94

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY?

whom honor is due," carefully preserving the office from the contamination which may be supposed to have been communicated to it by the unworthy conduct of the holder of it. As the governed and protected are in turn to rise to be dispensers of government: let your lessons of patriotism be such as shall awaken the noble, the generous, the magnanimous sentiments; and the claim of the public be thus substantiated. Where is the child whose spirit is not roused within him, when he is made to see that important consequences will result from his actions? And what child is so debased as not to shrink from mean and base conduct, if he is made to believe that a train of consequences will follow from it, which will involve not himself alone, but also a circle of beings, from whom he cannot disengage himself if he would?

The example of the wise and good will be a powerful auxiliary in aid of your cause. Familiarity with the early history of our country, as affording striking illustrations of that spirit of expansive philanthropy which you would inculcate; and as exhibiting the means by which the rich blessings we enjoy, were procured, will show the value of the legacy bequeathed to us by our venerated ancestors; and powerfully impel to the exercise of the generous affections.

But the enlarged benevolence, which is the ground work of your system, is to grow out of small beginnings. It is all to be acquired; you have nothing to build upon, but something to implant. And the good seed must be sown with care, and watered, (and watched, lest an enemy uproot it,) cre there will be the deep-striking of roots, which give nourishment and vigor to the overshadowing tree. The claims of the parent, the brother, the sister, are the first that can be understood by your children. This is the community in which may be commenced the cultivation of those affections and the establishment of those principles, whose results will be felt in society at large, and fully unfolded only in eternity. By the easily-apprehended nature of parental authority, the nature of all law may in time be understood. And by the rights of fraternity, the social compact, may be learned the great moral relations, which constitute of all people and tongues, one community cemented by love in one in Jesus Christ.

Finally, let your children feel that all laws, from the high commands of Jehovah, down to the most insignificant rule of your household are to be obeyed that the rights of all, from the highest officer of the national government, down to the humblest animal that creeps on the earth, are to be respected. Thus let the spirit of benevolence pervade all the relations of life, and the most distant approach to vice be discountenanced; and the broad principles of truth, integrity, and virtue, laid strong and deep, will unfold themselves in a thorough consistent course of conduct: and the bright example of your children, increasing in luster, as its rays are concentrated in the progress of years, shall bless with its hallowed influence, all who shall be attracted by its bright radiance. And thus you may bless your country, and the world, and cause joy in the presence of the angels, through many generations.

MY DEAR LOUISA,-Were I for a moment disposed to shrink from the task you have assigned me, the memory of your beloved mother, the duty I owe you as her child, the lively interest I have ever felt in your welfare and happiness, and the danger to which I now see you exposed, would conspire to overcome every feeling of reluctance to advise in a case so important--so momentous-when one step may involve you in misery for life!

My maxim has ever been- never, under any circumstances, encourage the addresses of one whose purity of principle admits of a doubt:-and observation for years, has fully satisfied me that there is no safety in any other course.

Independent of the loss of that high tone of moral feeling-of all that is excellent, refined, and noble, which must result from habitual profligacy, motives of merely a prudential nature, should leave not a moment's hesitation what course to pursue; for, however kind and affectionate a husband may be, the bare suspicion of infidelity to his plighted faith, would at once destroy that confidence and respect, that charm which binds in virtue's bonds congenial minds;-harrowing suspicion and corroding jealousy, must wither the heart, when it enters; but let suspicion become certainty, and the creations of jealousy, realities, and what must be the condition!-I cannot possibly conceive, in this life, a state more wretched!--and that condition must be endured without the possibility of relief, or the privilege of complaint; and besides, what security have you in the affections, when once that holy principle, which was implanted in the heart for the wisest purpose, is destroyed ;—is such a heart capable of love? I, for one do not believe it— for what is love, but a most exalted esteem and regard, founded on virtue, ardent, pure, passionless;-an affection of the heart, which enobles the mind, elevates the soul, and leads it nearer to heaven.

You ask "is there any hope of a reform ?" I answer unhesitatingly, none, save in the grace of God. I look upon a Youth who is prone to dissipation, who has probably been drawn into the vortex by improper associates, with painful regret, and commiseration, mingled with a feeling of horror at his strange infatuation-at his impending ruin. And while I lament his delusion, a hope, however forlorn it may be, arises, that he may still be arrested in his course, may yet return to the path of rectitude; but when a man of mature age, coolly and deliberately pursues such a course,-when he virtually declares to the world that he "fears not God, nor regards man," what, I ask, are we to expect; and even allowing the possibility that he may reform, could you, my dear girl, love a heart which is not the seat of every virtuous affection? surely not,-unless your affections have been drawn forth, and rivetted too firmly to allow you to withdraw them. Should this be the case, I am well aware that a powerful effort will be required to overcome it. Therefore examine yourself carefully,-deliberate, consider how far your

feelings should actuate you in the decision, how far the responsibility, especially when you consider that probably, not alone with yourself, will the importance of such a decision rest,-weigh the subject well, and decide for yourself that your decision once formed, may be firm and unwavering; and not a cloud of regret ever shade the future.

Remember that you are acting for time, for eternity!-for who can say how extensive may be the influence of such a decision. I am well aware that there are those who may advise with a view only to future aggrandizement; but beware! could you draw aside the veil with which magnificence has decorated its victim, how many hearts could testify that there is, in this world, much splendid misery!

