girls came screaming to the door, and Master William was in full chase, carrying a long whip, with which he struck his sister. My poor pupil Lucy had her face badly cut, and the mother with much anger shook the little boy, then put him into a dark closet, where he screamed until every one was weary; and all this happened because he had not been trained from infancy in the way he should go.

After this Mrs. F. undertook to conquer her little son. A whip was placed on the chimney in the sitting room; and this, with the dark closet, where he was told ugly creatures would catch him, frightened William into decent behavior while in the presence of his mother. In her absence there was no peace; the household was a scene of disorder, occasioned by the mischief of their spoiled child.

At such seasons, and they happened often, for Mrs. F. was much engaged abroad in occupations that drew her from household duties, my task was a hard one. Quarrels between the little girls and their brothers were continual; play things were broken or taken and concealed. Charlotte would accuse Lucy; Lucy, Charlotte. Often both united in throwing the blame on William, who frequently retaliated with a blow. If I interfered and endeavored to restore order, Harriet by contemptuous looks and whispers to her young sisters, destroyed all my influence, and complaints were made to mama, that Miss P- was not kind.

I did not, my dear Mary, i-fecta long in this ill governed family. My youth and inexperience rendered incapable of rectifying such deep seated evils. The vivid impression whi h this, my first essay in teaching, left upon my mind, may, I hope, be useful to you as a hint in the management of your little ones. As a sequel to this sad story, I was told not long since, that William had been expelled from college for some notoriously bad conduct, and that his poor mother was on the verge of the grave, broken-hearted.

sor.

Her eldest daughter Harriet is married to a good and respectable man, but she bears the character of a proud, selfish, consequently inconsistent profesShe cultivates the acquaintance of her wealthy neighbors, while the poor, pious, Christian family is left neglected, even in the kind offices of charity. If she is ever charitable, it is when the fashionable are so; if she ever gives, it is when her rich acquaintance do.

It is even said that she is overbearing, often unkind to her indulgent husband; that she brings up her children even worse than the example of her mother taught her; thus perpetuating a race of misguided families. Her poor declining mother she seldom visits, and when she does, no filial affection ever marks her conduct; she takes no interest in her sorrows, and has even been heard to upbraid her unhappy parent for the partial fondness that spoiled her William.

As I advanced in years I often reflected on the character of Mrs. F.; it seemed one of those strange incongruities, which the study of the human heart alone could solve-selfishness in the indulgence of her children during their infancy; afterwards in enforcing obedience to herself without teaching them their accountability to God. Blindness of the faults observed in them by

others; ignorance of her own moral obligations, particularly in regard to truth, and consequent bad example.

With all this Mrs. F. was an interesting woman, a kind neighbor, and active in her religious professions. She was in society what many women are, useful and respectable. Had she cultivated a knowledge of her own heart, and watched its selfishness; had she considered that every departure from truth is an offence against God; had she obeyed the injunction "Train up a child in the way he should go,” and sought aid and blessing from the Holy Spirit on such labors; we have reason to expect that the promise would have been verified, that she would not have gone down mourning to the grave.

Your affectionate

ZELIA.

For the Mother's Magazine.

RELIGIOUS TRUTH.

THE INCULCATION OF RELIGIOUS TRUTH UPON THE YOUTHFUL MIND.

Dr. Miller, in one of his letters, speaks advisedly when he says that children should be early instructed in religious truth. Without adverting to the weighty consideration, that a certain degree of wisdom seems to be necessary to salvation, we may be convinced of the propriety of such a course by calling to mind the old adage that "life is short, and art is long."

We have a revelation of things which angels desire to look into, and which the most unwearied research must fail to find out unto perfection; while most of our brief life is so filled with cares and active duties, as to leave little opportunity of drinking of the heavenly waters sent to cheer us through the wilderness.

The precious period of childhood ought not then to be spent, and suffered to pass by unimproved; especially, as we find that then the mind is most alert and inquisitive, and eager to pry into the treasures of hidden knowledge. No! we should strive to pour upon the opening mind as much light as it is capable of receiving; nor need we fix any limits to our instructions, save those already fixed by a higher will in the weakness and darkness of the youthful understanding.

