rather a child should be brought up a clown than be made genteel to a model on such principles. We are not decrying true gentilityevery grace of spirit or manner when proceeding from right motives is of great account-nor do we doubt the wisdom and necessity of distinctions in society-" order is heaven's first law"-but while we pay due attention to these claims, it would be well to remember the time when all arbitrary distinctions will be forgotten, and we shall sleep side by side," where the servant is free from his master," to wake in a society where honor will be paid to whom honor is due.

[For the Microcosm.]

DUTY TO APPRENTICES.

In the little world at home there are few interests more intimately connected with the public welfare, and but few more neglected than those involved in the relation of master and apprentice. Although I have little practical knowledge on this subject, I have some acquaintance with that interesting class of youth called apprentices. I was brought up in a family where many were trained. And though kindly treated, I can now remember that their religious interests were neglected. Young lads, at the age they leave the paternal roof, are in a peculiar state. The world bursts upon them at once. Many have been kept at school-have lived in retirement, in some remote place— have had little intercourse with others-of consequence are unpracticed in the ways of the world. They are confiding, and kind. Their future character and destiny will in a great measure depend upon the first impressions made--the first influences exerted upon them. Some of the most distinguished men now upon the stage, both in church and state, were once apprentices; and the type of their characters was taken from causes which were silent and unobserved. No human arithmetic can calculate the responsibility resting upon the female head of a family. The lads entrusted to her care, up to the time of their entrance into her household, had been trained almost entirely by maternal influence. Some of them had doubtless been deprived by death, of a father's counsels and example; others had suffered by the ill conduct of a dissipated father. Every trade has some usages peculiar to itself. A lad entering a shop to learn the mysteries of his trade, finds himself surrounded by those who are all acquainted with each other and the ways of the place; he has every thing to learn. If we think of the direct influence brought to bear, by actual contact of other minds-secret causes-early associations-the time spentthe character of the conversation-the places of resort after regular hours of labor-and then look at the brief space allotted to the mistress of a family to do good, we shall see that most lads are trained and formed by their companions and circumstances, and not by those to

whom parents commit their sons. How easy for a kind, judicious woman to secure an influence over a young mind. There is the solitary hour after first leaving the house of parents or friends-a few little attentions, and pertinent inquiries will raise the spirits and win the heart-acts of kindness, when sickness assails-nameless offices will revive all the interest of a mother, and supply her place.

If I may be allowed to suggest a thought or two to the mistresses of families where the numerous class of interesting youth are distributed, I would say to them, if you will only take a little leisure to reflect how short will be the time before these young men will occupy im. portant posts in society, and will be acting over the scenes you daily witness in your own habitations, (for they will have a number of ap. prentices residing with them,) you will come to feel that you are in a situation to do more than almost any other female for the good of society, for the promotion of the public welfare, and even for the church of God. Make these lads and youth the subject of prayer-take opportunities to converse with them on useful topics, especially on the state of their souls; put them upon their guard against temptation. First gain their confidence, and they will hear you. A word from you in season, may be a nail fastened in a sure place. Their souls are equally precious with those of your own children, and they often form connections with your families which will identify their in. terests with yours. If I can only succeed in calling attention to this important, but long neglected class of youth, I shall rejoice, and hope that some good may be done. M. M.

A MOTHER'S LOVE.

BY MRS. HEMANS.

There is none

In all this cold and hollow world, no fount
Of deep, strong, deathless love, save that within
A mother's heart. It is but pride, wherewith
To his fair son the father's eye doth turn
Watching his growth. Ay, on the boy he looks,
The bright glad creature springing in his path,
But as the heir of his great name, the young
And stately tree, whose rising strength ere long
Shall bear his trophies well. And this is love!
This is man's love! What marvel ?-you ne'er made
Your breast the pillow of his infancy,

While to the fulness of your heart's glad heavings
His fair cheek rose and fell; and his bright hair
Waved softly to your breath! You ne'er kept watch
Beside him, till the last pale star had set,
And morn, all dazzling, as in triumph, broke
On your dim weary eye; not yours the face
Which early faded through fond care for him,
Hung o'er his sleep, and duly as Heaven's light,

Was there to greet his wakening! You ne'er smoothed
His couch, ne'er sung him to his rosy rest,

Caught his least whisper, when his voice from yours
Had learned soft utterance; pressed your lip to his
When fever parched it; hushed his wayward cries,
With patient, vigilant, never-wearied love!
No! these are woman's tasks! In these her youth,
And bloom of cheek, and buoyancy of heart,
Steal from her all unmarked!

IS IT WELL WITH THEE?

BY THE REV. G. T. BEDELL.

We admire the tenderness and delicacy with which Dr. Bedell, in his address to wives and mothers, urges home upon them the claims of his subject. Partic ularly at this time of interest, when his sun has set on earth-though leaving a long line of light still to bless and cheer us-would we apply to him as singularly appropriate, the beautiful tribute of the English writer, who when asked the occasion of his tears at the grave of a friend, where he was often found a mourner, replied, "I weep his piety in an age when a single tomb will bury more ashes than piety can spare ;—I weep his respect for women."

[Continued from p. 8.]

