheerful4 ,he was wont to view things on the sunny side1 or if a cloud intervened to look beyond it4 ,such a cheerfulness1 so based1 is worth more than silver and gold4 ,we commend the book to the attention of our readers1 as a beautiful illustration of early and consistent piety4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,poetry ,,for ,,children4 ,mrs4 ,whittelsey3--,the influence of poetry1 says another1 in forming the moral character1 and guiding the thoughts of children1 is immense4 ,how often has a simple couplet made an indelible impression on their memories1 and been the means of shaping their conduct for life6 ,it cannot be a matter of indifference1 then1 whether the poetry they read and hear be good or bad1 healthful or poisonous4 ,and every parent should see that it be of the former kind2 such as not only to cultivate the taste1 but such as will form the character and mould the heart to all that is holy and excellent4 ,these thoughts have come up to my mind with strong interest1 since ,i have lately examined a little work published by ,mr4 ,m4,w4 ,dodd of your city1 entitled1 ,select ,poetry for ,children and ,youth1 a book worthy to be in every family1 and possessed by every mother in the land4 ,it is full of just the kind of poetry to interest children deeply1 and profit them truly2 and is such a work as every parent may safely and wisely introduce to his household4 ,as a parent1 ,i have taken it home1 and read it to my own family circle1 and have found all1 from oldest to youngest1 absorbed in attention to its choice selections1 which are from such writers as ,mary ,howitt1 ,jane ,taylor1 ,mrs4 ,hemans1 ,cowper1 c41 c41 c4 ,and ,i am persuaded that if other parents will make the same experiment1 they will find it attended with the same result4 ,and now1 in conclusion1 as a parent who has always taken your excellent ,magazine1 and who through it would speak to parents1 let me ask1 ,ought we not to be more careful as to the reading of our children--more careful that the couplets they learn1 and the little ballads they hear1 and the verses they commit to memory1 are such as they ought to be8 ,lessons from such sources will leave a deep and lasting impression long after we are silent in the grave6 ,the verses which the writer was taught by a pious mother1 in early days1 are all vividly remembered1 and probably will be while life shall last4 ,and if every parent would seek to make verses the vehicle of instruction to the young 7for children delight in poetry earlier than in prose71 they might easily implant the seeds of virtue and piety that would never be lost1 but that in due season would spring up and bear fruit an hundred-fold to eternal life4 ,a ,,parent4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,israel ,,at ,,horeb4 ,we beg those readers of this ,magazine who have had the patience to follow us thus far in our study1 now to open their ,bibles with an earnest invocation of the aid of that ,spirit who indited the sacred pages1 and so far from being satisfied with the meager thoughts which we are able to furnish1 we entreat that they will bend diligently to the work of ascertaining the real interest which we and all the mothers of earth have in the scenes which transpired at the foot of ,horeb's holy mount4 ,to the instructions there uttered1 the mighty ones of every age1--the founders of empires1 statesmen1 law-givers1 philanthropists1 patriots1 and wise men1 have sought for their noblest conceptions1 and their most beneficent regulations1 and it would be impossible to estimate the influence of those instructions upon all the after history of the world4 ,but if the ,almighty there revealed himself as the ,god of kingdoms1 the all-wise and infinitely good ,ruler of men in a national capacity1 not less did ,he make himself known as the ,god of the family1 and his will there made known regulating the mutual relations of parents and children1 has been at once the foundation and bulwark of all that has been excellent or trustworthy in family government from that day to this4 ,it is impossible1 in the brief space allotted to us1 that we should begin to give any adequate view of the subject which here opens before us1 or follow out fully a single one of the many trains of thought to which it gives rise4 ,at ,horeb1 ,jehovah1 amid fire and smoke1 and in that voice which so filled with terror all that heard1 first inculcated the duty of filial piety on all the future generations of men4 ,filial piety6 how much it implies4 ,it stands at the head of the duties enjoined from man to man4 ,it comes next in order to those which man owes to his ,maker4 ,it inculcates on the part of children toward their parents feelings akin to those which he has required toward ,himself1 and far surpassing any which he demands toward any other human being4 ,it speaks of reverence1 of a love superior to ordinary affection1 of unqualified submission and obedience4 ,honor thy father and thy mother is the solemn command1 and the comments which infinite wisdom has made on it1 scattered up and down on the pages of inspiration1 throw light on its length and breadth1 and on the heinous nature of the sin which is committed in its infringement4 ,ye shall fear every man his mother and his father1 and keep my ,sabbaths2 ,i am the ,lord4 ,in the ,jewish law1 a man who smote his neighbor must be smitten in return2 but he that smiteth father or mother shall be surely put to death4 ,he that curseth1 or as it more exactly reads1 he that disparages or speaks lightly of his parents1 or uses contemptuous language to them1 shall surely be put to death4 ,if a man have a stubborn and rebellious son1 which will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother1 and who when they have chastised him will not hearken unto them1 then shall his father and his mother lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of the city1 and unto the gate of his place4 ,and they shall say unto the elders of the city1 ,this1 our son1 is stubborn and rebellious2 he will not obey our voice4 ,and all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die2 so shall thou put away evil from among you1 that all ,israel shall hear and fear4 ,still more fearful is the practical commentary upon this solemn command1 given in ,ezekiel #bb3g1 when ,jehovah1 in enumerating the crying sins which demanded his vengeance on the people1 and brought upon them the terrible calamities of long captivity says1 ,in thee have they set light by father and mother4 ,but some one will say1 ,you profess to be speaking to parents1 and this command is given to children4 ,true1 friend1 but the duty required of children implies a corresponding duty on the part of parents4 ,who shall teach children to reverence that father and mother in whose character there is nothing to call forth such a sentiment8 ,though children are not absolved from the obligation of this commandment by the misconduct of their parents1 yet in the nature of things1 it is impossible that they should yield the same hearty respect and veneration to the unworthy as to the worthy1 nor does ,god require a child to pay an irrational honor to his parents4 ,if his parents are atheists1 he cannot honor them as ,christians4 ,if they are prayerless and profane1 he cannot honor them as religious4 ,if they are worldly1 avaricious1 over-reaching1 unscrupulous as to veracity and honest dealing1 he cannot honor them as exemplary1 upright1 conscientious and spiritually-minded4 ,if parents only say1 like ,eli1 in feeble accents1 ,nay1 my sons2 for it is no good report that ,i hear4 ,why do ye such things8 they will not only have disobedient and irreverent children1 but often1 if not always1 they will be made to understand that their sin is grievous in the sight of ,god1 and he will say of them also1 ,i will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth1 because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not4 ,and therefore have ,i sworn unto the house of ,eli1 that the iniquity of ,eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever4 ,unto parents ,god has committed the child1 in utter helplessness1 and weakness1 and ignorance1 an unformed being4 ,the power and the knowledge are theirs1 and on their side is ,he1 the ,almighty and infinitely wise1 with his spirit and his laws1 and his promises4 ,if they are faithful1--if from the first they realize their responsibility1 and the advantages of their position1 can the result be doubtful8 ,but they will not be faithful2 imperfection is stamped on all earthly character1 and they will fail in this as in all other duties4 ,what then8 ,blessed be ,god1 the ,gospel has a provision for erring parents4 ,if ,sinai thunders1 ,calvary whispers peace4 ,for men1 as sinners1 the righteousness of ,christ prevails1 and for sinners1 as parents1 not less shall it be found sufficient4 ,line and plummet can soon measure the extent of human perfection1 but they cannot fathom the merit of that righteousness1 and when laid side by side with the most holy law1 there is no deficiency4 ,if1 then1 we find ourselves daily coming short of the terms of that covenant which ,god has made with us as parents1 we need not despair of his fulfilling his part1 for we can plead our surety's work1 and that is ever acceptable in his eyes1 and answers all his demands4 ,let not1 however1 the negligent and willfully-ignorant parent conclude that the spotless robe of the perfect ,savior will be thrown as a shield over his deficiencies and deformity4 ,let not those who have blindly and carelessly entered on parental duties1 without endeavoring to ascertain the will of ,god and the requirements of his law1 expect that the blessing of obedient and sanctified children will crown their days4 ,let not those who suffer their children to grow up around them like weeds1 without religious culture or pruning1 who demand no obedience1 who command no reverence1 who offer no earnest1 ceaseless prayer1 let them not suppose that the blessing of the ,god who spoke from ,horeb will come upon their families4 ,he is in one mind and who can turn him4 ,not an iota has he abated from his law since that fearful day4 ,not less sinful in his eyes is disobedience to parents now1 than when he commanded the rebellious son to be stoned with stones until he died4 ,yet1 how far below ,his standard are the ideas even of many ,christian parents8 ,how different1 says ,wilberforce1 nay1 in many respects1 how contradictory1 would be the two systems of mere morals1 of which the one should be formed from the commonly-received maxims of the ,christian world1 and the other from the study of the ,holy ,scriptures2 and we are never more forcibly impressed with this difference than when we see it exemplified in this solemn subject4 ,the parents who stood at ,horeb learned that ,god required them to train their children to implicit and uncompromising obedience1 and he who closely studies the ,word of ,god can find no other or lighter requisition4 ,how will the received opinions and customs of this age compare with the demand8 ,we ask our young friends1 who may perchance glance over these pages1 to pause a moment and consider3 ,if capital punishment should now be inflicted on every disobedient child1 how many roods of earth would be planted with the instruments of death8 ,if every city were doomed to destruction in which the majority of sons and daughters set light by father and mother1 how many would remain8 ,to every child living comes a voice1 ,know thou that for all these things ,god will bring thee into judgment4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,brotherly ,,love4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,mancius ,s4 ,,hutton1 ,d4,d4 ,be kindly affectioned one to another1 with brotherly love1 in honor preferring one another4 7,concluded from page #ajh47 ,to aid you in making the effort to comply with the injunction we have been considering1 ,i add the following considerations3 #ast4 ,it is right1 this you will all acknowledge1 no matter how unkindly a brother or sister may treat you1 you will acknowledge that it is never right for you1 never pleasing to ,god1 that you should treat them unkindly in return4 ,yes1 you will all 7except when you are angry7 acknowledge that the injunction ,be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love1 is right1 proper1 beautiful2 could there be a better reason for trying to obey the injunction8 #b;d4 ,you have already often disobeyed this injunction4 ,you cannot remember many of the instances1 but you can some where you acted unbrotherly or unsisterly4 ,alas1 such are the pride and selfishness of our hearts that we begin very early to sin against our dearest friends4 ,little boy1 did you not get angry the other day1 when your little brother or sister took one of your playthings which you wanted yourself1 and if you did not speak unkindly or snatch it away roughly1 did you not go and complain to mother1 and was that very kind and loving8 ,would it not have been kinder and more brotherly to try to make little brother and sister happy1 and not to have troubled mother8 ,little children1 ,i say this especially for you1 ,i want you all to make it a rule to love everybody1 and to try and make everybody around you happy4 ,that is the way to be happy yourselves4 ,but1 my young friends1 you1 who are older1 are in equal danger of sinning1 and ,i am afraid that your consciences can also condemn you4 ,indeed ,i know not but the danger of violating this law is greater with those more advanced in life4 ,there is a transition period when the childhood is about losing itself in the youth1 which is often very trying to brotherly and sisterly affection4 ,the sister is not quite a woman1 the brother not quite a young man1 and each is sometimes disposed to demand an attention which the other is not quite willing to yield on demand--each would yield1 perhaps1 if it were asked as a favor--but the spirit of an independent existence is beginning to rise1 and that spirit spurns any claim4 ,this spirit is generally the stronger in the brother than in the sister1 and he therefore sins most frequently against the law of love1 and he will treat his sister as he will allow no other young man to do1 and will treat every other young lady with more politeness and courtesy than he does his own noble-hearted and loving sister4 ,oh1 there is many a brother1 who1 if any young man were to say and do what he says and does to his sister1 he would consider him to be no gentleman and a scoundrel4 ,now1 ,i would ask1 does the fact of your being a brother alter the nature of your conduct8 ,you are her brother1 and therefore may act ungentlemanly and like a scoundrel6 ,why1 oh1 shame1 cowardly shame6 because there is no one to resent your ill-treatment--there is no one to defend a sister from the unkindness of a brother1 or to defend the brother1 ,i may add1 from the sister's unkindness2 for though ,i speak to the brother1 let each sister who reads this1 ask her conscience whether her own sister's heart condemn her not4 ,time will not allow me to enter into any great detail1 in illustrating the frequency of these violations of the law of family affection1 nor indeed is it needed4 ,i can give you a general rule1 which your own minds will approve1 and which will meet all cases4 ,let the sister treat no man with more courtesy and politeness than she treats her father and her brothers--treat no woman more kindly and politely than she does her mother and her sisters4 ,let her not confine all her graces and fascinations to strangers1 and make her family to endure all her petulance and unamiability4 ,so let the brother treat his mother and sisters4 ,so let the father and mother treat each other and their children1 and you will1 my readers1 obtain a noble reward in the increasing happiness and comfort of your family circles--in the manliness which will belong to the sons--in the mental and moral graces which will adorn the daughters4 ,the family will thus become the school of virtue and the bulwark of society--the reciprocal influence of brothers and sisters thus trained will be of untold power on each other's character4 ,one word further1 and ,i close4 ,i have been describing the legitimate influence of religion in a family4 ,true religion will make just such fathers1 mothers1 sisters and brothers4 ,it is in this way that religion develops itself2 that religion which is beautiful abroad and has no beauty at home1 is of little worth4 ,if1 then1 you would make your families what ,i have described1 you must yourself come under the power of religion1 must give your heart to ,god1 and then you will find the duties of the family becoming comparatively easy4 ,unless you do so1 you will find yourselves constantly failing in your most strenuous efforts1 and will be far from reaching the point which ,i have sought to describe4 ,natural affection may indeed be much cultivated by this course1 and drawn forth in its native simplicity or regulated by the forms of refined education1 it will throw an inestimable beauty and charm around the fireside4 ,but it will be1 after all1 but merely natural affection4 ,it cannot rise so high nor exert such heavenly influence over the family circle as will the power of religion4 ,it sanctifies and exalts natural affections4 ,it not only restrains but actually softens the natural asperities of the temper1 harmonizes discordant feelings and interests1 and secures that happy co-operation which makes a ,christian circle an emblem of heaven4 ,in one word1 religion will make you a happy family forever1 happy here and happy in yonder world of bliss4 ,without religion also1 allow me to add1 the very beauty and enjoyment1 arising from the exercise of these domestic virtues1 will prove injurious to your eternal interests4 ,they will serve to strew with comforts your path leading away from ,god to heaven4 ,the powerful influence of a much loved brother is exerted to keep the sister in the path of worldliness2 while1 in return1 the sister's boundless influence1 for in such a family the sister's influence may be said to be boundless1 will all be added to the snares of an ungodly world1 to drive the brother onward in his neglect of ,god and his own soul4 ,my young friends1 seek not only to make those around you happy in this world1 but happy forever4 ,give thine own heart to ,jesus1 and thou mayest save thy brother and thy sister1 and thou shalt meet them on high4 ,refuse to do so1 and thou mayest drag these loved ones down with thee to that cold dark region1 where affection is unknown and nothing is heard but blasphemies and curses4 ,oh1 thou kind and loving brother and sister1 can ye endure the thought of spending an eternity in cursing each other as the instruments of each other's destruction8 ,christ alone can deliver you from such a woe4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,habit4--,i trust everything1 under ,god1 said ,lord ,brougham1 to habit1 upon which1 in all ages1 the lawgiver1 as well as the schoolmaster1 has mainly placed his reliance2 habit1 which makes everything easy1 and casts all difficulties upon the deviation from a wonted course4 ,make sobriety a habit1 and intemperance will be hateful2 make prudence a habit1 and reckless profligacy will be as contrary to the nature of the child1 grown or adult1 as the most atrocious crimes are to any of your lordships4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,an ,,appeal ,,to ,,baptized ,,children4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,wm4 ,,bannard4 ,it is presumed1 young friends1 that you have reached an age when you are capable of appreciating your obligations1 but have hitherto neglected them4 ,it is proposed1 therefore1 in what follows1 briefly to call your attention to your position and responsibilities4 ,if you have considered your privileges as the children of pious parents who have dedicated you to ,god in baptism1 you are now prepared to examine your duties4 ,you have then a name and a place in ,christ's visible church2 you sustain covenant relations to ,god1 and these1 fraught as they are with manifold benefits1 cannot be without corresponding responsibilities4 ,you are not the children of the world but the children of the covenant4 ,solemn vows have been assumed for you1 and these vows are binding upon your consciences4 ,they were taken with the hope and intention that you should assume them for yourselves when you arrived at years of discretion4 ,you were given to ,god with the expectation that you would grow up to serve him4 ,and this it is your duty to do4 ,you are his property4 ,you are his by sacred engagement1 and you cannot violate this engagement2 you cannot renounce ,his service1 and devote yourselves to the service of ,satan or of the world1 without dishonoring your parents1 doing injustice to ,god1 and periling your own salvation4 ,you may say this contract was formed without my consent1 and when too young to understand its requirements4 ,no matter2 this does not release you from obligation to perform it4 ,ability and responsibility are not always co-extensive4 ,we are bound perfectly to keep ,god's holy law1 and yet no man of himself is able to do it4 ,his inability1 however1 does not diminish it's binding force4 ,god cannot abate one jot or tittle of the law's demands1 for that would be a confession of its imperfection or of his variableness4 ,or1 should he diminish his demands because our wickedness has made us incapable of keeping them1 then the more wicked we become1 the less binding would be his authority1 and if we only grew depraved enough we might escape from all obligation to obedience4 ,such an idea1 cannot1 of course1 be tolerated4 ,the truth is1 that under the government of ,god1 as well as under human government1 children are held responsible for the conduct of their parents4 ,parents have a right to act for them1 and children must abide by their decisions1 and endure the consequences of their acts4 ,they cannot escape from it1 for this is a natural as well as moral law which is continually operating4 ,the character and destiny of the child are determined mainly by the parent4 ,he may educate him to be refined1 intelligent and useful1 or to be vicious1 debased and dangerous4 ,this process is going on continually4 ,the parent may make positive engagements in behalf of his children1 which they are bound to perform1 and which the law recognizes as valid4 ,a father dying1 for example1 while his children are in infancy or in their minority1 may require them to appropriate a portion of his estate for certain ends1 as a condition on which they shall receive it4 ,another may require of his children a given service1 on condition of receiving his blessing2 and if the requirement be not morally wrong1 who would not feel themselves bound to observe it8 ,but there are examples1 perhaps more in point1 in ,scripture1 in which parents have entered into formal covenants that have had direct reference to their children4 ,adam covenanted for himself and posterity4 ,they had no personal agency in it1 in any sense1 and yet all are held accountable for its transgression2 all suffer a portion of its penalty1 as they might1 if he had kept it1 been made possessors of its blessings4 ,so ,abraham covenanted with ,god for himself and his seed2 and his descendants felt themselves bound to fulfill its requirements4 ,they knew1 in fact1 that unless they did1 its benefits could not be enjoyed4 ,the same principle holds good in reference to the baptized4 ,you are bound by the covenant engagements of your parents4 ,you cannot be released from them on the ground that you had no agency in assuming them4 ,they were assumed for you by those who had the right to do it--a right recognized by both ,god and man--and you cannot therefore throw them off2 you cannot willfully disregard or live contrary to them1 without guilt and dishonor4 ,the apostle urges this principle when he testifies to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law4 ,his consecration to ,god in this rite bound him to keep his whole law2 and yet this obligation was imposed on him when an infant only eight days old2 but after arriving at maturity1 he could not shake it off4 ,he was a debtor still1 for he was placed in that position in accordance with the divine command and by those who had the authority over him4 ,with equal propriety may we now testify unto you who are baptized1 that you are debtors unto ,christ4 ,you are bound to keep the laws of his kingdom1 bound to serve him to whose service you have been set apart4 ,you are not your own2 you are not1 therefore1 to live unto yourselves4 ,the vows of ,god are upon you4 ,you have been sealed with his seal4 ,and since you have attained an age at which you can understand your position1 you are bound to perform those vows2 to seek to be sealed with the ,holy ,spirit unto the day of redemption4 ,there is no escape from this obligation2 and when1 therefore1 you live utterly regardless of it1 as many do1 your conduct is doubly criminal4 ,you may have flattered yourselves that you enjoyed superior advantages1 and that you were more highly favored than others2 and this is true4 ,but you must take into the account your corresponding responsibilities4 ,there is a broad distinction between your position1 and that of mere worldlings1 and there ought to be a like difference in your practice4 ,you cannot give yourselves to the sins of youth1 or the gayeties of life4 ,you cannot set your hearts on fashion1 dress1 amusements1 business or any mere worldly ends1 with as much consistency1 or with as little guilt1 as your unbaptized associates4 ,you cannot harden yourselves against the truth1 grieve the ,holy ,spirit1 turn away in coldness or disdain from the claims of ,christ1 without exposing yourselves to an aggravated condemnation4 ,shall you who are pledged servants of ,christ1 who are bound to him by solemn covenant1 be regardless of these vows1 or be recreant to ,him as his avowed enemies8 ,ah1 this is approaching fearfully near the appalling sin of treading under foot the ,son of ,god1 of counting the blood of his covenant an unholy thing1 and doing despite unto the ,spirit of grace4 ,you cannot1 surely1 have considered your relations to ,christ and to his church4 ,you cannot have pondered the nature of your baptismal vows which were taken for you1 but which are now binding upon your own souls4 ,you cannot realize against what gracious promises1 what high1 privileges you sin1 in living contrary to your obligations1 and in remaining at heart1 and by your conduct1 strangers to ,god and aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel4 ,review your position1 and remember you are placed where you cannot recede4 ,duties press upon you which you cannot disregard2 vows are upon you which you cannot break with safety or with honor4 ,it is not enough that you lead a moral life1 or that you continue in your present position4 ,you are required to advance4 ,you have been pledged to ,god2 and to fulfill this pledge you must be ,his in heart4 ,you must choose ,his service4 ,you must take ,christ's yoke upon you and dedicate yourselves to ,him4 ,nothing short of this will fulfill your covenant vows or insure your enjoyment of its blessings4 ,as to receding1 that is utterly inadmissible4 ,you have been put in this relation by those who loved you and had the right1 nay1 were commanded of ,god1 to dispose of you in this manner4 ,you cannot then evade it4 ,you may say you never gave it your consent1 and that it is hard to be thus bound to act contrary to your natural inclinations2 but it is right1 and you cannot help it4 ,you are in this position1 and you cannot break away but at the peril of your salvation2 nay1 without the certainty of perdition4 ,but it is not hard1 or cruel1 to require you to love and obey ,god4 ,you were created for this1 and your nature will never attain to its perfection until you fulfill this its noblest destiny4 ,a hard thing to do right6 ,a grievous thing to be saved from the pollution of sin and the very gulf of perdition6 ,a hard thing to be taken under divine protection2 to be enriched with ,god's blessing2 to be numbered among his people on earth and ultimately admitted to his kingdom in heaven6 ,impossible6 ,you did not think it2 you did not mean to urge this as an objection to your most obvious duty4 ,you would not object to your parents' securing for you a costly estate while in your minority1 and why then discard the heavenly inheritance they would provide for you8 ,fulfill your vows4 ,choose ,his service1 and be blessed now and forever4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,promise ,,fulfilled4 ,leave thy fatherless children with me1 and ,i will preserve them alive4 7,concluded from page #aai47 ,the elder brother1 ,,de ,,witt1 from childhood1 was of a thoughtful cast of mind1 regular in his habits1 careful in forming his associations1 kind and dutiful as a son and brother4 ,he ever proved a help and solace to his mother in the family circle1 where he was the oldest child4 ,in pursuing his course of studies he evinced industry of application1 and sustained an excellent standing in his classes4 ,his regular and interested attendance on the exercises of the ,sabbath-school1 as well as the services of the sanctuary2 his conduct in the family circle1 and the developments of the closing scenes of his life1 all tend to form the conviction that divine truth had obtained a lodgment in his mind by the sanctifying influence of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,at the interesting period of nineteen years1 full of hope and promise1 the seeds of pulmonary disease sprang forth within him4 ,in the fall of #ahej1 he began to cough1 and since then1 with variations as to its severity1 it continued with him1 and his friends marked that it became deeply seated1 and apprehended its probable termination4 ,he1 however1 retained his active habits and course of study till last fall4 ,his earnest attention to sermons1 his occasional remarks on their evangelical and practical character as profitable1 and his prayerful reading of the ,bible1 showed the influence divine truth was exerting upon him4 ,the sickness and rapid decline of his brother ,joseph was to him most affecting1 as they had grown up from childhood together in uninterrupted intercourse and love4 ,in his feeble state of health1 he saw his beloved brother hastening to death and the grave1 while their dear mother was yearning over both in view of their spiritual welfare4 ,while everything indicated a deep interest in the matter of the soul's salvation1 doubts and difficulties prevented him from finding joy and peace in believing4 ,about ten days before his death1 and just before the death of ,joseph1 he received the remarkable letter from his ,uncle ,scudder which wrought powerfully on his mind1 and followed by ,joseph's death1 was doubtless instrumental1 under the divine blessing1 in leading him to the decision of giving himself to the ,savior by the profession of his faith4 ,the ,sabbath1 ,january #aa1 on the morning of which ,joseph died1 was indeed a memorable and impressive one in many of its associations4 ,de ,witt had just made profession of his faith1 and was admitted into the communion of the ,presbyterian ,church in ,canal street1 of which the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,carpenter is pastor1 and was carried into the church to unite with ,god's people in celebrating the ,lord's supper1 and it was just at the expiration of the two months of special prayer by his uncle in ,india4 ,when his mother1 this morning1 announced to him the death of his brother1 he just exclaimed1 with much emotion1 ,is ,joseph dead8 ,then ,i have no brother4 ,he left the room for a moment and returned1 saying1 ,mother1 we have no cause to mourn4 ,joseph is only gone to the new ,jerusalem1 where dear father was waiting to receive him1 and then calmly prepared himself for the sacramental service in the church before him4 ,the writer of this had an interview with him the following morning 7,monday74 ,everything conspired to render the scene impressive4 ,as ,i saw the remains of ,joseph1 ,i observed in the appearance of ,de ,witt the indications of approaching death1 and heard the account of his attendance at the ,lord's table on the preceding day4 ,after conversation1 he asked me to pray that it would please ,god to spare his life that he might be a support and comfort to his mother1 and be permitted to labor for ,christ4 ,i replied that such desires were in themselves worthy1 but that ,i strongly felt it would be with him as with ,david in whose heart was the desire to build the house of ,god4 ,god accepted the desire1 but denied him the work1 and assigned it to another4 ,i told him that ,i must affectionately tell him that every indication denoted that the ,savior was preparing him shortly to enter upon his service in heaven1 and that he would soon join his brother1 whose mortal remains were then waiting for the tomb4 ,he received this without agitation1 and calmly replied that he then wished me to pray that it would please ,god to impart and preserve to him the light of his countenance1 and his divine peace1 and enable him to glorify ,him during the little portion of time which might still be allotted to him on earth4 ,his mother states she does not remember after this to have heard him say much about living1 and that only as connected with the service of his ,savior4 ,his mind1 which had been opening to the light and peace of the ,gospel1 became more and more established in the faith of ,christ1 and enriched with the comforts of the ,spirit4 ,while his body was fast wasting1 his soul as rapidly grew strong4 ,there has rarely been a more striking growth in grace1 calm and substantial1 free from all vain excitements and feverish heats4 ,many interesting incidents connected with the spirit he displayed1 and the words he uttered during the week following my interview with him just alluded to1 are treasured up in the heart's memory4 ,but there is no room for details until we reach the closing scene1 from ,friday to ,monday1 ,january #ai4 ,i shall copy from some memoranda furnished by the mother4 ,she had before urged that he should pray in view of continued life only for strength to speak of the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living1 and thus live a long life in the little time spared to him4 ,this seemed to be verified4 ,mrs4 ,hunt writes3 ,on ,friday morning he arose as usual1 and reclined on the sofa4 ,he was weak1 and his throat sore1 so that he could only swallow liquids4 ,when the physician visiting him left1 ,i told him that he thought him very low1 but ,i requested him to remember what his beloved minister had told him1 to look away from death to ,jesus and ,heaven2 he exclaimed1 ',o death1 where is thy sting8 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8 ,the sting of death is sin1 and the strength of sin is the law2 but thanks to ,god1 who giveth me the victory1 through my ,lord and ,savior ,jesus ,christ4' ,he expressed the delightful thought that he would be where 'the ,lamb would feed him1 lead him to living waters1 and wipe away all tears from his eyes4' ,sometimes he would say1 ',precious ,savior4 ,mother1 what would ,i do without such a ,savior8 ,precious hope1 what would ,i do without such a hope8' ,and then he would speak of the mansions in ,heaven4 ,the #bgth and #djth ,psalms1 which his dear father had selected for us a short time before his death1 that we might read them for our comfort after he was gone1 were given4 ,when the #bgth was commenced he took it up and repeated the whole4 ,on ,saturday he had severe pain in the lungs1 and thought his end near4 ,several of his friends called1 and he noticed them all distinctly4 ,he addressed two of his fellow-students in the ,university in an affectionate appeal to what he supposed their spiritual condition4 ,in a conversation with ,rev4 ,mr4 ,c41 he said that if ,god had been pleased to spare his life1 he should have felt himself consecrated to the ministry and missionary service2 and expressed the calm assurance of his faith4 ,prayer was offered that he might spend one more precious ,sabbath on earth4 ,the night passed1 and the ,sabbath came4 ,my child exclaimed1 soon after waking1 ',precious ,sabbath1' and his eyes beamed with hallowed feeling4 ,i said1 ',dear son1 can you truly say this morning that you feel the peace of ,god which passeth understanding8' ,he raised his eyes and replied1 most impressively1 ',oh1 yes4' ,he said with delight1 ',mother1 ,o think that ,joseph is now by the river of the water of life4' ,he said also to me1 ',mother1 you will not weep for me8' ,i replied1 ',if ,i do joy will mingle with my tears4' ,he continued1 ',i shall be nearer to you in ,heaven than in ,india' 7alluding to his purpose1 if his life should be spared1 to be a missionary in ,india74 ,i asked him what message ,i should send to his ,uncle ,scudder4 ,he said1 ',tell him ,i think my heart was in the right place when his letter reached me1 or ,i know not what ,i should have done4' ,two friends came in4 ,de ,witt said1 ',i thought ,i should have spent part of this day around the throne in heaven4' ,and one 7a pious young college companion7 said to the other1 ',if this be dying1 ,i envy him4' ,after service in the afternoon1 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,carpenter came in with two of his elders1 and three other ,christian friends were present4 ,singing was proposed2 ,de ,witt was delighted with the thought of it1 and selected the hymns4 ',come1 thou fount of every blessing1' was sung first4 ,my child could not join with his voice1 but stretched out his arm1 and with his arm1 having the forefinger extended1 beat the time4 ,it was a touching1 solemn scene2 the singing filled the room1 and seemed to go up to ,heaven4 ,after we had ended the second hymn1 ',rise1 my soul1 and stretch thy wings1' he exclaimed1 ',i thought ,i was almost in heaven4' ,on ,sabbath night1 about ten o'clock1 he inquired of a friend1 'whether she did not think he would soon die8' ,i went to him and asked him if he felt any change that induced him to ask the question4 ,he replied1 ',everything seems to fail4' ,i then talked to him about the ,savior being with him when he passed through the dark valley1 and added1 ',dear son1 ,i will give you up to the ,lord4' ,directly he said1 ',i am now ready any moment to say1 ,lord ,jesus1 receive my spirit4' ,he afterward repeated ',lord ,jesus1 receive my spirit4 ,the ,lord is my light and my salvation4 ,of whom shall ,i be afraid8 ,it is better to die than live4' ,a little before six o'clock he looked intensely upon me4 ,i asked what he wished to give me8--his farewell kiss1 which he repeated several times4 ,he then again gave me an intense look4 ,i said1 ',my son1 ,god will take care4' ,he replied1 ',i know he will4' ,he shook hands with two of his youthful companions1 and sent a message to the brother of one of them1 expressive of his solicitude for his spiritual welfare4 ,i said to him1 ',i have taken care of you these nineteen years1 for the ,lord4' ,he said1 ',yes1 these nineteen years1' but did not proceed4 ,he asked one of his friends to pray1 which he did4 ,after this he ceased to speak1 and sank1 continuing to breathe hard1 without a struggle1 until the precious spirit took its everlasting flight a little before eight o'clock1 ,january #ai4 ,i have thus given1 from the notes furnished by the bereaved and mourning1 but grateful and comforted mother1 a sketch of the closing hours and dying scene of this youth1 which1 in connection with the similar scene in the younger brother1 beautifully and strongly illustrates the precious trust committed to mothers1 the importance and value of maternal influence1 and the encouragement to its faithful and wisely-directed exercise4 ,t4 ,d4 ,w4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,wasted ,,gift2 ,,or1 ,,just ,a ,,minute4 ,whatsoever thy hand findeth to do1 do it with all thy might4--,,ecclesiastes #i3aj4 7,continued from page #abh47 ,that evening a little schoolmate came to visit her2 they played several amusing games1 and ,emily staid up much past her usual hour4 ,the next morning when her mother called her1 she felt very sleepy1 and unwilling to rise1 so instead of jumping up at once1 she turned her head on the pillow thinking ,i will get up in a minute4 ,but in less than that minute she was fast asleep again1 and did not awake until aroused by ,mary the nurse1 whose voice sounded close in her ear1 exclaiming1 ,why1 ,miss ,emily1 are you in bed yet6 ,here have ,i been looking all through the house and garden for you4 ,jump up quick1 breakfast is just over4 ,you may be sure ,emily did not wait a second bidding1 but hurrying on her clothes1 hastened down stairs without even thinking about saying her prayers1 which no little child should ever forget to do1 because it is the kind and merciful ,god who keeps us safely through the night1 and our first thoughts when we awaken should be gratitude to him for protecting us1 and we should pray to ,him to keep us all day out of sin and danger1 and teach us how to improve the time which ,he has intrusted to our care4 ,emily thought of none of these things1 but ran down to the breakfast-room1 feeling rather ashamed of being so late4 ,her papa had finished his breakfast1 and gone out1 and when her mother looked up to the clock as she entered1 she saw that it wanted twenty minutes to nine4 ,how very late it is6 thought the little girl1 as she hurried off to school1 mamma always calls me at seven4 ,i did not think ,i had slept so long4 ,despite all ,emily's haste she was too late2 school had commenced when she entered1 and worse than all1 she did not know her lessons1 and was kept in an hour after the rest were dismissed4 ,she could not study the evening before1 and had depended upon an hour's study before breakfast1 but her unlucky morning nap left her no time to think about lessons before school1 and her consequent disgrace was the punishment4 ,the little girl returned home that day very unhappy4 ,emily had not forgotten the conversation about the wasted gift1 and had determined to give no opportunity for her mother to complain4 ,she thought she was very careful that week1 but never imagined how much of the precious gift she wasted each day in idleness4 ,the day after her unfortunate disgrace in school1 she brought down several articles of dress that needed repairing1 and seated herself at the window to work4 ,her mother had promised to take her out with her1 and ,emily had to finish her mending first4 ,she plied the needle very steadily for a while1 but presently her attention was attracted by the opposite neighbors4 ,look1 mamma1 she exclaimed1 there is ,mrs4 ,dodson and ,lucy2 they are just going out1 and ,lucy has on a new hat4 ,well1 my dear1 returned her mother quietly1 it is not unusual for people to get new bonnets at this season4 ,emily felt a little abashed at this reply1 but could not refrain from casting furtive glances across the way4 ,the afternoon was fine1 and the street filled with well-dressed people4 ,the little girl watched the passers-by1 holding her needle listlessly in her fingers1 and presently cried out1 ,did you see that lady1 mamma8 ,how oddly she was dressed4 ,no1 answered ,mrs4 ,manvers1 ,i am attending to my work now1 but ,i hope soon to join the promenaders myself4 ,emily stole a glance at her mother to see whether her countenance implied reproof1 but ,mrs4 ,manvers's eyes were fixed upon her work and the little girl again endeavored to fix her attention upon her sewing4 ,at length ,mrs4 ,manvers rose and put aside her work-basket4 ,i am going to dress1 ,emily1 she said4 ,very well1 mother1 ,i will be ready in a minute1 replied her daughter1 and she followed her mother up stairs4 ,emily tossed over her bureau in vain to find a clean pair of pantalets1 and then she remembered of having taken several pairs down stairs to mend4 ,she ran hastily down and selected the best pair4 ,some of the button-holes were torn out1 but she could not wait to mend them now1 so hastily pinning on the pantalets1 she dressed and joined her mother4 ,as they pursued their walk1 ,emily felt something about her feet1 and looking down discovered her pantalets2 she hastily stooped to pull them off and the pin scratched her foot severely4 ,mrs4 ,manvers saw all this1 but said nothing2 she knew that her daughter had wasted time enough to have mended all her pantalets1 and she added another hour to the already long account of wasted minutes in her memorandum4 ,the following day was ,friday1 and it was part of ,emily's duties on this day to arrange her bureau-drawers and put her closet in order4 ,she went up stairs after dinner with this intention1 but there were so many little gifts and keep-sakes in her drawers1 to be successively admired and thought over1 so many sashes to unfold1 and odd gloves to be paired1 that the whole afternoon was consumed1 and the tea-bell rang before she had quite finished the second drawer1 and consequently the duty of that day remained to be finished on the next4 ,well1 my little girl1 said her father the next morning1 ,i hope you will have my handkerchief nicely hemmed by this afternoon2 you have had it several days now1 and ,i suppose it is nearly finished4 ,i shall want it1 as ,i am going away after dinner4 ,you shall have it1 papa1 replied ,emily4 ,she did not like to tell him the handkerchief was not yet commenced1 as she felt quite sure she could finish it in time1 and determined to begin immediately after breakfast4 ,when she went up stairs to get the handkerchief out of her drawer she saw her bureau was yet in disorder4 ,mamma will be displeased to see this1 she thought1 and ,i shall have time enough to put it in order and hem papa's handkerchief beside4 ,she went eagerly to work1 but the bureau took her longer than she anticipated1 and when her father came home to dinner she had not finished his handkerchief4 ,now she made her needle fly1 but her industry came too late2 her father could not wait1 and ,emily had the mortification of hearing him say3 ,i hope my handkerchief will not be like my gloves1 that you kept so long to mend1 and mamma had to finish after all4 ,she cried bitterly after he was gone1 but managed through her tears to finish the handkerchief at last1 and carried it to her mother1 asking her to beg her papa's forgiveness4 ,after tea was over1 ,mrs4 ,manvers called ,emily to her1 and folding her arm fondly around the little girl's waist1 pointed to a small book lying open upon the table1 saying as she did so3 ,do you remember1 my love1 our conversation last ,saturday night upon the subject of your gifts8 ,oh1 yes1 mamma1 and you told me you would keep an account of my ill-usage of one of them4 ,i have done so1 my dear1 and now tell me can you not imagine what this gift is which you so much abuse8 ,indeed1 ,i cannot1 mamma1 replied the little girl with a sigh4 ,mrs4 ,manvers placed the memorandum book in her daughter's hand without saying a word4 ,there1 written at the head of the page1 were these words3 ,emily's ,waste of ,time4 and beneath was quite a long column of figures1 and a list of duties unfulfilled4 ,oh1 mamma1 cried ,emily1 throwing herself upon her mother's breast1 it is time1 precious time1 that is the gift ,i waste2 but surely ,i have not spent so many idle minutes in just one week4 ,i am sorry to say that you have1 my dear daughter1 all these and even more4 ,i have promised to keep an account1 and ,i have done so2 add them up and see how many there are4 ,emily added up the figures with tearful eyes1 and said1 there are four hundred and twenty1 mamma4 ,and how many hours does that make1 ,emily8 ,the little girl thought a moment1 and then answered1 ,seven hours4 ,very well2 then you see you waste seven hours in a week1 which would make three hundred and sixty-four in a year1 and if you should live the allotted period of life1 which would be sixty years from the present time1 you will willfully waste twenty one thousand eight hundred and forty hours of the precious time ,god has given you in which to work out ,his will4 ,oh1 dear mamma1 it does not seem possible2 ,i am sure ,i don't know how the time slips away1 said ,emily1 sadly4 ,i will tell you1 my love1 replied ,mrs4 ,manvers4 ,it slips away in just a minute2 as uncounted drops of water form the sea1 so do millions of minutes make up the sum of life2 but so small are they that they pass without our heeding them1 yet once gone they come back to us no more4 ,time is the one talent1 the precious gift which ,god has bestowed upon all his creatures1 and which we are bound to improve4 ,every hour brings its duty1 and do you think it is right1 ,emily1 to leave that duty unfulfilled8 ,emily hung her head1 while tears slowly coursed down her cheek4 ,do you not see1 my dear1 that by idling away the precious moments you crowd the duty of one hour into the next1 so your task can never be finished1 or at best very imperfectly8 ,if you reflect1 the experience of the past week will tell you this4 ,i have kept this memorandum on purpose to convince you of your sinful waste of that most precious of all gifts1--the time which our ,master allows us here to work out our happiness hereafter4 ,remember1 my love1 that you are accountable to ,him for your use of ,his gifts1 and a proper improvement of time will not only save you many mortifications and produce much pleasure and comfort to yourself and all about you1 but it is a duty you owe to the ,god who bestowed it4 ,do not think me unnecessarily earnest1 my dear little girl2 the subject is of fearful importance1 and this habit of putting off till to-morrow what should be done to-day1 is your greatest fault4 ,remember hereafter that ',whatsoever thine hand findeth to do1 do it now with all thy might1' and then ,i shall have no more occasion to remind you of the wasted gift4 ,emily never forgot the lesson of that week1 but gradually overcame the evil habits of idleness and procrastination which were becoming fixed before she was made fully aware of their danger1 and a long life of usefulness attested the good impression left upon her mind by her mother's memorandum of ,the ,wasted ,gift4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,fault ,,finding--,,the ,,antidote4 ,will you excuse me1 mother1 said a bright looking boy of twelve or thirteen to his mother1 as soon as he had finished his meat and potato4 ,yes1 if you wish4 ,and may ,i be excused too1 mother8 cried his little brother of some six or seven years4 ,yes1 dear1 if there is any occasion for such haste1 but why do you not wish for your pudding or fruit8 ,oh1 ,charley is going to show me something1 replied the happy little boy1 as he eagerly hastened from his seat1 and followed his brother to the window1 where they were both speedily intent upon a new bow and arrow1 which had just been presented to ,charley by a poor wandering ,indian1 to whom he had been in the habit of giving such little matters as his means would allow4 ,sometimes a little tobacco for his pipe1 a pair of his father's cast-off boots or a half-worn pair of stockings1 and sometimes he would beg of his mother a fourpence1 which instead of purchasing candy for himself was slid into the hand of his aboriginal friend1 and whenever he came1 a good warm dinner was set before him1 under ,charley's special direction4 ,he loved the poor ,indian1 and often told his mother he would always help an ,indian while he had the power1 for ,oh1 how sorry ,i am that they are driven away from all these pleasant lands1 he often used to say1 and are melting away1 like the snows in ,april4 ,mother1 ,i should think they would hate the sight of a white man4 ,but the poor ,indian is grateful for kindness from a white man1 and this day as ,charley came from school1 poor ,squantum was sitting at the corner of the house waiting for him1 with a fine long smooth bow1 and several arrows4 ,i give you this1 he said1 for you always good to ,squantum2 and without waiting for ,charley's thanks1 or accepting his earnest invitation to come in and get some dinner1 he strode away4 ,charley was wild with delight4 ,he flew to the house with his treasure1 but the dinner-bell rang at that moment4 ,he could not find in his heart to put it out of his hand1 so he took it with him1 and seated himself at the table1 and as soon as his hunger was appeased1 he nodded to his brother and hurried to show him his precious gift4 ,the family were quietly conversing and finishing their dinner1 when crash6 and smash6 went something6 ,poor ,charley6 ,in the eagerness of his delight1 while showing the beautiful bow to his brother1 he had brought the end of it within the handle of a large water-pitcher1 which stood on the side table near him1 and alas1 the twirl was too sudden--the poor pitcher came to the floor with a mighty emphasis4 ,boy6 what are you about8 ,what have you done8 ,what do you mean by such carelessness8 ,will you break everything in the house1 you heedless fellow8 ,i'd rather you had broken all on the table than that pitcher1 you young scapegrace4 ,take that1 and learn to mind what you are about1 or ,i'll take measures to make you4 ,and with a thorough shaking1 and a sound box on the ear1 the father quitted the room1 took his hat1 and marched to his office1 there to explain the law1 and obtain justice for all offenders4 ,but alas for ,charley6 ,how great was the change of feeling in his boyish heart4 ,his mother looked for a moment with an expression of fear and sorrow upon her countenance1 and telling a servant to wipe up the water he had spilled--she took his hand gently to lead him away4 ,for a moment he repulsed her1 and stood as if transfixed with astonishment and rage4 ,but he could not withstand her pleading look1 and she led him to her own room4 ,as soon as the door closed upon them1 his passion burst forth in words4 ,father treats me like a dog4 ,i never will bear it--never1 never1 another day4 ,mother1 you know ,i did not not mean to do a wrong thing1 and what right has my father to shake and cuff me as if ,i were a vile slave8 ,mother1 ,i'll break the house down itself if he treats me so--to box my ears right before all the family6 ,and last night he sent me out of the room1 so stern1 just because ,i slammed the door a little4 ,i was glad he had to go to the office1 and ,i wish he would stay there-- ,hush1 hush1 my son1 what are you saying8 ,stop1 for a moment1 and think what you are saying of your own kind father6 ,charles1 my son1 you are adding sin to sin4 ,sit down1 my dear child1 and crush that wicked spirit in the bud4 ,and she gently seated him in a chair1 and laying her cool hand upon his burning brow1 she smoothed his hair1 and pressing her lips to his forehead1 he felt her tears4 ,mother1 mother1 you blessed good mother4 ,his heart melted within him1 and he wept as if it would burst4 ,for a few moments1 both wept without restraint1 but feeling that the opportunity for making a lasting impression must not be lost1 ,mrs4 ,arnold struggled to command herself4 ,charles1 my son1 you have displeased your father exceedingly1 and you cannot wonder that he was greatly disturbed4 ,that pitcher1 you often heard him say1 was used for many years in his father's family4 ,it is an old relic which he valued highly4 ,it was very strong1 and has been used by us so long1 that it seemed like a familiar friend4 ,it is not strange that for a moment he was exceedingly angry to see it so carelessly broken1 and oh1 my son1 what wicked feelings have been in your heart1 what undutiful words upon your tongue6 ,i cannot help it1 mother--,i cannot help it1 replied the excited boy1 he ought not to treat me so1 and ,i will not-- ,charles1 ,charles1 you are wrong1 you are very wrong1 and ,i pray you may be sorry for it1 interrupted his mother1 in a tone of the deepest sorrow4 ,do not speak again till you can conquer such a spirit1 and they were both silent for a few moments4 ,the mother's heart went up in fervent prayer that this might be a salutary trial1 and that she might be enabled to guide his young and hasty spirit aright4 ,at length he spoke slowly1 and his voice trembled with the strong feelings which had shaken him4 ,mother1 you are the dearest and best mother that ever lived4 ,i wish ,i could be a good boy1 for your sake2 but when father speaks so harsh1 ,i am angry all the time1 and ,i cannot help being cross and ugly too4 ,i know ,i am more and more so2 ,i feel it1 and the boys tell me so sometimes4 ,john ,gray said1 yesterday1 ,i was not half as pleasant in school as ,i used to be4 ,i feel unhappy1 and ,i am sure if ,i grow wicked1 ,i grow wretched too4 ,and again he burst into a passion of tears4 ,does not sin always bring misery1 my dear boy8 asked his mother1 after a little pause1 and will you not daily meet with circumstances to make you angry and unhappy1 if you give way to your first impulse of impatience1--and is it not our first duty to resist every temptation to feel or act wrong8 ,god has not promised us happiness here1 but ,he has promised that if we resist evil it will flee from us4 ,he has promised that if we strive to conquer our wicked feelings and do right when we are tempted to do wrong ,he will aid us1 and give us sweet peace in so doing4 ,to-day you have given way to anger1 and you are wretched4 ,you are blaming your father and think he is the cause of your trouble2 but think a moment4 ,if you had borne the punishment he gave you meekly and patiently1 would not a feeling of peace be in your bosom1 to which you are now a stranger8 ,you know that when we suffer patiently for doing well1 ,god is well pleased2 and would not the consciousness that you had struggled against and overcome a wicked feeling1 and that ,god looked upon you with approbation1 make you more really happy than anything else can8 ,my dear1 dear boy1 your happiness does not consist in what others say or do to you1 but in the feelings you cherish in your own heart4 ,there you must look for happiness1 and there1 if you do right1 you will find it4 ,i know you always say right1 mother1 and ,i will try1 ,i will try1 if ,i can1 to bear patiently2 but oh1 if father only was like you--and again tears stopped his utterance4 ,my dear child1 said his mother1 your father has many troubles4 ,it is a great care to provide for his family1 and you know he suffers us to want for nothing4 ,he often has most perplexing cases1 and his poor brains are almost distracted4 ,you are a happy boy1 with no care but to get your lessons1 and obey your parents1 and try to help them4 ,you know nothing yet of the anxieties which will crowd upon you when you are a man4 ,try now to learn to bear manfully and patiently all vexations--looking for help to that blessed ,one1 who1 when he was reviled1 reviled not again4 ,how much happier and better man you will be1 how you will comfort your mother1 and still more1 you will please that blessed ,savior1 who has left such an example of meekness--suffering for sinners1 and even dying for his cruel enemies4 ,oh1 my son1 my son1 ask that blessed ,savior to make you like himself1 and you will be happy1 and ,his own ,spirit will make you holy4 ,let us ask ,him to do it1 and she knelt by her bedside1 and her son placed himself beside her4 ,it was no new thing for him to pray with this devoted mother4 ,often had she been with him to the throne of grace1 when his youthful troubles or faults had made him feel the need of an ,almighty helper and friend1 but never had he come before with such an earnest desire to obtain the gift of that blessed ,spirit1 to subdue and change his heart and make him like his ,savior4 ,when they rose from prayer he sought his own room4 ,he felt unable to go to school1 and his mother hoped the impression would be more lasting1 if he thought it over in the solitude of his own chamber1 and she had much reason afterward to hope that this solemn afternoon was the beginning of good days to the soul of her child4 ,as she looked anxiously at the expression of his countenance when the family assembled at the tea-table1 she was pleased to notice1 though an air of sadness hung around him1 he was subdued1 gentle1 and affectionate1 and she hoped much from this severe contest with his besetting sin4 ,his father said little1 and soon hurried away to a business engagement for the evening4 ,mr4 ,arnold was a lawyer1 a gentleman and a professing ,christian1 and though never very strongly beloved1 yet few of his neighbors could tell why1 or say aught against his respectability and general excellence of character4 ,he was immersed in the cares of an extensive business1 and spent little time at home1 and when there he seemed to have no room in his busy heart for the prattle of his children1 no time to delight and improve them1 with the stores of knowledge he might have brought forth from his treasury4 ,if company were present1 he was polite and agreeable4 ,if only his wife and children1 he said little1 and that little was chiefly confined to matters of domestic interest--what they should have for dinner--what schools the children should attend--or the casual mention of the most common news of the day4 ,he provided liberally for his family1 what they should eat and drink1 and wherewithal they should be clothed and instructed--but he took no pains to gain their affections or their confidence1 to enlarge their ideas and awaken within them the thirst for knowledge1 and plant within them the deathless principles of right and wrong--or even to inspire their young minds with love and reverence for their ,divine ,creator and ,preserver4 ,all this most important duty of a father was left to his wife1 and blessed is the man who has such a wife and mother1 to whom to intrust the precious charge he neglects4 ,most amiable and affectionate1 intelligent and judicious1 and of ardent and cheerful piety1 this excellent woman devoted herself with untiring zeal to the training of her cherished flock1 and as she saw and felt with poignant grief that she would have no help in this greatest and first earthly duty1 from him who had solemnly promised to sustain and comfort1 and assist1 and cherish her1 to bear and share with her the trials and cares of life 7and what care is greater than the right training of our offspring71 she again and again strove with earnest faith and humble prayer1 to cast all her care upon ,him1 who she was assured cared for her1 and go forward in every duty with the determination to fulfill it to the utmost of her power4 ,many times did the cold and stern manner of her husband1 his anger at trifles1 and his thoughtless punishment for accidental offenses1 cause her heart to bleed for the effects of such government1 or want of government1 upon her children's hearts and minds4 ,but she uttered no word of blame in their presence1 she ever showed them that any want of love or respect for their father grieved her1 and was1 moreover1 a heinous sin1 and by patient continuance in well doing1 she yet hoped to reap the full reward4 ,her eldest1 ,charles1 felt most keenly his father's utter want of sympathy1 and to him she gave her most constant tender care4 ,affectionate1 but hasty1 he was illy constituted to bear the harsh command1 or the frequent fault finding of his father1 and often she trembled lest he should throw off all parental control1 and goaded by his irritated feelings1 rush into sin without restraint4 ,and so1 probably1 he would have done but for the unbounded love and reverence with which he regarded his blessed mother4 ,her gentle influence he could not withstand1 and it grew more and more powerful with him for good1 till the glance of her loving eye would check his wayward spirit1 and calm him often1 when passion struggled for the mastery4 ,often did she venture to hope he had indeed given himself to his ,savior1 and her conversations with him from time to time1 showed so much desire to conquer every evil passion1 and to shun every false way with so much affectionate reverence for his ,god and ,redeemer1 that the mother's heart was sweetly comforted in her first-born4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,treasury ,,of ,,thoughts4 ,the days of primer1 and catechism1 and tasks for the memory are gone4 ,the schoolmaster is no longer to us as he was to our mothers1 associated with all that is puzzling and disagreeable in hard unmeaning rules1 with all that is dull and uninteresting in grave thoughts beyond the reach of the young idea4 ,he is to us now rather the interpreter of mysteries1 the pleasant companion who shows us the way to science1 and beguiles its tediousness4 ,if there is now no royal road1 certainly its opening defiles are made easier for the ascent of the little feet of the youthful scholar4 ,the memory is not the chief faculty which receives a discipline in the present system of things4 ,the how1 the why1 are the subjects of interest and attention4 ,this is well2 but it may be that in our anxiety to reach the height of the hill1 and to keep up with the progress of the age1 we are neglecting too much the training of the memory1 which should be to us a treasury of beautiful thoughts1 to cheer us in the prose of every-day life1 to refine and elevate taste and feeling4 ,we do not think it was a waste of time to learn1 as our mothers did1 long extracts from ,milton1 the sweet lyrics of ,watts1 the ,psalms of ,david4 ,have we not often been soothed by their recitation of them in the time of sickness1 at the hour of twilight1 when even the mind of the child seems to reach out after the spiritual1 and to need the aliment of high and holy thought8 ,the low1 sweet voice1 the harmony of the verse1 were conveyancers of ideas which entered the soul to become a part of it forever4 ,if we would be rich in thought1 we must gather up the treasures of the past1 and make them our own4 ,it is not enough1 certainly1 for ordinary minds1 simply to read the ,english classics2 they must be studied1 learned1 to get from them their worth4 ,and the mother who would cultivate the taste1 the imagination of the child1 must give him1 with the exercise of his own inventive powers1 the rich food of the past4 ,it need not be feared that there will not be originality in the mind of one thus stored with the wealth which others have left4 ,where there is a native vigor1 and invention1 it will remould truth into new forms1 and add a value of its own1 having received an inspiration from the great masters of thought4 ,if1 then1 you would bless your child1 persuade him to make ,milton and ,cowper1 and other authors of immortal verse1 his familiar friends4 ,they shall be companions in solitude1 ministers of joy in hours of sadness4 ,and let the songs of ,zion mould the young affections1 and be associated with a mother's love1 and the dear delights of home4 ,perhaps in a strange land1 and in a dying hour1 when far from counselor and friend1 they may lead even the prodigal to think upon his ways1 and be his guide to ,heaven4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,notices ,,of ,,books4 ,,the ,,wide1 ,,wide ,,world4--,this is a charming book1 written by one of our own countrywomen1 which we think may be safely and appropriately given to a pure-minded and simple-hearted daughter4 ,if it is fictitious1 it is only so as the ideal landscape of an artist1 which1 though unreal1 compels us to exclaim1 ,how true to nature6 ,if the delineation of true religious character is not its main object1 that of piety and benevolence is as truly a part of it1 as is its fragrance a part of the rose4 ,we should love to give it to some of our friends whose ,christianity may be vital1 but which does not make them lovely--who may show some of its fruits1 but who hardly cultivate what may be called the leaves and flowers of a holy character4 ,if the sternness and want of sympathy of ,aunt ,fortune does not rebuke them1 perhaps the loveliness and patience of ,ellen1 and her friends1 may win them to an imitation4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,life ,,in ,,the ,,west2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,moreton ,,family4--,this tasteful little work1 coming out under the sanction of the ,american ,sunday-,school ,union1 hardly needs from us an item of praise2 but we cannot consent to pass it by unnoticed4 ,a more faithful and interesting picture of the trials of a ,christian family in removing westward1 and of their surmounting such trials1 we have never seen4 ,religion1 the religion of home1 they take with them2 and by the wayside1 and in the log cottage1 they worship their father's ,god4 ,we needed such a delineation1 in the form of an attractive narrative1 to show us that in passing through the trials of a strange country1 we are yet to be on the ,lord's side4 ,but beside this1 there is in the work the loveliness of a well-ordered home2 the picture of a faithful1 thoughtful mother1 and of children and husband appreciating such a mother4 ,to give one little extract--,the mother's room6 ,what family knows not that sociable spot--that heart of the house8 ,to it go the weary1 the sick1 the sad and the happy1 all sure of sympathy and of aid2 all secure in their expectation of meeting there the cheering word1 the comforting smile1 and the loving friend4 ,in thorough ignorance of what a new home should mean1 little ,willie inquires1 ,home is not a house1 is it8 ,most sensible question for a child4 ,to such as desire an answer to the inquiry1 we recommend the work1 as one which will be of value to them and their children4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,parental ,,solicitude4 ,in my intercourse with ,christian parents1 and it has not been limited1 ,i have often found a deep anxiety pervading their hearts in relation to the spiritual state of their children4 ,and why should not such anxiety exist8 ,if a parent has evidence that his child is in an impenitent state--especially if that child is growing up in habits of vicious indulgence--he ought to feel1 and deeply feel4 ,that child is in danger1 and the danger is the greater by how much the more his heart has become callous1 under the hardening influence of a wicked life2 and every day that danger increases4 ,god's patience may be exhausted4 ,the brittle thread of life may be sundered at any moment1 and the impenitent and unprepared soul be summoned to the bar of ,god4 ,with great propriety1 therefore1 may the parent feel anxious in regard to his unconverted children4 ,but to some parents it seems mysterious that such deep1 constant1 corroding anxiety should be their allotment4 ,they sometimes attempt to cast it off4 ,they would feel justified in doing so1 were they able4 ,but that is impossible4 ,now1 to such parents allow me to address a few thoughts which1 may the ,divine ,spirit1 by his gracious influence1 bless to their comfort and direction4 ,and the first thing ,i have to say is1 that the solicitude they feel for their children may be excessive4 ,that it should be deep must be admitted1 and it should continue as long as the danger lasts4 ,it should even increase as that danger increases up to a given point2 but there is a point beyond which even parental solicitude should never be suffered to proceed4 ,it should not become excessive4 ,it should never be suffered to weaken our confidence in the divine goodness1 nor in the wisdom of the divine dispensations4 ,it should never prompt the parent to desire that ,god should alter the established order of his providence1 or change or modify the principles of his moral government4 ,it would not be right for me to wish my children saved at all adventures4 ,that anxiety which prompts to such a desire is both excessive and selfish4 ,it can never be justified1 nor can ,god ever favorably regard it4 ,my second remark is1 that a deep solicitude of the parent for the spiritual good of his children is most desirable4 ,i am aware that it is more or less painful1 and in itself is neither pleasant nor desirable4 ,but may it not1 notwithstanding1 be beneficial in its results1 and even of incalculable importance8 ,where no danger is apprehended1 no care will be exercised4 ,who knows not that the unsolicitous mariner is far more likely to suffer shipwreck than he who1 apprehensive of rocks and reefs1 exercises a wise precaution8 ,the parent who never suffers himself to be disturbed--whose sleep is never interrupted while his children are abroad1 exposed to temptation--may for that very reason neglect them at the critical juncture1 and the head-waters may become too impulsive2 the tendencies to vice and crime too powerful to be resisted4 ,oh6 had the parent been a little more anxious--had he looked after his children with a higher sense of his obligations1 how immeasurably different1 probably1 had been the result6 ,the truth is1 that where one parent feels too much in relation to his children1 hundreds of parents are criminally indifferent4 ,in regard to such parents1 it is our duty to awaken their anxieties by every means in our power4 ,but what shall we say to those who may be thought already over-solicitous8 ,such parents are seldom to be found4 ,if any such there be1 let them moderate what may possibly be excessive2 but be sure to bless ,god1 who has given you a deep anxiety for the salvation of your loved ones4 ,remember that it prompts you to greater watchfulness and care than you would otherwise exercise4 ,you pray more1 you instruct them more1 you guard them more4 ,and your children1 therefore1 are more likely to become the children of ,god4 ,and remember1 further1 that your ,heavenly ,father knows just what solicitudes you feel1 their weight1 their painfulness2 and just so long as you feel them1 and in consequence of them1 act in the use of those legitimate means which ,god has instituted for the restraint and conversion of your children1 you have reason to hope4 ,the very end and object of those ,christian anxieties are just what you desire1 and for which you are daily praying--the conversion of your children2 and if you pursue a proper course under them1 you are probably more likely to see your hopes accomplished than if they did not exist4 ,i had contemplated adding other suggestions1 but time and space will not allow4 ,but ,i cannot dismiss this subject without saying1 that instead of ever complaining that ,god has imparted to you such a deep anxiety for the spiritual good of your children1 let that time thus spent be employed in fervent1 importunate and agonizing prayer for them4 ,that is the best way of washing off these accumulated and accumulating loads of anxiety4 ,plead in view of your deep solicitude--plead in ,christ's name--plead by the worth of your children's souls--plead by every consideration you can think of1 and then plead by every consideration which the ,all ,omniscient mind of ,god can think of--especially plead the divine honor and glory1 as involved in such a desired result1 and when you have done all these1 then act wisely1 and efficiently as you can4 ,never give up--never falter--not even for a moment4 ,but be steady to your purpose--yet in every step of your progress say1 ,o ,god1 thy will be done4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,excessive ,,legislation4 ,a family is a community or government1 of which the parents are the legislators1 and the children are the subjects4 ,the parents are required by the family constitution to superintend and direct the conduct of their children1 and others under their care4 ,and children1 by the same authority1 are required to obey their parents4 ,children1 obey your parents in all things2 for this is well pleasing unto the ,lord4 ,but parents are more than legislators2 they possess the executive power4 ,they are to see their rules carried out4 ,and1 still further1 they are to judge of the penalty due to infraction and disobedience1 and of the time and manner in which punishment is to be inflicted4 ,the authority vested in parents is great1 and most judiciously should it be exercised4 ,god has given general directions in his word touching the exercise of their authority4 ,to ,him they are amenable4 ,and by all the love they bear to their offspring1 their desire for their welfare1 and the hope of the future approbation of ,god1 they should endeavor to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord4 ,but are not parents apt to legislate too much8 ,this is often an error in all legislative assemblies4 ,perhaps there is not a ,state in the ,union in which the laws are not too many1 and too minute4 ,every legislator feels desirous of leaving his impress on the statute book4 ,and so there is yearly an accumulation of laws and resolves1 one-half of which might probably be dispensed with1 with advantage to the people4 ,the same over legislation often obtains in the school-room1 springing doubtless from a desire on the part of the teacher to preserve a more perfect order among his pupils4 ,hence the number and minuteness of his rules2 and in his endeavor to reduce them to practice1 and make clock-work of the internal machinery1 he quite likely defeats the very object he has in view4 ,a school-teacher who pretends to notice every aberration from order and propriety is quite likely to have his hands full1 and just so with parents4 ,some children cannot keep still4 ,their nervous temperament does not admit of it4 ,i once heard an elderly gentleman say1 that when riding in a coach1 he was so confined that he felt as if he should die because he could not change his position4 ,oh6 if he could have stirred but an inch6 ,children often feel just so4 ,and it is bad policy to require them to sit as so many little immoveable statues4 ,there1 sit in just that spot1 and don't you move an inch till ,i bid you4 ,who has not heard a parent give forth such a mandate8 ,and a school-master1 too1 to some little urchin1 who tries to obey1 but from that moment begins to squirm1 and turn1 and hitch1 and chiefly because his nervous system is all deranged by the very duty imposed upon him4 ,and1 besides1 what if ,tommy1 in the exuberance of his feelings1 while sitting on the bench1 does stick out his toe a little beyond the prescribed line4 ,or suppose ,jimmy crowds up to him a little too closely1 and feeling that he can't breathe as freely as he wishes1 gives him a hunch2 or suppose ,betty1 during a temporary fit of fretfulness1 induced by long setting in one posture1 or overcome with the heat of a midsummer afternoon1 or the sweltering temperature of a room where an old-fashioned box stove has been converted into a furnace2 suppose ,betty gives her seat-mate a sly pinch to make her move to a more tolerable distance1 shall the teacher utter his rebuke in tones which might possibly be appropriate if a murder was about being committed8 ,i have known a schoolmaster fire up like a steam-engine1 and puff and whiz at the occurrence of some such peccadilloes1 and the consequence was that the whole school was soon at a stand-still as to study1 and the askance looks and suppressed titter of the little flock told you that the teacher had made no capital that time4 ,i have seen essentially the same thing in parents4 ,now1 ,i am not exactly justifying such conduct in children4 ,but such offences will exist1 despite of all the wisdom1 authority1 and sternness in the wide world4 ,my position is1 that these minor matters must sometimes be left4 ,they had better not always be seen1 or if seen1 not be noticed4 ,i think those who have the care of children may take a lesson from a slut and her pups1 or a cat and her kittens4 ,who has not seen the puppy or the kitten taking some license with their dams8--biting as puppies and kittens bite at play8 ,well1 and what sort of treatment do they sometimes get from the older folks8 ,now and then you hear a growl1 or see a spat4 ,but1 generally1 the old ones know better4 ,the little frolicsome creatures are indulged4 ,nature seems to teach these canine and feline parents that their progeny must and will have sport4 ,i have1 indeed1 as ,i have said1 heard the ominous growl and the warning spat or spit1 but what good has it done8 ,why1 the growl seems only to inspirit the young dog4 ,he plays so much the more2 or1 at least1 if he plays shy for a brief space1 the next you'll see1 he jumps on to the old dog and plays the harder1 and the kitten acts in like manner4 ,but ,i have said enough4 ,the sum is1 that it is wise not to take cognizance of all that might be considered amiss in children4 ,correct the faults which are the most prominent4 ,let the statute-book not be overburdened with small enactments4 ,nothing is small which is morally wrong2 but little physical twitchings1 and nervous peccadilloes are not worthy of grave legislation4 ,the apostle's account of himself has some pertinence here4 ,when ,i was a child1 ,i thought as a child1 ,i spoke as a child--,paul1 doubtless acted as a child2 but when ,i became a man1 ,i put away childish things4 ,the experience and observation of years often make salutary corrections1 which you would in vain attempt to effect in early childhood1 by all the laws of a ponderous octavo1 or by all the birch saplings to be found in a western forest4 ,a ,,grandfather4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,magnetism4 ,kind reader1 whoever thou art1 ,i come to thee with an earnest plea1 and that ,i may the more surely prevail in my suit1 let me for a time exert over thee the mesmeric power2 thy bodily eyes being closed1 and thy spirit set free from its encumbering clay1 let me introduce thee to distant scenes4 ,the hour is midnight1--the place an humble home in far off ,michigan4 ,let us enter2 nothing hinders1 for bolts and bars are here unknown4 ,step quietly1 that we may not disturb the sleeping4 ,come with me to this bed-chamber2 it is indeed dark1 but the spirit does not need material light4 ,on this rude bed reposes an aged man with whitened locks and furrowed face1 and yonder lies a little child whose tiny feet have yet taken but few steps on life's rude journey4 ,listen6--she moves--she is not asleep4 ,what has wakened thee1 gentle one8--the slumbers of childhood should be undisturbed4 ,she sings--in the silent1 lonely night1 with sweet low voice she is singing-- ,jesus1 ,saviour1 ,son of ,god1 ,who for me life's pathway trod2 ,who for me became a child1 ,make me humble1 meek1 and mild4 ,i thy little lamb would be1 ,jesus1 ,i would follow thee2 ,samuel was thy child of old1 ,take me now within thy fold4 ,the old man wakens--she has disturbed him4 ,shall he stop her8--no2 he loves that little one1 and he has not the heart to bid her be silent4 ,one after another she pours forth her sweet melodies1 till at last her voice grows fainter and fainter1 and soon she and her grandfather are both lying again in unbroken repose4 ,the morning comes4 ,the old man calls to him the petted one1 and says3 ,lucy1 why did you sing last night when you should have been asleep8 ,what were you singing8 ,stopping her play she looks up and says brightly--,i was singing to ,jesus1 grandpa1 and you ought to sing to him1 too4 ,why does he start and tremble1 that stern1 gray-headed man8 ,he has lived more than sixty years an unbeliever--a despiser of the lowly ,savior4 ,no thought of repentance or remorse has afflicted him--no desire has he ever had to hear the words of eternal life4 ,he has trained up his family in ignorance of ,god1 and only in his memory has the blessed ,sabbath had a name since he went to his distant western home4 ,not long ago a benevolent man passing through the town1 gathered some of the ragged and forsaken little ones into a ,sabbath-school1 and bestowed on them the inestimable gift of a few small books4 ,the little ,lucy heard from her young companions the wonderful story1 and begged to go4 ,but she was sternly refused4 ,he wanted nothing with the ,sabbath-school4 ,she could not be pacified1 however1 and at length with prayers and tears she was permitted to prevail4 ,she went1 and returned with her ,testament and little hymn-book1 and with such joy and glee1 that even her grandfather came to think the ,sabbath-school an excellent thing4 ,of that blessed school he is now a member1 and is weekly found studying the word of ,god1 as humbly and diligently as a little child4 ,the infidel of sixty years is a penitent follower of that ,jesus to whom little ,lucy sung her midnight song1 and who out of the mouths of babes often perfects his praise4 ,but we cannot tarry here2 let us journey on4 ,our way lies through these woods4 ,do you hear the sound of an axe8 ,yonder is a woodman1 and by his side a little boy4 ,we will approach4 ,never fear4 ,spirits cannot be discerned by mortal eyes1 and though we come very near1 they will be unconscious of our presence4 ,how attractive is childhood4 ,the little fellow is as merry as a lark1 and chatters away to his father1 who1 with silent absorption pursues his work4 ,suddenly his axe slips1 and a large limb1 which should have fallen in the other direction1 descends with violence upon his foot4 ,can spirits be deaf at pleasure8 ,if so we will quickly close our ears1 for fearful is the torrent of oaths proceeding from the mouth of the infuriated man4 ,but where is the child8 ,look at him where he stands2 his innocent prattle hushed--his whole appearance and attitude showing the utmost fear and distress4 ,listen--he speaks--slowly and solemnly3 ,thou shalt not take the name of the ,lord thy ,god in vain4 ,who made thee a preacher of righteousness1 a rebuker of sin1 thou little stray lamb of the ,savior's fold8 ,the ,sabbath-school1--lone instrument of good in these western wilds1 has taught thee1 and thou teachest thy father4 ,nor is the reproof vain4 ,heart-stricken and repentant he is henceforth a new man4 ,god moves in a mysterious way1 his wonders to perform4 ,but we will on4 ,the woods are passed1 and we emerge again into the highway4 ,who goes yonder with painful effort in the road before us8 ,it is a crippled boy4 ,stop--let us speak to him4 ,can spirits converse in human tones8 ,we will try4 ,good morning1 my poor boy2 are you going far on your crutches over this rough road8 ,only to the village1 sir1 about a mile from this4 ,and pray what may be your errand that you make so much effort8 ,oh1 sir1 one of the boys1 last week1 gave me a little book1 which told about ,god1 and heaven1 and hell1 and ,i am frightened about my soul1 and ,i am going to ask the good minister who lives in the village what ,i shall do that ,i may go to heaven4 ,god speed and teach thee1 and give us to see thee at last among the ransomed ones4 ,we have left the village where the good minister lived1 far behind1 and now we approach a populous town4 ,by our side travels a thoughtful man1 all unwitting of his company4 ,it is the ,sabbath1 and he has been ten miles to hear the gospel preached4 ,no church-going bell has as yet ever gladdened the place which he calls his home4 ,deep sighs escape from his breast1 as he rides slowly along4 ,he meditates on the wretched condition of his neighbors and friends4 ,as we approach the town the sound of voices is heard4 ,the good man listens1 and distinguishes the tones of children familiar and dear4 ,he approaches the hedge from which they proceed4 ,what anguish is depicted on his face as he gazes on the boys1 sitting under the hedge1 on ,god's holy day1 busily engaged in playing cards6 ,are you a parent1 kind reader8 ,are you a ,christian parent8 ,if so1 perhaps you can understand his feelings as he turns desparingly away1 and murmurs to himself--,no preacher of the gospel--no ,sunday-school--no ,sabbath day4 ,alas6 what shall save our children8 ,our journey is ended4 ,every incident which we have imagined we saw1 is recorded in ,god's book of remembrance as a fact4 ,my plea is in behalf of those who would establish ,sabbath-schools among the thousands of precious infant souls in the far-off ,west4 ,do you ask what you can do8 ,perhaps you can increase your donations to the ,home ,missionary and ,sunday-school ,societies4 ,every dollar goes far1 given to either4 ,but perhaps you are doing all you can in that way4 ,have you then no good books lying about your home which have done their work for your loved ones1 and can be dispensed with8 ,can you collect among your friends a dozen or more8 ,do not think it a small thing4 ,gather them together1 and put them in some box of clothing which is destined to ,michigan4 ,every one of those defaced and cast-off books may be a messenger of life to some starving soul4 ,more than this you can do4 ,train your own precious children to value their abundant privileges1 and embue them with the earnest desire to impart freely what is so freely given4 ,look upon your son1 your pride and joy4 ,a few years hence may find him living side by side with one of those unfortunate boys who knew no better than to desecrate the holy day with gambling4 ,will he be able to withstand the influences which will surround him in such society8 ,that1 under ,god1 depends on your prayers and efforts4 ,ask earnestly for grace to prepare him to do the blessed work1 wherever he goes1 of winning souls to ,christ1 and not be himself enticed to evil4 ,your daughter--your gentle1 bright-eyed one--over whom your heart yearns with unspeakable tenderness--her home may be yet appointed far toward the setting sun4 ,for her sake1 lend all your influence to the good work of saving those rapidly populating towns from the dominion of evil4 ,labor and pray1 and day by day1 instil into her young mind the principles which governed her ,savior's earthly life--who went about doing good1 and who valued not the riches of heaven's glory that he might redeem souls4 ,,sigma4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,stupid1 ,,dull ,,child4 ,there is always great danger of wounding the sensibilities of a timid1 retiring child4 ,it requires great forbearance and discrimination on the part of parents and teachers1 in their endeavors to develop the latent faculties of the minds of such children1 7whether this dullness is natural1 or the effect of untoward circumstances17 without injuring the sensibilities of the heart4 ,this is especially true at the present day1 when the world is laying such heavy demands upon the time and attention of parents4 ,we not unfrequently hear a father confessing1 with regret1 to be sure1 but without any apparent endeavors to obviate the evil1 that his time and thoughts are so absorbed in the cares of his business1 that his little children scarcely recognize him1 as he seldom returns to his family1 till they are in bed1 and goes forth to his business before they are up in the morning4 ,this is1 indeed1 a sad evil1 and if possible ought to be remedied4 ,how can we expect that such a father will understand the peculiar temper and dispositions of his children so as to aid a mother in their proper training8 ,perhaps in some cases such evils cannot be remedied4 ,but1 alas6 what heavy responsibilities does such neglect1 on the part of the father1 devolve upon the mother6 ,methinks the circumstances of such a mother may be even more difficult to meet than if she were a widow6 ,we invite the attention of parents to a consideration of this topic and some of the evils growing out of the wrong treatment of timid1 dull children4 ,we can do no more at present than attempt to show1 in a given case1 how such an existing evil was cured by forbearance and kindness4 ,the illustration is taken from ,pictures of ,early ,life1 in the case of a little girl by the name of ,lilias ,tracy4 ,this poor child1 though her father was rich1 and held an honorable station in society1 yet on account of her mother's sorrows1 and subsequent insanity1 her poor child1 ,lilias1 who was allowed to remain with her mother1 was brought up in an atmosphere of sadness1 and it was no wonder that she became melancholy and reserved4 ,after the death of her mother1 her father understood too little of the character of his only child to be able to afford her much solace1 and he therefore determined to send her to a boarding-school4 ,if there be a trial which exceeds a child's powers of endurance1 it is a first entrance into a boarding-school4 ,little ,lilias felt at once this painful situation in all its bitterness4 ,shy and sensitive at all times1 she had never felt so utterly forlorn1 as when she first found herself in the play-ground belonging to ,mrs4 ,bellamy's school4 ,not only was she timid and shy1 but the necessity of being always with her mother to soothe the paroxysms of distress1 had deprived ,lilias of many opportunities of education1 and she was therefore far less advanced in knowledge than most of her companions4 ,numberless were the mortifications to which she was obliged to submit on account of her ignorance1 while her timidity and shyness increased in proportion to the reproofs of her teachers1 and the ridicule of her schoolfellows4 ,she at length came to be regarded as one of those hopelessly dull pupils who are to be found cumbering the benches of every large school1 and but for her father's wealth and honorable station in society1 she would1 probably1 have been sent away in disgrace4 ,fortunately1 ,providence raised up for poor ,lilias1 at this juncture1 a kind friend and patient teacher in a schoolfellow1 by the name of ,victorine ,horton4 ,this amiable young lady1 seeing the trials and mortifications of this sensitive child1 begged ,mrs4 ,bellamy to allow ,lilias to become her room-mate1 and she would assist her in her lessons4 ,some few weeks after this arrangement took place1 ,victorine was accosted thus-- ,how can you waste so much time on that stupid child1 ,miss ,horton8 said one of the teachers4 ,she does not seem to improve any1 with all your pains2 she will never repay your trouble4 ,i do not despair1 said ,victorine1 smiling4 ,she is an affectionate little creature1 and if continual dropping will wear away a stone1 surely1 repeated kindness will melt the icy mantle of reserve which now conceals her better qualities4 ,a happy child was little ,lilias1 thus to become the companion and bedfellow of such a kind-hearted friend as she found in ,victorine4 ,stimulated by affection1 she applied herself to her studies1 and as perfect love casteth out fear1 she was enabled to get her lessons1 and to recite them without that nervous timidity which had usually deprived her of all power4 ,a few months after ,victorine had thus undertaken the charge of ,lilias1 a prize was offered1 in each class1 for the most elegantly written ,french exercise4 ,lilias observed the eagerness of the pupils to compete for the medals1 but she never dreamed of becoming a candidate till ,victorine suggested it4 ,i wish you would try to win the prize in your class1 dear ,lilias1 said ,victorine4 ,i1 ,victorine6 ,it would be impossible4 ,why1 impossible1 ,lilias8 ,you have lately made great progress in the study of ,french1 and if ,i may judge by your last translation1 you will stand as good a chance as any of the class4 ,but1 you know1 ,i have your assistance1 ,victorine1 and if ,i were writing for the prize ,i should be obliged to do it all myself4 ,i gave you little aid in your last exercises1 ,lilias1 and there are yet two months before the time fixed for awarding the premiums1 so you will have opportunity enough to try your skill4 ,but if ,i should not succeed1 the whole school will laugh at me for making the attempt4 ,no1 ,lilias2 those who possess proper feelings will never laugh at an attempt to do right1 and for those who can indulge an ill-natured jest at the expense of a schoolfellow's feelings1 you need not care4 ,i am very anxious you should make the attempt4 ,well1 if you wish it1 ,victorine1 ,i will do my best2 but ,i know ,i shall fail4 ,do you know how ,i generally succeed in such tasks1 ,lilias8 ,it is never by thinking of the possibility of failure4 ,i have almost forgotten to say1 ,i can't1 and have substituted1 upon every occasion1 ,i'll try4 ,well1 then1 to please you1 ,victorine1 ',i'll try1' said ,lilias1 smiling4 ,poor child1 thought ,victorine1 with your affectionate nature1 and noble principles1 it is a pity you should be regarded only as a dull and sullen little dunce1 whom no one cares to waste a thought upon4 ,for a long time1 ,lilias' project in regard to the medal was concealed from the school4 ,to tell the truth1 ,victorine1 herself1 had many doubts as to the success of her little friend1 but she knew if she failed to obtain the prize1 the exertion would be of service to herself4 ,long before the day arrived1 ,lilias had twenty times determined to withdraw from all competition2 but she never broke a promise1 and as she had pledged herself to ,victorine1 she resolved to persevere4 ,in the sequel1 ,victorine was surprised at the beauty of the thoughts in ,lilias' exercise1 as well as the correctness of the language4 ,she was satisfied that ,lilias had done well2 her only fear was lest others should do better4 ,at the head of the class to which ,lilias belonged was ,laura ,graham2 and a mutual dislike had always existed between them4 ,laura was a selfish1 as well as an avaricious girl2 and she had often looked with a covetous eye upon the costly trifles which ,lilias' father had bestowed upon his daughter4 ,to her narrow mind it seemed impossible that ,victorine should not have an interested motive in her kindness to ,lilias1 and she thought an opportunity was now offered her of sharing some of her spoils4 ,about a week before the trial day1 ,laura ,g4 sought ,lilias1 and leading her to a remote part of the garden1 she unfolded to her a scheme for insuring the prize she so much coveted4 ,she proposed to destroy her own theme1 knowing she was one of the best ,french pupils1 thereby securing the prize to ,lilias1 on condition she should receive1 in return1 a pearl brooch and bracelet she had long coveted4 ,lilias1 as might have been expected1 expressed the greatest contempt and resentment at the proposal4 ,when the day arrived1 many a little heart beat high with hope and fear4 ,victorine1 as might have been expected1 took the first prize in the first class4 ,the class to which ,lilias belonged was next in order4 ,as ,mrs4 ,bellamy arose1 ,lilias perceived she held in her hand two themes1 while before her on the table lay a small box4 ,addressing ,laura ,graham1 who sat with an air of conscious superiority at the head of the class1 ,mrs4 ,bellamy said1 ,of the two themes ,i hold in my hand1 the one written by you1 ,miss ,graham1 and the other by ,miss ,lilias ,tracy1 ,i am sorry to say that yours is best4 ,lilias could scarce restrain her tears1 as she saw ,laura advance1 proudly1 towards ,mrs4 ,bellamy1 and bend her head as if to receive the riband that suspended the glittering prize2 but what was her surprise1 when ,mrs4 ,bellamy1 instead of offering it to ,laura1 in the usual manner1 handed her a small box1 closely sealed4 ,as the best ,french scholar1 ,miss ,graham1 said she1 ,i am compelled to bestow on you the medal which you will find enclosed in a box2 but1 as an act of justice1 and a proper punishment for your want of integrity1 7,mrs4 ,b4 having casually overheard what passed in the garden71 ,i forbid you to wear1 or exhibit it1 for twelve months4 ,come hither1 said ,mrs4 ,b4 to ,lilias1 as ,laura1 pale and trembling1 and drowned in tears1 hurried in shame and sorrow from the room4 ,lilias1 scarcely less overwhelmed than her guilty fellow-pupil1 advanced with faultering step1 and ,mrs4 ,bellamy1 suspending from her neck a small and highly-finished locket1 said3 ,i can give but one medal in each class for improvement in ,french1 and had not ,miss ,graham been in your class1 yours1 ,miss ,tracy would have been the best2 ,i cannot1 however1 allow this opportunity to pass without some lasting memorial of your merit4 ,i therefore present you with a locket containing the hair of your beloved friend1 ,victorine1 as a testimonial of my esteem for your integrity and honor4 ,poor ,lilias6 ,she had never been so happy in her life as when she threw herself in ,victorine's arms1 and shed tears of joy upon her bosom4 ,whether these few outlines of this truly interesting story be founded on fact or not1 we cannot forbear to say that ,god will assuredly1 sooner or later1 fully reward all those who live up to the holy principles and precepts of his own blessed truth1 and he is no less faithful in punishing every proud and wicked doer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,fault ,,finding--,,the ,,antidote4 7,continued from page #afb47 ,at length it was time to choose his path in life1 and being inclined to mercantile pursuits1 his father placed him in the store of one of their friends1 where he would have every facility for acquiring a thorough knowledge of business4 ,oh1 how carefully did his mother watch the effect of a closer contact with the world1 and a more prolonged absence from her hallowed influence--and how gratefully did she perceive that her precious boy still came to her with the confiding love of his childhood1 in all the temptations of his business life1 and that her influence was still potent with him for good4 ,mother1 ,i was terribly urged to go to the theater last week1 said he in one of his frequent visits at home4 ,harvey and ,brown were going1 and they are pretty steady fellows1 and ,i really was half inclined to go4 ,well1 what saved you8 ,oh1 ,i knew just how you would look1 mother1 dear1 and ,i would rather never see a theater than face that grieved look of yours4 ,mother1 the thought of you has saved me from many1 many temptations to do wrong1 and if ,i am good for anything1 when ,i am a man1 ,i must thank ,god for my mother4 ,thank ,god for his preserving grace1 my dearest ,charley1 and ask him to give you more and more of it4 ,not many days after1 ,mrs4 ,arnold was in company with her son's employer4 ,your son promises well1 ,mrs4 ,arnold1 said he1 he is very accurate1 obliging1 respectful4 ,i am somewhat hasty at times1 and a few days since blamed him severely for something which ,i thought he had done wrong4 ,he showed no ill-temper1 but received it with so much meekness1 my heart smote me4 ,the next day he asked me very respectfully if ,i would inquire of one of the clerks about it1 which ,i did1 and found he had done nothing blameworthy in the least4 ,he is a fine boy1 madam1 a very fine boy1 and ,i hope will make as good a man as his father4 ,but a good man ,charley was not destined to be4 ,her reward was nearer than she had thought1 and he who had learned of the lowly ,saviour to be meek and lowly of heart1 was soon to be transplanted to dwell with loving and holy ones above4 ,one day he returned home unexpectedly1 and the first glance told his mother he was in trouble4 ,mother1 ,i feel really sick4 ,i was sick yesterday1 but ,i kept in the store2 but to-day ,i could only go down and see ,mr4 ,barker1 and tell him ,i must come home for a day or two4 ,oh1 mother it is a comfort to see your dear kind face again1 said he1 as she felt his pulse1 examined his tongue1 and inquired how he felt1 and perhaps if ,i can rest quietly an hour or two this dreadful pain in my head will be relieved4 ,he went to his pleasant chamber1 to his quiet bed1 the physician was summoned1 and all that skill and the tenderest care could do was done1 but he rapidly drew near the grave4 ,he was patient1 gentle1 grateful1 beautiful upon that bed of death1 and while his mother's soul was poured forth in earnest prayer1 for his continued life1 her heart swelled with grateful thanksgiving for the sweet evidence he gave of a subdued and ,christian spirit1 and she could say with true and cheerful submission1 ,not my will but ,thine be done1 whether for life or death1 for it is well with the child4 ,just at twilight one evening1 he awoke from a short slumber1 and his eye sought his mother at his bedside4 ,she leaned over him and softly pressed her lips to his forehead4 ,mother1 he said1 faintly1 the ,doctor has given up all hope of my life1 has he not8 ,nerving herself to calmness for his sake1 she answered1 ,he thinks you very sick1 ,charley1 but ,i cannot give up all hope4 ,how can ,i part with you1 my beloved8 ,mother1 said he1 as he took her hand in both his1 and laid it on his breast1 ,i want1 while ,i am able1 to tell you how ,i feel1 and ,i want you to know what you have done for me4 ,i was a passionate1 bad tempered boy1 and you know father-- ,he stopped4 ,mother1 ,i should have been a ruined boy but for you4 ,i see it all now plainly4 ,you have saved me1 mother4 ,you have saved my soul4 ,you have been my guide and comfort in life4 ,you have taught me to meet even death and fear no evil1 for you have shown me my sin1 and taught me to repent of it1 and love and trust the precious ,saviour1 who died that ,his blood might cleanse even my guilt4 ,i feel that ,i can lie in ,his arms1 sure that ,he has forgiven my sin and washed my sinful soul white in ,his blood4 ,how often you have told me ,he would do it if ,i asked ,him1 and ,i have asked ,him constantly1 and ,he will do it1 ,he will not cast me off4 ,mother1 when you think of me1 be comforted1 for you have led me to my ,saviour1 and ,i rejoice to go and be with ,him forever4 ,the next sun arose on the cold remains of what was so lately the active and happy ,charles ,arnold1 and there was bitter grief in that dwelling1 for very dear had the kind and loving brother been to them4 ,the father was stunned--thunderstruck4 ,little had he expected such a grief as this1 and he seemed utterly unable to endure it1 or to believe it4 ,how much he communed with his own heart of his neglected duty to that departed boy1 we know not1 but dreadful was the anguish he endured1 and the mother had the joy to perceive that his manner afterward was far more tender to his remaining children1 whom he seemed now for the first time to realize he might not always have with him1 to be neglected and put aside1 as a trouble and as a care1 rather than as a precious gift1 to be most carefully trained up for ,god4 ,but all wondered at the perfect calmness of that afflicted mother4 ,so devoted--so saintlike--it would seem that she was in constant and sweet communing with the redeemed spirit of her boy4 ,no regret1 no repining escaped her lips1 and many who knew how fondly she loved her children1 and had feared that this sudden blow would almost overwhelm her1 gazed with wonder at her perfect submission1 her cheerful touching tenderness of voice and speech4 ,and though tears would at times flow1 yet she would say in the midst of them1 ,these are not tears of grief but of joy1 that my darling son is safe1 and holy1 and blessed forever4 ,tears of gratitude to ,god for ,his goodness4 ,and when hours of sadness1 and of longing for her absent one came1 as they will come to the bereaved at times1 a faint voice seemed to whisper in her ear4 ,mother1 you have saved me1 you have saved my soul6 ,and sweetest comfort came with that never to be forgotten whisper from the dying bed of her precious child1 to sustain her in the darkest hour4 ,fathers6 ,plead as you will1 that you are full of care and labor to support your families4 ,say it over and over1 till you really believe it yourself1 if you please1 that when you come home tired at night1 you cannot be crazed with the clatter of children's tongues4 ,you want to rest and be quiet4 ,so you do1 and so you should--but have you any right to be so perfectly worn out with business1 that the voice of your own child is irksome to you8 ,try1 for once1 a little pleasant1 quiet1 instructive chat with him4 ,enter for a few moments into his feelings1 and pursuits and thoughts--for that child has feelings1 that need cherishing tenderly1 for your own future comfort4 ,he has pursuits1 and you are the one to talk with him about them1 and kindly tell him which are right and useful1 and which he would do better to let alone4 ,he has thoughts1 and who shall direct that mind aright which must think forever1 if not the author of his being8 ,ask of his school1 and his playmates1 and see if your own spirit is not rested and refreshed1 and your heart warmed by this little effort to win the love and confidence1 and delight the heart of this young immortal1 who owes his entrance into this weary world to you1 and whom you are under the most solemn obligations1 to strive to prepare to act well his part in it4 ,do not say this is his mother's business4 ,has the ,bible laid any command upon mothers8 ,would it not seem that ,he who formed her heart1 knew that she needed not to be told to labor1 in season and out of season1 for her beloved offspring8 ,but to you is the strong command1 ,fathers1 provoke not your children to wrath1 but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord4 ,mothers1 do you not reap a rich reward for curbing your own spirits1 for every self-denial1 for untiring devotion to the immortals given to your care1 with souls to be saved or lost8 ,oh6 neglect them not1 lest conscience utter the fearful whisper1 ,mother1 you might have saved that soul6 ,,ellen ,,ellison4 ,feb4 #aheb4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,never ,,tempt ,,another4 ,there are thousands of persons in the ,united ,states to whom the name of ,jonathan ,trumbull1 formerly a governor of ,connecticut1 is familiar--,i mean the first governor of that name4 ,he was a friend and supporter of ,general ,washington during the ,revolutionary ,war1 and greatly contributed by his judicious advice and prompt aid to achieve the ,independence of ,america4 ,this ,governor ,trumbull had a son by the name of ,john1 who became distinguished in the use of the pencil1 and who left several paintings of great merit commemorative of scenes in the history of our revolutionary struggle4 ,my story relates to an incident which occurred during the boyhood of ,john4 ,his father1 for the purpose of giving employment to the ,mohegan ,indians1 a tribe living within the bounds of the ,connecticut colony1 though at some distance from the governor's residence1 hired several of their hunters to kill animals of various kinds for their furs4 ,one of the most successful of these hunters was a sachem by the name of ,zachary4 ,but ,zachary was a drunkard1 and persisted in his intemperate habits till he reached the age of fifty4 ,by whose means ,i am unable to say1 but at that time he was induced utterly to abandon the use of intoxicating drinks4 ,his life was extended to eighty years1 but he was never known after the above reformation1 although often under powerful temptation1 to taste in a single instance of the accursed thing4 ,in his history of the ,indians of ,connecticut1 ,de ,forest has given us an account of the manful resistance of ,zachary on one occasion of an artful temptation to violate his temperance principles1 spread before him by ,john ,trumbull1 at his father's house4 ,he says1 ,in those days the annual ceremony of election was a matter of more consequence than it is now2 and the ,indians1 especially1 used to come in considerable numbers to ,hartford and ,new ,haven to stare at the governor1 and the soldiers1 and the crowds of citizens1 as they entered those cities1 ,jonathan ,trumbull's house was about half-way between ,mohegan and ,hartford1 and ,zachary was in the habit of stopping1 on his way to election1 to dine with his old employer4 ,john ,trumbull1 then about ten years old1 had heard of the reformation of ,zachary1 and1 partaking of the common contempt for the intemperate and worthless character of the ,indians1 did not entirely credit it4 ,as the family were sitting around the dinner-table1 he resolved to test the sincerity of the visitor's temperance4 ,sipping some home-brewed beer1 which stood on the table1 he said to the old man1 ',zachary1 this beer is excellent2 won't you taste it8' ,the knife and fork dropped from the ,indian's hand2 he leaned forward with a stern intensity of expression1 his dark eyes1 sparkling with indignation1 were fixed on the young tempter3 ',john1' said he1 'you don't know what you are doing4 ,you are serving the devil1 boy4 ,don't you know that ,i am an ,indian8 ,i tell you that ,i am2 and if ,i should taste your beer1 ,i could never stop until ,i got to rum1 and become again the drunken1 contemptible wretch your father once knew me4 ,john1 while you live1 never again tempt any man to break a good resolution4' ,this was said in an earnest1 solemn tone1 and deeply affected ,governor ,trumbull and lady1 who were at the table4 ,john was justly awed1 and deep was the impression made upon him4 ,his parents often recurred to the incident1 and charged their son never to forget it4 ,the advice of the sachem was indeed most valuable4 ,never again tempt any man to break a good resolution4 ,it were well if this precept were followed by all4 ,how many who are reformed from evil habits1 yet not firm and established1 but who would persevere in their better resolutions were they encouraged1 are suddenly1 and to themselves surprisingly1 set back by some tempter6 ,what sorrow is engendered6 and how difficult to regain what is thus lost6 ,all this is essentially true of the young4 ,their good resolutions are assaulted2 the counsels of a pious mother--the precepts of a kind father1 and the determinations which a son may have formed in view of those counsels and those precepts1 may be easily undermined and destroyed by the flattery or the ridicule1 the reproach or the banter of some subtle or even of some thoughtless companion4 ,to those who may read these pages1 and who may at any time be tempted to seduce others from paths of virtue1 or to break over solemn resolutions which they may have formed as to an upright and commendable course of life1 let the injunction of old ,zachary1 the ,mohegan sachem1 not come in vain4 ,never tempt any one to break a good resolution4 ,g4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,despondency ,,and ,,hope4 ,,an ,,allegory4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,j4 ,,norton4 ,in a lone forest1 dark and drear1 ,stood wrapt in grief a maiden fair2 ,her flowing locks were wet with dew1 ,her life was sad1 her friends were few4 ,a sparkling light gleam'd distant far1 ,like twinkling faint of evening star2 ,quickly it spread its brilliant ray1 ,till forest drear looked bright and gay4 ,and on the wings of love and light1 ,a radiant figure1 pure and white1 ,approached and spake with accents mild3 ,why so despondent1 sorrow's child8 ,when thy lone feet the violet press1 ,its perfume rises still to bless2 ,while groves and lawns1 with landscape fair1 ,are bathed in healthful mountain air4 ,ah1 friend6 thy path shines bright and clear2 ,daily thou breath'st the mountain air2 ,but mine is in the barren wild1 ,where naught looks bright to sorrow's child4 ,then take my arm1 pale sister1 dear1 ,with you ,i'll tread this forest drear2 ,when guided by this light from ,heav'n1 ,strength and peace will both be given4 ,they journeyed on through glade and fen1 ',till passing near a rocky glen1 ,mild ,patience came and sweetly smiled ,upon the path of sorrow's child4 ,the measured way still brighter grew1 ',till cares and griefs were faint and few4 ,thus1 ,hope and ,patience oft beguiled ,the toil-worn path of sorrow's child4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,israel ,,at ,,horeb4 ,there is no path of duty appointed for man to tread1 concerning which the ,almighty has not expressed his will in terms so plain that the sincere inquirer may always hear a voice behind him saying1 ,this is the way1 walk ye in it2 nor are there any relations of life1 nor any human affections which he has not constituted1 and bestowed1 nor any disappointment of those affections for which he has not manifested a sympathy so sincere1 that the desolate and heart-stricken may always say1 ,earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal4 ,yet1 it is something difficult for us to realize in our hours of darkness and despondency1 that toward us personally and individually1 the great heart of ,infinite ,love yearns with tenderness and pity4 ,even if we can say1 ,though clouds and darkness are round about him1 justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne1 and can acquiesce meekly in all his dispensations1 and believe sincerely that they will work for our good1 yet we often fail of the blessedness which might be ours1 if we could be equally assured that1 ,as a father pitieth his children1 so doth the ,lord pity them that fear him4 ,this assurance only the faithful student of the ,bible can feel1 as the great truth gleams forth upon him from time to time1 illuming dark afflictions midnight gloom with rays celestial1 and furnishing balm for every wound1 the balm of sympathy and love4 ,we often hear it said1 by those who even profess themselves ,christians1 and devout lovers of the sacred oracles1 ,how can you read the book of ,leviticus8 ,what can you find in the dry details of the ceremonial law to detain you months in its study and call forth such expressions of interest8 ,such will probably pass by this article when they find themselves invited again to ,horeb4 ,turn back1 friends4 ,you are not the only ones who have excused themselves from a feast4 ,and we--we will extend our invitation to others4 ,on the by-ways and lanes they can be found2 in every corner of this wide-spread earth are some for whom our table is prepared4 ,we leave the prosperous1 the gay1 the happy1 and speak to the desolate--the widowed4 ,dearly beloved1 you can look back to a day in your history over which no cloud lowered1 when you wore the bridal wreath1 and stood at the sacred altar1 and laid your hand in a hand faithful and true1 and pledged vows of love1 and when hope smiled on all your future path2 but who have lived to see all you then deemed most precious1 laid beneath the clods of the valley1 and have exchanged buds of orange for the most intensely sable of earthly weeds2 you who once walked on your earthly journey in sweet companionship which brightened your days2 who were wont to lay your weary head every night on the faithful pillowing breast1 and there forget your woes and cares1 but who are now alone2 you who trusted in manly counsel and guidance for your little ones1 but who now shed bitter1 unavailing tears in every emergency which reminds you that they are fatherless2 and1 worse than all1 you who had all your wants supplied by the loving1 toiling husband and father1 but have now to contend single-handed with poverty1--come1 sorrowing1 widowed hearts1 visit with us ,horeb's holy mound4 ,it is1 indeed1 a barren spot2 nevertheless1 it has blossoms of loveliness for you4 ,come in faith1 and perchance the prophet's vision shall be yours--peradventure1 the still1 small voice which bade to rest the turmoil of his soul1 shall soothe your griefs also2 the words which are heard from its summit as ,jehovah gives to ,moses his directions1 have indeed to do with meats and drinks and divers washings1 yet1 if you listen intently1 you will now and then hear those which1 as the expression of your ,heavenly ,father's heart1 will amply repay the toil of the ascent4 ,draw near and hearken3 ,ye shall not afflict any widow nor fatherless child4 ,if thou afflict them in any wise1 and they cry at all unto me1 ,i will surely hear their cry1 and my wrath shall wax hot1 and ,i will kill you with the sword2 and your wives shall be widows1 your children fatherless4 ,will you not now be comforted8 ,the ,eternal makes your sorrows his own1 and ,himself stands forth as your protector against every ill4 ,when thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy field1 and hast forgotten the sheaf in the field1 thou shalt not go again to fetch it1 but it shall be for the stranger1 and the fatherless1 and the widow1 that the ,lord thy ,god may bless thee in all the works of thy hands4 ,if ,god's will is done1 you see you will not suffer4 ,he will raise you up friends1 and those who obey ,him1 who wish to please ,him1 will always be ready to aid you for ,his sake4 ,as shown to himself1 he regards and will reward the kindness shown to you1 and ,he has all hearts in his hands4 ,but this is not all4 ,a certain portion of every ,israelite's possessions is to be given to furnish the table of the ,lord1 and1 as if to assure you that ,he considers you ,his own1 and will perform the part of husband and father for you at that table1 and in his own house he provides for you ever a place4 ,in the tithes of wine1 corn and oil1 the firstlings of the herds and flocks1 in all that is to be devoted to the service of the ,lord1 you have your share4 ,at the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year and lay it up within the gates4 ,and the ,levite1 because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee1 and the stranger1 and the fatherless1 and the widow1 which are within thy gates1 shall come and eat and be satisfied1 that the ,lord thy ,god may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest4 ,do you sorrowfully say that no such table is now spread8 ,but ,he who thus provided still lives1 and is the same as then4 ,the silver and the gold are ,his1 and the cattle upon a thousand hills1 and he ruleth all things by the ,word of ,his power4 ,they that trust in him shall never be confounded4 ,thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger1 nor of the fatherless1 nor take the widow's raiment to pledge4 ,why8 ,because they have no earthly friend to redeem the latter or plead for the former4 ,weak and unguarded1 they are exposed to all these evils1 but that ,he1 the ,eternal1 takes them under his own especial care2 and instead of compelling them to depend on the insecure tenure of man's compassion1 or even justice1 institutes laws for their benefit1 the disobedience of which is sin against ,himself4 ,scattered through all the sacred volume are words which1 equally with those we have quoted1 speak forth ,jehovah's interest in the helpless4 ,leave thy fatherless children to me1 he said1 by his prophet ,jeremiah1 at a time when misery1 desolation1 and destruction were falling on ,judea and her sons for their awful impiety4 ,leave thy fatherless children1 ,i will preserve them alive2 and let thy widows trust in me4 ,a father of the fatherless1 and a judge of the widows1 is ,god in his holy habitation4 ,oh1 do we receive the full import of these soul-cheering words8 ,lone1 solitary one6 who hidest in thy heart a grief which1 untasted1 cannot be understood1 there is a ,being sitting on the circle of the heavens1 who knows every pang thou endurest4 ,he formed thee susceptible of the love which thou hast felt and enjoyed2 ,himself ordained the tie which bound thee4 ,he1 better than any other1 comprehends thy loss4 ,dost thou doubt--study faithfully ,his word2 obey his voice4 ,yield thy heart to ,him and trust ,him implicitly4 ,he will prove himself able to bless thee in thine inmost soul4 ,the avenues to that soul are all open to ,him1 and ,he can cause such gentle1 soothing influences to flow in upon thee as shall make thee ,sing even as in the days of thy youth4 ,fatherless child6 whose heart fails thee when thou dost miss from every familiar place the guide of thy youth1 faint not nor be discouraged1 though the way is rough1 and the voice that ever spoke tenderly to thee is silent4 ,thou hast a father in heaven2 and ,he who calls himself such understands better than thou what is implied in that sacred name4 ,tell ,him thy woes and wants4 ,thou art as much ,his care1 as if beside ,nor man nor angel lived in heaven or earth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,infants ,,taught ,,to ,,pray4 ,persons who have never investigated the subject cannot believe that young children are capable of being taught to pray1 intelligently4 ,as infants cannot be supposed to understand the essential nature and design of prayer1 we may profitably inquire1 ,of what use can prayer be to a young child8 ,miss ,h4 ,more defines prayer to be ,the application of want to ,him who alone can relieve it2 the confession of sin to ,him who alone can pardon it2 the urgency of poverty1 the prostration of humility1 the fervency of penitence--the confidence of trust4 ,it is the ',lord save us1 we perish1' of drowning ,peter--the cry of faith to the ear of mercy4 ,now1 are not children1 for several of their first years1 absolutely dependent upon others for the supply of all their wants8 ,and yet1 though no beings are so weak1 so helpless1 yet none are so eloquent in pleading or praying for what they want as young children in distress1 though they have not yet acquired the language of speech1 and simply because this language is nature's voice4 ,how irresistible are the entreaties of an infant in sickness1 pain1 and trouble4 ,it will not be pacified or comforted by any one but its mother--her bosom is its sanctuary--her voice its sweetest melody--her arms its only refuge4 ,what a preparation is this in the ordering of ,providence1 and in direct reference to what is to succeed1 evidently with the design that when a child is of a suitable age1 it may transfer its highest love and confidence from its earthly parents to a heavenly ,father4 ,at first the mother stands in the place of ,god to her child1 and is all the world to him4 ,but if she be a praying mother1 the child will very early discover that1 like himself1 she too is a helpless1 dependent1 needy creature1 and he will learn to trust in that great ,being whom his mother adores4 ,perhaps she has been in the habit1 when her child was drawing its nutriment from her breast1 to feel more than at any other time her responsibility to the little helpless being who is a part of herself1 and especially to train it up in the way it should go4 ,and she will usually improve this opportunity to commune with her ,god1 saying with more solemn importunity1 day by day1 ,how shall ,i order thee1 child8 ,she feels the need of more wisdom1 for she now begins to realize that her arms will not always encircle her child1 and if they could1 she could not ward off the arrows of disease and death4 ,she thinks too of the period as near when it will be more out from under her scrutinizing watch1 and will be more exposed to temptations from without and from within4 ,perhaps1 too1 she may die early1 and then who will feel for her child1 who will train it1 who will consecrate it to ,god as sedulously as she hopes to do8 ,o1 if she could be certain of its eternal well-being4 ,she eagerly inquires1 ,is there any way by which my child can be so instructed1 so consecrated1 that ,i may be absolutely certain that ,i shall meet him1 a ransomed soul1 and dwell with him forever among the blessed in heaven8 ,yes1 there is4 ,i find in the unerring ,scriptures many precious examples of children who were thus early dedicated to ,god1 and were accepted and blessed of ,him4 ,she loves to remember those mothers on the plains of ,judea who brought their infants to the ,savior for his blessing4 ,they were not discouraged1 though the disciples1 like many of the present day1 forbade them to come1 saying1 ,of what possible use can it be to bring young children to the ,savior8 ,but behold1 the ,savior welcomes and blesses them4 ,children who have been thus blessed of the ,savior will not1 cannot be lost4 ,his promise is1 ,none shall pluck them out of my father's hand2 and again1 ,i will keep that what is committed to me till the final day4 ,with such ,scripture promises and examples1 this praying mother1 hour by hour1 lifts her heart to ,god1 and implores that the ,savior would crown with success her endeavors to obey his precepts1 and1 in doing so1 to accept her consecrated child4 ,how sweet and gentle are her accents6 ,with a loud voice she puts up her petitions which1 till now1 under similar circumstances1 have not even been whispered aloud4 ,but her emotions have risen so high1 that not only does her voice become inarticulate1 but her tears fall like ,april showers upon the face of her1 till now1 unconscious child4 ,the child looks inquiringly4 ,it now perceives that that countenance1 which has hitherto been lighted up only by smiles1 and been radiant with hope1 at times is beclouded by fears4 ,no wonder if this scene should