V^--„o. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // t/. i9 f/- 1.0 I.I l^|Z8 |2.5 ■^ IM 1112.2 If ld& !lill2.0 K 1.8 III 1.25 [ 1.4 ^ < 6" — ► Photographic Sciences Corporation «^ ^ % fV 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4303 f^ <f «?, ^ r CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Nota* tachniquas at bibliographiquas Tha tnstituta has attamptad to obtain tha bast original copy availabia for filming. Faaturas of this copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua, which may altar any of tha imagas in tha reproduction, or which may significantly changa tha usual method of filming, are chackad baiow. □ Coloured covers/ Couvartura da coulaur pn Covers damaged/ D n n D Couverture endommagie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie at :,u palliculAe I Cover title missing/ La titra da couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en coulaur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.e. autre qua bleua ou noire) I — I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en coulaur Bound with other material/ Ralii avac d'autres documents Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrie peut causer de i'ombre ou de la distorsion !• long da la marga intiriaure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certainas pages blanches ajoutias lors d'une restauration apparaissant dans la taxta. mais, lorsqua cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas it* fiim^as. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplAmentaires: L'Institut a microfilm* la meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a iti possible de ss procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-*tre uniques du point de vue bibMographique, qui pauvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithoda normale de filmage sont indiqute ci-dessous. I — I Coloured pages/ Pages da coulaur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagias □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurias et/ou pelliculies r~7r Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ n Pages d*color*es, tachattes ou piquies Pages detached/ Pages d*tach*es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Qualiti inigala de I'impression Includes supplementary matarii Comprend du material suppiimentaire Only edition available/ Seuie Edition disponible r~~\ Pages detached/ r~^ Showthrough/ r~n Quality of print varies/ |~~1 Includes supplementary material/ n~| Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un fauillet d'errata, une pelure, etc.. ont *t* fitmies * nouveau de fapon * obtanir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux da reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 1 12X 18X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy flimad h«r« has b««n rsproducad thanks to tho gsnsrosity of: Library of Parlinnant and tha National Library of Canada L'sxsmplaira filmA fut rsproduit grica i la gAnArosIt* da: La BibliothiqiM du Pariamant at la BibliotMqua nationala du Canada Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baac quality poasibia conaMaring tha condition and laglbillty of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spadficadona. Original coplaa in printad papar eovars ara fllmad baginning with tha front eovar and anding on tha last paga with a prints or iilustratad impraa* sion, or tha back covar whan approprlata. All othar original copioa ara fllmad bagliming on tha first paga with a printad or iilustratad impraa- aion. and ending on tha laat paga with a printad or iilustratad imprasslon. Laa imagaa suhrantaa ont 4ti raproduitaa avac la plua grand soin. eompta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da i'axampfaiira film4. at an conformity avac laa conditlona du contrat da fUmaga. Laa axamplalraa orlglnaux dont la couvartura an paplar aat imprlmia sont fllm4s sn commandant par ia pramlar plat at an tarmlnant aoit par la da m lira paga qui comporta una omprslnta dlmpraaalon ou dlHuatration. soit par la sacond plat, salon la eas. Tous Iss sutroa oKamplairos orlginaux sont fHmis sn comman^nt par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta dimpraaskm ou dlllustration at an tarmlnant par la damMra paga qui comporta una talla ampraifita> Tha laat racordad frama on oach microfleha shall contain tha symbol —^(moaning "CON- TINUED"). or tha symbol ▼ Imaaning "END"), whiehavar appliaa. Un daa symbolaa auivants spparaltra aur la damMra imaga da chaqua mieroficha. salon caa: la symbola — »• signlfia "A SUIVRE". I< symbola ▼ signlfia "RN". Mapa. plataa, charts, ate., may ba fllmad at diffarant raducdon ratloa. Thoaa too larga to ba antiraly includad in ona axpoaura ara fllmad baginning in tha uppar iaft hand comar, iaft to right and top to bottom, aa many framaa aa raquirad. Tha following diagrama illuatrata tha mathod: Laa cartaa. planchas. tablaaux. stc. pauvant Atra fllmda i daa taux da rMuetion diff fronts. Loraqua ia documant aat trap grand pour Atra raprodult an un saul clichA. 