Nor should we keep children in ignorance of disputed points, merely because they are disputed. We do not for such reasons leave our pupils with a partial and defective knowledge of scientific and literary subjects.

What is admitted we teach them; and when points are yet in dispute we acquaint them with the views held on both sides of the question, and generally with the arguments upon which they are respectively based. If this plan is best adapted to lead to the developement of the truths of science, why is it not likewise, when applied to those which are strictly religious?

Children then should not be left in ignorance on disputed topics. But in endeavoring to give instruction, we must be careful that we do lead our charge in a direct path to the attainment of truth. We must not impose on their inexperience and confidence, nor take advantage of their limited and

partial views, to bias their minds in their infant efforts at investigation. We must be careful to teach them every thing just as it is, and still further, to impart our instructions with such degrees of certainty and authority, and such only as we really possess. We must inculcate truth as truth, and opinion only as opinion. To apply this to particulars: The Bible is a direct revelation. from God. Creeds and catechisms are statements of what some Christians believe to be therein contained, and we know that these differ widely from each other. The latter then should not be held up to a child in exactly the same light as the former. The Bible is truth. The catechism is what we believe to be truth; it has only the authority of opinion, and as such only, should it be taught.

Might I then presume to offer advice, I would say to every parent, your heavenly Master has committed to you the religious training of a child, an intelligent, immortal being. On no account leave it to pick up its opinions from unnoticed and irresponsible sources, or else to grow up with no opinions at all, while its soul is pining and withering for want of that knowledge which is the well spring of life. Lead it to the Bible, as to the pure fountain of truth, and while with watchful jealousy you try to preserve its mind as clear and unbiassed as possible, use every exertion to interest that mind in there washing out the golden sands; in there finding the words of eternal life.

But as most children can receive much precious knowledge before they have learned to read, and as a good part of the Bible is wrapped up in language too elevated for them, teach them verbally what you yourself believe to be therein contained.

And if you choose, help them to commit to memory some catechism which exactly coincides with your view of gospel doctrine; but in doing so always say "I think so and so. This is what I believe," &c.; and as they grow older, add, "on such and such points other men have thought differently. I have examined the subject carefully, and have come to this conclusion ;" and then if he can comprehend them, state the ground of your own conviction, or else frankly tell him, "I would explain the reasons could you understand me, but as you cannot, you will be content as in other things. When you are old enough, you shall examine the subject for yourself."

While children are very small, truth and the opinions of parents are synonymous terms; and under this training, would they not, as they grow older, be acquiring at the same time an intelligent and confident belief of many things, and a disposition fearlessly, yet cautiously, to search the scriptures in regard to others.

At any rate this course is the only upright and honest mode of dealing with the free created mind.

Those who inculcate on children, as an infallible rule of faith, those creeds or catechisms which they themselves believe, are bringing them up either bigotedly to cling to certain truths which they have never impartially examined, or to look but contemptuously and sceptically upon the belief of their early years, as what in such cases it really is, merely the prejudice of education.

M. H.

THE BARTERED KITS-LINE.

For the Mother's Magazine.

THE BARTERED KITE-LINE.

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The opportunities which are afforded to mothers to instill right principles into the minds of their sons, from trifling and every day occurrences, should neither be overlooked or misimproved.

While recently on a visit in a friend's family, a trifling incident occurred, which I thought so happily improved, that I mention it, as illustrating such facilities.

As I was sitting with Mrs. B. in her own room, her son James abruptly entered, when the following conversation ensued, which neither of us felt inclined to check :

“Mother,” said James, “ George makes so many bargains, that it is a chance if he is not often imposed upon."

"My son, you know that I have often regretted this disposition in your brother to barter away his toys. I hope you will advise him to give up that kite-line. I fear his experience in this case will prove too dearly bought. I think, James, you may have more influence with your little brother, in helping him to correct this unfortunate propensity, than even your mother. You know that he has peculiar temptations to induce this habit. You are both aware that neither your father nor I approve of such traffic.

