The christian mother, day and night, is full of anxiety not for herself, but for the welfare of those entrusted to h care. She is continually laboring for the support of h family. In the evening, overcome with fatigue, she sin to rest, and gathers new strength for the approaching da Her husband, her children, and all who belong to her, a full of the enjoyments of life, yet she seeks for no oth pleasure or recompense, for her manifold cares, than th society of those whom she has made contented.

She belongs not to herself. She has united her destin with one who is now her hope and her refuge. Whatev may be his situation in life, she is the last to complain. he is poor, she shares in his poverty; if he is sick, sl nurses him; if he is persecuted, she strives to lessen h afflictions.

Her children too, are the especial objects of her car She is never weary in contributing to their health or ha piness. If one of them is sick, she will be found watchin at its couch when all are asleep. She observes the cha ges of its little countenance; she listens to the heavings its breath, and prays, in the stillness and solitude of th hour for its recovery. No one, save the omniscien knows any thing of her sufferings, her tears, or her mi night vigils. From him she will receive her rewar Though her own health may be impaired, still she watche

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er destiny Whatever mplain. If s sick, she lessen his

her care.

h or hapwatching he chanavings of le of the

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faithfully that of others. She is in the bosom of her family, as an angel of peace, the tutelar genius of domestic order and happiness. Every thing relating to the affairs of the house, from the greatest to the smallest, equally receive her attention. Her conduct to all, is that of love and affection. She can never do them too much kindness, although ingratitude is sometimes her only reward.

What a combination of every thing that is beautiful, does the generous and devoted housewife present! A man may heap up treasures by his profession-his fame may resound throughout the whole earth-he may shake perhaps, half a world with his power; but can he soothe and comfort with the same enduring and holy affection as the amiable housewife, whose modest and unassuming conduct nobody will notice? No!

The happiness or misery of a house depends greatly upon the virtues or vices of the mother. Her conduct will influence the welfare of the whole family. A single fault can eclipse a thousand virtues, and a vicious temper will convert every thing into a hell. In vain will the honest father attempt to build up, when the perverse mother is always pulling down. Alas, that there are any of this description! or that we should find so many unhappy families among a people who profess the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Often, however, is this owing to the unworthiness of the father. In such cases, a tender mother will strive to sweeten the affliction which he has brought into the domestic circle. She will attend to those who need her consolation and protection. She will take upon her6

self all their sufferings, and bear them alone in her heart But the weakness and frailties of the mother, are more serious in their consequences than those of the father Therefore she should be more particular in avoiding them She is ever present, and her example of either good of evil, will have a more certain influence.

In vain is the husband's frugality and enterprize, if the wife is fond of show; and to gratify her foolish propensi ties, scatters with one hand what he has collected wit another. Misery is always the result; and instead o wealth, or even a competence, they are sooner or later re duced to want.

In vain, also, is the love and kindness of the father when the mother fails to preserve the equanimity of he temper. Can she effect more by petulance and ill-humou than gentleness or friendly admonition? It is certain tha the natural irritability of many women, incline them grea ly to ill humour; but it is also evident that their sullennes is not of long duration, and that they can easily obtain th mastery over their feelings.

The man, who is accustomed to the storms of life, be comes imperious and authoritative. The woman has receiv ed no other arms to vanquish with, than gentleness and a fection. By these she will prudently avoid every thin that leads to danger; by these, she can at length softe and overcome even the impetuous tyrant. If she endea vours to extort by rudeness and force what she should a quire by mildness and persuasion, she looses those charn and graces which nature has given her; and she b

comes not only hateful to herself, but an abhorrence to others. Such too, is the mother; who, instead of promoting the happiness of her family, becomes by her vices an imbecility; a curse and torment to all who know her.

Wouldest thou be numbered with the most exalted of thy sex? wouldest thou desire the reputation of an amiable and christian wife? then ask thyself if all in the domestic circle, of which thou art the centre, are as happy as they might be; or if only one be discontented, whose fault it is. Hast thou not given occasion for this uneasiness? Hast thou done all in thy power to reconcile one to the other? Wast thou always impartial in thy kindness and love? Or wast thou sometimes the creature of thy own weakness and caprice?

"To

Wouldest thou behold the true image of the christian housewife? It is described to thee by the apostle. be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." In these few words is the substance of all thy duties, and the source of all earthly and future happiness.

Thou shalt be discreet; thy virtues shall be a model for the imitation of thy family. Without religion, however, thou canst not be truly in possession of virtue; but only the shadow of it.

There is no creature in human society so contemptible as the woman, who, with a little superficial reading, loves to play the philosopher and skeptic; more however, out of vanity than any solid reflection. On the other hand, nothing is half so prepossessing as the fomalo who in addi