proof of filial duty. I hope you will be well enough for the afternoon.

Ruminating on this instance as I went on my way to Mrs. Bennet's, I was there sooner than I expected; and, recollecting my errand, sent in my name. I was instantly admitted, and she

said in haste

I hope you are not come to postpone our engagement.

No; I should be sorry to do so; but I wish to know if you have really appointed all our party.

O yes; all. Some have deferred other engagements for the sake of your's.

Maria is not here at present, I see. Will you excuse me (as we have only the best intention) if I ask you, why you are desirous for these meetings?

manners.

I will be candid. You have presented to my mind some considerations, which have made me more keen-sighted to deficiencies in Maria's The love she expresses, is, I believe, quite sincere; but I confess there is, at the same time, a want of that respect which I begin to think is essentially a part of that honor which the Lord commands. For instance :-If I am in earnest about something I wish her to do, she puts it off by a kind of familiar liberty, snatching my hand, perhaps, and saying, "Ö, mamma, not so serious, not so serious! you know, All for love." She will even, sometimes,

contradict me rudely; and if I look a reproof, she forces it away with "All for love!"

And

I heard her say, this morning, "I cannot bear to be ordered; if it is not for love, I can do nothing." And I perceive I am in danger of seeing another kind of selfishness than that of Anna's grow up, unawares, in my Maria, and she will become self-willed, and self-seeking, under the specious profession of love. Thus she comes to dictate terms of obedience, suitable to her disposition. A little while ago, when I had become weary of an engagement in which she had engrossed me too long, she expressed her disappointment in this flattering language: "If it was for love, mamma, you would not be tired." In fact, I am myself in danger of being a slave to this prevalent plea.

Did you endeavor to place the command before her?

Yes; but she said, in the moment of pique, "I still cannot help thinking honor is too cold." I believe, though, there was some conviction, for she instantly left the room, and I have not seen her since. Shall I ring the bell, and let her know you are here?

No; I think not, at present; I will rather leave you, and she will be a little prepared, perhaps, by reflection, for the evening.

On my return, my mind again adverted to the account of Martha and her instructress, wishing if by any means I could obtain an in

troduction to the young lady; but, for the present, my time was likely to be fully occupied by the engagement before me.

The hours flew swiftly away whilst I was engaged with my young inmates in making preparations, as before, for the reception of our guests; and Charles having not failed to go in good time for old Thomas, we soon saw the cart with its venerable burden drawing up to the house. He had made him a comfortable seat with bundles of straw, and contrived to prop him steadily, while Jane, sitting beside him, held one of his hands. His son, Thomas, was walking on one side, at the head of the horse, and Charles sat as charioteer, in the front. We went to receive them; and Charles said, as he descended from his place, There, Thomas, I told you you need not be alarmed, we have come the whole way with scarcely a single jolt.

Thomas smiled and replied, Very true, Sir, you have been a careful driver; but I could not feel easy without being by, for fear of any thing happening to hurt my old father; you'll excuse me, Sir, and if you please to let me come in the evening, I'll take him home again without troubling you.

Ah! you had rather, Thomas; you are still afraid; but you shall do as you like.

With care and patience, the old man was soon seated in a large arm-chair, in a comfortable corner; and for little Jane, we placed a stool near to her grandfather.

It was not long before our party was in full assemblage, and the countenances of all my senior guests expressed a pleasure at our meeting, which was evidently sincere.

A few cursory remarks filled the time until all were seated; when I prepared the way for conversation by saying,

Allow me to express the feeling of satisfaction which this token of your interest excites; and I trust we may anticipate that good shall result from the blessing of the Lord, to both parents and children.

Mrs. Evans, who seemed always most ready to speak, immediately said, My friend, Mrs. Graham, wishes much to propose a question, will you permit her to do so?

Most gladly; looking towards her and waiting her inquiry.

It is this;-I think you said in our last conversation something to this effect, that though there is a commandment specially directed to children, there is not one specially directed to parents.

We have a sufficient number of constraining commands, relative to parental duties, in innumerable parts of the sacred Scriptures; but there is not one in the code of the ten commandments especially to parents. The reason, I presume, is to be gathered from the serious import of the second commandment, which points out to parents the consequences flowing from their conduct towards their children, and which helps to

establish one of my most important principles,— the personal duty of the parent towards God as the first object, if your sins are visited upon your children. Then how do you show love to your children by continuing in sin, by neglecting to seek the cleansing of your own sins, by failing to observe how they are lighting on your children, both in the judgments that are in store, and in present kind. Pardon me, my dear friends, if to prove my point, I make an application which may appear personal.—Will you' ? Surely.

Then you are pledged not to be offended. In the first place, I believe we are all agreed upon the Scripture truth, that sin is the nature of man from generation to generation. We will take the twelfth verse of the fifth of Romans, as sufficient for our decision: "Wherefore, as by one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" and we see the fatal developement of this truth in the manifestation of sin in the very first days of a child. In the same way that we often see the very resemblance of parents, in feature, person, temper, manner, habits, so do they also imbibe the character. Whatever you are, your children are most like to be, because you naturally cultivate them according to the same inclinations and pursuits to which yourselves are habituated. The consequence is, except in some particular instances, that they take the character; and this is implied in that commandment pro