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mPORTANGE OF RELIGION

TO WOIMCAN.

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BY MRS. ANNIE BOLLO STAGG,

Stbatfobd, Ontabio. ■

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STRATFORD :

PllINTED BY JAMES ROBB, "HERALD" OPJTICB-

. .,..•-.■-■ ■, 1876, ,

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PREFACE.

There is too much truth iu the common obser- vation " that most of the books prepared particu- larly for the use of woman are of rather a frivolous character." Trifling pursuits and empty recreations are too frequently recommended to her notice, and whole volumes are sometimes composed apparently for the purpose of teaching woman, the most elegant and fashionable mode of wasting her time and thus unfitting her for the sober business and the inevit- able emergencies of life. The preparation of such books is surely a very indifferent compliment to woman, since it is virtually assigning her a place in the scale of moral and intellectual beings, which she neither deserves nor desires. She prefers instruc- tions in those studies and pursuits which are elevat- ing in their tendencies, and which, by directing the mind to the noblest and most useful objeots, qualify

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PREFACE.

her for the station she may be called upon to oc- cupy here, as well as prepare her for the happiness she ardently hopes for hereafter. In preparing this little book the Authoress has been guided not by a mere desire to offer that which might be reaLy and permanently useful, but through a profound respect and love for the female character. The materials of work she has drawn from a variety of sources but the fundamental principles are from the Bible, with special reference to actual utility. The mode for ensuring mental improvement will be found con- sistent with the best authorities on the subject, and worthy of being treasured up to aid the grea* work of education which begins in infancy and ends only with life. The hints on moral deportment and the instructions on the general character of Christian life in the relations most important to female happi- ness, viz : — The social and domestic relations, while they commend themselves to the unsophisticated minds of the young, will, it is behoved, secure the approval of every judicious parent. At a time when frivolity and show are but too fashionable the Authoress has dared to prepare a work of a solid character, which she hopes and behoves wiU be found to be suited to the wants of young women. She humbly hopes that the public may find it ex-

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ecnterl, in a measure at least, worthy of the design,- having availed herself of the assistance afforded by *he works of some of the ablest writers on life* together with her own experience and oboervation. She will consider herself richly rewarded if the result of her humble labours shall meet with the approval of those who would award .to the gentler sex what is jugtiyjbheirdue — the highest advantages for intellec- tual and moraTlm^rDvewent.

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IMPORTANCE OP RELIGION TO

WOMAN.

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• ELIGION has beeu sometimes decried as the [) [^ passion of weak men, of women and of children; f><£?^ woman may blush for the association which the ridicule involves, but she has no reason to be ashamed of her propensity. May it ever be her distinction. It is the pearl which adorns as well as enriches. To say that she is more religious than the other sex seems indeed to imply a reflection on the latter ; yet if this be true, it is no more than might be expected — the position and habits of woman are compara- tively favourable to piety ; she needs solace and oc, cupation, and religion affords her both, without it her character is sadly defective, even in the eyes of ordinary persons. A woman may as well be with- out heart as without religion, and there are few men, however irreligious themselves, but would shrink

IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION

from impiety in woman. It involves a coldness and hardness of character ofifensive both to taste and feeling. The mere suspicion of irreligion lowers a woman in general esteem — it implies almost a reflec- tion on her character. A woman must hold no con- verse with anything which might bear the suspicion of immoraUty. She knows that the romance, which j[nvests impiety with the charm of sentiment, must not lie upon her table. Nor must she be supposed to be acquainted with the poem which decks out vice with the witchery of song. BeHgioii is indeed a woman's panoply, and no one who wishes her happi- ness would divest her of it. No one who appreciates her virtues would weaken their best security. There is nothing so well adapted as religion to her wants, woman has many trials, and she therefore needs support, and religion is her asylum, not only in heavy afflictions but in petty disquietudes ; these, as they are more frequent, are perhaps almost as harrassiug — at least they equally need a sedative influence — and religion is the anodyne. Religion is just what woman needs, without it, she is ever restless or un- happy ; ever wishing to be relieved from duty or from time ; she is either ambitious of display or greedy of pleasure, or sinks into a hstless apathy, useless to others and unworthy of herself ; but when the light

TO WOMAN. 6

Heaveu shiuoa upon hor patli it invests every object with beauty. Duties, occapations, and even trials, ar3 seen through a bright* medium, and the sunshine which gildii hor courdo on oirth is bat the dawning of a far clearer day.

'Tis llli},'ion that can ;^'ivo S'vcdtt.'St pl'j.isureH wliilu wd livo 'lis Kolih'iou must bupply Solid comfort wliou wo die.

I

THE REPROACH OF WOMAN.

GENESIS, THE THIRD CHAPTER.

THE SERPENT DECEIVKTH EVE.

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OW the serpent wiis more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made, and he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the Rardeu. And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the frnit of the trees of the garden but of the fruit of the trno which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said ye shall not eat of it lest ye die. And the serpent saith unto the woman thou shalt not surely die. For God doth know tliat iu the day ye eat thereof then your eyos shall be opened and ye shall be as gods, knowing good from evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eye and a tree to 1)6 desired to make one wise, she took of tho fruit and did eat and gave also unto her Inuhand with her and he did eat. And the Lord said unto the woman what is this thou hast done,"

Now, dear sisters, this to me seems very humiliat- ing language. Let us prayerfully contemplate upon it, and seeing that womans' weakness was the cause of man's shameful fall, we thereby losing the favour of God and the esteem of man, it therefore be-

THE llEPROACH OP WOMAH,

iiovea us ptayetfully and diligeiitly to enquire what is'^the whole duty of Woman, that she may be the helpmeet for man which the great Sovereign of all designed we should be. In the first place, how are we to redeem the favour of the Almighty God ? Is there anything we can do to make amends for our weakness and sin ? No ! verily. Only as we be- lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer, Ran- somer, the Saviour of the world.

Hebrews 11 6. " Without faith it is impossible for us to. please God, for we must beheve that he is and that He is the re warder of all them who dili- gently seek him." There are some of the opinion that women are incapable of having this faith. But hear what the Apostle Paul says in his second epistle to Timothy, chapter first, and filth verse. '* "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith which is in thee which dwelt in thy grandmother Lois and thj mother Eunice and am persuaded that in thee also — " Now Solomon casts a great reflection on woman when he says : " Which yet my soul seeketh but I find not ; one man among a thousand have I found but a woman among all these have I not found." I imply no disrespect to the wisest man of the world when I say that we will comfort our- selves with thoughts of thd grand improvement and

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ndVancement of our sex since that good man^s time upon cartli. And let it encourage the fcinale Chris- tian that many have preceeded her in her godly course. That Euth and Hannah, and Mary, and. Dorcas, and Priscilla, and other holy women, have led the way. That they have striven and have pre- vailed ; have believed and been accepted ; that they have received their crown of glory and are with the spirits of the just made perfect. And let you and I dear reader, earnestly endeavour to be like them.

iloly Bible ! book divine, rrecions treasure thou art mine ; Mine to teach me whence 1 came, Mine to tell ine what 1 am.

Mine thou art to guide my feet, Mine to judge, condemn, acquit ; Inline to show a Saviour's love, Mine to chide me when I rove.

