Education for Home. 101 will do nothing to strengthen the love of it in other's bosoms, with whom they may mingle in the unbended intercourse of earlier days. Let such as prize and act well their parts in their own homes, be the companions and associates that parents choose for their children; if they would have them feel the happy power of an education for home. Greatly are they to be blamed as well as pitied, who leave their offspring to casual, hap-hazard acquaintances. How can they expect that the mind which by example is tempted to break from the charm of home, to plunge into circles alien to the influences of the fireside there, should lend its aid to render that place happy. Let them beware how they suffer the imitative beings on whom their couduct so strongly operates, to see in themselves a disrelish for home; let them take care how by encouraging friendships or alliances with those who seem to have no proper sense of its value, they do not unfit the young spirit so easily swayed by novelty, for the less dazzling realities of their own dwelling. With careful guardianship let them summon around them, those hearts which bear the deepest impress of such a spot; that can and do prize the faithful vigilance of a father's authority, and the tender assiduities of a mother's love; so that thus early directed and upheld by their equals and companions, their loved ones may ever cling to the associations of their presence, and delight to think, speak and act as those who are happy at home. We have time only very briefly, to notice one more particular. It is the reference which should be had, in the selection of employments and pursuits of life, to an education for home. We are aware that objections will meet us here. It may be said, that every one cannot adopt those pursuits and occupations of life which bear most closely on home; that there are departments of business, and those situations which scarcely admit of a constant or long residence at home. We admit that it is so. We know all are not thus highly privileged. There is difference indeed in this respect, in the situation and circumstances of either sex. Man is more often destined to go abroad and meet the collisions of life. Woman's not less noble, but gentler task, is to watch and keep alive the pure flame on the altar of domestic love; to lead along the little tremblers, with bland caresses, and winning ways, inspiring confidence and hope; thus guiding the spirit made for bliss to its high destination, by wakening in the bosom just beginning to throb with desire, the consciousness that nothing earthly can satisfy the irrepressible longing which a benevolent God has implanted there, to win back the soul to life and Heaven. We admit all this. But still we claim, that a modified influence may be exerted even in those pursuits which are most uncongenial to the idea of a home more permanent; while in others which admit of a closer application, it may be made a turning point in deciding on the pursuit or situation for life. In all those pursuits which require the wanderer to go forth, bidding adieu to kindred and present home, though he may not hope speedily or ever to return there to mingle with them his joys; yet the thought of a home may be held out to prompt to enterprise, sobriety, and the practice of the homebred, and home-needed virtues. A conservative power may thus be established over him, which may be felt recalling him from vice; urging to the performance of duty and thrilling his bosom with the high aspirations of future enjoyments. Thus will he be prepared for contributing to the happiness of those among whom for a time his lot is cast; and an education for home may prove an invaluable blessing to himself and others, even should he never again share the privilege of such a scene in all its depth of meaning. In those cases however which permit such a choice consistently with the para. mount clains of duty, ought not a greater stress to be given to the bearings of home in the selection of pursuits, and the formation of the accompanying habits of life? Ought not a more particular reference to be had to these ends by an education for home? We have no time, did our limits allow, to go farther into the subject. We have merely thrown out a few hints. Others more able to do it justice we hope will pursue it. At some subsequent period perhaps, we may add more on the topics upon which we have touched. We do not mean by any thing we have said to advocate an exclusive reference to home in Education. This indeed would unfit many for the sterner track of that career of duty which summons us to relinquish the happy spot, to live in the world only as sojourners, who have no home except beyond the grave. Nor do we urge a selfish narrowing down of all the thoughts and feelings to the small circle of one's relatives and friends; while the call of dying thousands is urging to benevolent seif-denial, and the surrendry of all for the interests of Christ's kingdom. Oh no! the sympathies which glow the brightest at home, which leap forth to gladden the hearts of others there, they are the same which respond to the wants of a wider world; and the affections which bear the richest fruitage to the inmates of the family circle, are those which twine the closest and reach the highest around the cross of a dying Savior. All that we claim is that a greater, a more distinct regard should be had to home in the business of Education. That it also be kept in view; that whatever may promote it without interfering with other claims (and there is much that may do so,) be brought into action, and directed to so important an end; and that all may more or less be so educated as to prove in the paternal mansion, abroad in society, or in their own dwelling, blessings to home. S. G. E. March, 12 1836. For the Microcosm. DESPONDENCY. How longs the pilgrim heart to find But can it bleed with keener throes, To view suspicion sternly close The lonely hour, or cruel slight, The bosom may sustain ; THE prayer of every true child of God must be acceptable in his sight; but if there is one to which he bends a more willing ear, and which he hastens to answer more than another, it is a mother's prayer. There are circumstances which conspire to render a mother's prayer for her children, a very fervent and effectual petition. One is, the natural affection, which as a mother she feels for her children. A mother's love! who does not know how much is meant by those few words? A mother's love! how pure, how devoted, how free from all the selfishness which is too apt to enter even into our best affections, how firm and enduring; ending only