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space, and the patience of your readers. Allow me, however, before I close, just to observe that I endeavour to adapt my address, as well as I can, to the capacity and situation of servants, treating of their duties, temptations, &c.; that I allow no person to be present except servants; and that I never let the service exceed an hour. These observations may serve as a suggestion to any who may wish to adopt this or a similar plan.

Dec. 5th, 1839.

Yours, &c.

A YOUNG MINISTER.

VALUE OF RELIGION.

"In poverty there is no want which religion cannot compensate; in sickness, no pang which it cannot relieve; in reproach, no stain which it cannot wipe away; in bondage, no chain which it cannot lighten; and in death, no sting which it cannot extract. It hath a contentment which blesses poverty; a patience which alleviates sickness; a bright excellence which bears down slander; a freedom from the bondage of corruption which makes the rod of oppression light; and a faith by which death is vanquished. Who would not have taken the poverty and the sores of Lazarus rather than the rich man's wealth and his wickedness added to it; the chain of Paul rather than the sceptre of Nero; and the martyrdom of the Baptist rather than the power and splendour of the man that murdered him?"

HINTS ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY.-No. 4.

Hints to Housewives.-Vessels intended to contain a liquid at a higher temperature than the surrounding melium, and to keep that liquid as long as possible at the highest temperature, should be constructed of materials which are the worst radiators of heat. Thus, tea-urus and tea-pots are best adapted for their purpose when constructed of polished metal, and worst when constructed of black porcelain. A black porcelain tea-pot is the worst conceivable material for that vessel, for both its material and colour are good radiators of heat, and the liquid contained in it cools with the greatest possible rapidity. On the other hand, a bright metal tea-pot is best adapted for the purpose, because it is the worst radiator of heat, and, therefore, cools as slowly as possible. A polished silver or brass tea-urn is better adapted to retain the heat of the water than one of a dull brown colour, such as is most commonly used. A tin kettle retains the heat of water boiled in it more effectually, if it be kept clean and polished, than if it be allowed to collect the smoke and soot, to which it is exposed from the action of the fire. When coated with this, its surface becomes rough and black, and is a powerful radiator of heat. A set of polished fireirons may remain for a long time in front of a hot fire without receiving from it any increase of temperature beyond that of the chamber, because the heat radiated by the fire is all reflected by the polished surface of the irons, and none of it is absorbed; but, if a set of rough, unpolished irons were similarly placed, they would become speedi y bot, so that they could not be used without inconvenience. The polish of fire-irons is, therefore, not merely a matter of ornament, but of use and convenience. The rough, unpolished poker, sometimes used in a kitchen, becomes speedily so hot that it cannot be held without pain. A close stove, intended to warm an apartment, should not have a polished surface, for in that case it is one of the worst radiators of heat, and nothing could be contrived more unfit for the purpose to which it is applied. On the other hand, a rough, unpolished surface of cast iron, is favourable to radiation, and a fire in such a stove will always produce a most powerful effect.Cabinet Cyclopædia.

THE FEMALES' ADVOCATE.

ON THE DANGER OF RELIGION BEING MINGLED WITH VANITY.

WITH a criminal thirst after forbidden knowledge, commenced the multiplied evils which have befallen the children of Adam; and still does this fatal principle of pride, canker-like, lie deep in the secret recesses of our hearts, corroding that which was meant to be bright and beautiful, and destroying the value of our best actions by sullying the motives from which they spring. It is a poison at once secret and deadly, withering in its effects, but acting with such subtle force, that we frequently discover it, where nothing existed to indicate its presence, and where, perhaps, we should least have expected it to be found.

This current of evil, which flows so abundantly through the world, deviates into so many channels, assumes such a variety of appearances, such a diversity of form and hue-now bright and sparkling— now mild and tranquil, that its real nature is often mistaken, and its deceptive stream even resorted to as a kind of elixir or healthful restorative. Thus what is termed proper pride, is recommended as a VOL. III.

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support under some of the trials of life, a barrier against the encroachments of ignorance, and a prop to resist the rude assaults of insolence or conceit: while a proud spirit, if not pronounced actually desirable, is at any rate held up in contradistinction to meanness, hypocrisy, and craft; as if the existence of one vice could be done away by means of another, or as if it were wise and prudent to use a stronger poison as an antidote to the weaker.

And what is vanity, with its proteus-like forms and aspects, but a modification of the same corrupt principle! What is it, likewise, but the love of self courting the indiscriminate love of the world;-winning others by ministering to a fellow-weakness, and offering up the reciprocal incense at the secret shrine of selfishness! How many a fine character has been ruined by the indulgence of this baneful passion! How many a kind heart rendered cold and callous to the happiness of others! How many a soul gradually drawn into the lowest abysses of vice the slave and the sacrifice of self!

But even in its less glaring forms—as it is developed in the arena of public life-in the drawingroom-in the domestic circle-how sad are its effects! It is the fruitful parent of falsehood, unkindness, caprice and envy, with all their concomitant evils, overwhelming in its progress the brightest Christian principles-the sweetest Christian graces.

Neither is it those alone who are still unsanctified by divine grace, who come under the dominion of

pride or vanity. The renewed Christian himself must be prepared against its open assaults and silent approaches. Yes! for even among Christians, vanity is one of the evils of the present day. It supplies our churches with noisy disputation; it fills our libraries with injurious controversy. It leads from the simplicity-the truth-the generous tenderness

the sublime but unostentatious piety-the meek and chastened spirit of the gospel, to uncharitable declamation-unnecessary discussion-ill-concealed or even open wrath, and all the endless errors and mistakes engendered by that principle which is directly opposed to humility-the prime feature, and the essential attribute of true piety.

Christians must, or at least should, remember, that they are "set upon a hill;” "that they are lights of the world," and "cannot be hid;" that they are patterns to others, and witnesses of the power of the divine word. The eyes of enemies as

well as friends are upon them-enemies not so much of themselves as of their faith, and who would glory in their dereliction of the right path. Their faith should shine forth in their conduct; for by the latter is the former judged. If they are inconsistent in the one, the other is pronounced defective; and the cause of religion receives a greater injury, than could be inflicted by the most daring sceptic or avowed infidel. How much, then, does it behove the Christian to beware, lest by his weakness, he inflict a wound upon the cause he most ardently wishes to

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