And so the Apostle enjoins, (Eph. vi. 9). “And ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening." As you expect courtesy, shew courtesy. Of all the disgraceful things, one of the most so is intemperate language towards a person in a subordinate situation. It is not only unchristian, but mean and cowardly. The man who can govern his temper towards his equals, has no excuse if he cannot controul it to his domestics.

And as you expect fidelity, you are called upon to shew justice, to give "that which is just and equal" to your servants. A master is as much bound to consult the welfare of his servants, as they are to consult his. And in this respect may we not press the duty of the example masters ought to set? How careful ought masters to be, not to enjoin any thing on their servants whieh is in any degree a violation of the law of God? How careful should they be, not to put false excuses in the mouths of their servants? And how can I fail to notice the common and ordinary one of instructing your servants to say you are from home, when it only requires a little Christian courage to say you are engaged. I would also refer to the causing your servants to be employed on the Lord's day in any thing short of necessary work; by entertaining company at your house, or employing your carriage or horses on that day. But above all, I would remind you of what is due to their spiritual interests, that you take servants into your houses as members of your family, and that it is your bounden duty to assemble them for family worship, and for the reading of the word of God. In short, that you must remember that if they are your servants, you have a master too, to whom you must render an account for the discharge of every trust he has committed to yourselves.

And it is no light one that he has placed you in that state of life, in which others are dependant on your example and your care.

And, finally, I would urge the duty that devolves upon all not only with regard to their own particular servants, but with regard to the class of servants generally, to make every exertion to promote their welfare.

It is universally admitted there are few things more important to the welfare of society than the good and christian conduct of servants; and that the happiness and prosperity of a family is much dependant on them. This is the case more or less in all families; but it is peculiarly so in families where there are children. And yet how little pains are taken to encourage good, or to discountenance bad servants! This is the great object of that Institution for which I this day ask your assistance. It has been established for the purpose of opening a Home to female servants of a respectable character, who are in search of a situation. This to them is a great mercy. There is no class of persons exposed to greater temptations than female servants out of place. They are often scantily provided with means of subsistence, and are exposed in private lodgings to much danger. The Home is therefore an Asylum for such. None are taken in whose characters do not bear investigation. They are, while there, actively employed; and they are most carefully superintended. The Home itself is considered as a religious family. As far, therefore, as the welfare of the servants themselves is concerned, it must be attended (so far as human means can be reckoned on) with great blessings to them. The Matrons under whose immediate care they are placed; are persons of truly Christian prin

ciples, and the Ladies who form the Committee, are not only known for their their Christian zeal, but for their Christian discretion, and they exercise a constant superintendence over the house.

But it is not to the class of servants only who are in search of situations, that this Institution affords advantages, but to those who are in need of servants. To these it affords great facilities, and removes much trouble from them, as the general preliminary inquiries as to character and respectability are previously made. As I have observed, none are admitted into the Home, but those whose characters will bear investigation. And the same is the case with regard to the registry that is kept. All servants out of place, who desire to have their names entered in the book, are obliged to give their references; and these are most carefully applied to, and none are inserted unless the result of the inquiry prove satisfactory. And it is perhaps desirable that I should state that the most respectable servants have availed themselves of the assistance of the Institution. As a convincing proof of this, I would notice two letters from Ladies who have had servants recommended from the Institution; and who in consequence of the satisfaction they have had in them, have applied for others. The one the wife of a Clergyman in Worcestershire, writes, "Having engaged from your establishment two years ago, the best nurse I have met with, I now write to request you will let me know if you have &c." Another writes, "Mrs.- -is induced by the good conduct of -recommended to her as housekeeper by the Servants' Home, to apply further for &c."

In addition to the Home, (the rules of which you will find in the Report,) and to the Registry, (which

is open to other servants also, who are not required to come into the Home, if they can give satisfactory proof that they are living with connections or friends); there is also encouragement offered by this Institution to servants, by premiums for continued meritorious service in the same family. The Committee state, that "they have already received several gratifying testimonials from families who have been supplied with servants from the Home. They also hear of a great number of servants who are continuing in their places, many of them are now entering on the third year of their service.” With reference to this, you will bear in mind that the Institution has been only four years in operation.

With regard to the extent to which the assistance of the Institution has gone, I would mention that in the last year, 200 families in need of servants have registered; and 180 servants in search of situations; that 106 have lodged in the Home while waiting for places; and that 104 have been hired from the Home. The receipts for the last year were £171. 5s. 10d. including the balance with which the year commenced, of £19. 8s. 1d. and the expenses of the same year were £134. 15s. 4d. leaving £15. for rewards, and a balance of £1. 10s. 61. An Institution which does so much good at so trifling an expenditure, is deserving of support. It has been agreed that an appeal should be made to the public from the pulpits of the town in each year. It has fallen to my lot to make it this year, and I trust that your aid will be kindly and liberally extended to it. It has a strong claim on account of the often friendless state of the class in whose behalf it was instituted. It has a strong claim on the ground of gratitude to those kind and zealous persons to

whose care and superintendence it owes its support, But above all, it has a strong claim by the appeal it makes to our Christian obligations. And I would therefore close, by recalling your attention to the example of our Lord and master, who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister;" who came in the form of a servant;" who, in his work of selfhumiliation has identified himself with the class and order of servants; who sympathized with them in their labours, and who will acknowledge kindness and regard, and interest, shown to them on Christian principles, and in obedience to himself, as though it were manifested to himself; who will say, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me."

GOODLY PEARLS.

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:" together they form a string of goodly pearls; let us, however, detach them, and look at them one by one.

1st. LovE.-The life of the Apostle John is an illustration of this grace.

Love to God.-A martyr was asked whether he did not love his wife and children, who stood weeping by him. Love them! yes, if all the world were gold, and at my disposal, I would give it all for the satisfaction of living with them, though it were in a prison, yet in comparison with Christ I love them not.

Love to mankind.-The benevolent Howard devoted his fortune and his time to relieve the suffering people of Europe, when they were in their most offensive