And this part of the subject is principally valuable as showing us the sincerity of her resolution, and the rewards of true piety; but I can merely mention the different topics to which I advert, and leave them to your own meditations, to follow them up at your leisure, and

1. She proved herself a genuine proselyte to the cause of true religion. When she avowed herself a proselyte, there was nothing before her but poverty and destitution; but there are many who can bear poverty, and still retain the form of religion, while here are other circumstances which show that the work is not genuine in their hearts. Let the world smile, let property increase, let all outward things go smoothly, and it will soon appear that they have not the root of the matter within them; for in the time of temptation they fall away. Such was not the religion of Ruth; for when she became a prosperous, wealthy, and happy woman, she still retained her singleness of person, and devotion of heart and life. All that we want to see in you, my young friends, is the same inward purity of heart, the same simplicity of character, the same consecration to God, and you are made for ever. But Ruth's religion was proved by her works ;

2. She was affectionate and obedient. For such is the nature and effect of true piety wherever it exists, either in male or female. Ruth's mind was brought to her circumstances. She was not above work, and work which might be considered menial, though she had been the wife of one whose parents were once in most respectable, if not affluent circumstances: for from what Naomi said to her neighbours, it appears that she went out from Bethlehem full, but she had returned empty and alone, except for the

company of this interesting stranger, who proved to her better than seven sons, and the richest inheritance. O that all our parents could have this testimony borne on our behalf; that our individual affection, diligence and obedience, render us of the utmost value to them; as Naomi's neighbours readily declared concerning her devoted daughter. My young friends professing godliness, by your whole conduct toward your parents, prove to them and the world in general, that your religion is something more than a mere form, and name; that it is indeed a glorious reality.

3. She became the wife of a great man, a mighty man of wealth.

But from the beautiful and affecting history of her case, it appears that she did not marry Boaz, for his money or estates, but simply because it was SO directed by the law of God, or the usages of the country, she had adopted as her own. She went not after young men, whether poor or rich, but took Boaz as her husband, because it was due to the memory of her deceased husband, and to the advantage of the property which he inherited. Considerations like these of a worldly nature will not be likely to weigh much with you respecting the sacred duty of marriage, but there is one duty imperatively binding upon every professor of religion, "to marry only in the Lord.' Keep that rule of the kingdom of Christ before your mind, when entering into engagements like these, and though you may not become the wives "of mighty men of wealth," yet, if you become the wives of good men, whether poor or rich, you will have much greater tranquillity, prosperity, and bliss in the marriage state. Husbands and wives who love God, cannot help but love one

another; and if they love each other, they will be happy whatever their outward circumstances may be. This is a subject with which your happiness is so closely connected, and on which the Scriptures are so express, that I would again say, imitate Ruthdistinctly obey the law of Christ, and Christ will take care to honour you, and promote your happiness whether you be married or single. Would young women but seriously attend to this one particular, they might rest assured that they would more frequently raise both religion and themselves in the estimation of the other. For, if worldly men saw that they had no chance of obtaining your hands, till they first gave their own hearts to the Lord, it would make them think more highly of the Saviour's claims to their obedience and love.

(To be continued.)

A WEDDING HYMN.

Now, gracious Lord, thy favor show!
Look kindly from above,

And make these two fond hearts to know
The riches of thy love.

O may they ever cleave to Thee,
Their best-their truest friend;
To them a constant guardian be,
And keep them to the end.

Crown them with mercy all their days;
With peace their dwelling fill;

Teach them to love thy holy ways

To do thy holy will.

Give these, thy children, heavenly minds;

O let their union be,

An image of the tie that binds

Thy blood-bought Church to the Thee.

And grant that all who now unite

To hail their opening spring,

May join with them, in worlds of light,
Thine endless praise to sing!

Correspondence Department.

MY DEAR

EFFORTS TO BENEFIT FEMALES.

Chapel House, H.

Many thanks for your kind letter and "Females' Advocate." I had never seen a copy or ever heard of it before.* The work of the Lord is going on in the midst of us. You will be surprised when I tell you that we have 80 mothers and about 300 children under instruction. The attendance of the former has become so numerous that we have been obliged to move from the Vestry to the Chapel, and so beneficial have been the results, that mothers, their husbands, and their children, are now seen as attentive hearers of the Gospel. May the Lord make them doers of the word. Our Sunday-school is so increased that yesterday we were obliged to form four new classes, and set over them some of the elder girls, who will add to my labours by meeting me for instruction in their important duties once a week. My hands are so full that I can scarcely find hours enough in the day, or days enough in the week, to perform my duties. I am now writing with my precious little ones creeping at my feet, and calling off my

We fear that this is a very common case, and therefore, our readers will greatly oblige us by making our little publications more extensively known. EDITOR.

attention from you every five minutes. Believe me, however, they are not the less attended to for the deep and growing interest their Mamma takes in Maternal Associations.

My class of young women is increased to 49quite a formidable congregation. I am sometimes overwhelmed in the prospect of meeting the mothers, having the entire duties of each meeting to perform myself. I should feel most thankful if you could lend me any thing useful to read to them; remember, they are all, but two or three, poor women. My favourite book is Mrs. Sigourney, but this I find is above their comprehension. The "Mother at Home," and the "Mothers' Magazine," I find best adapted for usefulness among them. I have an interesting pupil just now, one whom I trust will soon be at the feet of Jesus. Last week, after the females' prayer meeting, one of the mothers came to me, and clasping my hand in both her's, with streaming eyes, said, Ma'am, will you teach me to read? I am an old woman, and a great sinner." You may be sure I told her to come next day, and so in earnest is she, that already she can put her letters together. I never saw any thing like this before; she reads, then weeps, then prays, then wipes her glasses, and reads again. She has in truth been a great sinner, and I am obliged to point her to a great Saviour to keep her from despair. Many of the mothers cannot read. I have offered to teach them. May the Lord give me strength to go forward.

Yours affectionately,

A.-J.-M.