the hearts of those who are united unto him by faith?-Even so the wife must manifest the most cordial attachment towards her husband. No human being must be permitted to usurp a place in her heart in preference to him. Christ, indeed, ought always to have the first place; but the husband has a just claim to the next, in her affections. When this attachment is felt by a wife towards her husband, it will discover itself in various ways. True love is an active principle in behalf of whatever object it is fixed upon. Favourable oppor tunities will be embraced to perform many little acts of kindness, a tender sympathy will be manifested on all occasions which call for it, a spirit of forbearance will be exercised should any unpleasant circumstances require it, and affectionate allow ances will be made for unavoidable failings, whenever sincere love sways the heart.

And here I must beg leave to inquire, to which of you, who are partners in the marriage-contract, the text is applicable in reference to the above observations? Res pecting which of you can it with propriety be said" She hath done what she could" to convince her husband of her sincere and undivided affection for him, to conciliate his esteem, and to excite a mutual exercise of kind feelings and offices towards each: other? To all such persons the marriage union will almost necessarily prove a source

of unspeakable happiness. Owing to a want, however, of an exercise of this sincere affection, how many families are involved in misery, and how frequently do the bonds of wedlock become a most galling yoke! Surely, therefore, it is needless to urge you to cultivate and exemplify, as much as possible, sincere affection towards your husbands!

In addition to this branch of your duty, I shall now call your attention to that of reverence. All will allow that God's appointments are best, and that every duty which he enjoins ought to be done with an eye to his glory. According to the Divine appointment, however, the authority of go verning is invested in the husband, and reverence and obedience are the province of the wife. Thy desire," said the Almighty to Eve," shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." "Let the wife see that she reverence her husband," is the injunction of St. Paul. If then, my female friends, you value the authority and appoint ment of God, respectfully and affectionately "be in subjection to your own husbands; even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters ye are so long as ye do well." It is to be feared, however, that some may reply" Our partners are exceedingly unreasonable, they abuse their authority, and treat us in a very unbecoming

manner." This is indeed a lamentable complaint, and implies great misconduct on their part. They are chargeable with a high degree of criminality, in the sight both of God and man. But notwithstanding this, it will not justify you for acting improperly towards them. Their sinful and unbecoming deportment, cannot afford any reason that a similar conduct should be adopted by you. This would be suffering their sin to be an occasion of your guilt; and be acting as if you supposed you might offend God, merely on account of others doing so. But what a degree of absurdity and inconsistency would this argue! Exercise, therefore, I beseech you, my friends, particular caution lest you be led into this error. Remember that a regard to God's glory should lead you to submit to his authority in all things; and be assured that his authority, with respect to the conduct due to your husbands, most intimately concerns you. Here allow me to observe, that the submission which I have in view, is not that which arises from a slavish dread; but from a sense of affection, propriety, and advantage. It is exercised from a conviction that God's appointments are the best; and from a persuasion that if no subordination were observed, the result would be almost perpetual strife and contention. The following caution, however, it will be well to notice :-When the commands of the husband are contrary to the commands of God,

it is the duty of the wife to obey God rather than man.

Another branch of her duty, which it will be proper to illustrate, relates togoodmanagement. It has on a former occasion been shewn, that making provision for the family, is the province of the husband. Of course, it becomes the wife to use that provision well. It may be said, therefore, of every prudent wife," she hath done what she could" in managing with economy her household affairs. Her best judgment has been exercised; carefulness and industry have been strictly observed; and an eye to her husband's advantage, as well as her own, has regulated her deportment, in domestic concerns. In order to promote good management, a wife will also find it necessary to be a "keeper at home," to avoid laying out money on needless and foolish trifles, and to observe a proper medium in the dress both of herself and her children. I need not remark, that good management greatly consists in promoting cleanliness, and in rendering the habitation as neat and comfortable, as circumstances will allow.

If such, however, be the duty of the wife, what can we think of those females, who, instead of keeping at home, are wandering about from house to house, being tatlers and busy bodies; and who are squandering

away their husbands' property, just as fancy and inclination suggest? Ah! what little idea have some women of rendering their homes comfortable, their persons respectable, and of employing their time to the best advantage! I sincerely wish that these hints may have a good effect on those for whom they are intended, and lead them to a more becoming deportment. I would more especially urge professors of religion to give them due attention. It is to be feared, that such persons are far from being sufficiently aware of the importance and responsibility of their conduct, in the different particulars which have been illustrated. religion is calculated to make the conduct better in every relative duty. In proportion to its influence on the heart, it will make better wives, better mothers, and produce a better deportment towards all mankind. I now proceed to notice,

II. The duty of a mother.

Real

This duty was in some degree illustrated under the last particular; for in good manage ment the duty of a mother is included in that of a wife. What I have in view under this head, will relate to a mother's conduct in the government of children. The father's duty in this respect, it is true, was considered on a former occasion; but since the mother is more concerned in household