still bring forth fruit unto old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." "Like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Religion, it has already been observed, will exert its influence in the formation of acquaintance and connexions in life. It ought-it will, if genuine and vigorous— preserve from forming any but such as are suitable and beneficial; for what concord hath Christ with Belial? or how can the disciple of Christ endure the thought of connecting herself with his enemies? and when connexions are formed, religion will teach and enable conscientious young persons to act in them with consistency, propriety, and usefulness. As they advance in life, the happy subjects of religion will walk within their house in a perfect way, and command their children and their household after them to keep the ways of the Lord. Their children and servants will be assembled around the domestic altar, and conducted to the house of God; while the pious consistency of the example they witness in the heads of the family will carry to their minds irresistible convictions of the truth and importance of the religion they profess; and will probably be the means, under the Divine blessing, of leading them to become partakers of it. They, in their turn, will enter into other families, and carry into them the savour of piety, and thus to an incalculable extent, and to distant generations, good may be extended by the early piety of one individual!

Then, what a delightful retrospect will be afforded to declining age in the review of a long

life, all devoted to God. Many, many imperfections will be recollected and grieved over; and a good hope through grace will repose on the merits of Jesus Christ alone; yet there will be a delightful consciousness of sincerity and self-dedication : "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not "-" All thy ways with me have been faithfulness and truth' "Not one good thing has failed me of all that the Lord my God has spoken "I have waited for thy salvation, O God"- "I will go in the strength of the Lord God, making mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only "_" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me at that day"—"I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Such, dear young reader, are some of the privileges of early piety; and will not you, from this day, cry unto God, "My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?" May you be enabled to do so in sincerity and truth; may you be satisfied early with Divine mercy; then will you rejoice and be glad all your days.

I cannot quite close this chapter without reminding you that man is a sinner, and has wandered far from God, and therefore religion must begin in a return to Him; that there is only one way in which God will accept and receive sinners, namely, through the atoning sacrifice of his dear

Son; for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;" that as a sinner you are averse to good and prone to evil, and that you can do nothing aright but by the assistance of the Holy Spirit working in you, both to will and to do; that it is your duty and privilege by earnest prayer to seek the gift of the Holy Spirit; that if you would live a life of holy obedience and usefulness, you must live a life of daily communion with God; and that if you are a possessor of the grace of God in truth, it will effectually teach you, what it always teaches when it brings salvation, to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts," and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER IV.

THE YOUNG FEMALE IN HER EMPLOYMENTS.

THE remark already made in reference to intellectual pursuits will equally well apply to active employments: they should at once be regulated with regard to the discharge of present, and the preparation for future duties. We shall now address a few remarks to those young females who depend on their own exertions for their support, away from the parental roof-to those who are engaged at home-and to those who are much employed in sacred and benevolent intercourse.

A few hints will be given first to those young females who have to look to their own exertions as a source of support. This is a very common case, and should by no means be considered a hardship or disgrace. There is nothing more sweet and honourable than with quietness to work and eat our own bread. The very habit of industry is pleasant and valuable. Considering the precarious nature of all worldly property, it is desirable that every young person should be acquainted wi

some profitable employment, to which she can apply herself, in case of need; and even should she rise in life, knowledge and activity are easily transferred and accommodated to circumstances; but indolence and thriftlessness are contemptible and ruinous wherever they are found.

The young person who has to depend entirely or chiefly on her own resources for support, will do well to discriminate in the choice of an employment; and having chosen it, to weigh well its peculiar dangers and advantages, that she may best guard against the one and improve the other. Health is an object of primary importance. It is too often sacrificed to sedentary employments, long hours, and confined situations. These things should be duly considered previous to entering on an engagement. It is a short-sighted policy, which, for the sake of greater nominal gains, takes up a pursuit, by which health, and consequently the ability to labour are sacrificed, or at least endangered; but when the employment is taken up, it is at least the part of wisdom to make the best of it, and to counteract rather than aggravate its evils. For example; if the employment is sedentary, the recreation should be active, and taken in the open air. If the hours of work are long, let them commence early in the morning rather than be protracted late in the evening. If the apartment is close and confined, at least let in all the air that can be admitted, by opening all the doors during the intervals of work; let it also be kept cool and fresh by being frequently swept and dusted. This is a matter of great importance, but frequently overlooked by milliners