From the Church of England Magazine.

THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST.

BY MRS. H. W. RICHTER.

His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth.' Psalm 72: 8.

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THE MORALITY OF PICTURES.

BY WM. A. ALCOTT.

PICTURES in books and papers-especially in those which are designed for the young-are very fashionable among us, of late, and the fashion seems to be advancing. I rejoice that it is so. There 'may be limits which, in this particular, ought not to be passed, but I believe they are, as yet, very far distant.

the

By means of pictures, the impression made on the mind through eye is much more vivid, and consequently. much more permanent. Beside, we can, with these aids, teach faster than without them; and our progress is rendered more pleasant.

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There is one thing, however, which should be carefully watched, which is the morality of pictures. They are as efficient for evil as for good, and perhaps more so. I have no hesitation in saying, that for want of a proper supervision of this matter-by somebody flood of evil, more terrible in its consequences than any of the 'seven vials' of the Revelator, is at this time about to rush upon our unhappy country.

And yet I do not believe we ought to yield ourselves to despondency, in this matter. If those who hold the reigns of power in press and pulpit, will exert the power they possess, we may yet be saved. More than even this, as has been already intimated, an agent so potent to curse, may yet be made to bless still more widely. Let a stern but honest and impartial criticism be applied to every new production of the kind alluded to, as it emerges into being. Let the religious periodicals of the land in particular, send forth, in thunder tones, if necessary, their anathemas against every attempt to put forward, in impudence, pictures of an immoral and injurious tendency. In general, however, a war will not be necessary. The still small voice, will, it is believed, prove quite sufficient.

Most of the public errors, in this particular, are the result of ignorance, or at least of thoughtlessness. Ignorance, I know, may be criminal, and thoughtlessness usually is so, more or less; still I cannot but think that for the far greater part, both these require the hand and tongue of a criticism which is mild and gentle.

Let me give an example of what I mean by a gentle criticism of this sort. If it should not instruct, it will at the least inform of my meaning.

One of the best books for children and families with which I am a book which I use daily, or almost daily, among my

acquainted

own children has, for its first picture, a scene whose morality is slightly questionable. I allude to the representation of a venerable old gentleman with a pipe in his mouth, smoking.

Now no intelligent friend of temperance, at the present day, would be likely to go so far as to portray a scene which would extend the very evils his heart deplores. In picturing a venerable friend, who, despite all the light shed on this subject, still used the decanter or the demijohn, the latter would, in all probability, be omitted.

Yet here, in the foreground of the first picture of one of the best books of one of our first writers for families and schools, we find this vulgar presentation of a tobacco-pipe. Should it be so? Will the writer himself, upon reflection, justify it? Is he not bound to inculcate, by all sorts of teaching, especially this most efficient sort, whatsoever is in its tendency pure, lovely, and of good report,' and to discourage every thing which is of a contrary tendency?

I grant, most cheerfully, that such a picture as this in a newspaper, (for adults,) or an almanac, or a novel, might not deserve notice, or at least a notice which should border at all upon severity. First, because these writings are not expected at least, not yet required -by the public sentiment, to guard the avenues to immorality. Secondly, because most of them are ignorant, or at least purblind to moral beauty; and not a few of them have their moral perception dimmed by their vices. But when we find the wisest and best of men giving countenance even to a slight departure from the loveliness of virtue and purity, a word of remonstrance should be given.

If these hints should lead the author and publishers to make a slight change in the little work alluded to, and prove the precursor of abler criticisms in a department where criticism is so much needed, at the same time that they aid the maternal readers of this journal, they will fully accomplish the purpose of the writer. Hartford, Ct., March, 1845.

'Before thy mystic altar, heavenly truth,
I bow in age, as erst I bowed in youth.
Still let me bow, till this weak form decay;
And my last hour be brightened by thy ray.'

Sir Wm. Jones.

Original.

DESULTORY THOUGHTS.

BY MRS. C. C. CONE.

THE world ever has, and always will, 'till time and nature die,' feel woman's powerful influence. It has decided the destiny of nations; has been felt in the halls of legislation, on the battle-field, in the forum, and in every department of literature and science; but especially, in the sphere allotted to her by an all-wise Providence. Here her influence, though silent, is omnipotent in infusing into the mind of the young, the principles of liberty, equality, virtue, and religion, or their opposites.

How important, then, that among the numerous efforts and institutions which are designed for the world's reformation, female education should hold a prominent place. *

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In vain we attempt to reduce young men to habits of sobriety, order, economy, and virtue, if their fair associates are extravagant, vain, and irreligious in their lives and manners. During the season of youth, the weaker govern the stronger. To fit them for this command, they should, from the first dawnings of reason, be favored with the inculcation of principles and sentiments of truth, purity, virtue, justice, and chastity. They should, also, be made acquainted with human nature, in all its varieties and developments; and, especially, should they understand and feel the true dignity of female character.

Unwearied pains should be taken to lead females, when young, to desire the ornaments of the mind rather than those of the body, and to stimulate their efforts for solid and useful acquirements, and, if possible, create a taste which despises a vain show.' They should be kept from novel reading, and from the light and senseless trash with which any country is flooded; and also, from the vain though fashionable amusements forbidden by our holy religion; all of which form the direct pathway, by gradual and easy descent to the grosser vices. I know that these are called 'innocent amusement' But why? Is their tendency moral? No. But they all tend to dissipate the mind, and make it impatient of the restraints of the necessary, useful, and honorable duties of life. Then how can they be innocent? How can they be consistent with true female dignity?

How, then, can mothers indulge their daughters in such things, and hope to see them become virtuous, useful ornaments to society?

O, ye mothers! a fearful responsibility rests upon you! To your charge, and into your forming and guiding hands are these daughters committed. Teach them to understand, and duly appreciate, their commanding influence in society. Restrain their feet from the paths of pride, vanity and folly. In one word,-Train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' and then, and only then, may you hope that your daughters will be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.'

St. Stephens, N. B., March, 1845.

'I CANNOT STAND THAT.' - And what could not the sailor 'stand?' He had stood the beatings of many a storm. Often had he mounted up to heaven, and gone down again into the depths. Many a time had his soul been melted because of trouble. Yet he has rode out the storm; trod the billowy deep boldly, and given his troubles to the winds. But now he meets something which he 'cannot stand.' What is it? He can stand the perils of a lee-shore. He can bear being a night and a day in the deep. He can buffet the hardest gale that ever blew off the 'Horn.' dure more severe labor and hardship than any he knocks under. It is the picture, on the cover of a tract, of a woman teaching a child. 'O,' said he, 'I cannot stand that; it reminds me of my poor dear mother; it is just the way she used to teach me; but she is gone;' and he burst into tears.

He can do and enother man; but now

Mother! there are no human teachings like your own. Call your boy to your side, and give him instructions warm from a mother's heart. And should that boy break away from his home, and become a rover on the deep, some little incident may recall the scenes of his early years. He, too, may be reminded of his 'poor dear mother,' who used to call him to her side, and tell him about Jesus Christ and the way to eternal life.-Sailor's Magazine.