11 aat fHmA i partir da I'angia supdrlaur gaueha, da gaucha i droita. at da haut sn baa. 9n pranant la nombra dimegaa nAcaaaalra. Laa diagrammss sulvants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 H > A DISCOURSE ^ ON S^SSi^&S) £li&^&9Silt®8 f> iff BEING THE 2. % SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON PfiLiVtREP IN COMMEMORAtiON OF THE BIRT^IfOF THE / 'I <,* ' V. •;''::.). i*{- ][h?iiiceiMi JU^al of BngUuidi , . I .'t 4$^ Independent Presbyterian Minister. I , At the Tabernacle, Duke Street, St. John, N. B., January 3, 1841. "HER PRICE IS ABOVE RUBIES." -Solomon, JPVBJLISUJEJIM BT HEQVJEST. To His Excellency Major General Sir JOHN HAR- VEY, K. C. B. and K. C H., Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New- Bmnswick. " It is not iiecefliary for me as a Minister of the Gospel to make auy apology in dedicating ilis humble tribute of female worth to your Excellency. Your well known character, and the just esteem in which you stand, not only in the estimation of our much betoved Sovereign, but 9*-^ in the affections of the loyal people of this Province, and the justly merited confidence yoc have acquired by your long and arduous services in your country's welfare, together with your well known urbanity of manner, and enlightened views of society, render you the very person to whom such a tribute of respect to the fair portion of our race, as is here intended, ought to be dedicated, by Your humble and ever dutiful servant, ' J. AMBLER. r 1^ "5 .<»» :i f' #: %^ SERMON. pRov. 31,— r3, 27. — She openeth ber tnoatb with wisdom, and ill her tongue ia the law ofkindness. She louketh well to the wayj of her bounehold, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her chil- dren rise up and call her blessed \ her husband also, and he prais- 0th her. Mv Christian Friends, it has been announced to us, through the means of the public ptints, that our beloved Queen has become the happy mother of an i-nfant Princess Royal, the heiress presumptive to the British Throne. In the birth of this child, the inter- ests of every British subject, from the highest to the lowest, are deeply involved ; on this account, I thought I could not do better than occupy a poition (^your time at the present by calling your attention to the si^bject of female influence. AVe have now just passed fi'om the threshold of the old year to the commencement of another period of time. We all know the history of what is past, as to ourselves, but none of us can tell what is to come, and what will befall us the year now before us. We know not what a day may bring forth ; but all future, as well as all past events, are open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. All events have a voice. The rising and setting of every sun — the return of every day, and the shadows of every night, are all events that claim our attention and improvement. The birth of a Prince — the de- thronement of Kings — the falling of a sparrow and the hairs of our head, are all numbered and noted in the eye of Him who is to be ouv judge. Solomon, in the words of the t«xt and the verses in immediate connection calls our attention to a good wife. As the British Throne is at present filled wath a beloved Queen who has become the Mother of a young*Princess— a sermon upon female influence in general cannot but be both acceptable and useful to a British public. Solomon is here speakins; of a virtuous woman. By a virtuous woman is meant, a pious woman ; a woman under the influence of religion ; a woman that fears God ; that loves him and delights in his ways, and who seeks to glorify him in all her conduct and movements in life. It is to this woman I call your attention at this time. Let me then hold her forth at the present as a Wife — as a Mother — as a Merchant —as a Phi/sieian — as a Christian— and as a Princess. I— AS A WIFE. Thd matrimonial connection is not only an import- ant and dee*^ly interesting connection ; but also an institution Divine appointment. It commenced with the origin of the human race, and in their days of innocence and happiness. Hence we find that when God made man and placed him in the Garden of Paradise, with all that could de- light him in a state of perfection : his Mstker saw that there was one thing wanting, and that it was not good for man to be alone. In reading the history of the creation, it appears that all creatures, whether animate or inanimate, were made for the good, happiness and enjoyment of his favourite creature man. The flowers of the field with all their beauty and fragrance, the trees with all their nutricious fruit, the animal tribes, with all their powers of ministifring satisfaction to the sense or to the mind — all, all were for him. Adam when in Paradise could look upon all the objects in creation, however grand and sublime, an call them^ his own. He could at the same time employ his vast and capacious mind in examining their various cliaracters in their different forms, and give them names suitable to their respective qualities. He also allotted each its place and station, and at the same time glo- rified his Oreator'sperfections, as displayed in himself / 1*1 / m'\ I and in them. But after all \Te find that in the inidtt of this vast source of intellectual, moral and personal enjoyment, the cup of bliss was not entirely full. — There was in the judgment of his maker God, some- thing wanting — Surrounded as he was in the midst of plenty and profusion of every kind ; yet he was ak)ne. He could find employment for his understanding and the vast resources of his capacious mind, in the contem- plation of God and his works; bat the heart wanted an object on which next to its/Creator, it might plaee its ^nost tender affection. His tongue could natiM all the objects the eye beheld, and take pleasure and deHght in surveying them ; but in all the vast creation there was no tender, no sympathetic ear into which it could pour out its joys and say, how fair, how lovely, how glorious is all this that |ve> behold. He was alone .