SELF-CULTIVATION.

Br self-cultivation I mean the mental and moral improvement of our whole nature, without which neither man nor woman can execute faithfully the duties of life, nor enjoy in full fruition the blessings which the infinite charity of Godhead scatters in their path. But if it be inquired more particularly what I mean by self-miration of the unbigoted and the intelligent. The cultivation, I mean that the mind be refined and that the heart be purified.

Our mental improvement depends entirely upon the kind and quantity of exercise given our mental facWe have to go back but a little in the world's history ulties. And it is remarkable that whatever of into find a More, a Maxwell, a Rogers, a Fletcher, and a provement we may gain by the exercise of our powers, Judson, to vindicate the susceptibilities of the female becomes an addition to our mental capital, to be imme

diately embarked in other and more extensive intellec- || purpose, and unless it be pure, the streams that issue from it will necessarily be opposed, and fearfully opposed, not only to our interests here, but to what may be the glory of our destiny in a blessed hereafter.

tual enterprises. Thus we commence with one truth, and search for another, which found, becomes a kind of instrument, with which we delve out the third, and so on, ad infinitum. And mental training consummated, is an ability skillfully to use what we have in the acquisition of more.

The cultivation of the mind is a progressive work; and unless our effort be continual, our failure will be certain. Of this we have evidence in the success of the few who have been untiring in their labors, and also in the failure of the many who have looked for the end without the means. But here, in the very circumstances that surrounded the creature, we see the wisdom and goodness of the Creator most happily developed. For the same God, who has so constitutionally formed us as to make the continual exercise of our mental faculties the only possible source of our improvement, has connected with this continual exercise an endless series of the most refined gratifications and delicate pleasures of which our nature is capable-thus making our labor our glory, and our employment our heaven.

Here, however, things are somewhat different. In regard to the mind, God has given us the power, and whatever is done, we must do it. But in regard to the heart, there is much to be done that we cannot do. Our redress for moral deficiencies is found only in the practice of religion, and if its power reside in the heart, its influence will be felt and seen throughout the whole life-will be developed in the entire character. We are informed upon the best possible authority-the Scriptures-that the heart is radically alienated from God; and under the influence of this natural aversion to the divine will and government, we are uniformly led to do what we can but know is wrong, and thus become universally guilty in regard to the plainest and most equitable requirements of our heavenly Benefactor. Hence to repent of our follies and pray for pardon, is a most reasonable and imperious duty, and if we consider the interests we have involved, the privilege becomes

Although the mind in its essence is an uncompound-not less sacred, than the duty is obvious.

ling acts of obedience.

ed, indefinable, mysterious something, (we know not It is true, to repent and pray are irksome duties to what,) yet it unites in itself a variety of wonderful pow-those who do not see their necessity, and enjoy not the ers and susceptibilities. It is an unexplained assem- full aid of the Spirit; but if we realize things as by all blage of active and passive faculties. The cultivation means we should, and feel as our condition requires, of the mind is the training of these faculties; and their though the cup be bitter, we will cheerfully drink it even entire development, with their natural balance main- to its dregs, looking joyful in hope, for the unspeakatained, is the glory and perfection of all mental excel-ble blessings that Heaven has appended to these willence. This is essentially important. For there is a peculiar equilibrium that obtains in mind as well as in The importance of thus diligently engaging in and nature and morals; and if in the mental training this consummating the improvement of both our minds and equilibrium be not carefully preserved, one faculty will our hearts, rests upon the immutable fact, that such imtriumph over another, and there will be naught but an- provement is our only possible meetness for the faitharchy and confusion within the sacred empire of the || ful discharge of the duties of life, and the only possible soul. This, however, important as it is, is too fre- way to those superior and sublime pleasures, for the quently neglected; and nothing is more common, even enjoyment of which we were brought into being. And among the scientific, than to see one favorite faculty that we may be encouraged thus to live, acquire, be highly cultivated, to the serious detriment, if not the useful, and enjoy, we are at first presented with all that total extinction of another. And hence many are found is to be admired in human excellence, and then are asamong the aspiring, who being ambitious of some bril-sured by divine authority, that if we will diligently use liant distinction, have actually starved the judgment the means with which a merciful Providence has so and its more sedate companions to death, that the fancy bountifully surrounded us, we shall attain unto all that and her flippant brood might feed on the sickening dain-perfection and excellence of which our nature is capaties of fiction and romance, and revel in all the profu- ble. Then shall we be as Heaven intended-as we sion of an extravagant abundance. If we would culti-were when our Maker pronounced us good-the living vate successfully our mental powers, we must (as far monuments of his glory-the speaking organs of his as may be) first ascertain what our powers are, and then cultivate each in reference to all the rest.

But let us not forget the heart. For if the intellect is cultivated, then it becomes (if possible) more than absolutely necessary that the heart be cultivated.