attract the attention of this infant listener4 ,perhaps it is overawed4 ,it rises up1 it looks round to see if any one is present1 with whom its mother is holding converse4 ,seeing no one1 it hides its little head in the folds of its mother's dress1 and is still4 ,what does all this do but to awaken1 on the part of the mother1 a still deeper interest in the welfare of her sympathizing little one4 ,she now realizes as she never did before1 what an influence she has in swaying the mind and affections of her darling child1 and her responsibility seems to increase at every step4 ,she presses her child more and more fondly to her bosom4 ,with daily and increasing faith1 love and zeal1 she resorts to the throne of grace1 and pleads for that wisdom she so pre-eminently needs4 ,it cannot be but that her love to her child should be daily strengthened by such communings with her own heart and her ,savior1 in sweet fellowship with her little one1 though so young as not fully to comprehend all it sees and hears1 yet it will remember and be influenced1 eternally1 by what has been done and said in its presence4 ,this mother fully realizes that she is under the watchful eye of ,god1 her ,maker and ,redeemer--that the ,holy ,trinity--the mysterious three in one have been present1 more than spectators of what has transpired4 ,for she is sure that these aspirations after holiness for herself and for her child are not earth-born--but emanations from the triune ,god4 ,it is natural to suppose that lasting impressions would be made upon the heart of a child thus early taught to pray4 ,no wonder if this little child1 ever after1 should find a sacred pleasure in visiting the place where prayer is wont to be made1 which at first was hallowed and sweetened by tender and endearing associations4 ,and we would here remark1 that it is chiefly by the power of association that young children can be supposed to be benefited by such teachings and examples4 ,a striking incident occurred in my mother's nursery1 not only illustrative of the power of association1 but showing how very tenacious is the memory of young children4 ,my mother had a fit of sickness when my little brother was but seven months old1 and she was obliged to wean him at that early age4 ,he was always a feeble child and clung to our mother with almost a death-grasp4 ,the weaning of that child will never fade from my recollection4 ,in fact our mother used to say that that boy was never weaned4 ,when he was about a year old1 he was found fast asleep one day behind the bed-room door1 leaning his little head upon a chest4 ,over the chest was a line1 and across the line had been thrown a chintz shawl1 memorable as having always been worn by our mother when nursing her children4 ,in one hand he had hold of the end of the shawl1 which he could just reach1 and he was sucking the thumb of the other4 ,this shawl1 which this little child had not previously seen for some time1 was associated in his mind with its sweetest1 but short-lived comfort4 ,this fact will serve to explain the propriety of taking all the ordinary week day play-things from children on the ,sabbath1 and substituting in their place others more quiet--for instance1 relating ,scripture stories1 explaining ,scripture pictures1 and the like4 ,such scenes and experience as have been above alluded to1 must be more or less familiar to every faithful and praying mother4 ,children who have been dedicated to ,god1 as was ,samuel1 and ,david1 and ,timothy1 in all ages of the world1 will be found in after life to be1 to the praise1 and glory1 and riches of ,god's grace1 vouchsafed to parents1 in answer to their faith and prayers1 and pious teachings4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,youngling ,,of ,,the ,,flock4 ,welcome6 thrice welcome to my heart1 sweet harbinger of bliss6 ,how have ,i looked1 till hope grew sick1 for a moment bright as this2 ,thou hast flashed upon my aching sight when fortune's clouds are dark1 ,the sunny spirit of my dreams--the dove unto mine ark4 ,oh6 no1 not even when life was new1 and life and hope were young1 ,and o'er the firstling of my flock with raptured gaze ,i hung1 ,did ,i feel the glow that thrills me now1 the yearnings fond and deep1 ,that stir my bosom's inmost strings as ,i watch thy placid sleep6 ,though loved and cherished be the flower that springs 'neath summer skies1 ,the bud that blooms 'mid wintry storms more tenderly we prize4 ,one does but make our bliss more bright2 the other meets our eye1 ,like a radiant star1 when all besides have vanished from on high4 ,sweet blossom of my stormy hour1 star of my troubled heaven1 ,to thee that passing sweet perfume1 that soothing light is given2 ,and precious art thou to my soul1 but dearer far than thou1 ,a messenger of peace and love art sent to cheer me now4 ,what1 tho' my heart be crowded close with inmates dear though few1 ,creep in1 my little smiling babe1 there's still a niche for you2 ,and should another claimant rise1 and clamor for a place1 ,who knows but room may yet be found1 if it wears as fair a face4 ,i cannot save thee from the griefs to which our flesh is heir1 ,but ,i can arm thee with a spell1 life's keenest ills to bear4 ,i may not fortune's frowns avert1 but ,i can with thee pray ,for wealth this world can never give nor ever take away4 ,but wherefore doubt that ,he who makes the smallest bird his care1 ,and tempers to the new shorn lamb the blast it ill could bear1 ,will still his guiding arm extend1 his glorious plan pursue1 ,and if he gives thee ills to bear1 will give thee courage too4 ,dear youngling of my little flock1 the loveliest and the last1 ',tis sweet to dream what thou may'st be1 when long1 long years have past2 ,to think when time hath blanched my hair1 and others leave my side1 ,thou may'st be still my prop and stay1 my blessing and my pride4 ,and when this world has done its worst1 when life's fevered fit is o'er1 ,and the griefs that wring my weary heart can never touch it more1 ,how sweet to think thou may'st be near to catch my latest sigh1 ,to bend beside my dying bed and close my glazing eye4 ,oh6 'tis for offices like these the last sweet child is given2 ,the mother's joy1 the father's pride1 the fairest boon of heaven3 ,their fireside plaything first1 then of their failing strength the rock1 ,the rainbow to their wavering years1 the youngling of their flock4 ,,alaric ,a4 ,,watts4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,samson4 ,in the thirteenth chapter of the ,book of ,judges is recorded the short but suggestive story which is our ,bible lesson for the present month4 ,horeb is long since left behind4 ,the evil generation1 who forty years tried the patience of ,jehovah1 have fallen in the wilderness1 and their successors are now in possession of the promised land4 ,moses1 and ,joshua1 and ,caleb1 have gone to their rest1 and ,israel1 bereft of their counsel1 follow wise or evil advices as a wayward fancy may dictate1 and receive a corresponding recompense at the hands of their ,god4 ,the children proved in no respect wiser or more obedient than their fathers4 ,again and again they forsook the ,lord and served the idols of the ,canaanites1 and in wrath ,he gave them up to their enemies4 ,often in pity he raised up for them deliverers who would lead them for a time in better paths1 but when the judge was dead1 they returned1 and corrupted themselves more than their fathers1 in following other gods to serve them1 and to bow down unto them2 they ceased not from their own doings nor from their stubborn way1 and therefore were they often for long tedious years in bondage to the various nations which ,god had left in the land to prove them whether they would walk in his ways4 ,it was during one of these seasons of trouble that the subject of our study is mentioned4 ,she was the wife of ,manoah1 a citizen of ,zorah1 of the tribe of ,dan4 ,of her previous history1 and the events of her after life1 we know nothing4 ,he who sitteth on the circle of the heavens1 and beholdeth all things that are done under the sun1 and readeth all hearts1 had marked her out as the instrument1 wherewith he would work to get glory to himself1 and however little known to others1 ,he deemed her worthy of this distinguished honor1 and to receive a direct communication from himself4 ,of her character nothing is said1 but we gather with unerring certainty that she was a self-denying1 obedient child of ,god1 for ,he would not have chosen one who would not adhere strictly to his every injunction4 ,it is not necessary that we should detail every incident of those interviews with the angel ,jehovah1 which the mother of ,samson was permitted to enjoy4 ,take your ,bible1 friend1 and read for yourself in words more befitting than we can use1 and as you rise from the perusal1 if the true spirit of a ,christian reigns in your heart1 you will perhaps exclaim1 ,oh1 that the ,lord would come to me also and tell me how ,i shall order my children that so they may be the subjects of his grace and instruments of his will6 ,if you meditate deeply while you read1 perhaps you will conclude that in ,his directions to this mother1 our ,heavenly ,father has revealed to us wonderful and important things1 which may answer us instead of direct communications from ,himself1 and which1 if heeded and obeyed1 will secure to us great peace and satisfaction4 ,bear in mind1 that he who speaks is our ,creator--that all the wonders of the human frame are perfectly familiar to ,him1 and that ,he knows far more than earthly skill and science have ever been able to ascertain1 or even hint at1 concerning the relations which ,himself ordained4 ,he comes to ,manoah's wife with these words3 ,now1 therefore1 beware1 and drink not wine nor strong drink1 and eat not any unclean thing4 ,for1 lo6 thou shall conceive and bear a son2 and no razor shall come on his head3 for the child shall be a ,nazarite unto ,god from the womb4 ,can you discern in this only an allusion to ,jewish customs and ceremonies1 long since obsolete1 and in no way interesting to us1 except as a matter of history8 ,can you not rather see gleaming out a golden rule which all would be blessed in following8 ,to us1 in this history1 ,jehovah says1 ,mother1 whatever you wish your child to be1 that must you also in all respects be yourself4 ,samson is to be consecrated to ,god by the most solemn of vows all the days of his life1 and the conditions of that vow his mother is commanded to fulfill from the moment that she is conscious of his existence until he is weaned1 a period of four years at least1 according to the custom of her time4 ,these thoughts introduce to us a theme on which volumes have been written and spoken4 ,men of deep research and profound judgment have been ready to say to all the parents of earth1 ,whatever ye are such will also your children prove always1 and in every particular to be2 and there are not wanting multitudes of facts to strengthen and confirm the position4 ,in certain aspects of it it is assuredly true1 since the principal characteristics of the race remain from age to age the same4 ,nor is it disproved by what seem at first adverse facts1 for although children seem in physical and intellectual constitution often the direct opposite of their parents1 yet a close study into the history of families may only prove1 that if unlike those parents in general character1 they have nevertheless inherited that particular phase which governed the period from which they date their existence4 ,no person bears through life precisely the same dispositions1 or is at all times equally under the same influences or governed by the same motives4 ,the gentle and amiable by nature may come into circumstances which shall induce unwonted irritability and ill-humor2 the irascible and passionate1 surrounded in some favored time1 by all that heart can wish1 may seem as lovely as though no evil tempers had ever deformed them2 and the children who may be the offspring of these episodes in life1 may bear indeed a character differing wholly from the usual character of their parents1 but altogether corresponding to the brief and unusual state which ruled their hour of beginning life4 ,so is it also in physical constitution4 ,the feeble and sickly have sometimes intervals of health1 and the robust see months of languor and disease4 ,hence1 perhaps1 the differences which are observable many times in the children of the same family with regard to health and natural vigor4 ,we cannot enter into the subject4 ,it is wide and extended as human nature itself4 ,it is also1 apart from the ,gospel of ,god's grace1 a very discouraging subject to the parent who contemplates it with seriousness1 and with an earnest desire to ascertain the path of duty4 ,how useless1 we may be tempted to exclaim1 any attempt to gain an end which is so uncertain as the securing any given constitution1 either of body or mind1 for my children4 ,to-day ,i am in health1 full of cheerfulness and hope2 a year hence ,i may be broken and infirm1 a prey to depressing thoughts and melancholy forbodings4 ,my mind is now vigorous and active2 who knows how soon the material shall subject the intellectual and clog every nobler faculty8 ,what will it suffice that to-day ,i feel myself controlled by good motives1 and swayed by just principles1 and possessed of a well-balanced character1 since in some evil hour1 influences wholly unexpected may gain the ascendancy1 and ,i be so unlike my present self that pitying friends can only wonder and whisper1 ,how changed6 and enemies shall glory in my fall4 ,no4 ,it is vain to strive after certainty in this world of change and vicissitude1 since none of us can tell what himself shall be on the morrow4 ,do what ,i will1 moreover1 my child can only inherit a sinful nature4 ,in the midst of gloomy thoughts like these1 we turn to the story of ,samson's mother1 and hear ,jehovah directing her to walk before ,him in the spirit of consecration1 which is to be the life-long spirit of her son4 ,he surely intimates that the child's character begins with1 and depends upon1 that of the mother4 ,a ray of light and encouragement dawns upon us4 ,true1 we are fickle and changeable1 and subject to vicissitude2 but ,he1 our ,god1 is far above all these shifting scenes1 and all the varying circumstances of this mortal life are under his control1 and he can turn the hearts of men as ,he will2 ,his counsel shall stand4 ,true1 we are transgressors like our first father1 partakers of his fallen nature1 and inheritors of the curse2 but where sin abounds1 grace does much more abound1 and ,christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law1 being made a curse for us4 ,for all the evils under which we groan1 the ,gospel has a remedy1 and we have faith that in spite of all obstacles and difficulties1 our ,savior will yet present us1 as individuals1 faultless before the throne4 ,why may not our faith take a still higher flight8 ,there are given to us exceeding great and precious promises4 ,the ,holy ,spirit1 first of all1 shall be given to all who ask4 ,they who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be filled4 ,he has never said to the seed of ,jacob1 seek ye me in vain4 ,there are on almost every page of the sacred word1 these precious promises4 ,by them you are encouraged daily in your onward struggle1 ,christian friend4 ,what shall hinder you now from taking them to your heart as a mother with the same faith8 ,if ,god is able to secure your soul against all evil influences1 yes1 even against the arch enemy himself1 and if he has made the character of your child to depend upon your own in any degree1 why may you not plead the promises of ,his word with double power1 when your prayers ascend not merely for yourself1 but for another immortal being whom he has so intimately associated with you4 ,you are accustomed daily to seek from ,him holy influences2 you pray that you may grow in grace and knowledge1 and be kept from the evil that is in the world1 and from dishonoring your ,savior4 ,can you not offer these same petitions as a mother1 and beg all these blessings in behalf of your child1 who is to take character from you8 ,can you not consecrate yourself in a peculiarly solemn manner to the ,lord1 and viewing the thousand influences which may affect you1 pray to be kept from all which would be adverse to the best good of the precious soul to be intrusted to you1 and believe by all you know of your ,heavenly ,father and of his plan of grace1 that you will be accepted and your petitions answered8 ,and then can you not act upon that faith8 ,desiring your child to be a man of prayer1 will you not1 during the years in which you are acting directly on him1 give yourself much to prayer8 ,hoping that he may not be slothful1 but an active and diligent servant of his ,lord1 will you not give your earnest soul and busy hands to the work which you find to do8 ,wishing him to be gentle and lovely1 will you not strive to clothe yourself with meekness8 ,in short1 will you not cultivate every characteristic that is desirable for the devoted ,christian1 in order that1 at least1 your child may enter on life with every possible advantage which you can give him8 ,and since a sane mind1 and rightly-moving heart1 are greatly dependent on a sound body1 will you not study to be yourself1 by temperance and moderation1 and self-denial and activity1 in the most perfect health which you can by any effort gain8 ,who does not believe that if all ,christian mothers would thus believe and act1 most blessed results would be secured8 ,the subject appeals to fathers also1 and equal responsibility rests upon them4 ,some will doubtless be ready to say1 ,this would require us to live in the spirit of a ,nazarite's vow all the time4 ,you have drawn for us a plan of life which is difficult to follow1 and demands all our vigilance1 constant striving1 and unwearied labors4 ,true1 friends2 but the end to be gained is worth the cost1 and you have ,god all-sufficient for your helper4 99 99 99 99 99 ,june #b1 #aheb4 ,,my ,,dear ,,madam1--,i send you an extract from an unpublished memoir of the ,rev4 ,e4,j4,p4 ,messinger1 who died in ,africa1 where he was sent as a missionary of the ,protestant ,episcopal ,church4 ,this biography is not finished2 but ,i think the following passage is well adapted to your ,magazine4 ,yours1 with respect1 ,,stephen ,h4 ,,tyng4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,boy ,,who ,,never ,,forgot ,,his ,,mother4 ,when ,james was ten years old his father was suddenly removed by death4 ,his mother was then left to provide for the aged mother of her husband1 as well as her own little family1 of whom the youngest was an infant of a few weeks old4 ,this was a weary and toilsome task4 ,neither of her sons were old enough to render her any assistance on the farm1 and the slender income arising from it would not warrant the expense of hiring needful laborers4 ,she was obliged to lease it to others1 and the rent of her little farm1 together with the avails of their own industry1 became the support of the widow and fatherless4 ,with this she was still able to send her children to school1 and to give them all the advantages which her retired dwelling allowed4 ,it was during these first years of his mother's lonely widowhood that the tenderness and the loveliness of her son's character were brought out to view4 ,all that he could do to relieve her under her burden became his delight4 ,though but a child1 he was ready to make every sacrifice to promote her comfort and happiness1 and to gratify and console his aged grandmother4 ,attention to his mother's wants from this time entered into all his plans of life4 ,her interests and welfare were a part of his constant thoughts4 ,it seemed to be his highest earthly delight to increase her happiness and to relieve her trials4 ,he never forgot his mother4 ,he might be called the boy who always loved his mother4 ,beautiful trait of character6 ,and ,god blessed him in his own character and life1 according to his promise4 ,after he had gone from his native home to enter upon the business of life1 this trait in his character was very constant and very remarkable4 ,at a subsequent period1 when his younger brother was about leaving home to learn a trade1 ,james wrote to him1 ,mother informs me that you intend learning a trade4 ,i am very glad of it1 because ,i know that it will be advantageous to you4 ,but before you leave home1 ,i hope you will endeavor to leave our dear mother1 and grandmother1 and the rest of the family1 as comfortable as possible4 ,the desire of mother that ,i should come home and in some measure supply your place1 ,i should not hesitate to comply with1 had ,i not been strongly impressed with the idea that ,i could render more substantial help by remaining here than by coming home4 ,but ,i hope before you leave home you will do everything you can for mother2 and should you be near home1 that you will often visit them1 and afford them all the assistance in your power4 ,you know1 dear brother1 that mother has had many hardships for our sakes4 ,well do ,i remember how she used to go out in cold1 stormy weather1 to assist us about our work1 in order to afford us the opportunity of attending school4 ,may we live to enjoy the pleasure of having it in our power to return in some small degree the debt we owe her1 by contributing to her comfort in the decline of life4 ,then again he wrote to his sister1 referring to his brother's absence3 ,i scarcely know how you will get along without him1 as mother wrote me he was going to learn a trade this fall4 ,you must try to do all you can to help along4 ,think how much trouble and hardship mother has undergone for our sakes4 ,surely we are old enough to take some of the burden off her hands4 ,i hope you will not neglect these hints4 ,never suffer mother to undergo any hardship of which you can relieve her4 ,strive to do all you can to lessen the cares and anxieties which must of necessity come upon her4 ,be kind1 obedient1 and cheerful in the performance of every duty4 ,consider it a pleasure to do anything by which you can render assistance to her4 ,to another sister he wrote1 ,i hope you will do all you can to contribute to the assistance and comfort of grandmother and mother4 ,you have it in your power to do much for them4 ,take care that you never grieve them by folly or misconduct4 ,if my influence will have any effect on your mind1 think how much your brother wishes you to behave well1 and to render yourself useful and beloved2 but remember above all1 that ,god always sees you1 and that you never can be guilty of a fault that is not known to him4 ,strive then to be dutiful and obedient to our only remaining parent1 and to be kind and affectionate to all around you4 ,these are beautiful exhibitions of his filial love4 ,a remembrance of his mother's wants and sorrows was a constantly growing principle of his youthful heart4 ,it was a spirit1 too1 which never forsook him through his whole subsequent life4 ,even while on his bed of death in ,africa1 his heart still yearned over the sorrows and cares of his widowed mother4 ,then he gave directions for the sale of his little earthly property1 that the avails of it might be sent back to ,america to his mother4 ,though the sum was small it was enough to contribute much to her comfort for her remaining years4 ,how precious is such a recollection of a boy who never forgot1 and never ceased to love his mother4 ,what a beauty does this fact add to the character and conduct of a youth6 ,how valuable is such a tribute to the memory of a youth1 ,he never forgot his mother6 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mission ,,money3 ,,or1 ,,the ,,pride ,,of ,,charity4 ,take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them4--,,matthew #f3f4 ,in an obscure country village lived two little girls of nearly the same age1 named ,annie ,grey and ,charlotte ,murray2 their homes were not very distant from each other1 and they were constant companions and playmates4 ,charlotte ,murray was the eldest of five children1 and her parents1 though poor1 were kept removed from want by constant frugality and industry4 ,her father labored for the neighboring farmers1 and her mother was a thrifty1 notable housewife1 somewhat addicted to loud talking and scolding1 but considered a very good sort of woman4 ,charlotte was ten years old1 and assisted her mother very much in attending to the children1 and performing many light duties about the house4 ,she was healthy1 robust and good-natured1 but unfortunately had never received any religious instruction1 more than an occasional attendance at church with her mother1 and thus was entirely ignorant of any higher motives of action than to please her parents1 which1 though in itself commendable1 often led her to commit serious faults4 ,she did not scruple to tell a falsehood to screen herself or brothers from punishment1 and would often misrepresent the truth for the sake of obtaining praise4 ,charlotte was also very fond of dress1 and as her parents' means forbade the indulgence of this feeling1 she loved to decorate herself with every piece of faded ribbon or soiled lace that came in her way4 ,annie ,grey was the only child of a poor widow1 who supported herself and daughter by spinning and carding wool for the farmers' wives4 ,mrs4 ,grey was considered much poorer than any of her neighbors1 but her humble cottage was always neat and in perfect order1 and the small garden patch which supplied the few vegetables which she needed was never choked with weeds4 ,the honeysuckle was carefully trained about the door1 and little ,annie delighted in tying up the pinks1 and fastening strings for the morning glories that she loved so much4 ,mrs4 ,grey1 though poor in this world's goods1 had laid up for herself those treasures in ,heaven1 which no moth nor rust can corrupt4 ,she had once been in better circumstances1 and surrounded by all that makes life happy1 but her mercies had been taken from her one by one1 until none was left save little ,annie2 then she learned that whom ,god loveth1 he chasteneth1 and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth2 and thus were her afflictions sanctified unto her4 ,annie was a delicate little girl1 and had never associated much with the village children in their rude sports4 ,once1 when her mother spent a week at ,mrs4 ,murray's1 assisting her to spin1 she had taken ,annie1 and thus a friendship commenced between herself and ,charlotte4 ,annie had been early taught by her mother to abhor deceit and falsehood as hateful to ,god1 and ,charlotte often startled her by equivocating1 but she had never known her to tell a direct untruth1 and she loved her because she was affectionate and kind4 ,some kind and pious ladies had succeeded in establishing a ,sunday-school in the village1 and ,annie was among the first who attended2 she told ,charlotte1 who prevailed upon her mother to let her go1 and they were both regular scholars4 ,one pleasant ,sunday morning1 the two little girls went together to school1 and after all the children had recited their lessons1 the superintendent rose and said that a good missionary was about to leave his home1 and go to preach the ,gospel to the heathens far over the sea1 and that they wanted to raise a subscription and purchase ,bibles to send out with him1 that he might distribute them among those poor people who had never heard ,god's holy word4 ,he told them how the poor little children were taught to lie and steal by their parents1 and how they worshiped images of carved wood1 and stone1 and sometimes killed themselves and drowned the infants1 thinking thus to please the senseless things they called their gods4 ,he said that children who could read and write1 and go to church1 ought to be grateful to ,god for placing them in a ,christian country1 and they should pray for the poor little heathen children1 and do all they could to provide instruction for them4 ,i do not expect you to do much1 my dear children1 he said1 but all ,i ask is1 to do what you can2 some of you have money given you to buy toys or cakes2 would you not rather know that it had helped a little heathen child to come to ,god1 than to spend it in anything so soon destroyed and forgotten8 ,and to those who have no money1 let me ask1 can you not earn it8 ,there are very many ways in which children may be useful1 and ,god will most graciously accept a gift which has cost you labor or self-denial4 ,you remember ,jesus himself said that the poor widow's two mites were of more value than all that the rich cast into the treasury1 because they gave of their abundance1 but she cast in all that she had2 will you not1 therefore1 endeavor to win the ,savior's blessing by following the widow's example1 and ',go and do likewise8' ,the children listened very attentively to all the superintendent said1 and after school there was much talking among the scholars as to the amount to be given1 and how to obtain it4 ,the following ,sunday was appointed to receive the collection1 and all seemed animated with a generous feeling1 and anxious to do what they could4 ,i have a bright new penny1 cried little ,patty ,green1 who was scarcely six years old4 ,i didn't like to spend it1 because it was so pretty1 but ,i will send it to the little heathen children to buy ,bibles with6 ,and ,i1 added ,james ,blair1 have a tenpence that ,mr4 ,jones gave me for holding his horse2 ,i was saving it to buy a knife1 but ,i can wait a while for that2 uncle has promised me one next ,christmas4 ,you may add my sixpence to it1 brother1 said his sister ,lucy4 ,i did want a pair of woolen gloves1 but it is long until winter1 and ,i do not need them now4 ,good6 exclaimed merry1 good-natured ,simon ,bounce4 ,ten and six are sixteen1 and ,patty's bright penny makes seventeen2 and let me see1 ,i've got fivepence1 and ,john ,blake offered me three cents for my ball1 that will make two shillings exactly1 quite a good beginning4 ,why what a treasure there will be if we all put in our savings at this rate6 ,thus talking1 the children strolled away in groups1 and ,charlotte and ,annie walked slowly toward their homes4 ,annie looked thoughtful1 and ,charlotte spoke first4 ,i wish1 said she1 that father would give me sixpence2 but ,i know he wont1 for he never goes to church1 and cares nothing about the heathen1 and as for mother1 she would call me a simpleton if ,i was to ask her4 ,i am determined ,i wont go to school next ,sunday if ,i can't take something1 it looks so mean2 ,i will say ,i am sick and cannot go4 ,oh1 ,charlotte6 said ,annie1 that would be a great deal worse than not giving anything1 for it would not only be a falsehood1 but you would tempt ,god to make you sick4 ,i know you do not mean what you say4 ,you always take everything so seriously1 replied the other1 laughing and looking a little ashamed4 ,but what are you going to do1 ,annie8 ,your mother cannot give you anything2 but ,i am sure she would if she had it1 she is so kind1 and never scolds4 ,i wish mother was so always4 ,i have been thinking1 returned ,annie1 that if ,i take the two hours mother gives me to play in the garden1 and card wool for her1 as she has more than she can do this week1 perhaps she will give me two or three pennies4 ,i wish ,i could earn more1 but ,i will do what ,i can4 ,maybe your mother will let me help her too1 said ,charlotte1 eagerly2 but ,i have so little time to play that ,i could not earn much1 and ,i would be ashamed to give so little4 ,i would rather put in more than any one1 it would please the teacher and make the girls envy me4 ,i am sure1 answered ,annie1 gently1 the teacher would not like us to do anything that would make another envy us1 because that is a very wicked and unhappy feeling1 and though she might be pleased to see us put in so much1 yet it is ,god whom we are seeking to serve1 and he looks at the heart1 and knows our feelings4 ,he tells us not to give alms to be seen of men1 and you remember1 ,charlotte1 what the superintendent said about the widow's mite1 which pleased ,jesus1 though the gift was so small4 ,you speak like a superintendent yourself1 cried ,charlotte1 gaily1 but ask your mother1 ,annie1 and ,i will come over to-night and hear what she says4 ,they had now reached ,mrs4 ,grey's house1 and bidding each other good-by they parted4 ,charlotte hurried home to tell her mother about the contributions1 and was laughed at1 as she expected2 however1 ,mrs4 ,murray said she would give1 if she had it to spare1 but charity began at home1 and it was not for poor folks to trouble their heads about such matters4 ,let those who had means1 and nothing else to do1 attend to it4 ,when ,annie told her mother what had been said in school1 ,mrs4 ,grey told her that it had also been given out in church1 and a collection was to be taken up on the following ,sunday1 when the missionary himself would preach for them4 ,i shall give what little ,i can1 she added1 with a slight sigh4 ,i wish it was more1 but my earnest prayers shall accompany this humble offering to the ,lord4 ,annie now unfolded her plan to her mother1 and asked her consent1 which was readily given1 and then ,annie told her of ,charlotte's request4 ,and her mother said that although she did not require ,charlotte's help1 still she would not refuse her1 as she liked to encourage every good inclination4 ,and when ,charlotte came in the evening1 ,annie had the pleasure of telling her that her mother had consented1 and would give them a little pile of wool to card every day1 for which each should receive a penny4 ,and that will be sixpence a-piece1 you know1 continued ,annie1 and we can change it to a silver piece1 for fear we might drop a penny by the way4 ,oh1 how nice that will be1 cried ,charlotte4 ,do you think many of the girls will put in as much8 ,i hope1 at any rate1 that none will put in any more4 ,then1 thanking ,annie1 she ran home1 leaving her friend not a little puzzled to know why ,charlotte should wish to make a show4 ,the difference between the little girls was this2 ,charlotte only sought to please others from a selfish feeling to obtain praise1 while ,annie had been taught that ,god is the searcher of all hearts1 and to please him should be our first and only aim4 ,the next morning ,annie was up bright and early1 and it seemed to her that the wool was never so free from knots before4 ,after she had said her prayers in the morning1 and read a chapter with her mother1 the little girl ate her frugal breakfast1 and seated herself at her work1 and so nimbly did she ply the cards1 that her task was accomplished full half an hour before the usual time4 ,she was just beginning her own pile when ,charlotte came in2 they sat down together1 and worked away diligently4 ,charlotte said that her mother laughed at her1 but told her she might do as she pleased1 for it was something new for her to prefer work to play1 and availing herself of this permission she came4 ,annie1 who was accustomed to the work1 finished her pile first2 she then assisted ,charlotte1 and they each received a penny2 there was plenty of time beside for ,annie to walk home with her friend4 ,the two following days passed in the same manner1 but on ,thursday ,charlotte went out with a party of girls1 blackberrying1 thinking she could make it up on ,friday2 but it was as much as she could do to earn the penny with ,annie's assistance1 and ,saturday was a busy day1 so her mother could not spare her1 and ,charlotte had but fourpence at the end of the week4 ,annie had worked steadily1 and on ,saturday afternoon received the last penny from her mother4 ,she had now six cents1 and after supper went with a light heart to get them changed for a sixpenny piece1 at the village store4 ,on the way she met ,charlotte4 ,i could not come to-day1 said the latter4 ,mother could not spare me1 and ,i cried enough about it4 ,i might have earned another penny1 and then ,i would have changed it for a silver fivepence4 ,is it not too bad8 ,how much have you got8 ,i have six pennies1 answered ,annie1 ,and ,i am going to change them now2 but if you feel so bad about it1 ,i will give you one of them1 and then we will each have alike2 it makes no difference1 you know1 who puts it in the box1 so that it all goes for the one good purpose4 ,how kind you are6 ,how much ,i love you6 exclaimed ,charlotte1 gratefully1 as she took the money1 and kissed her friend4 ,i will run home and get my fourpence directly4 ,annie went on with a contented heart2 she had obliged her companion and done no injustice to the good cause1 since ,charlotte would put the money to the same use4 ,the store-keeper changed the pennies for a bright1 new fivepence1 and she went on her way rejoicing4 7,to be ,continued47 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,riddle ,,solved4 ,some years since1 the pastor of a country congregation in a neighboring ,state was riding through his parish in company with a ministerial friend4 ,as they passed a certain house1 the pastor said to his friend1 ,here is a riddle which ,i wish you would solve for me4 ,in yonder house lives one of my elders1 a man of sterling piety and great consistency of character1 who prays in his closet1 in his family1 and in public4 ,he has seven or eight children1 several of whom are grown up1 and yet not one is hopefully converted1 or even at all serious4 ,just beyond him1 on the adjoining farm1 lives a man of the same age1 who married the elder's sister4 ,this man1 if a ,christian at all1 is one of those who will 'be saved so as by fire2' he is very loose and careless in his talk1 is in bad repute for honesty1 and1 although not guilty of any offense which church authorities can take hold of1 does many things which grieve the people of ,god1 and are a stumbling-block to others4 ,yet1 of his eleven or twelve children1 seven are valued and useful ,christians1 and there is every reason to anticipate that the rest1 as they grow up1 will follow in the same course4 ,now1 solve me this difficulty1 that the careless professor should be so blessed in his family1 while the godly man mourns an entire absence of converting grace1 especially as both households are as nearly equal as may be in their social position1 their educational facilities1 and their means of grace8 ,let me know all the facts1 said the pastor's friend1 before ,i give my opinion4 ,have you ever considered the character of the mothers1 respectively8 ,at once the pastor clasped his hands and said1 ,i have it2 the secret is out4 ,it is strange ,i never thought of it before4 ,the elder's wife1 although1 as ,i trust1 a good woman1 is far from being an active ,christian4 ,she never seems to take any pleasure in religious conversation1 but whenever it is introduced1 either is silent or speedily diverts it to some worldly subject4 ,she is one of those persons with whom you might live in the same house for weeks and months1 and yet never discover that she was a disciple of ,christ4 ,the other lady1 on the contrary1 is as eminent for godliness as her husband is for inconsistency4 ,her heart is in the cause2 she prays with and for her children1 and whatever example they have in their father1 in her they have a fine model of active1 fervent1 humble piety1 seated in the heart and flowing out into the life4 ,the friends prosecuted the inquiry no further2 they felt that the riddle was solved1 and they rode on in silence1 each meditating on the wide extent1 the far-spreading results of that marvellous agency--a mother's influence4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,prayer ,,for ,,children ,,sometimes ,,unavailing4 ,matthew1 in his ,gospel 7chap4 #bjth71 has recorded a highly instructive incident in relation to the disciples1 ,james and ,john1 whose parents were ,zebedee and ,salome4 ,the latter1 it would seem1 being of an ambitious turn1 was desirous that her two sons should occupy prominent stations in the temporal kingdom1 which1 according to the popular belief1 ,jesus ,christ was about to establish in the world4 ,that she had inspired them also with these ambitious aspirations1 is apparent from the narrative2 she even induces them to accompany her in her visit to ,christ1 and so far they concurred with her designs4 ,on entering his presence she prefers her request1 which is1 that these sons may sit1 the one on his right hand1 and the other on his left1 in his kingdom4 ,the request was made with due respect1 and1 doubtless1 in all sincerity4 ,now1 it cannot be denied that there may be a just and reasonable desire on the part of parents1 that their children should be advanced to posts of honor and distinction in the world4 ,but that desire should ever be accompanied with a wish that those honors and distinctions should be attained by honest and honorable means1 and be employed as instrumentalities of good4 ,if such wish be wanting1 the desire is only selfish4 ,and selfishness seems to have characterized the desires of ,salome1 and probably of ,james and ,john4 ,we trust that they all1 at length1 had more correct views of the character and kingdom of ,jesus1 and sought and obtained spiritual honor in it1 infinitely to be preferred to the honor which cometh from men4 ,but at the time we speak of1 the desires of the mother were narrow and selfish4 ,yet1 it is remarkable with what courtesy ,christ treated her and her sons1 while at the same time he gave them to understand that they did not know the nature of their request1 nor the great matters involved in it4 ,passing from the contemplation of the prayer of ,salome for the temporal advancement of her sons to the prayers of many parents1 at the present day1 for the salvation of their children1 have we not reason to apprehend the prevalence in them1 if not of a similar ambition1 of a similar selfishness8 ,i would wish to speak with just caution on a subject of so much interest to parents1 and one on which ,i may easily be misunderstood4 ,and yet a subject in reference to which the most sad and fatal mistakes may be made4 ,god in his providence has intimately connected parents and children4 ,in a sense1 parents are the authors of their being2 they are their guardians2 they are bound to provide for them1 educate them1 teach them the knowledge of ,god1 and use all proper means for their present and eternal welfare4 ,in all these respects1 they are required to do more for their children than for the children of others1 unless the latter are adopted by them1 or come under their guardianship4 ,it is doubtless my duty and my privilege to seek more directly and more assiduously the salvation of my children than the salvation of the children of others4 ,this seems to be according to the will of ,god1 and according to the family constitution4 ,and1 moreover1 it is most reasonable and right4 ,and if parents have a just apprehension of their responsibilities1 they cannot rest satisfied without laboring for the salvation of their offspring1 and laboring assiduously and perseveringly for its attainment4 ,and among other things which they will do--they will pray4 ,the ,christian parent who does not pray for his children1 is not entitled to the name of ,christian4 ,there is no such ,christian parent1 and we doubt if there can be4 ,but it is obvious that the spirit of ,salome1 at least in the selfishness of that spirit1 may sometimes be even the governing principle of the parent in his prayers for the salvation of his child4 ,knowing1 as he must know1 something of the value of his child's soul1 and the eternal misery of it if finally lost1 how natural to desire his conversion as the only means of escape from a doom so awful6 ,and we admit that the parent is justified1 and his parental affinities require him to make all possible efforts to bring that soul to repentance4 ,and he should pray and wrestle with ,god1 as fervently1 as importunately1 as perseveringly as the object sought is important and desirable4 ,but1 then1 here is a point never to be overlooked1 and yet is it not often overlooked8 viz41 that the grand governing motive of the parent in seeking the salvation of his child should be the glory of ,god--not simply the honor of that soul1 as an heir of a rich inheritance--not simply the exemption of his child from misery--nor yet his joy1 as a participator in joys and glories which mortal eye has not yet seen1 nor human heart yet conceived4 ,the glory of ,god6 the glory of ,jesus6 that is the all in all--the paramount motive1 which is to guide1 govern parents1 and all others in their desires and labors for the salvation of children and friends6 ,i do not mean to intimate that parents can ever1 or ought ever to take pleasure in the contemplated ruin of their children4 ,god takes no pleasure in the death of him that dieth4 ,but it is not enough for the parent simply to wish his child saved4 ,that desire may be selfish1 and only selfish4 ,and that prayer which terminates there1 may be as selfish as was the desire of ,salome that her sons might occupy the chief places of the kingdom of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the parent may1 indeed1 wish1 and ought to wish1 that his child may be saved1 and for that he should labor and toil--but in a way which will illustrate the marvels of redeeming mercy1 and which shall be in consonance with the established principles of the ,gospel4 ,the parent1 then1 who prays for the salvation of his child1 irrespective of all other considerations1 excepting his exemption from misery1 prays in vain1 for he prays with a heart which is supremely selfish4 ,where is the parent who could not thus pray8 ,pray1 do ,i say2 such is not prayer4 ,such pleas1 however ardent1 however long1 however importunate1 can never be consistently answered4 ,prayer1 to be acceptable and effectual1 must always have the glory of ,god in view1 and be offered in submission to the divine will4 ,it must have reference not merely to what is good1 but to a good which shall consist with those eternal principles of justice and mercy1 according to which ,god has decided to conduct the affairs of his spiritual kingdom4 ,we may never wish our children to sit with ,christ in his kingdom to the exclusion of others4 ,we may not wish them introduced into that kingdom on other principles1 or by other instrumentalities1 than those which ,god has recognized and appointed4 ,the great law which governs in relation to other matters is to govern here4 ,whatsoever ye do or seek1 do and seek1 even the salvation of your children1 for the glory of ,god4' ,and1 now1 in conclusion1 allow me to inquire whether it be not owing to this selfish feeling that so many parents1 who nevertheless abound in prayer for their children1 fail in seeing those prayers answered8 ,they fail1 not because they do not pray often and earnestly1 but because they desire the salvation of their children rather than a humble1 holy1 self-denying walk with ,god on earth4 ,they forget that the chief end of man is to glorify ,god1 and that the enjoyment of ,him is an effect or result of such a course4 ,the object of the writer is not to discourage parents in praying for their children1 not for a moment1 only1 dear friend1 ,i show you a more excellent way4 ,i would urge you to abound in prayer still more than you do4 ,pray on--pray always--pray1 and never faint4 ,but1 at the same time1 pray so that you may obtain4 ,,amicus4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,superior ,,reverence ,,for ,,the ,,sabbath ,,in ,,scotland1 as aptly represented by the anecdote of the ,american geologist1 who was walking out for meditation one ,sabbath day in ,glasgow4 ,as he passed near the cottage of a peasant1 he was attracted by the sight of a peculiar species of stone1 and thoughtlessly broke a piece of it4 ,suddenly a window was raised1 and a man's coarse voice reprovingly asked1 ,ha6 man1 what are ye doing8 ,why1 only breaking a piece of stone4 ,an'1 sure1 was the quaint reply1 ye are doing more than breaking the stone2 ye are breaking the ,lord's day4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,gleanings ,,by ,,the ,,wayside4--,no4 #a4 ,,love ,,and ,,fear4 ,do with thy might whatsoever thy hand findeth to do4 ,i rose one morning1 before six1 to write letters1 and hastened to put them into the post-office before breakfast4 ,it was a dark1 lowery morning1 not very inviting abroad1 for an ,april shower was then falling4 ,i had the privilege of depositing my letters in a box kept by ,mr4 ,d41 a thriving merchant1 not very remote from my dwelling4 ,as ,i entered the store1 ,mr4 ,d4 expressed surprise to see me out from home at so early an hour1 remarking that he was sure but few ladies were even up at that time1 and much less abroad4 ,i told him in reply1 that ,i had been accustomed from my childhood to strive to do with my might whatsoever my hand found to do4 ,that persons often expressed surprise that one so far advanced in life could do so much1 and endure so much fatigue and labor1 and still preserve health4 ,i told ,mr4 ,d4 that ,i had myself often reflected upon the fact that ,i could do more in one day1 with ease and comfort to myself1 and could endure more hardships1 than most others4 ,and when ,i came to analyze the subject1 and go back to first principles1 ,i could readily perceive all this had grown out of an irrepressible desire to please and honor my parents4 ,my love towards them1 coupled with fear1 was perfectly unbounded1 and became the guiding and governing principles of my whole life4 ,i could not bear1 when a very young child1 to have either of my parents even raise a finger1 accompanied by a look of disapprobation1 and whenever they did1 ,i would1 as soon as ,i could1 unperceived1 seek out some retired place where ,i could give vent to my sorrowful feelings and troubled conscience4 ,that ,i might not often incur their censure1 ,i strove by all possible means to do everything to please them4 ,my parents had a large family of children2 there was a great deal to be done1 and our mother was always in feeble health4 ,i felt that ,i could not do enough1 each day1 in sweeping1 dusting1 mending1 c41 besides the ordinary occupation of each day1 that ,i might gratify my father1 for he was very careful and tender of our mother4 ,i was not conscious of a disposition to outvie my brothers and sisters1 but when anything of consequence was to be done ,i would exert myself to the utmost in my efforts to accomplish the largest share4 ,when we went into the garden or the fields to gather fruits or vegetables1 ,i was constantly influenced to be diligent1 and to make haste and gather all ,i could1 so that on our return home ,i might receive the plaudit1 ,well done1 good and faithful child4 ,so it was in knitting and sewing4 ,that ,i might be able to accomplish more and more each day1 ,i would often induce one or more of my sisters to strive with me1 to see which could do the most in a given period4 ,so profitable did ,i find this excitement1 that ,i often carried the practice into my hours of study1 as when my busy fingers plied the needle4 ,and often when ,i had no one to strive with me1 ,i would strive with myself1 by watching the clock1--that is1 ,i would see if ,i could not knit or sew this hour more than ,i did the previous hour1 if ,i could not commit to memory more verses1 or texts1 or lessons1 than ,i had the last hour4 ,in this way ,i not only cultivated habits of vigorous efforts1 but ,i acquired that cheerful1 happy disposition which useful occupation is always sure to impart4 ,in this way1 too1 ,i obtained that kind of enthusiasm when anything of importance was to be done1 that a boy has when he is indulged in going out on a fishing or hunting excursion4 ,a boy thus situated1 needs no morning summons4 ,on the contrary1 he is usually on his way to the field of action before it is quite light2 and it concerns him but little whether he eats or fasts till his toils are at an end4 ,children1 who thus early acquire habits of industry1 and a love of occupation1 instead of living to eat in after life1 will eat to live4 ,oh1 how do early right habits and principles help to form the character1 and mould the affections1 and shape the destiny in all the future plans and modes of living4 ,how do they lead their possessor to strive after high attainments1 not only in this life1 but thus lay the foundation for activity in the pursuit of high and holy efforts throughout the endless ages of eternity4 ,it will be perceived that the ruling motives of my conduct1 in my early childhood1 towards my parents1 were those of love and fear4 ,indeed these are the two great principles that actuate the holy inhabitants of heaven towards their ,maker1 whether they be saints or angels4 ,it was not the fear of the rod that led me to obey my best of parents4 ,it was not all the gifts or personal gratifications that could be offered to a child that won my love4 ,i saw in both of my parents heavenly dispositions1 heavenly tendencies1 drawing them1 day by day1 towards the great source of all perfection and blessedness4 ,i saw the noble and sublime principles of the ,gospel acted out in the nursery as sedulously as in the sanctuary1 in fact far more when at home than when abroad1 for here there were more ample opportunities afforded for their full development than perhaps anywhere else4 ,they loved each other with a pure heart1 fervently1 and they sought not only the temporal good of their children1 but their eternal felicity and happiness4 ,there was no constraint in their daily and hourly watchings and teachings1 but it was of a ready mind4 ,they aspired1 themselves1 after a perfect conformity to the image of the blessed ,savior--whose name is love--and they taught their children by precept1 and by their own lovely examples1 to walk in his footsteps1 who said1 ,be ye holy1 for ,i1 the ,lord your ,god1 am holy4 ,what powerful motives then have all parents so to demean themselves towards each other1 and towards their children1 as to deserve and to secure their filial regard6 ,parents and children1 thus influenced1 will forever respond to the following beautiful sentiment3 ,happy the heart where graces reign1 ,where love inspires the breast2 ,love is the brightest of the train1 ,and strengthens all the rest4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,god',s ,,bible1 ,a ,,book ,,for ,,all4 ,at a meeting of the thirty-sixth anniversary of the ,american ,bible ,society1 ,may #ac1 #aheb1 many thoughts were suggested worthy the special attention of all ,christian mothers4 ,a few are here registered1 in the hope that they may continue to call forth the prayers and efforts of all ,christian parents1 and lead them to feel that whatever else they neglect in the daily instructions of their children1 they cannot safely overlook their sacred obligations to see to it that the minds and hearts of their children be early imbued with a love and reverence for this ,book of books4 ,as was justly remarked1 the ,bible is the teacher of true philosophy1 in fact the only fountain of truth1 and suggests the best and only plan adequate to the conversion of the world4 ,let the prayers1 then1 of all ,christian mothers be daily concentrated in asking ,god's blessing upon this noble institution1 keeping in mind the ,savior's last prayer for his beloved disciples1 ,sanctify them through thy truth3 thy word is truth4 ,we particularly invite attention to a resolution offered on that occasion by ,rev4 ,theo4 ,l4 ,cuyler of ,trenton1 ,n4,j43 ,resolved1 ,that the adaptedness of the ,bible to all conditions of society1 and all grades of intellect1 as shown by past history1 brings us evidence of its divine origin1 and inspires us with hope of its future success in enlightening and purifying the world4 ,mr4 ,c4 remarked--,a wide field swells out before me in this resolution1 for it is nothing less than the universality of ,god's ,word in its complete adaptedness to the possible conditions of humanity4 ,the truth which ,i hold up for you all to gaze upon is1 that ',god's ,bible is the book for all4' ,like the air which visits alike the palace and the cottage2 like the water which meanders its way1 or gushes from deep fountains for the use of all men2 so this book is adapted to the wants of all immortal men4 ,it is adapted to every grade of mind and heart1 rising higher than human intellect ever reached1 and descending lower than human degradation ever sank4 ,go to that closet in the neighborhood of ,edinburgh1 and see one of the mightiest intellects the world has ever produced1 upon whose transcendent eloquence a ,brougham1 a ,canning1 and the greatest names of the age1 have hung entranced1 bending over the pages of the ,book of ,life4 ,he reads1 and writes his thoughts as he reads1 until his writings become volumes1 and the world is blessed with his meditations on the whole ,bible4 ,so thoroughly does his spirit become imbued with the thoughts of this book1 that ,chalmers was said to have held the whole ,bible in solution4 ,upon ,alpine peaks it spreads a moral verdure which makes their rugged valleys smile1 and adorns them with flowers of heavenly origin4 ,upon the ,virginia plantation1 it made ,honest ,john1 the happy negro4 ,it was adapted to all climates and all conditions of life4 ,it was the only book which comforts in the last hour4 ,this was vividly illustrated by the closing scene in the life of ,sir ,walter ,scott4 ,the window of his chamber was open1 through which entered the breeze1 bearing upon its wings the music of the silvery ,tweed1 which had so often lulled his mighty spirit4 ,his son-in-law was present1 to whom he said1 ',lockhart1 read to me4' ,lockhart replied1 ',what shall ,i read8' ,the dying bard turned to him his pale countenance and said1 ',lockhart1 there is but one book6' ,what a tribute from the world's mightiest master of enchantment1 who had himself penned so many works which were the admiration of his fellows1 were those brief words uttered1 when the spirit hung between two worlds1 ',there is but one book4' ,would you learn true sublimity8 ,throw away ,virgil1 the ,greek and ,roman classics1 and even ,milton and ,shakspeare1 and go to the ,bible4 ,amid all turbulence1 agitation and danger1 there is no other foundation upon which we can rest the welfare and peace of society4 ,this is the only resort of every scheme of human elevation4 ,this contains the primal lessons of all duty4 ,let reformers recollect this1 and let us all gather around and protect this pillar of truth4 ,diffuse this 'blessed book1' as one of ,england's poets1 when pressing it to his lips in his dying hour1 called it4 ,wheel up this sun of light to the mid-heavens1 and cause its rays to gleam in every land4 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,goodell1 missionary to ,constantinople1 remarked1 that during thirty years residence in ,mahomedan countries1 he had learned something of the importance of that book4 ,the nations of the ,east are all wrong in their conceptions of ,god4 ,he had often stood upon the goodly mountain1 ,lebanon1 and upon the heights around ,constantinople1 and raised his thoughts to ,god1 asking1 ,how long shall this darkness prevail8 ,without this book we could have effected little in our missionary work2 but by it ,god hath done great things1 whereof we are glad4 ,the ,bible was once found only in dead languages2 now it is translated into the language of almost every people with whom we come in contact4 ,every friend of the ,bible will rejoice to know that it is becoming the great book of the ,east4 ,before its translation into the ,greco-,armenian1 it was a mere outside book1 kept and admired for its handsome binding1 and from a superstitious reverence4 ,now it is an inside book2 it has taken hold of the heart of the ,armenian nation4 ,once it was looked at2 now it is read4 ,it has come to assume a great importance in the eyes of that people4 ,they have a great anxiety to read4 ,more than one hundred aged women are now engaged in learning to read1 that they may read the ,new ,testament for themselves4 99 99 99 99 99 ,let religion create the atmosphere around a woman's spirit and breathe its life into her heart2 refine her affections1 sanctify her intellect1 elevate her aims and hallow her physical beauty1 and she is1 indeed1 to our race1 of all the gifts of time1 the last and best1 the crown of our glory1 the perfection of our life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,promises4 ,and though to his own hurt he swears1 ,still he performs his word4 ,i was yet a boy1 when one day a gentleman came into the lot where my father was superintending the in-gathering of his hay crop1 and addressing himself to a mower in my father's employment1 inquired whether he would assist him the following day4 ,he replied1 ,yes4 ,how is this1 said my father2 are you not engaged to mow for me8 ,o yes1 said the man4 ,why1 then1 continued my father1 do you promise to mow for ,gen4 ,k----8 ,why1 said the man1 ,i wish to oblige him2 ,i love to oblige everybody4 ,and so1 said my father1 you are willing to incur the guilt of falsehood1 for you cannot perform your promise to him and myself1 and in the end you must disappoint one of us2 and1 maybe1 seriously injure our interests and your reputation4 ,nothing1 surely1 is more common1 it is believed1 than this heedless manner of making promises which cannot be fulfilled4 ,the modes in which such promises are made are multitudinous1 but it is not within the compass of this article to specify them4 ,that they are utterly wrong1 and indicate1 on the part of those who make them1 a light regard for truth1 is obvious4 ,besides1 they often lay the foundation for grievous disappointments1 they thwart important plans1 derange business calculations1 give birth to vexatious feelings1 cause distrust between man and man1 and sap the foundations of morality and religion4 ,promises should always be made with due caution and due reservation3 ,if the ,lord will1 if life is spared1 if unforeseen circumstances do not interpose to prevent4 ,it is always easy to state some conditions1 or make some such reservations4 ,or1 rather1 it would be easy1 were it not that one is often urged beyond all propriety1 to make the promise1 as if the making of it1 of course insured its fulfillment1 although a thousand circumstances may interfere to prevent it4 ,this is a subject of vast importance to the community4 ,there are evils also connected with it of alarming magnitude1 and which all needful efforts should be made to remove4 ,especially should this subject attract the attention of parents4 ,the mischief often begins with them and around their own hearths4 ,how common it is for parents to make promises to their children1 while the latter are yet tottering from chair to chair1 which are never designed to be fulfilled4 ,and1 at length1 the deception is discovered by the little prattlers1 and often much earlier than parents imagine4 ,often1 too1 is the parent reminded of his promise and of its non-fulfillment4 ,and1 sometimes1 this is done days and weeks after the promise has been made and neglected4 ,the consequence is1 that the child comes to feel that his parent has little or no regard to truth himself1 and that truth is a matter of minor importance4 ,so that child grows up4 ,so he goes forth into society1 and enters upon business4 ,will he be likely to forget the lessons thus early taught him1 and the example thus early set him8 ,i am able to illustrate this subject by an incident which occurred in my own experience within the last two months4 ,i must tell the story in my own simple way1 and as it is entirely truthful1 ,i hope salutary impressions may be made in every quarter where they are needed1 and where this article shall be read4 ,having occasion for the services of a mechanic in relation to a certain piece of work1 ,i called upon one in my neighborhood1 then in the employment of a gentleman1 and was informed1 on stating my object1 that as he should be through with his present engagement on the evening of a certain day1 he would commence my work on the following morning4 ,the specified time