Mine to tell of joys to come, And the rebel sinner's doom ; Mine to show by livin*!; faith, "Woman's triumph over death.

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(TK-iF you please, dear sisters, allow me in this cliap- m tor to call your attention to some passages of 4>-~> scripture that refer particularly to woman • Let us look at 1 Cor. xi, 8-9, and also at Genesis iii, IG, and we shall find Woman spoken of as the com- panion and helper of mar, and hy express command made subject to him.

The word Woman when used as a term of salu- tation as in Matt, xv, 28, implies no disrespect hut great tenderness and courtesy. It was thus that our Saviour addressed Mary Magdalen under the most touching circumstances as we find recorded in JMm XX chap., 15 v.; and again when he commended his mother to the care of that disciple whom he loved he said, " woman behold thy son." In the pre- vious chapter we spoke of the reproach of woman. Let us now consider the honour conferred upon her during our Saviour's sojourn on earth. At the mar-

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riage in Cantl of G-alike, when Mary tke mothoi* of rlenus apprised tlio Saviour that there was no wine, He answered her in these memorable words : *' Wo- man, what have I to do with thee '? Mine hour is not yet come. (John ii, 4th and 5th verses.) " His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith iinto you, do it." Mark you her strength lay in her humility, for she kept all these sayings in her heart. Again we find our Saviour when conversing with the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well, speaking thus : " If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to tlioc give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him and he w'ould have given thee living water." (John iv, 10.) " Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming went out and met him ; but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesu&, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But 1 know that, even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give'it thee. Jesus saith unto her thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he sliall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life ; he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and be- lieveth in me shall aever die. Believest thou this ?

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WOMAN.

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She saith unto liim yea Lord ; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Bon of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way and called Mary her sister, secretly saying, the Master is come and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that she arose quickly and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town hut was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose ui) hastily and went out, followed her saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was and saw him, she fell down at His feet, saj'ing unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled, and said where have ye laid him ? They say unto Him, come and see. Jesus wept. John xi, 21-35." Now there are many passages in Scrip- ture which are very comforting to woman, biit none more so, I think, than the passages above quoted. There are those in our day who would deny woman the right to express her opinion on any subject. But behold the King of Glory, God's Holy Son, deignhig to reason with woman. Please take notice to the

WOMAN.

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vorse where Martha speakw of her brother rismg again at th3 rosurrectioa, the blessed Saviour useth argumants to coiiviucG her and then she exclaims, "I believe thou art the Christ." "Jesus wept." For a momont behold hirn mingling His tears vvith those of the bereaved sisters. Oh ! what wondrous condescension. What matchless love. But lest this beautiful passage of scripture be used for feeding pride, let us humbly bear in mind that '* an arrogant woman is an abomination to the Lord." Oh, may it be yours and mine dear Sister, the assurance and comfort of those w,)i'd^. " Thy faith hath saved thee go in peace." Let us exercise faith in that Divine Being whose sufferings and death opened up a way by which the vilest of sinners may obtain forgiveness and salvation. Oh, how I love to linger in thought around the cross ; I love to follow in imagination our Lord in his labours of love. Go with me, dear reader, down to Gethscmane's Garden. Let us gaze for a moment upon that Being while He kneels in prayer ; the gory sweat trickling down as it were in great drops of blood. Let us listen to that agoniz- ing prayer " Father, if it be possible let the cup pass from me," yet witness the submissive spirit as Ko exclaims, " Nevertheless not my will bat thine l;e done." Behold the officers coming out wiil.i sv.'orda

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aiitl staves to take him. Witness that kiss of be- trayal by one of his professed followers as he salutc!-: him with " hail Master." Follow Him to the judgment hall, sec the robe of mock royalty, the mock sceptre placed in his hand, the crown of jagged thorns piercing his holy temples ; hear the insulting abuse of the rabble as they mockingly bow the knee hailing him as the King of the Jews. Let us follow him a little farther n,s he ascends Calvary's rugged summit, bearing his own cross. Watch while ho is streched upon the accursed tree, suspended between the heavens and the earth, a spectacle to angels, men and devils, while the luminary of day refuses to look upon a scene so truly awful, and all nature is convulsed vdth agony at the tragic scenes that are there transpirnig. Listen to that sympathetic prayer " Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." See the anguish depicted on his countenance as he exclaims, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me '?" Can we look but to wonder and adore when we feel that he suffered this for us. He left the habitations of glory for tlie stables of an inn ; the homage of angels for the in- sults of men ; the smiles of hr. Father for the temp- tations of the devil ; the raptures of Heaven for the groans of Gethsemano ; the splendors of the throne

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WOMAN.

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for the ignominy of the cross, the brightness of the celestial glory for the darkness of the tomb. And why was this ? It was love that prompted the sacri- fice ; love to the undeserving and the rebellious — to those who then crucified and to those who now pierce him by their sins — and love still prompts his inter- cession for us at God's right hand. Oil, dear Sisters, will the love which has already effected so much fail us in any extremity, when we are called upon to pass through fiery trials and withstand temptation ; when clouds and darkness envelope us can we not hear the well-known voice of Jesus echoing through the gloom and saying, " Be of good cheer it is I be not afraid :

The God that rules on high,

And thunders when He please ;

That rides upon the stormy sky,

And manages the seas.

This awful God is ours, Our Father and our friend.

When I am fainting in the storm, Let me see his cheering form ; Hear him in his promised aid, *' It is I, be not afraid/'

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OBEDIENCE.

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I OW are we to command that esteem or honor which some would term " Woman's Rights ?" CaU^ In my opinion the very expression *♦ woman' ^ rights" is not in any way or sense compli- mentary to woman. The subject is one which is greatly discussed at the present day. If, dear reader, you will permit me to give you my opinion, I would say that he or she who advocates woman's rights by assuming equality for woman with the more honored sex in a dogmatical way is by no means a true friend to woman. Obedience is so much demanded in the female character that many appear to regard it as the one virtue called for in woman as it must be deemed by all to'^be such in a child. If man]|as the guide and head of women were himself a perfect creature this would unquestionably be true, but if we regard woman, as we must, as a being endowed by

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God with roaaou and theroforo accountable to him her Creator for all hor actions, unfiuahficd and im- plicit obedience to man, a creature like herself liable to errors, cannot consistently bo re(j[uirea. I do not mean to convey the idea that women are children in knowledge. I belie yc that so soon as woman shows herself worthy of esteem and honor they will not be withheld from her. It is however certain that in whatever situation of life a woman is placed, from her cradle to her grave, a spirit of sub- mission and obedience, pliability of temper and hu- mility Oi mind are required from her and the most gifted cannot quit the path thus pointed out by habit, nature, and religion, without impairing her useful- ness and injuring, to a certain extent at least, her own character. Modesty, which may be termed the inherent virtue and the native grace of woman, which she may be exhorted to retain but will seldom be entreated to acquire, renders obedience in general easy and habitual to her especially at that period of life when she is placed under parental care and the '* yoke is easy and the burden light." There arc however, gay and buoyant sphits, haughty and self- willed minds who are not otherwise ill-disposed, who feel obedionce a difficult task and are ready to ques- tion the wisdom or analyze the rights of all in au-

onEDIENC]!:. 17

thority over thorn. To pucli t woultl urpfo tliis virtuo aa a roligiouM'dnty. If tlicy cannot submit to it an a reasonable service I would beseech them as females called to exercise self- control and meekness to obey for conscience sake.