-^ He had none of his own race with whom he could commune, or participate his enjoyments. But the parent of our common race saw this defi- ciency, felt for him, and instantly supplied this want and call of nature. Adam indee4 felt no void, uttr»red no complaint ; but the Lord God said, it is not good for man to be alone, I will make a help meet for him. —Gen. 2— 2124. Now let us look for a moment at the being the parent of man supplied for him. Could anything be more suitable ? so adapted to hi^ nature and condition. Here is a being made to be his companion through life, in prosperity and adversity, in sickness , and in health ; made by the self-same hand that formed him- self, made also from his own body, so that she wa3 bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, and also suitable to him in a state of innocence and sinless perfection. I will not undertake to describe woman in that state of innocence and perfection, as she came out of the hands of her Creator, and was first presented to Adam. It would be impossible for me to do justice to such a subject. It is beyond the power of the imagination of man to conceive, and much more the tongue, or pen of man to describe. Judging of what we now see of \ 6 her, even in her present fallen condition, and especi- ally as a subject of renewing grace, we may naturally, conclude that when she came out of the hands of her Creator in a state of absolute perfection, she must have been to the eye of Adam the most lovely object in creation. In her we see, when first put into the arms of Adam, a creature that possessed all that was lovely inform^ all that was graceful in manner ^ all that was exalted in mind, all that vfMpure in thought, all that was delicate in sentiment, all that was enchanting in conversation. Now, that the influence of such a being wan gieat, and felt by Adam, is beyond all question. The conse- quence of this influence was awful to him, and as such has been experienced by his posterity. But let not woman imagine that her Mtiuition in the marriage con- nection, though fallen and degraded, is less important and influential — It is still true it is not good for man to be alone. She still holds an important and conspi- cuous place in the scale of human existence and hap- piness. Her influence to a very large extent, is as great over the husband of her choice as that of Mother Eve. Much of this influence depends now, as it did then, in the purity of her mind, the kindness of her heart, the toisdom of her counsels. Fallen and degrad- ed as man is by sin, yet there are only a few, and a very few compared with the great mass, but what will listen to the kindness of a woman's tongue, and whose heart, however hard, v/ill melt under the lender and endeared caresses of a woman's love. Let not then woman complain that her powers are limited and re- strained, because she is confined to the more domestic walks of life ; here is the place, the theatre, where her greatness and worth are known and felt ; and known and felt too in all the walks of life, from the Queen upon the throne to the lowest and most humble station in the scale of society. Man is still as dependent on woman as Adam was when he found it was not good to be alone, ^nd this dependence creates attachment and gives influence and irapoitance to her character. r m > It is in the capacity of a, wife that she shines with so much brilliancy in tbe crown of human glory. II— AS A MOTHER AND INSTRUCTRESS. I put these two together, because in nature they are made to centre in the same object. Woman has ever attracted the attention of both God and man, from the first moment of her creation to the present time. Princes and Warriois, Statesmen and Philoso- phers, Poets and Scholars, have all in their turn fallen in love with her charms, and employed their noblest intellect in praising her beautiful form, heroic deeds, and attractive virtues, ^ut the most interesting and endearing feature in her character is her tenderness, her sympathy, her unchangeable and paternal attach- ment, and all this displayed in the Mother. The natural results which fdllow a virtuous and an affecti- onate matrimonial connection is a beloved offspring. — From the first moment the mother hears it announced that to her a child is born, her labours of education begin. In many cases, if not in all cases, they begin before. The moment there is a prospect of a rising offspring, the labours, the cares and perplexities of a mother are seen. On her health depends the health and happiness of the being in prospect. Therefore to the cultivation and protection of this, considerable care and attention are necessary. From that moment too, she becomes in a peculiar sense an help-meet for man, as being the depositary and guardian of their most precious and joint concern. Now, it is a fact admitted by all enlightened men, that the foundation of all future greatness and useful- ness is laid in the nursery, while the child is under the care, protection, and instruction of its mother. It is here she makes an impression that is to last through all time and eternity. The sayings and doings of a mother weigh upon the mind, and frequently decide the whole character for life. The Rev. John Newton, an eminent Minister of the Church of England, who was at one time one of the roost degraded of human 8 f beings, but afterwarJs became distinguished for virtue and piety, tells us that in his most degraded condition, tho sayings and doings of his pious mother fastened upon his heart with unyielding grasp. And how many Ministers of the Gospel attrfbtitd their first and most lasting impressions td the influence of a mother's instruction and a mother's prayers. Ill— AS A MERCHANT. This is the idea which Solomon gives of the