arrived1 but the man did not appear4 ,i waited two or three days1 in hourly expectation of his appearance1 but was doomed to disappointment4 ,at length1 ,i again called upon him and found him still in the employment of the gentleman aforenamed4 ,on inquiring the reason of his delay1 ,i was informed that on completing his former engagement the gentleman had concluded to have more done than he originally intended1 and insisted upon the continuance of the mechanic in his service until his work was entirely finished4 ,i said to him1 ,but did you not agree with me for a specified day8 ,yes4 ,did not your engagement with ,mr4 ---- terminate on the evening previous to that day8 ,yes4 ,were you under obligation to that gentleman beyond that time8 ,no4 ,did not your continuance with him involve a violation of your promise to me8 ,yes4 ,was not this wrong8 and how are you able to justify your conduct8 ,sir1 said he1 you do not understand the matter4 ,i am to blame1 but my employer is still more to blame4 ,look at it4 ,i am a mechanic and a poor man4 ,i am dependent on my labor for the support of myself and family4 ,this gentleman is rich1 and gives me a great deal of employment2 ,i do not like to disoblige him1 and1 sir1 when ,i told him1 on the termination of my engagement to him1 that ,i had promised to enter upon a piece of work for you1 he would not release me4 ,he claimed that ,i was in good faith bound to work for him till his various jobs were done4 ,and did you think so1 my friend8 ,no1 he replied1 ,i did not2 but he told me that if ,i did not stay he would give me no further employment4 ,and so1 said ,i1 you violated your conscience1 wronged your own soul1 disappointed me1 and all for the sake of obliging a man who was willing that you should suffer in point of conscience and reputation1 if his selfish purposes might be answered4 ,i am sensible1 said he1 that ,i did wrong1 but what course shall we pursue1 who are dependent upon our daily labor1 for our support8 ,i admit1 said ,i1 that you and others similarly situated1 are under a grievous temptation4 ,but honesty1 in the long run1 is the best policy4 ,acting upon the same principles with the gentleman who has detained you1 ,i might hereafter refuse to employ you4 ,and others might refuse1 whose work you are probably engaged to perform1 but are postponing to gratify him4 ,the consequence of all this is1 that your promises will soon pass for nothing4 ,you will be considered as a man not of your word1 and when once your good name is lost1 you will become poorer than you now are1 and remain without employment and without friends4 ,no one1 it is believed1 can read the foregoing incident without being impressed with the great impropriety chargeable upon the gentleman referred to4 ,the temptation he spread before the poor mechanic was utterly wrong and unbecoming4 ,it was nothing short of oppression4 ,it was bringing his wealth to bear upon a point with which it had no legitimate connection4 ,it was placing self before right2 it was a reckless sacrifice of the interests of others for his own gratification4 ,that such cases are common1 is well known2 but their frequency is only a proof of the slight regard in which the sacredness of promises is held1 and to the violation of which employers frequently contribute by the temptations which they spread1 and the coercion which they practice4 ,we do not justify for a single moment the mechanics and laborers who violate their pledges4 ,we insist upon it that it is their solemn duty to encounter any and every temporal evil rather than sacrifice truth and conscience2 but it is believed they would seldom be guilty of this violation were they not pressed beyond measure by employers4 ,we must for a moment again advert to parents4 ,you see1 friends1 what an evil exists throughout the community4 ,it is everywhere1 and is helping to work the ruin of immortal souls4 ,it often begins1 it is believed1 in the family4 ,parents are guilty1 in the first place1 and they early inoculate their children with the evil4 ,and the infection1 once taken1 is likely to spread and to pervade the whole moral system4 ,it enters into other relations of life4 ,it reaches to other departments of duty1 and tends to destroy our sense of obligation to ,god4 ,it weakens our regard for promises made to the ,author of our being4 ,in short1 this disregard for the fulfillment of sacred promises helps to sap the foundations of moral virtue1 and to prepare the soul for a world where falsehood reigns supreme1 and where there is no confidence between man and man4 ,,veritas4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,trials4 ,the ,rev4 ,wm4 ,jay has sweetly said of the trials of the people of ,god3 ,have they days of affliction8 ,god knows them2 knows their source1 their pressure1 how long they have continued1 the support they require1 and the proper time to remove them4 ,have they days of danger8 ,he knows them1 and will be a refuge and defense in them4 ,have they days of duty8 ,he knows them1 and will furnish the strength and the help they require4 ,have they days of inaction when they are laid aside from their work1 by accident or disease8 ,he knows them1 and says to his servants under every privation1 ',it is well that it was in thy heart4' ,have they days of privation when they are denied the ordinances of religion1 after seeing his power and glory in the temple1 and going with the voice of gladness to keep holy day8 ,he knows them1 and will follow his people when they cannot follow him1 and be a little sanctuary to them in their losses4 ,have they days of declension and of age in which their strength is fled1 and their senses fail1 and so many of their connection have gone down to the dust1 evil days1 wherein they have no pleasure8 ,he knows them1 and says1 ',i remember thee1 the kindness of thy youth4 ,even down to old age ,i am ,he1 and to hoary hairs will ,i bear and carry you4' 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,young ,,men',s ,,christian ,,association4 ,our friend1 ,mrs4 ,sigourney1 has1 at our request1 kindly sent us the subjoined hymn and remarks3 ,the ,young ,men's ,christian ,association ,i consider one of the very best designs of this age of philanthropy4 ,i send you a hymn1 elicited by the ,boston branch of this same ,society1 a circumstance which will not1 ,i hope1 diminish its adaptation to your pages4 ,we cannot omit to ask mothers and daughters to give this ,association their countenance and prayers4 ,we trust it will be the means of accomplishing great good4 ,,hymn ,,for ,,the ,,young ,,men',s ,,christian ,,association4 ,,god of our children6 hear our prayer1 ,when from their homes they part1 ,those idols of our fondest care1 ,those jewels of the heart4 ,we miss their smile in hall and bower2 ,we miss their voice of cheer2 ,we speak their names at midnight hour ,when none but ,thou dost hear4 ,god of their spirits6 be their stay1 ,when from their parents' side1 ,their boat is launched to find its way ,o'er life's tempestuous tide4 ,tho' toss'd 'mid breakers wild and strong1 ,its veering helm should stray ,where syrens wake the mermaid song1 ,guide thou their course alway4 ,oh1 ,god of goodness1 bless the band ,who1 moved by ,christian love1 ,take the young stranger's friendless hand ,and lead his thoughts above4 ,may their own souls the sunbeam feel1 ,they thus have freely given1 ,and be the plaudit of their zeal ,the sweet well-done of heaven4 ,l4 ,h4 ,s4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,naomi ,,and ,,ruth4 ,it would be only presumption in us to attempt giving in any other than the beautifully simple words of ,scripture the story of ,ruth and her mother-in-law4 ,the narration is inimitable1 and needs nothing to make it stand out like a picture before the mind4 ,suffice it then that we now attend only to the lessons which may be gathered from it1 and endeavor to profit by them through all our coming lives4 ,nor let any think the lessons afforded by these four short chapters few or easily acted upon1 though they may be soon comprehended4 ,they will amply reward earnest study and persevering practice4 ,the first thing which wins our admiration is ,ruth's faith4 ,she had been educated in the degrading worship of ,chemosh1 the supreme deity of ,moab4 ,probably no conception of the one living ,god had been formed in her mind until her acquaintance with the ,jewish youth1 the son of ,elimelech and ,naomi4 ,how long she had the happiness of a wife we are not informed4 ,we know it was only a few years4 ,but during that period she had learned to put such confidence in ,jehovah1 that she was willing to forsake country and friends1 even the home of her childhood and beloved parents1 and go forth with her mother-in-law to strange scenes1 and willing to brave penury and vicissitude that she might be numbered among ,his people4 ,firmly she adhered to her resolution4 ,the entreaties of ,naomi--the thought of her mother--the prospects which might await her in her own land--even the retreating form of ,orpah--nothing had power to prevail over her desire to see ,canaan and unite in the worship of her husband's ,god4 ,the ,lord recompense thy work1 said ,boaz to her1 and a full reward be given thee of the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 under whose wings thou art come to trust4 ,he is not unfaithful1 and that reward was made sure4 ,of the life that now is1 the promise speaks1 and it was fulfilled to her4 ,of an undying honorable name it says nothing1 but that is also awarded her4 ,upon a monument which has already outlasted thrones and empires1 and which shall endure until there be a new heaven and a new earth--upon the front page of the ,new ,testament is inscribed the name of ,,ruth4 ,of her came ,david--of her came a long line of illustrious and good men--of her came ,christ4 ,why will we not learn--why will we not daily and constantly act upon the truth that implicit faith is pleasing to ,god8 ,none of them that trust in ,him shall be desolate4 ,there is a fund of instruction also in the few glimpses which we gain of the intercourse of ,naomi and ,ruth as they journey on and after their arrival in ,canaan4 ,how does the law of love dictate and pervade every word and action6 ,naomi had once been an honored wife and mother in ,judah1 and far above the reach of want4 ,but in the days when the judges ruled1 those days during which every man did what was right in his own eyes1 her husband had deserted his people2 and now on her return she was probably penniless1 her inheritance sold until the year of jubilee1 and she in her old age1 unable by her own efforts to gain a subsistence4 ,the poor in ,israel were not forlorn1 but it required genuine humility on ,ruth's part1 and a sincere love for her mother-in-law1 to induce her to avail herself of the means provided4 ,she hesitated not4 ,it was in the beginning of the barley harvest that they came to ,bethlehem1 and as soon as they were settled1 apparently in a small and humble tenement1 she went forth to glean in some field after the reapers1 not knowing how it would fare with her1 but evidently feeling that all depended on her labors4 ,the meeting of the mother and daughter at the close of that important day is touching indeed4 ,the joy with which the aged ,naomi greets her only solace1 and the kind and motherly care with which she brings the remains of her own scanty meal1 which she had laid aside1 her eager questions1 and ,ruth's cheerful replies as she lays down her burden and relates the pleasant events of the day--what gratitude to ,god--what dawning hopes--what a delightful spirit of love appear through all6 ,and as days pass1 how tenderly does ,naomi watch over the interests of her child1 and how remarkable is the deference to her wishes which ever animates ,ruth4 ,even in the matter of her marriage1--a subject on which young people generally feel competent to judge for themselves1--she is governed entirely by her mother's directions4 ,all that thou sayest unto me ,i will do4 ,said a young lady in our hearing1 not long since1 ,when ,i am married ,i shall desire that my husband may have no father or mother4 ,this is not an unusual wish1 nor is it uttered in all cases lightly and without reason4 ,we know of a mother who would never consent that her only son should bring his wife to dwell under her roof1 although she was entirely satisfied with his choice1 and was constantly doing all in her power to promote their happiness4 ,what were her reasons8 ,she was a conscientious ,christian and fond mother1 but she would not risk their mutual happiness4 ,she felt herself unable to bear the test1 and she was unwilling to subject her children to it4 ,often do we hear expressions of pity bestowed on the young wife who is so unfortunate as to be compelled to live with her mother-in-law1 and many are the sighs and nods and winks of gossip over the trials which some of their number endure from their sons' wives4 ,why is all this8 ,the supreme selfishness of our human nature must answer4 ,having a common love for one object1 the mother for her son1 the wife for her husband1 they should be bound by strong ties1 and their mutual interests should produce mutual kindness and sympathy1 and this would always be the case if each were governed by the spirit of the ,gospel4 ,but alas6 love of self rather than the pure love inculcated by ,jesus ,christ most often rules4 ,brought together from different paths1 unlike1 it may be1 in natural temperament1 perhaps differing in opinion1 the mother wishing to retain her wonted control over her son1 the wife feeling hers the superior claim1 there springs up a contest which is the fruitful source of unhappiness1 and which mars many an otherwise fine character4 ,before us in memory's glass as we write1 sits one of a most fair and beautiful countenance1 but over which hang dark clouds of care1 and from the eyes drop slowly bitter tears4 ,she is what all around her would call a happy wife and mother4 ,fortune smiles upon her1 and the blessing of ,god abides by the hearth-stone4 ,her husband is a professing ,christian1 as is also his yet youthful-looking mother and the wife herself4 ,beautiful children gambol around her1 and look wonderingly in her face as they see those tears4 ,what is the secret of her unhappiness8 ,she deems hers a very hard lot1 and yet if we rightly judge1 could her sorrow be resolved to its elements1 it would be found that the turmoil of her spirit is occasioned solely by the fact that she finds it hard to maintain her fancied rights1 her desired superiority over her husband and servants1 because of the presence of her calm1 firm1 dignified mother-in-law1 whose very lips seem chiseled to indicate that they speak only to be obeyed4 ,what would be the result if the tender1 considerate love of ,naomi and the yielding spirit of ,ruth were introduced to the bosom of each8 ,we cannot leave this record of ,holy ,writ without commenting also on the remarkable state of society which existed in ,bethlehem in those far distant days4 ,when ,naomi returned after an absence of ten years--an absence which to many might have seemed very culpable--with what enthusiastic greetings was she received4 ,the whole city was moved4 ,it made no difference that she went out full but had returned empty2 nor did they stop to consider that the ,lord had testified against her4 ,the truest sympathy was manifested for her and for the stranger who had loved her and clung to her4 ,in her sorrow they clustered around to comfort her1 and when the bright reverse gave her again an honored name and a restorer of her life in her young grandson1 they were eager to testify their joy4 ,the apostolic injunction1 ,rejoice with them that do rejoice1 and weep with them that weep1 seems to have been strictly obeyed in ,bethlehem4 ,the distinctions of society1 although as marked apparently as in our own time1 seem not to have caused either unhappiness nor the slightest approach to unkind or unchristian feeling4 ,witness the greeting between ,boaz and the reapers on his harvest field4 ,and behold ,boaz came from ,bethlehem and said unto the reapers1 ,the ,lord be with you4 ,and they answered him1 ,the ,lord bless thee4 ,boaz was a mighty man of wealth2 he had his hired workmen around him1 and in the same field was found the poor ,moabitish damsel1 gleaning here and there the scattered ears1 her only dependence4 ,yet we find them all sitting together in the hut which was erected for shelter1 and eating together the parched grain which was provided for the noon's refreshment1 while ,boaz enters into a conversation with ,ruth which indicates his truly noble and generous character1 and speaks words which are like balm to the sorrowing spirit4 ,thou hast comforted me and spoken to the heart of thy handmaid1 she said as she rose to leave the tent and felt herself no longer a stranger1 since one so excellent and so exalted in station appreciated and sympathized with her4 ,we see little in these ,gospel days and in this favored land which will compare with the genuine kindliness which breathes in every word and act recorded in the book of ,ruth4 ,but the most surprising revelation is made in the account which follows the scene in the tent4 ,what exalted principle--what respect for woman--what noble virtue must have characterized those among whom a mother could send her daughter at night to perform the part assigned to ,ruth1 apparently without a fear of evil1 and receive her again1 not only unharmed1 but understood1 honored1 and wedded by the man to whom she was sent1 and that notwithstanding her foreign birth and dependent situation1 and fettered with the condition that her first-born son must bear the name and be considered the child of a dead man6 ,we have friends who will fasten their faith on the ,new ,testament only1 and can see nothing in the ,old akin to it in precept or spirit4 ,we commend to them the ,book of ,ruth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mission ,,money3 ,,or1 ,,the ,,pride ,,of ,,charity4 ,take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them4--,,matthew #f3f4 7,concluded from page #baa47 ,in the mean time ,charlotte ran home for her pennies1 and on her return met an acquaintance who did not belong to the ,sunday-school4 ,where are you going so fast1 ,charlotte8 said she2 stop1 ,i want to show you what a lovely blue ribbon ,i have just bought at ,drake's1 only four cents a yard1 and half a yard makes a neck ribbon2 isn't it sweet8 just look2 and she displayed a bright blue ribbon to the admiring gaze of ,charlotte4 ,it is very pretty1 said ,charlotte longingly1 and ,i wish ,i could afford to buy one like it1 but ,i've got no money4 ,what is that in your hand8 asked the other1 as she espied the pennies in ,charlotte's hand4 ,that is mission money1 she replied2 ,i am going to give it to the missionary to buy ,bibles for the heathen4 ,buy fiddlesticks6 said the other1 with a loud laugh4 ,why1 you are a little simpleton to send your money the dear knows where1 when you might buy a whole yard of this beautiful ribbon and have a penny left6 ,charlotte looked wishfully at the ribbon1 and sighed as she answered1 ,but ,i earned this money on purpose to give4 ,more goose you to work for money to give away2 but if you are so very generous1 buy half a yard1 and then you will have three cents left to give1 that is enough ,i am sure2 but do as you like1 ,i must go4 ,they have got some splendid pink1 that would become you exceedingly4 ,good bye2 and so saying she left her4 ,charlotte walked thoughtfully on2 her love of dress and finery was a ruling passion1 and had been aroused at a most unfortunate moment2 she had never possessed a piece of new ribbon1 and she longed to see how it would look with her white cape4 ,thus thinking she arrived at ,mr4 ,drake's store1 and the first thing she saw temptingly displayed in a glass case upon the counter was the identical ribbon she coveted4 ,there were customers in the store1 and ,charlotte had to wait her turn2 during those few moments various thoughts passed through her mind4 ,if ,i buy the ribbon what will ,annie say8 suggested conscience4 ,why need you care for ,annie8 whispered temptation1 the ribbon will look pretty and becoming2 you earned the money1 and beside1 ,annie need not know anything about it2 tell her you had not time to change the money1 and throw the pennies quickly in the box2 there will be more there1 and no one will know how much you put in4 ,poor ,charlotte6 she did not know that the best way to avoid sin is to flee from temptation4 ,the shopman was at leisure1 and waited to know what she wished4 ,she had not decided what to do2 but the ribbon was uppermost in her thoughts1 and she asked1 ,what is the price of that ribbon8 ,four cents1 said the shopman as he quickly unrolled it2 here are pink1 white1 blue and yellow2 pink ,i should think the most becoming to you1 ,miss4 ,how much shall ,i cut you8 enough to trim a bonnet8 ,charlotte was agitated2 the man's volubility confused her1 and she stammered forth1 ,half a yard1 if you please1 sir4 ,it was cut off1 rolled up1 and in her hand1 and she had paid the two cents before she collected her thoughts2 and then as she slowly returned home1 she unfolded her purchase1 and tried in her admiration of its gay color to forget she had done wrong4 ,perhaps if ,charlotte had read her ,bible she would have remembered how ,ananias and his wife ,sapphira were struck dead for mocking the ,lord1 by pretending they had given all when they had reserved a part of their goods4 ,their sin consisted not so much in keeping back a part as in lying unto ,god2 and this sin ,charlotte was about to commit by pretending to put in the mission box more than she really did4 ,sunday morning dawned bright and lovely4 ,annie was up and tidily dressed long before the hour for school4 ,she had time to sing a sweet morning hymn1 and to feed the tame robins with the crumbs she had carefully swept up1 and then with her little ,bible sat down to study her lesson again1 and assure herself that she had it perfect4 ,as she read the sacred volume1 and dwelt upon its precious promises1 which her mother had explained to her1 she felt doubly sorry for those poor people who were deprived of so great a blessing2 and then she thought of her little offering1 and wished with all her heart it had been more4 ,charlotte1 on the contrary1 awoke late1 after an uneasy slumber1 and hurriedly eating her breakfast1 for which she had but little appetite1 dressed herself1 and opening the box where she kept her little treasures1 took out the gay pink ribbon1 and after a long admiring gaze1 pinned it carefully about her neck4 ,as she closed the box cover she saw the three cents lying in one corner1 and hastily put them in her pocket with a feeling of self-abasement that made her cheeks glow with shame4 ,she ran quickly down stairs1 lest her mother should see her and question her about the ribbon1 for although ,mrs4 ,murray would not have disapproved of her daughter's purchase1 ,charlotte dreaded her mother's ridicule for so soon abandoning her new-fangled notions1 as she called them4 ,she had promised to call for ,annie1 and she walked quietly along1 hoping her friend would not notice the ribbon nor ask to see the money4 ,as she slowly approached ,mrs4 ,grey's cottage1 she saw ,annie's favorite kitten jump up in the low window seat to bask in the warm sunshine4 ,charlotte saw the little cat put out her paw to play with something1 and just as she was opposite the window a small bright piece rolled down into the road4 ,she hastened forward and picked it up2 it was a bright new five-pence4 ,this must be ,annie's1 she thought2 and looking in the window she saw the room was empty1 and ,annie's ,bible and handkerchief laid on the window seat4 ,puss was busy playing with the leaves of the book1 and ,charlotte walked slowly on with the piece yet in her hand4 ,how pretty and bright it looks1 she thought4 ,i wish that ,i had one to give4 ,i know the girls will stare to see ,annie put in so much4 ,how lucky it was that ,i passed2 if ,i had not it would have been lost1 or some one else would have picked it up4 ,i will give it to her in school2 ,i shall not keep it1 of course4 ,thus quieting her conscience she walked quickly to school1 and took her seat among the rest4 ,how gradual is the descent to sin4 ,charlotte would have spurned the idea of stealing1 and yet from desiring to give with a wrong motive she had been led on step by step1 and when the girl who sat next her asked what she had brought1 she opened her hand and showed the piece of money4 ,school had commenced when ,annie came in2 she looked disheartened1 and her eyes were red with crying4 ,charlotte's heart smote her1 and could she have spoken to ,annie1 she would doubtless have returned the piece of money1 but she dared not leave her seat1 and after a few moments it was whispered around the class that ,annie ,grey had lost her mission money4 ,then the girls about ,charlotte told each other how much she had brought1 and she began to think1 ,what difference will it make if ,i put it in the box8 it is all the same1 ,annie says1 who gives the money1 so that it is given2 and so when the box was handed round she dropped the five cent piece in4 ,her conscience reproved her severely as she glanced at poor ,annie1 whose tears were flowing afresh1 and who1 when the teacher handed her the box1 said in low1 broken tones1 that she had lost her offering and had nothing to give4 ,after dismissal the children crowded around ,annie1 pitying and questioning her4 ,charlotte moved away1 she could not speak to her injured friend2 but as she passed she heard ,annie say1 ,i laid it on my ,bible4 ,i was just about tying it in the corner of my pocket handkerchief when mother called me away2 when ,i came back it was gone4 ,kitty was sitting in the window1 and ,i suppose must have knocked it down in the road4 ,i searched all over the room1 and out in the road1 but could not find it4 ,i am really sorry1 said one4 ,and ,i1 and ,i1 added three or four more4 ,let us go and help her look for it again1 said they all1 perhaps we may find it yet1 for ,annie's gentleness had made her beloved by all4 ,charlotte's feelings were far from enviable as she went towards home2 she hated herself and felt perfectly miserable4 ,as soon as she arrived at the house she went hastily up stairs1 and took off the hateful ribbon1 as it now appeared1 with a feeling of disgust1 and throwing herself on the bed cried long and bitterly4 ,charlotte did not know how to pray to ,god to give her a clean heart and forgive her sin2 she never thought of asking ,his forgiveness1 or confessing her fault2 she felt sick at heart1 restless and unhappy4 ,such are ever the consequences of sin4 ,she ate no dinner1 and her mother told her to go and lie down1 as she did not look well4 ,charlotte gladly went up stairs again1 and after another hearty crying spell fell fast asleep4 ,when she awoke it was evening1 and going down stairs she found that her mother had gone to visit a neighbor4 ,charlotte stood out by the door1 and although it was a lovely summer night1 a gloom seemed to her to overhang everything4 ,her little brothers spoke to her1 and she answered them harshly and sent them away4 ,while she stood idly musing a miserable old beggar woman1 who bore but an indifferent character in the neighborhood1 came hobbling along2 she came up to the little girl and asked an alms4 ,almost instinctively she put her hand in her pocket1 and taking thence the three cents placed them with a feeling of relief in the beggar's hand4 ,she thought she was doing a good act1 and would atone for her wicked conduct4 ,the old woman was profuse of thanks1 and taking from her dirty apron a double handful of sour and unripe fruit1 placed it in ,charlotte's lap and went away4 ,charlotte's parents had forbidden her eating unripe fruit2 but a day begun in sin was not unlikely to end in disobedience4 ,she felt feverish and thirsty1 and so biting one of the apples went on eating until all were gone4 ,she then went up to bed1 and feeling afraid to be alone1 for a bad conscience is always fearful1 she closed her eyes and fell almost immediately asleep4 ,she was awakened in the night by sharp and violent pain2 she dreaded to call her mother1 as she would have to tell her what she had been eating1 and so she bore the suffering as long as she could2 but her restless tossings and moans aroused her mother1 who slept in an adjoining room1 and hastening in to her daughter1 she found her in a high state of fever4 ,she did all she could for her1 but the next morning ,charlotte was so much worse that a physician was sent for4 ,she was quite delirious when he came1 and he pronounced her situation dangerous4 ,the poor girl raved incessantly about ribbons and ,annie's tearful face1 and seemed to be in great distress of mind4 ,annie heard that ,charlotte was very ill1 and came to see her4 ,she was shocked to hear her talk so wildly1 and to see her face flushed with fever4 ,she stayed some time1 but ,charlotte did not know her1 although she often mentioned her name4 ,when ,annie returned home she asked her mother's permission to stay with ,charlotte as much as possible1 which ,mrs4 ,grey cheerfully gave1 and went to visit her herself4 ,for a whole week poor ,charlotte's fever raged violently1 and as ,annie or her mother were with her constantly1 they could not fail to discover from the sick girl's ravings that she had taken the lost fivepence4 ,annie1 however1 who heartily forgave her playmate1 never mentioned what she heard to her mother1 and ,mrs4 ,grey also wisely refrained from telling her suspicions4 ,she was better acquainted with the treatment of the sick than ,mrs4 ,murray1 and she watched over ,charlotte with the tenderness of a mother4 ,one day ,annie sat reading her ,bible by the bedside when ,charlotte awoke from a long sleep1 the first she had enjoyed1 and looking towards ,annie said in a feeble voice1 ,oh1 dear ,annie1 is that you8 ,the little girl rose1 and bending over her sick playmate1 begged her in a gentle voice to lie still and be quiet4 ,i will1 ,i will1 answered ,charlotte1 clasping her hands feebly about her friend's neck as she leaned towards her1 if you will only say you forgive me4 ,oh1 you know not what a wicked girl ,i am1 and yet it seems as if ,i had been telling everybody4 ,never mind now1 dear1 whispered ,annie1 only keep still or you will bring on your fever again4 ,i believe ,i have been very ill1 and have said many strange things1 murmured ,charlotte1 but ,i know you now and understand what ,i say4 ,do you think you can forgive me1 ,annie8 ,yes1 dear ,charlotte1 and ,i love you better than ever now1 so do not talk any more4 ,annie kissed her tenderly as she spoke1 and the sick girl laid her head upon the pillow still holding ,annie's hand in her own4 ,from this time ,charlotte rapidly improved1 and one afternoon1 when her mother and ,mrs4 ,grey and ,annie were sitting with her1 she told them the whole truth about the lost money1 and begged them to forgive her4 ,little ,annie1 whose tears were flowing fast1 kissing her again and again1 assured her of her entire forgiveness1 and told her never to mention it again4 ,mrs4 ,grey then said1 ,i think that we all forgive your fault1 my dear child1 but there is ,one whose forgiveness you must first seek before your repentance can be sincere4 ,the sin you have committed against ,god is far greater than any injury you have done us4 ,in the first place1 my dear ,charlotte1 you wished to give with a wrong motive2 you did not seek to please ,god and serve ,him1 by giving your trifle with a sincere heart and earnest prayers4 ,you sought rather the praise of your teachers2 and worse even than this1 you wished to awaken the envy of your companions4 ,such a gift1 however large1 could never be acceptable to the just ,god1 who knows all hearts1 and bids us to do good in secret and ,he will reward us openly4 ,you see1 my little girl1 how one misstep makes the way for another1--how this pride begat envy1 and envy covetousness1 and then how quickly did deceit and dishonesty and disobedience come after4 ,do not think me harsh1 my dear child1 from my heart ,i forgive you2 your punishment has been severe1 but ,i trust it will be to you a well-spring of grace2 and now let us humbly ask the forgiveness and blessing of that just and yet merciful ,god who for ,jesus' sake will hear our prayers4 ,they knelt1 and ,mrs4 ,grey made a touching and earnest prayer2 even ,mrs4 ,murray was affected to tears2 she felt ashamed of her daughter's conduct2 she knew she herself was to blame1 and this event had a good effect upon her future conduct4 ,after a little while ,charlotte asked for her box1 and taking out the pink ribbon placed it in ,mrs4 ,grey's hand and begged her to burn it1 as she could not bear to see it4 ,no1 said ,mrs4 ,grey1 keep it1 ,charlotte2 it will remind you of your fatal error1 and perhaps1 through ,god's blessing1 may sometimes lead you from the path of sin into that of holiness4 ,charlotte took her friend's advice1 and after her recovery never gave utterance to a falsehood4 ,she and ,annie became ,sunday-school teachers1 and through the grace of ,god ,charlotte was the means of bringing her whole family into the fold of the ,good ,shepherd2 and while she lived she always carefully treasured the pink ribbon1 which was a memento alike of her fault and her sincere repentance4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,letter ,,from ,a ,,father ,,to ,a ,,son4 ,,my ,,dear ,,son3--,seldom1 if ever1 have ,i perused a letter of deeper interest to myself as a father1 than the one you lately addressed to your sister4 ,long had it been my daily prayer that the ,spirit of ,god would impress you with the importance of becoming a ,christian2 from your letter ,i infer that you are anxiously inquiring after the great salvation4 ,it is all-important that you be guided aright4 ,what must you do8 ,the ,bible should be our guide in matters involving our spiritual interests1 and we need not fear to follow its directions4 ,the ,bible declares that in order to be saved the sinner must repent4 ,this is the first step4 ,but what is it to repent8 ,let me tell you4 ,suppose1 then1 that a person spreads a false and injurious report about another1 by which his character is wounded1 his influence lessened1 and his business destroyed4 ,this is wrong4 ,of this wrong1 the injurer at length becoming sensible1 and deeply regretting it1 repairs to the one whom he has injured1 confesses the wrong1 seeks forgiveness1 does all in his power to make amends1 and offends no more4 ,this is repentance4 ,now1 when such sorrow is exercised toward ,god for wrong done to ,him1 when that wrong is deeply deplored1 is honestly confessed1 and is followed by a permanent reformation1 that is repentance toward ,god4 ,such repentance ,god requires2 nor can one become a ,christian who does not exercise it4 ,this is one unalterable condition of salvation4 ,i do not mean that the penitent sinner will never afterwards1 in no instance1 sin again4 ,he may sometimes1 again1 do wrong1 for so long as he is in the world imperfection will pertain to him2 but the ruling power of sin will be broken in his heart4 ,he may sometimes sin2 but whenever he does he will lament it4 ,he will retire to his closet1 and while there alone with ,god his tears will flow4 ,oh6 how will he pray and wrestle that he may be forgiven2 and what solemn resolutions will he make to sin no more6 ,this he will continue to do month after month1 and year after year1 as long as he lives1 as long as he ever does any wrong4 ,to forsake sin becomes a principle of his life2 to confess and forsake it1 a habit of his soul4 ,repentance1 then1 is the first step4 ,but the ,bible adds1 ,repent and believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt be saved4 ,belief1 or faith1 as it is called1 is another exercise required in order to be saved4 ,what now is faith8 ,let me illustrate this4 ,suppose a person is standing on the branch of a tree4 ,it appears to be sufficiently firm to bear him1 and he feels secure4 ,but presently he perceives that it is beginning to break1 and if it break he may be dashed on the rocks below4 ,what shall he do8 ,he looks abroad for help4 ,at this critical moment a person presents himself at the foot of the tree1 and says1 ,let go1 let go1 and ,i will catch you4 ,but he is afraid4 ,he fears that the person may not be able1 or may be unwilling to save him4 ,but the branch continues to break1 and destruction is before him4 ,meanwhile the kind-hearted person below renews his assurance1 ,let go1 let go1 confide in me and ,i'll catch you4 ,at last the person on the branch becomes satisfied that no other hope remains for him1 so he says1 ,i'll do as this friend bids me2 ,i'll trust him4 ,he lets go1 falls1 and the other catches him4 ,this is faith1 or in other words it is confidence4 ,now the sinner is liable to fall under the wrath of ,god for the wrong he has done1 and there to perish4 ,he may repent of that wrong1 and repentance is most reasonable1 and is1 we have seen1 required2 but repentance of itself never repairs a wrong4 ,one may repent that he has killed another1 but that does not restore life4 ,one may be sorry that he has broken ,god's commands1 but that does not repair the dishonor done to the ,divine government4 ,that government must be upheld4 ,how can it be done8 ,i will tell you how it has been done4 ,christ consented to take the sinner's place4 ,on the cross he suffered for and instead of the sinner2 and ,god has decided that whosoever1 being penitent for sin1 will confide in his ,son1 or trust him1 shall be saved4 ,sinners are wont to put a high value upon some goodness which they fancy they possess1 or upon good actions which they imagine they have done4 ,these1 they conceive1 are sufficient to save them2 and sinners generally feel quite secure4 ,how little concerned1 my son1 have you been4 ,but sinners mistake as to their goodness4 ,they are all dead in trespasses and sins4 ,they are under condemnation4 ,they are in imminent danger4 ,any day they may fall into the hands of an angry ,god4 ,sinners under conviction see this and feel this4 ,the branch of self-righteousness on which they stand is insufficient to bear them4 ,by-and-by it begins to give way4 ,when the sinner feels this he cries1 ,what shall ,i do8 ,who will save me8 ,now ,christ is commissioned to save1 and when the poor sinner sees that he is about to perish1 and in that state cries for help1 ,christ comes to him and says1 ,let go all hope in yourself2 let go dependence upon every other thing2 trust to me and ,i will save you4 ,come1 for all things are ready4 ,but may be the sinner is afraid4 ,will ,christ do as he promises8 ,is he able to save8 ,well1 the sinner looks round--he hesitates--perhaps prays--weeps--promises2 but while all these are well enough in their places1 they never of themselves bring peace and safety to the anxious heart4 ,at length he sees and feels that there is no one but ,christ1 who stands as it were at the bottom of the tree1 that can save him4 ,and now he lifts up his voice and cries1 ,lord1 save me1 or ,i perish4 ,into the hands of ,christ he falls1 and from that moment he is safe4 ,this is ,gospel faith or confidence4 ,and this repentance and faith which ,i have described are necessary in order to salvation4 ,so the ,bible decides2 and whenever a soul exercises them that soul is a ,christian soul1 and that man is a ,christian man4 ,there is yet one question further of great moment4 ,you hope1 perhaps1 that you are a ,christian--that you have truly repented1 and do exercise true faith4 ,you ask1 ,how shall one decide8 ,i will tell you this also4 ,suppose you agree with a nurseryman to furnish you with a tree of a particular kind4 ,he brings you one4 ,you inquire1 ,is this the kind of tree ,i engaged8 ,he replies1 ,yes4 ,but you say1 ,how do ,i know8 ,it looks indeed like the tree in question1 and you say it is2 but there are other trees which strongly resemble it4 ,he rejoins1 ,i myself grafted it1 and ,i almost know4 ,ah6 yes1 almost2 but are you certain8 ,no1 he replies1 ,i am not absolutely certain1 and no one can be sure at this moment4 ,but what shall ,i do8 you ask4 ,i want that particular tree4 ,well1 says he1 ,i will suggest one infallible test4 ,set it out on your grounds4 ,it will soon bear fruit1 and that will be a sure and satisfactory test4 ,is there no other way8 you ask--no shorter1 better way8 ,none1 he replies4 ,this is the only sure evidence which man can have4 ,let us apply these remarks4 ,as there is but one infallible test as to a tree1 so there is but one in respect to a man claiming to be a ,christian4 ,what fruit does he bear8 ,by their fruits1 says our ,savior1 ye shall know them4 ,only a good tree brings forth good fruit4 ,here1 then1 we have a plain1 simple1 and1 ,i may add1 infallible rule for testing ourselves4 ,what kind of fruit are we bearing8 ,what fruit must we bear8 ,the fruits of the ,spirit1 says the ,bible1 are love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 goodness1 faith1 c4 ,if1 then1 we have been born of the ,spirit1 i4e41 born again1 or in other words1 if we are ,christians1 we shall bear the fruits of the ,spirit4 ,i have known persons suggest various marks or tests by which to try themselves2 but ,i have never found any which could certainly be depended upon besides the one which ,i have named--the fruit which one brings forth4 ,the application of this test requires time4 ,for evidence of ,christian character1 a person must examine himself month after month and year after year4 ,his great aim must be to glorify ,god4 ,he will1 therefore1 strive to keep his commandments4 ,he will shun all known evil1 and let others see that he sets a high value upon all that is lovely and of good report4 ,he will pray1 not one day or one month1 but habitually4 ,his life will be a life of prayer1 and in all the duties of the ,christian profession he will endeavor to persevere4 ,he will find himself imperfect1 and will sometimes fail2 but when he fails he will not sink down in despair and give up1 but he will repent and say1 ,i'll do better next time2 and thus he will go forward gathering strength4 ,many trials and difficulties he will find1 but the way will grow smoother and easier4 ,his evidence will increase4 ,the path of the righteous is as the light which shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day4 ,and now1 my dear son1 are you willing to set out in all sober earnestness so to live1 not one day1 but always8 ,if you are1 ,god will bless and aid you4 ,you will be a happy boy1 and as you grow older you will be happier still2 and in the end you will go to ,god and to your pious friends now in heaven1 or who may hereafter reach that blissful abode1 and spend an eternity in loving1 praising and serving ,god4 ,this is the constant prayer of your affectionate father4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,children ,,of ,,the ,,parsonage4 ,,by ,,georgiana ,m4 ,,sykes4 ,little ,charlie1 the youngest child of our pastor1 was the delight of all the household1 but especially of the infirm grand-mother1 to whose aid and solace he devoted his little efforts4 ,he was a beautiful and active child1 of nearly three years1 and was to the parsonage what the father emphatically called him1--its fountain of joy4 ,but little ,charlie was suddenly taken from it1 after an illness of a few hours4 ,a week afterward1 ,,fanny1 a beautiful and highly intelligent child of five years1 died of the same fearful disease1 scarlet fever4 ,the following little poems were intended as sketches of the characteristics of the two lovely children4 ,some three years after1 death bore away also little ,,emma1 a child two years old1 who had in some measure replaced the lost children of the parsonage4 ,to express the sparkling and exuberant vivacity of this last darling of friends very dear to the writer1 has been the object of another simple lay4 ,there are smitten hearts enough in the homes to which this magazine finds its way to respond to notes that would commemorate the infant dead4 ,,little ,,charlie4 ,beside our pilgrim path there sprang ,a pleasant little rill1 ,whose murmur1 ever in our ear1 ,was cheerful music still4 ,the earliest rays of brightening morn1 ,back to our eyes it flashed1 ,and onward through the livelong day1 ,in tireless sport it dashed4 ,we loved the little sparkling rill1 ,we sunned us in its glance2-- ,the turf looked green where1 near our feet1 ,it kept its joyous dance4 ,and welcome to our weariness ,was the clear draught it gave2 ,e'en way-worn age took heart and bowed1 ,its aching brow to lave4 ,but where is now our pleasant rill1 ,we miss it from our side2 ,we looked1 and it was at its full-- ,we turned1 and it was dried4 ,oh ,father4--thou whose gracious hand ,bestowed the boon at first1 ,a parched and desert land is this-- ,let not thy servants thirst6 ,fountains of joy at thy right hand ,are gushing evermore-- ,bid them for us1 thy fainting ones1 ,their rich abundance pour4 ,,fanny4 ,we miss thee on the threshold wide4 ,smiling little ,fanny6 ,thine offered hand was wont to guide ,our footsteps to thy mother's side1 ,ready little ,fanny6 ,we miss the welcome of thy face1 ,winning little ,fanny6 ,we miss thy bright cheek's rounded grace ,thy clear blue eyes' confiding gaze1 ,lovely little ,fanny6 ,we miss thy glowing earnestness1 ,guileless little ,fanny6 ,we miss thy clasping arms' caress1 ,the solace of thy tenderness1 ,loving little ,fanny6 ,we miss thy haste at school-time bell1 ,docile little ,fanny6 ,learning with eager face to spell1 ,thy ,sabbath verses conning well1 ,studious little ,fanny6 ,we miss thee at the hour of prayer1 ,gentle little ,fanny6 ,thy sweet low voice and thoughtful air1 ,reading ,god's word with earnest care1 ,serious little ,fanny6 ,the hour of play brings woeful dearth1 ,merry little ,fanny6 ,with thee the voice of childhood's mirth1 ,died from about our twilight hearth1 ,joyous little ,fanny6 ,but angels' gain doth our loss prove1 ,precious little ,fanny6 ,now dwelleth with our ,god above,c ,that little one whose life was love1 ,blessed little ,fanny6 ,,emma4 ,a floweret on the grassy mound ,of buried hopes sprang up2-- ,tears fell upon its bursting leaves ,and gemmed its opening cup4 ,but such a rosy sun-light fell ,upon those tear-drops there1 ,that no bright crystals of the morn ,such diamond-hues might wear4 ,no glancing wing of summer-bird ,was ever half so gay ,as that fair flower--no insect's hues ,shone with such changeful play4 ,it nodded gaily to the touch ,of every wandering bee1 ,its petals tossed in every breeze1 ,and scattered odors free4 ,and they who watched the pleasant plant ,in its bright bursting bloom1 ,hailed in its growth their bower of rest1-- ,solace for years to come4 ,but ,he who better knew their need ,laid its fair blossoms low2-- ,between their souls and heaven's clear light ,tendril nor leaf might grow4 ,then oh6 how sad the grassy mounds ,its graceful growth had veiled6-- ,how sere and faded was their life1 ,its fragrance all exhaled2-- ,till from the blue o'erarching sky1 ,a clearer beam was given1 ,a light that showed them labor here1 ,and promised joy in heaven4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,gleanings ,,by ,,the ,,wayside4 ,no4 #b4 ,i shall attempt to show by an every-day sort of logic1 rather than by any set argument1 that young children1 when religiously educated1 do at a very early age comprehend the being of a ,god1--that the mind is so constituted that to such prayer is usually an agreeable service1--that in times of sickness or difficulty1 or when they have done wrong1 they do usually find relief in looking to ,god for relief and for forgiveness4 ,i have known quite young children1 in a dying state1 when their parents have hesitated as to the expediency of referring1 in the presence of the child1 to the period of dissolution as near1 in some paroxysm of distress at once soothed and quieted by the strains of agonizing prayer of the father1 that relief might be afforded to the little sufferer1 commending it to ,jesus4 ,from my own early experience ,i cannot but infer that young children do as readily comprehend the sublime doctrine of a superintending providence as the man of gray hairs4 ,we know from reason and revelation that the heavens declare the glory of ,god1 and that the earth showeth forth his handiwork--day unto day utterreth speech1 and night unto night showeth forth knowledge of him4 ,as soon therefore as a child begins to reason and to ask questions1 ,who made this8 and who made that8 it can understand that the great and good ,god made heaven and earth4 ,indeed this truth is so self-evident that the heathen who have not the ,bible are said to be without excuse if they do not love and worship the only living and true ,god1 as ,god4 ,the man1 therefore1 of fourscore years1 though he may understand all things else1--how to chain the lightning1 to analyze all earthly substances1 to solve every problem in ,euclid1 yet in matters of ,gospel faith1 before he can enter the kingdom of ,god1 must come down to the capacity of a little child1 and take all upon trust1 and believe1 and obey1 and acquiesce1 simply on the ground1 ,my ,father told me so4 ,one of the first things ,i remember with distinctness as having occurred in the nursery1 related to the matter of prayer4 ,one night when a sister a year and a half older than myself had1 as usual1 repeated all our prayers suited to the evening1 which had been taught to us1 from a sudden impulse ,i made up a prayer which ,i thought better expressed my feelings and wants than any which ,i had repeated4 ,my sister1 who was more timid1 was quite excited on the occasion4 ,she said that as ,i did not know how to make up prayers1 ,god would be very angry with me4 ,we agreed to refer the case in the morning to our mother4 ,when we came to repeat our morning prayers1 the preceding transaction came to mind1 and we hurried as fast as possible to dress1 each one eager first to obtain the desired verdict4 ,almost breathless with excitement1 we stated the affair to mother4 ,her quick reply was1 ,the ,bible says that ,hezekiah1 king of ,israel1 had been sick1 and he went upon the house-top1 and his noise was as the chattering of a swallow1 but the ,lord heard him4 ,without asking any further questions1 ever after we both framed prayers for ourselves4 ,soon after this occurrence a sudden death occurred in our neighborhood1 and my mind was deeply affected4 ,i went stealthily into our spare chamber to offer up prayer1 feeling the need of pardon4 ,just as ,i knelt by the bedside1 my eldest sister opened the door4 ,seeing her surprise at seeing me there and thus engaged1 ,i was about to rise1 when she came up to me1 put her arms about my neck1 kissed me1 and without saying anything1 left the room4 ,this tacit approval of my conduct1 so delicately manifested1 won for her my love and my confidence in her superior wisdom2 and though nearly sixty years with all their important changes have intervened1 yet that trifling act is still held in grateful remembrance4 ,one such incident is sufficient to show the immense influence which an elder brother or sister may have1 for weal or for woe1 over the younger children4 ,the smothered falsehood1 the petty theft1 the robbing of a bird's-nest1 the incipient oath1 the first intoxicating draught1 the making light of serious things1 with the repeated injunction--,don't tell mother6 may foster in a younger brother the germ of evil propensities1 and lead on till some fatal crime is the result4 ,when ,i was nine years old a letter was received by my father1 the contents of which set us children in an uproar of joy4 ,it was from our father's elder brother1 who resided in a city seventy miles distant from our country residence4 ,this letter stated if all was favorable we might expect all his family to become our guests on the following week1 our aunt and cousins to remain in our family some length of time1 and be subjected to the trial of inoculation from that dreaded disease--small-pox4 ,we were all on tip-toe to welcome our friends1 and especially our uncle1 who from time to time had supplied us with many rare books1 so that we had now quite a valuable library of our own4 ,all our own family of children were at the same time put into the hospital4 ,i shall never forget ,o dear1 ,o dear1 ,i have got the symptoms1 ,i have got the symptoms6 that went around among us children4 ,i cannot but take occasion to offer a grateful tribute of thankfulness that we are not now required by law1 as then1 to subject our children to such an ordeal and to such strict regimen4 ,who ever after entirely recovered from a dread of hasty pudding and molasses without salt8 ,when all was safely over1 and my uncle came to take his family home1 there seemed to have been added a new tie of affection by this recent intimacy1 and it was agreed that my uncle's eldest son1 a year or two older than myself1 should remain1 and for one year recite to my father1 and that ,i should spend that time in my uncle's family1 and become the companion of a cousin three years younger1 who never had a sister4 ,i have often wished that such exchanges might be more frequently made by brothers and sisters and intimate friends4 ,it is certainly a cheap and admirable method of securing to each child those kind and faithful attentions which money will not always command4 ,i needed the polish of city life--the freedom and the restraints imposed in well-disciplined schools1 where personal graces and accomplishments were considered matters of importance as well as furniture for the mind2 while my cousin would be benefited in body and mind by such country rambles1 such fishing and hunting excursions1 such feats of ball-playing1 as city folks know but little about4 ,some fears were expressed lest this boy should lose something by forsaking his well-organized school1 and fall behind his classmates4 ,but ,i have heard that cousin say1 as to literary attainments1 this year was but the beginning of any high intellectual attainments2 for till now he had never learned how to study so that intellectual culture became agreeable to him4 ,and what was gratifying1 it was found on his return home that he was far in advance of his classmates4 ,so needful is it often to have the body invigorated1 and the mind should receive a right bias1 and that such kind of stimulants be applied as my father was able to give to the wakeful1 active mind1 of his aspiring nephew4 ,many times after my return home did my mother bless sister ,n---- for the many useful things she had taught me4 ,my highest ambition had been to iron my uncle's large fine white cravats1 which1 being cut bias1 was no easy attainment for a child4 ,i cannot well describe my astonishment and grief of heart1 on being installed in my new and otherwise happy1 delightful home1 to find wanting a family altar4 ,i had indeed the comfort of knowing that in my own distant home the absent child was never for once forgotten1 when the dear circle gathered for family worship4 ,so certain was the belief which my parents entertained that an indispensable portion was to be obtained for each child in going in unto the ,king of kings1 that in case of a mere temporary sickness1 if at all consistent1 family prayer was had in the room of the invalid4 ,not even a blessing was invoked at the morning meal till every child was found in the right seat4 ,in case of a delinquency1 perhaps not a word of rebuke was uttered1 but that silent1 patient waiting1 was rebuke enough for even the most tardy4 ,it was felt1 ,i believe1 by each member of the family1 that there was meaning in the every-day1 earnest petition1 ,may we all be found actually and habitually ready for death1 our great and last change4 ,my father did not pray as an old lady is said to have done each day1 that ,god would bless her descendants as long as grass should grow or water should run4 ,but there was something in his prayers equivalent to this4 ,he did seldom omit to pray that ,god would bless his children and his children's children to the latest generation4 ,oh how often1 while absent1 did my mind revert to that assembled group at home6 ,nothing1 ,i believe1 serves to bind the hearts of children so closely to their parents and to each other as this taking messages for each other to the court of heaven4 ,never before did ,i realize that each brother and sister were to me a second self4 ,i was a most firm believer in the truth of the ,bible1 and ,i have often thought more inclined to take the greater part as literal than most others4 ,i had often read with fear and trembling the passage1 ,i will pour out my fury upon the heathen1 and upon the families that call not upon my name4 ,to dwell in a ,christian land and be considered no better than heathen--what a dreadful threatening2 a condemnation1 however1 not above the comprehension of a child4 ,here ,i was in such a family1 and here ,i was expected to remain for a full year4 ,i do not recollect to have entertained any fears for my personal safety1 yet every time a thunder-storm seemed to rack the earth1 and as peal after peal with reverberated shocks were re-echoed from one part of the firmament to the other1 ,i was in dread lest some bolt might be sent in fury upon our dwelling on account of such neglect4 ,little did these friends know what thoughts were often passing through my mind as ,i ruminated upon their privileges and their disregard of so plain and positive a duty4 ,i did often long to confide to my aunt1 whom ,i so much venerated1 my thoughts and feelings on religious subjects1 with the same freedom ,i had been encouraged to do to my own dear mother4 ,i can never forget the struggle ,i had on one occasion4 ,a lady came to pass a day in the family4 ,the conversation happened to turn upon the importance and efficacy of prayer4 ,here now1 ,i thought1 is an opportunity ,i may never have again to express an opinion on a subject ,i had thought so much about2 and summoning to my aid all the resolution ,i could1 ,i ventured to remark1 the ,bible says1 'the effectual and fervent prayer of the righteous prevaileth much4' ,i saw a smile pass over the radiant and beautiful countenance of my aunt1 and ,i instantly conjectured that ,i had misquoted the passage4 ,for a long time1 as ,i had opportunity1 ,i turned over the pages of my ,bible1 before ,i could detect my mistake4 ,i cannot say how long a period elapsed1 after ,i left this pleasant family1 before the family-altar was erected1 but ,i believe not a very long period4 ,one thing ,i am grateful to record1 that when my aunt died at middle age1 all with her was peace1 peace1 sweet peace4 ,and my venerated uncle recently fell asleep in ,jesus1 at the advanced age of more than fourscore years1 like a shock of corn fully ripe4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,intellectual ,,power ,,of ,,woman4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,s4 ,w4 ,,fisher4 ,there has been a long-standing dispute respecting the intellectual powers of the two sexes1 and the consequent style of education suitable to each4 ,happily1 the truth on this subject may be fully spoken1 without obliging me to exalt the father at the expense of the mother1 or ennoble man by denying the essential equality of woman4 ,it is among the things settled by experience1 that1 equal or not equal in talents1 woman1 the moment she escapes from the despotism of brute force1 and is suffered to unfold and exercise her powers in her own legitimate sphere1 shares with man the sceptre of influence2 and without presuming to wrest from him a visible authority1 by the mere force of her gentle nature silently directs that authority1 and so rules the world4 ,she may not debate in the senate or preside at the bar--she may not read philosophy in the university or preach in the sanctuary--she may not direct the national councils or lead armies to battle2 but there is a style of influence resulting from her peculiar nature which constitutes her power and gives it greatness4 ,as the sexes were designed to fill different positions in the economy of life1 it would not be in harmony with the manifestations of divine wisdom in all things else to suppose that the powers of each were not peculiarly fitted for their own appropriate sphere4 ,woman gains nothing--she always loses when she leaves her own sphere for that of man4 ,when she forsakes the household and the gentler duties of domestic life for the labors of the field1 the pulpit1 the rostrum1 the court-room1 she always descends from her own bright station1 and invariably fails to ascend that of man4 ,she falls between the two2 and the world gazes at her as not exactly a woman1 not quite a man1 perplexed in what category of natural history to classify her4 ,this remark holds specially true as you ascend from savage to refined society1 where the rights and duties of women have been most fully recognized and most accurately defined4 ,mind is not to be weighed in scales4 ,it must be judged by its uses and its influence4 ,and who that compasses the peculiar purpose of woman's life2 who that understands the meaning of those good old ,saxon words1 mother1 sister1 wife1 daughter2 who that estimates aright the duties they involve1 the influences they embody in giving character to all of human kind1 will hesitate to place her intellect1 with its quickness1 delicacy and persuasiveness1 as high in the scale of power as that of the father1 husband and son8 ,if we estimate her mind by its actual power of influence when she is permitted to fill to the best advantage her circle of action1 we shall find a capacity for education equal to that of him who1 merely in reference to the temporary relations of society1 has been constituted her lord4 ,if you look up into yonder firmament with your naked eye1 the astronomer will point you to a star which shines down upon you single in rays of pure liquid light4 ,but if you will ascend yon eminence and direct towards it that magnificent instrument which modern science has brought to such perfection of power1 the same star will suddenly resolve itself into two beautiful luminaries1 equal in brilliancy1 equal in all stellar excellence1 emitting rays of different and intensely vivid hues1 yet so exactly correspondent to each other1 and so embracing each other1 and so mingling their various colors as to pour upon the unaided vision the pure1 sparkling light of a single orb4 ,so is it with man and woman4 ,created twofold1 equal in all human attributes1 excellence and influence1 different but correspondent1 to the eye of ,jehovah the harmony of their union in life is perfect1 and as one complete being that life streams forth in rays of light and influence upon society4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,lesson ,,for ,,husbands ,,and ,,wives4 ,the following letter1 addressed to a mutual friend1 we rescue from oblivion1 containing as it does a lesson for husbands and wives1 and most gracefully conveyed4 ,we shall certainly be pardoned if we take a more than ordinary interest to preserve a memento of that hanging garden1 as for months it was as fully seen from our own window as from that of the writer1 though a little more remote1 yet near enough to feast our eyes1 and by its morning fragrance to cause our hearts to render more grateful incense to ,him who clothes the lily with such beauty1 and gives to the rose its sweet perfume4 ,it is a sad pity that there are not more young wives1 who1 like the writer of the following letter1 are ready to strive by their overflowing love1 their gentleness and forbearance1 to win their husbands to love and good works4 ,perhaps some good divine who may perchance read this article will tell us whether the ,apostle ,peter1 when he said1 ,for what knowest thou1 ,o wife1 whether thou shalt save thy husband8 did not by this language mean to convey the idea of a promise that if