fluence of a corrupt world will too probably efface the immediate impression, but in the seasons of affliction which await all in their passage through life, its power may be revived; the happiness tasted in an hour of solemn meditation and prayer, may be remembered when the mind is wearied with worldly images, and the heart longs for solid comfort. From former experience of the love of God, the wanderer may be induced to say, "I will arise and go to my Father"-to my heavenly Father, in whose mercy the penitent finds peace, in whose presence there is "fulness of joy."

We have also been led to desire the benefit of a large and valuable class of persons, whose instruction is, perhaps, too little considered-we allude to servants. We wish to call the attention of Christian ladies to the duty of devoting a portion of time to their instruction. Religious endeavours should begin in our own hearts; then be extended to those nearest to us, as our children; then to our servants; next to dependents, tenants, &c. in short, to all those whom God has placed within our influence. Every individual may be considered as the centre of a circle; and if each were to embrace all the opportunities of usefulness, which come within the limits of

that circle, the good which, under the divine blessing, might be effected, is incalculable. May we not sometimes go out of our sphere, instead of seriously endeavouring to fulfil the obligations within it? Might not a solid, if not an extensive benefit result from the private instruction of servants? Those who are prevented from moving in a wider sphere, will find, within their own immediate influence, souls whom they should seek to save from death. (James v. 20; Rev. xx. 6.)

It may be said, that in Christian families, servants have the advantage of family prayers, that they have opportunities of attending public worship, and the use of religious books. These are great privileges, and we would not undervalue them; still we conceive it is the duty of every mistress, if possible, to give her servants private instruction. The mind and heart of servants, as well as of children, should not only be acted upon, but brought into action ; otherwise with the advantages usual in religious families, they may remain ignorant of almost the first principles of Religion. How few Servants can be said to be well instructed in the Scriptures! Private instruction should succeed public instruction, otherwise they will often be found to have profited very little by

what they have heard; in many cases they may have understood but little of it. But even sup

posing servants to be well acquainted with Scripture, and to be fully capable of understanding the truths they hear, will not every pious mistress be desirous of ascertaining that they receive benefit from the means of grace? Will not the mother, who is anxious for the souls of her children, feel solicitous for the souls of her servants? Will she not remember that they are immortal beings, and in a measure committed to her trust? Is it not, moreover, a matter of direct importance to her that her Servants should be in a state to exercise a good influence upon her children?-Should not the mistress of every family endeavour to encourage the weak and tender minded, to warn the careless-to enquire whether they are in the habit of private prayer, to exhort them to the duty, and instruct them how to perform it?

One object of this little volume, is to assist Christian ladies in the instruction of their families. Some may be discouraged by want of practice, and almost at a loss how to begin. A few verses of Scripture may first be read, and with a little variation, the method we have recommended for children may be pursued: a

word or sentence being selected, questions may be asked, with references to the Bible. We might hope the blessing of God would attend these humble labours; that which was at first an exercise of self-denial to mistress and servant, might become a mutual benefit. Such employments may too often be neglected, because attended with difficulty, and with apparently little fruit; they make no outward shew, they may even be despised, but God will not lightly regard them; if there be little present satisfaction attached to them, there may be blessed results. Let us simply do our duty, and leave the effect with Him to whom each soul belongs. Should any say they have nothing to impart, it is true they have not in themselves; all real good proceeds from God: but were we to live nearer to the fountain of good, we shouid find the streams of grace flow plenteously into our own souls, and cause them to overflow to others.

A lady, who has been many years dead, was in the habit of paying great attention to the instruction of her female servants; she taught them not only on Sundays, but when her other engagements permitted, during the week. Three of these servants, under the divine blessing, received their first religious impres

sions through her instrumentality.

Two of them have entered into rest. One was enabled, on her death-bed, to give a blessed testimony to the power of religion; she bore a painful disease with humble, peaceful resignation; her whole hope rested on Jesus the Saviour. Before her death, she earnestly exhorted, one after another, the members of her large family, to private and family devotion.

We are conscious of very many defects in the performance of this little work; we have not attained the simplicity of expression, nor even of thought which we desired. We hope that the faults will be overlooked in consideration of the object; and that the attempt to practise the plan will improve and recommend it.

The individual education of the soul is of infinite importance. Here we are all at school. Let all, in their measure, make heavenly truths their study-they will derive from them inestimable benefit. Even those, who by the grace of God, have been called from this evil world, and who sincerely desire to love their Redeemer, lose much of the blessedness they might attain, through the prevalence of sensible, temporary objects.