writer, that for a Christian minister to make the graces of language and diction the end and object of his studies, rather than a collateral assistance in publishing their result, is not only useless, but criminal; I still think, that in the paper in question, attention to classical pursuits is condemned with rather too large a measure of severity. It has long been the practice of religious philanthropists, to represent in the strongest manner the claims of the poor; that they are perishing for lack of knowledge, and that their souls are worth as much as those of the rich. This is perfectly true, but it does not follow that they are worth more. The soul of a Cabinet Minister is of as much value as that of a carman, and equally in want of the bread that never perisheth. The misfortune of the poor man in having been born and educated in the deepest ignorance, is fully admitted, and readily meets with sympathy and relief; but the equally great misfortune of the rich, in being born and educated amidst prejudices which steel the heart against the influence of the truth, procures little attention and less succour.

It is not very unnatural that the preacher who attempts to convey religious instruction to the man of birth and education, in language which betrays ignorance of what his hearers have been accustomed to consider the first rudiments of even youthful knowledge, should be regarded by him as unlikely to be a proficient in the (as he thinks) abstruse science of theology, nor is it surprising that unwelcome and unwonted tidings should not be favourably received from a herald apparently so destitute of credentials. Let him follow, in this respect, the example of the unlettered fishermen of Judea, who can, like them, heal the sick, and cast out devils.

One word on the supposed connection between classical taste and flowery language, and I have done. I cannot help suspecting that the writer of the article in question, had in his eye, when he spoke of the preachers of elegant sermons, and "adorned with the graces of finished composition;" some of the half-taught students of the second or third year, heaping trope upon trope, making "ships sail through the clouds, and fishes swim in the air;" confounding all the elements of nature, and supplying, from imagination, things not to be found in heaven above, or in earth below. It is quite certain that the most homely sense is far preferable to such nonsense. But surely we never heard any thing like this from a man who had formed his style from the classical models. It was not thus that Cicero arraigned the traitor; nor did Demosthenes thus awake the slumbering patriots of Athens. single progress through the Latin grammar may prompt an attempt, by way of anticipation, upon some things which, though not found in London, may possibly be at Rome; and it is thus that a slur is cast on the very name of a classical preacher. But if the style of the pulpit " ought to be distinguished by great vigour and strength," if

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searching truths are to be addressed in powerful and searching language," and "it is confessedly a difficult attainment to acquire a masculine and resolute style, without a tincture of harshness;" then let not the candidate for the honour of having converted a sinner from the error of his ways, think it beneath him to give his nights and days to the difficult task; let him take Quinctilian for his text book, and Tully for his model, and soften down every "tincture of harshness," by familiarity with the flowing numbers of Virgil. If eloquence be "the art of per

our fears may be justified by observing the mothers, with whom the training of the infant mind must of necessity rest. Now, without supposing in them any uncommon deficiency of knowledge, love to their children, or of real piety, we may say, there are many hindrances and temptations, peculiarly belonging to their situation as wives of ministers.

Such women are, in a degree, public characters, in proportion as their husbands are in a larger or smaller circle. I have known the mother of six or eight young ones, who required, of course, her own eye, care, and labour every moment, hindered, absolutely so hindered, by morning callers, as not to be able to keep her young ones together for ten minutes. Those who called expected to be waited on; each party supposing that half an hour could be no object; and supposing, too, that if it were their individual rank and importance in the place, and subscriptions might entitle them to such an indulgence · not considering that themselves were only one of twelve or twenty parties of callers every morning. A sensible woman must groan under such useless hindrance; but she must groan to herself, for the least whisper of a sigh, in such a case, would be resented, by all such as were so thoughtless as to give occasions for it.

Again, in visiting; dinner parties consume almost a whole day in the preparation and enjoyment: and even tea parties destroy many precious hours, which might be usefully spent by any mother and mistress of a family. Yet if the minister's wife were to send an excuse, the lady of the house would think herself slighted. "She might have waited upon me." How many precious seasons in a week are, in some cases, torn thu from the real, the important duties of infantile instruction. My heart has ached

sometimes, under the smarting sufferings occasioned by such sacrifices, made not to piety or benevolence, but to custom, or variety, or imperious inconsideration. I have even thought it a great happiness to a wife and a mother, in such a case, to have just so much illness as might make an undeniable excuse for absence; especially if it were not so great as might incapacitate her for her motherly cares and duties at home, which have gone on delightfully while such enjoyments have left her own house clear from interruption.

The present day has made a minister a much more public character than formerly, by giving him other work to do in various societies, and schemes of benevolence. These have also raised the wife into more notice, and have almost forced her into a publicity not natural to her sex, not desireable, nor comporting with her domestic duties-duties which cannot be neglected without great injury.

When, on such occasions, I have seen the mother of an infant brood present at a public meeting, and have known that at home all was confusion and mischief the while, I have sighed for her; and doubted much if she were not quite out of her duty, in giving her presence where many could well fill up place; and leaving a situation, a direct charge given her by Providence, the duties of which no one but herself could fulfil.