Sweet hour of prayer,

Sweet hour of prayer,

I wolcomo theo.

I've oft escapcil tlio tomptcr's snare,

J3y thy return swoet hour of prayer.

When faint and liungry, Sad and lone, I turn my eyes, Towards my homo. J3y faith I view A hmd so fair, It hastens my lloturn to prayer.

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GOVERNMENT OF THE TEMPER.

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-HE principle virtues or vices of woman are of n^ a private and domestic nature. Within the v^ circle of her own family lies her sphere of ac- tion, the scene of almost all those tasks and trials which must determine her character here and her destiny hereafter. Eeflect for a moment how much the happiness of her husband, children, and servants must depend on her temper and demeanour and you will, I think, agree with me that the great- est good or evil she may have in her power to do may arise from her restraining or indulging her pas- sions. It is true we are not all equally happy in our dispositions but virtue consists in cherishing every good inclination and in checking and subduing every evil propensity. And if you and I, dear sister, have inherited a bad temper it may be made a good one, if we regard the outward effects, by reason, education

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GOVERNMENT OF TEMPER.

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aud principle. If oii the other hand we are so happy as to have a good temper when young, we are not to suppose that it will always continue to be so without proper care and cultivation. Poverty, sickness, dis- appointments or worldly cares may corrupt and em- bitter the finest disposition if they are not counter- acted by reason and religion. It is observed that every temper is inclined in some degree either to passion, peevishness or obstinacy, and many are so unfortunate as to be inclined to each of these in turn. It is necessary therefore to watch the bent of our nature and to apply the proper remedies for the infirmities to which w© are most liable. With re- gard to the first it is so injurious to society and so odious in itself, especially in the female character, that one would suppose a sense of self-respect alone would be sufficient to preserve a woman from giving way to it, for it is as unbecoming a woman's charac- ter to be betrayed into ill-behaviour by passion as by intoxication, and she ought to be ashamed of the one as much as the other. Gentleness, meekness and patience are woman's peculiar distinctions, but an enraged woman is one of the most disgusting sights in nature. It is evident from general experience that the most passionate can command themselves where the motive to do so is sufficiently strongs such

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G0VEI{N2IENT OF TEMPER.

as the presence of those they fear or to whom they wish particularly to commend themselves. We have therefore no right to excuse our conduct, to persons whom we have injured by unkind reproRches and un- just aspersions, on the plea that we were led away by passion. The allowing ourselves to lose our self- control t]n"Ough passion is a proof of an insolent disrespect for the feelings of others, on our part, which the meanest of our fellow-creatures has a right to complain of. Allov/ me to say that what I have found good for myself I may safely recommend it to others. When I find myself heated so far as to de- sire to say what would be provoking or wounding to another, I immediately resolve either to be silent or leave the room rather than give utterance to anything dictated by so bad an inclination. Be assured a wo- man under the influence of passion is utterly unfit to reason with or to reprove others, and it becomes her duty then to retire from such an occasion to sin, and wait until her better nature asserts itself before she presumes to judge of what may have disturbed her serenity of mind. By accustoming ourselves thus to conquer and disappoint anger, we shall by degrees find it to grow weak and mana.geable so as to leave us our reason and liberty. We will ^then be able to restrain our tongues from spnaking |^evil, av.d nnv

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GOVERNMENT OF TEMPER.

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looks and gosturcs from all oxprcssioiiB of violence or ill-will. Priile, which produces so many evils in the human mind, is the greatest source of passion. Slic who cultivates a proper humility, a duo sense of her own faults and insuiiicioncies, with a due respect for others, will find but small temptation to ^iolcnt or unreasonable anger. In the case of real injury wliich justifies and calls for resentment — or at least a disthict expression of disapproval of the wrong — there is a noble and generous anger which has no- thing in it sinful or degradhig, whicli indeed is a ne- cessary part of our nature, and which mus. not be confounded with that anger which feeds on pride. I would not be insensible to this, for the person who feels not a real injury — and feelijig it does not manifest proper resentment — must be incapuble of being affected by benefits. Towards those who ill- treat us without provocvition we ought to maintain our dignity, but, while we should show a sense of their improper behaviour, we sliouldbe careful at the same time to preserve perfect calmness, both of speech and manner, and thereby convince them of their im- potence as well as the injustice of their malice. Wo should also weigh every circumstance with candour and charity and con.ider whether our manifestation of the resentment deserved may not produce ill oon-

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Q0VERN3IENT OF TEMPEE.

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sequences to innocent per8ons,or occasion the breach of some duty or necessary obligation for which wo ought to sacrifice our just resentment. Above all wo should take special care that a particular ofifence against us does not make us unjust to the general character of the offending person. Generous anger does not preclude esteem for whatever is really esti. mable, nor does it necessarily prevent the exercise of good- will towards the person of its object ; it even in- spires the desire of overcoming evil by conferring benefits, and wishes to inflict no other punishment than the regret of having injured one who was un- deserving of censure. Generous anger is always placable and ready to be reconciled as soon as the offender is convinced of his or her error nor can any subsequent injury provoke any reference to faults previously forgiven. The consciousness of injured innocence naturally produces dignity and usually prevents excess of anger. It is only when we are conscious of blame and when we apprehend that we have laid ourselves open to contempt. Where we know we have been wrong, the least injustice in the degree of blame imputed to us, excites our bitterest resentment^ but when we know ourselves faultless

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tlie sharpest accusation excites pity or contempt

rather than rage.

I want to be like Seans,

So lowly and so meek ;

For no one marked an angry word

That ever heard him speak.

. I want to be like Jesus, I never, never find That he, though persecuted, was To any one unkind.

I want to be like Jesus, Engaged in doing good ; So that of me it may be said She hath done what she could.

Alas 1 I'm not like Jesus,

As any one may see ;

Oh, gentle Saviour, send thy grace,

And make me like to thee.