virtuous wife. " She considereth a field and buyeth it : she inaketh fine linen and selletb it/ and delivereth girdles 'into the merchant : shegperceiveth that her merchan- dize is good ; her candle goeth not out by night." All this yoii will easily see, relates to a man'« fortune. It in a fact, and a fact too established upon experience and observation, that a man's success in the world de- pends in a great measure upon the prudence and ma- nagement of his wife. This is true as it applies to all ranks and classes of society to a certain extent ; but more especially to the middling and operative classes, where success depends so much upon industry and economy. This was tlfe case with Adam in Paradise, in Paradise, labour indeed was not imposed as a bur- then, but bestowed as a privilege and a source of de- light : but even here we find that the help of woman was en addition to his happiness and personal enjoy- ment. It was not good for him to be alone. We find also, in reading the history of the race, that in the rudest ages, and in the most uncultivated state of societiey, woman's help and influence were necessary to give enjoyment to the hunter's spoils. It also aided him in bearing the burden and heat of the day, which he cheerfully encountered in the prospect of the re- freshment and repose of the evening. So that we can learn the influence and power of woman, even in the hut of the desert, mahaging the scanty portion of the savage with discretion, and doubling it by participation. But let us turn our attention from woman in this d d rude state of nature, and take a view of her as exer* cising her influence upon man when improived by civi- lization and refinement. We find that with the im- provements of society, new ideas naturally arise in the mind of man. The care of posterity arose : permanency must be given to possessions. The ^rtn and its produce are parcelled out, — men call their lands by their namec, - - housl) is joined to house, and field added to held. — But could man do tbiit^ne ? NO. As soon could he pluck the moon from iogtr^orbit, or arrest the sun in his course. In vain have his labour and skill provided bread enough and to sp^re, unless the womaTCs pni- dent attention manage that siifliciency and lay up that surplus for the evil day which may come. *' She look- eth well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.'^ Let this sentiment be fixed upon your minds as long aj3 time shall endure : No man ever prospered in the world without tlie consent and co-operation of his wife ! Let him be ever so frugal, regular, industrious, intelligent, successful, all goes for nothings if she is profuse, disorderly, indolent, or un- faithful to her trust. Let us carry these views out for a moment into practical life, and take the different classes as they rise. Take the farmer for instance. T his Inan's farm prospers, his barn is filled with plenty, the floors are covered with wheat, the vats overflow with wine and oil, his cattle increase and he is getting rich. Take the merchant, and you shall see all his commerce thrive, all his plans succeed : Providence smiles — the wings of every wind are wafting to his door gold and silver and precious things. The talents of a third are procuring for him reputation and distinction, and honor and wealth. And did not these prosper? No. Why ? Because these men had no help-meet. The design of heaven was defeated — the parties were unequally yoked— the help found for these men was not an help- meet for them. Skill was counteracted by careless- ness — the fruits of diligence were scattered about by the hand of dissipation-^he labours of a year perished 10 ■ > 5 in the sitting of an evening ; by much slothfulness the building decayed, and through idleness of the hands the house failed. But if you turn the scale, and let the woman look well to her household, and cultivate the fear of God and the wisdom from above, then she exercises an in- fluence over the estate of her household, that secures prosperity, usefulness, and respectability in life. ** Her children rise up and call her blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her." " A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband ; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones." Ill— AS A PHYSICIAN. And this refers to the health of the family. Health must be considered by all as among the first class of human blessings bestowed upon man by his Creator. Whatever else we possess, if this is wanting, ALL, ALL the rest must be insipid and tasteless. With- draw this boon, and the palace and the cottage are both alike filled with gloom and dismay. Health and happiness are so closely connected and linked toge- ther, that the existence of the one is almost abso- lutely necessary for the enjoyment of the other. — Now, the health of man is more or less affected by verious causes. Some of these causes are within IjiiTiri'tolf, and the amount of health an individual en- j r}'i, depends upon his own prudence and manage- vn. r*:. But there are other sources of health which €re not so much under his immediate controul, and on which his health very much depends, that are to a large extent committed into other hands. We are all formed and intended for society* and the health and happiness of the individual, as well as the body politic, depends very much upon our associations and stations in life. This variety is the lot of all, more or less ; but must in the nature of things vary with our station and employments of life. In navigating the voyage of life, we must look for the rough as well as the smooth ; 11 