crew had already gone, and others were prepared to go with me; but, just as my plans were matured, the recollection of my MOTHER so powerfully pressed on my thoughts, that, knowing it would grieve HER, I abandoned the scheme. A few more weeks passed by in the excitement of the country. I sought and obtained leave to visit the Diggings and return to Sydney. Again the ardent desire to escape my bondage came over me. I pondered the injustice of my employers, and felt that it would not be matter of much difficulty to elude the pursuit of the Colonial Police; then once more I determined to "bolt!" My clothes I placed with a person on whom I could rely; provided myself with the money necessary for my purpose; and now, on the eve of my departure, sat quietly down to consider the probable requirements of the future. No sooner had I retired for this purpose when the recollections of HOME revived-I thought of my MOTHER!-The ship would return!—No son to be found! She would ask about him! "He ran away in Sydney, and had not been heard of since," would be the reply! I thought of the agony such uncertainty would occasion her! The long period that would pass before I could possibly relieve it! The distress and sorrow of my dear MOTHER, brothers, and sisters! All these reflections came down so powerfully on my spirit that, overcome by them, I solemnly resolved to incur no such responsibility, but deny myself-preserve my character-and return home in my ship! My clothes I left where I had placed them, and I feel more and more gratified continually that I was enabled to make and keep such a resolution!'"

Now, though our young friend has not so remembered his mother's prayers and early teaching as at once to yield up himself to God, yet may we not hope that a heart so susceptible of impression, and a will prepared for so much self-denial, may, at another period, fall beneath God's converting grace, and devote these pleasing, hopef

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dispositions of heart to the honour and praise of his Great Redeemer!

Christian Mothers! Pray without ceasing; thou knowest not which shall prosper; cast thy bread upon the waters, it shall be seen after many days. Care for the sons of other mothers who are around you, and hope on ever.

FORGIVENESS.

"WHEN on the fragrant sandal tree
The woodman's axe descends,
And she, who bloomed so beauteously,
Beneath the keen stroke bends,

E'en on the edge that wrought her death,
Dying she breathes her sweetest breath,
As if to token in her fall,

Peace to her foes, and love to all.

How hardly man this lesson learns,

To smile and bless the hand that spurns,
To see the blow and feel the pain,
But render only love again!

This spirit not to earth is given,

One had it! but He came from heaven.
Reviled, rejected, and betrayed,

No curse He breathed, no plaint He made;
But when in death's deep pang He sighed,
Prayed for His murderers, and died!”

THE BIBLE, AND THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

WE must give our readers a word about the Jubilee of this noble Institution. The British and Foreign Bible Society has now existed seven times seven years. It has entered on its first Jubilee, and a glorious beginning it had on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of last month. An open Committee meeting was held in the room where the Society was formed, in 1804. A splendid meeting was held next

A YOUNG WIFE'S RECOLLECTION.

67

day in Exeter Hall, and on the day following the Archbishop of Canterbury preached a commemoration sermon in St. Paul's Cathedral. Every meeting was crowded, and the best spirit pervaded them. It is hoped, that by means of this Jubilee very great things will be done towards filling the earth with Bibles. We intend to give some further account of this Society next month. Reader, have you a Bible? Do you read it? Understandest thou what

thou readest?

THE YOUNG WIFE'S RECOLLECTION OF HER FATHER'S HOME.

A YOUNG lady, the child of pious parents, had arrived at years of maturity, apparently without having any salutary impressions made on her mind either by the instructions she had received, or the examples she had witnessed. In this state of mind she received the addresses of a gentleman destitute of religion, and who probably had not possessed her early advantages. He was moral, respectable, and honourable in social life, and had no idea that anything more was necessary. In due time they were married.

The worth of any blessing is often best taught by its loss. The very first day of her residence in the house of her husband the young lady was struck with horror and distress at the omission of "FAMILY PRAYERS;" and the family separated at night, and met in the morning, and no “BIBLE” was called for, no expressions of gratitude offered for protection and refreshment through the night, no supplication for provision, direction, and support through the day. She felt desolate and uncomfortable; and that which she had so long disregarded in the house of her father seemed now absolutely essential to her comfort. The deficiency was the means of awakening in her mind deep and serious convictions of her guilt in having failed to

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A YOUNG WIFE'S RECOLLECTION.

improve the privileges with which she had so long been favoured. She was led to tremble at the awful state of guilt and danger as a sinner before God. She humbly and earnestly sought mercy through the blood of the cross, and found joy and peace in believing. Now, the instructions and admonitions of her pious parents, which had so long seemed to be like good seed rotting beneath the clod, began to spring up and yield fruit. She said, "THE GOD OF MY PARENTS SHALL BE MY GOD," and she gave herself up to Him in a covenant, never to be forgotten. She could not now be insensible to the best interests of her husband and family. These became matters of deep solicitude and fervent prayer. Her pious endeavours were blessed; her husband was awakened to discern the things that belonged to his everlasting peace, and was made a partaker of the grace of God in truth. Their household was soon numbered among those in whose tabernacles is heard the voice of rejoicing and salvation. They became eminently pious, exemplary, and useful characters, and trained up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Christian parents! it is sometimes your grief that you cannot give your children grace; but this you can do, and see that it is faithfully done: Let your daily prac tice and example lodge in their hearts a conviction that religion is a sacred, a needful, and a delightful thing; that it is the rule of your conduct and source of your happiness, and that it is a wretched and miserable thing to be without it. Then may you hope that, sooner or later, those divine influences which you can pray for, though you cannot command, will give vitality to your long-neglected instructions and examples, and that the children over whom you have long mourned as aliens from God shall become a seed to serve Him.

The happy impression produced on the mind of this young lady would not have occurred in the case of a young person brought up in a family where domestic worship was

LETTERS FROM THE NURSERY.

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made light of, irregularly engaged in, or caused to yield to the claims of worldly business, pleasure, or convenience. The responsibility of heads of families in this particular cannot be too often pressed on their attention.

LETTERS FROM THE NURSERY.-No. III.

MY DEAR MADAM,—It seems to be of the first importance to try early to make our children obedient. We should, I think, make but few rules, but these should be carried out. I will give you an example or two of what I have found effectual with my little boy.

In the summer he was very fond of playing in the front garden. It is cheerful to see the people pass-to watch the dogs and pigs, and horses and carriages; but almost everybody left the gate open, and Willie would run into the road. He was reproved once or twice, forbidden to do so, and assured that, if he did, he would be punished. Soon after he dropped his ball down the steps into the forbidden road, and ran after it. I fetched him in, and corrected him; but not long after I found him at the bottom of the steps again. Again I corrected him. Since then, he has had the run of the place, and if, by accident, he drops his ball into the road, he will come to me to pick it up for him rather than break bounds.

When winter set in, I felt fearful of the fires. I, of course, use every precaution; but still, children are apt to get to the fire if you watch them ever so much. So, the first day the fire was lighted, I said-"Now, Willie, you must never go on the rug." His papa said--“ I think he is too young to understand or remember such an injunction; you will always be punishing him for transgressing." I replied, "At all events, I can but try." Every morning, when I brought him down stairs, I repeated my rule, and, for a day or two, apparently without success. Before long, however, I found out the reason to be that he did not understand me. He said one day—" Manıma, is it naughty to go on a rug? What is a rug? Is it a carpet?" I explained the matter to him, and from that time I have never seen him put his foot on it. He will go round the table rather than attempt to cross it; and even when his papa forgets, and would draw him over to him, he cannot be induced to set his