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Mother, I do not see, in this instance, how I can honorably advise my brother to relinquish that kite-line. I know that it was fairly paid for. The boy that sold it to him, is twice as old as George; he has therefore no right to take it back. If he should get angry, mother, he is not worth minding, for he is a mean fellow."

"James, I do not think your reasoning correct," said Mrs. B. "From the fact that that boy is ill bred and ill natured, and so much older than George, I should advise you both to have nothing to do with him, or to say to him. 1 hope you will therefore advise George, at once, to restore the kite-line.

"But, mother, I fear I shall never have so good an opportunity to show that young bully, that I will not have my little brother imposed upon, or insulted by him. This is not the first time that he has played his tricks upon George. He pretends that his father sent him to get back the kite-line. It may be that there is a conspiracy between them to cheat George. The boy promises at some future time to pay George in some way for the kite-line. But let him first show the money and the marbles, that George gave him for the kite-line."

"If George loses his bag of marbles," said Mrs. B., " and his ten cent piece for this time, it may teach him a good lesson for the future. I hope he will soon learn to avoid such dishonest and ill natured companions. As George thinks much of your example, I hope you will help me to impress upon his mind this one truth, that it is always hazardous to keep company, or transact business, with the unprincipled. Besides, the boy should be encouraged to be dutiful to his father."

Mother, I do not much wonder that men, who have a high sense of

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THE BARTERED KITE-LINE.

honor, should sometimes be tempted to fight duels. It is not so easy to yield one's rights to such a desperate fellow as Ira Cleaver. I should rather bear George out in resistance for this once, even if I should have to resort to the law for justice. I should think Mr. Cleaver would have more respect for my father, as a man of spirit, than dare to treat any of his family in this way."

"I regret, James, to find that you are almost disposed to find an apology for dueling. I will hereafter make that a distinct topic of conversation with you. For the present, I shall only advise you never to make too serious a matter of trifling affairs. By resenting either a supposed or intended insult, in the way you have suggested, given by a wicked, vulgar, or ill bred fellow, you experience the very evil you design to avoid. Instead of heightening your dignity, or elevating your character, you degrade yourself to the level of your antagonist, if not beneath him, besides lessening your influence, and endangering your property. Such persons may exceed you in anger and abusive language, and vile conduct. Sometimes their sole object is to provoke you to retaliate, in the hope of getting an advantage over you. But the best victory to gain, when assailed by such an opponent, is to notice him as you would a troublesome little fly, just brush him off, and keep out of his way in future, if you can. You are not to look for justice at the hand of the unprincipled, certainly not any thing like magnanimity. When your feelings are injured, or your reputation assailed, or your property endangered, by persons of equity, candor, or magnanimity, you may safely seek for an explanation, or for redress. But in your brother's case, I am persuaded that by resistance he will only expose himself to abusive language, and to insult upon insult. That wicked boy, I fear, will in some way seek to be revenged on George."

"My dear mother," said James, "as usual, you have gained the victory in be very natural for a boy as ill disposed, and as capable of injuring the feelings the way of argument. I see the force of your reasoning. I see that it would of others, as Ira Cleaver, to wish to retaliate upon George, by stealing his play-things, breaking his toys, or cutting his kite-line. And perhaps this trifling affair might lay the foundation of a settled hatred against both of us. I will hasten to find George, and advise him immediately to return the kiteline."

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Perhaps some mother will say, why did Mrs. B. suffer her son thus to parley with her. Would she not have secured her children's obedience, and better maintained her own dignity as a mother, if she had at once expressed a command, instead of simply giving advice, or expressing her wishes. We will suppose that Mrs. B. had in this instance replied, with an air of displeasure, James, why do you intrude? Do you not see that I am engaged with company? You know your father's opinion and mine on this subject. Why then do you wait to be told your duty? Go instantly, and find George, and let him know that his mother commands him to give back that kite-line, and let me never hear again of such conduct." We will suppose that James and George are made on such occasions to submit to their mother. But what would have become of James' dislike to Ira Cleaver? What of his disposition to be revenged upon that quarrelsome boy? Every one can see that hostilities, instead of being allayed, would have been perpetuated. Other