begin with mothers. It is their influence and example, which, beyond all other causes, exerts a salutary or malign influence upon children. If that influence and example be such as these associations inculcate, it becomes almost morally certain that their children will, by the blessing of God, be trained up in that good way, from which they need not depart. And now we would return to ask the ministers of the land, whether they have considered this subject as its importance demands? Of the principles here alluded to, they cannot indeed be supposed to be ignorant-but are they impressed with its practical importance? Do they not too often overlook the fountains, while they direct their efforts chiefly to the purifying of the streams? Might not their labors be greatly abridged, by instructing and encouraging mothers to do their duty. Ought not this to be a frequent theme of discourse from the desk? Might it not be well to make it a subject of recommendation from day to day? And if these suggestions are of any weight, where should we expect to find more zealous advocates for maternal associations, than ministers of the gospel? We doubt not,, that such institutions might be speedily organized in every church, would ministers give to them that recommendation and encouragement which their acknowledged importance requires. We cannot but feel that a great responsibility in this respect, rests upon every minister in the land, and through no other channel could they convey a more benign, important and lasting influence through the families which belong to their charge, or more certainly train up a generation of youth, eminently devoted to the cause of Christ, For 1. By means of these associations, mothers become acquainted with each other, and their amazing responsibilities to their offspring. 2. They have the motive arising from the example of such as are doing their duty to their families. 3. As union is strength, they have the additional motive arising from the feeling that as they act in concert there is encouragement to expect success. 4. By means of these associations, it becomes obvious in what way the conversion of the world can be speedily and effectually accomplished. Every year sheds new and increasing light upon the Christian's pathway, in respect to his duties and responsibilities. The nineteenth century has ushered in a glorious era, having given birth to the noble plan of furnishing a Bible within a given period, to every family in the known world, and that has been succeeded by one of still greater magnitude, that of commencing operations for evangelizing the world. This can only be effected, in the way of faithful, unremitting, and systematic efforts. We have already our Missionary, Bible, Tract, Sunday School, Education, and Temperance Societies; and yet it is obvious to every reflecting mind that the great work of evangelizing the world cannot speedily be accomplished by the combined influence of all these goodly institutions. Every one feels that something else is wanted. It is often asserted from the sacred desk, that centuries must elapse before this work is completed, unless some more decisive and efficient plan is adopted. And why may not this plan be the universal establishment of maternal associations? It is frequently stated that ten thousand missionaries brought into the field annually, would not be more than an adequate supply for present demand. But how are these missionaries to be provided? Certainly not by means of Education Societies merely. The process of training soldiers of the cross, must be commenced in childhood and youth; else how shall they possess that untiring zeal, that spiritual mindedness, those habits of self-denial, that love and knowledge of the holy scriptures, which can alone fortify the mind in the hour of conflict, and which might be found in those early consecrated and instructed by the faith and prayers, and ceaseless efforts of their godly mothers, as were Samuel and Timothy. If these associations promise no hope to the church, how shall the awful indifference of the great body of Christians to the wants of the famishing heathen be successfully removed? The Macedonian cry, wafted upon every breeze, is in fact a direct appeal to every Christian parent; why cannot parents be made to feel, that the souls of the poor pagans are as precious as the souls of their own beloved children? If, in every family in America, an only daughter, or a favorite son, had been wickedly enticed to a pagan land, and was now under the bewildering influence of idolatry and superstition, would not this fact, in the estimation of parents, enhance the value of missionary labor and enterprise. Under such circumstances, no sacrifice of ease or comfort-no amount of money, would be considered too costly, to redeem their souls. A far more costly sacrifice has been paid for the redemption of whole pagan nations; and His language, who shed his rich atoning blood, is to every parent-" he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me ;"" and whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple." If Christian parents set so high a value upon their children as to refuse to consecrate them to the missionary cause, these very children may become the victims of parental indulgence and selfishness, and ambition; and the