If there is any motto which above all others, I should rejoice to see inscribed on the countenance of every mother, it is this: " Rejoicing in Hope." It has been often said that cheerfulness is a Christian duty; but are its real value, and its important bearings on human happiness, rightly appreciated? Is it generally understood and believed, that in order to make others happy we must be happy ourselves? And yet in every relation of life this is true, and to none is its application more forcible, than to the mother. Her countenance may be considered as the barometer of the social atmosphere in which she moves. If radiant with benevolence, and illuminated by the smile of hope and cheerfulness, we naturally look for peace and contentment, in the little community over which she presides; but if frowns and discontent prevail there, we must expect to find all around her partaking of the same spirit. And yet how difficult, even for the most amiable temper, always to observe an even balance, amid the conflicting duties and the petty annoyances, to which those mothers who take a proper oversight of their families, are daily exposed. It has been said, that the life of a woman is made up of little things-of things too important to be neglected, yet many of them scarcely worthy to be named. These are the things, endless in their number, their variety and their collision, which daily try the patience of the wife and mother—and sometimes, alas, too often, are allowed to disturb her equanimity. Indeed, the most amiable temperaments are some 146 A WORD WITH MOTHERS. times the first to be affected by these things. Unaccustomed to any severe trials of temper, they have never felt the necessity of principle in its regulation, but trusting to their own happy impulses, have been borne smoothly forward. Now, however, trials of this kind multiply around them, they find themselves involved in cares, to which, perhaps, they feel inadequate; in duties, for which they have a positive dislike; in circumstances, which they cannot by any skill or ingenuity, make bend to their wishes, or their convenience. They are thwarted on every side; perhaps the carelessness or capriciousness of domestics-perhaps the waywardness of children, or it may be their own ignorance and inexperience, render it impossible for them to make such arrangements for the comfort of their families, as they desire. Now, if they have no better support than mere native amiability, they will doubtless yield in some degree to discouragement, and instead of gracing their misfortunes with the smile of good humor, and making amends for every disappointment by their own sweet temper, they will probably dwell upon their trials, perhaps their grievances, and thus do much to encourage a spirit of murmuring and petty complaint. It is in cases like this, that the need of principle is felt. Indeed, I hesitate not to say, that a mother, the mistress of a family, who is not sometimes happy from principle, will sometimes render others very unhappy, by her peevishness and discontent. She must follow out the apostle's injunctions, and be "patient in tribulation," or she cannot always "rejoice in hope." And to this she is summoned by every motive of affection for the objects of her care. How can they delight in her presence, enjoy her society, and be blessed by her influence, if her manner is repulsive, her countenance dejected, her voice severe ? Should she allow herself to brood over petty annoyances, to indulge the spirit of discontent and fault-finding, instead of basking in her presence, as in the sunshine, they will fly from it, as from the gloom and darkness of night. Even the infant, as he lies unconscious in his mother's lap, and gazes up into her face, catches a spark from that eye, which may determine his future character and destiny. And is it of no importance, whether it be a ray serene," reflecting its own soft radiance on his guileless face, or a troubled and uneasy look, which will soon tell its own story but too truly, to the heart of that confiding child? 66 A WORD WITH MOTHERS. 147 O, if Mothers did but realize, how early, how imperceptibly, they begin to impart their own spirit to the little ones whom God has given them, they would be more watchful, never to exhibit before them, a single unlovely or undesirable trait. And then to reflect, that the image of that face, the echo of that voice, will follow them when they leave the parental roof; will go with them, even should they wander to the very ends of the earth, who would not desire that they should prove a load-stone of abiding power, to attract them from every dishonorable and unworthy act, from every degrading association, and to keep them in the hallowed paths of purity and virtue? Do Mothers wish to make this power abiding, this loadstone irresistible? Let them, then, keep it safe from every inroad of peevishness or ill-humor-from every ebullition of anger or impatience. One such exhibition on the part of a revered and beloved parent, may leave a dark spot npon the family landscape, which can never be wholly effaced. The Mother is the presiding genius of her household, and on her, mainly depends their happiness. The Father has a mighty influence, we know; but it is subordinate in most instances to hers. In the little world of home, she is the sun, the star, and sad must that world become, when these orbs are shrouded, or even briefly overcast. Let her complain of her cares, describe her endless toils and vexationsweary the ear with her discouragements-and above all, let her speak in fretful tones, or with a frowning brow, and how unavailing will be her best efforts to promote the happiness of her family. Well directed as they may otherwise be, they will be insufficient to restore the peace, which her peevishness has dissipated. She may be notable in every department of household. skill-she may even "seek wool and flax, and work diligently with her hands "-she may "rise while it is yet night, and give meat to her household ”—obsolete as such practices have become in these modern days-yet if she be fretful withal-impatient of contradiction—more ready to censure than commend—if she cannot have compassion on the weak and erring among her flock—if she exacts more than is just—I ask, does such a mother rightly discharge her high and holy duties? Does she make home that happy place, which shall cause it to be preferred to every other spot on earth? No-let it be repeated again and again, that no diligence or success in the mere minutiae of household |