for the head wind as well as the pleasant breeze ; for the small freight as well as the full cargo ; the unsuc- cessful voyage as well as the successful arrival. It will be seen in reading the history of man, that sorrow and pain, solicitude and disappointment, enter into the cup from which man is called to drink ; and that msin, whoever he is, is but half provided for the voyage of life, who seeks to navigate this vast ocean alone. — God saw this and provided fur our wants and necessi- ties. Ke, therefore, employed his creative wisdom, and made for man an help-meet. One to be his asso- ciate and companion in life. A companion for his youth, a sharer in his felicity and property, a support in age, a solace in affliction, a partner in want, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, I This was the intention of the Creator in the original formation of man, and the constitution uf male and female, and the marriage compact. And that the means are adapted to the end, no one can doubt for a moment, who is the least acquainted with the histoVy of the race. Every man and especially every married man knows that to a large extent, his tranquillity of mind, his temper, his character and reputation are committed into the hands of his wife, and that his health depends very much upon her good keeping. Let these be neglected or trifled with, or blown into an hurricane under every slight and trifling oflence, and the greatest bodily vigour will quickly decay and sink under its weight, and the individual once the pride and glory of his race, becomes an emaciated skeleton, and life with all its blessings forever blasted. But on the other hand, where these are properly guar- ded, in the hands of a virtuous and- intelligent help- meet, we see life, health, vigour and happiness encir- cle round the head, and man all at once becomes fair as the moon, bright as the sun, and mighty as an army, with banners braving every storm, resisting every blast, and putting forth all his euergiesj come off more than conqueror. 18 V— AS A CHRISTIAN. And this brings her in connection with the church. There is something in the very nature of the female constitution which makes her peculiarly the subject of religious impressions. The hppes and fears, and the peculiar sympathies of her nature, naturally incline her to seiiouatiess, and love and communion with God. . She is less exposed to the world and its temptations, thtfn the other sex, and has generally more time for prayer and religious meditation. It is in the church of the living God, that her character, her usefulness, her influence, her virtues are developed "and called into action. Whatever other excellencies she may possess as a woman ; it is religion, the pure and un- defiled rHigion of heaven, that gives life and utterance "^to her character, a polish to all her manners, how- ever refined by nature and art, and energy to all her decisions. It is as a religious being, woman under the influence' of God, taught by bis divine spirit, guided by his word, that 1 am now descri- bing going forth in the greatness and majesty of her power as an angel of light, discharging the duties of her station in the church of God. We do not indeed expect her to become preacher, at)d enter the sacred desk ; this does not appear to be her calling, no more than it is her duty to beat the drum, bldw the fife, or wield the sword. But though she is not called to fill any of these great and public stations in the church ; yet, there are other places in the church, and import- ant posts too, in which she cannot only be useful, but . useful in a very eminent degree, and in some respects strike a more powerful influence upon the objects around her, than the other sex. I will mention a few of these — I — The Children op the Church. These have always been an importan. , and in many respects the largest part of the church on earth.— Their early instruction and impression, as far as Mr reli^ous tmth is coDoeraecl, is of the fir&t importance. The inspired writers and the wise men of all ages and countries, have felt the force and thq importance of this subject, and ha?e called the united attention of the community to the early instruction of the rising generation. Their language is, "Train up a child in the way be should go ; and when he is pld he will not. depart from it." Hence we see the wisdom of Sab' bath School institutions, and the usefulnefSs^and im- poitance of the femaje character and influence in the church of God. Heris is a field, opened in which she- can put £bnh lall her energies^ and employ ^W her talents, and strike. an influence through the rising ge- neration that shall last forever. Is not the church and the world, indebted to the pious instructions of hoib and Eunice, the.- gi^ndmo* ther and mother of Timothy, for one of her first |;ishops ? And who.can tell, till eternity unfold itself to our view,, how n^any Timothies have been instructedy. impressed, and trained, in oui* Sabbath Schools, and that l^o by female idstxiietion and influence. Jiot not >¥Qmari then suppose thatTshe hafr. nothing to. do -in th^ church of the living God ; here is a field for the exercise of all her powers, and where she can-stHke an influence as powerful as life, and as lasting. as eternity. Here,, ev6ry.fema1e.that.can, read, may find employment, and employment in which she may be useful and instru- mental in imparting life and salvation to others. — Here is a field for female influence, for both young and old, married and unmarried, rich and pi^oor, all may find employment and usefulness. - 2 — The Poor .qp the Chubch. It is said of the virtuous woman, that " She ^Xve^ch-, eth out her hand to the pOQf.'' The poor are a kind of legacy of the church, left by the Saviour- of the world as her portion, and calls for her special care and attention. For ye have the poor always. with you.