withering curse of heaven, may make their eternal doom seven fold more intolerable than that of the benighted pagan. A mother a few days since, on hearing read "The Christian Children's Choice," in the 12th number of the Magazine, burst into tears. Here, said she, is, perhaps, the secret I have so long been trying to discover. When my children were small they had a missionary spirit. Their young hearts were tender and susceptible to the truths of the Bible, and the wants of a perishing world-and especially that of my little daughter. She would always reserve a part of her pennies for the missionary box. On one occasion, in particular, I recollect, when she had manifested unusual zeal in this cause, denying herself a very favorite object, my selfish heart, secretly exclaimed, "how do I know but that my only daughter, may be taken from me and employed as a missionary." So little did I estimate the privilege of having such an offering to present to my Redeemer. This mother mournfully added, from that time the hearts of all my children have grown callous to the truths of the blessed gospel of Jesus; and I doubt not that I have suffered tenfold more anxiety, than to have had all my children become missionaries. If you think, said she, that my example would prove a warning THE NEW DRESS. 61 even to one Christian mother, you are at liberty to insert it on the pages of the Magazine. While our hearts often mournfully exclaim, "Watchmen, tell us of the night, what its signs of promise are ;" at this eventful crisis, when infidelity abounds, and the enemy are coming in like a flood; when, of those in the midst of us, who wear the ephod, one is saying, "I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollos, and another I am of Cephas;" to whom shall we direct our beloved children to look, as wearing the only badge of true discipleship, if mothers in Israel are not encouraged to raise an ensign, upon which may be seen legibly inscribed, "Behold how these Christian sisters love one another." For the Mother's Magazine. THE NEW DRESS. As I was lately sitting in the nursery of an old acquaintance, she exhibited to me a dress just completed for her infant. After I had duly admired it, the mother turned and displayed it to her child, exclaiming, "Ann's new dress! Sweet little Ann's new dress! Little Ann's pretty new dress!" while the little thing clapped her hands, and jumped, and crowed, testifying, assuredly, her admiration of gay colors,-if not the joy of her sex, in the prospect of becoming the possessor of such a prize, as a gay dress. I, too, participated in the pleasure afforded by the animation of the little one; but as I turned my steps toward my own quiet, and perhaps, at times, lonely home, (for I have no daughters to enliven my fireside,) I fell into the follow ing train of thought: The incident which I have this day witnessed, may exert an influence upon the character of this child, through time,-perhaps through eternity. She will soon understand the language of the lip, although she now only comprehends that of the feature; and from both will she learn, that to her mother, her dress is important. She will be arrayed in the new dress, to visit grandmamma, and the pride of displaying it, will supersede the gratification which arises from the indulgence of the affections of the heart. When her mamma has visiters, she will be told to be very good, as she is to wear her new dress to see the ladies, thus making propriety of deportment, simply an appendage to dress; and connecting for life the idea of displaying herself, with the gratification of seeing her friends. The new dress will be prepared for the Sabbath, and the child will feel, that to display it, is the primary object for which she is taken to the house of God; and even upon her first entrance within the sanctuary, she may be taught a lesson of pride and vanity, rather than of humility and reverence. She must indeed have made an attainment which has been found too difficult for many now no longer children, if she can bow with devotion, when within the temple, although the adorning of her person had been that which most occupied her heart until she entered the sacred door. Children are apt. scholars in the school of vanity, and she will soon become as vain, as heart less, as fond of display, as the most sanguine mother could wish, were it her only object to infuse pride, vanity, and the love of show into the heart of her child But although such may be the effect of my friend's mode of education, such has not been her design; and when the long cherished vanity of the daughter becomes too glaring, and visibly oversteps the rules of propriety and good breeding, I do not doubt the mother will be both surprised, and grieved. She will wonder that one so young should attach so much importance to personal appearance, should think so much of dress; that a child so religiously educated should be so trifling on the Sabbath, so heartless in the sanctuary, so occupied in noticing the dress of others, so eager to display her own. She will feel it necessary solemnly to reprove her. She will say, "Your personal appearance is of no consequence,―your Creator looks at the heart, and it is impossible for you to render the homage of the heart, while all your feelings are absorbed by your personal decoration; such vanity degrades you, both as a rational and immortal being, and let me see no more of it." My Sisters, which will most influence the heart-The early habits, or the casual precept? Which lesson has this child most thoroughly learned, and which will she longest remember? M. E. D. For the Mother's Magazine, A HINT TO THOSE WHO NEGLECT MATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS. Dear Madam.