Is it well with thee? IS IT WELL WITH THEE? 5 BY REV. G. T. BEdell. I address this serious, and I hope to make it profitable question, to those who sustain the interesting relation of wives and mothers. There are reasons of the most peculiar character, why this question should be pressed with earnestness and perseverance. No one can be ignorant of the amazing influence exerted by the female sex over all the relations of society; and no one can rationally doubt that this influence should be exerted for the purpose for which God in his providence seems to have designed it. You are a wife and a mother, and I have no doubt that you have often heard the remark-a remark not to be questioned as to the fact on which it is built, that your sex are more inclined to religion than the other; and, if you take the evidence of observation as satisfactory testimony on the subject, it may appear that the remark is true. For it scarcely requires the trouble even of observation to know, that of those who, at least, make any profession of religion, the vast majority is with the sex to which you have the high privilege to belong. I am perfectly aware that, for this fact, a variety of reasons have been given; some highly honorable-some as highly discreditable to your sex. My own sentiments (otherwise I should not think it either a duty or a privilege to address you) coincide with those who trace the distinction to the profoundest wisdom and most expanded benevolence of God. I have no doubt you have often heard, and as often been pained at the expression, that this remarkable fact has been accounted for upon an original difference between the two sexes on the score of mental force. This is one of those sneers which is characteristic of infidelity which, not satisfied with rejecting the evidence of Christianity itself, brands with imbecility of mind those who make it the richest ornament of their character, and their hope for eternity. Ask the wretched sceptic, who prides himself upon that intellectual elevation which causes him, as he makes his boast, to rise above the restraints of religion, and to despise and reject its authority-ask him why there is so marked a difference between your sex and his on the subject of religion? and he will tell you with a sneer that it arises from an original inferiority of intellect; or, if personal respect to the inquirer should induce him to conceal his real sentiments, and to offer you a reason more plausible, and less grating to your feelings, he would account for the fact upon the principle that, the female sex, by the very constitution of society, is denied the opportunity of pursuing those bolder paths of scientific investigation which might lead them to the greater independence of opinion. And, to corroborate his views, he may tell you that there have been females, who having burst through the restraints of society, have taken as bold a stand as himself against the religion of the gospel. He would not, perhaps, be willing to men. tion his examples, for they would do his cause but little credit, how much soever they might strengthen his theory; for Mary Woolston craft and Frances Wright, are no very lovely examples to support any cause. Infidelity must of necessity be most unfriendly to your sex; for unless it is willing to reproach itself, it must account for the fact of which I have spoken, on some principles necessarily derogatory to your character. It is therefore, as unjust to you, as it is unjust to the religion which constitutes your hope. Permit me to state some reasons for this interesting fact, which are intended to elevate, instead of degrading the female character; and though some of the reasons cannot be true, and others only true in a qualified sense, I will present them to your consideration before I pass on to one, which has a character of inexpressible sublimity, because it carries on its face the impress of heaven. By some, this fact has been accounted for on the principle, that in the female heart there is less of a native inborn opposition to the principles of the gospel of Christ. This, of course, must be untrue; because it flies in the face of all the scripture statements on the native depravity of the heart, which makes no distinction between a male or female, on the score of the alienation of the affections from God. In fact, every descendant of Adam, tastes the bitter consequences of the original apostacy—by nature "there is none that doeth good, no, not one,"-all are the "children of wrath," because transgressors against the perfect law of a perfect God. No one therefore, of your sex, who has ever learned any thing of the truth as it is in Jesus, will feel in the least degree complimented, at the expense of the word of God. The fact, that a larger proportion of your sex, then, exhibit the influence of Christianity, cannot be accounted for on the principle of a lesser hostility of heart; all are alike corrupt-all are alike under the curse of the law; else all could not alike be indebted to the righteousness of Christ; for God hath "concluded all under sin, that the promise, through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." Others have attempted to account for the fact, on the principle of your acknowledged superiority to men on the score of natural sensibility-a predisposition to impressions of a tender character, which predisposition removes many of the obstacles which, in the other sex, hinder the access of religion to the heart. By others, the fact is accounted for on the principle, that as you are less engaged in the absorbing business of life, which distracts the mind, the sacrifices required by religion becomes the more easy, and the mind itself is not subject to those disquietudes, which from morning until night, wait upon the man of constant occupation. By others, the fact is accounted for on the principle, that the quietness and retirement in which you are generally permitted to pass your lives, compared with the bustling activity of the other sex, gives you more abundant opportunities for reflection. These reasons are generally striking and interesting; but, to my mind, they have this radical defect-they attribute entirely too much to bodily organization, or to circumstances of a mere adventitious character. They may have much to do, as among the subordinate agencies, connected with the interesting fact of which I am speaking, but the primary cause of this grand difference between yours and the Is it well with thee? other sex, as it regards the influence of religion, lies, I am fully persuaded, far beyond them all; I now present you with that reason. One writer has thus very beautifully, as well as modestly suggested the reason; to which, however, he does not give the prominence which I think its importance demands. "Perhaps," says he, "it is a merci. ful appointment of heaven, to keep alive the spirit of family religion." This, though but a part of the subject, will lead at once to the great principle on which the fact is founded. To no other cause or source, than the all-wise and all-merciful appointment of God, for purposes of amazing importance, would