that many instead of one of your company been left behind ;-that your carriages had be broken down, and every other misfortune h befallen you that can be imagined :—what the your day's pleasure would have been spoiled, is true; but it was only a day, and now all i over. Now, this is just the state of the case wit regard to time and eternity; only the compari son falls far short of the truth. They who, de voted to the pleasures of this life, take no care to ensure an entrance into that rest, act infinitely more unwisely than you would have done, il for the sake of enjoying that one day's recreation, you had left your house to be overrun with robbers, or destroyed by fire; knowing, that upon your return at night, you would have no shelter, no home, no father to receive you.

But is it true, that our youthful hopes are so fallacious, that there are so many drawbacks to our pleasure, and that there is so large a mixture of pain? What does this teach us?-first, not to give life a wrong name: after all, it is not a day of pleasure, but of business. We came into life not to please ourselves, but to do the will of Him that sent us; and especially, "to work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Again, we should learn hereby "not to set our affections on things below :" it is to teach us this lesson, which we are slow to learn, that so many trials are allotted us. Our Heavenly Father does not willingly afflict and disappoint us. He does it in mercy, to wean us from the world to which we cling. We should also learn by the disappointments attending our schemes, not to desire to order our own lot in life; since we can

Iforesee how they will succeed, nor what will et promote our welfare. Let us leave it to hn, who sees the end from the beginning, and no will then cause" all things to work together our good." Above all, let us learn to care s for the things of time, and more for those eternity. Do not our years pass like "a tale at is told?" "Let us therefore fear, lest a romise being given us of entering into His rest, ny of us should seem to come short of it."

Thus grand-papa concluded his discourse; hich, thinking it might prove instructive to others as well as to ourselves, I have, as I promsed, transcribed it for the perusal of the reader.

V.

FASHIONS FOR OCTOBER.

“Be clothed with humility," and have "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

THIS is the most graceful, becoming, and, at the same time, novel costume that has ever solicited public patronage. The mantle is of the most exquisite hue and delicate texture; tastefully decorated with the above-mentioned costly brilliants; and will be found to unite every advantage of utility and elegance. This dress is suitable to all seasons, and is considered equally becoming to the young and the old. It posses

ses extraordinary durability; is less liable to take a soil than any other material, and retains its freshness and novelty to the last. It falls over the person in the most graceful folds; and is so adjusted as to veil every blemish, and set off the least favorable figure to the best possible advantage. The color usually preferred for this costume is invisible green, which casts the most delicate shade upon the whole form, and produ ces an effect indescribably agreeable and preposessing. Nothing can be more tastefully imagined, than the ornament with which this mantle is finished; and although this jewel is pronounced by the best judge to be of immense value, it may be obtained upon very reasonable terms. It is so delicate in hue, and so chaste and simple in its workmanship, that it has been mistaken, by unskilful observers, for an ordinary pebble: but connoisseurs instantly recognize it, and allow it to be "more precious than rubies." Notwithstanding the many recommendations it possesses, this dress has never become common, although universally approved. It was once worn as a royal robe, and has ever since been held in high estimation and general use, among the subjects of the great prince who first introduced it.

The figurative language of the Bible will always allow of the most plain, and practical interpretation. When our Lord, for instance, relates the parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who sold all that he had to obtain one of great price, we are not to regard it as an entertaining fable. Its meaning is plainly this, that

eternal life is of such incalculable value, that it is infinitely worth while to part with every thing that must be sacrificed to its attainment. The merchant sold his all to gain one pearl; for, by this means, he would abundantly enrich himself: he acted wisely therefore, for the children of this world are, in their generation, wiser than the children of light." In like manner, whatever we may resign of present pleasure or advantage with a view to our eternal welfare, will prove so unspeakably advantageous in the end, that nothing but the grossest blindness and inattention to our own interests, could make us unwilling to do so.

The language of the apostle Peter, quoted above, is no less plain and practical in its import. The apparel he recommends, is no fancy dress which we are not really expected to wear. On the contrary, we may, we must, if we are Christians, be thus clothed with humility, and have the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Some of our young readers would probably hear with considerable interest, that the most becoming dress and the most brilliant jewels ever worn, were offered for their acceptance. Now, this is truly the case. Clothed with humility, and adorned with a meek and quiet spirit, they would richly attired than in the most costly array. Who then will turn away disappointed from such a gift, and think some sparkling bubble more desirable! Oh! remember in whose sight this ornament is of "great price." It is well to pause and reflect closely upon such an assertion. Many such passages of Scripture are, it is to be feared, passed over with slight atten

be more

tion, so that their force and beauty are little per ceived. Many perhaps, who spend some precious hours every day in reflection upon their outward decorations have never stopped to meditate upon this striking declaration;-in the sight of GoD of great price. He who forms the most accurate and impartial estimate of the true and comparative value of all things, He who formed and gave their lustre to those shining gems we so greatly admire, is fully aware of whatever beauty and value they possess. Yet, he says, 66 not with gold, and pearls, and costly array," but "with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." It is not our present intention to enter upon that part of the subject to which the words just quoted would afford so suitable a text: nor to inquire how far the expression "not with gold and pearls," &c. may be supposed to imply a direct prohibition of a showy style of attire. That they condemn the excessive attention paid to appearance which so greatly prevails among professing Christians, cannot, however be doubted. But our present purpose is to recommend that "inward adorning of the mind," which is here described. Indeed there is little fear, that they who eminently shine with these internal graces, will be prone to excess in external decoration. Humility, whose chief characteristic it is to be contented to pass without observation, will, surely, seldom be found excessively arrayed in those ornaments which expressly invite it. There may be some, however, who, though not destitute of this Christian grace, yet conform too much to the customs of those around them,