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Were the loss occasioned, by such repeated invasions of her time, only that which a seamstress could rectify, it would not be very serious. But that wo

man does not deserve the name of mother, whose absence can be made up by any assistance. Her own eye and heart, her gentle authority, or her sweeter blandishments, are all wanted-wanted incessantly, if the minds of her chil

dren are to be cultivated, if their manners are to be formed, if their conduct is to be reprobated, and the principles which are to guide them in life are to be engrafted, fostered, and assisted in this blossoming time of the human plant divine. These plants will grow if no care is taken with them, but how distorted, how unsightly, how unproductive of the first ripe fruits. Many a ruinous self-will might be traced to this want of timely check; and I will say too, want of that soft controul which a mother's feelings dictate; and which is more powerful and more suitable to the softening some dispositions, than all the father's stern authority. This may silence the rebel, but that disarms him. Many a lively disposition has run wild, from mirth to mischief, and soon to crime, from want of watching, of instruction, of mild expostulation! Fretfulness, that bane of future life, is hardly to be detected, and cannot at all be counteracted, by those who are not incessantly on the spot. A placid countenance can be made up against Mamma comes home; and a sort of mutual understanding obtains, by which, without any compact, the little delinquents avoid telling each other's misdoings, as the only way of escaping mutual and inconvenient recriminations; what follies are indulged into habits, what vices for want of being nipped in the bud, take deep root in such circumstances. Is it any wonder that, in future life, these bear their poisonous berries, and bring disgrace and ruin upon the family, as the consequence of only being out upon a visit, or present at a public meeting.

It will be urged, perhaps, that the children are not left wholly alone, (though this must often be the case,) but are under the care of the servant, who is particularly charged to be watchful, and never

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to absent herself a moment. that "never absent yourself a moment," could be echoed in the gadding mother's ears! How easily we quiet our consciences, by devolving upon others the duties which we feel disinclined to fulfil ourselves. Will it be wonderful, will such mothers have reason to complain, if they find their servants to be no more conscientious in this case than themselves?

Indeed, the servant being left in charge with the young brood, is no palliation of the evil, but a great aggravation. Servants are generally deficient in knowledge, often destitute of principle, most commonly without any religious feeling, and sometimes absolutely vicious. Yet to such careless care are the little immortals committed, while the cruel mother deserts her paramount duties. Yes, she might remember, if she gave it a serious thought, that most of the knowledge she gained concerning things of which she ought to have remained ignorant, was from the servant; that most of the feelings indulged, which have given her pain through life, were fostered by the servant. Yet, with all this dear-bought experience, she intrusts to similar instructors the fine minds, the growing passions, the depraved souls of her immortal offspring. Betty, and Molly, and Susan, may be blamed justly; but justly too may the blame rise higher. Can such a process be called education; can it give hope of future excellence, steadiness, manners, or knowledge, in the wild things thus let loose on each other, and then on the world?

It may, perhaps, be stated, as in contrast, that when the mother is at home she is very careful of them, hears them read, and say their hymns and catechism, as often as she can, and is very strict with them. Those must know nothing of children, who can think their reasoning sound, or their

conduct satisfactory. The sentiment of Jacob may apply in this case, the children are young and tender, and if the flock be overdriven one day, all the flock will die. The mischief of one day's absence will not be repaired by the next day's care; the ruinous sentiment imbibed in one hour's baleful lesson, may lie dormant awhile, possibly, but may also burst forth, and operate to the latest hour of life. The slow poisons work the surest; because, as no symptoms give alarm, no antidotes are applied.

If the children of ministers are thus liable to peculiar neglect in their infancy, from the numerous engagements to which their mothers are exposed, we shall, perhaps, find similar negligence endangered by the father's multifarious occupations.

Their growth from infancy to childhood is gradual, and gradually should they pass from the mother's to the father's care; or better, when the mother's care still continuing, the father's endeavours are superinduced, as the rising age and evolving powers require, and will bear more close attention.

Does not the father frequently satisfy himself with thinking the mother sees after them, when his conscience tells him it is high time he took them more or less under his own care. This may relate to the sons, perhaps, with more urgent propriety than to the daughters; yet they are all his children, and have demands upon his parental feelings; and if his parental feelings are not sadly benumbed, his very affections will claim a share in the privilege of rearing the tender thought, and teaching the youug idea how to shoot. The mind of a child, in all its bearings, will find work enough for both father and mother; if they are willing jointly to cultivate that prolific field, where there is a number of children, the labour

is evidently too much for one; both had need set to the arduous task, with all their concentrated energies; happy if their whole powers prove sufficient to the business; happy if no negligence on either part produce or suffer deterioration to form the rising character.

But has the father a moment's time? If he is a man of study, which he ought to be, he must pass many hours in retirement; and he says he cannot either read or write while the children are in the room; they must be sent to their mother; all the while that he is studying, or rather, that he is in his study, they are absolutely neglected by him, as much as if they belonged to the person at next door. When this is occasioned by real necessity, it may be excused, but yet must be lamented. It is well, however, if this principle is not strained too far, and a habit of passing the children to the mothers, is not thus generated, and grows to a guilty forgetfulness of those imperious duties, which God and nature require of every father; anxiously to endeavour at his children's welfare in every possible way, and in this of their pious education, more especially.

He will add, perhaps, that his pastoral duties carry him much abroad. In a large interest, the business of visiting the sick alone, occupies many an afternoon; and renders it impossible, when away from home, to keep any regular school hours with his children. Yet, when the state of the finances occasions a necessity for taking care of other people's children, by actually keeping school, these several duties are united, and time is found for them all.

Public services not relating to his immediate charge, but to the general cause of religion in the country, the nation, the world, under the name of Bible, Tract, Missionary, and many various