-The friends of humanity will cordially greet every wise design and effort to reform existing evils in society, and will rejoice to see them crowned with success. Among the many benign plans and enterprises of this interesting and vastly responsible period of time, in which we are permitted to live, adapted to diffuse correct moral principles, and excite to corresponding practice, maternal associations occupy a place of no small importance. Their object is to enlighten the mind, and impress the conscience, with a just conception of maternal duties and the solemn responsibilities of maternal influence. In no department of the social compact has there been greater or more obvious necessity for reform than in this. Involving as it does the formation of those first mental and moral principles, and physical habits of our race, which are most enduring, its aim is to correct the evil in the bud, or to lay a sure and permanent foundation upon which may be reared in future life, a suitable and well proportioned superstructure. All with one accord acknowledge the object good, noble, blessed! and yet nothing more clearly evinces its primary importance, than the indifference and even reluctance manifested toward these association by many mothers, who make such concessions. In their benign and widening influence, maternal associations are commending them selves to the affections, the confidence, and the cheerful co-operation of the wise and good through the whole extent of our own country, and receiving a cordial welcome across the Atlantic. And it is passing strange, that any mother possessing intelligence enough to read and reflect, and especially one professing godliness, when informed of the object of these associations, should hesitate to join one, and avail herself of its advantages, and aid its high and interesting designs. The deficiencies and errors of parents, with respect to the education and government of their children, have long been a subject of universal remark; and of regret and lamentation, almost as universally vain and ineffectual. While a very few of our sex have deeply deplored, and with their pens, have ably exposed the multiplied evils of parental delinquency, in the moral culture of their infant offspring, and have given to the public many valuable lessons of instruction upon this subject; yet their productions have been seen by comparatively few mothers, and heeded by a still less number, so that very little has hitherto been effected, that has served as an antidote to prevailing errors. As numerous moral essays have been published, generation after generation, upon the subject of the wide spread and desolating evils of intemperance, while all continued to drink, and multitudes annually became drunkards, regardless of warnings, and tears, and unutterable sorrows, and nothing was effected in the way of reformation, until Temperance Societies were formed and multiplied. So with reference to the evils in question; it has but recently been discovered, that mutual counsel and associated efforts are necessary to excite interest, give character and decision to half formed purposes, and carry into practical results correct principles for reforming the criminal negligence of parents in training up their children. Yet it is truly astonishing, and more so in reference to this subject, than to intemperance, that there should be so many found ready to acknowledge and deplore the evil, who are nevertheless unwilling to join in efforts to correct and remove it. We should suppose that every pious mother, would joyfully hail a maternal association, as her best friend, under God and his holy word, to counsel, encourage, and sustain her, in the solemn and momentous duties which she owes to her beloved children, with reference to the present and future world. Will not mothers who refuse to walk in the light which is thus thrown across their path, have occasion to lament, sooner or later, their neglect to improve this price put into their hands, to get wisdom for themselves and the objects of their tenderest regard? It is to be feared that the want of interest manifested toward these associations, is but a sad indication of a similar misimprovement of other means of grace, designed for the same high and sacred purpose. If this be the case, with what degree of confidence can such mothers pray for, or expect the salvation of their children! What consolation can such mothers hope to enjoy, if called to close their children's eyes in death, or how will they dare to meet them before the judgment seat of Christ! These few hints are respectfully offered for the consideration of all those to whom they apply, in the hope that they may at least impress some mother's heart with a deeper sense of her responsibility as a mother, and induce her to use the means, if she would expect the salvation of God to come to her house. Lockport, 11th Feb, 1834. H. H. M. |