CHAPTER IX.

ON my return home, I found my neighbors, Mrs. Aston and Mrs. Bennet, both waiting my arrival, and with them their two daughters, Anna and Maria; they were in the midst of conversation with my sister, who had received them in my absence, and were much pleased at my appearance. Mrs. Aston immediately addressed me without any of the usual introductory formalities, saying,

We are deep in the subject, my dear friend, which you have presented to us in so serious and interesting a manner, and I hope I have gained much instruction from what your sister also has said, that it is a first principle of education to direct our children to God.

May I take the liberty of correcting the form of your observation by changing the little indefinite article into the definite, and instead of saying, a first principle, that you should say, the first principle. There is but one

first principle, and on that our minds ought to be simply fixed. If we uprightly acknowledge but one, we shall then be guarded against the vain intrusion of any other in its place. When the mind of the parent wavers in the leading motive or first principle, her counsels will be uncertain, and her child will not be established.

Thank you; I wish you would always take this liberty; for by this friendly promptness to seize the occasion, you may strengthen and instruct me exceedingly this remark will not be lost.

The young people requested permission to go together into the garden whilst our visitors remained, which being granted, we had the opportunity of canvassing the state of Anna and Maria.

Mrs. Aston, whose heart was full, said, Now I will tell

you how I have proceeded with Anna; for I have found there was no time to lose; her habits of selfishness and indolence were increasing to such an alarming height, that if not, by timely remedy, corrected, she will be a misery to herself and all connected with her. On our way from your house, we were both silent. My heart was filled with conviction and anxiety, and I think if ever I prayed to God for help for the future

and pardon for the past, I did so during that time. How Anna was affected, I do not know; it was natural she should be silent, seeing my mind occupied, and feeling, herself, perhaps, sensible of something wrong. She complained of fatigue, and wished to retire to bed. I accompanied her to her room, and opened my mind fully to her on the subject, and as near as I can recollect, I will relate our conversation.

My dear Anna, it will not be long before you will, if it please God, be thirteen years of age, and my mind is filled with distress when I reflect on the number of years which have elapsed since the Lord's mercy gave you into my arms, without my having performed my duty to God in attending to my duty to you, and teaching you your duty in the Lord. I begin, my dear, with condemning myself, that you may see I desire to be humbled before God, and that I take all the blame of your misconduct, which so constantly distresses me, on myself. It is a fit punishment if, through mistake or ignorance, I have neglected to give you the right principle of obedience.

I don't know, mamma; but I think it is very hard if I am always to be thought wrong, when you know how and you have rewarded me for doing well.

often papa

That is one of our great faults, that we have bribed you to do things by promised gifts, instead of teaching you to do them, as to the Lord, in obedience. You, in consequence, are become greedy of gifts, and covetous, and selfish, and we have been the unhappy instruments of making you so, and of robbing you of nobler motives of action.

Mr. Harris talked a great deal about love, but I am sure I always loved you when you gave me so many pretty things, and though I wanted the gold chain, it was not that I did not love papa's picture.

No, Anna; but did you love papa when you found the gold chain was not in the box? Did you honor him when you found he had disappointed you?

It was only just then that I was vexed; I honor and love him now.

to

I shall think you do so, Anna, so soon as you attend your studies and our wishes, for the desire of pleasing us by your good conduct, without wanting any other reward.

It is very hard, mamma,—and if Mr. Harris had not made any remarks, you would never have thought anything about it.

We owe him much for these remarks, and I hope,

my dear child, it will not be long before you are sensible of the obligation. All I mean to say now is to prepare you for a complete change of conduct; and whilst I ask for help from the Lord, I will pray for a blessing on you; I see it is to Him only we must look. Thus we parted for the night.

The next morning she was backward to commence any study, though I reminded her several times; at last she said, Will you take a walk with me when I have done?

I make no engagement, Anna, dependent on your duty. You know what I have determined on that point. She took up some of her books, and did a little, and at the usual hour put them all by.

This morning showed something of the same reluctant spirit. She practised her music, but I observed that that piece which was to earn the gold chain was entirely neglected. I have been so far firm, and I wish to try what she will do. I fear she expects to re-establish the old system when her father returns. It is a relief to my mind that Mrs. Bennet's call enabled me to accompany her here. Now, will you favor me with your advice?