the wife did conduct herself towards her husband on strictly ,gospel principles1 she would be the honored instrument of saving his soul8 ,i would like to tell you how my husband and ,i amuse ourselves1 and contrive to have all we want4 ,you will see that we illustrate the old saying1 that 'where there is a will1 there is a way1' and that some people can do things as well as others4 ,we both love flowers extremely1 but we neither own nor control a foot of ground2 still1 we have this summer cultivated and enjoyed the perpetual bloom of more than a hundred varieties4 ,you will wonder how this is done when you know that we are at board1 and our entire apartments consist of a parlor and dormitory--both upon the second floor4 ,very fortunately our windows open upon a roof which shelters a lower piazza1 and this roof we make our balcony4 ,last ,may we placed here eight very large pots of rich earth1 which we filled with such seeds and plants as suited our fancy4 ,now1 while ,i sit writing1 my windows are shaded with the scarlet runner1 morning glory1 ,madeira and cypress vines1 so that ,i need no other curtains4 ,then1 on a level with my eye1 is one mass of pink and green--brilliant verbenas1 petimas1 roses and oleanders seem really to glow in the morning light4 ,flowers in the city are more than beautiful1 for the language they speak is so different from everything about them4 ,their lives are so lovely1 returning to the culturer such wealth of beauty--and then their odors seem to me instead of voices4 ,often1 when ,i am reading1 and forget for a time my sweet companions1 the fragrance of a heliotrope or a jessamine greets me1 causing a sense of delight1 as if a beautiful voice had whispered to me1 or some sweet spirit kissed me4 ,with this presence of beauty and purity around me1 ,i cannot feel loneliness or discontent4 ,our flowers are so near to us we have become really intimate with them4 ,we know all their habits1 and every insect that harms them4 ,i love to see the tender tendril of a vine stretch for the string that is fastened at a little distance for its support1 and then wind about it so gladly4 ,every morning it is a new excitement to see long festoons of our green curtains1 variegated with trumpet-shaped morning-glories1 looking towards the sun1 and mingled with them the scarlet star of the cypress vine4 ,when my husband comes home wearied and disgusted with ,wall-street1 it refreshes his body and soul to look into our hanging garden1 and note new beauties the day has developed4 ,i trust the time and affection we thus spend are not wasted1 for ,i believe the sentiment of ,coleridge's lines-- ',he prayeth best who loveth best ,all things1 both great and small ,for the dear ,god who loveth us1 ,he made and loveth all4' ,but there is one circumstance that makes this garden precious1 which ,i have yet to tell you1 and you will agree with me that it is the best part of it4 ,when we were married1 my husband was in the habit of drinking a glass of beer daily4 ,i did not approve of it1 and used to fancy he was apathetic and less agreeable afterwards2 but as he was so fond of it1 ,i made up my mind not to disagree upon the subject4 ,last spring1 when we wished some flowers1 we hesitated on account of the expense1 for we endeavor to be economical1 as all young married people should4 ,then my husband very nobly said that though one glass of beer cost but little1 a week's beer amounted to considerable1 and he would discontinue the habit1 and appropriate the old beer expenditure upon flowers4 ,he has faithfully kept his proposal1 and often as we sit by our window1 he points to the blooming balcony1 saying1 ',there is my summer's beer4' ,the consequence of this sacrifice is that ,i am a grateful and contented wife2 and ,i do assure you 7,i being judge7 that since beer is turned into flowers1 my husband is the most agreeable of mankind4 ,yours very truly4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,never ,,faint ,,in ,,prayer4 ,men ought always to pray and not to faint4 ,so important is a spirit of prayer to mothers who are bearing the heat and burden of the day1 that we give for their encouragement a few devout meditations by ,rev4 ,w4 ,mason1 on the above passage4 ,and though penned towards the close of the last century1 they have lost none of their freshness or fragrance4 ,christ opposes praying to fainting1 for fainting prevents praying4 ,have you not found it so8 ,when weary and faint in your mind1 when your spirits are oppressed1 your frame low and languid1 you have thought this is not a time for prayer2 yea1 but it is3 pray always4 ,now is the time to sigh out the burden of your heart and the sorrows of your spirit4 ,now1 though in broken accents1 breathe your complaints into your ,father's ear1 whose love and care over you is that of a tender and affectionate father4 ,what makes you faint8 ,do troubles and afflictions8 ,here is a reviving cordial4 ,call upon me in the day of trouble1 ,i will deliver thee1 and thou shalt glorify me4 ,ps4 #ej3ae4 ,does a body of sin and death8 ,here is a supporting promise4 ,whosoever shall call upon the name of the ,lord ,jesus shall be saved4 ,rom4 #aj3ac4 ,do we faint because we have called and prayed again and again to the ,lord against any besetting sin1 prevailing temptation1 rebellious lust1 or evil temper1 and yet the ,lord has not given us victory over it8 ,still1 says the ,lord1 pray always--persevere1 be importunate1 faint not2 remember that blessed word1 my time is not yet come1 but your time is always ready4 ,john #g3f4 ,watch and pray1 lest ye enter into temptation4 ,matt4 #bf3da4 ,note the difference between being tempted and entering into temptation4 ,perhaps you think your prayers are irksome to ,god1 and therefore you are ready to faint and to give over praying8 ,look at ,david2 he begins to pray in a very heartless1 hopeless way1 ,how long wilt thou forget me1 ,o ,lord1 forever8 but see how he concludes2 he breaks out in full vigor of soul1 ,i will sing unto the ,lord1 because he hath dealt bountifully with me4 ,ps4 #ac3f4 ,above all1 look to ,jesus1 who ever lives to pray for you2 look for his spirit to help your infirmities4 ,rom4 #h3bf4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,hannah4 ,imagination can picture no more animating scenes than those which were presented to the beholder at the seasons of the year when ,judea poured forth her inhabitants in crowds to attend the solemn festivals appointed by ,jehovah1 and observed with punctilious exactness by the people4 ,our present study leads us to contemplate one of these scenes4 ,from some remote town on the borders of ,gentile territory the onward movement commences4 ,a few families having finished all their preparations1 close the door of their simple home1 and with glowing faces and hopeful steps begin their march4 ,they are soon joined by others1 and again by new reinforcements4 ,every town1 as they pass1 replenishes their ranks1 until1 as they approach ,shiloh1 they are increased to a mighty multitude4 ,it is a time of joy4 ,songs and shouts rend the air1 and unwonted gladness reigns4 ,all ages and conditions are here1 and every variety of human form and face4 ,let us draw near to one family group4 ,there is something more than ordinarily interesting in their appearance4 ,the father has a noble mien as he walks on1 conversing gaily with his children1 answering their eager questions1 and pointing out the objects of deepest import to a ,jew as they draw near the ,tabernacle4 ,the children are light-hearted and gay1 but the mother's countenance does not please us4 ,we feel instinctively that she is not worthy of her husband2 and especially is there an expression wholly incongruous with this hour of harmony and rejoicing4 ,while we look1 she lingers behind her family1 and speaks to one1 who1 with slow step and downcast looks1 walks meekly on1 and seems as if she pondered some deep grief4 ,will she whisper a word of comfort in the ear of the sorrowful8 ,ah1 no4 ,a mocking smile is on her lips1 which utter taunting words1 and she glances maliciously round1 winking to her neighbors to notice how she can humble the spirit of one who is less favored than herself4 ,what would you give now to see a son of yours holding the father's hand1 or a daughter tripping gladly along by his side8 ,where are your children1 ,hannah8 ,you surely could not have left them behind to miss all this pleasure8 ,perhaps they have strayed among the company8 ,would it not be well to summon them1 that they may hear the father's instructions1 and join in the song which we shall all sing as we draw near to ,shiloh8 ,cruel words6 and they do their work4 ,like barbed arrows1 they stick fast in the sore heart of this injured one4 ,her head sinks1 but she utters no reply4 ,she only draws nearer to her husband1 and walks more closely in his footsteps4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the night has passed1 and a cloudless sun looks down on the assembled thousands of ,israel4 ,elkanah has presented his offering at the ,tabernacle1 and has now gathered his family to the feast in the tent4 ,as is his wont1 he gives to each a portion1 and hilarity presides at the board4 ,the animated scene around them--the white tents stretching as far as the eye can reach--the sound of innumerable voices--the meeting with friends--all conspire to make every heart overflow1 and the well-spread table invites to new expressions of satisfaction and delight4 ,but here1 also1 as on the journey1 one heart is sad4 ,at ,elkanah's right hand sits ,hannah1 her plate filled by the hand of love with a worthy portion2 but it stands untasted before her4 ,her husband is troubled4 ,he has watched her struggles for self-control1 and seen her vain endeavors to eat and be happy like those around her2 and1 divining in part the cause of her sorrow1 he tenderly strives to comfort her4 ,hannah1 why weepest thou8 and why eatest thou not8 and why is thy heart grieved8 ,am ,i not better to thee than ten sons8 ,that voice of sympathy and compassion is too much4 ,she rises and leaves the tent to calm in solitude1 as best she may1 her bosom's strife4 ,why must she be thus afflicted8 ,severe1 indeed1 and bitter are the elements which are mingled in her cup4 ,jehovah has judged her4 ,she has been taught to believe that those who are childless are so because of ,his just displeasure4 ,her fellow-creatures also despise her2 her neighbors look suspiciously upon her4 ,wherefore should it be thus8 ,she wanders slowly1 and with breaking heart1 towards the ,tabernacle4 ,the aged ,eli sits by one of the posts of the door as she enters the sacred inclosure1 but she heeds him not4 ,she withdraws to a quiet spot1 and finds at last a refuge4 ,she kneels1 and the long pent-up sorrow has now its way2 she pours out her soul before the ,lord4 ,happy1 though sorrowful1 ,hannah6 ,she has learned one lesson of which the prosperous know nothing2 she has learned to confide in her ,maker1 as she could in no other friend4 ,it were useless to go to her husband with the oft-told trouble4 ,he is ever fond and kind2 but though she is childless1 he is not1 and he cannot appreciate the extent of her grief4 ,all that human sympathy can do1 he will do1 but human sympathy cannot be perfect4 ,it were worse than useless to tell him of ,peninnah's taunts and reproaches4 ,it would be wicked1 and bring upon her ,heaven's just wrath1 if she did aught to mar the peace of a happy family4 ,no2 there is no earthly ear into which she can pour out her soul4 ,but here her tears may flow unrestrained1 and she need leave nothing unsaid4 ,o ,thou who hidest the sorrowing soul under the shadow of thy wings--who art witness to the tears which must be hidden from all other eyes--who dost listen patiently to the sighs and groans which can be breathed in no other presence--to whom are freely told the griefs which the dearest earthly friend cannot comprehend1--,thou who upbraidest not--who understandest and dost appreciate perfectly the woes under which the stricken soul sways like a reed in the tempest1 and whose infinite love and sympathy reaches to the deepest recesses of the heart--unto whom none ever appealed in vain--,god of all grace and consolation1 blessed are they who put their trust in thee4 ,long and earnest is ,hannah's communion with her ,god2 and as she pleads her cause with humility1 and penitence1 and love1 she feels her burdened heart grow lighter4 ,hope springs up where was only despair1 and a new life spreads itself before her2 even the hard thoughts which she had harbored towards ,peninnah had melted as she knelt in that holy presence4 ,the love of the ,eternal has bathed her spirit in its blessed flood1 and grief1 and selfishness1 and envy have alike been washed away4 ,strengthened with might by the spirit of the ,lord1 she puts forth a vigorous faith2 and taking hold on the covenant faithfulness of ,jehovah1 she makes a solemn vow4 ,the turmoil within is hushed4 ,she rises and goes forth like one who is prepared for any trial--who is endued with strength by a mighty though unseen power1 and sustained by a love which has none of the imperfect and unsatisfying elements that must always mingle with the purest earthly affection4 ,meek1 confiding1 and gentle as ever1 she is yet not the same4 ,she meets reproach even from the ,high ,priest himself with calmness4 ,she returns to her husband and his family no longer shrinking and bowed down3 she eats1 and her countenance is no more sad4 ,another morning dawns4 ,hannah1 has obtained her husband's sanction to the vow which she made in her anguish4 ,elkanah and his household rise early and worship before the ,lord1 and return to their house in ,ramah4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a year passes1 another and another1 but ,hannah is not found among the multitude going up to ,shiloh4 ,has she1 the pious and devoted one1 become indifferent to the service of ,jehovah1 or have the reproaches and taunts of ,peninnah become too intolerable in the presence of her neighbors1 so that she remains at home for peace8 ,no4 ,reproach will harm her no longer4 ,as the company departs1 she stands with smiling countenance looking upon their preparations1 and in her arms a fair son2 and her parting words to her husband are--,i will not go up until the child be weaned1 and then ,i will bring him1 that he may appear before the ,lord1 and there abide forever4 99 99 99 99 99 ,will she really leave him8 ,will she consent to part from her treasure and joy--her only one8 ,what a blessing he has been to her6 ,seven years of peace and overflowing happiness has that little one purchased for her burdened and distracted spirit4 ,can she return to ,ramah without him1 to solitude and loneliness1 uncheered by his winning ways and childish prattle8 ,surely this is a sorrow which will wring her heart1 as never before4 ,not so4 ,there she stands again on the spot where she once knelt and wept and vowed1 but no tears fall now from her eyes--no grief is in her tones4 ,she has come to fulfill her vow1 to lend her son to the ,lord as long as he liveth4 ,again she prays as she is about parting from him4 ,what a prayer6--a song of exultation rather4 ,listen to its sublime import4 ,my heart rejoiceth in the ,lord2 mine horn is exalted in the ,lord4 ,how did we wrong thee1 ,hannah6 ,we said thy son had purchased peace and joy for thee4 ,our low1 selfish1 doting hearts had not soared to the heights of thy lofty devotion4 ,we deemed thee such an one as ourselves4 ,in the gift1 truly thou hast found comfort2 but the ,giver is ,he in whom thou hast delighted1 and therefore thou canst so readily restore what he lent thee1 on the conditions of thy vow4 ,the ,lord thy ,god has been1 and is still to be1 thy portion1 and thou fearest not to leave thy precious one in ,his house4 ,we thought to hear a wail from thee1 but we were among the foolish4 ,thy soul is filled with the beauty and glory of the ,lord1 and thou hast not a word of sadness now4 ,thou leavest thy lamb among wolves--thy consecrated one with the sons of ,belial--yet thou tremblest not4 ,who shall guide his childish feet in wisdom's ways when thou art far away8 ,what hinders that he shall look on vice till it become familiar1 and he be even like those around him8 ,the old man is no fit protector for him4 ,does not thy heart fear8 ,oh1 woman1 great is thy faith6 ,come hither1 ye who would learn a lesson of wisdom2 ponder this record of the sacred word4 ,hannah returned to ,ramah4 ,she became the mother of sons and daughters2 and yearly as she went with her husband to ,shiloh1 she carried to her first-born a coat wrought by maternal love1 and rejoiced to see him growing before the ,lord4 ,how long she did this1 we are not told4 ,we have searched in vain for a word or hint that she lived to see the excellence and greatness of the son whom she asked of ,god4 ,the only clew which we can find is1 that ,samuel's house was in ,ramah1 the house of his parents2 and we wish to think he lived there to be with them2 and we hope his mother's eyes looked on the altar which he built there unto the ,lord1 and that her heart was gladdened by witnessing the proofs of his wisdom and grace1 and the favor with which the ,almighty regarded him4 ,but though we know little of ,hannah--she being many thousand years dead1 yet speaketh4--,come hither1 ye who are tempest-tossed on a sea of vexations4 ,learn from her how to gain the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit4 ,come ye who feel that ,god hath judged you1 and that you suffer affliction from his displeasure4 ,learn that you should draw nearer to him1 instead of departing from him4 ,come with ,hannah to his very courts4 ,pour out your soul before ,him2 keep back none of your griefs2 confess your sins2 offer your vows2 multiply your prayers2 rise not till you also can go forth with a countenance no more sad4 ,he is the same yesterday1 to-day1 and forever4 ,come hither1 ye who long to know how your children may assuredly be the ,lord's4 ,strive to enter into the spirit of ,hannah's vow1 remembering1 meantime1 all it implied as she afterwards fulfilled it4 ,appreciate1 if you can1 her love and devotion to her ,god2 and when you can so entirely consecrate your all to ,him1 be assured he will care for what is ,his own1 and none shall be able to pluck it out of his hand4 ,come hither1 ye who are called to part with your treasures2 listen to ,hannah's song as she gives up her only son1 to call him hers no more--listen till you feel your heart joining also in the lofty anthem1 and you forget all selfish grief1 as she did1 in the contemplation of ,his glories who is the portion of the soul4 ,my heart rejoiceth in the ,lord4 ,alas6 alas6 how does even the ,christian heart1 which has professed to be satisfied with ,god1 and content with his holy will1 often depart from him1 and provoke him to jealousy with many idols6 ,inordinate affection for some earthly object absorbs the soul which vowed to love him supremely4 ,in its undisguised excess1 it says to the beloved object1 ,give me your heart2 ,jehovah must be your salvation1 but let me be your happiness4 ,a portion of your time1 your attention1 your service1 ,he must have2 but your daily1 hourly thoughts1 your dreams1 your feelings1 let them all be of me--of mine4 ,oh for such a love as she possessed6 ,we should not then love our children less1 but more1 far more than now1 and with a better1 happier love--a love from which all needless anxiety would flee--a perfect love1 casting out fear4 ,ye who feel that death to your loved ones would not so distress you as the fear of leaving them among baleful influences--who tremble in view of the evil that is in the world1 remember where ,hannah left1 apparently without a misgiving1 her gentle child4 ,with ,eli1--who could not even train his own sons in the fear of the ,lord--with those sons who made themselves vile1 and caused ,israel to transgress1--she left him with the ,lord4 ,go ye and do likewise1 and remember1 also1 ,he is the ,god of the whole earth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,opening ,,the ,,gate4 ,i lately met with an account of a youth1 under the above title1 which contains a volume of instruction4 ,it is from a southern paper1 and while particularly designed for a latitude where servants abound1 it contains hints which may prove highly useful to lads in communities where servants are less numerous3 ',i wish that you would send a servant to open the gate for me1' said a well-grown boy of ten to his mother1 as he paused with his satchel upon his back1 before the gate1 and surveyed its clasped fastening4 ',why1 ,john1 can't you open the gate for yourself8' said ,mrs4 ,easy4 ',a boy of your age and strength ought certainly to be able to do that4' ',i could do it1 ,i suppose1' said the child1 'but it's heavy1 and ,i don't like the trouble4 ,the servant can open it for me just as well4 ,pray1 what is the use of having servants if they are not to wait upon us8' ,the servant was sent to open the gate4 ,the boy passed out1 and went whistling on his way to school4 ,when he reached his seat in the academy1 he drew from his satchel his arithmetic and began to inspect his sums4 ',i cannot do these1' he whispered to his seat-mate2 they are too hard4' ',but you can try1' replied his companion4 ',i know that ,i can1' said ,john1 'but it's too much trouble4 ,pray1 what are teachers for if not to help us out of difficulties8 ,i shall carry my slate to ,prof4 ,helpwell4 ,alas6 poor ,john4 ,he had come to another closed gate--a gate leading into a beautiful and boundless science1 'the laws of which are the modes in which ,god acts in sustaining all the works of ,his hands'--the science of mathematics4 ,he could have opened the gate and entered in alone and explored the riches of the realm1 but his mother had injudiciously let him rest with the idea1 that it is as well to have gates opened for us1 as to exert our own strength4 ,the result was1 that her son1 like the young hopeful sent to ,mr4 ,wiseman1 soon concluded that he had no 'genius' for mathematics1 and threw up the study4 ,the same was true of ,latin4 ,he could have learned the declensions of the nouns and the conjugation of the verbs as well as other boys of his age2 but his seat-mate very kindly volunteered to 'tell him in class1' and what was the use in opening the gate into the ,latin language1 when another would do it for him8 ,oh1 no6 ,john ,easy had no idea of tasking mental or physical strength when he could avoid it1 and the consequence was1 that numerous gates remained closed to him all the days of his life--gates of honor--gates to riches--gates to happiness4 ,children ought to be early taught that it is always best to help themselves4 ,this is the true secret of making a man4 ,what would ,columbus1 or ,washington and ,franklin1 or ,webster and ,clay1 have accomplished had they proceeded on the principle of ,john ,easy8 ,no youth can rationally hope to attain to eminence in any thing who is not ready to open the gate for himself4 ,and then1 poor ,mrs4 ,easy1 how she did misjudge6 ,better for her son1 had she dismissed her servants--or rather had she directed them to some more appropriate service1 and let ,master ,john have remained at the gate day and night for a month1 unless willing1 before the expiration of that time1 to have opened it for himself1 and by his own strength4 ,parents in their well-meant kindness1 or1 perhaps1 it were better named1 thoughtless indulgence1 often repress energies which1 if their children were compelled to put forth1 would result in benefits of the most important character4 ,it is1 indeed1 painful to see boys1 as we sometimes see them1 struggling against wind and tide2 but watch such boys--follow them--see how they put forth strength as it accumulates--apply energies as they increase--make use of new expedients as they need them1 and by-and-by where are they8 ,indeed1 now and then they are obliged to lift at the gate pretty lustily to get it open2 now and then they are obliged to turn a pretty sharp corner1 and1 perhaps1 lose a little skin from a shin-bone or a knuckle-joint1 but1 at length1 where are they8 ,why1 you see them sitting in the gate--a scriptural phrase for the post of honor4 ,who is that judge who so adorns the bench8 ,my ,lord ,mansfield1 or ,sir ,matthew ,hale1 or ,chief ,justice ,marshall8 ,why1 and from what condition1 has he reached his eminence8 ,that was a boy who some years since was an active1 persevering little fellow round the streets1 the son of the poor widow1 who lives under the hill4 ,she was poor1 but she had the faculty of infusing her own energy into her boy1 ,matthew or ,tommy2 and now he has grown to be one of the eminent men of the country4 ,yes2 and ,i recollect there was now and then to be seen with ,tommy1 when he had occasionally a half hour of leisure--but that was not often--there was one ,john ,easy1 whose mother always kept a servant to wait upon him1 to open and shut the gate for him1 and almost to help him breathe4 ,well1 and where is ,john ,easy8 ,why there he is1 this moment1 a poor1 shiftless1 penniless being1 who never loved to open the gate for himself1 and now nobody ever desires to open a gate to him4 ,and the reason for all this difference is the different manner in which these boys were trained in their early days4 ,train up a child1 says the good book1 in the way he should go1 and when he is old he will not depart from it4 ,analyze the direction1 and see how it reads4 ,train up a child--what8 ,why train him--i4e41 educate him1 discipline him4 ,whom did you say8 ,a child4 ,take him early1 in the morning of life1 before bad habits1 indolent habits1 vicious habits are formed4 ,it is easy to bend the sapling1 but difficult to bend the grown tree4 ,you said train a child1 did you8 ,yes4 ,but how8 ,why1 in the way in which he ought to go--i4e41 in some useful employment--in the exercise of good moral affections--pious duties towards ,god1 and benevolent actions towards his parents1 brothers1 companions4 ,thus train him--a child--and what then--what result may you anticipate8 ,why1 the royal preacher says that when he is old--of course1 then1 during youth1 manhood1 into old age1 through life he means1 as long as he lives he will not--what8 ,he will not depart from it1 he will neither go back1 nor go zig-zag1 but forward1 in that way in which he ought to walk1 as a moral and accountable being of ,god1 and a member of society1 bound to do all the good he can4 ,and thus he will come under the conditions of a just or honest man1 of whom another ,scripture says1 ,his path is as the shining light1 which shineth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day4 ,the perfect day6 ,but when is that8 ,why in it may mean the day when ,god will openly acknowledge all the really good as his sons and daughters4 ,but ,i love to take it in more enlarged sense--,i take the perfect day to be when the good will be as perfect as they can be2 but as that will not be to the end of eternity1 those who are trained up in the way they should go1 will probably continue to walk in it till the absolutely perfect day comes which will never come1 for the good are going to grow better and better as long as eternity lasts4 ,so much for setting out right with your children1 parents6--bringing them up right--and this involves1 among other things1 teaching them to open the gate for themselves and similar sorts of things4 ,,gratis4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,female ,,education4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,,samuel ,w4 ,,fisher4 ,the nature of female education1 its influence1 its field of action1 comprehending a wide range of the noblest topics1 render it utterly impossible to do justice to the entire theme in the brief limits here assigned to it4 ,indeed it seems almost a superfluous effort1 were it not expected1 nay1 demanded1 to discuss the subject of education in a work like this4 ,thanks to our ,father in ,heaven1 who1 in the crowning work of his creation1 gave woman to man1 made weakness her strength1 modesty her citadel1 grace and gentleness her attributes1 affection her dower1 and the heart of man her throne4 ,with her1 toil rises into pleasure1 joy fills the breast with a larger benediction1 and sorrow1 losing half its bitterness1 is transmitted into an element of power1 a discipline of goodness4 ,even in the coarsest life1 and the most depressing circumstances1 woman hath this power of hallowing all things with the sunshine of her presence4 ,but never does it unfold itself so finely as when education1 instinct with religion1 has accomplished its most successful work4 ,it is only then that she reveals all her varied excellence1 and develops her high capacities4 ,it only unfolds powers that were latent1 or develops those in harmony and beauty which otherwise would push themselves forth in shapes grotesque1 gnarled and distorted4 ,god creates the material1 and impresses upon it his own laws4 ,man1 in education1 simply seeks to give those laws scope for action4 ,the uneducated person1 by a favorite figure of the old classic writers1 has often been compared to the rough marble in the quarry2 the educated to that marble chiselled by the hand of a ,phidias into forms of beauty and pillars of strength4 ,but the analogy holds good in only a single point4 ,as the chisel reveals the form which the marble may be made to assume1 so education unfolds the innate capacities of men4 ,in all things else how poor the comparison6 how faint the analogy6 ,in the one case you have an aggregation of particles crystallized into shape1 without organism1 life or motion4 ,in the other1 you have life1 growth1 expansion4 ,in the first you have a mass of limestone1 neither more nor less than insensate matter1 utterly incapable of any alteration from within itself4 ,in the second1 you have a living body1 a mind1 affections instinct with power1 gifted with vitality1 and forming the attributes of a being allied to and only a little lower than the angels4 ,these constitute a life which1 by its inherent force1 must grow and unfold itself by a law of its own1 whether you educate it or not4 ,some development it will make1 some form it will assume by its own irrepressible and spontaneous action4 ,the question1 with us1 is rather what that form shall be2 whether it shall wear the visible robes of an immortal with a countenance glowing with the intelligence and pure affection of cherub and seraph1 or through the rags and sensual impress of an earthly1 send forth only occasional gleams of its higher nature4 ,the great work of education is to stimulate and direct this native power of growth4 ,god and the subject1 co-working1 effect all the rest4 ,in the wide sense in which it is proposed to consider the subject of education1 three things are pre-supposed--personal talents1 personal application1 and the divine blessing4 ,without capacities to be developed1 or with very inferior capacities1 education is either wholly useless1 or only partially successful4 ,as it has no absolute creative power1 and is utterly unable to add a single faculty to the mind1 so the first condition of its success is the capacity for improvement in the subject4 ,an idiot may be slightly affected by it1 but the feebleness of his original powers forbids the noblest result of education4 ,it teaches men how most successfully to use their own native force1 and by exercise to increase it1 but in no case can it supply the absence of that force4 ,it is not its province to inspire genius1 since that is the breath of ,god in the soul1 bestowed as seemeth to him good1 and at the disposal of no finite power4 ,it is enough if it unfold and discipline1 and guide genius in its mission to the world4 ,we are not to demand that it shall make of every man a ,newton1 a ,milton1 a ,hall1 a ,chalmers1 a ,mason1 a ,washington2 or of every woman a ,sappho1 a ,de ,stael1 a ,roland1 a ,hemans4 ,the supposition that all intellects are originally equal1 however flattering to our pride1 is no less prejudicial to the cause of education than false in fact4 ,it throws upon teachers the responsibility of developing talents that have scarcely an existence1 and securing attainments within the range of only the very finest powers1 during the period usually assigned to this work4 ,to the ignorant it misrepresents and dishonors education1 when it presents for their judgment a very inferior intellect1 which all the training of the schools has not inspired with power1 as a specimen of the result of liberal pursuits4 ,such an intellect can never stand up beside an active though untutored mind--untutored in the schools1 yet disciplined by the necessities around it4 ,it is only in the comparison of minds of equal original power1 but of different and unequal mental discipline1 that the result of a thorough education reveal themselves most strikingly4 ,the genius that1 partially educated1 makes a fine bar-room politician1 a good county judge1 a respectable member of the lower house in our ,state ,legislature1 or an expert mechanic and shrewd farmer1 when developed by study and adorned with learning1 rises to the foremost rank of men4 ,great original talents will usually give indication of their presence amidst the most depressing circumstances4 ,but when a mind of this stamp has been allowed to unfold itself under the genial influence of large educational advantages1 how will it grow in power1 outstripping the multitude1 as some majestic tree1 rooted in a soil of peculiar richness rises above and spreads itself abroad over the surrounding forest8 ,our inquiry1 however1 at present1 is not exclusively respecting individuals thus highly gifted4 ,geniuses are rare in our world2 sent occasionally to break up the monotony of life1 impart new impulses to a generation1 like comets blazing along the sky1 startle the dosing mind1 no longer on the stretch to enlarge the boundaries of human knowledge1 and rouse men to gaze on visions of excellence yet unreached4 ,happily1 the mass of mankind are not of this style of mind4 ,uniting by the process of education the powers which ,god has conferred upon them1 with those of a more brilliant order which are occasionally given to a few1 the advancement of the world in all things essential to its refinement1 and purity1 and exaltation1 is probably as rapid and sure as it would be under a different constitution of things4 ,were all equally elevated1 it might still be necessary for some to tower above the rest1 and by the sense of inequality move the multitude to nobler aspirations4 ,but while it is not permitted of ,god that all men should actually rise to thrones in the realm of mind1 yet such is the native power of all sane minds1 and such their great capacity of improvement1 that1 made subject to a healthful discipline they may not only qualify us for all the high duties of life on earth1 but go on advancing in an ever-perfecting preparation for the life above4 ,the second thing pre-supposed in education is personal application4 ,there is no thorough education that is not self-education4 ,unlike the statue which can be wrought only from without1 the great work of education is to unfold the life within4 ,this life always involves self-action4 ,the scholar is not merely a passive recipient4 ,he grows into power by an active reception of truth4 ,even when he listens to another's utterances of knowledge1 what vigor of attention and memory are necessary to enable him to make that knowledge his own8 ,but when he attempts himself to master a subject of importance1 when he would rise into the higher region of mathematics1 philosophy1 history1 poetry1 religion1 art2 or even when he would prepare himself for grappling with the great questions of life1 what long processes of thought6 what patient gathering together of materials6 what judgment1 memory1 comparison1 and protracted meditation are essential to complete success8 ,the man who would triumph over obstacles and ascend the heights of excellence in the realm of mind1 must work with the continuous vigor of a steamship on an ocean voyage4 ,day by day the fire must burn1 and the revolve in the calm and in the gale--in the sunshine and the storm4 ,the innate excellency of genius or talents can give no exemption to its possessor from this law of mental growth4 ,an educated mind is neither an aggregation of particles accreted around a center1 as the stones grow1 nor a substance1 which1 placed in a turner's lathe1 comes forth an exquisitely wrought instrument4 ,the mere passing through an academy or college1 is not education4 ,the enjoyment of the largest educational advantages by no means infers the possession of a mind and heart thoroughly educated2 since there is an inner work to be performed by the subject of those advantages before he can lay claim to the possession of a well-disciplined and richly-stored intellect and affections4 ,the phrase1 self-made men is often so used as to convey the idea that the persons who have enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education1 are rather made by their instructors4 ,the supposition is in part unjust4 ,the outward means of education stimulate the mind1 and thus assist the process of development2 but it is absolutely essential to all growth in mental or moral excellence1 that the person himself should be enlisted vigorously in the work4 ,he must work as earnestly as the man destitute of his faculties4 ,the difference between the two consists not in the fact that one walks and the other rides1 but that the one is obliged to take a longer road to reach the same point4 ,teachers1 books1 recitations and lectures facilitate our course1 direct us how most advantageously to study1 point out the shortest path to the end we seek1 and tend to rouse the soul to the putting forth of its powers2 but neither of these can take the place of1 or forestall intense personal application4 ,the man without instructors1 like a traveler without guide-boards1 must take many a useless step1 and often retrace his way4 ,he may1 after this experimental traveling1 at length reach the same point with the person who has enjoyed superior literary aids1 but it will cost the waste of many a precious hour1 which might have been spent in enlarging the sphere of his vision and perfecting the symmetry of his intellectual powers4 ,in cases of large attainments and ripe character1 in either sex1 the process of growth is laborious4 ,thinking is hard work4 ,all things most excellent are the fruits of slow1 patient working4 ,the trees grow slowly1 grain by grain2 the planets creep round their orbits1 inch by inch2 the river hastens to the ocean by a gentle progress2 the clouds gather the rain-drop from the invisible air1 particle by particle1 and we are not to ask that this immortal mind1 the grandest thing in the world1 shall reach its perfection by a single stride1 or independently of the most early1 profound and protracted self-labor4 ,it is enough for us that1 thankfully accepting the assistance of those who have ascended above us1 we give ourselves to assiduous toil1 until our souls grow up to the stature of perfect men4 ,the third thing pre-supposed in education is the divine benediction4 ,in all spheres of action1 we recognize the over-ruling providence of ,god working without us1 and his ,spirit commissioned to work within us4 ,nor is there any work of mortal life in which we need to allay unto ourselves the wisdom and energy of ,jehovah1 as an essential element of success than is this long process where truth1 affection1 decision1 judgment1 and perseverance in the teacher1 are to win into the paths of self-labor minds of every degree of ability1 and dispositions of every variety4 ,when ,god smiles upon us1 then this grand work of moulding hearts and intellects for their high destiny moves forward without friction1 and the young heart silently and joyously comes forth into the light4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,gleanings ,,by ,,the ,,wayside4 ,no4 #c4 ,a river never rises higher than the source from whence it springs2 so a character is never more elevated and consistent1 in mature life1 than the principles which were adopted in childhood were pure1 reasonable1 and consistent with truth3 so a tree is either good or bad1 and brings forth fruit after its own kind1 though it be ever so stinted4 ,if you find a crab-apple on a tree1 you may be sure that the tree is a crab-tree4 ,so one can predicate a pretty correct opinion of a person1 as to character1 disposition1 and modes of thinking and acting1 from a single isolated remark1 incidentally made1 or an act performed on the spur of the moment4 ,this ,i shall attempt to show by reference to two occurrences which took place in the case of a young husband and wife4 ,joseph1 the father of a young child1 one day brought home ,abbott's ,mother at ,home1 remarking to his wife1 as he presented it1 ,louise1 ,i have been persuaded to buy this book1 in the hope that it may aid us in the training of our little daughter4 ,her quick and tart reply was--,i don't think ,i shall 'bring up' my child by a book4 ,it may be useful to learn under what peculiar circumstances this young wife and mother had herself been brought up4 ,certainly not1 as a matter of course1 in the country1 where good books are comparatively difficult to be obtained1 and 7though every one has much to do7 are usually highly prized1 and read with avidity4 ,certainly not1 as a matter of course1 where there was a large family of children1 and where all must share every thing in common1 and where each must perform an allotted part in household duties1 perhaps to eke out a scanty salary4 ,not in a farm-house1 where the income will yield but a bare competency for the support of ten or twelve children4 ,if there is a good and wise father and mother at the helm1 it is under such conflicting circumstances that children are usually the most thoroughly and practically taught the great principles which should govern human society4 ,louise was educated under very different circumstances4 ,her father's residence was the great metropolis4 ,he was a very wealthy man1 and he had the means of choosing any mode of education which he might prefer to adopt4 ,the mother of ,louise was said to have been a noble-minded woman1 but always in delicate health4 ,she early dedicated this infant daughter to ,god1 but died while she was quite young4 ,unfortunately1 poor little ,louise was for a few years left to the care of ignorant and selfish relatives1 who intermeddled1 and often in the child's hearing1 with a significant nod of the head1 would utter the piteous inuendo1 ,who knows how soon the poor thing may have a step-mother6 ,from this and similar ill-timed remarks1 poor little ,louise very early fostered an inveterate dislike to her father's ever marrying a second time4 ,but he did soon marry again4 ,instead of at once taking this cruel sliver out of the flesh1 acting on the sublime principle1 ,duty belongs to us2 leave consequences with ,god1 the father of ,louise very injudiciously and selfishly fell in with this child's foolish and wicked notions1 and in order1 as he thought1 to remunerate this darling child for her great trial1 allowed her to live almost entirely abstracted from the family circle4 ,she was allowed to have a room entirely by herself1 which was the largest and best in the house1 and in all respects to maintain a separate interest4 ,no one might interfere with this or that1 for it belonged to ,miss ,louise4 ,her father said1 at any rate1 she should not be annoyed by any participation in the care of the little ones1 as she left no one in doubt of the fact1 that above every thing she disliked children1 and especially the care of them4 ,certainly1 he said1 they should not interfere in any way with her in acquiring a liberal education4 ,and thus she lost the sweet privilege of acting the honorable and useful part usually assigned to an elder daughter1 and an elder sister4 ,to atone for her isolated and unfortunate situation--made unfortunate by the contracted and selfish views of this ill-judging father--her father made another mistake under the circumstances1 for1 instead of sending her to a good select school1 where she would come in contact with children of her own age1 and her intellectual powers might be sharpened by coming in contact with other minds1 he procured for her private teachers1 and she had not even the benefit of a good long walk to and from school in the open air4 ,thus was this mere child1 day after day1 and hour after hour1 confined to the piano1 to her drawing and painting lessons1 and her worsted work4 ,she became a proficient in these external accomplishments1 and was by some considered quite a prodigy--possessing a rare genius1 which often means nothing more nor less than a distorted character4 ,her health for a time was sadly undermined1 and her nervous system was shattered by too close attention to pursuits which imposed too great a tax upon the visual organs1 and too much abstraction from common objects4 ,who would not rather see a young daughter--the merry1 laughing companion of a group of girls--out after wild flowers1 weaving them into garlands to crown the head of some favorite of the party1 making up bouquets as a gift for mamma1 or some favorite aunt--cutting paper into fantastic figures1 and placing them upon the wall to please children1 or dressing a doll for little sister8 ,who would not rather see their young daughter a jumping delicate little romp1 chasing a bird in mirthful glee1 as if she verily thought she could catch it8 ,how could this young wife and mother1 so differently trained1 be expected all at once to judge and act wisely and impartially about the grave matter of infant training--a subject she absolutely knew nothing about1 having never contemplated it8 ,what do parents think1 or expect when their young daughters marry and become parents8 ,do they suppose that some magic spell will come over a girl of eighteen in going through the matrimonial ceremony1 which shall induct her into all the mysteries of housewifery1 and initiate her into the more intricate and important duty of training the infant1 so as to give it a sound mind in a sound body1 so that it shall possess a symmetrical character8 ,the father of ,louise saw too late his mistake in allowing this daughter the great privilege1 as he thought at the time1 of having her own way in every thing4 ,if this were a proper place to give advice to young men on the grave subject of selecting a wife1 we should say1 ,never marry a young lady merely for her showy1 outward accomplishments1 which1 ten chances to one1 have been attained at the expense of more valuable and useful acquirements--perhaps at the sacrifice of the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit1 which is in the sight of ,god of great price4 ,never select for a wife a young lady who dishonors her name and sex by the avowal that she dislikes children2 that she even hates the care of them1 and that she never could find pleasure in household duties4 ,she could never love flowers1 or find satisfaction in cultivating them4 ,a lovely infant is the most beautiful object of all ,god's handy works4 ,flowers are more than beautiful2 they give us lessons of practical wisdom4 ,so the ,savior teaches us4 ,if ,i did not love little children--if ,i did not love flowers--,i would studiously hide the fact1 even from myself1 for then ,i could not respect myself4 ,but to return to the remark which ,louise made to her husband1 when he presented her with that good and useful book--a book which has elicited praise from many able writers1 and called forth the gratitude of many wise and good parents4,d ,this remark was anything rather than a grateful acknowledgment to her husband for his thinking of her when absent2 and it not only evinced a spirit of thoughtlessness and ingratitude to him1 but manifested a remarkable share of self-sufficiency and self-complacency4 ,just so it is with a head of wheat4 ,when it is empty1 it stands perfectly erect1 and looks self-confident2 but as soon as it is filled with the precious grain1 it modestly bends its head1 and waives most gracefully1 as if to welcome every whispering breeze4 ,but was ,louise wanting in affection and care to her own child8 ,no2 not in one sense1 for she was foolishly fond of this little paragon of perfection4 ,she one day said1 boastingly1 ,my child has never been washed but with a fine cambric handkerchief1 which is none too good for her soft flesh4 ,nothing can be too good for this precious darling1 and while ,i live she shall never want for any indulgence ,i can procure for her4 ,it might be said1 too1 that ,louise evinced a fondness for her husband2 and she was proud of the attentions of a youth who was admired for his remarkable polish of manners2 but she certainly had not at this time--whatever she might afterwards acquire--a warm and generous heart1 free from selfish interests1 to bestow upon any object on earth or in heaven4 ,notwithstanding ,joseph's elegant address and appearance1 his character was in one respect vulnerable1 as will be seen from a trivial act which ,i have yet to mention4 ,his mother was an occasional assistant in her son's family4 ,he was her only son4 ,she was in most respects a highly-educated woman1 with no ordinary share of self-possession1 having pleasing manners1 unless it might be said that she evinced a kind of hauteur1 which made her rather feared than loved4 ,but it was apparent to every one that she was selfishly attached to this only son4 ,louise said one day to a friend--,i never had occasion to be jealous of ,joseph's attentions to me1 or of his affection for me1 except when his mother was present4 ,no one could help noticing the greater deference this mother paid to her son1 even when his father was present2 and most fully did this son reciprocate his mother's respectful attachment4 ,this love and reverence for his mother1 on the part of this son1 would have been right and beautiful if it had not been so exclusive4 ,in one of her visits in her son's family1 when she was in feeble health1 this son proposed to his mother1 towards night1 in the presence of ,louise1 but without conferring with her1 that his mother should lodge in his broad bed1 with ,louise1 in their well-heated nursery4 ,to this ,louise objected1 saying she would quickly have a fire made in the spare chamber1 and there would be ample time to have it thoroughly heated2 and if she did not choose to lodge alone1 she would offer her a charming young lady to sleep in the room with her4 ,the choice was again referred by ,joseph to his mother4 ,louise now expostulated with her husband4 ,she said1 as she was not strong1 she needed his assistance a part of the night1 as usual1 in the care of the infant4 ,but still1 without any regard for her feelings and her wishes to the contrary1 ,joseph insisted that his mother should make a choice2 and1 strange to say1 she chose to lodge with ,louise4 ,this unaccountable preference1 unless it was because it was proffered by her son1 it would seem1 must have produced unhappiness and discomfort1 on her part1 on witnessing this daughter the livelong night restlessly turning from side to side1 and her child restless and crying4 ,but not one expression of regret was manifested the next day by either mother or son4 ,the day after the incident referred to above occurred1 a kind friend whispered in ,joseph's ear a truth1 which1 perhaps1 till then had been entirely overlooked by him4 ,this friend reminded him that when he plighted his vows to his young wife at the altar1 he did most solemnly promise1 agreeably to ,god's ordinance1 that he would forsake father and mother1 and all others1 and he would cleave to his wife1 and to her alone2 that he would take her for better or for worse4 ,we may laud the conduct of ,naomi and ,ruth in their beautiful attachment to each other1 at the point of history where they are first introduced to us4 ,but their love to each other was doubtless greatly modified by the circumstances into which they were now brought4 ,they had a remarkable sympathy and fellow-feeling for each other in their sufferings4 ,that son and husband1 the bond of this tender and happy union1 and the occasion had there been any strife between them when this loved object was living1 was now forever removed from them1 and not a trace of any thing to blame or to regret was still remembered by them4 ,i can never be sufficiently grateful for the oft-reiterated advice of my father to his children4 ,never1 he would say1 act a selfish part4 ,in all your plans and purposes in life1 do not have an exclusive regard to self-interest4 ,if you do1 you will find many competitors4 ,but if you strive to render others happy1 you will always find a large and open field of enterprise2 and let me assure you that this is the best way to promote your own happiness for time and for eternity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,one-,,sided ,,christians4 ,how difficult a thing it is in the present day to find a well-balanced ,christian6 ,in this day of fits and of starts1 of impulse and of action1 a day of revolution both in thought and kingdoms1 where is the man who is formed in all respects after the image of his ,savior8--where the ,christian1 who1 being fitly framed together1 groweth unto an holy temple in the ,lord8 ,many of the followers of ,christ seem to have forgotten that ,his alone is the example after which they are to pattern1 and are looking to some distinguished neighbor or friend1 or to their own selfish and sensual desires1 to inquire how they shall walk in this evil world4 ,many appear to have made an estimate in their hearts how little religion will suffice them--how little humbling of the spirit--how little self-denying labor for ,christ and dying men4 ,it may be they do justly1 and1 in their own eyes1 walk humbly2 but their religion is of the negative sort4 ,they are neither extortioners1 unjust1 nor even as this publican3 they give to every man his due1 and take good care to obey the precept--to look every man on his own things1 and not on the things of his neighbors4 ,but they forget that ,love mercy was a part of the triad6 that the religion of ,jesus is not a religion of selfishness1 and that the ,master has said1 ,go ye out into the streets and lanes1 and compel them to come in1 that my house may be filled6 ,they forget ,his example who came down from heaven to suffer and die for guilty man2 who went about doing good1 and whose meat and drink was to accomplish the work which the ,father had given him to do4 ,they forget that one of his last acts was to wash his disciples' feet1 saying1 ,as ,i have done to you1 so do ye also to one another2 and1 as if our selfish and proud hearts would rebel1 he adds--,the disciple is not above his ,master1 nor the servant above his ,lord4 ,this want of conformity to ,christ is also shown in the speech of many of his followers4 ,he who was the ,searcher of hearts must certainly be expected to condemn iniquity1 and condemn it severely2 but how unwilling do we find him to pass sentence upon the guilty--how comforting and consoling to the sinner6 ,to the offending woman he says--,neither do ,i condemn thee2 go1 and sin no more4 ,for his murderers he cries--,father1 forgive them2 they know not what they do6 ,and must vain1 erring man be more harsh towards his fellow-man than his ,maker8 ,blessed are the merciful1 for they shall obtain mercy4 ,i came1 says ,jesus1 to seek and to save the lost6 therefore1 who so lost but in ,jesus shall find a friend8 ,and shall it not be so with his followers1 when they remember his words1 ,i have given you an example1 that ye should do as ,i have done to you8 ,in this day of the multiplicity of good works1 and of trusting to them for salvation1 it may seem strange for us to urge their necessity4 ,but in speaking of those who lack the beautiful oneness in character and conduct which distinguished ,jesus1 we would not omit many who1 having been educated in the full belief of the doctrine of justification by faith1 carry it to such an extent as to despise good works1 and almost to look upon them as heretical4 ,they set them down in their religious calendar as savoring of ostentation1 and thus run into the opposite extreme1 neglecting entirely the command of our ,lord1 to ,let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works4 ,they take a one-sided view of truth and duty1 forgetting that he who shall break one of these least commandments1 and shall teach men so 7even by practice71 shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven4 ,could they but know1 by sweet experience1 the luxury of giving even a cup of cold water in ,his name1 they would never again refrain from the blessed work4 ,could they fully understand the words to be pronounced on the final day1 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren1 ye have done it unto me1 no earthly inducement would be able to deter them from obtaining a part in that commendation and reward4 ,did they but read with divine enlightening the parable of the good ,samaritan1 and hear the ,master saying1 ,go and do thou likewise1 what possible excuse would remain for them for not obeying his command8 ,they little realize that they may read and meditate and believe1 and still remain very selfish and un-,christ-like2 for if ,christ had been possessed of their supineness1 he would still have remained in heaven1 and we and ours yet been in the bonds of wickedness4 ,christian mothers have greatly erred in not training their children to a life of ,christian self-denial and usefulness4 ,in their visits to the poor and perishing1 they should early accustom their little ones to accompany them1 thus overcoming that sensitive dread of misery in its various forms1 so common to the young4 ,they would thus be laying up for them a good foundation against the time to come--training them in the way they should go--guiding their feet into the imitation of that blessed ,one whom they hope soon to see them following4 ,of how many delightful hours have parents deprived their children1 who have never taught them1 by precept and example1 the luxury of doing good6 ,how many gracious promises in ,god's blessed word are yet sealed to them--promises for time and for eternity6 ,mothers1 awake6 to know more of ,jesus1 of his life1 his example1 and of the high and holy inducements which he holds out to you in his word1 to be conformed to his image4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,lux ,,in ,,tenebras2 ,,or ,a ,,chapter ,,of ,,heart ,,history4 ,,by ,,georgiana ,m4 ,,sykes4 ,it was a beautiful winter-morning4 ,the new fallen snow lay light and fleecy about the porch and on the evergreens before the door1 and cushioned and covered all the thousand minute branches of the trees till they stood forth as if traced in silver on the deep blue of the sky4 ,a sparkling1 dazzling scene it was1 which lay spread out before the windows of that comfortable family parlor1 where the morning sunshine and the blazing wood-fire on the hearth seemed to feel a generous rivalry as to which should be most inspiriting4 ,there were children in the room1 a merry group of all sizes1 from the boy of ten years old to the little one whose first uncertain footsteps were coaxed forth by a lure1 and cheered onward like a triumphal progress by admiring brothers and sisters4 ,it was the morning of ,new-,year's day1 which had always been held as a high festival in the family1 as it is in many families of ,new ,england1 all the merriment and festal observance elsewhere bestowed upon ,christmas having been transferred by ,puritan preferences to this holiday4 ,it was just the weather for a holiday--brisk and bracing4 ,sleigh-bells were jingling merrily1 as the deep drifts of the road having been overcome1 one after another of the families of the neighborhood had commenced their round1 bearing baskets filled with gifts and pleasant tokens of remembrance1 with the customary wishes and salutations of the day4 ,the young mother sat in the group of happy children1 but she did not smile on them4 ,her hand rested fondly on one little head and another1 as they pressed to her side with eager question or exclamation4 ,she drew the little one with a quick1 earnest clasp to her heaving bosom4 ,her tremulous lips refused to obey the impulse of her will2 she left ,edward's question unanswered1 and abruptly placing ,willie in the arms of his careful nurse1 she rushed away from the gladness she could not bear1 to the solitude of her own chamber4 ,there she fell upon her knees and covered her face1 while the storm of sorrow she had striven so hard to stem1 swept over her4 ,amid groans of agony1 came forth the low murmur--',write his children fatherless1 and his wife a widow6' ,oh1 my ,god1 why must this be8 ,his children fatherless1 his wife a widow6 ,soon came the quick sobs which told that the overcharged heart which had seemed ready to burst1 had found temporary relief in tears2 then followed the low moans of calmer endurance1 and the widow's heart sunk back into all it had yet found of peace under this great bereavement1 though it had been months since the blow fell2 the peace of submission--,not my will1 but thine1 ,o ,god1 be done6 ,this time it expressed itself in the quaint words of ,herbert2 ,do thou thy holy will2-- ,i will lie still4 ,then came the mother's habitual recollection of her children4 ,they must not bear the weight of this great sorrow in the days of their tender youth1 lest the hopefulness and energy they would certainly need in after life should be discouraged and disheartened out of them4 ,edward is naturally too reflective2 he dwells too much on his loss1 and evidently begins to ponder already how so many children are to be taken care of without a father4 ,sensitive ,mary feels too deeply the shadow of the cloud which has come over her home2 her face reflects back her mother's sadness4 ,so1 rising1 the mother rang the bell1 and gave directions that the children should be prepared for a visit to their grandfather's1 and that the sleigh should be brought to the door4 ,they must go1 thought she1 ,i cannot bear them about me4 ,i must spend this day alone2 and she bade ,mary replenish the fire1 and seated herself in the arm-chair by the window4 ,what a sickness fell upon the sad heart as the eye roved over the cheerful winter landscape6 ,here were the hurryings to and fro of congratulation1 the gay garments1 such as she and hers had laid aside1 the merry chiming of the many-toned sleigh-bells1 all so familiar to her ear that she knew who was passing1 even if she had not looked up4 ,here is ,thomas with the sleigh for the children1 and1 preceding it1 is ,ponto in his highest glee--now he dashes forward with a few quick bounds1 and turns to bark a challenge at ,thomas and the horses--now he plunges into a snow-drift1 and mining his way through it1 emerges on the other side to shake himself vigorously and bark again4 ,has ,ponto forgotten his master8 ,ponto1 who lies so often at his mistress's feet1 and looks up wistfully into her face1 as if he understood much1 but would like to ask more1 and seems1 with his low whine1 to put the question--,why1 when his master went away so many months ago1 he had never come back again3--,ponto1 who would lie for hours1 when he could steal an access to them1 beside the trunks which came home unaccompanied by their owner1 and which still stood in a closed room1 which was to the household like the silent chamber of death4 ,there had been for the mourner a soothing power in ,ponto's dumb sympathy1 even when1 with the caprice of suffering1 she could not bear the obtrusiveness of human pity4 ,out trooped the merry1 noisy children1 well equipped with caps and comforters4 ,good ,thomas arranged them on the seats1 and wrapped the buffalo-robes about them1 and encircling his special darling1 a prattling little girl of three years old1 with his careful arm1 away they went1 down the hill and out of