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CAUSES OP FEMALE INFLUENCE

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.r^s^IMT. is in many respects a reformer. It pro- ^p (liu;es the same kiiul of c]iaiip,'es in the opinions ',- i)- of men as familiarity does in tlieir feeliu.r^'s. It lias a tendency to do away with superstition and reduce overythin<^ to its real worth. It is thus that the remains of the feudal system are ever "'lere ra- pidly disappearing ; that there is at the present day less of chivalrous feeling than there once was ; and that men act now, not so much from impulse as from conviction. It is thus also that the sentiment for woman has undergone a change. The romantic passion which once almost deified her is on tlie de- cline and it is by her own intrinsic qualities that she must inspire respect. There is less enthusiasm en- tertained for woman than in former ages but the re- gard is more rational and perhapa equally sincere,

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since it is in relation to happiness that it is principally appreciated. Domestic comfort is the chief som-cc of woman's iniiuence and the greatest debt society owes to her, for happiness is a necessary element of virtue and nothing conduces more to improve the character of men than domestic peace. A woman may make a man's homo delightful and may thus increase his motives for virtuous exertion. Bhe may refine and tranquihze his mind ; may turn away his anger or allay his grief ; her smile may ho the happy influence to gladden his heart and to disperse the clouds that gather on his brow. Where want of congeniahty impairs domestic comfort the fault is generally chargeable to the female side, for it is for woman — not for man —to make the sacrifice, espe- cially in indifferent matters. I will not refer at length to the awful crime of drunkenness against which so many of the pure and good woman of our country liavo to contend by reason of being united to men, whose souls are rendered callous to every good in- fluence through love for strong drink. While wo pray that God in his mercy would break the fetters that bind the poor inebriate, let us lift up our voices in supplication to our Heavenly Father that he would vo'ichsafe his p^-eseuce to every noble hearted woman who is struggling to reclaim a father, a hus

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band, or a bi'othor. Domestic life is a woman's sphere and it is there that she is most usefully as well as most appropriately employed. But society too feels her influence and owes to her, in a great measure, its balance and its tone. She may be hero a corrective of what is wrong ; a moderator of what is unruly ; a restraint on what is indecorous ; her pre- sence is a pledge against impropriety and excess ; a check against vice and an incentive to virtue. In woman this is a christian duty. How often should we suppress our own claims rather than interfere with those of others ; how often should we employ our talen's in developing the good of our associates and not for our own display ; how invariably should we avoid vain pretensions and shun even the appear- ance of conceit. In short we should endeavor on all occasions to imbibe the spirit of that lovely religion of which sympathy is the characteristic feature and humility the pre-eminent grace. Gentleness is in- deed the talisman of woman; to interest the feehngs, is to her much easier than to convince the judgment, and the hep'.i; is more accessible to her influence than the head. She never gains so much as by con- cession, and is never so hkely to succeed as when she seems to yield. But if gentleness contributes so much to the fascination of woman, elegance is no less

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27

attractive and we should endeavour to be elegant not only in manner but in mind. Taste is susceptible of improvement, and elegance is tLj result of cultivated taste. As in art the rude handler of the chisel may in time become a proficient in sculpture, or the most simple designer a master of the easel, so may taste which refines the mind and proportions the character, be equally disciplined and improved. Elegance is nature but not rude nature ; it is unaffected but not unpolished ; it copies natural grace and corrects na- tural defects ; yet it is no servile imitator for it studies suitability as well as simplicity. To be care- less of elegance proves little anxiety to please or little acquaintance with the susceptibilities of the heart. Man is very accessible to the graceful and the beautiful, and however engrossed he may be by other and perhaps higher pursuits, he seeks in the society of woman peace and comfort. He wishes to find her the enlivener and sweetener of his leisure, as well as the sharer of his cares, and if we are sensible we should be desirous that our address will furnish a recommendation rather than a contrast to our moral or mental worth. Eeligion is far from dis- paraging elegance, she gives new motives for its cultivation. The religious woman should endeavour to increase her influence that she may turn it to tlie

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bost iiccomit, find in this view slio will not consider what is ornamental as unworthy of her regard. She will cultivate it as a moans of persuasion and will study to be agreeable were it only from a desire to recommend her principles. Christianity is full of grace, it is a relinor as well as purifier of the heart ; it imparts correctness of perception, delicacy of sen- timent and all those nicer shades of thought and feel- ing, which constitute elegance of mind. Why then should piety and inelegance bo associated, or why should the absence of gracefulness characterize reli- gious persons. That awkwardness and even vulgar- ity arc regarded by many as sure indications of seriousness and extraordinary piety, must be patent to every keen observer of human nature. Religious, intelligent women should not give occasion to such a reproach. She is not by any means the most devout who is the most ungraceful ; nor tlio most heavenly- miiuled wlio is deficient in taste. On the contrary we imbibe more deeply the spirit of our holy religion when we carry its charms into the details of livery day life, when we are fascinating as well as faithful, and agreeable as well as good.

She had hsteued to a voice, It wns the voice of her God ; Saving, I love t]ioo, Push under the rod.

FEMALE DUTIES.

:y-i T is not to be denied that Christianity is a prac- PUj tical principle nor can it reasonably be denied (^ that it is the only principle that insures satisfac- tory practical results,, Not only is it practical but it is essentially necessary to us if we are to answer the great end of our being. No woman can fulfil her social duties without being religious. We need not look to antiquity for proof of this remark. The wo- man who throws off religion now, as it were, invites temptation, and though worldly considerations may induce decorum and propriety these are only nega- tive virtues, even whore natural amiability so far prevails as to dispose to kind benevolent effort. It is but a weak principle, apt to yield to the impulse of selfishness, and influential only when not opposed by any more potent feeling. Christianity is practical throughout. It is so in its religious as well as its

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moral obligations. It is not a mere creed or a mere system, but a simple, sincere, practical service, in- telligible to all, which all may render ; aid which approves itself to the consoieico as the only tribute worthy of God. Yet the gi'icitost fault of our so- called religious women to-day is their insincerity. They admit an amount of causistry in religion which they would not tolerate in anything else. How in- sincere is that religion which appears on a Sabbath in its holiday attire and of which no vestige remriins after the service of the day is concluded ; or that re- ligion which sheds a few tears at a moving discourse but which has no actual contrition, feels no real penitence, and lasts only to the church door. Dear sisters, if we have that religion which Jesus Christ offers us in his gospel it will permeate and determine our character, and become as it were a second na- ture ; silently but sensibly influencing our whole conduct. Eeligion is full of repose, but it is not in- dolent or inactive ; yet it is not restlesfi. Its fervour is so calm and constant that it attracts little notice. It has not the vividness of the electric flash, but it burns like a beacon light, and is as cheermg and salutary. Yet, though quiet, it is earnest. Some women think the more cold and formal their piety the better ; and from their extrtme care left! they

ifRMAt.tl DVTIKH

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should be led away by feeling, it is excoediiifjiy difficult to discover that they feel at all. Yet these are the very persons who need be under no ap- prehension ; they are too cold-blooded to be ever en- thusiastic ; too calculating to incur risk ; too inert to be extravagant. They are so dull that to see them interested about anything beyond a question of dross or of household arrangement, would be a re- lief. But they are dead in religion as in every other matter of feehng. And though they will join in a tirade against spiritual excess, they are unimpression- able to every appeal that would excite to spiritual fervour. Religion must be an absorbing principle; it is not enough to talk about it or read about it, or to arrange ourselves on one side or other of theo- logical debate. Women have little to do with con- troversy of any kind ; and indeed we should be so blameless in our conduct, and so active in onr discharge of social duty, that we may prove the genuineness of our principles and that by these criteria, not by interference in what is altogether unsuitable, our zeal and our proficiency may be esti- mated. Respect to ministers of the gospel is both a religious and a social duty, but one unhappily toO little understood and practised. It is not that en- thusiastic impulse which makes an idol of every-

