148 A WORD WITH MOTHERS. comforts, can possibly atone for the absence of "a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the sight of God," and of man too, "is of great price." But do any say the picture is overdrawn? That no mother can so cruelly trifle with the dearest interests of her husband and children? Alas! have we not beheld scenes from which the veil of domestic privacy should forever have intercepted the observing eye of the stranger? Have we not seen that the demon, discontent, having taken full possession of its victim, so far from being daunted as at first by the presence of a guest, is often incited to new violence, and have not the flashing eye and the cutting remark, from her who occupied the most honorable seat at the family board, revealed a tale of unutterable wretchedness, concerning the inmates of that abode ? Would that this were only a dream of fancy, for the honor of the sex, for the sake of the mortified, the unhappy husband and children of such a mother-would that it were only a dream! That such cases are rare, however, we gladly admit-and we would hardly have alluded to them in this connection, but for the startling inquiry which they suggest. When we recollect that among all the instances of this kind we have ever seen we cannot recal one, in which the habitual termagant was a youthful mother, may we but infer that this habit, like others was formed by slow and imperceptible degrees-indulged at first, perhaps but seldom, and always with pain, but suffering no check, increased with years and the increase of care, until it converted into a scourge, her who should be the ministering angel of her household? And must not every mother, who has given way but in one instance to the spirit of discontent, resolve never to be overcome in this way again, lest the tyrant after another advantage, should begin to assume a fearful ascendancy—until the eyes which are now turned to her with confiding love, will be averted at her presence, or cast down with gloom? What wife, what mother does not know that she was chosen to be the solace and the cheerer of her husband? That for this, he sought her love-perhaps endured hardships and privations to win it, thinking by this boon to create for himself an atmosphere of perpetual peace and kindness, and that "At her sweet smile each care should cease.' A WORD WITH MOTHERS. 149 Alas for him, if with the golden days of romance those hopes have vanished! If the eyes which once glanced on him only with tenderness, are ever permitted to dart a burning ray of anger or impatience, adieu to his dreams of delight! Instead of breathing an atmosphere of love, he must henceforth be subjected to that most capricious thing —a woman's temper-and will find his home a happy or a cheerless place, according as good humor, or discontent happens to rule the hour. 66 "Then deem it not an idle thing A pleasant word to speak; The face you wear, the thoughts you bring, A heart may heal, or break." Does any one ask, "what shall be done? How is it possible for any woman, who has much to do with the cares and vexations of life, always to be peaceful and happy? It is not in human nature to endure without a murmur, such annoyances as fall to her lot." Perhaps not; at any rate there are few, very few tempers which can safely abide the test. But if human nature is insufficient of itself, strength from on high is promised to the trusting, the believing soul, Casting all your care upon Him,” says one apostle, "for He careth for you." "Be careful for nothing," says another. How much is implied in this—how much to reprove the solicitude, the extreme anxiety the dejection of many Christian mothers! And Christ himself has said, in a discourse on the impropriety of excessive attention to the things of this life," which of you by taking thought, can add one cubit to his stature ? Will your sighs, your tears, your complaints, your groans bring about the object you desire? Will they lighten your cares, or remove your difficulties? No! "Give to the winds thy fears, Hope and be undismayed." God, and not you, has charge of the future-and He is the hearer of prayer. This is your only safe resource, when surrounded by difficulties and discouragements. Here is the secret of your strength, and by His help you may prevail. "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulations, continuing instant in prayer." So said the apostle, in words dictated by the Holy Ghost, 1800 years ago, and the triple injunction has lost none of its significance, by the lapse of ages. We perceive a beautiful sequence, by 150 A WORD WITH MOTHERS. 66 which one suggests the other to his mind, though in an inverted order-for in order to fulfil the first, we must strictly obey the other two, and particularly the last. Continuing instant in prayer." Yes, Christian mother, here is the secret of thy strength. "Wait on the Lord-be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart-wait, I say, on the Lord." Never do you appear before your household, with a gloomy countenance, a discontented spirit, when you have made full proof of this godlike weapon. It "beats down all your foes before your face," and you fear them no longer. Why should you then ever be otherwise than cheerful and of good courage? You have an Almighty Friend, who knoweth all your cares, all your infirmities—and who will lay upon you no more than He will give you strength to bear, if you will but trust Him. Whenever, then, you are "discouraged, because of the way," you distrust his ability and willingness to sustain you. You act no longer like a child but a slave, and you cannot expect His blessing on yourself and your household. Seek then His aid in enabling you to "bear the burden and heat of the day;" commit to His wise and gracious management all your concerns the smallest as well as the greatest-and you will be at peace. Even the follies and imperfections of your children, severely as they may try you, will not be able to disturb your patience, or ruffle your equanimity. You will pour all your griefs, and all your anxieties into the ear of your compassionate Father in heaven, and there you will leave them. Yes, take thy sorrows there, And know how heaven can ease the burdened mind, Leaves all his load behind And goeth forth in peace to bear alone, Christ's easy yoke, and learn of Him the lowly One." "Not to the ear of man, "Then child of sorrow," thy sad tale reveal, The wounded spirit heal. And who that once hath poured his griefs to heaven, Greenfield, Mass., Feb. 1843. INFLUENCE OF A MAN'S WIFE. 151 INFLUENCE OF A MAN'S WIFE, ON HIS CHARACTER AND DESTINY. Aleph and Beth were brothers. Aleph married a pious woman of a respectable religious family. I met him in his yard, walking round with vigor and speed, an erect, portly, ruddy, robust man. His out-buildings were numerous; and his yards were full of wood, utensils and materials for work. I went into his house. It was large, well-finished and wellfurnished. There were books there; and they seemed to be read and studied. Aleph was a pillar in the church, the parish and the town; for he had a good wife. A wise woman buildeth her house. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praiseth her. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." Beth had a good disposition. He was industrious, steady and prudent. He was honest and moral, and respected religion; but he had a poor wife. His tall form was bowed down. On his face was the expression of care and despondency, and his movements were of the same character. With the companion and family he had, he possessed neither spirit or ability to do any thing for the promotion of religion, and public good. He did not prosper. There was the aspect of nakedness about his barn, about his house, and within his doors. His family did not grow up in good and respectable habits. Their character and condition were not such as to cheer him. He drooped at length and died. He made no profession of religion; but he cordially welcomed my visits as a minister; and I indulge some hope that death was gain to him; but as he lived so he died-in a cheerless state of mind. There was considerable religion in the family, such as it was, but there were also considerable intemperance, and looseness of principle and practice in other branches of morals. In the sinking condition of the family, the influence of the poor wife was to be seen. She was not herself vicious; but she had no high moral principles, no cultivation of mind, no interest in the improvement of society, no zeal for neatness and comfort, for whatsoever things are lovely and of good report. Her want of the qualities of the virtuous woman, described in Proverbs, made her a poor wife, and her husband a poor parishioner. I seem to see his stooping form and care-worn face, passing before me. I seem to see his dilapidated buildings. I seem to see the neighborhood presenting all around the blighting influence of a slack woman-a poor wife-upon her children, and children's children. Talk to me then of educating young men, and of training them up to be good citizens, good members of churches, and good supporters of religious societies; and I will tell you to educate young women to be good wives, if you would have men be happy men good citizens and good parishioners.-Pastor's Journal. MORNING. BY W. H. BURLEIGH. Up Sluggard, from thy pallet! Lo the East And the grey mists which in the vale have slept The golden splendor from the Fount of Day, As conscious that its Maker will accept |