it is the colt, and not the full-grown animal, that is trained to such perfection and usefulness. But I may remind you that it is the sapling we bend and cultivate so that it may have goodly branches and produce fair fruits-it is the spring crop, not the autumn harvest, from which we eradicate the weeds and tares. I cannot conclude this introductory chapter without saying a few words about youthful temper, for I am of opinion that, under God's providence, a woman's temper always in a great measure depends upon the control over it, or the reverse, which she may have acquired in youth. Few thoughtful girls will have attained the age of those I am addressing without having discovered their besetting sin or chief fault in this respect. Of course, some are more favoured by nature than others, but none are so gifted as to require no effort of their own,-none so perfect as to need no word of counsel on the subject. Now we all know how nearly allied are many of our weeds and garden flowers; and in like manner, methinks, are most of our virtues and vices. To you who are hasty and passionate, then, I would say, take heed betimes, and your hastiness may become energy, and your passionate feelings earnestness in every good cause. Are you obsti nate and sulky? Believe me, it is not difficult from such materials to manufacture stability of character and patient perseverance. Is bitterness your besetting sin? Make haste then to convert it into a keen sense of right and wrong, and a horror of injustice; these qualities are more nearly allied than you imagine, and “the bud may have the darkest hue, yet lovely be the flower." No fairy wand is needed for such transmutations; they are accomplished easily by selfdiscipline and daily prayer. In these few examples I have tried to show you how ill weeds may be made to bring forth fairest blossoms; let me now caution you lest the garden-flowers of your disposition be allowed to degenerate into weeds. To those who are naturally gentle and sweet-tempered, then, I would say, beware of laziness and lethargy; to you who are noted for being merry and cheerful, strive that you may not become frivolous and volatile; and you, my young friends, who are quick-witted and keen-sighted, I would fain remind that even those good gifts may lead to sarcasm and ill-nature, unless you are yourself determined that it shall not be so. The heart resembles a garden, wherein, however sedulously the sweetest flowers are sown, weeds will constantly arise, to choke the fragile seedlings by their rank growth. Pluck out the weeds then, root and branch! nay, tear them from the soil, but foster the flowers with unfailing watchfulness; and, if need be, water them with tears, that they may the sooner yield a fair harvest of good works. And in this matter of youthful temper, as well as in all other respects, I would earnestly remind you that you have an example to set to others. Few are so young or so insignificant but that there are some who think them worthy of imitation. It may be little brothers and sisters, or friends and acquaintances, schoolfellows and playmates, and you may not think that they are in any way likely to copy you; but rest assured they do so; and for the example you set, even in these early days, you will one day have to render an account. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Now, these words are quite familiar to you, I feel sure; but have you ever thought seriously of their meaning? Your hearing them Sunday after Sunday, and being accustomed to them almost from your infancy, is of no avail, unless you realize to yourselves the fact that it is your own little individual light that is meant,— that we are each, as it were, a lamp burning brightly or dimly; an example for good or evil to those with whom we are associated. Your lamp as yet, my young friends, may be very tiny -a mere rush-light, as it were, but it is none the less your duty to take heed how it burns. Let you and me, then, ever bear this in mind; and let our daily prayer be that the trials and troubles of this mortal life may fan our lamp to a brighter flame, and the gusts and temptations of this present world strengthen rather than extinguish it. Let us each individually give heed that our lamp burn in such strength, and that our light so shine before men that our good works may be seen, and our heavenly Father glorified. 10 CHAPTER II. TALENTS AND AMBITION. "Let us, then, be up and doing, Longfellow. THE first point that I would fain bring under your notice on the subject of talents is, that God's gifts in this respect are far more equally distributed than most persons imagine. Rest assured of this, that one talent you have, if not more, and whatever it may be, it is your bounden duty to cultivate and turn it to the best account. Some one thing there is that you can or could, if you chose, excel in-some one power you possess to a degree above mediocrity. Is it buried in the depths of your own thoughtlessness and indolence? Is it gathering rust and eating itself |