ed on the topmost bough, tune their voices melodiously.

Oh! that man would listen attentively to the instruction they give, apply his heart unto wisdom, and join in the general song of praise and thanksgiving to Him, who rules on high, and dispenses his blessings so bountifully to the children of men. Then might his peace be as a river, and his righteousness as the waves of the sea."

Early and suitable attention to our own concerns, affords us a much better opportunity for administering comfort and assistance to the needy and distressed, and for visiting them in their solitary abodes. Ifour lot in life is such that we have not bread to give for the nourishment of the body, we may have a word of consolation for the better part. We may wipe from the eye of affliction the falling tear, and direct the attention of the sufferer to those joys which never fade, a mansion "eternal in the heavens."

And for those who have it also in their power to administer to the necessities of the body, to comfort the sick and afflicted,

to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, there is certainly no time to be lost. The wealth they possess, is "a call to duty, not discharge from care." For the use of this, they must be accountable.

As a wife, a woman is bound by the sacred bonds of marriage, to promote the welfare of her husband by every means in her power. And by so doing, she contributes greatly to her own comfort. By a mutual interchange of affectionate attention and interest, the happiness of both is increased, and they are the better qualified to fill their stations as heads of families, and as parents of children.

When a woman finds herself placed in the important station of a mother, she is then brought under increased obligations; in the discharge of which, she will find the proper cultivation of her own mind, to be of incalculable benefit.

While her sons are young, and their minds susceptible of suitable impressions, she should sow the seeds of virtue, benevolence, and all those amiable qualities that will, in manhood, render them honourable

and dignified in their pursuits, respectable and useful members of the community, and virtuous and exemplary heads of families. But her daughters who must continue with her, will need a mother's care to instruct them, a mother's heart to feel for them, and a mother's hand to guide their steps, even till they arrive at womanhood themselves.

If a mother would faithfully perform her duty to her offspring, she must be willing to make many sacrifices. What sacrifices? some may say. Those of inclination. And if improper habits have been indulged, they must be corrected. The comfort and improvement of her family must be her principal object.

Social visiting, and a virtuous intercourse with those we love, are some of the greatest comforts of life; yet even these must be under such restrictions that nothing may suffer by her absence. Her inclination may sometimes lead her to prefer stillness and inactivity, when those under her care need instruction; but opportunities that will tend to their benefit, and prepare them for use

fulness, must not be suffered to pass by unimproved.

Many advantages arise from girls being taught economy in their wearing apparel; how to make and repair most articles of their dress, and to lay them away carefully when they are not needed. By such attention, some females make a more decent and respectable appearance, and with not half the expense, than others do, who are idle and negligent.

They should be also taught such different branches of housewifery, as their strength and capacity will admit. And, as the preparation of our food is an essential part of domestic economy, much care is necessary to have it done in such a way that it will contribute to health, and best answer the purpose for which it is designed: not to pamper the palate of the epicure, but to afford nourishment to the body, that it may be supported under its various toils.

A simple repast, suitably prepared and neatly arranged on the table, is not only more pleasing to the eye, but more grateful to the stomach, than rich and costly viands,

ner.

prepared and set on in an ungraceful manThe best of food may be rendered unwholesome by negligence, and it is not in the quantity, nor in the variety of dishes that the elegance of a table consists, so much as in the neatness and order of its arrangement.

The idea of rendering themselves useful, and that neatness, order, and economy are not more essential to the comfort of the body, than they are to ease and satisfaction, should be early impressed on the minds of youth.

When these ideas are fixed, and the practice of them becomes habitual, business may be pursued without anxiety. The business of the day never proceeds with more regularity, nor is accomplished with more ease, than when the mind, under serious impressions, is calm and serene.

It is not necessary, at all times, to retire to the closet to wait on Him who is ever present with us. He, knowing that the body has need of these things for its existence, sometimes deigns to manifest himself to us, while our hands are engaged in our lawful