And after all, my dear friend, I do assure you most seriously, that it is hazardous for a lady, particularly a christian, to select, as her companion for life, a man of the world. I was myself early led to a serious consideration of this subject, in consequence of a similar application; and the result was a firm decision never to marry a man who was not a christian, and I have ever found reason to bless God for thus directing my course.

New-York, May, 1834.

BEAUTIES OF NATURE.

"Christian Parents, do you ever walk with your Children, and observe them disposed to notice the earth, when it teems with fragrance and is covered with beauty? Indulge them in such remarks; admire, with them, the works and wonders of your common Creator; and having so indulged them, you can easily discover to them that you derive your main enjoyment, from a filial confidence in Him who made them all.

"The productions of his hand are ever the same, and, to the present moment,

"Still all are under one. One Spirit-His,

Who wore the platted thorns with bleeding brows,
Rules universal nature. Not a flower

But shows some touch, in freckle, streak, or stain,

Of his unrivall'd pencil. He inspires

Their balmy odors, and imparts their hues,
And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes,

In grains as countless as the sea-side sands,
The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth.
Happy who walks with him! whom what he finds
Of flavor, or of scent, in fruit or flower,
Or what he views of beautiful or grand
In nature, from the broad majestic oak
To the green blade that twinkles in the sun,
Prompts with remembrance of a present God.
His presence, who made all so fair, perceived,
Makes all still fairer. As with him no scene
Is dreary, so with him all seasons please."

Cowper.

THE

MOTHER'S MAGAZINE:

FOR JULY, 1834.

For the Mother's Magazine.

MRS. W.-If you approve of the sentiments of the following communication, please to insert it in your magazine, as it may in some degree contribute to aid the object which your widely extended work is designed to promote. Yours truly

TO MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL OF EVERY DENOMINATION.

DEAR BRETHREN.-Professedly consecrated, as we are, to the ministry of reconciliation, it is a question of deep interest with us, how can we best subserve the cause of Christ, in securing the salvation of men? While the ministration of the word and ordinances of God is to hold the first place, there are subordinate auxiliaries, which may greatly facilitate our usefulness and success in this; the neglect of which not only impairs but sometimes almost destroys our influence.

One of the first and most efficient of these auxiliaries, when rightly directed, is the relation of domestic life.

No one of us can be ignorant, how habits of thought and feeling are form ed; indeed the whole character of life is determined by this relation. Yet we may not fully perceive how far our success in preaching the Gospel depends upon the regulation of private families. If the young class of our congregations are well disciplined here; taught filial obedience and respect; reverence for God and religion, and have their minds enlightened in the knowledge of the gospel, we anticipate, almost with confidence, their early conversion to Christ. But if we find here a want of parental authority; neglect of truth and religious instruction, and few salutary restraints, our ministry will be almost entirely lost upon them. The subject of family discipline is one which stands intimately connected with the great object of the ministry, and I doubt not that owing to neglect of this, our influence and usefulness have been very much abridged; and that parents have been denied one of the most powerful means of assistance in educating their families.

98

TO MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL OF EVERY DENOMINATION.

In this department of domestic Education, a large share of the responsibility and duties rest upon the mother of the family and it is often, that her defects of government arise not so muen from indisposition to do her duty, as from want of information as to the best manner of performing it. Where the general principles of family government and domestic discipline are not understood, the diversity of character and ever changing circumstances there arising, will present difficulties, which few mothers will be able to surmount. So far then, as we can aid in establishing these general principles, we shall act directly upon domestic happiness, and as far as human instrumentality is concerned, prepare the young for a profitable reception of the word of God.

As there is no human power so durable and so valuable as well directed maternal influence, no part of our labors, can be more important, than calling forth and directing this influence: making mothers to feel their privileges and responsibilities, and leading them so to cultivate the minds and hearts of their children, and so to restrain and govern them, as that they may be prepared, when the truths of the gospel are brought to bear upon them, to yield to its teachings and its restraints.

For this purpose, we should study to impart the best instruction to mothers, and watch with deep anxiety the manner in which they govern their children; and as far as circumstances will allow, it is desirable that uniformity of instruction and discipline should be secured, throughout the families of our congregations.

How can the above important ends be most effectually secured?

To enter each house and endeavor to inculcate the leading principles of parental instruction and domestic discipline, with the least hope of success, would require time and labor beyond what any minister can secure and perform. The ordinary services of the sabbath afford not sufficient opportunities for this purpose. How can these objects be secured? I answer, the surest method is, through the influence of MATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS. The character of these associations; the objects for which they are formed; the circumstances under which they meet, with the many affecting associations connected with them, are all calculated to have a most salutary influence on the minds and hearts of mothers. We know how ministerial associations encourage our hearts and stimulate us in the discharge of our duties, and how the interchange of professional sympathies endear us to each other. What then must be the effect of maternal associations on mothers themselves?

In these associations we may have the most favorable opportunity to present valuable systems of family instruction and discipline. Here we may touch those tender and delicate cords of maternal sensibility, which from the power of association and sympathy, will be easily affected, and which will contribute to secure conviction of duty and stimulate to effort in its performance. No where on earth, can we be placed, with such hope of being kindly heard and successful, as in an assemblage of mothers; especially of those who are young and just entering on the solemn duties of family government. Here we may easily interest the feelings of mothers for each other, and thus bind, in the strongest bonds of affection, the most important class of our