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"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh : not with

eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."-COL. iii. 22-25.

"Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."-TIT. ii. 9, 10.

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'Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear: not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience' sake endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but, if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."-I PET. ii. 18-20.

VII.

THE SERVICE OF WOMAN.

IN

N the previous chapters most of the relations which woman sustains have been considered. A good wife has been described as the best gift of God's providence; a good mother as an inestimable blessing; a good sister as one whose influence is of the most beneficial kind; and a good daughter as the light of the home and the joy of her parent's heart. There remains to be considered the character and conduct of a good

servant.

None will deny that good servants are a great comfort and blessing. Consider to what an extent the happiness of a home is dependent upon them. From the first thing in the morning to the last at night, the household arrangements have to be carried out by their industry and skill. The supply of the home wants of every member of the household, from master to baby, more or less devolves upon them. The many little things which appear as nothing, but which constantly recurring make up in their aggregate no small part of our daily comfort, are their care. The special attention which is required in times of sickness usually makes some, often great, demands upon them. The safe keeping of the house and property, alike in the family's presence and absence, is in their hands. The children are greatly dependent on their exertions for health and comfort,

frequently also for nurture and training. The secrets of a family are necessarily to a considerable extent in their custody; for it is difficult, if not impossible, to hide from those constantly with us in the house, the joys and sorrows which from time to time affect us. To possess a servant who is faithful in all these things is undoubtedly to posses a great treasure. To be such an one is alike in the sight of God and man, to be worthy of esteem and honour, aye, and of affection also.

When there are many servants to whom this title and character unhappily will not apply, and when good servants are one of the most pressing wants of the times, it cannot be otherwise than seasonable to write words which by God's blessing may prove useful.

The relation of mistress and maid, like that of master and servant, is the appointment of the Creator. Instituted from the earliest times, it has continued through all the past ages of the world until now. Its continued and universal existence shows that it is not an arbitrary and artificial appointment, but founded on the necessities of our nature. The same Sovereign Ruler who has determined that one shall be a king and another a subject, that one shall be born rich and another poor, has arranged that some shall be masters and others servants.

We are made to be dependent upon each other; men and women are dissimilar, in order that they may be of mutual service. Talents and endowments vary in both sexes; alike by birth and acquirement, persons are unequal in mental resources and worldly means,-one possesses what another lacks. Hence arises the relation between employers and employed, the foundation of which is, that the one requires service which another

has the power and will to render, and is able to give in exchange for such service an equivalent which the other needs. The master or mistress gives.property or money, and the servant in return gives time and labour.

For

The service which women have it in their power to render is of various kinds. With the advance of civilization the sphere of their industry is widened. In many departments of manufacture female labour is largely employed. New scope for woman's activity is being opened in different directions. We see her employed in the discharge of duties more or less congenial, which formerly were wholly performed by men. some of them woman is obviously fitted, more fitted than man; there are others in which it is a pity she should be engaged. It is a cause for regret that so many girls prefer, and their parents choose for them, situations in warehouses and manufactories rather than in domestic service. The possession of greater liberty and higher wages which such avocations present are more than counterbalanced, in the majority of instances, by the loss of comfort and advantages which a situation in a happy home confers, and by exposure to influences of an injurious and immoral tendency. In the light of a woman's true wellbeing, remembering that she hopes at some time to have a home of her own, the one service is greatly to be preferred to the other. For the sake of society and the nation at large domestic service is to be preferred. One reason of the illmanaged and wretched homes of the poorer classes is, that girls are brought up to other than household duties, and are much more at home in a warehouse and workroom than in the management of a home and the care of children.

As the relation of master and servant is of Divine appointment, the word of God sets forth with great plainness the relative duties of each. In the Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians both are exhorted with equal fidelity, to render the things which are due. In other passages, servants are specially reminded of their duties. It would be well if these directions were frequently pondered by those to whom they are specially addressed. They furnish ample directions for the right discharge of the obligations resting upon each, and for the attainment of those most desirable characters, a good mistress and a good servant.

If there are to be good servants, mothers must do their duty.

It is no uncommon thing when inquiries are being made as to the character and capabilities of a servant, for the question to be asked, "What sort of a mother has she?" It is rightly judged that if the mother is industrious, clean, neat, clever in household work, and God-fearing, the probabilities are that the daughter will be so likewise. She will have had the advantage of example, the best of all teachers; she will have grown up to see how things ought to be done, in addition to which she will have been set to perform many household duties, and been taught to do them properly. As a rule, it may be said that a good mother will make a good daughter; for the character of a good mother includes that of a good housewife. But if girls are brought up amidst the confusion and dirt of an ill-regulated home; if they are the daily witnesses of idleness, improvidence, slatternliness, and shiftlessness; if they never see things properly done; if they are not initiated into the useful mysteries of cookery and mending, and making a little go a long way, in

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