expansive affections have lost their first freshness and ardor. Love to God should form the basis, from which principle, should radiate all benevolent and generous sympathies for mankind, the brethren 'for whom Christ died.' It should be, and, if faithful to her trust, it will be, a mother's highest aim to know her child to be, in principle and affection, a Christian. She will, therefore, remember the words of wisdom, to 'train a child in the way he should go.' Whatever may aid her in the formation of virtuous principles and habits, will be most earnestly adopted, and whatever may militate against this object will be as earnestly avoided; and the same principle should enable her to shrink from no sacrifice on her part, and no necessary discipline for her child, should painful circumstances require it.

In the formation of youthful character, we should never forget the powerful influence which a mother's personal character invariably exerts; she should, therefore, ever aim to present in her own character a model of excellence which her children may imitate without endangering their youthful truthfulness and purity, and their love of the beautiful and harmonious in life. She should sedulously cultivate every virtue and grace, that she may be as a bright mirror, reflecting images of beauty and goodness back to the soul of her child. The foundation of a character of such true symmetry and excellence can be based only upon religion. It is the humble, prayerful Christian, the patient and self-denying follower of Jesus alone, who possesses the virtues and graces which are worthy of imitation by children. Let not, however, the piety of the mother be clad in the mantle of sadness, but rather wear the bright robe of cheerfulness, the graceful, quiet gladness of a heart thankful for the unnumbered blessings of life, and ever reposing in the confidence of filial love upon the mercies of the heavenly Father.

Moral, intellectual and religious culture should be intimately blended in the mother, for she is not the nurse and moral teacher alone, but she must advance with her child from infancy to childhood, and when childhood merges in youth, and youth passes into manhood, the intelligent and cultivated mother will possess an influence which no other human being can exert upon the minds and hearts of her children. And that a mother may increase and perpetuate this influence, she should strive to render home the most delightful and attractive spot in the world, to each member of her household. Let home be the abode of peace and love, the nursery of the kind and

gentle affections, whose widening circles, as they flow onward, will, in their turn bless other hearts and brighten other firesides. And that home may be thus happy, seek to develope the love of the true, the pure, and the beautiful, whether seen in the wonders of nature and science, or the works of art. Promote the interchange of elevated and expansive thought, in unreserved communion with kindred minds; furnish innocent and rational pleasures, that the noveltyseeking minds of the young be not tempted to wander into forbidden paths; in a word, let home be sanctified by the love of God and the love of man, and it can scarcely fail of being happy and attractive.

Awake, then, mothers, to a true consciousness of your responsibility to God for the manner in which you discharge the high and holy mission committed to your trust! The care and education of immortal souls is not a trust to be lightly held, or relinquished at pleasure. Keep your high aim ever before you, trusting, with God's blessing on your efforts, to train those he has committed to your keeping, for the kingdom of heaven.

'IF THOU WERT BY MY SIDE.'

The following admirable ballad was written by Bishop HEBER to his wife, while on a visit to Upper India.

TO A FAMILY BIBLE.

WHAT household thoughts around thee, as their shrine,
Cling reverently! Of anxious looks beguiled,

My mother's eyes upon thy page divine

Each day were bent: her accents, gravely mild,
Breathed out thy love; while I, a dreaming child,
Wandered on breeze-like fancies oft away

To some lone tuft of gleaming spring-flowers wild
Some fresh-discovered nook, for woodland play-
Some secret rest. Yet would the solemn Word
At times, with kindling of young wonder heard,
Fall on my wakened spirit, there to be

A seed not lost; for which, in darker years,
O book of Heaven! I pour, with grateful tears,
Heart's blessings on the holy dead and thee.-MRS. HEMANS.

Original.

REST IN HEAVEN.

BY LOWELL MASON.

1. If

ever life should seem To thee a

te-dious way,

day,

And gladness cease to beam Up - on its cloud-ed
Raise thou thine eye a-bove, There's rest for thee in Heaven.

D. C.

If like the wea-ry dove, O'er shoreless ocean driven;

b+

2

But O, if thornless flowers

Throughout thy pathway bloom,

And gaily fleet the hours,
Unstained by earthly gloom;

Still let not every thought

To this poor world be given:

Nor always be forgot

Thy better rest in Heaven.

THE

Boung Lady's Friend.

Original.

INFLUENCE OF FEMALE LITERATURE ON FEMALE CHARACTER.

BY REV. ANDREW A. LIPSCOMB.

[Obtained a Prize of $5.]

THE possession of mind affords the strongest evidence that our Creator designed us for society, and, consequently, its faculties are under the control of social law. The desire to express thought is as natural as the power of thinking; for, no sooner does the intellect begin to be developed, than the disposition spontaneously arises to communicate its reflections to others. As the fragrance, which is in the bud, will, when the bud expands, escape from its confinement and diffuse itself through the surrounding atmosphere, so, if forms of beauty and sublimity are in the mind, they will exhibit themselves and operate on other minds. Passion will be selfish; intellect, social. The principles of intellectual exercise demand contact with the world, and have constant reference to our personal connections with the great brotherhood of our race. If our individuality require, to some extent, the power of secrecy, this does not interfere with the general law. It is in fact the result of that ordination, by which intellect seeks publicity. Language and thought are inseparable. They dwell with each other in the chambers of the spirit: they both claim the same divine origin, and effect the same benevolent end. The use of language as the means of intellectual operation, as well as the instrument of social intercourse, demonstrates that mind is under the dominion of social relationships. No curse is like the curse of silence. Of all things, it is the most dreaded; of all punishments, it is the most severe. Affliction may prostrate him; misfortune may overthrow him; and yet man may be man ; but let his lips be sealed and language interdicted, and passions not human enter his bosom.