with life-and how know we but that in the world of spirits, the mother's heart still burns with love for the children she has left behind her in the world of sense. Again, (independent of all natural affection,) as a christian she desires the conversion of those who are still out of the ark of safety; and considering her children only as sinners, exposed to the wrath of God and to eternal destruction, her prayer for them must be a fervent one. And when we add, that the prayer is offered up not only for sinners who are still remaining in impenitence, but for those who are dearer to her than all the world beside, we can see when she prays for her own offspring, why her prayer must be an earnest and importunate cry to God, for his blessing upon those who are so dear. They are her children; "bone of her bone, and flesh of her flesh;" bound to her by a thousand endearing ties; to sever which, would be almost to break the silver cord of life. And how can she bear the thought, that they should remain exposed to the awful doom which the word of God pronounces against sinners? How can she bear the thought, that those beloved ones with whom she has lived so long in the mu tual interchange of filial and parental love, should be separated from her during the never ending ages of eternity. Under such circumstances, will not a mother's prayer for her impenitent children, be that fervent and impor. tunate prayer, which, with strong faith, will not let the Almighty go, unless he bless her? bless her in pouring out his Spirit upon her beloved children, and making them His children and heirs of eternal life? And will not such a prayer be effectual with God? I recollect once-hearing a young man of ardent piety, say, "If there is any one thing, except the goodness of God, to which I can ascribe my conversion, it is my mother's prayers. She wrestled with God day and night in my behalf, and I fully believe that her prayers, with the blessing of God, were the means of my conversion." And is there not encouragement for mothers to cease not crying to God for their impenitent children? Oh, I truly believe that the incense which rises to the throne of God from a pious mother's heart, is purer, holier and more effectual with God, than any other. Then let every christian mother cast her impenitent children upon God, pleading with heartfelt sincerity and agonizing earnestness in their behalf, and let her be assured that her prayers will be answered. God will answer such prayers, and will cause the mother's heart to rejoice within her, as she sees the tokens of the presence of the Spirit of God in the hearts of her belov ed children. New Haven, March 9. F. For the Microcosm. I LEAN UPON THEE. THOUGH troubles assail me, and danger surround; The sweet buds of promise may fade e'er they bloom ; Though bound to the world by the heart's sweetest ties; A truster to reeds. Let me lean upon thee. And in that dread hour, when my awed soul may stay No longer on earth, but is summon'd away Amid those great scenes which none living may see, When the trumpet shall sound and the graves yield their dead; "Mid the wrath which consumes, oh! still let me see A smile on thy face, as I lean upon thee. Clergymen's Wives and Families. 105 CLERGYMEN'S WIVES AND FAMILIES. In crossing the threshhold of the parsonage, we know that we are venturing upon sacred ground; and did not we mean to close the door after us, in preservation of its sanctity, while we speak of those things which are without, we should scarcely feel justified in the instrusion. There is no one evil of the present time more deserving of public reprehension, than the superintendence assumed by the community over the families of clergymen. The idea seems to be generally prevalent, that a minister in his public capacity not only, belongs to the congregation; but his wife, children and household possessions. A vigilent scrutiny is established in each department of interest connected with him; and while every other calling or profession may claim its exclusive privileges, and exclusive retirement, those who are doing the most to secure to others the blessings of domestic peace and tranquility, in the promulgation of the pure principles of the gospel, have themselves no refuge from the 'strife of tongues' or the annoyance of public interference. We have long wished to see this abuse of interest held up to general condemnation, by those who dare break from the bondage in which we are held by the opinions and conduct of others, and its illiberality and injustice find a merited rebuke. The circumstances in which clergymen's families are placed, render the allusion to these annoyances on their part, a subject of peculiar delicacy and embarrassment; leading them to endure in silence, rather than give voice to the trials which originate in the officious zeal of professed friends. Opportunities of acquaintance and frequent intercourse, have led us in many cases to a knowledge of the trouble and vexation occasioned by this kind of friendship. All those who are capable of appreciating the blessings of independence, love to appropriate a share in the management of their own domestic concerns; and when an impertinent interference from without exhibits itself in the form of dictation, although it may not materially influence the conduct of those to whom it is addressed, it cannot fail to produce irritation and constraint. The female members of a clergyman's family have to encounter trials for which there is neither remedy nor redress :-trials as vexatious in their effects, as they are insignificant often in their character. Their dress and conduct are made the subjects of severe scrutiny and censorious remark, under almost every circumstance in which they can be placed. A clergyman's wife is denied the privilege (which should be prized by every wife,) of dressing to please her husband and family;—she must dress to please the congregation!—and after all her endeavors, the task will still remain a hopeless one. We are far from advocating a disregard to propriety or public opinion;-but when we hear so much said respecting the importance of a good example in a clergyman's family, we would only ask if it be not equally incumbent on every one of us, to set a good example-in deference, charity and forbearance, as well as in the more prominent christian virtues-"Judgment, Mercy and Faith?" We should all aim to live in a manner to challenge scrutiny;-and we would be much more in the way of so doing, were the time spent in canvassing the duties of others, devoted to the fulfillment of our own. We should like to see no quarter or toleration given to the med |