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thing it admires, which ono day deifies the object of its attachment and the next day decries aiul de- serts it. Nor is it that homage wliich talent or eloquence — or even sometimes superior sanctity — may evoke, but it is respect for an order appointed by God and a reverence for all that is lovely and of good report in those who adorn it. Laborious min- isters are often very meek and very sensitive ; and they claim on these accounts the greater respect _ Yet are they not the very persons who arc treated with the least coi:ideration ; and do not women — who perhaps owe to them the very elements of their religion — who have been encouraged ])y thom to converse on spiritual subjects and allowed to as- sist in theii" labours, often think themselves pri- vileged to criticize what they are not called upon to judge, to interfere where they are not required, and to speak lightly of instructions which they do not know how to appreciate ? How much more de- corous and proper is that conduct which asks for guidance. The most anxious however, if not the most important, duty of married life, is that which is due to children, and which in their early years principally devolves upon the mother. None can supply her place. None can feel her interest. And as in infancy, a mother is the best nurse, so in

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cliiUlliood hIio in tho host guarilian and iiiKtructross. Let her take what help she may, nothing can supor- setle her own exertions. She must givr; the tone to character. Bho must infuse tho principle. She must communicate those first lessons which are never forgotten and. which Ijring fortli fruit good or evil according as the seed may bo. Instruction is not without its trials. Wc have hoard hi poetry how deliglitful it is to rear the tender thouglit ; ])ut it is doubtful whether any of us can sympathize with the beau ideal of the bard. It must be ever a work of patierco and perseverance with faitli and prayer. How needful then is the mother's inter- est. She may not bo herself required to impart tho elements of knowledge ; but it is hers to give life to the system ; to regulate the temper ; to turn the little incidents of a child's life into so many useful lessons ; it is hers to watch the early bias ; to infuse into tho lisping prattle a scrupulous regard for truth; to teach the first breathings of the infant spirit to ascend to hsaven. And well is her care repaid. On whom does the infant smile so sweetly as on its mother ? To whom does tho little girl or boy lly so naturally for sympathy as to their mother ? And often in after life does not youth repose its confidence securely on a mother, and seek the counsel of a

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juother's faithful heart and hide its griefs in A mother's tender bosom. It is a delightful relation-* ship ; and if we, as mothers, would secure the love and respect of our children we must not grudge our attention to them in their earliest years. We must be willing to sacrifice a little amusement, a little company or a little repose, for the sake of nursing oiir infants or teaching our children, and fulfilingthe offices which too frequently devolve on servants. To accomplish, however, these duties, a woman must be domestic — her heart must be at home. She must not be on the look-out for excitement of any kind, but must find her pleasure as well as occupation in the sphere which is assigned her. St. Paul knew what was best for woman when he advised her to be domestic. He knew that home v/as her safest place — her appropriate station. He knew especially th dangers to which young women are exposed when under any pretence they fly from home. There is composure at home. There is something seditative in the duties which home involves. It affords secur- ity, not only from the world, but from delusions and errors of every kind. A woman who lives much at home hears the rumours merely of conflicts which only perplex and agitate those involved in them. She entertains them with a mind not fevered with

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FEMALE DUTIES.

excitement but prepared to weigh everything im- partially, being pre-occupied by more important themes. How preferable is the lot of such an one, when really religious, to the most brilliant fortune which the world can offer. She has set her footing on the rock and she will never be moved from it. Her faith is firm as that on which it reposes — it is not that vague sentiment which scarcely knows what it believes. It is not that fickle sentiment which adopts the newest dogma whatever it may be. It is not a vapid sentiment which feels everything or no- thing just as the world dictates ; but it is that faith founded upon scripture, however set at naught; that receives the doctrines of scripture, however con- t mned ; that recognizes the obligations of scripture, however mystified or explained away. It is a faith which, conscious of its own weakness, rests on the Almighty strength— feeling its own wants flies to infinite sufficiency, which with filial con- fidence carries its cares to the mercy seat of Heaven and rests assuredly on him in whom she has believed. And how will such a faith be evidenced ? By composure under trials ; by a modest fulfilment of duty ; by a heavenly walk ; by a happy death. Yes, it is then that the Christian really triumphs > The spirit that has animated for

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FEMALE DUTIES.

awliile the tabernacle of clay ; that ha^i prompted to benevolence ; that has stimulated to self-denial ; that has striven and struggled and siifTcred under its ^oad of flesh, then breaks away from its prison, and finds its repose. Then it meets with those with whom it long has held communion, whose tempta- tions and trials have been the same, and whose home will be the same forever and ever.

There is a place where my hopes are stayed, My heart and my treasure are there ;

Where verJuvc aii't blossom never fade, And fields are eternally fair.

Chorvi — Tjiat blissful place is my fatherland, 13y faith its delights I explore ; Come, favour my ilight, angelic band, And waft me in peace to the shore. •

There is a place where the angels dwell, '

A pure and a peaceful abode ; The joys of that place no tongue can tell,

For there is the palace of God.

That blissful place — ^

There is a place where my friends have gone, Who worshipped and suffered with mo ;

Exalted with Christ, high on his throne.

The king in his beauty they see. ■ . i

That blissful place —

Tlioro is a place wliert^ I hope to live,

Wliop. life and its labours are o'c:;; A place which the Lord to m« will give, ■ .•■'•

And then I shall suli'er no more. , i . t

That blissful place — ' ' ' '' "

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FILIAL DUTY.

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BEDIENCE to parents is the basis of all order and government and is not only peremptorily 2^>y^ and repeatedly enjoined by scripture but even the heathen laid great stress upon the due perform- ance of filial duties. We read indeed that the Ro- mans gave to parents unlimited jurisdiction over their children, and fathers were empowered to — and frequently did — punish fihal disobedience, with stripes, slavery, and even death. Although our legal enactments are of a milder and less summary char- acter, yet children are not less morally bound to obej their parents and to cherish them in sickness, poverty and old age. It is in fact a primary reU- gious and natural duty, and one of the express com- mandmen': of God, without a holy and due observ- ance of which we shall never see his face nor expe- rience real happiness in this world or the next. ♦• Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God

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giveth thee," is the solemn and positive command of the Most High. And we, dear readers, may assure ourselves that God will not only bless the dutiful son here and hereafter, but that he will punish in the most signal and most terrible manner all those who by parental neglect and unfilial conduct set at defiance his written law and violate that holy and just principle which he has implanted in every hu- man breast. The daughter who gives up every pleasure in this world for the sake of father or mo- ther does no more than her duty, and will by no means lose her reward. We ought to serve and obey cheerfully at all times and under all circum- stances so far as is consistent with the will of God as declared in the holy scriptures. And we should consider that the utmost we can do for them is very trivial for the debt we owe them. We should also remeriber that in attentively and constantly evincing our affection towards our parents wo are displaying our love and reverence of the Most High in obedience to his injunction, thereby acquiring the favour of the Almighty. As it is our duty to reverence and honor our parents at all times so are we especially bound to esteem and imitate their good qualities and to alle- viate and bear with — to spread as it were a veil over —their faults and weaknesses. Our gratitude to

