Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven." sermons. One such example as the above, has, in some cases, produced a greater effect than an hundred I well remember an instance of this kind. Some years since, an old revolutionary officer, tottering under the accumulated hardships of eighty years, had settled down in a state of confirmed infidelity. His wife, the partner of his early days, had made him the subject of her special prayers for forty years. He had regularly attended church, till at length he heard something in a sermon, from his minister, which he thought personal; and from that time, he deserted the house of God. This drove his poor wife almost to desperation. One morning she was taken suddenly ill. The old man went, in haste, to see if the parson's wife would make her a visit-for he was truly an affectionate husband. The good divine was just commencing family prayer. The scene so impressed this old veteran, that a few days after, he became hopefully a humble believer in Jesus. O ye! who are loaded with the bounties of God's providence—who fare sumptuously every day! how do you know, when ye refuse admittance at your door, but that a Lazarus has come to ask for the crumbs which fall from your table? O ye professed disciples of Christ! How do ye know when He, who for your sakes became poor, comes to your dwelling in the garb of a humble solicitor, to ask for a pittance to rescue sinners from destruction? Do ye measure your responsibility when ye refuse a messenger, without at least inquiring the message. Such kind of formal intercourse, as is often prac tised at the present day, seems but ill adapted to the responsibilities of beings who are living and acting for eternity. In the retributions of eternity, how will you bear to hear Him say, "I was a stranger and ye took me not in, naked and ye clothed me not." The customs of fashionable life, are often of a dangerous tendency. Splendid establishmentscostly furniture-expensive dress, too often engross the affections, and consume that time which, in a more humble sphere, is devoted to friendship, to charity, and to God. F. M. EXPRESSION. BROW of beauty! 'neath thee lie, A. M. I. EDUCATION OF INFANT DAUGHTERS. FEMALE Education should seek to implant and give energy to correct principles to establish the dominion of good habits. It should seek to soften and refine the affections, to moderate the desires, and reduce to dominion the rebellious passions. The subject of this benign discipline is thus rendered more placid, cheerful, and happy in herself, and of course more disposed to give, as well as more capable of imparting happiness to those about her. Is the present system of female education calculated to produce such favourable results? Our daughters are becoming more intellectual than their mothers; but are they in other respects more fit for the sphere for which Providence has designed them, a helpmeet for man? Thus has our all-wise Creator pointed out the station we are to occupy. I rejoice in that improved state of education, by which woman is prepared for intellectual companionship with the gifted of the other sex. Too long was she withheld by inferior cultivation, from that rank among minds, which was her's by "divine right." But her duties are peculiar and appropriate; and something besides the understanding must receive careful culture. The affections must be softened and refined. Look at the darling of the nursery; how her every whim is gratified! How she is satiated with dainties, how gaily dressed; how studiously amused! Already is she the tyrant of her little spheres; her lip curls with pride; her commands are uttered with an authoritative tone, that would ill become an admiral. When is she to begin to learn submission? How can she be taught self-denying kindness? Emancipated from the nursery, the half-spoiled pet is sent to school. efficiency. Her mental culture assumes order and Who calls forth into activity "the sweet charities of life?" Is she constantly encouraged to render those offices of kindness to her younger brothers and sisters, which elicit tenderness? Alas! her time is tasked to the utmost; she has always lessons to commit to memory at home. Peevishness and ill-humour are excused, because "the poor thing has to study so hard. She is languid, and unwilling to make the slightest exertion to promote the comfort of those about her. Delicate health is pleaded as an apology. The confined air of the school-room, and too little exercise, are the cause of this feebleness of constitution. Years pass on: she is at length released from the drudgery of the school-room, but Music, Drawing, French, Italian, &c., occupy all her time. Her mother is ill, the piano is stopped, because it is an annoyance; but where is the daughter? Watching by that fond mother's bedside, with anxious solitude anticipating every want? No; a hired nurse ministers to her necessities. The young lady is in the room occasionally, but she sits with her book in her hand, or looks out of the window. Is this the "ministering angel, when pain and sickness wring the brow?" Mistaken mother!-your daughter is intelligent and accomplished; she is very intellectual, but would not her sympathy sweetly soothe your sorrow? Would not her assiduous tenderness diffuse a living fragrance around your pillow? Her affections have not been cultivated. She would gladly do something for you, but she plainly does not know how. Mothers may say that the softening influence of religion will effect all that is necessary, and for this they constantly labor and pray. Hard and barren indeed will be the soil in which the heavenly seed must take root. You would not cast out a beautiful exotic to 66 put forth its tender and delicate leaves upon the beaten highway. The fruits of the Spirit, are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, &c. Mother! it is your task to prepare the soil for these precious fruits? The physician who discovers and describes the symptoms of a disease, has but half performed his office, till he points out the remedy. With much diffidence would I suggest the following brief hints on the subject of the cultivation of the affections,— Begin right. Remember the end and object of your daughter's education; namely, to fit her for time, and for eternity. Begin early. Your sweet babe is not given for the gratification of your own pride. Let her dress always be neat and plain; her diet simple and wholesome; call forth her affections as soon as possible by the kind of reward which you offer for good behaviour. As soon as a little girl can be taught anything, it should be the law of kindness. A mother may say, "Mary has been a good child; she may fold up little brother's clothes to-night; or, "If Mary behaves well in the nursery, she may come into the parlour and see her father this evening." Such associations are very powerful. Punishments should be of the same kind. The deprivation of some customary act of kindness from a mother, will often do more good than a much severer infliction. Even the denial of the kiss of affection is often most keenly felt. It is very injudicious to deprive a child of cake and sweetmeats, or its necessary food, by way of punishment. A volume might be written on this part of the subject, but I must forbear. When your daughter is old enough to show decided mental superiority, do not manifest too much pleasure |