sight4 ,with a sigh of relief1 the mother drew her chair to the hearth1 and resolved1 for that one day1 to give over the struggle1 and let sorrow have its way4 ,she dwelt on all the circumstances of the change1 which so suddenly had darkened her life4 ,she permitted her thoughts to run upon themes from which she had sedulously kept them1 thus indulging1 and as it were1 nursing her grief4 ,she recalled the thoughtful love which had been hers till it seemed as natural and as necessary to her as the air she breathed4 ,she had been an indulged wife1 constantly cared for1 and lavishly supplied with everything that heart could wish4 ,the natural sensitiveness of her temperament had been heightened by too much tenderness2 she had been encouraged to cling like a vine1 and to expect support from without herself4 ,she was still young and beautiful4 ,she was accustomed to be loved and admired by many1 but that was nothing to her in comparison with the calm unvarying estimation in which she had been held by one faithful heart4 ,how was she to live without this essential element of her life8 ,then the darkened future of her life rushed over her like an overwhelming flood3 the cares and duties which were henceforward to devolve on her alone2 the children who were never to know any other parent but herself2 never to know any stronger restraints from evil or incentives to good than she in her feebleness could exert over them4 ,what would become of her boys as they grew older1 and needed a father's wise counsels8 ,she saw with grief that she was even less qualified than most mothers to exercise the sole government and providence over a family4 ,she had been too much indulged--too entirely screened from contact with the world's rough ways4 ,how were the wants of her large family to be provided for with the lessened income she could now command8 ,pecuniary loss had followed close upon her great bereavement1 and though this constituted but a small element in her sorrow1 yet now that it came before her on the morning of this new year1 it added yet another shade to the horror of great darkness which encompassed her4 ,she knew that it must have a direct bearing upon her welfare1 and that of her family4 ,then she reverted to the ,new ,year's ,day of last year2 the little surprises she had helped to plan2 the liberal expenditure by which she had sent pleasure1 for one day at least1 into the dwellings of the poor1 her generous gifts to her servants1 which it had been a pleasant study to adapt to their several tastes and wants2 the dependencies1 near and remote1 which she had used as channels for conveying a measure of happiness to many a heart4 ,now there must be an end to all this2 she could be generous no more4 ,even her children1 partly from her pre-occupied mind1 had no gifts provided for them to-day4 ,was she not a widow and desolate8 ,desolate1 desolate6 she repeated in bitterness of soul4 ,she paused4 ,a voice within her seemed to say--,now she that is a widow and desolate trusteth in ,god4 ,a moment after there came into her mind yet another verso1 ,and none of them that trust in ,him shall be ,,desolate4 ,could it be that she remembered the passage aright8 ,her ,bible lay open on the table before her4 ,she had that morning earnestly sought strength from it1 and from communion with ,god before she could nerve herself to meet her children1 and bear their reiterated salutations1 heart-rending to her1 ,happy ,new ,year1 mother--,mother1 dear mother1 ,i wish you a ,happy ,new ,year4 ,now as she drew it towards her1 and turned over its pages to verify the exactness of the words1 it soon opened to the blessed thirty-fourth psalm1 which has proved to many an anchor of hope when they cried to ,god out of the depths4 ,i will bless the ,lord at all times2 ,oh1 surely not6--,how could any one bless the ,lord at such a time as this8 ,yet there it stood3-- ,i will bless the ,lord at all times2 his praise shall continually be in my mouth4 ,if others could do this1 and had done it1 ,god helping her1 she would do it too4 ,she1 too1 would bless the ,lord1 and speak his praises4 ,my soul shall make her boast in the ,lord4 ,a feeling of exultation began to rise within her4 ,something was yet left to her4 ,her earthly boast was indeed broken2 but why might not she1 too1 make her boast in the ,lord8 ,touched with living light1 verse by verse stood out before her1 as written by the finger of a present ,god4 ,humbled to the earth1 overpowered by deep self-abasement and contrition of soul1 she clung as with a death-grasp to the words that were bearing her triumphantly through these dark waves4 ,they looked unto ,him and were lightened4 ,was not her darkness already broken as by a beam from ,his face8 ,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him1 and delivered him out of all his troubles4 ,the angel of the ,lord encampeth about them that fear ,him1 and delivereth them4 ,the eyes of the ,lord are upon the righteous1 and ,his ears are open unto their cry4 ,many are the afflictions of the righteous1 but the ,lord delivereth him out of them all4 ,who was this1 that1 under these comfortable words1 looked peacefully upward8 ,it was one who was learning to trust ,god2 taught it1 as most of us are1 by being placed in circumstances where there is nothing else to trust4 ,it is not for us to portray all that passes in the human soul when it is brought into vivid communion with its ,maker4 ,it is enough for us to know that this sorrowful heart was made to exult in ,god1 even in the calm consciousness of its irretrievable loss2 and that before the sun of a day specially consecrated to grief had attained its meridian1 the mourner came cheerfully forth from her place of retirement1 while a chant1 as of angelic voices1 breathed through the temple of her sorrowful soul1 even over its broken altar4 ,oh1 taste and see that the ,lord is good2 blessed is the man that trusteth in ,him4 ,oh1 fear the ,lord1 ye his saints2 for there is no want to them that fear ,him4 ,the group of banished little ones was recalled1 but while the messenger was gone for them1 the mother in the strength of her new-found peace1 had brought forth from that closed chamber the gifts which the fond father had designed for each of his children1 and had spread them out in fair array on the parlor table4 ,so it was ,new ,year's ,day to the children after all4 ,the trust of that mother in the widow's ,god was never put to shame4 ,her children grew up around her1 and hardly realized that they had not father and mother both in the one parent who was all in all to them4 ,she was efficient and successful in all her undertakings4 ,her home1 with its overshadowing trees1 its rural abundance and hearty hospitalities1 lives in the hearts of many as their brightest embodiment of an ideal1 a cheerful1 ,christian home4 ,the memory of that mother1 dispensing little kindnesses to everybody within her reach1 is a heritage to her children worth thousands of gold and silver4 ,truly1 they that seek the ,lord shall not want any good thing4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,filial ,,reverence ,,of ,,the ,,turks4 ,a beautiful feature in the character of the ,turks is1 their reverence and respect for the author of their being4 ,their friends' advice and reprimands are unheeded2 their words are leash--nothing2 but their mother is an oracle4 ,she is consulted1 confided in1 listened to with respect and deference1 honored to her latest hour1 and remembered with affection and regret beyond the grave4 ,my wife dies1 and ,i replace her2 my children perish1 and others may be born to me2 but who shall restore to me the mother who has passed away1 and who is no more8 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,ichabod',s ,,mother4 ,strength is born ,in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts1 ,not amidst joy4 ,the noblest characters the world knows are those who have been trained in the school of affliction4 ,they only who walk in the fiery furnace are counted worthy the companionship of the ,son of ,god4 ,the modes of their discipline are various as are their circumstances and peculiar traits1 but in one form or other stern trials have proved them all4 ,they partake of the holiness of the ,lord1 because they have first endured the chastening of his love4 ,they are filled with righteousness1 because they have known the pangs of spiritual hunger and the extremity of thirst4 ,they abound1 because they have been empty4 ,they are heavenly-minded1 because they have first learned in the bitterness of their spirits how unsatisfying is earth4 ,they are firmly anchored by faith1 because frequent tempests and threatened shipwreck have taught them their need4 ,the ,master himself was made perfect through suffering1 and with his baptism1 must they who would follow him closely1 be baptized4 ,while ,hannah was undergoing at ,ramah the discipline which wrought in her such noble qualities1 there dwelt in ,shiloh one of kindred spirit1 who was called to endure even severer tests1 inasmuch as that which should have constituted her happiness1 was evermore the bitterest ingredient in her cup2 what might have been her purest joys became her greatest griefs4 ,she was a wife1 but only in name4 ,of the serenity and bliss which attend on true wedded love she was deprived4 ,her bridal pillow was early planted with thorns1 which henceforth forbade all peace4 ,she was a mother1 but her children were to be partakers of their father's shame1 disgraced1 and doomed to early death or lives of wickedness and woe4 ,she seemingly enjoyed abundant privileges1 but her trials as a child of ,god were deeper than all others4 ,she dwelt on sacred ground1 but alas6 herein lay the secret of her sorrow4 ,had her home been among the thousands in the outer camps1 it had not been so sadly desecrated4 ,her husband was the ,high ,priest's son1 and daily performed the priest's duty among holy things4 ,had he been a humble member of ,dan or ,naphtali1 his crimes had not been so heinous4 ,she lived under the shadow of the tabernacle2 had her abode been farther from the sacred enclosure1 she had not been daily witness to the heaven-daring deeds which made men abhor the offering of the ,lord1 and called for vengeance on her nearest and dearest4 ,her food was constantly supplied from the sacred offerings2 had it been procured in ordinary ways1 she had not been a partaker with those who committed sacrilege4 ,no trifling vexations1 no light sorrows were hers2 and as might be expected1 her virtues bore their proportion to the purifying process to which she was subjected4 ,disappointed in her earthly hopes1 she clung to her ,god1 and fastened her expectations on ,him4 ,humiliated in her human relations1 she aspired to nothing henceforth but ,his honor and glory4 ,wounded in heart1 her wealth of love despised1 lonely1 deserted1 she sought in ,him the portion of her soul1 and her lacerated affections found repose and satisfaction1 without the fear of change in ,his unchanging love4 ,it is often so ordered in the ,providence of ,god1 that those who have borne the yoke in their youth1 live to see days of comparative quietude and exemption from trouble4 ,hannah1 after the birth of ,samuel1 appears to have passed the remainder of her life in peace and prosperity4 ,but the nameless woman whose memorial we record had no respite4 ,her life was a life of endurance1 and she was cut off in the midst of her days by a most fearful and agonizing stroke4 ,israel was as usual at war with the ,philistines4 ,the army had pitched beside ,eben-ezer1 ,and the ,philistines put themselves in array against ,israel3 and when they joined battle1 ,israel was smitten before the ,philistines4 ,alarmed and distressed by this defeat1 the ,israelites vainly imagining that wherever the ark of ,god was1 there ,he would be also with his favoring presence1 sent up to ,shiloh to bring from thence the sacred symbol4 ,with great pomp and solemnity it was borne by the ,priests and ,levites1 and uproarious was the rejoicing as it entered the camp1 but no account is given of the feelings of those who remained near the deserted tabernacle4 ,did the aged ,eli forbode that the awful event which should signal the fulfillment of prophetic woe against his family was about to befall8 ,did the abused wife dream that she should behold no more her husband's face8 ,we know not what of personal apprehension mingled with their trouble1 but we do know that with trembling hearts these faithful servants of ,god awaited tidings of the ark of his covenant4 ,how portentous soever might be the cloud which hung over their own happiness1 they deemed it of small importance in comparison with the honor of ,jehovah4 ,the messenger came1 but who shall portray the scene when he rendered his tidings6 99 99 99 99 99 ,in a darkened chamber1 whither death1 clothed in unwonted horrors1 has suddenly come for the fourth victim of that doomed family1 lies the subject of our meditations1 panting under his iron grasp4 ,the afflictions of her life are now consummated4 ,the husband of her youth1 his follies and faults against her1 now are forgotten in the bitter thought that he is dead1 has gone unrepentant to the bar of ,god to give account of his priesthood--her venerable father-in-law alone1 with no friend to cheer his dying agonies1 has also departed from earth--her people are defeated in battle1 and worse than all1 the ark of ,god is fallen into the hands of the uncircumcised ,philistines--who doubtless glory as if ,dagon had conquered the invincible ,jehovah4 ,what to her are the pangs and throes under which her tortured body labors8 ,she heeds them not4 ,pitying friends endeavor to rouse her from her dying lethargy1 by the most glad tidings a ,hebrew woman could learn1 ,fear not2 for thou hast borne a son6 ,but she answers not4 ,shorter and shorter grows her breath--nearer and nearer she approaches the eternal shore4 ,but she is a mother1 and though every other tie is sundered1 and she is dying of the wounds which the cruel breaking of those heart strings has caused1 she feels one cord drawing her to her new-born child1 and asks that he may be brought4 ,it is too much6 ,why was he born8 ,no cheering thought comes with his presence4 ,nor joy nor honor are in store for him4 ,call him ,ichabod1 7without glory7 she gasps with feeble accents1 for the glory is departed from ,israel3 for the ark of ,god is taken4 ,a moment more and her freed spirit is in ,his open presence1 who she deemed was forever departed from her people4 99 99 99 99 99 ,christian friend1 you who are walking through desert places1 and perhaps fainting under the heavy hand of ,god1 let not your heart fail you4 ,shrink not back from the path1 though it seem beset with thorns4 ,some good is in store for you4 ,affliction1 indeed1 is not for the present joyous but grievous1 nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness4 ,if1 like the mother of ,ichabod1 you learn to forsake the turbid waters of earth for the ,fountain of eternal love--if you make the ,lord your portion1 you will not in the end be the loser1 though wave on wave roll over you and strip you of every other joy4 ,no1 not even if at length your sun shall set in clouds impenetrable to mortal vision4 ,a glorious cloudless morning lies beyond1 and you shall be forever satisfied with ,him who has chosen you in the furnace of affliction4 ,then rouse thee from desponding sleep1 ,nor by the wayside lingering weep1 ,nor fear to seek ,him farther in the wild1 ,whose love can turn earth's worst and least ,into a conqueror's royal feast2 ,thou will not be untrue1 thou shall not be beguiled4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,female ,,education--,,physical ,,training4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,s4 ,w4 ,,fisher4 ,i have presupposed three things in reference to education4 ,the field which it covers is also three-fold--the body1 the intellect1 and the heart4 ,the body is the living temple of the soul4 ,it is more than a casket for the preservation of the jewel2 it is more than the setting of the diamond2 it is more even than an exquisitely-constructed dwelling wherein the soul lives1 and works and worships4 ,it is a living1 sensitive agent1 into which the spirit pours its own life1 through which it communes with all external nature1 and receives the effluxes of ,god streaming from a material creation4 ,it is the admirable organ through which the man sends forth his influence either to bless and vivify1 or to curse and wither4 ,by it1 the immortal mind converts deserts into gardens1 creates the forms of art1 sways senates1 and sheds its plastic presence over social life4 ,the senses are the finely-wrought gates through which knowledge enters the sublime dome of thought2 while the eye1 the tongue1 the hand1 are the instruments of the ,spirit's power over the outer world4 ,the soul incarnate in such a body1 enjoys a living medium of reciprocal communication between itself and all things without4 ,meanwhile the body itself does not arrive here mature in its powers2 nor does it spring suddenly from the imbecility of the infant to the strength of the man4 ,by slow development1 by a gradual growth1 in analogy with that of a tree whose life is protracted1 it rises1 after years of existence1 to its appointed stature4 ,advancing thus slowly1 it affords ample time for its full and free development4 ,in this physical training1 there are two points of special importance4 ,the first is the removal of all unnatural restraints and the pressure of unhealthy customs2 the second1 is the opportunity1 the motive and the habit of free exercise in the pure air of heaven4 ,these1 as causes of health and fine physical development1 are interwoven as are their opposites4 ,in the progress of society from barbarism to refinement1 it has often been the case that men1 in departing from what was savage1 have lost that which was natural2 and in their ascent from the rude have left behind that which was essential to the highest civilization4 ,in escaping from the nakedness of the barbarian1 they have sometimes carried dress to an extreme of art which renders it untrue to nature and productive of manifold evils4 ,in ascending from the simple and rude gastronomy of the savage1 they have brought the art of cookery to such an excess of luxury as to enervate society by merely factitious appetites4 ,in the formation of habits of life1 social intercourse and amusements adapted to a refined state1 they have introduced many things at war with the healthful development of both body and mind4 ,the manly exercises of swimming1 skating1 riding1 hunting1 ball playing2 the bracing walk in storm and sunshine2 the free ramble over hill and dale1 all adapted to develop an independent1 self-relying character2 with the occasional reunion where wit1 science1 healthful industry and serene piety shed their benedictions2 associating that which is free and bold with the refined and sacred2 all these are1 in many cases1 displaced by frivolous and less healthful excitements4 ,our girls and boys1 prematurely exalted into young gentlemen and ladies1 are tutored by dancing masters2 their manners disciplined into an artificial stiffness2 and the free developments of an open nature formed under the genial influence of truly polite parents--the finest discipline in the world--arrested by the strictures of a purely conventional regimen1 in which the laws of health and the higher spiritual life seem never to have been consulted4 ,with such a physical training1 associated with a corresponding education of the mind and heart1 they are ripe for the customs and fashions of life in harmony therewith2 and totally averse to the purer1 manlier and nobler duties and pleasures of a better state of society4 ,to dress and exhibit themselves2 to crowd the saloon of every foreign trifler1 who1 under the abused name of art1 and for the sake of gold1 seeks to minister to us those meretricious excitements which associate themselves with declining states and artificial forms of life2 to waste the most precious hours of night1 set apart by the ,god of nature for repose1 in dancing1 eating1 drinking1 and revelry1 follow naturally enough upon such training4 ,then in the rear1 come disease of body and mind1 broken constitutions and broken hearts2 and last of all1 with grim majesty1 death1 prematurely summoned1 avenges this violation of the laws of nature upon the miserable victims1 and quenches the glare of this brilliant day in the darkness of the tomb4 ,how utterly different is such training and such modes of life consequent upon it1 from those which are dictated by a thorough understanding of our nature and the great purposes of our existence4 ,for in all these things we shall find there exists a connection sufficiently obvious between the right education of the spirit and the body2 and that so strong is their mutual influence as to render it of great importance to care for them both in harmony with each other4 ,then shall we regard the perfection of the form and the vigor of our bodily powers4 ,casting away whatever did not consist with the health and finer developments of the physical system1 we should pursue that course of education which best prepared the body for its grand work as the living agent of the spirit4 ,in considering physical training it is allowable for us to look both at beauty and intellectual power4 ,a noble form in man2 a fine1 beautiful1 healthful form in woman1 are desirable for their outward influence4 ,created susceptible of deep impressions from external appearances1 it is neither religion nor good sense to undervalue them4 ,that men generally have over-estimated their worth1 is a reason why we should reduce them to their true position1 and not sink them below it4 ,the palace of the soul should befit its possessor4 ,and as ,god has taken pleasure in scattering images of beauty all over the earth1 and made us susceptible of pleasure therefrom1 it is right that in the education of our children we should seek for the unfolding of the noblest and most beautiful forms4 ,shall we beautify our dwellings2 adorn our grounds with plants1 flowers1 and trees of various excellence2 improve the breed of our cattle1 and yet care not for the constitutions and forms of those who are on earth the master-pieces of divine wisdom and the possessors of all this goodly heritage8 ,most of all1 however1 as the agent of the spirit1 should we seek to rear our children in all healthful customs and invigorating pursuits4 ,it is possible1 indeed1 that a mind of gigantic powers may sometimes dwell in a feeble frame1 swayed to and fro by every breath of air4 ,but we are sure that such a physical state is the source of manifold vexations1 pains and loss of power4 ,it is a state which the possessor never covets2 which oppresses him with the consciousness of an energy he is forbidden to put forth1 and a force for moving the world crippled by the impediment of a frail body4 ,for the full discharge of all the duties of life2 for the affording to our mental powers a fair field for their action2 and especially for the education and advancement of succeeding generations1 it is indispensable the vigor of the body should correspond to the vigor of the intellect1 so far as to constitute the one the most efficient agent of the other4 ,it has rarely been taken into view1 that1 aside from the personal benefits of health in the greater power of present action1 the intense intellects and feeble frames of one generation are a ruinous draft upon both the physical and mental powers of that which succeeds4 ,a race of overwrought brains in enfeebled bodies must be recruited from a more healthful stock1 or their posterity will1 in time1 decline into idiocy or cease from the earth4 ,the process of degeneracy1 by an infallible law1 will pass from the body to the intellect2 and the descendant of a ,luther or a ,bacon go down to the level of the most stupid boor that drives his oxen over the sands of southern ,africa4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,inordinate ,,grief ,,the ,,effect ,,of ,,an ,,unsubdued ,,will4 ,i called on a friend a few months since1 who for a full year had been watching with maternal solicitude over an invalid daughter still in the morning of life1 upon whom had been lavished all the fond caresses of parental love and tenderness4 ,every advantage which wealth1 and the means of education could impart to qualify her for happiness in this life had been hers--nor had her religious culture been entirely overlooked4 ,in her father's family there had been little effort made to instill into the minds of their children the principles of holy living1 and it was felt that there was but little necessity to give them habits of self-denial or self-reliance4 ,this daughter1 notwithstanding her happy childhood in having all her wants anticipated1 and upon whose pathway the sun had shone most brightly1 was now1 like an unsubdued child1 under a most painful infliction of the rod of ,god4 ,two years previous to this time1 during a revival of religion1 she publicly covenanted to walk in all the statutes and ordinances of ,god's ,word and house1 blamelessly4 ,thus was she married to ,christ1 and she then felt1 and her friends felt1 that she had chosen ,christ to be the guide of her youth4 ,but how could she be expected1 never having had her will thoroughly subdued1 or been called to bear any yoke or burden1 fully to understand1 or to realize what was implied1 or required in becoming a disciple of ,christ1 so that she could at once fully adopt the language1 ,jesus1 ,i my cross have taken1 ,all to leave and follow thee1 ,naked1 poor1 despised1 forsaken1 ,thou from hence my all shall be4 ,just one year from her espousal to ,christ the village of ---- was all excitement1 on an occasion which had called the young and the middle-aged to the house of her father1--the wealthy ,mr4 ,g----1 when this lovely daughter was to be united in marriage to the accomplished1 the graceful1 the pious ,mr4 ,l----1 a universal favorite with persons of all ages and ranks4 ,a short time previous to his union to the young and beautiful belle of ----1 he had1 under most favorable auspices1 commenced a lucrative business in the city of ----4 ,immediately after the nuptial ceremony1 ,mr4 ,l---- accompanied his bride to the ,falls of ,niagara1 that favorite place of resort on such memorable occasions4 ,they were now all the world to each other4 ,alas1 how utterly1 for a time1 did they overlook the injunction1 ,little children1 keep yourselves from idols4 ,nor did they for once even dream how insensibly the streams of ,god's bounty and goodness were withdrawing their hearts from the fountain of all blessedness and perfection4 ,on their return from this delightful excursion1 this envied young husband was soon found at his post of business1 surrounded by numerous friends all eager to aid and encourage him on in his preparations to welcome to his home and his heart1 his darling wife4 ,oh1 how sweet to him did that treasured name sound1 when greeted by his young friends1 and the question was asked1 ,how is your wife8 ,when do you expect your wife8 ,never1 he felt1 was there another more truly blessed4 ,how sudden must have been the transition1 for the summons came1 as it were1 in a moment1 ,the ,master has come1 and calleth for thee4 ,young ,mr4 ,l---- had been in the city but two days1 when retiring to his bed1 he was suddenly siezed with a bilious attack1 and in a few brief hours1 even before his friends could reach his bed-side1 he was wrapped in the habiliments of the grave4 ,his last faint farewell was uttered in hurried and broken accents1 just as he expired1 ,tell her that ,jesus makes me willing--makes me willing4 ,in his ready1 cheerful1 and manly willingness to obey the ,master's call1 though so sudden1 we see the blessed influence of early parental discipline--absolute unconditional submission to parental authority4 ,truly this was a most sad and unexpected reverse for that youthful and happy bride4 ,her face at once became as pale and almost marble-like1 as the icy hand of death had made that of her husband's4 ,no wonder if this world should now seem to her as a barren wilderness4 ,no wonder if her thoughts1 for a time1 should brood mournfully over the words1 ,lover and friend hast thou put far from me1 and mine acquaintance into darkness4 ,no wonder if to her desolate heart1 solitude1 and gloom1 and the grave1 should1 for a season1 be her chosen themes of contemplation4 ,she does well to grieve4 ,there is nothing wrong in the mourner's tears4 ,we have the example of ,jesus in such an expression--tears are ,nature's own sweet relief4 ,it is safe--yes1 it is well to bleed when our limbs are taken from our side4 ,but let such as mourn remember1 in all cases of bereavement1 it is ,god1 whose discipline is strictly parental1 hath done it1 and ,he doeth all things well4 ,how sad it is when the bereaved1 who are not called to mourn as those who have no hope1 allow their thoughts to find a lodgment only in the grave4 ,how widely different had been the condition of this youthful mourner1 if1 instead of shutting herself up in her chamber1 taking to her bed1 chiefly1 for a full year refusing to be comforted--had she dwelt more upon that touching farewell to her1 receiving it as a beam of light and love from the spirit land1 inviting her to the contemplation of heavenly themes4 ,had she rather considered her departed companion as favored in this early call to glory1--had she considered the passage in ,isaiah #eg3a1 ,the righteous are taken away from the evil4--why did she not meekly and penitently reflect1 that as ,god does not willingly afflict1 he must have had some special design in this severe chastisement upon her4 ,had her mind been open to conviction--had she been bowed down under a sense of sin--would she not have inquired whether the blessed ,saviour1 perceiving the lurking danger there was to this young couple1 from a disposition to find their heaven upon earth1 to seek their chief happiness in each other1 had not with the voice of love and tender compassion said to her husband1 ,the ,master hath need of thee1 come up hither4 ,had her heart been right with ,god1 as she contemplated her departed friend in his new-born zeal to honor and glorify his ,redeemer1 flying on swift wings to perform ,heaven's mandates1 would she not resolve1 by the grace of ,god1 to emulate him in his greater efforts to save lost souls1 for whom ,christ died8 ,were not the same motives set before her1 by his death1 to seek a new and holy life8 ,was not the same grace--the same strength proffered to her1 which1 if accepted and improved aright1 would have enabled her to deny herself--to take up her cross and to follow ,jesus whithersoever he might see fit to lead her8 ,but1 alas1 this was in nowise her happy experience4 ,on the contrary1 she turned away from the consolations proffered to her in ,god's blessed ,word1 and by his ,holy ,spirit1 and in the teachings of that last touching farewell4 ,may we not suppose that her husband1 on finding himself liberated from the trappings of earth1 from sin and temptation1 as his thoughts would naturally revert to the friends he had left behind--finding his chosen1 bosom friend1 a mere clod of clay1 sunk down in a state of hopeless misery and sorrow1 at his loss1 having no sympathy with him in his new and blessed abode1 and in his more exalted employments and purer enjoyments1 would he not rather bless ,god1 more ardently1 that he was so quickly removed from such chilling1 blighting earth-born influences as she might have exerted over him8 ,oh1 that this youthful mourner might now hear that voice of ,god to his chosen people1 ,ye have compassed this mountain long enough--turn you northward4 ,god grant that the past time of her life may suffice that she has wrought the will of the flesh4 ,we most earnestly commend to her prayerful contemplation the last words of our blessed ,saviour to his disciples1 ,in my ,father's house are many mansions4 ,i go to prepare a place for you--just such a mansion--such a place as each ransomed soul1 by improving the discipline of ,god--by holy and self-denying efforts in this life1 to do his will1 is fitted to fill1 and enjoy4 ,and so it will ever be with the heirs of salvation1 while they remain in a world of sin and temptation4 ,they are daily and hourly working out their salvation with fear and with trembling1 while ,god is working in them to will and to do of his good pleasure4 ,the improvement which is made of afflictions has a great deal to do in this process4 ,and thus1 too1 will it be with those who wilfully1 or even thoughtlessly neglect the great salvation--those who reject the overtures of pardoning mercy and salvation by ,christ4 ,they will hereafter know and acknowledge that they knew their duty but they did it not4 ,it is said that ,judas went to his own place--and that ,dives made his bed in hell4 ,and herein will these words of the poet be strikingly fulfilled in every human soul-- ',tis not the whole of life to live1 ,nor all of death to die4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,children',s ,,apprehension ,,of ,,the ,,power ,,of ,,prayer4 ,while visiting in the family of ,rev4 ,mr4 ,f----1 one morning as we were quietly seated at the breakfast table1 his two little boys1 ,willie and ,georgie were seated between their father and mother4 ,all at once ,georgie1 the youngest1 a child of five years1 reached his head forward1 and in a half-whisper said to his brother1 ,willie1 ,willie1 if you were going a journey1 which would you give up1 your breakfast or your prayers8 ,willie replied1 ,i should want both4 ,but1 said the little fellow1 still more earnestly1 ,what if you couldn't have both1 then which would you give up8 ,i would give up my breakfast1 said ,willie4 ,the little urchin said in an undertone1 ,i think mother would take something along in her bag4 ,there was certainly a good look out for two worlds4 ,a mother who resides near me1 and has a large family of small children1 related to me the following circumstance of her eldest boy1 when quite young4 ,from the time her children began to talk1 she accustomed them1 each in their turn1 to kneel by her side1 on rising and retiring each morning and evening1 and repeat to her their little prayers4 ,one day when her eldest boy1 as she thought1 was old enough to comprehend her1 she said to him rather seriously1 ,my son1 there is one kind of prayer to ,god to which ,i have not directed your attention4 ,it is called 'secret prayer4' ,the direction and encouragement for this kind of prayer is found in the passage1 ',enter into thy closet and shut to thy door1 and pray to thy ,father which is in heaven1 and thy ,father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly4' ,now do you not desire to obtain this open reward4 ,if you would like a closet of your own1 there is a little retired place near my bed-room--you can go there each day by yourself1 and shut your door as directed4 ,one day1 not long after1 the child was gone some time2 his mother did not like to accuse him of having trifled on so serious an occasion1 for he was a remarkably conscientious and honest boy--and she said to him1 ,frank1 you have been gone so long ,i fear you may have been using 'vain repetitions4' ,the color mantled at once in the little fellow's cheeks1 and almost ready to cry1 he said1 ,mother1 when aunt ,mary left us yesterday1 she said that she and the children would be exposed to many dangers during the voyage1 and she asked me to pray for them1 and it took me a good while4 ,i was told by a friend1 of a group of little boys when visiting a little companion1 all seated on the floor near each other1 looking at some pictures4 ,they came to one representing ,daniel in the den of lions4 ,it was noticed that the lions were not chained1 and yet they were in a reposing posture4 ,none seemed to understand how this was4 ,one little boy said to another1 ,ah1 wouldn't you be afraid to be put into a den of lions8 ,oh1 yes1 was the reply4 ,and so the question went all round1 eliciting the same answer4 ,at last the youngest of the party reached himself forward and pulled his brother by the sleeve1 saying1 ,johnny1 ,johnny1 if lions are afraid of praying people1 they'd be afraid of mother--wouldn't they8 ,and she wouldn't be afraid of them1 for she says we needn't fear anything but sin4 ,i was acquainted with a family where the following circumstance occurred4 ,the two youngest boys in the family were often trusted to take long walks1 and sometimes they were permitted to go over1 by themselves1 to ,n----1 a distance of nearly four miles1 and make a call on their aunt and cousins1 who resided there4 ,one day they came and asked their mother if they might take a long walk4 ,she told them not a very long walk1 for that day they had not been as studious and dutiful as usual4 ,they took hold of hands1 and without designing to do so at first1 it was believed1 they ran on very fast till they reached the village of ,n----1 where their aunt lived4 ,on going to the house1 their aunt thought1 from their heated appearance1 and hurried and disconcerted manner1 that they were two runaways4 ,she1 however1 welcomed them as usual--invited them to partake of some fine baked apples and new bread and milk--quite a new treat to city boys--but ,n----1 the eldest1 declined the invitation4 ,she then proposed to them to go to the school-house1 which was near by1 and see their cousins4 ,this1 too1 ,n---- declined4 ,he said to his brother1 ,charley1 we must go home4 ,and they took hold of hands and ran all the way as fast as possible1 and immediately on entering the house1 their faces as red as scarlet1 ,n---- confessed to his mother where they had been1 and asked her forgiveness4 ,this being granted1 ,n---- could not be happy4 ,he said1 weeping1 ,mother1 will you go up stairs with us and pray with us8 ,she did so1 with a grateful heart1 and sought pardon for them4 ,n---- did the same4 ,when it came ,charley's turn to pray1 he made an ordinary prayer--when his brother repeatedly touched him1 and in a low whisper he said1 ,charley1 why don't you repent--why don't you repent8 ,a very little child1 not two years old1 always seemed delighted to hold her little book at prayer time1 and when her father said ,amen1 she always repeated it after him aloud4 ,one day she seemed very uneasy during prayer time1 and though she made great resistance1 she was taken out of the room4 ,she insisted on going back to the drawing-room1 and the chairs being still in the order in which the family had been seated during prayer time1 the little creature went by the side of each1 and folding her little hands1 she repeated ,amen1 ,amen1 until she had been to each one4 ,thus we see it is not so much for want of knowledge1 as for a right state of heart1 right teachings1 right examples1 that children do not live and act1 speak and think and pray aright4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,first ,,prayer ,,in ,,congress4 ,in the letters of ,john ,adams to his wife1 ,sept4 #aj1 #aggd1 we have an account of the ,first ,prayer in ,congress4 ,what an instructive and encouraging lesson is here taught to all religious persons1 always unhesitatingly to obey all holy and good impulses4 ,had ,mr4 ,cushing1 who moved the resolution1 held back1--or had ,mr4 ,samuel ,adams refused to second this resolution1--or had ,rev4 ,mr4 ,duch declined1 when called upon to lead on that occasion1 our nation might never have presented the sublime spectacle of uniting1 as a body1 in calling upon ,god at the opening of their ,congressional sessions4 ,and who would dare to predict the loss which this omission might at that time have occasioned to this infant ,republic6 ,mr4 ,adams's account is as follows3-- ,when ,congress first met1 ,mr4 ,cushing moved that it should be opened with prayer4 ,this was opposed on the ground that the members1 being of various denominations1 were so divided in their religious sentiments that they could not join in any one mode of worship4 ,mr4 ,samuel ,adams arose1 and after saying that he was no bigot1 and could hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue who was a friend to his country1 moved that ,rev4 ,mr4 ,duch--an ,episcopal clergyman1 who1 he said1 he understood deserved that character--be invited to read prayers before ,congress the next morning4 ,the motion was passed2 and the next morning ,mr4 ,duch appeared1 and after reading several prayers in the ,established form1 then read the ,collect for the #gth of ,september1 which was the thirty-fifth ,psalm4 ,this was the next morning after the startling news had come of the cannonade of ,boston2 and1 says ,john ,adams1 ,i never saw a greater effect upon an audience3 it seemed as if ,heaven had ordained that ,psalm to be read on that morning4 ,after this1 he continues1 ,mr4 ,duch1 unexpectedly to everybody1 struck out into an extemporaneous prayer1 which filled the bosom of every man present4 ,i never heard a better prayer1 or one so well pronounced4 ,dr4 ,cooper himself never prayed with such fervor1 ardor1 earnestness1 and pathos1 and in language so eloquent and sublime1 for ,america1 for the ,congress1 for the province of ,massachusetts1 and especially for ,boston4 ,it had an excellent effect upon everybody here1 and many1 he tells us1 were melted to tears4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,my ,,baby4 ,within a cradle1 still and warm1 ,there lies a little gentle form1 ,just look beneath the coverlid1 ,and see the tiny sleeper hid6 ,then peep beneath the cap of lace1 ,behold his rosy happy face2 ,the velvet cheek1 so pure and white1 ,didst ever see a fairer sight8 ,his dimpled arm across his breast1 ,his chubby limbs composed to rest1 ,the gentle curls of waving hair1 ,falling upon the pillow there6 ,the drooping lashes shroud his eyes1 ,blue as the tinge of summer skies1 ,his damask lips like tints of rose ,which garden buds at twilight close4 ,art thou a form of human mould1 ,or stray-lamb of the heavenly fold8 ,a little herald to the earth1 ,or cherub sent to bless our hearth8 ,must evil spirits intertwine ,and lead astray that heart of thine8 ,and must thou be with sin defiled1 ,that seemest now an angel child8 ,oh blessed ,lamb of ,god6 to thee ,i come1 and with my baby flee ,within thy fold1 and sheltering care1 ,i lay my child1 and leave him there4 ,,euclid1 ,ohio4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mother',s ,,portrait4 ,night was coming on4 ,the tall elms which beautify the little village of ,g---- were waving to and fro their pendent branches1 heavy with the evening damp1 and as the boughs swayed against the window panes of one of the largest mansions in the town1 the glass was moistened by the crystal drops4 ,but heavier and colder was the dew that gathered upon the forehead of the sufferer within2 for extended upon the couch lay a dying woman4 ,the trembling hand of an aged man wiped the forehead1 and the tears that stood in his eye told that his remaining days on earth must be uncheered by the kind voice and radiant smile of her who had been a mother to his children4 ,those children1 grown to full age1 were there1 and if need be could have borne clear and convincing testimony that sometimes1 at least1 the connection between a step-mother and her husband's family is only productive of good4 ,but where were her own offspring8 ,three noble looking men1 and as many matrons1 owed their existence and education to her1 and she had hoped1 ere she died1 to behold once more their faces4 ,soft and gentle were the hands that smoothed her pillow2 low and sweet were the voices that inquired of her wants1 but dear to her as were these1 they were not her own1 and the mother's heart yearned once more to trace their father's likeness in the tall dark-eyed sons who but a few years ago were cradled in her arms4 ,and can these feelings cause the pang which seems at once to contract the face8 ,so thinks her step-daughter1 as she says1 ,they will be here to-morrow1 mother4 ,it is not that1 my dear1 murmured the sick one1 but when ,i was just now enjoying the blessedness of committing my soul to ,him who died for me1 when feeling my own unworthiness of one of his many mercies1 ,i had cast myself on the mercy of the ',sinner's ,friend1' like a wave of agony rushed in upon me the thought that my dear sons have denied the divinity of the ,savior1 into whose name they were baptized1 and who laid down his life to redeem them4 ,oh6 could ,i be assured that they would be led back to their fathers' ,god1 ,i could die happy4 ,there was stillness in this chamber of death4 ,the invalid's pale lips moved as if in prayer1 and soon the lids were raised1 and the brilliant black eye was lighted up as of old1 and triumphant was the strain that burst forth4 ,i know in whom ,i have believed1 and am persuaded that ,he will keep that which ,i have committed to ,him1 my most precious treasures1 my children1 against that day4 ,i know ,him--,i rest in ,his faithfulness4 ,the smile lingered on her features1 but the spirit had fled4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,green ,mountain range in ,massachusetts presents a series of most magnificent scenery1 and in the villages which nestle among its summits1 dwell some of the noblest hearts and sturdiest frames of ,new ,england4 ,mountains have always been the rugged nurses of independence of thought and action1 and the grand chains of our own land form no exception to the rule4 ,nor is this all--none who have not dwelt among our rural population know the strong sympathy which pervades the inhabitants of the same settlement--long may it continue6 ,each takes an interest in the welfare of all about him1 and though there are some things disagreeable in the minute surveillance to which one is thus exposed1 yet it is more than compensated by the affectionate interest which is manifested in the weal or woe of each neighbor4 ,not there1 as in the crowded city1 may a man be laid in his grave1 while the occupant of the next dwelling neither knows nor cares concerning his fate4 ,the intelligence of illness spreads from house to house1 and who can number the kind offices which are immediately exercised by neighbors far and near4 ,the very schoolboys lower their voices as they pass the darkened windows1 and there needs no muffling of the knocker1 for who would disturb the invalid8 ,and when the bell solemnly announces the departure of a soul1 sadness settles in every heart1 and the cathedral hung in sable is a poor tribute to departed worth1 compared to the general mourning of the whole village1 when the long funeral procession1 whence old and young unite ,to pay the last sad tribute1 and to hear ,upon the narrow dwelling's hollow bound1 ,the first earth thrown4 ,oh6 who would not exchange the pomp and hollow pageantry of the metropolis for such attentions8 ,in one of these same homes of virtue and happiness dwelt a family1 who1 contented with their lot1 sought no wide sphere of enjoyment4 ,with a good education1 fine talents1 with a strong constitution1 the father had commenced his career about forty years before1 and by his own exertions had risen to wealth1 respectability and honor4 ,having often represented the interests of his fellow-townsmen in the assembly of the ,state1 the county in which he resided had deemed that they could commit to no safer hands the senatorial dignity4 ,his gentlemanly bearing1 his benevolent smile1 his tall and commanding appearance won all hearts2 while his calm judgment1 his energetic course of action gained respect and demanded admiration4 ,in public and private life he was a pattern of excellence4 ,surely his mother must have looked upon such a son with feelings of gratitude and even pride4 ,as you enter the door1 from which no poor man was ever turned empty away1 and crossing the hall1 advance into the elegant parlor to greet your host and his amiable wife1 you can fancy a smile of satisfaction upon the lips of that mother's portrait1 which hangs in the place of honor on the wall1 a smile which seems to say1 this is my eldest born4 ,but1 alas6 it was for this son that that mother had put up her last prayer--for him it was1 she had poured forth her soul1 and now years have passed since he stood by her helpless remains1 and her petition is still unanswered4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is a ,may morning1 two years later1 and cheerily does the sun shine upon the village of ----4 ,the pine forest at a little distance1 sheds forth after the last night's rain that fragrance which is so delicious1 the fields are gay with dandelions1 the brooks yellow with the ,american cowslip1 close beside which peeps forth the lovely veronica1 while yonder slope is enameled with bright blue violets1 and the little white ,mayflower4 ,but no children are seen plucking them4 ,the very herds in the field low in a subdued manner1 and the birds warble their gladsome spring song with a depth which belongs only to sacred music4 ,none are moving about the streets4 ,the church doors are open1 however1 for it is the ,sabbath4 ,come with me to yonder mansion--the tasteful shrubbery1 the vine-covered window1 the well arranged garden bespeak for its possessor wealth and luxury4 ,enter with me1 but tread lightly as we ascend the staircase4 ,upon that white curtained bed1 raised by pillows1 reposes one who has numbered more than sixty summers4 ,his brow is scarcely furrowed1 though his face is thin4 ,his clasped hands are emaciated1 but he does not look old4 ,the fever spot burns in his cheeks1 and his eye is lighted up with a heavenly ray1 which shows that now at least the soul is triumphing over the body4 ,a small table1 covered with damask of snowy whiteness1 stands near1 on which are placed the emblems of the broken body and poured-forth blood of our ,redeemer4 ,a few ,christian brethren and sisters are kneeling around1 and the pastor is blessing the bread4 ,methinks it is good to be here4 ,the great ,master is present1 and his banner over this little company is love4 ,one can almost see the ministry of angels as they bend to watch the scene4 ,the rite is done4 ,the softly murmured hymn which concludes it1 has died upon the balmy evening air4 ,the partakers of the ,lord's ,supper have departed4 ,the pastor has for the last time pressed the hand which has so recently subscribed to the covenant of the church1 and he1 too1 has taken his final leave4 ,relations alone remain in the chamber of death4 ,solemnity broods over the spot4 ,the brothers who through life have looked to this now dying brother1 as a father1 guide1 and friend1 sit gazing on him in mournful silence1 the tears slowly chasing each other down their manly cheeks1 with something of the feeling of the prophet when it was told him1 ,know thou that your master will be taken from your head to-day4 ,the sisters watch and anticipate his wishes1 till first one and then another is overcome by her emotion1 and steals away to give it vent4 ,the wife1 like a ministering spirit1 silently wipes the clammy brow and moistens the parched lips4 ,but now the sick man speaks3 ,brother1 will you bring mother's portrait6 ,i would take my leave of that--,o1 how soon shall ,i join her now4 ,it is brought1 and the heavy window curtains are thrown back1 and it is placed at the foot of the bed with reverend care1 which showed the veneration in which the original was held4 ,look1 brother3 it smiles upon me6 and observing the astonished expression of his friends1 the dying man continued in a less excited tone1 ,do not suppose that my mind is wandering4 ,i assure you on the word of one who must shortly appear before a ,god of truth1 that ever since my mother's death the picture has frowned upon me4 ,i knew what it meant1 for you have not forgotten her last prayer1 and every time ,i have looked upon it ,i felt1 while ,i continued to deny the divinity of our ,savior1 ,i could not expect my mother's approbation or blessing4 ,for years ,i fought against the doctrine of the ,holy ,trinity1 till ,i examined the subject more thoroughly1 and to-day ,i have sealed my renunciation of that error1 and have testified my faith in the atonement made for sinners4 ,the cross of ,christ has drawn me with cords of love4 ,i wanted to see that portrait once more1 and1 lo1 the frown is gone--and my mother beams upon me the same sweet smile as when at sixteen years of age ,i left home a fatherless boy1 to make my own way in the world4 ,thank ,god ,i die in peace4 ,my sketch is finished4 ,shall ,i make the application8 ,has not every mother's heart made it already8 asking the question1 ,is my influence over my children such that when ,i am gone my portrait shall have such power over them for good8 ,cowper has embalmed his mother's miniature in lines which will touch the heart while our language is preserved4 ,but this picture is hallowed by strains which are poured forth from angelic choirs1 as they tune their harps anew over one sinner that repenteth4 ,the likeness of ,cowper's mother led him to mourn for past delights1 but this picture led the son to look in humble joy to that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great ,god and our ,savior ,jesus ,christ4 ,,edith4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,light ,,reading4 ,during a recent tour in search of health and pleasure1 ,i was surprised and pained at seeing the amount of light reading indulged in while traveling1 by old and young of both sexes and all classes4 ,i observed1 while rapidly urged over our railways1 many thus engaged--many purchasing eagerly the trash offered at every station1 and could but regret they had not provided with the same care food for the mind1 by placing in the satchel that contained sustenance for the body1 some valuable book1 some truthful work4 ,lake ,george1 with its clear waters and lovely islands1 its majestic1 untrod mountains and historical associations1 had not attractions sufficient to win the lovers of fiction from the false pages of life1 to the open1 beautiful book of ,nature4 ,it was a bright ,july morning when ,i stood upon the deck of the ,john ,jay4 ,the beautiful sun arose--and there was not ,a stain upon the sky1 the virgin blue ,was delicate as light1 and birds went up ,and sang invisibly1 the heavenly air ,wooed them so temptingly4 ,now the mountain-tops were radiant with the golden light1 now valley1 lake1 and green islet1 rejoiced in the morning sun4 ,yet1 at such an hour1 amid such scenes1 ladies and gentlemen were engrossed with the mawkish sentimentalities of fictitious narrations1 their eyes closed to all the beauty of the time and place1 their ears deaf to the delicious harmony of awakening nature4 ,lake ,champlain1 with its romantic ruins ever dear to the heart of an ,american1 its verdant shores and rural villages1 nestling in the valleys or crowning the hills1 could scarce obtain a passing glance from those enraptured with the improbable if not impossible pictures of life4 ,when upon the ,st4 ,lawrence1 gliding swiftly through the charming scenery of the ,thousand ,isles1 that like emerald gems adorn the bosom of that noble river1 now passing one with cultivated fields and quiet farm-house1 another low and level bathed in the rays of a setting sun1 others rocky and precipitous1 crowned with cedar and fir2 again a little quiet spot where one would like long to tarry1 or one with shrubbery and light-house so peaceful in its rural beauty you almost envied the occupants their retirement2 even here1 as ,i turned from the scene at the whispered exclamation of a friend1 ,o1 how beautiful6 my eye fell upon two ladies bending over the pages of newly issued novels1 their countenances glowing--not with holy emotions awakened by the enjoyment of a summer's sun-set upon the ,st4 ,lawrence1 but with feverish excitement1 kindled by the overwrought pictures of the novelist4 ,fair1 young girls1 how could you linger over the unreal when passing through such scenes of ,god's own work8 ,how could you shut out that gorgeous sunset1 turn from all the pure and heavenly feelings such scenes must awaken1 to sympathize with imaginary beings and descriptions8 ,and now ,i tarried at ,niagara1 wonderful1 sublime ,niagara-- ----,speaking in voice of thunder ,eternally of ,god--bidding the lips of man ,keep silence1 and upon the rocky altar1 pour ,incense of sweet praise4 ,rambling along the shore of ,iris ,island1 every step presenting a new scene1 impressing the mind with the greatness of ,god and the insignificance of man1 while the voice of many waters proclaimed to erring reason there is a ,god3 also1 here1 under the shade of a noble oak1 in full view of the great ,cataract1 sat a small group of ladies2 in their midst1 a gentle girl reading aloud from one of the many works that charm the greedy reader on1 till done1 he tries to recollect his thoughts and nothing finds--but dreamy emptiness4 ,i lingered1 and learned this was the tale of a young authoress1 whose writings are now winning golden opinions from a portion of our religious press4 ,yet how unsuitable the place for delighting in the extravagant and improbable blending of truth and fiction1 though it may have a moral and religious under-current4 ,at the side of that young reader sat her mother4 ,the favorable moments for impressing that immortal mind committed to her guardianship1 with right views of the ,infinite ,supreme1 were swiftly passing away1 the opportunity of awakening in her young heart while beholding ,his wonderful work emotions of humility and reverence was alike forgotten2 with the daughter just entering upon womanhood she gave all thought and feeling1 alone to the ideal4 ,could ,i have aroused that parent to a sense of her obligations1 of her neglected opportunities1 of the priceless value of her child's soul1 stranger though ,i was1 ,i would have earnestly besought her1 to take away that romance1 to step with her to the point but just before them--open the ,book of books1 and let her read of ,him who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand1 and meted out heaven with a span2 who hath compassed the waters with bounds until the day and night come to an end2 whose way is in the sea1 and his path in the great waters4 ,the ,lord1 whose name alone is excellent1 his glory above the earth and heaven4 ,,theta4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,to ,,my ,,father1 ,,after ,a ,,wreck ,,of ,,fortune1 ,,and ,,in ,a ,,foreign ,,land4 ,all gone--yet 'mid this heavy loss ,a ray of light behold2 ,if thou art parted with the dross1 ,there's left for thee the gold4 ,a name unsullied--conscience clear1 ,from aught that man can prove2 ,and1 what must be to thee most dear1 ,thy children's changeless love4 ,the visions of the world so fair ,are fading from our sight2 ,yet hope sinks not in vain despair1 ,but points to one more bright4 ,oh1 may misfortune's chilling blight1 ,but bind us closer here1 ,till we behold the dawning light ,of yonder blessed sphere4 ,and ,o1 my father1 linger not1 ,in exile1 from our hearth2 ,ah1 this has been a cherished spot1 ,to make us cling to earth4 ',tis where the youngest of the seven ,first drew his fleeting breath1 ,sweet cherished flower1 the gift of heaven1 ,to fill our blooming wreath4 ,and saddened memories linger not ,around each faded year2 ,oh1 let it never be forgot ,death hath not entered here4 ,the shrine of many a fervent prayer1 ,more loved than words can tell1 ,is passing to another's care1 ,and we must say1 ,farewell4 ,but ,o1 my father1 hasten home1 ',tis in each loved one's heart2 ,thy wife1 thy children1 bid thee come1 ,and ne'er again depart4 ,for me1 my love shall ever twine ,around thy future years2 ,and my most fervent prayers be thine ,amid this vale of tears1 ,that when life's busy cares shall cease-- ,its feeble ties be riven2 ,thine honored head may rest in peace1 ,thy soul ascend to heaven4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,family ,,government ,it is generally admitted that there has been a lamentable declension in family government within a few years4 ,i propose to show some of the causes of this growing evil1 and to point out the remedy4 #a4 ,inattention and blindness to the faults of children4--,as a matter of course we cannot expect parents will restrain their children without observing their faults4 ,they must see an error before they can correct it4 ,it would not be strange if affection or love for our children should sometimes hide their faults1 or that others should sometimes notice them before we do4 ,they are often1 too1 looked upon as trivial1 as of small importance4 ,the mother of pirate ,gibbs might have thought it very trivial that her little son should kill flies1 and catch and torture domestic animals4 ,but it had its influence in forming the character of the pirate4 ,the man who finishes his days in state-prison as a notorious thief began his career in the nursery by stealing pins1 or in the pantry by stealing sugar and cake1 and as soon as old enough to look abroad1 to take a little choice fruit from a neighbor's garden or orchard4 ,the finished gambler began his career by the side of his mother1 by taking pins stealthily from her cushion4 ,children cannot do great things when young4 ,they have not the power4 ,their powers and views are too limited to perform what may be called great deeds of wickedness4 ,yet the grossly immoral usually begin their downward course in youth4 ,the germ of wickedness is then planted4 ,time only matures what is thus begun4 ,those trivial things which you suffer to pass without a rebuke1 constitute the germ of all their future depravity4 ,the wickedness of youth differs from that of mature age rather in degree than in kind4 ,the character of the man may often be read in the conduct of the child4 ,thus bad government originates in overlooking the faults of children1 or in wrong views of their conduct4 ,the deeds of childhood are considered of small moment4 ,childhood with them has no connection with manhood4 ,the child may be anything1 and make a giant in intellect1 or a professor in morals4 ,but it should be remembered that the very essence of good government lies in watching the connection of one act with another1 in tracing the relation between the conduct of mature age and the little developments of childhood and youth4 ,good government respects not only the present good of its subjects but their future4 ,it takes in eternity as well as time4 ,a great many parents are totally blind to the faults of their children4 ,they see none when they are even gross4 ,everybody else can see them1 and is talking about them1 and they know not that they exist4 ,like ,eli1 of ancient days1 the first that they know of the wickedness of their children they hear it from all the people4 ,it is a sad thing when others have to tell us of the depravity of our children4 ,and it is then generally too late to correct them4 ,the public do not know the first aberrations of childhood and youth4 ,they can only be learnt in the nursery4 ,if parents are blind to them1 and they are suffered to become habits1 it is generally too late to correct them4 ,it is in the form of habits that neighbors become acquainted with them4 ,woe to that child then1 whose faults are rebuked by every one else1 but not by his parents6 ,his faults are in every one's mouth1 but not in theirs4 #b4 ,the interference of one parent while the other is endeavoring to enforce rightful discipline4--,nothing has a more injurious influence upon family government than such a course4 ,it presents the two1 in whom the children should place the most implicit confidence1 at variance4 ,as a matter of course1 the disobedient child will throw himself into the hands of the one interfering1 as a kind of shield from the rod4 ,in such a case it is almost utterly impossible to maintain government and support discipline4 ,the child justifies himself1 and stoutly persists in his rebellion while he receives countenance from one of his parents4 ,this1 if ,i mistake