thus gained, whether there will be a corresponding harmony in efforts for the mutual edification and constantly increasing happiness of those who seek an alliance as partners for life.

Personal beauty, external attractions, such as wealth and mere intellectual attainments, a faculty to please and elicit applause, should not serve as the only governing motives in the selection of a husband or wife. There are other considerations, vastly more important and a thousand times more weighty, which claim the attention above and beyond all others. ""Tis the mind that makes the man," was the language of Pope, the truthfulness of which has never been questioned.

"Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price," was the language of uninspired Peter.

The mind, beautified with the ornaments of goodness, love, virtue, meekness, quietness, patience, forbearance, mercy, and modesty, possesses an influence illuminating, elevating, and happifying in its tendencies. Like the brightness of the sun, extending

farther and spreading wider as its emanating source rises higher in the heavens, revealing the Godcreated glories of surrounding scenery, this influence, radiating through the moral ornaments of the mind, smiles upon the domestic hearthstone, and runs throughout the happy household, harmonizing the feelings, increasing the affections, forgiving and forgetting the word unkindly spoken.

Go into the family of the gentleman and lady who have thus understandingly entered into the marriage relation, and how soon we perceive the perfection of earthly enjoyment! The sweet smile of contentment reposes upon the brow of each. No angry words efface it or cloud its brightness. They know how and exhibit a willingness to suppress the unpleasant thoughts that may sometimes find way into the heart, or recall the harshly uttered word. With this disposition on the part of each to cherish and manifest a spirit of kindness and good will, to avoid contention, and to overlook each other's seeming faults, they walk in flowery paths. External beauty may not attract the eye, wealth and luxury may not adorn their dwelling, nor influence false and deceptive friends to court their favor; but, what is far better and infinitely more desirable, the cup of domestic happiness sparkles with the bright gems of

true contentment and unsullied joys.

Thus they live, one in mind, one in interest, one in feeling, and one in affection. This reciprocity of feeling in the duties, joys, and sorrows of their station verifies the words of Christ, "and they twain shall be one flesh." "Keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace," their lives are pleasant, their home peaceful and interesting, and their union in a world where death shall never more sunder the ties of domestic love, glorious and eternal.

And when the spoiler of man's earthly hopes and comforts brings the grave between them, the hour of parting is rendered less sorrowful by the remembrances of mutual kindnesses. Pleasant memories of the past impart a sacredness to the loved one's resting-place, causing tears of love and fond affection for many a year to fall upon the flowers that bloom in mournful beauty over the dead. O, if there is a place on earth enchantingly lovely that angels may with pleasure visit, and the virtuous admire, it must be the home of those "whose hearts, and faith, and hopes are one."

THE HARVEST HOME.

GOD of the rolling year! to thee

Our songs shall rise, whose bounty pours,

In many a goodly gift, with free

And liberal hand, our autumn stores;

No firstlings of our flock we slay,
No soaring clouds of incense rise,

But on thy hallowed shrine we lay
Our grateful hearts in sacrifice.

Borne on thy breath, the lap of spring

Was heaped with many a blooming flower;

And smiling summer joyed to bring

The sunshine and the gentle shower;
And autumn's rich luxuriance now,
The ripening seed, the bursting shell,
The golden sheaf and ladened bough,
The fulness of thy bounty tell.

No menial throng, in princely dome,
Here wait a titled lord's behest,
But many a fair and peaceful home

Hath won thy peaceful dove a guest;

No groves of palm our fields adorn,
No myrtle shades our orange bowers,
But rustling sheaves of golden corn
And fields of waving grain are ours.

Safe in thy care, the landscape o'er,
Our flocks and herds securely stray;
No tyrant master claims our store,
No ruthless robber rends away;
No fierce volcano's withering shower,
No fell simoon, with poisonous breath,
Nor burning sun, with baleful power,
Awake the fiery plagues of death.

And here shall rise our song to Thee,
Where lengthened vale and pastures lie,
And streams go singing mild and free,
Beneath a blue and smiling sky;
Where ne'er was reared a mortal throne,
Where crowned oppressors never trod,

Here at the throne of heaven alone

Shall man in reverence bow to God.