icism, tation . It hout the eek mind once o the old is d the very Sy once tend g in e not uties sure Ould y to veal fine rity. the manner in which they are obeyed, that must test the excellency of her understanding and heart. She should be economical, and kind to all, particularly to her husband; so that he will not go beyond the domestic circle in pursuit of pleasure. She should also, carefully avoid every thing that might tend to destroy their mutual good feelings; and to make the bonds of love the stronger, she should possess an utter guilelessness and sim-1 plicity of heart; and have no secrets or faults, even the most trifling, to conceal from him, which might awaken his suspicion or lessen his confidence. Once deceived, and there will be distrust for ever. Often a slight misunder standing, because of too great an obstinacy to communicate freely with each other, is the cause of matrimonial unhappiness for a whole life. A single fault on either side, is sometimes succeeded by a thousand. A good mother will be affectionate to her children. It is needless to exhort her to love for her little innocents; yet it is necessary to caution her against the improper use of it, that she may not show too great an indulgence to their faults, or evince a greater fondness for one than another. This preference has a very serious influence upon the mind of a less favoured child. She should, therefore, carefully guard against it. She should be kind to her servants, without too much pride or haughtiness, otherwise she will excite their disgust, and they will only do their duty when they are vigilantly watched. She should also, be kind to all those who aro ́in any way connected with her household. She will overlook trifles, for the sake of preserving the mutual r spect and harmony of her neighbors. She will alway discountenance the gossip that is carried on between fami lies; and although she may hear much in the circle of he friends, affecting the character of others; yet she will only listen to the good, and turn a deaf ear to the evil. The abject and degraded wretches of the earth, may propagate vile, malicious, and slanderous reports of others; but she will claim a more exalted rank in society, than to identify herself with such paltry and low lived drivellers. Such is the christian mother, as she is portrayed in the inspired volume. al reways fami of her only The gate she ntify Such pired DOMESTIC SORROW AND HAPPINESS. We have somewhere said, that a fearful anticipation of evil is more to be dreaded than the misfortune itself. This we can learn from our own experience. It is seldom however, that we are disposed to profit by such experimental knowledge. Mankind generally, repose so little confidence in the providence of God, that they are thrown into consternation at the appearance of every trifling calamity. Although it is our duty carefully to watch the future, and guard against every possible evil, yet it is wrong to live in constant fear and anxiety. The happiest of men have their sorrows. None are exempt. We may look forward, but cannot tell what a day or an hour may bring forth. In the midst of prosperity we may sink into wretchedness and want. Our unhappiness increases with our consciousness of the mutability of worldly riches. The child has but little uneasiness, because it is ignorant of the vicisitudes of life. It is happy in the possession of its toys, and looks not to the approach of evil. He is Our sorrows increase with our love for wealth. the most unhappy, who has the most passionate inclinations. The ambitious, who value too highly the good opinion of the world, are always afraid of loosing their reputation. The miser, who hoards up his riches, is always in terror, lost they should be tolzen from him If you would lessen "that all things work together for good to them that love God." He who avoids the matrimonial life through a fear of its burthens, subjects himself eventually, to much greater afflictions. He is always a stranger in the world. There are none to soothe his sufferings, or share with him his joys. In sickness, he must purchase the kindness of his attendants. In his old age he is solitary and wretched, without the endearing tenderness of a wife or children. Domestic care is productive of domestic happiness. Only he therefore, who lives in accordance with the doctrines of our Saviour, is convinced "that all things work together for good to them that love God." He who truly and conscientiously adores his creator, shows it by a strict performance of all his duties, and has nothing to fear in his tribulations. Whatever privations he may endure, he knows it is all for the best. Why then should he fall a prey to grief? The world endures only in the existence of an Almighty; and without an unerring belief in his providence, there can be no human happiness. This is the highest earthly wisdom, and forces upon us the conviction that one of our greatest evils is a too great indulgence of our appetites, in things that are temporal and inconstant. A matrimonial life often inclines a man to pious deeds. The greater his affliction, the more often he communes with his God. He who has to provide only for himself, does not rely so confidently upon his maker. Love guides us, with a tender hand, to the paths of virtue, and leads us to |