250 THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS. [Written for the Mother's Assistant.] THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS. BY WM. A. ALCOTT. Is it a misapplication of the prophet's inquiry-much less a profanation of holy writ-to take for a motto, the complaint; "For who hath despised the day of small things?" I do not so regard it. The following is a family anecdote, with the writer's inferences and comments. "Mother," says a child of five, of his sister of two and a half, Emilia has a stick, and I am afraid she will break the window." 66 Well, she ought not to have it," said the mother. But the stick is retained. No measures are taken to remove it. The first child has made a report, and the report was accepted. It may be that no unnatural or improper habit of making reports is encouraged; it is even possible that to the first child no direct injury is done. He has only witnessed a neglect on the parent's part to do what it was confessed ought to be done. He does not feel aggrieved; he is only encouraged to do what he has seen his mother do, namely, neglect and undervalue justice. But how is it with Emilia? She does what her mother says ought not to be done, and what her own rising consciousness -if it responds as by this time it ought to the mother's-tells her she ought not to do. Is the effect good? It cannot be. She is injured. It is indeed a small thing, but it is wrong. I wish mothers-and not mothers alone but fathers, toowould be more careful about the very small things, of which this is a specimen. They are constantly recurring. Great things not so often. Character is moulded by the latter far less than we are wont to suppose; by little things far more. It is the frequent saying of a judicious writer on education, that we should always keep our word with children, and the remark is most just. But we should do more. We should act up to our decisions, especially in regard to our own duty. Better that no decision should be made than that we should make it, and not abide by it. Better, did I say? It is a thousand times better. First, because the child who is really doing a wrong, should be set right. Especially should this be the case when the example of wrong is likely to be repeated or followed. THE PICTORIAL BIBLE. 251 Secondly, because if the correction of a fault, or the prevention of a wrong which is acknowledged to be a wrong, is neglected, the child is led, from this very fact to undervalue justice. How can he value as he ought that which, in practice, the parent undervalues? Thirdly; the parent who says a thing ought not to be done by a child, and yet pays no farther attention to the subject, is likely to do so again and again, till a habit in this respect is acquired; and such a habit will be likely to extend to the large as well as small concerns of life. Especially will this be so, where the wrong which has been committed, or which is feared is not very inconvenient to the parent, or the parent is hard pressed at the time with employment. It is a great and most important truth-one which can hardly be too often repeated-that human character at all ages, but particularly in infancy and childhood, is formed much more from the little things of life than the great ones. The knowledge and just application of this single principle in the education of a child, would be worth more than the possession of millions-I had almost said millions of worlds. Hartford, Ct., Oct., 1843. WOMAN. In the recent work from the pen of Rev. Justin Perkins, entitled Residence in Persia, the author bears the following testimony to the value of woman in the missionary enterprise: "In connection with our exposures and sufferings, on the way to our field, it were grateful to offer a passing tribute to female fortitude in the missionary enterprise, might a husband be allowed to do it. I may at least be pardoned, for saying in general, that we witness, in many females sent out by our churches, not only the devotion which was 'last at the cross and first at the sepulchre,' but also a heroism, which is able calmly to meet and cheerfully sustain the trying emergencies that often almost crush our own sterner energies. It is pre-eminently on missionary ground that woman is a helpmeet for man.' THE PICTORIAL BIBLE.-We have received numbers 10, 11 and 12 of this splendid publication. These three numbers include that portion of the Old Testament from the 47th chapter of Ezekiel to the close of Malachi, and contain 95 engravings which throw important light upon the topography, costumes, antiquities and various eastern monuments, alluded to in the scriptures. Saxton, Pierce & Co., Boston. THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND. [Written for the Young Lady's Friend.] THE DUEL. The Rev. Mr. M BY REV. A. STEVENS. was a veteran itinerant preacher of the West. He related many incidents of his itinerant life. Among them was the following, which I give as much in his own words as possible. About four miles from N-—————, is an extensive grove, well known as the scene of several fatal duels. As I passed it one morning on my way to my appointment in that town, I perceived a horse and vehicle among the trees, guarded by a solitary man, who appeared to be the driver. My suspicions were immediately excited, but I rode on. About a mile beyond, I met another carriage, containing four persons beside the driver, and hastening with all speed. My fears were confirmed, and I could scarcely doubt that another scene of blood was about to be enacted in those quiet solitudes. What was my duty in the case? I knew too well the tenacity of those fictitious and absurd sentiments of honor which prevailed in that section of the country, and which gave to the duel a character of exalted chivalry, to suppose that my interference could be successful, yet I thought it was my duty to rebuke the sin if I could not prevent it; and in the name of the Lord I would do it. I immediately wheeled about and returned with the utmost speed to the grove. The second carriage had arrived and was fastened to a tree. I rode up to it, attached my horse near it, and throwing the driver a piece of silver, requested him to guard him. While threading my way into the forest, my thoughts were intensely agitated to know how to present myself most successfully. The occasion admitted of no delay. I hastened on and soon emerged into an oval space surrounded on all sides by dense woods. At the opposite extremity stood the principals, their boots drawn over their pantaloons, their coats, vests and hats off, handkerchiefs tied over their heads aud tightly belting their waists. A friend and a surgeon were conversing with each while the seconds were about midway between them, arranging the dreadful conflict. One of the principals, the challenged, appeared but about twenty years of age. His countenance was singularly expressive of sensibility, but also of cool determination. The other had a stout, ruffian-like bearing—a countenance easy, but sinister and heartless, and he seemed impatient to wreak his vengeance on his antagonist. I advanced immediately to the seconds and declared at once my character and my object. "Gentlemen," said I," excuse my intrusion. I am a minister of the gospel. I know not the merits of this quarrel, but both my heart and my of fice require me to bring about a reconciliation between the parties, if possible." Sir," replied one of them, "the utmost has been done to effect, it without success, and this is no place to make further attempts. "Under any circumstances, in any place, gentlemen," I replied, "it is appropriate to prevent murder; and such, in the sight of God, is the deed you are aiding. It must not be, gentlemen. In the name of the law which prohibits it-in name of your friends, the principals-in the name of God who looks down upon you in this solitary place-I beseech you prevent it at once; at least, wash your own hands from the blood of these men. Retire from the field and refuse to to assist in their mutual murder." My emphatic remonstrance had a momentary effect. They seemed not indisposed to come to terms, if I could get the concurrence of the principals. . I passed immediately to the oldest of them. His countenance became more repulsive as I approached him. It was deeply pitted with the small pox, and there was upon it the most cold-blooded leer I ever saw on a human face. He had · given the challenge. I besought him by every consideration of humanity and morality to recall it. I referred to the youth and inexperience of his antagonist-the conciliatory disposition of the seconds-the fearful consequences to his soul if he should fall, and the withering remorse which must ever follow him if he should kill the young man. He evidently |