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HLIAL OVTIES,

them for the innumerablo favours, which it c^h scarcely ever be in our power to repay, must be evinced by a strict attention to their wants and a solicitious care to supply them ; by a submissive de- ference to their authority and advice, by yielding rather than peevishly contending with their humors — remembering how often they have patiently borne with ours — and in short by soothing their cares, lightening their sorrows, supporting the infirmities of old age and making the remainder of their life as comfortable and as agreeable as i ossible. These are indeed the tests oi real piety. No one must fancy herself religious who is careless of these obHgations. She may be perpetually engaged in the discussion of duty and liberal in her application of incentives ; she may not even shrink from the reproach of religion, nor from public exertions in its behalf, but she is greatly in the wrong if she imagines that any of these things can compensate for want of attention to minutiaB of social conduct. The source of rehgion is in the heart. It radiates through the system, and though its diverging beams strike upon remote objects they must fall first on those nearest the centre. The domestic circle may exhibit some of the most beautiful developments of female piety, and it affords opportunity to the youngest christians to

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spite of perversity

us and is never

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evidence their religion. It is, however, often not till experience teaches the fickleness of other attach- ments that we prize the fidehty of family love — it is pot till we see how small a matter separates friends — how soon ambition breeds rivaly — and rivalry coldness and distrust — that we rightly estimate that tenderness which in and neglect watches over weary on our behalf — cuco and welcoming our affectior experienced the selfishness o.' .the disinterestedness of our part ^s, • J sometimes, alas ! our sense of their value comes too late. It is when we can no longer receive, and can no longer pay the tribute of affection. It is when they are beyond the reach of all our love or our kindness and we are left to the cold mercies of a heartless world. Few per- haps are the children who do not mourn over de- ficiencies in filial duty — who recall with tender sor' row the poor return they made to an ever wake" ful love and who though they may have rendered all that decorum required do not sicken at the recollec- tion of what they might have done, but failed to do, to soothe, comfort, and make glad the hearts that now have ceased to beat. Bespect is the peculiar olaim ol parentsi and to any failure in this r^speoi

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they are very sensitive. How often does experience give a useful though a somewhat bitter lesson ? How often may we afterwards find in the extravagance of others an apology for our parents' fears, and in our own mistakes a justification of their animadversions? And how often may — young women especially — learn that if they had listened more to the counsels of experience — if they had heen less opinionative and more deferential — they would have spared them- selves the necessity of »-etrugrade movement and many painful recollections of unimproved advice. My dear reader, take warning by the painful recol- lections which come to the mind of the writer as she pens these few lines : —

To those who have a mother dear,

O love her while you may ; . She will not always linger here,

No I soon she'll pass away.

* 0 mother dear ! 0 mothev dear !

My fond heart turns to thee ; Forever warm and true, Where'er my lot may be.

Her love you know not how to prize,

Till from you she is riven ; But as an angel in the skies,

She'll point your way to heaven.

0 mother, etc.

I've knelt in childhood by ker Bide, To lay my Avsniug ptayer ;

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llt^v humlole voice was then my guide, To soothe each little oaro.

0 mother, etc.

But her eyes grew dim, her steps grew slow,

Her voice it failed so fast ; I saw upon her blessed brow.

The many years gone past.

O mother, etc.

But her love I knew not how to prize,

Till from me she was riven ; Now, as an angel in the skies,

She points my way to heaven.

0 mother dear ! 0 mother dear 1 My fond heart turns to thee,

Forever warm and true. Where'er my lot may be.

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ON FEMALE ROMANCE.

OST women are inclined to be romantic. This tendency is not confined to the young or the beautiful ; to the intellectual or the re- fined. Every woman capable of strong feeling is susceptible of romance, and though its degree may depend on external circumstances, education, station, or excitement, it generally exists and requires only a stimulus for its development. Eomanoe is indeed the charm of female character— without it no woman can be interesting— and though its -xcess is a weak- ness and one which receives but little indulgence, there is nothing truly generous or disinterested which does not imply its existence. It is that poetry of sentiment which imparts to character or incident something of the beautiful or the sublime; which elevates us to a higher sphere : which gives an ar- dour to affection ; a life to thought ; and a glow to

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imagination ; and which blends so warm and sunny a hue to the portraiture of life. But it is this op- position between romance and sobriety that excites so strong a prejudice against the former. It is asso- ciated in the minds of many as folly alone. A ro- mantic woman is the object of their contempt, and they so recoil from this personification of sentiment, that their chief object seems to be to divest them- selves altogether of its delusion. Life is to them a mere calculation ; expediency is their maxim ; profit, ease or comfort their aim. They have at least this advantage that while minds of higher tone and hearts of superior sensibility are often harrassed and wounded, and even withered, in their passage through life, they proceed in their less adventurous career neither chilled by the coldness nor sickened by the meanness, nor disappointed by the selfishness of the world. They virtually admit, though they often theoretically deny, the baseness of human nature — strangers to disinterestedness themselves they do not expect to meet with it in others. They are con- tent with a low degree of enjoyment and are thus exempted from much poignant suffering and it is only when the caaiialities of life interfere with their individual ease that we can perceive that they are not altogether insensible. The sensitive mind dis'

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covers poetry everywhere, m it is touched with every- thing that is affecting in the chances of life. So does it taste whatever is picturesque in the objects Of nature. All that is majestic and lovely here, is to it a source of delight, and helps to form a more just conception of him who is the author of so much beauty. It is thus that the images of earth may be recognized, the tokens of eternity, in the canopy of heaven, and the expanse of the ocean in the setting glories of the sun, and in the melting colors of the rainbow, visions and emblems of a bright world. The emotions thus excited are very good for us. They are the dews that refresh the heart and pre- pare it for spiritual culture. They are the voice of God speaking to us in his works and demanding our affection and service. There is a romance in grief which is highly poetic. There is something sublime in the extremity of human woe. Who does not feel its pathos when they read of the daughter of Diah cr of the widow of Vain ? Who does not feel it when they witness or experience the too frequent tragedies of ordinary life '? Yet there is here also danger in the indulgence of sentiment. There may be pride in the excess of grief ; there may be a luxury in the exuberance of tears. There are some women who delight in nursing imaginary griefs ; who live in

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an ideal world, and they so pamper their fancy and excite their sensibilities that they only become pro- lific sources of unhappiness. There may be a dream- ing trance in which the sufferers find almost plea- sure,and from wliich they will not descend, and thus they may shroud themselves in their grief and dis- card everything which would divert them from its contemplation and indulge in a fond sentimental reverie, which they may almost imagine it a desecra- tion to disturb. This is not unfrequently the case with women whose minds are sensitive and weak and who seem to make a merit of giving way to sorrow. But it is a perversion of feehng, not its consequence, for that sentiment is in reahty most intense that does not indulge itself in expression ; that grief, most af- fecting, that is not selfish ; that emotion most noble and sublime, that elevates not to ecstacy but to exer- tion ; that does not spend itself weeping over a tomb but sends the mourner forth in a modest, quiet, un- obtrusive sorrow, to encounter again the trials of life and fulfil its obligations. We are only safe when truth isthe objectof our affections. And when we find in it satisfaction and deLght- and surely it affords enough for the most ardent minds — is there not in the gospel everything that is subhme ? Is there not in God, as he is there revealed, everything to engage

ON FEMALE ROMANCE.