not1 is often done4 ,many a family has been ruined in this way for time and eternity4 ,government was entirely disobeyed in the outset4 ,the father undertook the correction of the child1 but the mother threw her arms over him--she pleads that he is a little child--that he knew not what correction means1 as for what he is corrected--or the rod is applied too severely4 ,the child cried most unmercifully1 when perhaps he only cried because he was rebellious and stubborn4 ,this repeated a few times1 and the one who is determined to maintain discipline becomes discouraged1 and silently the management1 or rather the mismanagement of the family passes into the hands of the other parent1 and for peace sake4 ,the above is a fruitful cause of bad management4 ,in truth no one is prepared to govern others unless he governs himself4 ,a fretful spirit and an impatient manner can do but little else than awaken opposition in the breast of the child4 ,such a course can never secure confidence and love4 ,every parent is here exposed to err4 ,we are never prepared to administer discipline without possessing the spirit of ,christ4 ,it would probably be a good rule to adopt never to correct a child until we have been upon our knees before ,god in prayer4 ,it would be a great preventive to a spirit of impatience4 #c4 ,a want of decision4--,one reason why some find so much difficulty in the management of their families1 is owing to the manner in which they address their children4 ,they never speak with any degree of decision4 ,the child judges it doubtful whether the parent means what he requires4 ,he therefore hesitates and hesitates before he obeys4 ,he foresees this habit1 and hence he neglects obedience altogether4 ,for the want of decision1 he is under the necessity of repeating his commands again and again4 ,what a wretched practice6 ,no one should think he governs his children without they obey him at once4 ,he should never expect to repeat his commands1 and he should speak in such a manner as to lead the child to infer the parent expected him to obey4 ,manner has great influence4 ,expression is more than half4 ,where submission takes place under such circumstances1 it is generally of the genuine kind4 ,there is no spuriousness about it4 ,and there is not often any more trouble about discipline after that4 ,the question is decisively settled4 ,it is not every child that manifests its rebellion so much all at once4 ,they manifest it little by little1 daily1 as opportunity offers1 and then they will appear more easily to yield4 ,it is to be feared1 there is but little genuine submission in many such instances4 ,at least there is but one course for the parent--to keep up the discipline so long as he manifests the least particle of rebellion4 ,if he shows rebellion in any particular way1 you should not try to avoid it1 but meet it1 and effect the work of entire submission4 #d4 ,correcting with an improper spirit and in an improper manner is another cause of bad government4--,some never chastise except in a rage1 and then no one is prepared to do it4 ,they must get very much excited before they undertake to correct the child1 and then perhaps when the child is not in the least to blame4 ,he lets a pitcher fall1 or breaks a plate1 the parent flies into a passion1 and begins to beat the unlucky boy or girl4 ,perhaps no positive correction was deserved4 ,such a spirit can never benefit a child4 ,some never think of reproving a real fault4 ,it is only when an accident occurs1 or some unintentional mishap is done1 that the rod is ever used4 ,to be sure there might be blame1 but nothing compared with some acts of deliberate and willful transgression1 when no correction is given4 ,parents1 your children cannot purchase at any price what you can give them2 ,i mean a subdued will4 ,to effect this it is necessary to begin when a child is very young4 ,the earlier the better1 if you can make yourself understood4 ,you need not fix upon any particular age when to begin2 let this depend on circumstances1 and different children will show their rebellion upon different points4 #e4 ,coming short of attaining the object when you make the attempt--leaving discipline half completed4--,when a child is corrected1 every reasonable object should be attained4 ,no point should be evaded4 ,the parent should not stop until perfect and entire submission is effected on every point of dispute4 ,and first ,i would invite your attention to instances by no means rare1 where the child shows rebellion on some particular point4 ,at such a point he stops2 you cannot move him4 ,he will do anything else but just the thing required4 ,he may never have showed a stubborn will before4 ,you have now found a point where you differ2 there is a struggle between will and will2 the stakes are set1 and one or the other must yield4 ,there is no avoiding it2 you cannot turn to the right nor to the left2 there is but one course for you4 ,you must go forward1 or the ruin of your child is sealed4 ,you have come to an important crisis in the history of your child1 and if you need motive to influence you to act1 you may delineate as upon a map his temporal and eternal destiny--these mainly depend upon the issue of the present struggle4 ,if you succeed1 your child is saved2 if you fail1 he is lost4 ,you may think perhaps your child will die before he will yield4 ,we had almost said he might as well die as not to yield4 ,i have known several parents who found themselves thus situated4 ,perhaps they possessed a feeble hand1 their strength began to fail1 but it was no time to parley4 ,they summoned all their energy to another mighty struggle4 ,victory was theirs--a lost child was saved4 ,some are contented with anything that looks like obedience in such instances4 ,the occasion passes4 ,it soon1 however1 recurs with no better nor as good prospects4 ,thus the struggle is kept up while the child remains under the parental roof4 ,a father one day gave his little son some books1 his knife1 and last of all his watch to amuse him4 ,he was right under his eye4 ,at length he told him to bring them all to him4 ,he brought the books and knife to him cheerfully2 the watch he wanted to keep--that was his idol4 ,the father told him to bring that2 he refused4 ,the father used the rod4 ,he took up the watch and brought it part way1 and laid it down4 ,the father told him to put it in his hand1 but he would not4 ,he corrected him again4 ,he brought it a little farther and laid it down4 ,again he whipped him4 ,at length he brought it and held it right over his father's hand1 but would not put it in4 ,the father1 wearied by the struggle1 struck the son's hand with the stick1 and the watch fell into his hand4 ,it was not given up4 ,there was no submission4 ,that son has been known to be several times under conviction1 but he would never submit to ,god4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible ,,rizpah4 ,in order fully to understand the subject of our present study1 we must return upon the track1 to the days of ,joshua1 before ,israel had wholly entered upon the possession of the promised land4 ,the tribes were encamped at ,gilgal to keep the passover1 and from there1 by the direction of ,jehovah1 they made incursions upon the surrounding inhabitants4 ,jericho and ,ai had been taken1 and the fear of these formidable ,hebrews and their mighty ,god had fallen upon the hearts of the nations and stricken them almost to hopelessness4 ,feeling that a last effort to save themselves and their homes must be made1 they banded together and resolved to defend their rights1 and to put to proof the combined power of their deities4 ,one clan1 however1 despairing of success by any such means1 having heard that the utter extirpation of the ,canaanites was determined upon1 resorted to stratagem1 and thus secured their safety in the midst of the general ruin4 ,they did work wilily1 says the sacred record1 and made as if they had been ambassadors1 and took old sacks upon their asses1 and wine bottles old1 and rent1 and bound up2 and old shoes and clouted upon their feet1 and old garments upon them2 and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy4 ,and they went to ,joshua unto the camp at ,gilgal1 and said unto him1 and to the men of ,israel1 ,we be come from a far country1 now therefore make ye a league with us4 ,at first the ,israelites seem to have suspected trickery1 but when the supposed ambassadors produced their mouldy bread1 and declared that it was taken hot from the oven on the morning of their departure from their own country1 and that their wine bottles were new1 now so shrunk and torn1 and pointed to their shoes and garments quite worn out by the length of the journey2 and told their pitiful story1 and in their humility stooped to any terms if they might only be permitted to make a covenant1 ,joshua and his elders were completely deceived1 and without stopping to ask counsel of the ,lord1 they made peace with them1 and made a league with them to let them live4 ,the ,lord abhors treachery1 and although his people had greatly erred in this act1 and although these ,hivites were among the nations whom he had commanded them to destroy1 yet since a covenant had been made with them1 it must be kept on peril of his stern displeasure and severe judgments4 ,only three days elapsed before the ,israelites discovered that the crafty ambassadors were their near neighbors1 and were called upon to come to their defense against the other inhabitants of the land1 who having heard of the transaction at ,gilgal1 had gathered together to smite their principal city1 ,gibeon1 and destroy them because they had made peace with ,joshua4 ,before the walls of that mighty city1 and in behalf of these idolaters1 because ,jehovah would have his people keep faith with those to whom they had vowed1 was fought that memorable battle1 the like of which was never known before or since1 when to aid the cause1 the laws of ,nature were suspended upon human intercession--when ,joshua said1 ,sun1 stand thou still upon ,gibeon1 and thou1 moon1 in the valley of ,ajalon4 ,so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven1 and hasted not to go down about a whole day4 ,the tribes gained their inheritance1 and their enemies were mostly driven out of the land1 but in their midst ever dwelt the ,gibeonites1 safe from molestation1 though the menial services of the tabernacle were performed by them1 because of the deceit by which they purchased their lives1 and they were contented to be thus reduced to perpetual bondage so they might escape the doom of their neighbors4 ,years passed on1 and vicissitudes came to the ,israelites of one kind and another4 ,sometimes they were victorious in their battles and peaceful among themselves2 and again they fled before enemies or were embroiled in civil dissensions4 ,ever1 above1 caring for them1 and bringing them safely on through all2 instructing1 guiding and disciplining1 sat on his throne1 their mighty invisible ,king4 ,they demanded an earthly monarch1 and in judgment he granted their desire4 ,in judgment1 and miserable in many ways were the results of his reign4 ,among his other evil acts not recorded1 but alluded to in the history1 was one of cruel treachery to the ,gibeonites4 ,it would seem that ,saul viewed their possessions with a covetous eye1 as affording him the means of rewarding his adherents1 and of enriching his family1 and hence1 on some pretense or other1 or without any pretense1 he slew large numbers of them1 and doubtless seized their possessions4 ,in this wicked deed we gather that many of the ,israelites1 and the members of ,saul's family in particular1 had an active share1 and were benefited by the spoils4 ,the ,almighty beheld and took cognisance1 but no immediate retribution followed4 ,towards the close of ,david's reign1 however1 for some unknown reason1 the whole land was visited with a famine4 ,month after month it stalked abroad1 and year after year1 until three years of want had afflicted the chosen people4 ,at the end of that time ,david1 having resorted to all possible means of providing food in vain1 began to reflect that there was meaning in the visitation1 and sought the face of the ,lord1 to inquire why he was displeased with his people4 ,the answer was explicit and terrible4 ,it is for ,saul and his bloody house1 because he slew the ,gibeonites4 ,though men forget1 the ,lord does not4 ,he will plead the cause of the oppressed sooner or later1 and though his vengeance sleep long1 yet will he reward to those that deal treachery sevenfold sorrow4 ,driven by famine and by the expressed will of ,jehovah1 ,david sent to ask of the injured people what should be done to satisfy their sense of justice4 ,and the ,gibeonites said unto him1 ,we will have no silver nor gold of ,saul nor of his house1 neither for us shalt thou kill any man in ,israel4 ,the man that consumed us1 and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of ,israel1 ,let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us1 and we will hang them up unto the ,lord in ,gibeon of ,saul4 ,and the king said1 ,i will give them4 ,dreadful days of blood6 ,fearful fiat6 which though needful and just1 yet invaded the sanctuary of home so gloomily4 ,sad world6 in which the innocent so often bear the sins of the guilty1--when will thy groans1 ever ascending into the ears of ,almighty love1 be heard and bring release8 ,the sentence was executed4 ,two sons of ,saul by ,rizpah1 his inferior wife1 and five of ,merab his eldest daughter1 whom ,michal had1 for some reason1 educated1 were delivered up and hung by the ,gibeonites4 ,who can imagine1 much less portray1 the mother's anguish when her noble sons were torn from her for such a doom6 ,we do not know whether ,merab was living to see that day of horror1 but ,rizpah felt the full force of the blow which blasted all her hopes4 ,her husband1 the father of her sons1 had been suddenly slain in battle2 her days of happiness and security had departed with his life1 and now1 all that remained of comfort1 her precious children1 must be put to a cruel death to satisfy the vengeance due to crimes not hers nor theirs4 ,wretched mother6 a bitter lot indeed was thine6 ,but the ,lord had spoken1 and there was no reprieve4 ,to the very town where they had all dwelt under their father's roof1 were these hapless ones dragged and their bodies ignominiously exposed upon the wall until they should waste away--a custom utterly abhorrent to all humanity1 and especially to the ,hebrews1 whose strongest desire might be expressed in the words of the aged ,barzillai1 ,let me die in mine own city1 and be buried by the grave of my father and mother4 ,behold now that lone and heart-broken mother1 on the spot where day and night1 week after week1 and month after month1 she may be found4 ,neither heat nor cold--distressing days nor fearful nights--the entreaties of friends1 nor the weariness of watching1 nor the horrifying exhibition of decaying humanity1 could drive her from her post4 ,upon the sackcloth which she had spread for herself upon the rock she remained from the beginning of the harvest until the rain dropped upon them out of heaven1 and suffered neither the birds of the air by day1 nor the beasts of the field by night to molest those precious remains4 ,o mother's heart6 of what heroism art thou capable6 ,before a scene like this the bravest exploits of earth's proudest heroes fade into dim insignificance4 ,at this picture we can only gaze4 ,words wholly fail when we would comment on it4 ,of the agonies it reveals we cannot speak4 ,there are lessons to be learned from it1 and upon them we can ponder4 ,the value which the ,lord our ,god sets upon truth is here displayed4 ,he will have no swerving from the straight path of perfect fidelity to all engagements and covenants4 ,severe and awful appears his character as thus presented to us1 and yet it is upon this very attribute that all our hopes rely4 ,he is not a man that he should lie1 nor the son of man that he should repent4 ,if he thus defends those who love him not1 how safe and happy may his children rest4 ,the days in which ,rizpah lived were dark and gloomy days4 ,the words of ,samuel to ,agag may stand as their memorial1 ,as thy sword hath made women childless1 so shall thy mother be childless among women4 ,let us be thankful that we see no such direful scenes1 and let us act worthy of our higher lot4 ,let us remember also that there is a destruction of life more terrible even than that which ,rizpah witnessed--the destruction of the soul4 ,if the mother's love within us prompts us to half the care of the spiritual life of our children1 which she bestowed on the decaying forms of her loved ones1 ,he who rewards faithfulness will not suffer us to labor in vain4 99 99 99 99 99 ,each day is a new life2 regard it therefore1 as an epitome of the world4 ,frugality is a fair fortune1 and industry a good estate4 ,small faults indulged1 are little thieves to let in greater4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,female ,,education--,,intellectual ,,training4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,s4 ,w4 ,,fisher4 ,let us now enter upon the second part of the field of education1 the training of the intellect4 ,it is obvious that we have in this1 a much higher subject to deal with than that on which we have just dwelt4 ,the physical form in a few years develops itself1 and soon reaches its utmost limits of growth4 ,it is then an instrument whose powers we seek to maintain but cannot increase4 ,as time advances1 indeed1 those powers gradually yield to the influence of disease or age1 until the senses begin to neglect their office1 the brain declines in vigor1 while the tongue1 the eye1 the hand1 forget their accustomed work in the imbecility wrought by the approach of death4 ,but no such limitation is manifest to us in the growth and future life of the intellect4 ,dependent upon the body for a healthful home in this world1 and so far limited by the conditions of mortality1 it yet seems to have in itself no absolute limitation bounding its prospective and possible attainments1 save as the finite never can fully attain to the infinite4 ,granting it a congenial home1 a fitting position1 with full opportunity for progress1 and there is scarcely a height this side infinity which in the ascent of ages it seems not capable of reaching4 ,all creatures are finite1 and as such1 limited2 but the horizon around the soul is so amazingly expansive1 and the capacities of the mind for progress so immense1 that to us1 in our present state1 it is almost as if there were no limitations at all4 ,the power of the intellect to acquire facts and relations1 and from them to ascend to the laws which control2 its power to advance in a daily ascending path into the region of intuition1 where masses of things1 once isolated or chaotic1 range themselves into harmony1 and move in numbers most musical2 its power thus to rise into an enlarging vision of truths now latent1 and behold directly laws1 relations and facts which once evaded the sight1 or were only seen dimly and after great toil1 it is utterly beyond our sphere to limit4 ,we know that what to us in childhood was a mystery1 is now simple2 that some of the grandest laws of the material world which a few years back were reached only after stupendous labor1 are now become intuitive truths2 and we can see no reason why the human mind is not capacitated for just such advances eternally2 at every ascent sweeping its vision over a broader range of truth1 and rising ever nearer that ,omniscient ,intellect to which all things open4 ,the instinct and imperfect reason of the noblest brutes1 are here in marked contrast to the mind of man4 ,they reach the limit of knowledge with the ripening of their physical frame2 a limit which no training1 however protracted and ingenious1 can overpass2 which never varies1 except as a cord drawn round a center may vary1 by being enlarged on the one side and contracted on the other2 and which prepares them without the acquisition of a particle of superfluous intelligence for their brute life as the servitors of man4 ,while his mind1 never wholly stationary for a long period1 has capacities for development that seem to spurn a merely sensual life1 and lift the spirit to a companionship with angels2 which1 instead of resting satisfied with the mere demands of the body1 seeks to penetrate the deep springs of life1 discern the exquisite organism of an insect's wing1 measure the stars1 and analyze the light that reveals them4 ,possessing an intellect of so fine a nature1 it is not to be questioned that1 according to our opportunities1 it is incumbent on us to carry forward its improvement from childhood to hoary age4 ,a power like this1 of indefinite expansion1 in directions surpassingly noble1 among subjects infinitely grand1 has been conferred that it might be expanded1 and go on expanding in an eternal progression2 that it might sweep far beyond its present horizon and firmament1 where the stars now shining above us1 shall become the jeweled pavement beneath us1 while above still roll other spheres of knowledge1 destined in like manner to descend below us as the trophies of our victorious progress4 ,to bury such an intellect as this in the commonplaces of a life of mere sense2 to confine it to the narrow circle of a brute instinct and reason2 to live in such a world1 with the infinite mind of ,jehovah looking at us from all natural forms1 breathing around us in all tones of music1 shining upon us from all the host of heaven1 and soliciting us to launch away into an atmosphere of knowledge and ascend to an acquaintance with the great ,first ,cause1 even as the bird challenges the fledgling to leave its nest1 and be at home on the wing2 to live amid such incitements to thought1 yet never lift the eyes from the dull round of physical necessities1 is treason toward our higher nature1 the voluntary defacement of the grandest characteristic of our being4 ,the education of the intellect is not a question to be debated with men who have the slightest appreciation of their noble capacities4 ,the obligation to improve it is commensurate with its susceptibility of advancement and our opportunities4 ,it is not limited to a few years in early life1 it presses on us still in manhood and declining age4 ,such is a general statement of the duty of intellectual improvement4 ,in the actual education of the mind1 our course will necessarily be modified by the ultimate objects at which we aim4 ,properly these are twofold--the first general1 the second specific4 ,the first embraces the general training of our intellectual powers1 with direct reference to the high spiritual life here and hereafter4 ,we place before us that state of immortality to which the present stands in the relation of a portico to a vast temple4 ,the intellect is itself destined to survive the body1 and as the instrument through which the heart is to be disciplined and fitted for this condition of exalted humanity1 is to be informed with all that truth most essential for this purpose4 ,whatever there be in the heavens or the earth--in books or works of men1 to discipline1 enlarge and exalt the mind1 to that we shall be attracted4 ,a right heart breathes in an atmosphere of truth2 it grows and rejoices in communion with all the light that shines upon it from the works or word of ,god4 ,all truth1 indeed1 is not of the same importance4 ,there is that which is primary and essential2 there is that which adds to the completeness1 without going to the foundation of character4 ,the truths that enter a well cultivated mind1 animated by right sentiments1 will arrange themselves by a natural law in the relative positions they hold as the exponents of the character of ,god1 and the means more or less adapted to promote the purity and elevation of man4 ,all truth is of ,god2 yet it is not all of equal value as an educational influence4 ,there are different circles--some central1 some remote4 ,the crystals of the rock1 the stratification of the globe1 and the facts of a like character1 will fill an outer circle1 as beautiful1 or skillful1 or wonderful1 in the demonstration of divine powers1 but not so in themselves unfolding the highest attributes of ,god4 ,the architecture of animate nature1 the processes of vegetable life1 the composition of the atmosphere1 the clouds and the water1 will range themselves in another circle1 within the former1 and gradually blending with it1 as the manifestations of the wisdom and benificence of ,god4 ,then the unfoldings of his moral character in the government of nations1 in the facts of history1 and in the general revelation of himself in the ,scriptures1 will constitute another band of truth concentric with the others1 yet brighter and nearer the center4 ,while at length in the cross and person of ,christ--in the system of redemption1 and all the great facts which it embodies1 we behold the innermost circle that1 sweeping round ,jehovah as its center1 reflects the light of his being1 most luminously upon the universe4 ,such is obviously the relative order of the truth we seek to know4 ,it is the different manifestations of ,god1 ascending from the lowest attributes of divinity1 to those which constitute a character worthy the homage and love of all beings4 ,now1 as it is the great object of life to know ,god and enjoy him1 so in education we are to keep this steadily in view1 and follow the order of procedure for the attainment of it which ,god has himself established4 ,to spend the life or the years of youth on the study of rocks and crystals1 to the neglect of the higher moral truths which lie within their circle1 is unpardonable folly--a folly not to be redeemed by the fact that such knowledge is a partial unfolding of ,god to man4 ,it is little better than studying the costume to the neglect of the person--than the examination of the frame to the neglect of the master-piece of a ,raphael inclosed within it--than the criticism of a single window to the neglect of the glorious dome of ,st4 ,peter's--than viewing the rapids to the neglect of the mighty fall of ,niagara4 ,in education1 the observance of this natural order of truth will bring us1 at length1 to that which fills the outer circle1 and thus all the kinds of knowledge will receive a just attention4 ,indeed1 the study of the one naturally leads us to the other4 ,we shall pass from the inner to the outer lines of truth1 and back again1 learning all the while this important lesson1 that the study of the more remote class of truths is designed to conduct us to a more perfect appreciation of that which is moral1 religious1 central and saving2 while the study of the higher parts of revelation will show us that the former come in to finish and perfect the latter4 ,we do not despise the frieze--the architrave--the cornice--the spires1 and the other ornaments of the temple1 because we regard as most essential the foundation1 the corner stone1 the walls and the roofing2 but in due time we seek to impart to our edifice not only strength and security1 but the beauty of the noblest and richest adornment4 ,according to our means1 and as the necessities of life will permit1 we shall seek for knowledge from all its various spheres1 and despise nothing that ,god has thought worthy of his creative power or supporting energy4 ,now this large course of education in obedience to its first great object1 is not limited by anything in itself or in us1 to a particular class of individuals4 ,it is the common path along which all intelligent beings are to pass4 ,the object to which it conducts is before us all1 and common to all4 ,it is not divided into departments for separate classes4 ,woman1 as well as man1 has an interest in it1 and an obligation to seek for it1 just as binding as that which rests on him4 ,all souls are equal1 and though intellects may vary1 yet the pursuit of truth for the exaltation of the soul is common to all4 ,as this obligation to unfold the powers of the intellect1 that we may grasp the truth1 is primary1 taking precedence of other objects--since all duty is based on knowledge1 and all love and worship1 and right action on the intelligence and apprehension of ,god--so education1 which in this department is but the development of our capacity1 preparing us to pursue the truth1 and master the difficulties which frown us away from its attainment1 rises into a duty the most imperative upon all rational beings4 ,the same path here stretches onward before both sexes1 the same motives impel them1 the same objects are presented to them1 the same obligations rest upon them4 ,neither youth nor age--neither man nor woman1 can here make a limitation that shall confine one sex to a narrow corner--an acre of this broad world of intelligence--and leave the other free to roam at large among all sciences4 ,whatever it is truly healthful for the heart of man to know1 whatever befits his spiritual nature and immortal destiny1 that is just as open to the mind of woman1 and just as consistent with her nature4 ,to deny this abstract truth1 we must either affirm the sentiment falsely ascribed to ,mahomet1 although harmonizing well enough with his faith in general1 that women have no souls2 or take the ground that truth in this1 its widest extent1 is not as essential to their highest welfare as it is to ours2 or assert1 that possessing inferior intellects1 they are incapable of deriving advantage from the general pursuit of knowledge1 and therefore must be confined to a few primary truths1 of which man is to be the judge4 ,the first supposition we leave with the fanaticism that may have given it birth1 and with which it so well harmonizes2 the second we surrender to those atheistic fools and swindling politicians who can see no excellence in knowledge1 save as it may minister to their sensual natures1 or assist them to cajole the people2 while the man who maintains the third1 we would recommend to a court of ,ladies1 with ,queen ,elizabeth as judge1 ,madame de ,stael as prosecuting attorney1 and ,hannah ,more1 ,mrs4 ,hemans1 and other bright spirits of the same sex1 as jury4 ,i have dwelt thus at length on the first and most general object before us in the pursuit of knowledge1 because it is really of the highest and noblest education1 common to both sexes and unlimited by anything in their character or different spheres of life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,general ,,directions ,,for ,,the ,,physical ,,education ,,of ,,children1 ,,derived ,,from ,,the ,,german ,,practice1 ,,and ,,adapted ,,to ,,the ,,american ,,population4 ,the great difficulty in this country is1 that we try to do too much for our children4 ,if we would let them alone a little more1 we should do better2 that is1 if we would content ourselves with keeping them warm and clean1 and feeding them on simple1 wholesome food1 it would be enough4 ,they will take exercise of themselves1 if we will let them alone1 and they will shout and laugh enough to open their lungs4 ,it is really curious for a scientific person to look on and observe the numerous and sometimes1 alas6 fatal mistakes that are constantly made4 ,you will see a family where the infants are stout and vigorous as a parent's heart could desire1 and1 if only let alone1 would grow up athletic and fine people2 but parents want to be doing1 so they shower them every morning to make them strong--they are strong already6 ,then1 even before they are weaned1 they will teach them to suck raw beef2 for what8 ,has not their natural food sustained them well8 ,an infant will have teeth before it wants animal food4 ,but all these courses they have heard were strengthening1 so they administer them to the strongest1 till excess of stimulants produces inflammation1 and the natural strength is wasted by disease4 ,then the child grows pale and feeble2 now the stimulants are redoubled1 they are taken to the sea-shore1 kept constantly in the open air1 and a great amount of exercise is insisted on4 ,by this time all the symptoms of internal inflammation show themselves3 the skin is pale1 the hands and feet cold1 dark under the eyes1 reluctance to move1 c41 c4 ,but no one suspects what is the matter2 even the physician is often deceived at this stage of the process1 and if he is1 the child's case will be a hard one4 ,i mention particularly this course of stimulants1 as it is just now the prevalent mania4 ,every one ought to understand1 that those practices which are commonly called strengthening1 are1 in other words1 stimulating1 and that to apply stimulants where the system is already in a state of health1 will produce too much excitement4 ,the young1 from the natural quickness of their circulation1 are particularly liable to this excess of action1 which is inflammation4 ,this general inflammation1 in time1 settles into some form of acute disease1 so that in fact1 by blindly attempting to strengthen1 we inflame1 disease1 and enfeeble to the greatest possible degree4 ,if we look at nature--at the animal instincts that are around us1 what a different course does it advise6 ,the ,creator has taught the lower races to take care of their young2 and if some accident does not happen to them they never lose one2 just as they manage to-day1 just so did they do for them a thousand years ago4 ,man is left to his own reason1 ,i had almost said to his caprice2 every age has produced different customs1 and in consequence different diseases4 ,more than half of the human race die under five years old2 how small a portion live to the full threescore and ten4 ,morally and intellectually1 man may advance to an almost unlimited extent2 but he must remember1 that physically he is subjected to the same laws as other animals4 ,is it not quite time that we should bow our pride of reason1 and look to the practice of those animals that raise all their young1 and live out their own natural lives8 ,how do they manage8 ,we need not look far2 see1 madam1 the cat2 how does she contrive to rear her young family8 ,who ever saw her give one of them a shower-bath8 ,who ever saw her take a piece of meat to her nest1 that her little ones might try their gums on it1 before their teeth had grown8 ,who ever saw her taking them out of a cold winter's day for exercise in the open air1 till their little noses were as red as those of the unfortunate babies one meets every cold day8 ,not one of all these excellent fashionable plans does she resort to4 ,she keeps them clean--very clean1 warm--very warm indeed4 ,the ,creator sends them to make their way in the world dressed completely1 cap and all1 in a garment unexceptionable as to warmth2 there is no thick sock on the feet to protect from chills1 and the head left with the bare skin uncovered1 because reason had discovered that the head was the hottest part of the body1 and that it was all a mistake that it should be so2 therefore it was left exposed to correct this natural1 universal law of the animal economy4 ,pussy knows nothing of all this1 so kittie's cap is left on1 coming snug over the little ears2 and who ever saw a cat deaf 7but from age7 or a kitten with the ear-ache8 ,yet the first thing that strikes a stranger1 in coming to our land of naked heads1 is the number of persons he meets1 that are partially deaf1 or have inflamed eyes4 ,all this sounds like a joke1 but is it not a pretty serious one8 ,is it not strange1 that men do not look oftener in this direction8 ,it is not the cat alone1 every animal gives the same lessons4 ,the rabbit is so careful1 that lest her young should take cold while she is from home1 she makes a sort of thick pad or comforter of her own hair1 and lays it for a covering over them4 ,we do not hear that the old rabbits1 when they go out into life1 7in our cold climate too7 are any more liable to take cold from having been so tenderly brought up4 ,in fact1 ,i doubt whether they ever take cold at all1 young or old2 while with man1 to have a cold seems to be his natural state1 particularly in the winter season4 ,i have heard some persons go so far as to say1 that a cold does not do a child any hurt2 but it is not true1 let who will say it2 every cold a child takes1 makes him more liable to another2 and another1 and another succeeds1 till chronic disease is produced4 7,to be ,continued47 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,a ,,faint ,,picture ,,of ,,human ,,life4 ,,the ,,boy2 ,,the ,,father ,,of ,,the ,,man ,on my first visit to ,new ,york1 many years since1 ,i was accompanied by a young nephew4 ,he was made up of smiles and cheerfulness4 ,such a traveling companion1 of any age1 is rare to be found1 so gallant--so ready to serve--so full of bright thoughts--anticipating all my wishes1 and yet so unobtrusive and modest--at the same time disposed to add to his own stock of knowledge from every passing incident4 ,nothing1 in fact1 escaped his observation4 ,the variety and richness of scenery which is everywhere to be found in the ,new ,england ,states1 seemed to delight his young heart4 ,this alone1 was enough to inspire my own heart with sunny thoughts1 though ,i was in affliction1 and was seldom found absent from my own happy home4 ,as ,i recall to mind that journey and that happy1 cheerful child1 ,i often think how much comfort even a child can impart to others1 when their hearts have been sanctified by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,i cannot forbear to say that cheerfulness is a cardinal virtue1 and ought to be more cultivated by the old and by the young4 ,a cheerful disposition not only blesses its possessor but imparts happiness to all that come within its reach4 ,as we entered the city at an early hour1 everything wore a cheerful aspect1 every step seemed elastic and every heart buoyant with hope4 ,there was a continual hum of busy men and women1 as we were passing near a market4 ,such a rolling of carts and carriages--so many cheerful children1 some crying ,raddishes--raddishes--others ,strawberries--strawberries--others with baskets of flowers--all wide awake1 each eager to sell his various articles of merchandise4 ,this was indeed a novel scene to us--it did seem a charming place4 ,my young companion remarked1 ,aunt ,c----1 ,i think everybody here must be happy4 ,i could not but at first respond to the sentiment4 ,but presently we began to meet persons--some halt--some blind--some in rags--looking filthy and degraded4 ,every face was new to us--not one person among the throngs we met that we had ever seen before4 ,an unusual sense of loneliness came over me1 and ,i thought my young attendant participated in this same feeling of solitude1 and though ,i said nothing1 ,i sighed for the quiet and familiar faces and scenes of the ,home1 sweet home ,i had so recently left4 ,we had not proceeded far before we saw men and boys in great commotion1 all running hurriedly1 in one direction1 bending their steps towards the opposite shore4 ,their step was light and quick1 but a look of sadness was in every face4 ,we could only1 now and then1 gather up a few murmuring words that fell from the lips of the passers-by4 ,there were more than thirty persons killed1 said one4 ,yes1 more than fifty1 said another4 ,we soon learned that a vessel on fire1 the preceding evening had entered the harbour1 but the fire had progressed so far that it was impossible to extend relief to the sufferers1 and most of the crew perished in the flames1 or jumped overboard and were drowned4 ,the awful impression of distress made upon the minds of persons unaccustomed to such disasters1 cannot well be described--they certainly were by no means transient4 ,it was sad to reflect that many who had thus perished after an absence from home1 some a few weeks1 others for months1 instead of greeting their friends1 were hurried into eternity so near their own homes1 under such aggravated circumstances4 ,and then what a terrible disappointment to survivors6 ,many families as well as individuals were by this calamity not only bereft of friends1 but of their property--some reduced to a state of comparative beggary4 ,this day's experience was but a faint picture of human life4 ,but to return to that young nephew4 ,does any one inquire with interest1 ,did his cheerful1 benevolent disposition1 his readiness to impart and to receive happiness continue with him through life8 ,it did in a pre-eminent degree4 ,it is believed that even then ,the joy of the ,lord was his strength4--,neh4 viii4 #aj4 ,he died at the age of #cg1 having been for nearly six years a successful missionary among the spicy breezes which blow soft o'er ,ceylon's ,isle4 ,a friend who had known him most intimately for many years while a student at ,yale1 and then tutor1 and then a student of ,theology1 after his death1 in writing to his bereaved mother1 says1 ,we had hope that your son1 from his rare qualifications to fill the station he occupied1 his remarkable facilities in acquiring that difficult language1 his cheerfulness in imparting knowledge1 his indomitable perseverance1 his superior knowledge1 and love of the ,bible1 which it was his business to teach--that in all this ,god had raised him up for a long life of service to the ,church2 but instead of this1 ,god had been fitting him1 all this time1 for some more important sphere of service in the upper sanctuary4 ,here1 as in thousands of other cases1 we see that ,the boy was the father of the man4 ,would any mother like to know the early history of that cheerful young traveler1 we reply1 as in the case of the prophet ,samuel1 he was asked of the ,lord1 and was1 therefore1 rightly named ,samuel4 ,the ,lord called him by his ,spirit1 when a mere child1 ,samuel1 ,samuel1 and he replied ,here am ,i2 and his subsequent life and character were what might be expected from his obedient disposition and his lowly conduct in early childhood4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a young prince having asked his tutor to instruct him in religion and to teach him to say his prayers1 was answered1 that he was yet too young4 ,that cannot be1 said the little boy1 for ,i have been in the burying ground and measured the graves2 ,i found many of them shorter than myself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,music ,,in ,,christian ,,families4--,,no4 #a4 ,it gives me much pleasure1 in accordance with your suggestions1 ,mrs4 ,w41 to lay before the readers of the ,magazine1 a few thoughts on the subject of music in ,christian families4 ,the subject is a very interesting one2 and ,i regret that time and space will not allow me to do it more ample justice4 ,music is one of those precious gifts of ,providence which are liable to be misused and misinterpreted4 ,it has been applied1 like oratory1 to pernicious1 as well as to useful purposes4 ,it has been made to minister to vice1 to indolence and to luxury--as well as to virtue1 to industry1 and to true refinement4 ,but we must not on this account question the preciousness of the gift itself4 ,the single circumstance that the ,master of ,assemblies requires it to be employed through all time1 in the solemn assemblies of his worshipers1 should suffice to prevent us from holding it in light estimation4 ,other good things besides music have been abused4 ,poetry1 and prose1 and eloquence1 for example2 but shall we therefore undervalue them8 ,painting1 too1 has its errings--some of them very grievous2 but shall it therefore be neglected1 as unworthy of cultivation8 ,things the most precious all have this liability1 and should on this account be guarded with more vigilance4 ,music1 merely as one of the fine arts1 has many claims to our attention4 ,we could not well say1 in this respect1 too much in its favor4 ,wrong things1 indeed1 have been said2 and many pretensions have been raised to which we could never subscribe4 ,it does not possess1 as some seem to think1 any inherent moral or religious efficacy4 ,it is not always safe1 as a mere amusement4 ,an unrestrained passion for it1 has often proved injurious1 and those who would become artists or distinguished amateurs1 have need of much caution on this head4 ,music is in this respect1 like poetry1 painting1 and sculpture4 ,the ,christian may cherish any of these arts1 as a means to some useful end2 but the moment he loses sight of real utility he is in danger1 for everything that he does or enjoys should be in accordance with the glory of ,god4 ,the most interesting point of view in which music is to be regarded is that which relates to the worship of ,god4 ,this gives it an importance which is unspeakable4 ,there is no precept which requires us to employ oratory1 or painting1 or sculpture in the worship of the ,most ,high4 ,nor is there any direct precept for the consecrated use of poetry2 for psalms and hymns and spiritual songs1 may be written in elevated prose4 ,but the ,bible is filled with directions for the employment of music in the sacred service4 ,both the ,old ,testament and the ,new require us to sing with devout affections1 to the praise and glory of ,god4 ,the command1 too1 seems to be general1 like those in relation to prayer4 ,if all are to pray1 so in everything are all to give thanks4 ,if we are to pray without ceasing1 so we are told1 let every thing that hath breath praise the ,lord4 ,again1 is any man afflicted1 let him pray3 is he merry 7joyful71 let him sing psalms4 ,the direction is not1 if any man is joyful1 let him attend a concert or listen to exercises in praise1 but let him sing4 ,there is something to be done in his own proper person4 ,our necessities compel us to pray4 ,a mere permission to do so1 might seem to suffice4 ,for we must pray earnestly and perseveringly1 or perish forever4 ,but will it do meanwhile to be sparing in our thanks8 ,true1 one may say1 ,i am under infinite obligations to give thanks1 and ,i generally endeavor to do so when engaged in the exercise of prayer4 ,but1 remember there is another divinely constituted exercise called praise4 ,why not engage in this also1 and mingle petitions with your praises8 ,this is the scriptural method of expressing gratitude and adoration1 and for ourselves1 we see not how individuals are to be excused in neglecting it4 ,every one1 it is true1 would not succeed as an artist1 if he had never so many advantages4 ,but every one who has the ordinary powers of speech1 might be so far instructed in song1 as to mingle his voice with others in the solemn assembly1 or at least to use it in private to his own edification4 ,this position has been established in these later times beyond the possibility of a rational doubt4 ,proofs of it have been as clear as demonstration4 ,these1 perhaps1 may be exhibited in another number4 ,but in reply to this statement it will be said1 that cultivation is exceedingly difficult if deferred to adult years4 ,well1 be it so4 ,it follows1 that since it is not difficult in years of childhood and youth1 all our children should have early and adequate instruction4 ,there should be singing universally in ,christian families4 ,and this is the precise point ,i have endeavored to establish in the present article4 ,how far the neglects and miscarriages of youth may excuse the delinquences of adult years1 ,i dare not presume to decide or conjecture4 ,it may suffice my present purpose to show that according to the ,bible all should sing2 and that all might sing if instruction had not been neglected4 ,is it not high time for such neglect to be done away8 ,and how shall it ever be done away1 except by the introduction of music into ,christian families8 ,let ,christian parents once become awake to the important results connected with this subject1 and they can ordinarily overcome what had seemed to them mountains of difficulty2 nay1 more1 what seemed impossibilities1 by considerable effort and a good share of perseverance4 ,even one instance of successful experiment in this way should be quite sufficient to induce others to make similar efforts4 ,a father who for many years1 during his collegiate and professional studies1 was for a long period abstracted from all domestic endearments1 much regretted this1 as he was sensible of the prejudicial influence it had in deadening the affections4 ,not many years after he became settled in business1 he found himself surrounded by quite a little group of children4 ,he became exceedingly interested in their spiritual welfare1 and in the success of ,sabbath-school instruction4 ,his heart was often made to rejoice as he contemplated the delightful influence upon himself of these home-scenes1 and which he longed to express in sacred song4 ,but as he had never cultivated either his ear or his voice1 he felt at his time of life it would be quite useless for him to try to learn4 ,neither did the mother of his children know anything about the rules of music4 ,they had at one time a very musical young relative for a visitor in their family4 ,the children were so delighted with his lofty strains that they kept him singing the greater part of the time4 ,the mother expressed great regret that neither she nor her husband could gratify the children in their eager desire to enjoy music4 ,this young friend said he was sure1 if she would but try1 he would soon convince her of the practicability of learning4 ,she promised to try--and in the attempt she was greatly encouraged by the assurances of her husband that he also would try4 ,it was soon found that all the children had a good ear and a good voice1 and particularly the eldest1 a girl of seven1 who was at length able to take the lead in singing a few tunes at family worship4 ,after a few months' trial1 no money could have tempted these parents to relinquish the pleasure and the far-reaching benefits which they felt must result from this social and exalted pleasure of uniting on earth in singing the sacred songs of ,zion1 as a preparation for loftier strains in ,heaven4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it has been beautifully said that ,reason is the compass by which we direct our course2 and ,revelation the pole star by which we correct its variations4 ,experience1 like the stern-light of a ship1 only shows us the path which has been passed over4 ,happiness1 like the violet1 is only a way-side flower4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,why ,,are ,,we ,,not ,,christians8 ,a ,,sketch ,,for ,,daughters4 ,it was the day for the meeting of the ,monthly ,missionary ,society1 in the village of ,c42 a day of pure unclouded loveliness in early summer1 when the sweetest flowers were blossoming1 and the soft delicious air was laden with their perfume1 and that of the newly-mown hay4 ,all nature seemed rejoicing in the manifestations of the goodness and love of its ,creator1 while the low mingled murmurings of insects1 breezes and rivulets1 with the songs of birds1 formed a sweet chorus of praise to ,god4 ,the society was to meet at deacon ,mills's1 who lived about four miles out of the village1 and whose house was the place where1 of all others1 all loved to go4 ,very early in the afternoon all the spare wagons1 carriages1 carryalls1 chaises and other vehicles were in demand4 ,a hay-rack was filled with young people1 as a farmer kindly offered to carry them nearly to the place1 and toward evening1 they considered1 it would be pleasant to walk home4 ,so deacon ,mills's house was filled with old1 middle-aged and young1 who were all soon occupied with the different kinds of work1 requisite for filling a box to be sent to a missionary family among the distant heathen4 ,seaming1 stitching1 piecing1 quilting and knitting1 kept every hand busy1 while their owners' tongues were equally so1 yet the conversation was not the common1 idle talk of the day1 but useful and elevating1 for religion was loved1 and lived1 by most of those dear and pleasant people1 and it could not but be spoken of4 ,still there was interest in each other's welfare1 as their social and domestic pursuits and plans were related and discussed4 ,there was a piazza in front of the house1 the pillars of which were covered with vines1 running from one to another1 gracefully interlacing1 and forming a pleasant screen from the sun's rays4 ,at one end of this piazza1 a group of five young girls were seated at their work4 ,they were chosen and intimate friends1 who shared with each other all that was interesting to themselves4 ,they had been talking pleasantly together for some time1 and had arrived at a moment's pause1 when ,clara ,glenfield said1 ,girls1 ,i think this is a good opportunity to say to you something that ,i have for a long time wished to say4 ,you know we are in the habit of speaking to each other upon every subject that interests us1 excepting that of religion4 ,none of us profess to be ,christians1 although we know it is our duty to be4 ,we have all pious mothers1 and1 if yours are like mine1 they are constantly urging1 as well as our other friends1 to give our hearts to ,god1 and we cannot but think of the subject2 now1 why should we not speak of it together8 and why are we not ,christians8 ,emily ,upton4 ,i should really be very glad1 ,clara1 if we could4 ,it seems to me we might talk much more freely with each other1 than with older persons2 for some things trouble me on this subject1 and if ,i should speak of them to mother1 or any one else1 ,i am afraid they would think less of me1 or blame me4 ,clara4 ,then let us each answer the question1 why are we not ,christians8 ,you tell us first1 ,emily4 ,emily4 ,well1 then1 it seems to me1 ,i am just as good as many in the church4 ,i do not mean to say that ,i am good1 but only if they are ,christians1 ,i think ,i am4 ,there is ,leonora ,d41 for instance1 she dresses as richly with feathers and jewels1 attends parties instead of the prayer-meetings1 and acts as haughtily as any lady of fashion ,i ever knew4 ,now1 ,i go to the ,bible class1 evening meetings1 always attend church1 and read the ,bible1 and pray every day4 ,notwithstanding all1 mother says1 so tenderly1 ',emily1 my child1 ,i wish you were a ,christian1' and ,i get almost angry that she will not admit that ,i am one4 ,alice ,grey4 ,well1 ,i do not blame ,leonora much4 ,to tell the truth1 ,i do not believe in so much church-going and psalm-singing4 ,i think ,god has given us these pleasant things to enjoy them1 and it is perfectly natural for a young girl to sing and dance1 visit1 dress1 and enjoy herself4 ,it seems to me there is time enough for religion when we grow older1 but give me youthful pleasures and ,i can be happy enough4 ,sophia4 ,but you think religion is important1 do you not8 ,alice4 ,yes1 ,i suppose it is necessary to have religion to die by1 and ,i own ,i sometimes feel troubled for fear that ,i may die before possessing it1 but ,i am healthy and happy1 and do not think much about it4 ,i want to enjoy life while ,i can1 like these little birds in the garden who are singing and skipping so merrily4 ,clara4 ,annie1 you are the reverse of ,alice1 quiet1 gentle1 and sedate2 why are not you a ,christian8 ,annie4 ,since we are talking so candidly1 ,i will tell you4 ,i really do not know how to be4 ,i cannot feel that ,i have ever done anything that was so very sinful1 although ,i know1 for the ,bible says so1 that ,i am a sinner4 ,to be sure1 ,i have done a great many wrong things1 but it does not seem as though ,god would notice such little things1 and besides it did not seem as though ,i could have done differently in the circumstances4 ,mother has always commended me1 and held me up for a pattern to the younger children1 and ,i suppose ,i have become1 at least1 you will think ,i have1 a real ,pharisee4 ,yet when ,i have been urged to repent and believe in ,christ1 ,i have not known what to do4 ,i have spent hours in the still1 lonely night1 thinking upon the subject1 and saying1 if ,i could only feel that ,i am a sinner ,i would repent4 ,i have always believed in ,jesus1 that ,he is the ,son of ,god1 that ,he assumed our nature1 and bore the punishment we deserve1 and will save all who believe in ,him4 ,now what more can ,i do8 ,i know that ,i must do everything1 for ,i feel that ,i am far from being a ,christian1 and yet ,i know not what4 ,i suppose your experience does not correspond with mine1 ,clara8 ,clara4 ,not exactly4 ,i not only know1 but deeply feel1 that ,i am a great sinner2 sometimes my sinfulness appears too great to be forgiven4 ,the trouble with me is procrastination4 ,i cannot look back to the time when ,i did not feel that ,i ought to be a ,christian1 but ,i have always put off the subject1 thinking ,i would attend to it another time1 and it has been just so for year after year4 ,only last week ,i was sitting alone in my room at twilight1 enjoying the quiet loveliness and beauty of the view from my window4 ,i could not help thinking of ,him who had made all things1 and had given me the power of enjoying them1 besides so many other blessings1 and ,i longed to participate in the feeling which ,cowper ascribes to the ,christian1 and say1 ',my ,father made them all4' ,then something seemed to whisper1 'wilt thou not from this time cry unto me1 ,my ,father1 thou art the guide of my youth8' ',now is the accepted time4' ',to-day1 if ye will hear his voice1 harden not your heart4' ,but ,i did harden my heart4 ,i did not feel willing1 like ,alice1 to give up the pleasures which are inviting me all around1 and become a devoted1 consistent ,christian1 for ,i do not mean to be a half-way ,christian1 neither one thing or the other4 ,sophia4 ,nearly all these reasons have been my excuse for not becoming a ,christian1 but another has been1 that ,i do not like to be noticed1 and made an object of remark4 ,my father and mother and friends would be so much pleased1 they would be talking of it1 and watching me1 to see if my piety was real1 and ,i would feel as if ,i were too conspicuous a person4 ,now if we would all at the same time resolve to consecrate ourselves to the ,lord1 ,i think each particular case might not be so much noticed4 ,but why should you dread it so much ,sophy8 asked ,emily4 ,i hardly know why she replied1 but ,i have always felt so since ,i was quite a child1 but since ,i have for the first time spoken of it1 it seems a much more foolish reason than ,i had before considered it4 ,alice4 ,and ,i must confess that ,i am not always so careless and thoughtless on this subject4 ,when ,i am really possessing and enjoying the pleasures ,i have longed for1 there seems to be always something more that ,i need to make me happy4 ,fanny ,bedford1 pious and good as she is1 seems always happier than ,i1 and ,i have often wished that ,i was such a ,christian as she is4 ,who has not1 exclaimed the other girls2 and their praise of her was warm and sincere4 ,she is so consistent and religious1 and yet so humble1 and so full of love to every one1 that it is impossible not to love her and the religion she loves so much4 ,annie1 ,i have never wished so much that ,i was a ,christian1 as when ,i have thought of her2 how much ,i wish ,i was like her4 ,there is ,fanny in the hall1 let us speak to her of what we have been saying1 said ,sophia4 ,they agreed that they were willing she should know it all1 and called to her4 ,she came and sat with them1 and they related to her the conversation which they had had together1 to which she listened with much interest1 and a warm heart1 and replied1 ,it is a great wonder to me now1 dear girls1 that any should need to be persuaded to accept of ,christ1 and devote themselves to ,his service2 yet it was once just the same with me4 ,i had all of your excuses and many more1 and considered them good reasons for not becoming a ,christian4 ,how true it is1 that 'the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not1 lest the light of the glorious gospel should shine unto them4' ,could you but once experience the blessedness of being children of ,god1 you would be surprised and ashamed that you have so long refused so precious a privilege1 to possess instead1 the unsatisfying pleasures of earth4 ,consider1 to be a ,christian1 is to have ,god for your father1 to have all that is glorious and excellent in his perfections engaged for your good4 ,it is to have ,jesus for an ever-present1 almighty friend1 ready to forgive your sins1 to save you from sin1 to bear your sorrows1 to heighten your joys1 to lead and bless you in all the scenes of life1 to guide and assist you while you engage in his blessed service1 to be with you in the hour of death1 and to admit you to the realms of eternal joy4 ,i can scarcely commence telling you of all the benefits he bestows on ,his people4 ,what must we do1 ,fanny8 inquired ,annie4 ,the first thing of all1 dear ,annie1 she replied1 is to go to the ,savior1 at ,his feet ask for repentance and true faith in ,him4 ,consecrate yourself to ,him1 and resolve that you will from this time serve the ,lord4 ,then1 ,annie1 you will have done what you could1 and ',he giveth the ,holy ,spirit to them that obey ,him4' ,that ,spirit will convince you of sin1 and you will be surprised and grieved that you could ever have thought of yourself as other than the chief of sinners1 and while you shed tears of sorrow and repentance1 ,he will lead you to ,christ1 the ,lamb of ,god1 whose precious blood will prevail with ,god for the pardon of your sins2 in it you can wash away your sins1 and be made pure and holy in his sight4 ,do what you know how to do1 and then shall you know if you follow on to know the ,lord2 will you not8 ,annie4 ,i will try4 ,fanny4 ,i think the sin of procrastination must be very displeasing to ,god1 as it is to our earthly parents1 when we defer obeying their commands4 ,it is solemn to think that ,he against whom we thus sin1 is ,he in whose hands our breath is1 and who can at any time take it away4 ,if ,he were not so slow to anger1 what would become of us8 ,dear ,clara1 and each of you1 you are only making cause for sorrow and shame in thus neglecting to do what you know you ought to do4 ',enter in at the strait gate and walk in the narrow way that leadeth unto life1' and you will find that every step in that way is pleasure4 ,not such pleasure as the world gives1 ,alice1 but more like the happiness of angels4 ,religion takes away no real pleasures1 nor the buoyancy and happiness of the youthful spirit4 ,it only sanctifies and leads its possessor to do nothing but what a kind heavenly ,father will approve1 ,alice4 ,but1 ,fanny1 all ,christians are not happy ones4 ,fanny4 ,yet those who are the most devoted and consistent1 are the most happy4 ,some have troubles and sorrows which they could scarcely bear if it were not for religion4 ,they are sanctified by means of these afflictions and so made happier2 holiness and happiness are inseparable4 '',tis religion that must give1 sweetest pleasure while we live1' you know the hymn says1 and it is true4 ,do you think ,emily1 that because you are as good as you think ,leonora is1 you are good enough8 ,emily4 ,no1 ,fanny1 it was a poor excuse2 ,i see that ,i must not look at others1 but at what ,god requires of me4 ,fanny4 ,how common is the excuse1 so many people profess to think they can do without religion1 because so many who call themselves ,christian are inconsistent4 ,dear girls1 ,i pray that if you are ever ,christians1 you may be consistent1 sincere ones4 ,who can estimate the good1 or the evil1 you may do by your example4 ,if you love the ,savior more than all else beside1 you will find his yoke easy and his burden light1 and for his sake it will be pleasant to do what would naturally be unpleasant4 ,remember this1 ,sophy1 and ,i hope you will soon all know the blessedness of being ,christians4 ,it is our highest duty and our highest happiness4 ,do1 dear girls1 resolve1 each of you1 to seek the ,lord now4 ,just then1 their pastor came2 he spoke kindly to each of the little group1 before entering the house4 ,it is nearly tea-time1 said ,clara1 let us go and offer our assistance to ,mrs4 ,mills2 as we are the youngest here1 perhaps she would like to have us carry around the plates and tea4 ,we will try to not