both depend, more than all else, on the stability of family government; and the latter depends in no trifling degree, on the habit of saying Yes and No.

The power to say Yes and No to ourselves, and to obey ourselves as well as command, is of the highest value in all the conditions and relations of life. Let it be but once acquired by a whole generation, and the cause of human happiness would advance with a rapidity hitherto unknown.

The cause of education, also, would advance greatly, both in the family and the schools. One great difficulty with the young, in the way of their progress, is an unwillingness to apply themselves closely. Their judgment is on the side of hard study, but inclination perhaps, in some cases, indolence—is against it. They know inclination is wrong, but they have not learned to say No to her. Hence it is that they do not apply themselves more closely; and hence it is that they are not better scholars. So, also, in physical and moral education. The progress of the young, in health and virtue, would be vastly increased, if they had but learned to say Yes and No.

Let parents, then, be exhorted on this subject. Let them not regard it as a 'little' thing; 'for who hath despised the day of small things?' Let them not regard it as one of the things which may be deferred to an uncertain hereafter; it is for their life,' and the life of those who are to come after them. Let them begin the work of reform now. 'He hath his work half done who hath it well begun.' Hartford, Ct.

HOME.

O how sacred is that home where every word is kindness, and every look affection! Where the ills and sorrows of life are borne by mutual effort, and its pleasures are equally divided; and where each esteems the other more worthy; where a holy emulation abounds to excel in offices of kindness, and affectionate regard; where the livelong day, the week, the month, the year, is a scene of cheerful and unwearied effort to swell the tide of domestic comfort, and overflow the heart with some new-born enjoyments. That home may be the humblest hovel on earth; but there heart meets heart, in all the fondness of a full affection. And wherever that spot is found, there is an exemplification of all that is lovely and of good report among men. It is heaven begun below.

PREVALENCE OF A MOTHER'S PRAYERS.

WHILE laboring in the town of

New York, says a clergyman, I became acquainted with a family, consisting of the father, mother, and five sons. Of this family, the mother alone was pious. Her melting heart went up continually to God, in supplication for his blessing on herself and her offspring. Fervent ejaculations, like the following, ascended from her anxious spirit. 'O Lord, give me grace to train up my dear children for thee. Help me to instruct them, to pray for them, and to set a pious example before them. Ever impress my mind with the solemn obligations which devolve upon me. O may I always feel that without thy grace to renew and sanctify my offspring, all my labors for their good will be unavailing. Now, Lord, give me faith to consecrate them to thee, through the name of Jesus Christ my Redeemer.'

When I first became acquainted with the family, the father was intemperate, and of course neglectful of business; and the children were mostly from home, laboring to procure a comfortable support for themselves and their parents. Within a few weeks from the commencement of my ministerial labors in that place, several of the sisters in the church (among whom was the mother of this family) agreed to set apart a season, at 11 o'clock each day, to implore the blessing of Almighty God on their respective families. Not long had this concert been observed, before it was ascertained that several individuals belonging to these families, were convinced of sin, and anxious to know the way of salvation. The two eldest sons of this godly mother were among the inquirers. Encouraged by this discovery, she became uncommonly solicitous for the salvation of her children, especially those who were serious. One day, after coming from the 11 o'clock concert, she said to a Christian friend, 'I have had peculiar exercises to-day, while praying for my family. I believe the Lord is about to do a great work for them. Her sons were at this time, as I mentioned above, living from home, in another neighborhood. The evening of the same day I had a lecture in that part of the town, and the second son was present. While the people were assembling, as I stood at the door of the schoolhouse, this youth came to me with tears of joy, and in a low tone of voice said, 'I hope I have found the Saviour! He appears precious to me! I don't know but I am deceived, but I hope not.' After

giving him some advice, the people being collected, I went into the meeting. This young man, who before was gay and thoughtless, has from that time given evidence of a saving change.

In about two weeks from the lecture just mentioned, her oldest son came out boldly on the Lord's side. In two months more the fourth son, after having been deeply impressed for some time, began to express a trembling hope that his sins were pardoned. Three months later, the father was brought to feel himself to be a guilty, perishing sinner. His soul was full of anguish in view of his past sinfulness of heart and life. After a week of restless nights and anxious days, he submitted himself to Christ. Three months from this, the third son (the only adult member of the family who had remained unaffected) became serious and cried out, 'What shall I do to be saved?' In a few days his soul found peace in the Saviour.

The father and four sons have all united with the church, of which the mother was a member. I have seen this praying woman communing at the Lord's table with her husband and all her adult children. And I have heard this father and each of these sons, at different times, lead in family worship. Two of the sons are now studying for the gospel ministry.-Pastor's Journal.

Boston, July, 1845.

Original.

SACRED SONG.

BY MISS H. J. WOODMAN.

SHIELD us, Father! day declines,
Evening's star serenely shines;
Cooler breezes on the wing,
Tributes of refreshment bring;
All the forest birds are still,
Save the plaintive whip-poor-will.

Softly flow the sluggish rills,
While upon the thousand hills,
Falls the pale and mellow light
Of the rising Queen of night;
Silence broods on earth, in air,
"T is the evening hour of prayer.

Ere these wearied frames repose,
Or in sleep our eyelids close,
Hear our grateful evening hymn,
Thou, whose eye is never dim.
Let it mingle with the songs
Uttered by celestial throngs!

Ir is said the late Dr. Spurzheim, in selecting a companion for life, made choice of a lady who had passed through uncommon scenes of calamity. He considered great mental suffering necessary to the formation of human character and to the development of the highest and purest qualities of the soul. There is philosophy in the idea, as well as prudent calculation.

THE

Young Lady's Friend.

Original

JAMES WINFIELD.

BY REV. DANIEL H. BABCOCK.

JAMES WINFIELD was a young man of promise. His childhood gave full proof of parental fidelity. A distinguished college had conferred upon him its most substantial honors. In the school of the prophets he had acquired that knowledge of the divine economy and government, which enabled him to unfold and defend the principles of that gospel, which had for years been dear to his heart. A prosperous church and numerous people had invited him to instruct them in sacred things. He had accepted their call; and holy men, with solemn rites, inducted him into the responsible office. One thing only was wanting to fill out his plan of usefulness, namely, a companion of his toils; one who, by her cheerful smile, would dispel the clouds that are ever rising from the surface of this selfish world.

With a view to find one to fill so important a place, he consulted with the patriarch of his day. As he made known his object, the patriarch replied, 'I greatly sympathise with you in your solicitude to fill that station with one who will adorn it one who will increase rather than diminish your influence. It is true, the giddy world make light of this subject, and turn it to mirth and laughter; but, ah! they cannot laugh away the cheerful smile which plays on the cheek of him who is sustained by abiding love and judicious coöperation; nor the gloom of him whose companion, like Job's, urges him to curse God and die. If you mistake on this point, you cannot be highly useful. You may have every qualification and facility for doing good; but an injudicious companion will counteract your efforts, and defeat your plans. You may attempt to rise, but she will drag you down; and you might as well escape from the