conviction.

Whoever in this cause contends earnestly, must yet strive lawfully. A polemic of your sex is rarely desirable. A theological Joan of Arc we would rather decline altogether. The Amazons of orthodoxy, as those of old, may amputate the breast, the better to draw the bow but we prefer their feeling to their fierceness; and their charms to their courage. They are not only most lovely, but most efficient, when unarmed, and attired in the meekness and gentleness of Jesus Christ.

In your social intercourse, be careful to unite discretion with integrity. Be concerned not only to maintain your reputation, but the honour of your religion. Do not imagine that truth is an altar that sanctifies every offering. Plead for no doctrine in an uncharitable temper. Christian faithfulness does not require ill-nature; and gains nothing by ill-breeding. It is a poor way of usefulness, to lose all future opportunities of doing good to your fellowcreatures, by driving them away from your presence, or hardening their minds against you. Yet how often is this done by the haughtiness

of reproof! or the violence of controversy! or the rancour of party zeal!

Treat no one with rudeness or neglect. Shun the spirit of the Pharisee, trusting in himself that he is righteous, and despising others: Stand by thyself; come not near to me; I am holier than thou.' Mixing with company prevents the appearance and suspicion of unamiableness; and has the effect of promoting good neighbourhood, and general good will.

Remember that what gentility

would require of you as an accomplishment, Christianity enjoins upon you as a virtue; and what a woman of good breeding receives from education, you are to derive from religion; and what is only in the people of the world the hollowness of ceremony, is to be in you the reality of principle. Politeness,' says lord Chatham, 'is benevolence in little things.' It consists in general attention; in doing civil offices, and using kind words to all; in keeping every offensive subject out of view; in never obtruding your own partialities; but always minutely regarding the wishes of others; in accommodating yourselves as much as you

about you.

innocently can, to their habits and tastes; in forgetting yourselves, and obliging every one And what says the scripture? 'Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.' This is the way to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour; and to render the gospel not only impressive, but attractive. This is the way to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, so as to remove their prejudices, and bring them over to your cause-and he that winneth souls, is wise.' Be kind and merciful, as well as obliging. Always regard the afflicted. The hour of trouble is a season of moral impressiveness: the heart is then more serious and more soft. While the daughters of vanity and dissipation turn away from the abodes of penury and wo; be you a little image of Him, who is a very present help in trouble. When Mr. Howard presented his wife with a purse of one hundred guineas to enable her to take a summer's excursion: what a pretty cottage,' said she, 'will this build for a poor family!' How much more pure, and satisfying and durable, was the pleasure the sight of this little temple of charity

afforded her, than what she could have derived from a visit to a watering-place! It was a common saying of the Lord Jesus, who, from experience, knew the deliciousness infinitely better than any other being: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' It is to be lamented, that many in your station have it so little in their power to gratify their benevolence: but whatever resources your husband commands, he will readily allow you a share of the pleasure and honour arising from the application of them and the beneficence which should distinguish a minister's wife, is not confined to alms-givings. There are alms-deeds. There are numberless ways in which a feeling heart can reach distress. When it cannot it can soothe.

succour,

It is important to be able to give advice to the poor. They are often thriftless and wasteful, from ignorance, as much as from negligence. But they may be taught to make a little go a great way; and actual and personal instruction may do much more than printed tracts.

Some little knowledge also of medicine would be always an instrument of usefulness

in female charity; and none could more advantageously use it than a pastor's wife.

Your sex are sometimes called angels. The design has not always been laudable: and the flattery, it is to be feared, has sometimes turned them into fallen angels. But you may truly deserve the praise of the title. Our Saviour, speaking of children, says, 'Despise not one of these little ones; for their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.' And, says Paul, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister unto them that are the heirs of salvation?' Make these beautiful and lovely creatures your models. A female is never so angelical as when she adds to her personal graces the moral attractions; and displays the tender heart; the melting eye; the soft hand binding up the wounded spirit; and the foot with eager steps at the door of misery, visiting the fatherless and the widows in their affliction.

Secondly; with regard to OTHER RELIGIOUS PARTIES. You must not judge of persons by their walking with you, in the outward fellow