"IS IT WELL WITH THEE?" Are you qualified to sustain the relation in which you are placed? This investigation will be of the deepest possible interest to you; because, apart from the question of influence, your own personal, eternal well-being, is involved in the decision. For God has mercifully so arranged this matter, that the interest of your own soul is at stake; and thus your concern for others, is indissolubly connected with the undying interests of your own im mortal existence. Of every mother, then, whose eye may rest upon these unpretending pages, I would ask, "Is it well with thee?" Have you given up your heart to your God and Savior? Have you experienced in your own heart the power of religion? Permit me to remark, that, necessary as religion is to every individual of the human family, who would desire the salvation of his soul, to you it comes with a peculiar mercy, even as it connects itself with the enjoyments of this present world. Amidst the trials, and difficulties which, as a wife, and a mother, you must expect to encounter, you need something more to sustain you, than the mere sympathy of those with whom you are connected. Your earthly happiness can only be well secured when you have the arm of an Almighty friend, on which you may lean, when you have the compassionate and sympathizing bosom of a Savior, on which you may recline, when the misfortunes which may be incident to your condition, press their weight upon you. In this world of sin, you have many drawbacks on your happiness, which

Is it well with thee?

23 are peculiar to your sex, and your gentle nature feels more keenly. the evils and the disappointments of life. The misfortunes which sometimes assail those with whom you are most nearly and dearly connected, divest you oftentimes of those comforts which you have hitherto enjoyed; and where you are called to bear the office of a comforter, your own heart often bleeds, and is in need of comfort. What a treasure do you enjoy, of which nothing can deprive you, if you have the Savior's love to rest on, and the Holy Spirit as your comforter!-how is your path of life cheered amidst all its discouragements, by the presence of Him, who has said to his faithful peo. ple "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;" "when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee-when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee,”—“ fear not, I have redeemed thee-thou art mine." And if, on the other hand, you are permitted to pass your life comparatively free from trouble,--if no rude blast of worldly anxiety and distress, interrupts the general current of your enjoyments, how is your satisfaction enhanced, if religion, pure and undefiled, add its charms to your nature, and rules your heart by its power.

But this is a view of the subject comparatively unimportant, contrasted with that which has been my chief stimulus in addressing you. It is the welfare of your own, and the souls of those connected with you, which makes me feel the deep importance of the subject. You are never safe, till you have attended to the "one thing which is needful;" your heart is never "right in the sight of God," until it has been changed, and purified by divine grace. Your soul as well as your body, is competent to suffering, and unless my question, "Is it well with thee?" can be answered, as God in his holy word requires it to be answered, your sex can never shield you from the exhibition of His righteous indignation. For, as in the privileges of the gospel, there is no distinction of male or female known, so in the retribution of the gospel, all who know not God, and obey not the gospel of his Son, are under the curse, and have nothing in expectation, but that "fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries." I entreat you, therefore, turn not this inquiry away, lay not this book down in disgust, when you find it press hard on your personal condition. In the love of the gospel-in the purest friendship, I ask the question; and as to the infinitely important matter of religion, demand of every mother whose eye may fall on my page, "Is it well with thee?"

I have thus far pursued the matter in a way of general observation. You have a right to demand that I explain myself more fully, and to ask what I distinctly mean by the question. And I feel that I am un

der an obligation to answer you fully and decidedly. Let us pause for a few moments; I, while I gather up my thoughts about me, that I may meet your demand, and you, that you may meditate on what I have already said. What I most anxiously desire is, that every mother, every wife, should give my subject a large place in private medi.

tation. I am apprehensive that not one among my readers, sustaining either, or both of these relations, has any adequate idea of the tremendous responsibility connected with your station. If there was an adequate idea, I should confidently look for results, the most unspeakably important. For never do I hesitate one instant in believing, that God has mysteriously, yet certainly connected the salvation both of husband and of children, with the piety and supreme devotedness of the wife and mother's heart; and the zeal, yet prudence of her efforts. I distinctly mean by the question, "Is it well with thee?" have you experienced in your heart, those truths, which, on the word of God, are indispensably connected with your eternal welfare? In other words, Have you truly repented of your past sins-are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you experienced a change of heart-are you devoting yourself to God? These are all modifica. tions of the great leading question which stands between you and me; and until they are all answered in the affirmative, you cannot answer in the affirmative to the query, "Is it well with thee?" It is never well with you, unless these all are, or have been, part and parcel of your individual experience. Let me endeavor to guide your meditations. Have you repented of your sins? Do not be startled by this form of the question. 1 frankly confess that it presupposes you are, or have been in a condition, not only of transgression, but as a sinner exposed to eternal ruin. I hold up before you this language of our Savior," Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' I cannot bring myself to suppose, that there can any doubt rest upon your mind, as to the fact of your being a sinner; as such, you are unquestionably in danger of eternal ruin. I am aware that this language may seem harsh to your ear, accustomed as you are, in social life, if not always to adulation, at least to terms of softer address. I am also aware, that from the native tenderness of the female heart, and the ten thousand nameless attractions which we are wont to consider as surrounding your character, we are apt to think you formed of different materials from ourselves, and constituted not only of kindlier sensibilities, but of dispositions more pure and holy. Cost what it may, it becomes a sacred duty to rectify this error. I cannot speak " peace—peace, while there is no peace. There is not one who may read these pages but on whom the eye of God rests as a sinner-a transgressor of his law by thought, word, or deed. And this you know. It is not the prerogative of a mortal to pierce into the intricacies and windings of the human heart, but God's eye is there. I would take the loveliest, the most accomplished, the most talented, the most amiable, the purest of those who venture an eye upon these lines, and putting into my question, if it were possible, such a solemnity, as might suit the subjects of death, of judgment, and eternity, ask if there is one of you who could with unshrinking confidence expose your heart to the inspection of an eye which nothing there could escape? Is there in it no purpose of opposition to the will of God? Is there in it no cherished affection supreme to that of God? Has love to God been the animating principle of its every thought?—the impulse of its every movement? Is