I trace this infinitely interesting fact; and thus while on the one hand, I would pass by with merited contempt, the sneer of the infidel, who attributes it to a comparative mental imbecility, I would equally pass by, as inadequate, the amiable attempt to account for it on the score of superior organization, or to circumstances of superior advantage. To adapt a scripture phrase, applied to a higher subject, "it is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes;" and still more marvelous, when we consider the purposes of inestimable value, for which it appears to have been so ordered. I trust you will suffer me to carry out this reason a little in detail. It is the special province of your sex to be the attractive center of the domestic circle. It is there that you are accustomed to move in a peculiar sphere of usefulness and interest. When you were in the more lively days of youth, it was your province to engage the attention, by those graces, and virtues, and accomplishments, which give so much gratification to taste and sentiment. As you enter upon the more responsible duties of the married life, you become the attraction of those domestic scenes, which constitute the few spots of living green, in what would otherwise be the almost cheerless desolation of the desert of this world. When still more advanced, it becomes your high and responsible province, to instil into the minds of children, the earliest of their sentiments, and to be the pattern, on whose example their eye of observation rests-earliest in the morning-constantly through the day, and latest at the night. And here is the mercy which marks the interesting fact I have been striving to illustrate. It appears to have pleased the all-wise and all-beneficent Author of our being, to have provided that you, who are formed for a responsibility so high, and on whom it may, without hyperbole, be said, the destiny of so many immortal souls is dependent, should more largely receive the impressions of religion, and having received them, should cultivate them with a warmer affection, and a more intense and absorbing interest. It is the distinguishing grace of God, for purposes connected with the welfare of the world. This, then, is the leading reason, which to my mind, accounts with perfect satisfaction for the fact, that larger numbers of your sex embrace religion, than of the other; and it is a reason which should draw your sex into a closer bond of gratitude to God. For purposes of His own glory he has bestowed on you a mark of distinction, which unites your duties with your purest pleasures, and connects them both with the glory of God, and the interests of eternity. These considerations, cordially and conscientiously entertained, gives me not only a boldness, but an inexpressible pleasure in addressing you, on a subject of the most vital interest; and it will account for the earnestness, with which I purpose to follow out the question, "IS IT WELL WITH THEE?" [To be Continued.] THE POET'S ANSWER TO A LADY'S QUESTION REspecting thE ACCOMPLISHMENTS MOST BY S. T. COLERIDGE. O'ER wayward childhood would'st thou hold firm rule, Love, Hope and Patience, these must be thy graces, O part them never! If Hope prostrate lie, And the soft murmurs of the Mother Dove, Woos back the fleeting spirit, and half supplies: Thus Love repays to Hope what Hope first gave to Love. Yet haply there will come a weary day, When overtask'd at length Both Love and Hope beneath the load give way. THE JUDGMENT OF CHILDREN. PARENTS not unfrequently justify themselves for conscious inconsis. tencies in the family circle, on the plea that children are incapable of forming correct opinions, respecting either their motives or conduct. Admitting the incapacity of children to judge correctly on all points, still the effects of parental inconsistency always remain with them, and influence their characters. But on most subjects they do form correct The Judgment of Children. 9 opinions. In many respects they constitute the severest tribunal before which parents can appear. Children are unshackled by the motives of policy, expediency, and self-interest, that sway the rest of the world; and parents might often tremble at the unsparing honesty of their judgment. We are glad to find this ground supported, in the following article, taken from a little work, professedly written by "a father and a husband.” "It is a solemn reflection that our children are close observers of our conduct, set over us by the Almighty, to remind us of our responsibility, as well as to receive instruction from us. They are gifted with observation and discriminating judgment. In their presence our actions, words and looks are judged for what they are worth, so far as they come within their scope of intelligence. We are not tried by the rules of society, for they do not acknowledge their binding force as we too often do. They quote not the opinions of other days, they are not influenced by those which may be entertained in one or another country. They are ignorant of them all, and are disposed to form their own opinions with independence, as cases are presented to their observation. The parent must often feel, that apologies, excuses or arguments, which pass as good in the busy world, appear of no value or soundness, in the little tranquil circle at home. He would often be ashamed to urge there reasons which might be readily admitted among men. On entering our doors, therefore, we daily feel, that we are again coming before judges and a jury to which, as it were, we have been brought for an impartial judgment. And how interesting is the reflection, that this same Court has ever existed. Children are endowed with the same perceptions and powers of discrimination in all ages and countries. It is a Court where precedent is set at nought, but which proceeds on the same grounds, and maintains the same principles, at all times and in all places. The opinions of the world, though powerful with all of us, and irresistible by many, are of no regard with our children. Past ages may have pronounced any sentence; they hesi tate not on that account to reverse it. We are daily accustomed to look upon inconsistencies and contradic. tions; and we have thus, on many moral subjects, lost much of the clear discrimination of children. Our own inclinations, also, frequently incline us to disguise the truth. The honest and firm decisions of our children, therefore, ought not to be lost on us. We ought to be reminded by them of our misjudgment, mistakes, and wilful misconclusions. We should train ourselves to their plain and true standards of right and wrong. And how important is it, that we should pursue a right course in this, and indeed in every thing else. We cannot but perceive, that those around us are ready to have their opinions affected by our own, and at the same time have the faculty of reading our feelings through actions, words and looks. Our actions, looks and words therefore, ought all to express exactly what is right; but alas, they can never be made to do it by any artificial process. We have not the power to disguise our |