forget what you have told us1 ,fanny4 ,pray for me1 ,fanny1 said ,sophia softly1 as she passed her1 and kissed her4 ,and for me1 said ,annie4 ,and for us1 too1 continued ,clara1 ,emily and ,alice1 as they stepped back for a moment4 ,tea was soon over1 the missionary hymn1 ,from ,greenland's icy mountains1 was sung1 and prayer offered by the pastor1 and then the pleasant interview was ended4 ,a few days after1 ,fanny and ,annie met each other in the street4 ,have you tried to do1 ,annie1 what seemed your duty to do8 ,fanny asked4 ,i have1 she replied1 as she looked up with a happy smile4 ,you have done what you could1 said ,fanny2 it is all that ,god requires of you1 continue to do so4 ,annie's heart thrilled with joy1 at the first faint hope that she was indeed a ,christian1 and from that time her course1 like that of the shining light1 was onward and brighter4 ,c4 ,l4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,mothers ,,need ,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,ghost4 ,at one period of my life1 during a revival of religion1 ,god led me by his ,spirit to see and feel that the many years ,i had been a professed follower of ,christ--which had been years of alternate revivings and backslidings1 had only resulted in dishonor to ,him and condemnation to my own soul4 ,true1 ,i had many times thought ,i had great enjoyment in the service of ,god1 and was ever strict in all the outward observances of religion4 ,but my heart was not fixed1 and my affections were easily turned aside and fastened upon minor objects4 ,in connection with this humiliating view of my past life1 a deep sense of my responsibilities as a mother1 having children old enough to give themselves to ,god1 and still unreconciled to him1 weighed me to the earth4 ,i plainly saw that ,god could not consistently convert them while ,i lived so inconsistent a life4 ,i felt that if they were lost ,i was responsible4 ,i gave myself to seek the ,lord with all my heart1 by fasting and prayer4 ,one day1 in conversation with my dear pastor1 ,i told him my trials1 and he said to me1 ,what you want is a baptism of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,give yourself up to seek this richest of all blessings4 ,i did so--and rested not until this glorious grace was mine4 ,then1 oh how precious was ,jesus to my soul6 ,how perfectly easy was it now to deny myself and follow ,christ6 ,i now knew what it was to be led by the constraining love of ,jesus1 and to do those things that please him4 ,then it was that he verified to me his precious promise1 ,if ye keep my commandments1 ye shall ask what ye will1 and it shall be done unto you4 ,very shortly1 one of my dear loved ones was brought to make an entire surrender of herself to ,christ4 ,i trust ,i was also made the instrument of good to others1 who professed to submit their hearts to my precious ,savior4 ,will not many more be induced to take ,god at his word and believe him when he says1 ,then shall ye find me1 when ye shall search for me with all your hearts8 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,extravagance4 ,the following paragraphs1 which we have met in the course of our reading1 contain a great deal of truth worthy the consideration of our readers4 ,extravagance in living4--,one cannot wonder that the times occasionally get hard1 said a venerable citizen the other day1 when one sees the way in which people live and ladies dress4 ,we thought there was a great deal of truth in what the old gentleman said4 ,houses at from five hundred to a thousand dollars rent1 brocades at three dollars a yard1 bonnets at twenty1 and shawls1 and cloaks1 c41 from fifty dollars up1 are enough to embarrass any community that indulges in such extravagances as ,americans do4 ,for it is not only the families of realized wealth1 who could afford it1 that spend money in this way1 but those who are yet laboring to make a fortune1 and who1 by the chances of trade1 may fail of this desirable result4 ,everybody wishes to live1 now-a-days1 as if already rich4 ,the wives and daughters of men1 not worth two thousand a-year1 dress as rich nearly as those of men worth ten or twenty thousand4 ,the young1 too1 begin where their parents left off4 ,extravagance1 in a word1 is piled on extravagance1 till ,alps o'er ,alps arise4 ,the folly of this is apparent4 ,the sums thus lavished go for mere show1 and neither refine the mind nor improve the heart4 ,they gratify vanity1 that is all4 ,by the practice of a wise economy1 most families might1 in time1 entitle themselves to such luxuries2 and then indulgence in them would not be so reprehensible4 ,if there are two men1 each making a clear two thousand a-year1 and one lays by a thousand at interest1 while the other spends his entire income1 the first will have acquired a fortune in sixteen years1 sufficient to yield him an income equal to his accustomed expenses1 while the other will be as poor as when he started in life4 ,and so of larger sums4 ,in fine1 any man1 by living on half of what he annually makes1 be it more or less1 can1 before he is forty1 acquire enough1 and have it invested in good securities1 to live for the rest of his life in the style in which he has been living all along4 ,yet how few do it6 ,but what prevents8 ,extravagance6 extravagance6 and again extravagance6 ,wives and carpets4--,in the selection of a carpet1 you should always prefer one with small figures1 for the two webs1 of which the fabric consists1 are always more closely interwoven than in carpeting where large figures are wrought4 ,there is a good deal of true philosophy in this1 says one1 that will apply to matters widely different from the selection of carpets4 ,a man commits a sad mistake when he selects a wife that cuts too large a figure on the green carpet of life--in other words1 makes much display4 ,the attractions fade out--the web of life becomes weak--and all the gay figures1 that seemed so charming at first1 disappear like summer flowers in autumn4 ,this is what makes the bachelors1 or some of them4 ,the wives of the present day wish to cut too large a figure in the carpet of life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,selected4 ,,every ,,prayer ,,should ,,be ,,offered ,,up ,,in ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,jesus4 ,through ,him alone have we access with boldness to the throne of grace4 ,he is our advocate with the ,father4 ,when the believer appears before ,god in secret1 the ,savior appears also3 for he ever liveth to make intercession for us4 ,he hath not only directed us to call upon his ,father as ,our ,father1 and to ask him to supply our daily need1 and to forgive our trespasses2 but hath graciously assured us1 that whatsoever 7we7 shall ask in his name1 he will do it1 that the ,father may be glorified in the ,son4--7,john #ad3ac47 ,and saith 7verse #ad71 ,if ye shall ask anything in my name1 ,i will do it4 ,and again 7,john #ae3bc1 #bd71 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 whatsoever ye shall ask the ,father in my name he will give it you4 ,hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name2 ask1 and ye shall receive1 that your joy may be full4 ,all needful blessings suited to our various situations and circumstances in this mortal life1 all that will be necessary for us in the hour of death1 and all that can minister to our felicity in a world of glory1 hath he graciously promised1 and given us a command to ask for1 in his name4 ,and what is this but to plead1 when praying to our heavenly ,father1 that ,jesus hath sent us2 and to ask and expect the blessings for his sake alone8 ,h4 ,,more4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,,bathsheba4 ,a summons from the king6 ,what can it mean8 ,what can he know of her8 ,she is1 indeed1 the wife of one of his mighty men1 but though he highly esteems her husband1 he can have no interest in her4 ,she meditates4 ,her cheek pales4 ,can he have heard evil tidings from the distant city of the ,ammonites1 and would he break kindly to her news of her husband's death8 ,it cannot be4 ,why should he do this for her more than for hundreds of others in like trouble8 ,again1 she ponders1 and now a crimson hue mounts to her temples--her fatal beauty6 ,away with the thought--it is shame to dwell upon it--would she wrong by so foul a suspicion the ,lord's anointed8 ,she wearies herself with surmises1 and all in vain4 ,but there is the command1 and she must be gone4 ,the king's will is absolute4 ,whatever that summons imports1 dumb acquiescence is her only part4 ,she goes forth in her youth1 beauty and happiness--she returns-- 99 99 99 99 99 ,weeks pass1 and behold another message1 but this time it is the king who receives1 and ,bathsheba who sends4 ,what is signified in those few words from a woman's hand1 that can so unnerve him who has his ten thousands slain8 ,it is now his turn to tremble and look pale4 ,yet a little while1 and he1 the man after ,god's own heart1 the chosen ruler of his people--the idol of the nation1 shall be proclaimed guilty of a heinous and abominable crime1 and shall1 according to the laws of the land1 be subjected to an ignominious death4 ,he ponders now4 ,would he had thought of all this before1 but it is too late4 ,the consequences of his ungoverned passion stare him in the face and well nigh overwhelm him4 ,something must be done1 and that speedily4 ,he cannot have it thus4 ,he has begun to fall1 and the enemy of souls1 is1 as ever1 at hand to suggest the second false and ruinous step4 99 99 99 99 99 ,another summons4 ,a messenger from the king to ,joab4 ,send me ,uriah the ,hittite4 ,it is peremptory2 no reasons are given1 and ,joab does as he is bidden4 ,unsuspecting as loyal1 ,uriah hastens on his way1 mindful only of duty1 and is soon in the presence of his royal master1 who1 always kind1 is now remarkably attentive to his wants and thoughtful of his interests4 ,he inquires for the commander of his forces and of the war and how the people fare1 and it would almost seem had recalled him only to speak kindly to him and manifest his regard for the army1 though he had not himself led them to battle4 ,but though unsuspecting and deceived1 the high-minded and faithful soldier cannot even unwittingly be made to answer the end for which he has been summoned1 and after two days he returns to ,joab1 bearing a letter1 of whose terrible contents he little dreams and is happy in his ignorance4 ,meantime ,bathsheba has heard of his arrival in ,jerusalem1 and is momentarily expecting his appearance4 ,alas6 that she should dread his coming4 ,alas6 that she should shudder at every sound of approaching footsteps4 ,how fearful is the change which has come over her since last she looked on his loved face6 ,he is her husband still1 and she1 she is his lawful loving wife4 ,never was he so dear to her as now4 ,never did his noble character so win her admiration1 as she contemplates all the scenes of her wedded life and reviews the evidences of it in the past4 ,how happy they have been6 ,what bliss has been hers in the enjoyment of his esteem and affection6 ,she is even now to him1 in his absence1 the one object of tender regard and constant thought4 ,she knows how fondly he dwells on her love1 and how precious to him is the beauty which first won him to her side4 ,she is the ewe lamb which he has nourished1 which has drank from his own cup and lain in his bosom--she is his all4 ,he has been long away2 the dangers of the battle field have surrounded him1 and now he is returned1 alive1 well2 her heart bounds1 she cannot wait till she shall see him2 yet how can she meet him8 ,ah6 fatal remembrance1 how bitterly it has recalled her from her vision of delight4 ,it is not true6 it cannot be true6 it is but a horrible dream6 ,her heart is true8 ,she would at any moment have died for him4 ,the entire devotion of her warm nature is his4 ,she had no willing part in that revolting crime4 ,oh6 must she suffer as if she had been an unfaithful wife8 ,must she endure the anguish of seeing him turn coldly from her in some future day8 ,must she now meet him and have all her joy marred by that hateful secret8 ,must she take part in deceiving him1 in imposing upon him--him1 the noble1 magnanimous1 pure-minded husband8 ,oh1 wretched one6 was ever sorrow like hers8 ,the day passes1 and the night1 and he comes not4 ,can he have suspected the truth8 ,slowly the tedious hours go by1 while she endures the racking tortures of suspense4 ,the third day dawns1 and with it come tidings that he has returned to ,rabbah1 and his words of whole-souled devotion to his duty and his ,god are repeated in her ears4--,faint not yet1 strong heart2 a far more bitter cup is in store for thee4 99 99 99 99 99 ,bathsheba is again a wife1 the wife of a king1 and in her arms lies her first-born son4 ,terrible was the tempest which burst over her head1 and her heart will never again know aught of the serene1 untroubled happiness which once she knew4 ,the storm has indeed lulled1 but she sees the clouds gathering new blackness1 and her stricken spirit shrinks and faints with foreboding fears4 ,the little innocent being which she holds fondly to her bosom1 which seemed sent from heaven to heal her wounds1 lies panting in the grasp of fierce disease4 ,she has sent for the king1 and together they look upon the suffering one4 ,full well he knows1 that miserable man1 what mean those moans and piteous signs of distress1 and what they betoken4 ,he gazes on the wan1 anguished features of his wife as she bends over her child2 his thoughts revert hurriedly to her surpassing beauty when first he saw her--a vision of the murdered ,uriah flits before him--the three victims of his guilt and the message of ,nathan1 which he has just received--the stern words1 ,thou art the man1 bring a full and realizing sense of the depth to which he has fallen1 and overwhelmed with remorse and wretchedness1 he leaves the chamber to give vent to his grief1 to fast and weep and pray1 in the vain hope of averting the threatened judgment4 ,seven days of alternate hope and fear1 of watching and care have fled1 and ,bathsheba is childless4 ,another wave has rolled over her4 ,god grant it be the last4 ,surely she has drained the cup of sorrow4 ,she sits solitary and sad1 bowed down with her weight of woes2 her thoughts following ever the same weary track2 direful images present to her imagination2 her frame racked and trembling2 the heavens clothed in sackcloth1 and life for ever divested of happiness and delight4 ,the king enters and seats himself beside her4 ,and if ,bathsheba is changed1 ,david is also from henceforth an altered man4 ,broken in spirit by the consciousness of his deep sinfulness1 humbled in the eyes of his subjects and his influence with them weakened by their knowledge of his crimes2 even his authority in his own household1 and his claim to the reverence of his sons1 relaxed by his loss of character2 filled also with fearful anticipations of the future1 which is shadowed by the dark prophecy of ,nathan--he is from this time wholly unlike what he has been in former days4 ,the balance of his character is broken4 ,still he is pious--but even his piety takes an altered aspect4 ,alas for him6 ,the bird which once rose to heights unattained before by mortal pinion1 filling the air with its joyful songs1 now lies with maimed wing upon the ground1 pouring forth its doleful cries to ,god4 ,he has scarcely begun to descend the declivity of life1 yet he appears infirm and old4 ,he is as one who goes down to the grave mourning4 ,thus does he seem to ,bathsheba as he sits before her4 ,but there is more in ,david thus humble1 contrite and smitten1 to win her sympathy and even love1 than there was in ,david the absolute1 and so far as she was concerned1 tyrannical monarch1 though surrounded with splendors1 the favorite of ,god and man4 ,a few days since had he assayed the part of comforter1 she would have felt her heart revolt2 but now repentant and forgiven1 though not unpunished by ,jehovah1 she can listen without bitterness while he speaks of the mercy of the ,lord which has suffered them both to live1 though the law could have required their death1 and which sustains even while it chastises4 99 99 99 99 99 ,another message--by the hand of the prophet to ,david and ,bathsheba--a message of peace and tender consideration--a name for their new-born child1 the gift to them from his own hand4 ,call him ,jedediah--beloved of the ,lord4 ,o the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of ,god6 how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out4' ,in his dealings with his sinful children how far are his ways above the ways of men6 ,as the heaven is high above the earth1 so great is his mercy toward them that fear him4 ,he dealeth not with them after their sins--he rewardeth them not according to their iniquities1 but knowing their frame--remembering that they are dust--that a breath of temptation will carry them away--pitying them with a most tender compassion1 he deals with them according to the everlasting and abounding and long-suffering love of his own mighty heart4 ,whenever those who have known him best1 to whom he has manifested his grace most richly1 whom he has blessed with most abundant privileges1 fall1 in some evil hour1 and without reason1 upon the slightest cause1 bring dishonor on his name and give occasion to his enemies to blaspheme1 and incur his just judgment1 behold how he treats them4 ,upon the first sign of contrition1 the first acknowledgment ,i have sinned1 how prompt1 how free1 how full is the response1 ,the ,lord also hath put away thy sin1 thou shalt not die4 ,no lingering resentment--no selfish reminding of his wounded honor--no thoughts but of love1 warm and tender1 self-forgetting love and pity for his sorrowing child4 ,even when he must resort to chastisement1 his strange work--when he must for his great name's sake1 raise up for ,david evil out of his own house--when he must1 before the sun and before all ,israel1 show his displeasure at sin2 with one hand he applies the rod1 and with the other pours into the bleeding heart the balm of consolation1 so pure1 so free1 that his children almost feel that they could never have understood his goodness but for the need of his severity4 ,when1 notwithstanding the earnest prayer of the father1 he smites the child of his shame1 how soon does he return with a better gift--a son of peace1 who shall remind him only of days of contrition and the favor of ,god--a ,jedediah1 who shall ever be a daily witness to his forgiving love4 ,and to those who suffer innocently from the crimes of others1 how tender are the compassions of our heavenly ,father4 ,to the injured1 afflicted ,bathsheba is given the honor of being the mother of ,israel's wisest1 most mighty and renowned king2 and she is1 by father and son1 by the prophet of the ,lord1 by the aspirant to the throne1 and by all around her1 ever approached with that deference and confidence which her truly dignified character and gentle virtues1 not less than her high station1 demand4 ,and while not a word of reproach is permitted to be left on record against her1 on that monument of which we have before spoken1 among mighty and worthy names1 destined to stand where many of earth's wisest and greatest are forgotten1 with the progenitors of our ,lord and ,savior1 is inscribed hers who was the wife of ,urias4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,female ,,education4 ,,by ,,rev4 ,s4 ,w4 ,,fisher4 ,the second and special object of education1 is the preparation of youth for the particular sphere of action to which he designs to devote his life4 ,it may seem at first1 that this general education of which ,i have already spoken1 as it is most comprehensive and reaches to the highest range of subjects1 so it should be the only style of training for an immortal mind4 ,if we regarded man simply as spiritual and immortal1 this might be true2 but when we descend to the practical realities of life2 when we behold him in a mixed nature1 on one side touching the earth1 on the other surveying the heavens1 his bodily nature having its necessities as well as his spiritual1 we find ourselves limited in the manner of education and the pursuit of knowledge4 ,the division of labor and of objects of pursuit is the natural result of these physical necessities in connection with the imperfection of the human mind and the constitution of civilized society4 ,this division of labor constitutes the starting point for the diverse training of men1 and modifies1 in part1 all systems of instruction that cover childhood and youth4 ,this is1 at first1 an education common to all4 ,the general invigoration of the intellect1 and the preparation of the mind for the grand1 the highest object of life on which ,i first dwelt1 embrace all the earliest years of youth4 ,there are elements of power common to all men1 and instruments of knowledge effective for both the general pursuits of a liberal education1 and the limited pursuits of physical toil4 ,the education of the nursery and school are equally useful to all4 ,but when you advance much beyond this1 far enough to enable the youth to fix upon his probable line of life1 then the necessity of an early application to that pursuit at once modifies his course of education4 ,when we pass from the diverse professions into which the growth of civilized society has divided men1 to the distinctions which exist between man and woman1 we enter upon a still clearer department of our subject4 ,the differences which are here to give character to education1 are not incidental and temporary1 but inherent and commensurate with life itself4 ,the physical constitution of woman gives rise to her peculiar life4 ,it determines alike her position in society and her sphere of labor4 ,in all ages and climes1 celebrated by travelers1 historians1 poets1 she stands forth as a being of better impulses and nobler affections than him1 of whom she is the complement4 ,that which is rugged in him1 is tempered by softness in her2 that which is strong in him1 is weak in her2 that which is fierce in him is mild in her4 ,designed of ,god to complete the cycle of human life1 and through a twofold being present a perfect ,adam1 she is thus no less different from man than essential to his perfection4 ,her nature at once introduces her into a peculiar sphere of action4 ,soon1 maternal cares rest upon her2 her throne is above the family circle2 her scepter of love and authority holds together the earliest and happiest elements of social life4 ,to her come young minds for sympathy1 for care1 for instruction4 ,over that most wonderful process of development1 when a young immortal is growing every day into new thoughts1 emotions and habits1 which are to abide with it for ever1 she presides4 ,by night she watches1 by day she instructs4 ,her smile and her frown are the two strongest powers on earth1 influencing human minds in the hour when influence stamps itself upon the heart in eternal characters4 ,it is from this point of view1 you behold the glorious purpose of that attractive form embosoming a heart enriched with so copious a treasure of all the sweetest elements of life4 ,she is destined to fill a sphere of the noblest kind4 ,in the course of her life1 in the training of a household1 her nature reveals an excellence in its adaptation to the purpose for which she is set apart1 that signally illustrates the wisdom of ,god1 while it attracts the homage of man4 ,scarcely a nobler position exists in the world than that of a truly ,christian mother2 surrounded by children grown up to maturity2 moulded by her long discipline of instruction and affectionate authority into true-hearted1 intelligent men and women2 the ornament of society1 the pillars of religion2 looking up to her with a reverent affection that grows deeper with the passage of time2 while she quietly waits the advent of death1 in the assurance that1 in these living representatives1 her work will shine on for ages on earth1 and her influence spread itself beyond the broadest calculation of human reason1 when she has been gathered to the just4 ,how then are we to educate this being a little lower than the angels2 this being thus separated from the rest of the world1 and divided off1 by the finger of ,god writing it upon her nature1 to a peculiar and most noble office-work in society8 ,it is not as a lawyer1 to wrangle in courts2 it is not as a clergyman1 to preach in our pulpits2 it is not as a physician1 to live day and night in the saddle and sick room2 it is not as a soldier1 to go forth to battle2 it is not as the mechanic1 to lift the ponderous sledge1 and sweat at the burning furnace2 it is not as a farmer1 to drive the team afield and up-turn the rich bosom of the earth4 ,these arts and toils of manhood are foreign to her gentle nature1 alien to her feeble constitution1 and inconsistent with her own high office as the mother and primary educator of the race4 ,if their pursuits are permitted to modify their education1 so as to prepare them for a particular field of labor1 proceeding upon the same supposition1 it is equally just and appropriate1 that her training should take its complexion from the sphere of life she is destined to fill4 ,so far as it is best1 education should be specific1 it should have reference to her perfect qualification for her appropriate work4 ,this work has two departments4 ,the first1 which is most limited1 embraces the routine of housewifery and the management of the ordinary concerns of domestic life4 ,the second department of her duties1 as it is the most important1 so it must be regarded and exalted in an enlightened system of female education4 ,it is as the centre of social influence2 the genial power of domestic life2 the soul of refinement2 the clear1 shining orb1 beneath whose beams the germs of thought1 feeling1 and habit in the young immortal are to vegetate and grow to maturity2 the ennobling companion of man1 his light in darkness1 his joy in sorrow1 uniting her practical judgment with his speculative wisdom1 her enthusiastic affection with his colder nature1 her delicacy of taste and sentiment with his boldness1 and so producing a happy mean1 a whole character2 natural1 beautiful and strong2 it is as filling these high offices that woman is to be regarded and treated in the attempt to educate her4 ,the description of her sphere of life at once suggests the character of her training4 ,whatever in science1 literature and art is best adapted to prepare her to fill this high position with greatest credit1 and spread farthest around it her appropriate influence1 belongs of right to her education4 ,her intellect is to be thoroughly disciplined1 her judgment matured1 her taste refined1 her power of connected and just thought developed1 and a love for knowledge imparted1 so that she may possess the ability and the desire for future progress4 ,who will say that this refiner of the world1 this minister of the holiest and happiest influences to man1 shall be condemned to the scantiest store of intellectual preparation for an entertainment so large and noble8 ,is it true that a happy ignorance is the best qualification for a woman's life2 that in seeking to exalt the fathers and sons1 we are to begin by the degradation of mothers and daughters8 ,is there anything in that life incompatible with the noblest education1 or which such an education will not ennoble and adorn8 ,we are not seeking in all this to make our daughters profound historians1 poets1 philosophers1 linguists1 authors4 ,success of this high character in these pursuits1 is usually the result of an ardent devotion for years to some one of them1 for which it is rarely a female has the requisite opportunities4 ,but should they choose occasionally some particular walk of literature1 and by the power of genius vivify and adorn it2 should there be found here and there one with an intense enthusiasm for some high pursuit1 combined with that patient toil which1 associated with a vigorous intellect1 is the well-spring of so many glorious streams of science1 should not such a result of this enlarged education be hailed as the sign of its excellence1 and rejoiced in as the proof of its power8 ,the ,mores1 the ,hemanses1 the ,de ,staels1 and others among the immortal dead and the living1 who compose that bright galaxy of female wit shining ever refulgent--have they added nothing to human life1 and given no quick1 upward impulse of the world8 ,besides1 that system of education which1 in occasional instances1 uniting with a material of peculiar excellence1 is sufficient to enkindle an orb whose light1 passing far beyond the circle of home1 shall shine upon a great assembly of minds1 will only be powerful1 in the multitude of cases1 to impart that intellectual discipline1 that refinement of thought1 that power of expression1 that sympathy with taste for knowledge1 which will best prepare her for her position1 and enable her in after life to carry forward her own improvement and that of her associated household4 ,the finest influence of such an education is the development of a character at once symmetrical1 refined1 vigorous1 confident in its own resources1 yet penetrated with a consciousness of its distance from the loftiest heights of power2 a character which will be an ennobling life in a household1 gently influencing others into quiet paths of excellence2 to be felt rather than seen1 to be understood rather in its results than admired for any manifest attainments in science2 an intellect informed and active1 in sympathy with what is known and read among men2 able to bear its part in healthful discussions1 yet not presuming to dictate its opinions2 in the presence of which ignorance becomes enlightened and weakness strong2 creating around its home an atmosphere of taste and intelligence1 in which the rudest life loses some of its asperity1 and the roughest toils much of their severity4 ,such is the form of female character we seek to create by so enlarged an education4 ,the education of the heart reaches deeper1 and spreads its influence further than all things else4 ,the intellect is only a beautiful piece of mechanism1 until the affections pour into it their tremendous vitality1 and send it forth in all directions instinct with power4 ,when the dry-light of the understanding is penetrated by the liquid light of the emotions1 it becomes both light and heat1 powerful to vivify1 quicken1 and move all things4 ,in woman1 the scepter of her chief power springs from the affections4 ,endowed most richly with sensibility1 with all the life of varied and vigorous impulse and deep affection1 she needs to have early inwrought1 through a powerful self-discipline1 an entire command of her noble nature4 ,there are few more incongruous and sadly affecting things than a woman of fine intellect and strong passions1 without self-control or truly religious feeling4 ,she is like a ship whose rudder is unhung2 she is like a horse1 rapid1 high-spirited1 untamed to the bridle2 or1 higher still1 she is like a cherub fallen from its sphere of glory1 with no attending seraph2 without law1 without the control of love1 whose course no intelligence can anticipate and no wisdom guide4 ,religion seems to have in woman its most appropriate home4 ,to her are appointed many hours of pain1 of trial1 of silent communion with her own thoughts4 ,separated1 if she act the true woman1 from many of the stirring scenes in which man mingles1 she is admirably situated to nourish a life of love and faith within the circle of her own home4 ,debarred from the pursuits which furnish so quickening an excitement to the other sex1 she either is confined to the routine of domestic life and the quiet society of a social circle1 or devotes herself to those frivolous pleasures which enervate while they excite2 which1 like the inspiration of the wine-cup1 are transient in their joy1 but deep and lasting in their evil4 ,but when religion enters her heart it opens a new and that the grandest array of objects4 ,it imparts a new element of thought1 a wonderful depth and earnestness of character4 ,it elevates before her an ennobling object1 and enlists her fine sensibilities1 emotions and affections in its pursuit4 ,coming thus through religion into harmony with ,god1 she ascends to the highest position a woman can occupy in this world4 ,to woman should ,christianity be especially dear4 ,it has led her out of the house of bondage2 it has lifted her from the stool of the servant to an equality with the master2 it has exalted her from the position of a mere minister of sensual pleasure1 the toy of a civilized paganism1 to a full companionship with man2 it has given her soul--once spurned1 degraded1 its immortality doubted1 its glory eclipsed--a priceless value2 and shed around her whole character the radiance of heaven4 ,let pure religion create the atmosphere around a woman's spirit1 and breathe its life into her heart2 let it refine her affections1 sanctify her intellect1 elevate her aims1 and hallow her physical beauty2 let it mould her early character by its rich influences1 and cause the love of ,jehovah to consecrate all earthly love1 and she is indeed to our race of all the gifts of time1 the last and best1 the crown of our glory1 the perfection of our life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,a ,,child',s ,,prayer4 ,by one of our little friends1 seven years of age1 for a little sister of five1 who had committed an offense4 ,oh great and glorious ,god6 ,thy mercy sweet bestow ,upon a little sister1 ,so very full of woe4 ,oh ,lord1 pray let her live1 ,for lo6 at thy right hand1 ,to intercede for sinners1 ,the blessed ,savior stands4 ,then pardon her1 ,most ,high6 ,pray cast her not away1 ,but blot out all her sins1 ,and cleanse her heart to-day4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,woman4 ,,by ,m4 ,s4 ,,hutton1 ,d4,d4 ,and the ,lord ,god said1 ,it is not good that the man should be alone1 ,i will make him a help meet for him4--,,gen4 #b3ah4 ,so ,god created man in his own image1 in the image of ,god created he him2 male and female created he them4--,,gen4 #a3bg4 ,these two passages settle beyond controversy the oft-disputed question as to the equality of the sexes4 ,in the image of ,god created he man2 male and female created he them4 ,had ,god created him male and female1 in one person1 the question of equality could never have arisen4 ,nor should it arise because in his wisdom he has been pleased to create man in two persons--both man and woman are made in the image of ,god4 ,it is not good for man to be alone1 ,i will make a help meet for him4 ,the exact rendering of the original translated help meet1 is an help as before him1 i4e4 one corresponding to him1 a counterpart of himself1 in a word1 a second self1 contrived to meet what is still wanting to his perfection1 and to furnish mutually a social and superior happiness1 of which solitude is incapable4 ,a more delicate and beautiful form was united in the woman to a mind possessing gentler and lovelier affections1 a more refined taste1 and more elegant sentiments4 ,in the man1 a firmer and stronger frame was joined to a mind more robust4 ,in each1 the other was intended to find that which was wanting in itself1 and to approve1 love1 and admire both qualities and actions1 of which itself was imperfectly capable2 while in their reciprocations of tenderness1 and good will1 each beheld every blessing greatly enhanced1 and intensely endeared4 ,the only instance in which these mental and moral qualities were ever united in one person1 is in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,and ,i would here note the fact1 that in ,christ we have as perfect an example of the woman's nature as we have of man's nature4 ,all the kindness1 gentleness1 softness1 endurance1 and unselfishness of woman were in him combined1 with all the majesty1 firmness and strength of the manly nature4 ,all dispute1 therefore1 about the superiority or equality of man and woman is absurd and inconclusive4 ,they stand on the same platform1 were both made in the image of ,god1 and the platform upon which they stand is wide enough for them both1 and not completely filled until both are upon it4 ,my object1 however1 in selecting these passages is to present some thoughts on the mission of woman in our world1 which have not perhaps been as prominently presented as they deserve4 ,men have their distinct objects in life before them1 their various professions4 ,one aims to be a lawyer1 another a merchant1 another a physician1 another a mechanic1 and thus through all the vocations of life4 ,but what is woman's aim8 what her object in life8 ,these questions are more or less frequently asked in our day1 and asked in reference to that general spirit of reform and progress of society which seems to characterize our age1 and in relation to which1 just in proportion as men forget to listen to the ,word of ,god1 they grope about in the darkness of their own feeble light4 ,our theme then is ,woman's ,mission4 ,what is it8 ,the general answer to this inquiry is very plain and easy4 ,god created man in his own image2 male and female created he them4 ,the general design1 therefore1 of the creation of woman is precisely the same as that of the man4 ,he created but one race when he made them male and female1 and had in view but one object4 ,in relation then to that object1 no distinction is to be drawn between man and woman1 and the perfect equality of the two sexes again becomes apparent4 ,indeed1 it is a matter of wonder that this question of superiority has ever risen1 or at least has ever been agitated by reflecting men1 who for one moment considered the manner in which our race is propagated in the world4 ,nothing ever rises above its own nature4 ,a spark1 however high it may rise1 however brilliantly it may shine in the blue ethereal1 can never become a star4 ,it ever remains but a spark1 and so the offspring of a woman cannot1 in its nature1 rise above its origin4 ,a man can never become superior in nature to his mother1 and can certainly never1 with right or justice1 exercise authority over her4 ,he may be stronger1 wiser1 and better1 but he cannot be a superior being4 ,such a claim is alike foolish and despicable4 ,the two sexes1 therefore1 being one in nature1 their chief end is one1 and reason and revelation unite in the assertion that man was created to glorify ,god and enjoy him forever4 ,god made all things for himself4 ,he is presented to us as the sole and supreme object of our love and worship4 ,his laws are our only rule of conduct1 and he himself the sole ,lord of our souls4 ,this he claims from us as creatures4 ,this1 at the same time1 he has required with the promise of eternal life to obedience1 and the threatening of eternal death to disobedience2 thus showing us that he regards this end as of infinite importance--for this end1 his own glory1 happiness in himself4 ,when we had sinned he sent his ,son into the world1 and formed the plan to save our immortal souls from woe1 while from the nature of the case it is evident that this is the highest and noblest end which man can accomplish4 ,what can be a higher aim than to be like ,god8 ,what can ,god confer superior to himself as a source of happiness8 ,as he is the source and sum of all good1 both moral and natural1 to know and to love him is to know and love all that is excellent1 great1 and lovely1 and to serve him is to do all that is amiable or desirable1 all that is pleasing to ,god or profitable to his rational creatures4 ,true happiness and true worth are thus attained1 and thus alone4 ,there is1 there can be no other design in the creation of man than this1 to glorify ,god by loving1 serving1 and enjoying him2 by obeying his laws1 living for him1 living to him4 ,this1 then1 is of course the general answer to the inquiry1 ,what is woman's mission8 ,to glorify ,god and to enjoy him forever4 ,she1 as well as man1 has come short of this4 ,she1 as well as man1 therefore1 needs atoning blood and a renewed heart4 ,she is a fallen1 depraved being1 influenced1 until she comes under divine grace1 by unholy and unworthy motives4 ,her first and imperative duty1 therefore1 if she would fulfill her mission1 is to return to ,god by the way of his appointment1 to come to ,jesus1 repenting of sin and believing on him1 to receive pardon and eternal life4 ,this1 indeed1 is the imperative duty of all1 but it will be seen in the prosecution of our subject1 that1 as far as the welfare of society is concerned1 it is most imperative upon woman4 ,she needs it most for her own happiness here2 she needs it most on account of her greater influence upon the happiness of others4 ,having thus seen the general and ultimate design of woman's creation is to glorify ,god1 our next inquiry is1 ,is there any particular mode by which she is to fulfill this duty8 ,how can she most glorify ,god and enjoy him in this life8 ,in order to answer these inquiries it becomes necessary for us to examine her peculiar nature4 ,that woman differs from man in her very nature is obvious1 and the peculiarities of her organization clearly intimate that her ,maker has assigned to her peculiar duties--that she has her allotted sphere for which infinite wisdom has fitted her4 ,to enter upon all these peculiarities would require a volume4 ,i must therefore be content with a brief notice of some of the more prominent and acknowledged ones4 ,her physical organization is more delicate than that of man4 ,she possesses not the muscular power which belongs to him1 and is therefore not designed to undergo the outward toil and hard labor of life4 ,the same toil and physical exertion which will strengthen and increase the power of the man1 will often weaken and destroy her more delicate organism4 ,and when1 in addition to this1 you consider that to her alone is committed the entire maternal care1 you have not only the difference between the two sexes distinctly marked1 but you have also an intimation of where her peculiar sphere is to be found1 and in accordance with this physical difference you will find a corresponding difference in her true spiritual and moral nature4 ,no one who has had around him a youthful family circle has failed to notice that even from the cradle there is a difference in the very nature of sons and daughters4 ,every little girl knows that she is different from boys of her own age1 though she may not be able just now to point out that difference2 she knows that there are many things which boys like1 and which they do1 which she does not like and will not do1 and this difference only widens as we advance in life4 ,there is generally a delicacy of feeling1 of thought1 and of action1 corresponding with the delicacy of her physical organism4 ,god hath made her gentle by nature1 and kind4 ,she likes and longs to be loved and to love1 must have some object on which she can center her affections4 ,she admires flowers1 and everything which is beautiful and delicate like herself4 ,she has a finer imagination and more curiosity than men4 ,she is more conscientious and truthful1 and though a fallen1 sinful creature1 and by nature like us all1 a hater of ,god1 yet there is not so decided an opposition to religious things in her heart1 in her loving nature2 there is not1 indeed1 a predisposition towards a ,god of love1 but a peculiar adaptation which assimilates more easily to religious things when her heart is touched by the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the beauty1 the harmony1 the adaptation of the ,gospel to the wants of our fallen nature1 are more apparent to her1 more quickly perceived4 ,this may also1 perhaps1 be traced to another peculiarity which ,i must not forget to mention--her disposition to lean on others4 ,unlike man1 she loves to be dependent--place her in danger and she naturally flies to her brother1 her father1 or her husband4 ,i am aware that to all these things there are exceptions--there are unwomanly women as there are effeminate men1 but the fewness of the exceptions only proves the general truth4 ,england had her masculine ,elizabeth1 but she had only one4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,children ,,and ,,their ,,training4 ,what wonderful provision has ,god made for the happiness1 safety1 and well-being of infants4 ,he has implanted in the human breast a natural love of offspring1 and has provided for each child parents1 who should be of mature age1 and who should have been so trained by their parents1 that by combined wisdom1 sagacity and experience1 it may be duly watched over and cared for1 and so trained as to answer life's great end1 viz41 ,to glorify ,god and enjoy him forever4 ,then how wisely is the body framed1 and most wonderfully adapted to answer all the purposes of life1 and especially during the period of infancy and childhood1 when the body must be more or less exposed to accidents2 while therefore it is destitute of experience1 and cannot take care of itself1 its bones are all soft and yielding1 and more particularly of the skull which incloses and protects the brain1 and those of the limbs are made flexible1 so that if it falls they may bend and not break4 ,we see daily some new development of wonderful powers and faculties in every new-born infant4 ,an infant has a natural and instinctive desire to exercise its limbs1 its voice1 and indeed all its bodily functions4 ,how soon it begins to laugh and coo like a little dove1 to show you that it is social in its disposition1 asking for your sympathy in return4 ,it is curious and interesting to watch a young child when it first opens its eyes upon the light of day or the light of a candle4 ,with what evident satisfaction does it slowly open and close its eyelids1 so adapted--to say nothing of the wonderful mechanism of the eye itself--to let in sufficient light to gratify desire1 or to shut out every ray that would prove injurious to the untried organs4 ,what incipient efforts are first made to feel and examine different objects1 and how very soon even infants become possessed of some of the elementary principles of the most abstruse sciences1 and that without a teacher4 ,how many thousands of times will you see it endeavor to put up its little hands before its face1 before it is able to control its movements so as to be able to examine them critically4 ,we propose to dwell1 hereafter1 somewhat minutely upon the all-important subject of infant training1 and in a way to show the care and attention which both parents should bestow upon each child1 so as to provide proper food1 clothing1 and the means of self-culture and amusement1 and absolute control over it at the earliest possible period--the earlier the better1 so as to secure a sound mind in a sound body4 ,it is really pitiable to find so large a proportion of young parents who seem to think that but little instruction can be imparted1 and in fact that but little is needed in the care and management of infants1 whereas their education commences1 in very many respects1 and in a very important sense1 as soon as they are born4 ,man is a complex being1 composed of mind1 soul and body1 mysteriously united as to their functions1 in beautiful harmony with each other1 yet so distinct as absolutely to require widely different methods of training1 that each shall do its office without encroaching upon the others1 and in a way to secure a symmetrical character4 ,no wonder the proper training of children should become painfully interesting to ,christian parents1 when they consider the pains-taking1 the watchfulness1 the restraints1 the self-denial1 and the encouragement which may be requisite for this4 ,the faith and prayers which may be necessary to bring their children into the fold of the ,good ,shepherd1 who in his last commission to his disciples did not forget to remind them1 saying1 ,feed my lambs1 and whose promise and prediction1 before his coming into the world1 was1 ,out of the mouth of babes and sucklings ,i have ordained praise4 ,the ,scriptures inform us that it was the purpose of ,god when he set the solitary in families1 to seek a goodly seed4 ,how delightful and consoling then is the thought1 in this world of sin and temptation1 where there are three mighty obstacles to the final salvation of our children--the world1 the flesh and the devil1 that angels1 ministering spirits1 are appointed to keep their watchful stations around the families of the just4 ,are they not all ministering spirits1 sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation8 ,when parents cheerfully fall in with the great designs of ,god1 and in dependence upon him in the use of the divinely appointed means1 in his preparing a people to himself1 what a glorious combination there is in all this to fulfill his gracious purposes4 ,not only ,god the ,father1 ,god the ,son1 and ,god the ,holy ,ghost1 but the angelic hosts1 and all good people by their prayers and labors1 help forward this grand and glorious design4 ,when beyond this sublunary sphere1 and the vail is removed which now hides from our view the realities of the unseen world1 with what different emotions may we suppose parents will look upon their mission on earth4 ,it will indeed seem wonderful that they should have been thus intrusted with the care and guardianship of children1 which in a peculiar sense is their own1 and in this respect widely differing from the angelic band1 whose happiness1 though they are permitted to minister to the saints1 in such efforts and experience1 must be inferior to that which parents will feel in training their own offspring--even emulating the all-wise ,creator in his preparing a people for himself4 ,it is certainly but natural to suppose that the happiest souls in ,heaven will be those parents who are the spiritual parents of their own children4 ,the benefits which must result to parents in the careful training of infants--children who are1 by means of parental faith and fidelity1 converted in early life1 can scarcely be apprehended1 certainly not fully1 in this world1 even by the most judicious ,christian parents4 ,considering the instinctive love of offspring which ,god has implanted in the parental bosom1 it is most painful to see the utter dislike which so many persons at the present day1 who have entered the marriage relation1 evince to the care and responsibility which the guardianship of children must ever involve4 ,there is something in all this manifestly wrong4 ,it is unnatural4 ,it is even monstrous--even below the brute creation4 ,it interferes with the whole economy of nature1 and frustrates the wise and benevolent designs of the ,creator1 when he set the solitary in families4 ,no person who takes into view eternal realities and prospects1 can1 while so doing1 indulge in such selfish1 carnal and sordid views4 ,those who are without natural affection are classed by ,paul with the enemies of all righteousness4 ,we cannot therefore but look suspiciously upon all such as deny the marriage relation1 cause of abuses 7this is not the way to cure them71 or1 for any pretext1 profess to plead the superior advantages of those who1 for reasons best known to themselves1 may choose a state of single blessedness1 however plausible or cogent their arguments may appear in favor of such a choice4 ,we may not do evil that good may come1 or in other words1 root up the tares1 lest we also root up the wheat4 99 99 99 99 99 ,original4 ,,the ,,orphan ,,son ,,and ,,praying ,,mother4 ,some years since a small volume was sent to me by a friend1 containing an account of the labors of a pious missionary along the line of the ,erie canal4 ,i read it with great interest1 and ,i trust1 with profit4 ,god honors his word2 he honors his faithful servants2 and when the ,great ,day shall reveal the secrets of this world1 it will be seen to the glory of divine grace1 that many a humble missionary was made the instrument of eternal consolation to the poor neglected orphan--in answer to a pious mother's prayers4 ,i beg leave to ask the insertion in the ,magazine of a touching scene1 which occurred during a missionary tour of the above friend of the outcast and neglected4 ,i shall give the narrative chiefly in his own words4 ,i called at a horse station one morning very early4 ,the station keeper had just got up1 and stood in the door4 ,i told him my business1 and that ,i desired to see his boys a few moments4 ,he said his boys were in bed1 and as ,i was an old man1 he did not wish to have me abused4 ',you had better go on and let my boys alone1' said he2 'they will most assuredly abuse you if they get up1 for ,i have got a very wicked set of boys4' ,i told him the very reasons that he assigned why ,i should not see his boys1 were the reasons why ,i wished to see them1 for if they were very wicked boys1 there was the greater necessity for their reformation2 and as to the abuse1 that was the least of my troubles1 for my ,master had been abused before me4 ',well1 sir1' said he1 'don't blame me1 if you are abused4' ,he then awoke his boys1 and as they came out1 ,i talked to them4 ,instead of abusing1 they listened attentively to me1 and some of them were much affected4 ,they took my tracts1 and ,i presume1 read them4 ,on leaving them1 ,i remarked1 that ,i supposed the most of them were orphans1 that ,i was the orphan's friend1 and though ,i might never see them again1 they might be assured they had my prayers daily1 that they might be converted4 ,there was one little fellow who1 as ,i had observed1 looked very sober1 and who at the last remark cried right out4 ,as ,i wished to take the same boat again1 ,i stepped out of the station house1 but found it had left1 and ,i was walking along1 looking for another boat1 when ,i heard some one crying behind me1 and turning round1 saw that it was the little fellow who wept so much in the station house4 ,he said1 ',sir1 you told me you was the orphan's friend2 will you stop8 ,i want to ask you a question4' ,i asked him if it was because he had now discovered that he was a sinner1 that he cried1 and wished me to talk with him4 ',no1 sir1' said he1 ',i knew that three years ago4' ,i perceived1 from his answer1 he was an interesting boy1 and said to him1 ',sit down here1 my son4 ,how old are you8' ',thirteen1' he replied4 ',where did you come from8' ,he said1 three years ago his father moved from ,massachusetts to ,wayne county2 he was a very poor man1 and when they got to their journey's end they had nothing left4 ,his father obtained the privilege of building a small log house to live in1 on another man's land1 but just as he had got the house finished1 he was taken sick and died4 ,i asked him if his father was a ,christian1 but afterwards regretted that ,i asked him the question1 for it was a long time before he could answer it4 ,at length he said1 ',no1 sir1 if he had been a ,christian1 we could have given him up willingly4 ,we had no hope for him2 but my mother was a ,christian4 ,my mother1 a sister seven years old1 and myself1 were all the family after my father died4 ,i had no hope that ,i was a ,christian when my father died2 but my mother used to come up the ladder every night and kneel down1 and put her hand upon my head1 and pray that ,i might be converted4 ,often1 when ,i was asleep1 she would come1 and her tears running into my face1 would wake me4 ,i knew that ,i was a sinner1 but ,i hope ,god forgave my sins one night1 while my dear mother was praying for me1 and ,i still hope ,i was converted then4 ',about a year after my father died1 my sister was taken sick and died in about two months4 ,my mother was naturally feeble1 and her sorrow for the loss of my father and sister wore upon her until she was confined to her bed4 ,she lay there seven months1 and last fall she died4' ,by this time the little fellow was so choked with grief that he could hardly speak4 ',then1' said he1 ',i was taken sick1 and lay all winter1 not expecting to get well4' ,i shall never forget the appearance of that boy1 and the expression of his countenance1 when he said1 ',i am a poor orphan1 sir2 ,i have nothing in this world except the clothes ,i have on4' ,all the clothes he had on would not have sold for twenty-five cents4 ,what an example is here to induce mothers to be faithful to their children4 ,i wish to ask mothers if they have ever gone at the midnight hour and awoke their children by a mother's tears while pleading with ,god for the salvation of their souls8 ,many mothers--thousands of mothers--have done no such thing4 ,they have neglected their own souls1 and the souls of their dear children--and both have gone to the bar of ,god1 unprepared for the solemn interview4 ,but some mothers have been more faithful1 and what a rich and divine reward have they received6 ,many a son1 now in glory1 or on his way thither1 owes his religious impressions to the prayers of a tender1 faithful mother4 ,nor should mothers be soon or easily discouraged6 ,true1 they may not live to see their prayers answered--but a covenant-keeping ,god will remember them1 and in his own good time and chosen way give them an answer4 ,though seed lie buried long in dust1 ,it shan't deceive our hope2 ,the precious grain can ne'er be lost1 ,for grace insures the crop4 ,the writer1 perhaps1 cannot better conclude this article than by another extract from the work alluded to1 much to the same purpose as the one already cited4 ,in conversing with the captain of a certain boat1 ,i found him a very amiable and companionable man1 although he acknowledged1 that he had no reason to hope that he was a ,christian4 ,said he1 ',i ought to have been a ,christian1 long ago1' without giving his reasons for such an assertion4 ,when the hour for prayer arrived1 7,i staid on his boat all night17 ,i asked him for a ,bible4 ,he seemed to be affected1 and ,i did not know but he was destitute of a ,bible4 ,i told him ,i had one in my trunk1 on the deck1 and that if he had none1 ,i would go up and get it4 ',i have one1' said he1 and unlocking his trunk1 he took out a very nice ,bible1 and as he reached it out to me1 the tears dropped on its cover4 ',there1 sir1' said he1 'is the last gift of a dying mother4 ,my dear mother gave me that ,bible about two hours before she died2 and her dying admonition ,i shall never forget4 ,o1 sir1 ,i had one of the best of mothers4 ,she would never go to bed without coming to my bed-side1 and if ,i was asleep1 she would awaken me1 and pray for me before she retired4 ,twelve years have elapsed since she died1 and five years of that time ,i have been on the ocean1 five years on this canal2 and the other two years traveling4 ,i do not know that ,i have laid my head on my pillow and gone to sleep1 during that time1 without thinking of the prayers of my mother3 yet ,i am not a ,christian2 but the prayers of my mother are ended4 ,i have put off the subject too long1 but from this time ,i will attend to it4 ,i will begin now and do all that ,i can to be a ,christian4' ,i hope those dear mothers1 who may have an opportunity of reading these sketches1 will inquire of their own hearts1 ',will my own dear children1 those little pledges of ,god's love1 remember my prayers twelve years after my head is laid in the narrow house appointed for all the living8' ,oh1 could we place that estimate on the soul which we should do1 in the light of eternity1 how much anxiety would be manifested on the part of parents for their children1 and for the whole families of the earth4 ,the midnight slumber would more often be disturbed by cries to ,god1 and tears for this fallen1 apostate1 rebellious world4 ,mothers6 what do you think of such facts8 ,and what are they designed to teach you8 ,every one of them1 as you meet them in the pilgrimage of life1 is a voice of encouragement from above4 ,has ,god been kind towards other mothers8 he can be kind towards you4 ,has he blessed their efforts8 he can bless yours4 ,has he heard their prayers8 he can hear and answer yours4 ,say not that you have prayed1 labored1 watched1 and all in vain6 ,how long have you thus toiled8 thus wrestled8 ,years8 ,well1 and may be you will have to toil and strive years to come4 ,what then6 ,your ,heavenly ,father knows precisely when it is best to answer you1 and how6 ,suppose you pray and labor ten1 twenty1 thirty years--and then you succeed--won't the salvation of your children be a sufficient reward8 ,how do worldly parents do8 ,take an example from them4 ,they spend life in laying up this world's goods for their children--treasures which perish in the using4 ,surely1 then1 you may1 with great propriety1 devote a few years to secure an imperishable crown of glory for your sons and daughters4 ,for what is the present world--its gold of ,california or its gems of ,golconda--what are its honors--its stars1 coronets1 crowns--to an inheritance in the kingdom of ,god6 ,the time has not yet come when parents appreciate this subject as they will do4 ,oh1 no6 and until they realize their duty1 their privileges1 the purchase which they have on the throne of ,god by means of faith1 and their covenant interest in the blood of ,jesus1 there is reason to fear that many children will perish1 but who need not perish--who would not perish were their parents as faithful and energetic as parents will be in some more distant age of the world4 ,but why postpone what may be realized now8 ,why relinquish blessings of vast and incomparable magnitude to others which you may enjoy1 and which it is no benevolence to forego for others1 because when they come upon the stage1 there will be blessings for them in abundance and to spare8 ,let the sentiment fall upon your hearts1 and make its appropriate impression there--,while ,god invites1 how blest the day6 99 99 99 99 99 ,if the candle of your earthly comfort be blown out1 remember it is but a little while to the break of day1 when there will be no more need of candles4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,christian1 wouldst thou have an easy death8 then get a mortified heart2 the surgeon's knife is scarcely felt when it cuts off a mortified member4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,frost4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,julia ,,norton4 ,the beams of morn were glittering in the east1 ,the hoary frost had gathered like a mist ,on every blade of grass1 on plant and flower1 ,and sparkling with a clear1 reflected light-- ,shot forth its radiant beams that1 dazzling bright1 ,proclaimed the ruling charm in beauty's power4 ,the god of day came forth with conquering glow1 ,when shrinking from his gaze the glittering show ,in vapor fled1 with steady1 noiseless flight-- ,but left its blasting mark where'er it pressed ,the tender plant that on earth's peaceful breast1 ,still slept1 unmindful of the fatal blight4 ,thus sin oft gilds the onward path of youth1 ,till straying far from virtue and from truth1 ,heaven's bright1 pure rays1 in fearful distance gleam2 ,while on the mind the blasting1 clinging shade1 ,with deathless power1 refuses still to fade-- ,till life's dark close unfolds the fearful dream4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,fireside1 is a seminary of infinite importance4 ,it is important because it is universal1 and because the education it bestows1 being woven in with the woof of childhood1 gives form and color to the whole texture of life4 ,there are few who can receive the honors of a college1 but all are graduates of the hearth4 ,the learning of the university may fade from the recollection2 its classic lore may moulder in the halls of memory4 ,but the simple lessons of home1 enameled upon the heart of childhood1 defy the rust of years1 and outlive the more mature but less vivid pictures of after days4 ,,footnotes3 ,a #b ,cor4 #e3ba4 ,b ,the construction put upon this passage is taken from ,bush's ,commentary on ,exodus1 which see4 ,c #a ,john iv3#af4 ,d ,we are glad to see that ,mr4 ,abbott has recently revised and enlarged this useful book4 ,we recommend it to the careful perusal of all young people1 as well as parents4