—, " For the poor shall never cease out df U>e Land;* therefore, I conmiand thee, saying, Thou abailt open; u thine hand wide unto thy Brother, to thy' poor and to thy needy in the Land." Now, however this may be the duty of the male class of the race, one thing is cer- tain, that it opens a large and useful door for female action, influence and usefulness. It is not enough that you visit th*" poor ; but if you mean to carry your in- fluence out, it must be employed in soliciting the means of relief from the wealthy, and those that are able to aid you in this great christian duty — and for your encouragement, consider the promise of God. " Blessed is he that considereth the poor ; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth. The Lord vdll strengthen him upon^the bed of languishing ; Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Ps. 41. 1, 3. " If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflict- ed soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day." Isaiah 58, 10. These with ten thousand other promises, are given as en- couragements to us, to aid and help us in this great work of i mevolence and usefulness. Here again, is a great and open door for female usefulness and influ- ence. And while she is stretching out her hand in charity, a suitable opportunity offers to drop a word of instruction, that may strike an influence through eternity. 3 — The Sick op the Church. This is another portion of the heritage that calls for the special care and sympathy of the church, and in which the female can be most advantageously employed. Her very nature and sympathies qualify her in a very eminent degree for the God-like undertaking. In sickness the heart generally feels tender, and however deaf the ear may be to the voice of wisdom and reli- gion in health and prosperity, it will generally listen to the voice of instruction on the bed of languishing. " In t»'ouble they will visit him, and pour out a prayer when his chastening is upon them." There is no per- s 1 i 15 * son more qualified, and who can strike a greater influence upon the sick and dying than the intelligent female in the tick room and up6n the bed of' death. Here she appears nn an angel of light, imparting in- struction and salvation to the needy, and those who are ready to perish. Visiting the sick is not only a duty enjoined upon us in the scriptures, but also one of those virtues that is noticed and rewarded by the Saviour himself at the ,day of judgment. " I was sick and ye visited me.'' And Jesus himself went about healing all manner of sickness. 4 — The Charities of the Church. This is eminently her sphere of action, and where her energies and power can shine w\th brilliancy and lustre. Not only do we see her influence in going round from, door to door in collecting the means of doing good, but also in distributing from house to house the means put into her hand, to accomplish the object of her benevolent designs. Sometimes it is bread for the hungry — at another time clothing for the naked — and again a tract as food for the mind and impression for the heart. In this situation the influ- ence and power of woman, is seen and felt by the whole conimunity, and the tract distributer is doing as much for her generation, in the circle in which she is moving, as the Minister of the Gospel in the pulpit. They are both preachers. The one more public and open ; the other more secret, though sometimes more eflectual. . Woman has always been the n5remost in the sup- port of the christian church. She was the flrst in the transgression, and the first to bring in the promised blessing. The seed of the woman was to biuise the head of the serpent. She was among the chief friends of our Lord when on earth, and the foremost among those who wept at his suflerings, and the first who ran to the sepulchre after his death. She was the first to tell the tidings of his resurrection. In reading the his- tory of the church, we find her in all its departments \^ te gmong the most active and, zealoUs of the churcb friends. In the church under the Old Testament dta- i pensation» and also in the New Testament, and all succeeding ages, we find woman among the most pro- minent, active, and influential of the friends of Christ. We find woman among the first to found Sabbath schools, and sustain and carry them on. The gospel has been introduced into new places, and Ministers supported and kept in their places by her influence. Indeed let me ask what has she not done in the church and state, that can benefit and ameliorate the condition of the race, and bless and make man happy 'i Lady Huntington, and Miss Hannah More, have left behind them a name and influence, that will be as lasting as time and as durable as eternity. VI— AS A PRINCESS. In reading the history of the racei we find that wo- man, has not unfrequently been called in the course of Divine Providence, to fill the first and most important stations in civil life, It is neither a new nor a novel occurrence in the history of Briton, to see a female upon the throne, wielding the sceptre of th^ most powerful and important nation upon the face of the globe. This m^y in tlie eyes of some appear rather a misfortune than a blessing. . This question we will not discuss at the present. It is according to the constitu- tion of the kingdom, and