Knowledge is power. The deeds of the wicked are wicked, and when the wicked have power, they will rule, and when the wicked rule, "the people mourn." A gifted intellect without the restraints and promptings of virtue, makes itself a blight to every thing around, and a curse to all with whom it is in any way connected. The heart is the original fountain of thought and

praise. This degree of self-cultivation attained, our minds shall be like the vulture's eye; and while we scan the innumerable and inimitable beauties and infinite excellences everywhere developing themselves throughout the kingdoms of nature, providence and grace, clustering, above all, in heavenly harmony around the character of God, our hearts shall rise up within us in emotions and transports known only to the devout, to worship and adore that beneficent Father from whom we have received our being, and who with that being hath given us all things mortal and immortal richly to enjoy.

ARGUING WITH FEMALES.

Original.
ARGUING WITH FEMALES.

BY CHARLES ELLIOTT.

FROM time immemorial it has been said and acted on as an established maxim, "that it is uncourteous to argue with women." The foundation of the proverb seems to be, that as the minds of females are incapable of deep and extensive research, either for want of cultivation, or in default of original capacity, it is therefore below the superior dignity of men to enter into argument with them. In brief, the sentiment seems to have been received as incontestible, that the inferior capacity of women renders them unfit for argument with the other sex.

It is proper to state, however, that in most cases there is no direct intention of the stronger to insult or treat with contempt the fair sex. On the other hand, it is designed rather to compliment than to insult them. It is even a portion of that noble gallantry which has characterized the most cultivated portions of the community. Nevertheless, if we examine the matter to the bottom, we shall find the most degrading principles associated with the origin, progress, and establishment of this professedly courteous gentility. The following suggestions present themselves to our mind on this subject.

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them to the ridicule of defeat, by the concession-the ladies cannot reason, therefore, it is ungallant to reason with them.

There is certainly something kind in the conduct of men in this matter. They have practically agreed and determined, as by common law, even from the days of Noah, that women will not receive any amount of mental culture, though they have tolerated, and, indeed, indulge them in learning some ornamental branches, such as music, dancing, a little painting, and other such things. But to make amends for this proscription, it is agreed, with almost common consent, that the fair ones will not be openly insulted because they have not learned that which either they were incapable of learning, or what they were rather prohibited from meddling with. Hence, not to torment them on account of their imbecile powers of reasoning, is the substitute awarded them for their privation.

2. The origin of this proscription is found in paganism, and has, therefore, its true source in barbarism. In all nations, not Jewish or Christian, especially the latter, woman has been abused, degraded, imbruted, or rendered ignorant, by bad treatment of every kind. The Mohammedan deprives her of her very soul, reduces her to the state of a beast, and then treats her accordingly. All pagan nations make her servile to the lowest degree, as is known to all.

The Christian religion alone emancipates woman,

1. The compliment embraced, and mostly intended and places her where she ought to be. The seed of to be given by the expression, that it is ungentlemanly || the woman which bruised the serpent's head, has also to argue with ladies, is predicated on the opinion that set the woman free from the tyranny of the other sex. females are vastly inferior to males in intellectual attain- || Almost is this great work accomplished. Christian ments and endowments. We are not now going to contend that the intellectual powers of each sex are exactly equal. The discussion of this may be left to another time. We have no objection to allow, for the present, that the stronger sex in bodily power has also the superiority in intellectual endowments, as well as in acquirements. But it cannot be admitted that the disparity in original talent is so great as to give just ground for the rule of etiquet which prohibits the trial of logical skill between males and females. Allowing that the one does possess the primacy, it cannot be to that extent which has been so extensively claimed and as extensively exercised.

people do not, on the whole, degrade the female sex; yet in Christian nations women have not received, except in a few cases, all their privileges. They have been indeed indulged in the ornamentals, and vain fashions of life, even to a fault; but they have not received their portion of mental training as rational beings. By a superficial and limited education, their minds have been but little trained in the art of reasoning. But Christianity is not in the fault. She has not done this deed. It is an element of barbarism, exotic to Christianity, and of pagan origin, that has thus uttered and exercised this severe proscription against our mothers, and sisters, and daughters. Yet

In regard to female attainments, they are acknowl-it is the same heathenism which in some portions of edged to be inferior to those of men; and for this reason, that females have never enjoyed any thing like equal mental culture in any nation under heaven, not even in Christian, much less so in pagan nations of every age.

It is true that the ladies are permitted to take part in social conversation in almost every circle; but when any subject requiring the exercise of solid argument is introduced, it is insisted that they shall take no part in the discussion; but to relieve them from embarrassment, and to leave them in full possession of the privilege drawn from their ignorance, the other sex have agreed not to mortify them with the defeat of worsted logicians. They have courteously consented not to expose Vol. I.-4

Christendom consigns the female sex to the spade, the sickle, and almost every other unwomanly labor that in other places debars her from the lengths and depths of science and literature, and dooms her to exercise herself merely in the toys of learning, or the mere sips of its excellence, instead of plentiful draughts.