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our hearts ? Why then should we look for him where he is not ? He has walked in the form of man ; he has spoken in the language of earth ; and he now "^neals to our human feelings and asks our reasons service. EeUgion is indeed not a mere system, it is full of sentiment and love. A senti- ment that calms and a love that occupies the soul, and happy only is the woman who experiences these. Who finds in assurance of the divine sympathy and in her love to God a cordipl to her spirit ; an ano- dyne to her griefs ; and a stimulus to her hopes. Duty then loses all its irksomeness, for it is the tri- bute of love, and the christian rejoices in a sense of that union which binds her in grateful dependence to the r of all good. And as though not sensible to prestox.. blessings, nor ungrateful for present re- freshment, she feels the lurking thorn in everything connected with earth. She therefore dwells with greater dehght on the prospect of a happier world. She tastes whatever there is of God here, and looks for the full and perfect manifestation of liim in his immediate presence.

We have no home but heaven, a pilgrim's garb we wear, Our path is marked with changes, and strewn with many a cafe; Surrounded with temptation, by varied ills oppressed, Each day's experience warns us that this is not our rest.

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We have no home but heaven, then wherefore seek one here ? Why murmur at privations or grieve when trouble is near ; It is but for a season that we as strangers roam, And strangers must not look for the comforts of a home.

We have no home but heaven, we need no home beside, O God ! our friend and father, our footsteps thither giude ; Unfold to us its glory, prepare us for its joy. Its pure. and perfect friendship, its angel-like employ.

We have a home in heaven, how cheering is the thought, How bright the expectation which God's own word hath taught ; With eager hearts we hasten the promised bliss to share, We have no home but heaven ! Oh would that wo wore there.

MORAL DEPORTMENT.

,_^. OEAL improvement should always be made j^^ conducive to moral advancement to render a ^Fiv-t- young woman v/ise and good. To prepare her mind for the duties and trials of life is the great purpose of education. Accomplishments, however desirable or attractive, must always be considered as secondary objects when compared with those virtues which form the character and influence the power of woman in society. Home has justly been called her empire and it is certain that to her it is a hallowed cu-cle, into which she may diffuse the greatest earth- ly happiness or inflict the most positive misery. It is never so narrow but from thence may stream a benignant ray to illumine a neighbour's dwelling ; and it may be wide enough to give light to thousands. The virtues of a woman of rank and fortune ex- tend far beyond the mansion where she presides or the cottage which she protects, by the example she offers, even in the most trivial action, to those around

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her, and below her. Gently, imperceptibly, but most certainly, will she imbue with her own purity and beneficence the atmosphere in which she moves ; softening the obdurate ; correcting the depraved ; and encouraging the timid. Those who are not placed by Providence in so brilUant a sphere may by their conduct produce the same effects in a more limited circle and in a less degree, but with equal honour and satisfaction to themselves. The virtues of the heart must be cultivated not less than the acquire- ments of the mind, or we shall look in vain for the fruit we desire. Nor must we expect mere girls to exhibit those accomplishments which only experience can supply or labour attain in either case. But as we are certain that knowledge and virtue may, and gene- rally do, grow up together, so we may earnestly entreat the young to give this subject their most anxious attention in examining their own conduct ; analyzing motives and correcting errors ; repressing those faults to which they know that they are prone ; and resolving to cultivate virtues in which they have proved themselves defective. The best season for so doing is before prejudice and habit have taken deep root — when passions are generally easy of control — whilst the sensibilities and affections Qf the heart amd all its better impulses are awake to

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aid us in tliu task. Such is the bias of our natural dispositions towards some particular modification of good or evil, that it is a difficult task so to offer ad- vice, in the management of temper and inclination, to girls in general as to bring it home to the feelings of any particular individual. There is no occasion to recommend gentleness to the timid or courage to the bold. Nevertheless, I will venture to lay before my young readers what may be termed a hst of virtues, not one of which can be dispensed with in the female character, for all will unquestionably be called for at one period or another through their path of life. I will bring before you a list of virtues as a means of security to yourself and of benefit to others, and which are positively demanded by the religion which they profess as christians. Piety, integrity, fortitude, charity, obedience, consideration, sincerity, prudence, activity, and cheerfulness, with the dispositions which spring from — and the amiable qualities which rise out of— them, may define those moral properties called for in the daily conduct and habitual deportment of young women. On some of these I beg leave to dilate a httle. Not for the pur- pose of explaining what is self-evident to every re- flecting mind, but in order to impress more deeply on the memory those assertions which are too easily

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MORAL DEFOIiTMENT.

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forgotten iu the confusion of other engagements and more amusing pleasures. Allow me to say I would address myself with a sister's love to every young creature who casts her eye over these pages. En- treating her through love and affection to consider their importance to herself and all whom she loves — or may love — their consequence through life and after death.

Lord I hear of showers of blessings,

Thou art scattering full and free ; Showers, the thirsty land refreshing,

Let some droppings fall on mo. Even me, even mo.

Pass mo not, O God, my Father,

Sinful though my heart may be ; Thou mightest leave me, hut the rather Lot thy mercy light on me.

Even me, even me.

Pass me not, 0 gracious saviour.

Let me live and cling to thee ; Oh, I'm longing for thy favour.

Whilst thou art calling, oh call me. Even mo, even mo.

Pass me not. Oh, mighty spirit.

Thou canst make the blind to sec ; Witnesses of Jesus' merit.

Speak some word of power to mo. Even me, even me.

Pass me not, thou lost one bringing,

Bind my heart, 0 Lord, to thee ; Whilst the streams of life arc springiiig,

Blessing others, 0 bless me.

Even me. even me

PIETY.

pji-> IE TY includes faith, devotion, resignation, and that love and gratitude to God which stimulate us to enquire his will, and perform it so far as the weakness and imperfection of our nature permits. It offers the best foundation, not only for sohd happi- ness, but for that serenity of temper and disposition to innocent gaiety which is at once the charm and the privilege of youth. No idea can be more falla- cious than the supposition that the refined and ra- tional pleasures of society are incompatible with those acts of devotion and that occasional abstraction of the mind from worldly pursuits, practised by every pious person. The lofty aspirations, the deep hu- mility and unshrinking confidence of a christian m those moments when the soul may be said "to com- mune with her God," can have no other effect on any well-regulated mind than that of adding sweet- ness to the usual intercourse and interest to the common incidents of life. It increases the endear- ing submission of the daughter, the fond affection

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INTEGRITY.

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of the sister, the kindness of the friend, and the generous forbearance of the superior. By a per- petual sense of the abiding presence of him from whom we have received the blessings, or by whom we are exercised with tlie trials, these dear connec- tions may impart and extend our sympathy to the whole human race.

INTEGRITY.

(i^NTEGRITY is a virtue of great extent. It in- cludes rectitude of intention ; honesty of action ; an aversion from all deceit ; and that sense of justice which prevents us from injuring our fellow- creatures — not only in word and deed — but even in thought. The world is extremely deficient in that common honesty which every one would blush to have doubted. Therefore, it well becomes us all to examine our claims to being considered persons of sound principles. Young people should closely look into their own bosoms and determinately subdue in themselves all those propensities which militate against their own sense of uprightness.