evidently the good and wise appointment of heaven. The heart of every loyal subject responds to the appointment, while it listens to the wise dictates of heayenly wisdom, who teaches us to give honour to whom honour is due, and to re- spect at^d love those who have the rule over us. Our graciou^Aueen is not only loved and esteemed by her most iji^^g and loyal subjects, but she id deserving the l^tli^iind esteem which is constantly paid her, on all public opportunities, of expressing the feelings of a loyal people. As a woman she is lovely in herself, and from all that we know and hear and see of her private, »i 11 Tirtues and domestic habits, she would be an honour and an ornament to any class of society, in which the providence of God might have placed her But when we consider that she is an English woman by birth ; a Protestant in heiureligious faith";' the lawful heiress of the British throne ; the descendant of a line of an- cestors, long endeared to the British nation by their generous acts and mighty deeds ; and in connection with all this, she is at this moment the mistress of the most enlightened and powerful empire the world ever saw, embracing within its bosom not less than one hundred and fifty millions of hun^an beings, (a popu- lation only to be conceived in figures) ; these together with her extraordinary, personal and private virtues, render her the most lovely and influential female in the world. Of such a Queen, every loyal heart feels proud, while every pulse beats with warm affection to the name Victoria. Was Soloman in all his glory like unto her t Look at the Religion of Britain, and then say was there ever a nation or people like unto her, and whose God is the Lord. I will say nothing of her victorious armies ; her triumphant navy ; her inexhaustible Wealth ; her extensive manufactones ; her unparalel-, ed commerce ; her numerous provinces — all little empiies in themselves. These I will leave at present to statesmen and politicians, and call your attention more immediately to her religion, the strength and bulwark of the nation. Britain is a nation of priests of the most high God. There are at this moment in the island of Great Britain alone, not less than thirty thousand ministers of the Gospel of the different de- nominations of protestants, publishing the glad tidings of salvation in churches, chapels, meeting houses, rooms, lanes, a^pd public streets, every returning sab- bath^-all attached to the British throne. AH these ministers with their respective congregations, are con- stantly sending up their most fervent and devout pray- ers to the throne of Heaven, for the Queen and all in authority. 18 H Look agSkin at her charities. Is she not sending rut her Missionaries, her Bibles, her Tracts, her School teachers, to every corner of the Empire ^ Look again at her laws. And is there a nation to be found upon the face of the globe where more per- sonal, civil, and religious liberty exists, than within her walls 1 » ' Look again at her numerous free schools, sabbath schools and other institutions of learning ; and her hos- pitals for the sick and dying — and where will you find a nation upon the face of the globe like unto her ] — Over this mighty empire of moral greatness Queen Victoria reigns, and reigns too in the heaits of her loving rfnd loyal subjects. May not every Briton say " The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage." Who can deny the power of female influence ? In Britain it is seen in every British flag, in every bale of commerce, in every pulpit, in every sabbath school, in every bible, and at the batk of every letter. Having thus beheld pious virtuous women, in the Various stages of usefulness and influence, let me now call you to view her in the giving up of all her heart held dear on earth. Go with her to the bed of death and the grave — and here -again we see her greatness and influence. Contrast her fortitude upon the bed 't)f death, and when struggling with the last enemy of heir nature, with that of some of the most victorious Generals that have conducted their thousands to •^^he field of battle and of death ; but themselves have fail- ed in fortitude, when called to meet death in his more private approaches. Yet the virtuous female can look even death in the face, as a conquered enemy, and upon his very ramparts wave the banner of triumph and victory. She is strong even in death ; so that •when dying she strikes and leaves an influence to be felt forever. 1? 1 — Tub importance of Female Education. Of the importance and advantages of education to all classes, and especially to the female classes of society, it is not necessary for roe to advocate in any part of the British Empirer-as the fact is admitted in every quarter of her Majesty's dominions. But is the subject sufficiently felt by those who profess to believe it 1 Must not every reflecting man admit frc " i what has been said, as well as his own observation and ex- perience, that the female class are in a strict and important sense, the most influential and interesting class of society, and on which the life and happiness of the great body social and political, depend. Re- move them from the world and what have we left t Does not all our happiness, both social and political^ depend under God upon them ? Is it not here we find all those delightful associations included in the names of mother, siister, wife, friend, child, companion, with all those tender and endearing names peculiar to our race ] At home, or abroad, in private sblitude, or in the more immediate business of life, these names and