is of transcendent concern. Let her measure the responsibilities that attach to her position. A faithful daughter, a kind sister, a disinterested inmate, no less than the parent, must habitually realize that around that little spot, her home, she is distilling and must distil, either dews that fertilize the spirit, or nightdamps which destroy whatever they may touch.

Consider the demands of her country upon woman. Sparta required her women to bear arms in war. Rome called on hers for the austere virtues of heathenism. During the French Revolution, we are told, that the wives and daughters of the celebrated artists gave their jewels to extinguish the national debt. Would that they had added the fairer gift of the Christian graces.

She who shapes so emphatically the destinies of home, should be aware of the calls of patriotism on her sex. We have read of a family in which the daily conversation of both sexes is, "What can I do for my country?" Rare as this example may be, we earnestly hope that, through a sense of her high obligations to her country, woman will everywhere emulate its spirit.

But how shall we describe the paramount necessity of woman's devotion to the interests of Religion? Christianity regards her as a human being, equal in moral power to man, and accountable to the same God and Judge with him. Our religion has elevated her sex from Pagan degradation, and expects a commensurate return, in her superior virtue. Let her then

give, first, her own soul to God, and then show forth in her works the spirit of her Saviour. By the study of the Scriptures; by establishing herself in a rational faith; by an humble profession of her belief in the Lord Jesus; by diligence in the Sunday instruction of the young, and by a series of benevolent and charitable offices among the sick and the needy, let her requite the love of God as manifested in the Gospel.

How can one of this sex, constitutionally gifted with strong and enduring affections, sequestered from man's peculiar temptations, and summoned by unnumbered considerations to meditate on heaven, be other than pious, other than a beacon-light on the rock-girt coast of human life? What can she offer at the judgment-seat of Christ, if she have denied him on earth.

Let every maiden then reflect seriously, and as in the presence of her God, upon this important talent of influence committed to her trust. Let her remember that, it is hers to form those who may be committed to her charge, either into angels of light, or into demons of darkness. Long has female influence been felt and acknowledged; and though the homage paid to it in the ages of chivalry might be fanciful, and in some respects erroneous, yet it displays most lamentable ignorance, or most contemptible prejudice, to deny that it was productive of the most important results. Man was softened and humanized even by the fair creatures whose weakness he at once pitied and de

spised. But a new light has arisen upon her path, her moral equality with man is acknowledged; and that she gives the tone to the morals of her age and country cannot be disputed.

Feeling this to be true, how immeasurably does it increase their amount of responsibility. How careful should they be to keep themselves "unspotted from the world." Let them, in all their efforts to make others happy, either in the domestic circle, or in the cheerful scenes of social life, take care never to sacrifice principle to expediency. Let all their efforts be directed to the utile, regulated by Christian maxims, and tending to the production of practical Christian results. Upon the right direction and employment of their influence depend the moral destinies of the world.

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CHAPTER III.

THE EDUCATION OF WOMAN.

None can be disciples of the GRACES, but in the school of VIRTUE; and those who wish to be LOVELY, must learn early to be GOOD. Hawksworth.

HAVING spoken of the Capacities of the sex, and also of their Influence, we are now prepared to answer the great questions-"How should woman be educated? Under what training should she be placed? and what is the end of her tuition?"

First, we reply, she should be educated as a human being, possessed in common with man, of an intelligent, moral, and spiritual nature. Christianity recognises no distinction of the sexes, so far as the broad principles of piety and virtue are concerned. Both are endowed with the same conscience. To each is allotted the same sphere of discipline; and unto both is the Gospel of Christ, in its solemn appeals, its sacred encouragements, hopes and promises, and its fearful sanctions, alike addressed.

Contemplate this holy companionship, and how insignificant seem those barriers raised between the two

sexes, in some ages and countries, by the pride, the caprice, and the despotism of man. Are we destined to a common moral tribunal? Pitiful indeed is his spirit, who, for any fancied or real outward advantages, shall, with the ancient philosopher, "thank God that he was born a man, and not a woman." And contracted or misjudging must she be, who allows herself even in the secresy of her heart, to look on one of the opposite sex with the murmur, "O that heaven

In all

that is noblest,

man.

Defile not thy

Thank God that thou

had made me such a man!" purest, divinest, thou art a spirit with invidious prayers. dost share with man all that dignifies him, all that is worthy the high aspirations of immortality. Educate thyself as a human being; unfold the godlike powers, which are thy joint possession with man; prize and improve thy blessed partnership in the bequest of the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt rejoice evermore.

Nor is this view at variance with the position that to woman is assigned a peculiar sphere of duty and action. Her gifts differ, in some most important respects, from those of man. Her station and relations in life are not his.

A second point then is this, that she should be so educated as to know her appropriate sphere. There are two errors in this respect, which she is liable to commit. She may undervalue her capacities, and imagine that, being able to acquire or perform little, nothing need be attempted; or that her influence is