[The custom prevailed among the Seneca Indians of imprisoning a young bird on the death of a beautiful maiden; and when it first tried its powers of song, to set it free over the grave. It suggested the following stanzas.]

We stand by the maiden's grave, sweet bird,

And sever thy silken band;

Go, cleave the sky like an arrow swift,

And fly to the spirit land.

On, on, through the fleecy, floating clouds,
'Mid the starry gems of night,

Till thou fold thy wing, and rest thy foot

In "the land of love and light."

Soft breezes fan that radiant shore,
Its flowers are fresh and fair;

Its bowers are green and its forests free,

And the fount of life springs there.

Be lured by nought on thy way, sweet bird,

Nor allow thy wings to rest,

Till thou light on the hand of the loved one there,

Or nestle in her breast.

Go, murmur in her listening ear

The words of unchanging love;

And say that our thoughts are with her still,

As she roams the Elysian grove.

Say not that her father's soul is sad,

That her mother's eye is dim

With tears; that her sister pines with grief,

Her lover, say nought of him.

"It is I, be not afraid."

MUSIC WRITTEN FOR THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND, BY L. MASON.

When the storm of the mountains on Galilee fell, And

lifted its

And the faith-less dis- ci-ples were bound in the spell Of mys

2. The storm could not bury that word in the wave,
For 'twas taught through the tempest to fly;

It shall reach his disciples in every clime,
And his voice shall be near in each troubious time,
Saying, "Be not afraid, it is I."

3. When the spirit is broken with sickness or sorrow,
And comfort is ready to die;

The darkness shall pass, and in gladness to-morrow,
The wounded complete consolation shall borrow
From his life-giving word, "It is I."

4. When death is at hand, and the cottage of clay
Is left with a tremulous sigh,

The gracious forerunner is smoothing the way
For its tenant to pass to unchangeable day,
Saying, "Be not afraid, it is I."

5. When the waters are passed, and the glories unknown
Burst forth on the wondering eye,

The compassionate Lamb in the midst of the throne"
Shall welcome, encourage, and comfort his own,

And say, "Be not afraid, it is I."

THERE is no influence so important in the training of children, as that of the mother. No one can have so intense an interest in the welfare of the child. No one can administer to its wants with so much tenderness. No one can No one watch over him, from day to day, with such care. can bear his petulance with so much patience. No one can note his physical, mental and moral growth with such solicitude. No one can be with him so much, nor have the same

opportunity to become so intimately acquainted with his capabilities, and with the tendencies of his mental and moral nature. And hence, no one can have that place in the child's affections which the mother has. He early learns his dependence upon her. He soon perceives that she sympathizes with him in his little cares and vexations; that she is interested in all which concerns him; that she is ever ready to soothe his disappointments, and to contrive means for his amusement, pleasure and comfort. He does not long fail to perceive, that she is not only willing, but in fact often does, deny herself, for the sake of benefitting her child. Hence the child learns to look upon his mother as he looks upon no other friend. To her he resorts in every time of trouble, and with her he seeks a refuge when afraid. He confides to her his tiny plans. He applies to her to solve his doubts, and to assist him in his difficulties. In a word, she is his friend, his counsellor, his protector, and his refuge. A fond and judicious mother cannot have such constant and familiar intercourse with him, without gaining his love. And, having gained that, she has obtained a moral power over him, which, rightly used, with the blessing of heaven, cannot fail to make him a worthy citizen, and, she has reason to hope, a faithful and consistent Christian.

Maternal responsibility may be considered in reference to the physical, intellectual, or moral culture of children. We propose to consider the last; for, though the physical education and the intellectual training of the young are vastly important, the moral culture must be paramount, because it more especially has reference to the future, and has a very intimate connection with its moral condition in eternity. It is here, that maternal responsibility assumes a double importance, inasmuch as it has respect to the happiness of the child for two worlds. It is here, that it gathers weight. It is here, that it affects the moral condition of the generation about to enter upon the active duties of life. It is here, that it affects the moral condition of the world in a manner and to an extent, which our finite capacities cannot appreciate. It is