3. In our remarks on the exercise of the female mind, in the department of reason, it is not designed to call upon women to exercise publicly the office of logical gladiators or wranglers. We would not call them to plead before the courts of judicature, nor mingle with them in the senate, nor make set speeches in company with the Fanny Wrights; nor would we introduce them into the pulpit or the ecclesiastical courts.

Neither would we agree that they should enter into || heads of the Oxford University were unable or unwilthe lists of those pugnacious scribblers, who, under ling to give. In the organization of the Methodist the name of debate and discussion, engage in sophis- economy, the principles received from his mother formtical agitation, and hence contribute nothing towards ed a conspicuous part. His stern morality was formed the promotion of truth or the suppression of error. Nor would we contest for a moment that man is her superior by God's appointment, if not in intellectual dowry, at least by official decree; if not by any degradation on her part, it is for the sake of good order at least; so that the man is the head of the woman. But while we make this large and Scriptural concession, we cannot allow that woman is a mere irrational, and has therefore no right to the exercise of vigorous and acute reasoning in those topics calculated to exercise the mental powers.

4. What we ask for the female is, that she receive a good and thorough mental training that would be necessary to cultivate the powers of thinking and argumentation. Let her be taught in the art of logic. Let her, to this end, receive a thorough training in the || sciences, and in literature, so as to develop fully her mental energies, that she may have the full exercise of them in her proper sphere. Let her be prepared to judge with accuracy and with profoundness on every topic of general importance to the human race; and let her become authoress, and wield the pen with all the power with which it can be endowed by the best mental culture. Why not carry her through all the nice and accurate reasonings of mathematics? Why not exercise her fully in metaphysics and ethics, so as to give vast enlargement and accuracy to her mental powers? Let her receive the best lessons in the art of composition, and then let her exercise herself with her pen, and in conversation—in all things that can benefit|| the public good.

It is true, that the domestic sphere seems to be the part of woman; but even here there is room for the exercise of much talent. The minds of children, who are to be our future statesmen, rulers, teachers, and ministers, are to be formed by maternal instruction; and the great mass of the population receive from those who cradle them, the seeds of knowledge. Indeed the instructors of the great body of the people, in the incipient stages of learning, will shortly be females. 5. Nor are we wanting in examples which prove beyond doubt that females can exercise the highest functions of mind. Hannah More is one bright example. Few of any sex have excelled her as a writer or a phi-|| lanthropist, who has manifested the most mature judgment, and the most comprehensive discrimination.

in the nursery. His style was borrowed from his mother, and not from any model, whether Greek, Latin, or English. The notable traits of character of this illustrious woman, especially those connected with a sound discretion, an accurate discrimination, and a profound judgment, would fill many pages. She deserves the honor of a separate biography. And were we to attempt to write the life of any individual, that of the mother of John Wesley would be our choice.

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Original.

OLD LETTERS.

How many strange, sad emotions are caused by reading over "old letters"-some from far distant friends, and others from the loved ones of our youth, now in their dreamless resting places! The long buried scenes of earlier years come as fresh as though they were but of yesterday, and the "old familiar faces" of childhood's friends return with the same looks of affection and tones of love they used to have in days of "Auld Lang Syne." It is strange with what tenacity we cling to the recollections of childhood-to what, in familiar language, we term "old times." Often the slightest touch will make memory unlock her store-house of hidden treasures, when the illusive scenes drawn by fancy's glowing pencil, and colored in the magic hues of hope, with the forms of those we loved, "a sacred band come stealing on," until lost in a world of sweet remembrances, we forget that

"The time is long past, and the scene is afar." But some rude reality is sure to come, and dispel the lingering enchantment, and recall us to the cold bitterness of life. Then let us, while we can, revel in the "pictured past," cull its flowers, and, if possible, leave its thorns untouched.

Here lies a well filled sheet, from one whose home is now in heaven. She was strangely beautiful-one of those joyous beings whose pathway seems all strewn with flowers, whose sky is ever cloudless, with only a stray shadow now and then to make her sunlit way brighter than before it passed. A few summers came and went, and like the young flowers, that idolized one perished with autumn's blighted leaf. She was laid in the quiet tomb "long time ago;" but memory has hallowed her image, and she will never be forgotten. Such is life! A shadow, sometimes beautiful while it lasts, but on every step is written, "fading, still fading."

