tions which touch both old and young in mutual relationship, the exhibition of the character and principle of the Christian daughter should not be without spiritual profit to any. Sons and daughters, parents and children, young and old, should none of them hear Christian doctrine applied in the formation of the character of the Christian daughter, unmoved by that measure of personal interest which each should, through grace, entertain and apply. There are great principles in the doctrine of Christ's holy gospel common to all our relationships; and as, in the general, we are taught, that "without faith it is impossible to please God," so, unless our various duties, as professed disciples of Jesus Christ, be grounded upon the pure word of sound doctrine, they do not distinguish us, in God's sight, from the world of unbelievers. With this preliminary caution, I proceed to the consideration of the subject more immediately before us.

The character spoken to in the text is the well-known scripture representation of the virtuous wife; and, at the conclusion of her many virtues, and unquestioned piety as a wife, it is added, "Many daughters have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all." She had been faithful in the duties of a first relationship, and therefore was prepared, as “a woman that feareth the Lord," (ver. 30,) for those which should succeed. Like the Christians of the Macedonian churches, who were prepared for the exercise of true charity towards their suffering brethren, because "they first gave their ownselves to the Lord," (2 Cor. viii. 5,) she, who has endeavoured to act upon the knowledge and practice of the gospel, in the relationship of the daughter, is best prepared for the more important and responsible duties of the Christian wife: whereas she who has been "a thankless child," under her parents' roof, presents but a frail expectation of conferring, or

of enjoying, domestic happiness under any subsequent relationship. The sin of irreverence towards parents is peculiarly and awfully marked under a very strong figure in holy scripture:-" The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." (Prov. xxx. 17.) And our divine Saviour pronounced a heavy condemnation against those who dishonoured their parents, and so "made the " fifth "commandment of God of none effect "their "tradition," declaring all their worship to be "in vain." Dishonouring their earthly parents, they could not honour God. "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." (Matt. xv. 6. 8.) But in the instance of female character before us, her praise as a daughter is written in the book of life; and it remains as a lesson for those that should come after. And

by

how glorious a thing is it to be thus spoken of in the word of God! No tribute of human applause; none of that honour which is yielded to the successful ambition of the worldly great, can equal it. If it be once testified of us in the truths of the divine word, that, through grace, we are as "the brother, whose praise is in the gospel, throughout all the churches, (2 Cor. viii. 18,) we are in possession of that which "is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto" it, (Prov. iii. 15.)

Here, then, is the praise of the Christian daughter. God himself "sets to his seal that it is true:" and while it is written of every thankless and disobedient child, "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him ; (Prov. xvii. 25;) here is the scripture character of one who "hears the instruction of" her "father, and forsakes not the law of" her "mother." (i. 8.) While

her feelings are influenced by the consolations of nature, her conscience bears testimony to the power of divine grace, and her tongue thankfully utters what her heart conceives-" I was my father's " child, "tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live." (iv. 3, 4.)

We have already seen, in a former discourse, and are constantly required to remember the high dignity which our divine Lord and Master has been pleased to confer upon the character of the Christian wife, inasmuch as she forms the relationship which mystically subsists between Christ and his church. But the Christian daughter, in a certain measure, partakes of the same honour for in the scriptural treatment of the bride, the Lamb's wife, the former relationship is not passed by. "King's daughters were among thy honourable women:" "And the daughter