may be asked, what more then, can be required? I answer, every thing,-all that can tend to make the good impressions early received productive of good effect. The spring has blossomed, the fruit is set ; but because it is set, is the harvest sure? Does the gardener here leave his fruit, taking no further account of it, till the autumn shall pour forth a rich store? Does not he fear the fly, the worm, the drought, the rain, the cold? and does he not bestow his care accordingly, watching even until the ingathering, lest at last the thief should step in and rob him of his produce? And where, (I ask, O mothers!) should your work of education end? Should it be ere womanhood has stamped the character of your child with a firmness, a stability, calculated to carry her straight-forward through the rough path of life? and yet as if by common consent, the spring scarce passed, the fruit but just appearing,—the guiding hand is withdrawn,-the props which supported the young plant are suddenly torn away.

At fifteen or sixteen a girl's education is supposed to be finished; and on this erroneous supposition, many a mother makes shipwreck of her fairest hopes. I will imagine a girl arrived at the age of fifteen or sixteen, endowed with an amiable temper, principles based on judicious religious instruction, and a mind unpolluted by many of the fashionable follies; and I will suppose her, whilst under the suitable discipline of the school-room, giving fair promise for the future. This I have beheld, oft-times beheld, and seen all this blossom blighted for want of continued care. The appointed instructress has done her part; and the fond mother hopes to derive from her daughter, comfort and enjoyment; but she forgets that at this

period the work of education is only in progress-it is not completed. The character is sketched-it is not formed, and her daughter now requires the firm but affectionate guidance of the most judicious hand; and yet, this period is, alas! the hour of neglect. I will continue the picture of my promising girl: good resolutions are made,-good intentions are sincere, -a general wish to oblige, prevails. This then is the opportunity for the watchful mother to improve, by giving to the already-awakened energies, a right direction, by supporting them with counsel, and by endeavouring to promote by divine precept the using of every talent, every faculty to the glory of God. If activity of mind and body characterize the girl, there will be a succession of occupation; here, then, is care needful to prevent this occupation degenerating into fruitless movement, like the busy hum of the destroying fly. If, on the contrary, debility of constitution, producing languor, be the temperament, need I say that the utmost vigilance is necessary to prevent the undermining effects of indolence, which, like the silent worm, works unseen and unsuspected, till the withered plant discloses the blasting effect of its secret enemy.

I could go on to shew the retrograde steps of succeeding years, but it is needless. The portrait sketched in the letter alluded to, represents the final result of that false security in which mothers too often slumber, whilst circumstances demand from their maternal solicitude the greatest watchfulness; and I have said enough, if through the divine blesssing, my observations shall tend to awaken such a sense of danger as may animate to the averting of it.

R. K.

HINTS TO AN INQUIRER.'

As an old Sunday School Teacher, I may be permitted to suggest a few hints to An Inquirer,' in the February number of the Christian Lady's Magazine. I have felt with her all the difficulties of which she complains; some of my children possessed quick perception and learnt with little difficulty; others naturally dull in apprehension would study hard; others again got their lessons with rapidity, but as soon forgot them: their dispositions were as various as their understandings; I found it, therefore, difficult to subdue pride in the one, to give a stimulus to another, and steadiness to the third. The first was always head of the class, and in this situation would look with contempt on those beneath her; the second, knowing with what facility her rival got her lessons, thought herself indifferently rewarded for her more strenuous efforts; the third repeated more than the first, but though she could give little or no account of what she learnt, was displeased that quality and not quantity gained the reward. To obviate these evils often perplexed me; I found that the methods adopted to provoke to emulation, engendered pride, envy, and discontent. I tried every possible means to render it a virtue, but at last gave it up with a full practicable persuasion of its incompatibility with such texts as these, “Mind not every one his own things, but every one also the things of

others," Phil. ii. 4. "Rejoice with those that do rejoice," Rom. xii. 15. "Let each esteem other better than himself," Phil. ii. 3. Still I found a stimulus necessary, and adopted the following, which I have generally found effectual. I established as my school motto,- Do all to the glory of GOD;' by a constant reference to which, and by setting before my children the example of our blessed Lord, I found their passions subdued, and their best feelings excited. I gave tickets for various acts of obedience, such as coming to school at the time appointed, lessons perfectly repeated, decorum during the public services of the church, &c. &c. For a certain number of these tickets a book was gained—500 for a Bible-200 a Testament-150 a Prayer-book: each child was permitted to pay tickets for any book she chose, which prevented pride, envy, and discontent. I strenuously avoided comparing the talents or the conduct of the one with those of the other; and always considered the reward of a ticket, sufficient praise. If we bear in mind the deceitfulness of the human heart, and the beauty of humility, we shall avoid every thing tending to cherish the former, and do all we can to promote the latter; which are never effected by encouraging the lusts of the flesh, Gal. Conduct and not talent is now rewarded by

v. 20.

A DEVONSHIRE SCHOOL-MISTRESS.

MADAM,

A CASE OF CONSCIENCE. /

THE paper on Social Duties, which appeared in your Magazine for February, so entirely meets my own views, that I am induced to solicit the attention of E. H. S. to the following case of conscience, should you deem it worthy of a place in your valuable miscellany.

I am, Madam, very truly yours,

PRISCILLA.

She

A gentleman who has been united to a suitable partner for the last ten years, is sincerely desirous of promoting the glory of God, by engaging in active missionary labour, and is most urgent, nay, peremptory, that his wife should accompany him. dreads separation from her children just at the time when a mother's superintendance is most valuable; she pleads her unfitness for the duties of a missionary's wife, and the many dangers and privations she may be called upon to endure; but her husband, having counted the cost, still adheres to his resolution. How should she, as a Christian person, desirous of performing the duties both of a wife and a mother, decide on this important point?