relations follow us, and touch and soften the heart when all other objects fail. With these facts before us, it cannot I think be doubted, no not for a moment, that it is the duty of every parent, even of the most humble cottage, as well as those of the more splendid mansions, to exert all their powers to render tb^^e re- lations as dear as possible. The. foundation Qf alji, i^eal greatnes3 ai?4 infiueifce in womaii» is that religion which purifies the l^eart, and regulateS; a^d soften^ thp manners. Aijd if it is not in the ppwer of aU to give their daughters those accomplishment^ included in what is called a refined education ; yet it is within the reach of all to teacl;^ them the pure and updej&I^ed religion of heaven — for afteir all it is to the operation of this divi^ie principle VP9^* ^^6 female character, we are to look for that meekness and humility, sinc€|re love and constant affection, that untiring s^nd vigilant attention, which h^s been the honour and glory of the 20 k'l sex in all past ages, and gives woman that power over man and the world, surpassing all other influence. 2 — The advantages op the Chkistian Religion. In all uncultivated societies, woman has been de- graded and enslaved. In the dark ages of the world woman was only looke.d upon by their brutal lords, as the mere slaves of their passions, and the drudges of society. This is the very spirit of paganism wherever it exists. ' But the religion of Heaven comes to her aid, and lifls her at once from her state of degradation and slavery, and places her with the princes of the people, yea, with the princes of the pedple. Under the influenco of Christianity, she rises in the scale of being, and that man shews the greatest love and re- spect to woman, who does the most to support and sustain the christian religion. It is the religion of the cross that has given woman, British woman, the pow- er and influence she sustains in society, and which adds lustre to her character and respect to her name. Let religion, pure religion^ spread through all parts of the British empire, and her sons, and her daughters shall all say Amen. 3 — Let Husbands i/earn to esteem and love their Wives. I should suppose I had no need to impress this subject upon the mind of any intelligent man, as one would nat-urally infer that every man's common sense, as well as interest would teach him — ^having obtained a good wife not only to attach importance to her, but to place a great value upon her. But with shame, I confess, that such is the blindness of our minds and the unfeeling nature of our hearts, that we have need of admonition upon this important sub- ject. So the inspired writers thought and felt : hence we hear them say — Husbands love your wives, and be not bitter against them. And how are we to love them ? Let an Apostle mnawer. As Christ loved the (^ 1 i 21 Church. They are to be loved as your own body, and the reason is, that he who loves his wife loveth himself. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. *-*\ mm 22 (Fi'om Fraser^s Magazine for December.) STANZAS ON THE niRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROVAL. M- w Floats o'er the land a note of gladness, The winds the stirring tidings bear ; As on they sweep, in triumph telling " To Britain's throne is born an heir !" Welcome thy coming, regal lady ! We see in prospect on thy brow The gleaming of that golden circle, To which uncounted millions bow. Now lying helpless in thy cradle, To every infant ill a prey, Weak, darling, feeble, pretty nursling, Slumber thy harmless hours away. What dreams of power, of might, and glory. As shades o'er thine unconscious brain. Might spread, if thou couldst know what splendour Waits on the Mistress of the Main ! To islands bright in sunny oceans ; To Empires girt by Indus old ; To lands scarce trod by footstep christian ; To late-won Asia's central fold ; Where, through Canadian forests frozen, St. Lawrence rolls his mighty tide ; Where, in the glow of burning tropic, The Cape's great giant loves to ride ; Where'er the blast sweeps o'er the billow. And waves the unconquer'd flag of red : From climates 'neath the Wain ascendant, ' ~ To where the southern Cross is spread ; on There, lady, is thy sole dominion, Where varying tribes of men await The hour — far be it in its coming ! — That makes the mistress of their fate. The sun in constant course revolving, Sets never in the wide domain, O'er which thy loved and lovely mother, Stretches the sceptre of her reign. Sweet was the song, though small its moment, Sung to lov'd boy by gipsy crone, Which told that stream, and hill, and valley, Seen from his towers were all his own. To thee imperial rule is destined — And thine shall be barofiial sway : May they who hold thee in their guidance, Endow thee for another day ! When earthly pomp has pass'd and vanished. And thou, thy worldly labours done, Shalt come with other worms to tremble Before the one Eternal Throne. Bright be thy path in peace and glory, Worthy of her who rules the free. And fit to crave from Him a blessing, Who died as well for us as thee. Rough is our lay though true and faithful, He who should hail thee with his song Sits silent mid his much-loved mountains : Mute is the Laureate's tuneful tongue ! The Persian prayer be thine, dear baby — As thou, a naked, new-born child, Wailed at the moment of thy birth-hour, While every eye around thee smiled. If.' ^ 'W^ 24 So through the course of life's long current May it be thine thy way to keep, That at the moment of thy death hour Calm mays't thou smile, while all around thee weep. ■/ I ■^ In m A