Perhaps the influence of no woman has been more efficacious than the mother of John Wesley. She possessed a peculiar accuracy of judging, which was called into exercise in training a large family. To her Another and another from the dead! O, how vividthe founder of Methodism is principally indebted for ly they recall old associations, and with a magic power his accurate powers of discrimination. She was the people the very air around us! Peeping out from under guide of his childhood and youth. While at college,|| a package is the corner of a letter from my bright happy he received from his mother solutions in cases of con- sister. Even now I hear her light footstep and ringscience, advice in the most difficult matters, and deci- ing laugh, with the joyous tones of a voice which can sions in regard to his general course, which the wisest only be sweeter in heaven. She had scarcely number

ed sixteen years of her short life, ere consumption, too || the purer joys of that bright world above, hath led me often the blight of earthly joy, had almost claimed her away from all earthly things, and my spirit has bowed for its own, and threatened our loved one with an early at a holier than earthly shrine. Will you come with grave. A timely journey to her native land—a sunni- me, dear reader, and taste of the fountain of life? er clime than this-brought the rose to her cheek|| Will you be led "beside the still waters, and lie down again, and the sparkle in her dark eye is bright as ever. There is something deep and changeless in a sister's love-she is my only one, and often, often, I have wished to die for her when death seemed so fearfully near. But that trial is past, and for the hundredth time I have said, "God is merciful."

Smile not, gentle reader, at the next one a sheet of paper brings to mind-it is my dear, dear grand-mother. I remember, when very small, sitting for hours at her side, listening with childish delight to the tones of her gentle voice, as she taught me to trust in God, and told me of a Savior's love. There was a deep strain of unobtrusive piety mingling with all she said or did, and her heart was filled to overflowing with what a well known poet calls "the milk of human kindness." None ever sought relief and turned away with bitterness in their hearts; and hers was always the first step in the abode of wretchedness and want. I have been told that she was a beautiful girl, and her earlier history was as fine a romance in real life as any that have made the world ring with the praises of a Scott or an Irving. But it is too long to relate here, and feelings of deep regret and sadness hurry me on. She was numbered with the dead years ago; and though her grave lies many a weary mile from our queenly city, I have wandered to it more than once; and while weeping over the buried one there, have felt that her imperishable tomb was in the memory of those who loved her so well.

in the green pastures" of a Savior's love? O, will you escape from scenes of gloom and sorrow to a deathless clime, and mingle your songs for ever in blessing Him who hath died that you might enter there and be at rest. EMMA.

The whispering wind that waves the grass growing upon the graves of the departed, seems the monitory voice of their spirits, hovering near-a voice from the spirit-land, solemn as the wail of a broken heart, exhorting us to keep our hearts pure, embalmed in living virtue, that we may have "a tranquil hour in which to die." The tears that start unbidden to the eyes, and fall on the wild flowers springing over the sleeping dust of the dead, remind us, that after we have slept for many long years in the solitude and silence of the claycold grave, others yet unborn shall weep as we do now among the tombs. Our thoughts stop not here. Then

But the living, the living! where are they? Separated and scattered-estranged and distant. There are yet some of them, who brighten with their own happiness the pathway of those around them; and of the number is one with whom I have long correspond-where-O, where will be the soul? Beyond suns ed. Her letters are like herself, unaffected, and simply beautiful; and to receive them is one of those pleasures which so seldom come to cheer our earthly pilgrimage, and at times makes us forget that "things so heavenly have such fleetness." But I forget myself, and have already, I fear, wearied my readers with thoughts which come and go as rapidly as hours spent with those we love.

and rolling worlds, it shall have gone to judgment to receive according to the deeds done in the body-it shall have entered upon its eternal home.

In the autumn of 1840, on a lovely day, I rambled in the old burying-ground of Zanesville. The sun in the southern sky, shone like a pale orb shorn of his beams. The prospect around me, the rustling winds, the falling leaves, the variegated color of the woods, were all autumnal, and stole upon my spirits with a soothing influence.

Reclining against a slab, I wrote with my pencil, on a blank leaf, the following account of the proprietor of Zanesville, taken from the inscription over his remains.

One more, among the dearest and best, and I have done. Thoughts of are holy ones; and I have sometimes deemed her too pure and good for this sin-stained world, and have almost wondered that God should place her here. Surely, such as are sent to remind us of another and a brighter home, "where John M'Intire, proprietor of Zanesville; which he the storms which we feel in this cold world shall laid out in 1800-a member of the Convention which cease"-a home where our hearts shall no more be formed the Constitution of Ohio, lies interred in the wrung with the anguish of disappointment, and tears old burying-ground, on an eminence, in the northeast come not to cloud the brightness of heaven. O, part of Zanesville, that commands a view of the town, there are moments in my life of most exquisite enjoy- with the Muskingum on its northern and western marment, yet deeply sad; and while I have been writing gin, and woods and hills rising in the distance, comof the dead, and of dear living friends, a yearning afterbining beauty and grandeur in a manner seldom to be