word of God should depart from the heart as from the lips, and the servant, in waiting on the breakfast table, should be the hearer of foolish tales, idle bickering, or subjected to the ebullitions of a hasty temper?-if the tongue which, a short time before, was reading of the meek and lowly Jesus, now gives vent to passionate exclamations, or proud retorts ;— or if the sin of worldly-mindedness," Love not the world," had been the chosen theme, and the servant witness the anxiety of one, the over-carefulness of another-the multiplicity of household affairs that oppress some mistresses, and see earthly treasures, lucrative employments, or selfish amusements, sought after with an earnestness that denotes how highly they are valued. Are you aware, my Christian friends, of the stumbling-block you cast in your brother's path? How will that servant be able to reconcile your precepts with your example, and see the beauty of holiness, when the gospel is enforced by those who habitually or frequently give way to a fretful, cross, or fastidious temper, or who indulge in luxurious habits, the love of dress and fashion, worldly conversation and worldly society-things that every line of scripture directly or indirectly testifies against? Let us remember that, as the head of a family, we are in a great measure responsible for the soul of each individual, inasmuch as we are bound to give them every opportunity of learning God's will, to plead with them for their immortal souls, and warn the wicked, lest he die in his iniquity, and his blood be required at our hand.

If we have felt our need of a Redeemer, and taken at his hands the cup of his free salvation, shall we not long to draw others to the same Saviour, and

rather than be a hindrance to the least of our little ones, say with the apostle, in the sincerity of Christian love," though all things are lawful, yet, as all are not expedient, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend," (1 Cor. viii. 13;) and I am sure that the Christian mistress will often deny herself many a gratification that in itself may be harmless, and restrain the first emotions of anger or or impatience, from the consideration of its influence on the minds and tempers of others.

The habit of scolding is very easily acquired; and it is a habit, for it does not consist in telling others of their faults, reminding them of omissions, or noticing their commissions; but in harping on the same thing, until all are out of tune, fidgetting about trifles really too trifling to be worth a thought, and working up the magnifying powers, until what was at first a small evil, becomes an intolerable misfortune. I would advise my Christian friends to watch and pray against this besetment-" He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city," (Prov. xvi. 32) -and to part with a servant at the risk of any inconvenience, rather than endanger the peace of their own soul, and the comfort of all around.

I have seen much benefit arise from intimate acquaintance with the spiritual state and necessities of our servants. I knew a young lady who, from the time she was herself awakened from the sleep of spiritual death, and tasted that "the Lord is gracious," never allowed a servant to enter her father's house without taking the first opportunity of ascertaining the state of their souls. She did not force the subject ab

ruptly; but on Sabbath evenings, when one might have been left at home, or if confined to their room by sickness, or depressed by any outward affliction, she found many ways of first winning their confidence by little acts of kindness, gentleness of manner, and patience under provocation, by which means she was enabled to enter into conversation with them, and, by heart-searching appeals from scripture, pressed upon them with simple enquiries, she was, under God, the means of directing several careless sinners to the solemn investigation, ' Am I, or am I not, a child of God?' Some servants staid but a short time, and would listen to her general admonitions as to an idle tale; she would then, before they left the house, always take them aside, and, telling them the motives that influenced her, affectionately entreat them to consider, "What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Since that time she has been gladdened by the assurance, that these parting admonitions were often blessed to her thoughtless hearers; and it has frequently, very frequently happened, that at night; when retired to her own room, and she had thought herself the only watchful member of the family, a gentle knock at her door has startled her, a low voice has entreated permission to share her hour of prayer, and meditation of the word of God; some, too, who had long seemed to neglect every warning, and disliked every thing connected with religion.

There is nothing more injurious, both to servant and mistress, than undue familiarity, and that hateful spirit of gossip, that sometimes exists between them, whereby so much mischief has been caused amongst friends, so much dissension in families, and which is

so totally opposed to the precepts of the gospel; but, on the other hand, nothing is more delightful than to unite in the exercise of Christian privilege, and take that interest in their spiritual welfare, which strengthens the bond of brotherhood in Christ, without the least infringement of the dignity of their character as master or mistress. Did this principle more generally regulate the conduct of our household rulers, it would make them more ready to extenuate the faults, and sympathize in the sorrows of the humblest member of their family, and I think we should less frequently hear the complaint of particular mistsesses on the one hand, and unprofitable servants on the other.

LOUISA L

HANNAH MORE.

OBSERVING the honoured and revered name of Hannah More introduced in a paper published in the last Christian Lady's Magazine, signed R. H. F.,' as making one of the 'female host, who, having thrown aside the scissors and the bodkin, brandished the goose-quill with an energy and perseverance truly admirable,' I would remind the writer, who speaks thus in scorn, that Hannah More has, indeed, brandished the goose-quill, and that the effect of that brandishing has been instrumental (through the mercy of God) in awakening the souls of many to a deep sense of their helpless, sinful state by nature; yes, many, who have since, perhaps, been led to carry doctrine higher than their first Instructress, still acknowledge, with affectionate gratitude, that piercing convictions of sin were awakened in their minds through her instrumentality. Many letters could be produced in corroboration of this assertion, from some of the shining lights of the present day. But, as by the heading of the paper, and by the manner of your correspondent's treating the subject, it is clearly discernible that R. H. F. attaches supreme importance to the act of sewing, for his information I can assure him, that Hannah More, even in the zenith of her fame, (not allowing herself the indulgence of a servant,) did herself actually wield 'the scissors and the bodkin,' with much effect, and