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FORTITUDE.

.^^ORTITTDE, like integrity, may be termed one the severer virtues. But it is not the less necessary for the weaker sex, since with less physical strength and fewer opportunities of improv- ing it either mentally or corporeally. Woman is yet called upon to exert great powers of endurance, both actively and passively. The pains of sickness, the misfortunes of life, the inflictions of calumny, call upon her for patience under suffering, and firm- ness, resolution, and perseverance in conduct. With- out these qualities a woman, however engaging or attractive as a companion, must be found deficient in all the nearer relationships of life and incapable of fulfilling its more important duties, all of which in her own person, or that of some near connection, de. mand the assistance, this virtue in one of its many forms can alone supply.

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CHARITY.

-HE sweet exercise of this virtue seems so con- genial to the nature of youth that I would rather seek to regulate its impulses than re- commend it to an attention I trust already attained. A young woman, rich in the possession of friends and for one, who is devoid of pity, incapable of the offices of humanity, or withholding the aid of charity, appears to me an anomaly in creation. To this fair miser — to this scentless flower which shall blossom without esteem and fall without regret — I offer no advice on the subject ; but to the generous, tender, and kind-hearted girl, whose wishes run beyond her means ; to the scrupulous and prudent who fears lest she should commit an error whilst she indulges a virtuous inclination, I would suggest a few admoni- tions. "Whether you are the mistress of a regular al- lowance or the proprietor of casual sums, never fail to appropriate some portion of your pocket money to a charity purse. When you are making purchases, and after due deliberation, see that of two articles the cheaper will answer your purpose ; add the money you thus save to the same sacred deposit. By whioh means yon will seldom be placed in the

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'J)ainfiil situation of eagerly desiring to give, whilst you are conscious that in prudence and justice you have nothing to bestow. Economy is the handmaid of charity. Without her aid the melting heart and the tearful eye are of no avail. Therefore, never dispise her assistance, even in trifles. But as cases will occur so pressing on the claims of humanity for present and larger help than the purse in question can supply, you may sometimes encroach without blame upon your general store. In which case make up the deficiency by some new act of self-denial — for regularity is as necessary a duty, as charity is an agreeable one. Do not forget that charity has a much wider signification than almsgiving. Affability of manners, gentleness of demeanour, attention to the courtesies of hfe, compassion towards all who suffer, whether high or low, a kind construction of all the words and actions of our fellow-creatures, and patient forbearance or generous forgiveness to- wards those who have grieved or injured us, support of our ministers and the spread of the gospel of Christ, are also demanded by this virtue. Charity suffereth long and is kind ; charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself, is the language of that apostle who best understood its nature and has so touohingly ooncentrated its qualities.

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CONSIDERATION.

ONSIDEEATION is of the utmost value in ■^^ that situation where the conduct of woman has its greatest utility and most valuable in- fluence of the domestic circle. It combines the powers of reflection with the sentiments of kindness and saves from many an anxious hour and weari- some labour the parent who thinks for you ; the teacher who instructs you ; the servant who toils for you. It is a gentle and feminine virtue — unobtru- sive as to appearance but important in effect. The threatenings of incipient disease, the ruin caused fey foolish expenditure, or likely to ensue from idle speculation, the temptations which might have misled an ignorant servant, the disclosures that would ruin an imprudent acquaintance, the present aid that may save a wretched family, may be happily prevented or supplied by consideration. It is the still small voice which can allay the tempest or direct the tide of human affairs, by an agency alike mild and beneficial, powerful and unassuming.

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CONCLUSION.

SAVING treated on what appears to me to be the most important topics of cln-istian Hfe, taking the scriptures for my guide, and hav- ing called to my aid the observations of the wise and good of past and present times, together with my own experience, and digested the whole into a form suitable for a httle book or manual, it only re- mains for me to take leave of my readers with the fervent hope that even my humble labours may con- tribute somewhat to the formation of that christian character in my fair country-women which shall not only win the hearts of all who can feel the best in- fluence of true loveliness, but command the respect of all who know how to appreciate genuine worth. If dear sister, who in a few moments will close this little volume, you earnestly desire to attain to such a result, obey the injunction so admirably expressed by the sweetest of our native poets : —

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So live that when thy summons oomos to join The innumerable caravan that moves To the pale realms of shade where each shall take Her chamber in the silent halls of death Thou go not like the quarry slave at ni^ht, Scourged to thy dungeon, but sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave Like one who wraps the drapery of her couch About her and lies down to pleasant dreams.

Oh lot me add, if I have been addressing one poor sad sorrowful woman, who feels she has to] bear the burden of this life with its cares and its trials all alone, 0 let me urge you with a sister's love, and as one having learned to obey the injunction before giving it to another, cast your burden on the Lord he will sustain you, turn often to your bible and see what comfort and consolation there is for you. It was woman who washed the Saviour's feet with tears . it was woman who admipistered to the Saviour's wants while here upon earth ; when weary at the well, it was woman who gave him to drink ; and it was woman who was first at his grave. And,although the blessed Lord is not here with us now to receive those donations of kindness, let us obey his com- mand. Hear what he says. Forasmuch as ye do it unto one of these little ones ye do it unto me. We see plainly through all the* scriptures that woman's life consists of little things. It is a small thing to give a cup of cold water in the name of Christ, but

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whosoever is faithful in things so small wUl be first to meet the demands of duty when the trial is great. The woman who is first to speak a kind word to Sk friendless child, or to carry a look of sunshine into an afiiicted or a desolate home, will be first to make the great sacrifice of duty when the Master calls. The King in the final day will say *' come, ye blessed of my Father," to those who have only done the least and the most common acts of kindness, to those who have only done what anybody can do any day of her life. Depend on it, my sister, it is the minute and conscientious attention to what the world calls little things that makes the great beauty and success of life. Little deeds of charity ; httle words of kind- ness ; little acts of self-denial ; little moments of dili- gence ; a careful watch against little sins ; a greater use of little blessings ; a wise improvement of Uttle opportunities ; a diligent cultivation of httle talented patient continuance in well-doing. Under little en- couragement these things make women great in the sight of God. If these things be in you and abound they will bring the knowledge and enjoyment of everything else . To be willing to give thousands to the cflirx '" Christ we must be willing to give such a "^ have, be it ever so little. If we would com- .ds the eart^ apon missions of charity and instruc-

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tioi we must begin at our own door — we must show the spirit of Christ to those of our own house hold. If we would set up the kingdom of righteous- ness in all nations we must make one province of that kingdom in our own hearts. And what we fail to accomplish, our children will effect through the help of tlie divine spirit.

** Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a wo- man that feareth the Lord she shall be praised.

*• A wise woman buildeth her houfe. A graceful woman retaineth honour. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own work praise her in tho gates." — Proverbs.

Cast thy burden on the Lord, Lean thou only on his word ; He will ever be thy stay. Though the heavens shall melt away.

How gentle God's commands, How kind his precepts are ; ' Oh cast your burden on the Lord, And trust his tender cure.

How gentle are his words,

Oh 1 come let us obey ; n

We'll drop our bturden at his feet.

And bear a song away.

Ajad good lye, dear kind reader.

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