incentive to improve the intellectual powers by making advances in solid science only, and most happy will be the consequences. The last obstacle to the temple of literary honours which shall be mentioned, is an almost universal preposterous prostitution of their faculties to the mere spleen of the fair sex. This charge may appear simple and futile; but it is too true, that a multitude of those whose situation in our seminaries give them an opportunity to distinguish themselves, waste the morning of their life in the vapours of enamoured effeminacy. I would in no degree indulge bigoted notions, on particular conditions of life, or inveigh against a custom which has received the sanction of Heaven, and on which social happiness depends. But every thing requires suitable timed attention. It is indeed lamentable, to observe one, whom Nature has endued with the highest genius, and whose friends have given the most superior local advantages, forgetting himself, and becoming captivated by the tantalizing visions of connubial anticipations, in the midst of his scholastic career. His whole soul is absorbed in its momentous termination. Not a book, without the work of fancy receives attention, these alone are congenial to his feelings and situation. No instruction is agreeable but some exhilarating information of his beloved. No emulous exertion, and vigorous efforts are made in literature; but fanciful disclosures of her duplicity and finesse turn to terror the visions of the night. Assiduity is extinct. The classics are regarded only for their amorous fables. The interest and correctness of her judgment find no parallel in the greatest profundity of philosophy. Botany and mineralogy are irksome, except when she wanders with him to obtain specimens: and through all his astronomical observations he discovers no luminary that twinkles with half the lustre, with the vivid sparkling of her lucid eye. In a word the inception, and progression of his studies are wholly blended with imbecile languishment, and though cloaked with pretensions of scholastic brilliancy, yet his ignorance is an impassable barrier to his distinction.

These are some of those injurious practices, which have intruded upon the paths of literature; and may those who suffer their influence upon themselves, recollect that there are some in a generous public, who,

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though they have a momentary admiration of the plausibility of fancy; smile at the sallies of wit; and feel the liveliest sensibility in participating the society of conjugal affection; yet despise the simple, devoted fanatic to fiction, egotism, and love. But before the dismission of this subject, permit me to dictate an antidote. It is an erroneous idea, that prevalent prejudices originate with the lower orders of a large community. country where general knowledge is cherished as in this, they are ever originated and maintained by the votaries of learning, and among them, instructors have the greatest ascendency. Then let them poiut the way with due discrimination. The mind is susceptible of the most methodical discipline; capable of being inured to unremitting assiduity, in the management of facts, and examination of problematical truths. And instead of breathing so many sophistical whims in our institutions, our students will be collecting elegant and durable materials, for some noble fabric of civil, moral, or religious worth, which their eradition will harmonize and polish; and their country escape the slanderous imputation of local weakness of intellect, while themselves will have erected a monument in the temple of fame, on which their names will be engraven in characters too impressive to be eradicated by time or prejudice.

A HOMO.

LETTER FROM ONE PARENT TO ANOTHER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF UNION AND CO-OPERATION IN FAMILY GOVERNMENT.

MY DEAR MRS.

EVERY thing relative to the education of children, is interesting to a Mother who feels her responsibility; and not one of those points upon which we conversed a little time since is unimportant; but unless I greatly misjudge, one of the most essential, is that of the entire co-operation of opinion and action on the part of parents. Different persons often entertain different views of character and the manner in which it should be formed, improved, and swayed; but surely those who aim at one result

the good of their children, should ever act towards them, as from the impulse of one mind; else the efforts of both will be defeated, and the child be subject to nei ther. I have occasionally witnessed very unhappy ef fects, in the families of intelligent and religious people, arising from a want of union in the control of the chil dren. Perhaps the father's standard of obedience, good temper, and propriety, is high; but the mother continually counteracts his authority, by, at least, a partial indulgence of habits, feelings, and conduct, such as he disapproves. She thus not only destroys the effect of his authority over the children, but ensures to herself that disobedience and disrespect, which will one day pierce her to the heart. If the case be reversed, and the fa ther counteracts the efforts of the mother, by approving, or perhaps looking with indifference upon conduct which she forbids, in vain will she impart instruction, or command obedience: the one and the other will be alike unheeded.

Children are exceedingly discerning; and so ready are they to take advantage of any inequality in the gov ernment of their parents, that even those whose co-operation is most perfect, will have frequent occasion to guard against an appearance of disagreement, even when it does not actually exist.

To describe the evils arising from a difference of judg ment and practice, in the exercise of parental authority, would fill a volume; indeed, they cannot be described or traced. The parents in this case, have no right to anticipate any thing better in their children, than habitual self-will, ill-temper and perverseness, and a certain bluntness of the sensibilities and a hardness of heart which must ever arise from the unrestrained indulgence of bad passions, and which will prepare the child to be, în youth, and manhood, imperious, selfish, intolerant and vicious.

Instances are also frequent, in which the interference of relations threatens to destroy the fair edifice, which both parents are endeavouring with united patience, wisdom, and assiduity to rear. The ill-judged tenderness of which this is the result, can never be too much deprecated; and I conceive that no ties of relationship, however strong, can obligate the parents to make such a sac

rifice, as the subordination and happiness of their children. It surely cannot be difficult, with respectful decision, to prohibit the interference of a grand-parent, in the regulation of a family of children; and I would ask if it is not proper, nay if the good of the children, and the happiness of the family, does not imperiously demand it. I know that filial affection revolts from such a step, and perhaps too a latent correspondence of feeling weakens our resolution; but God, who witnesses our solicitude, and earnest endeavours, and hears our prayers for the good of our children, will smile upon this sacrifice of feeling, and give us our reward.

This brings me to a part of the subject which I consider as infinitely important I presume any mother is some. times pained with the conviction that all her efforts to control and regulate her children, are not only inefficient, but absolutely powerless. Blessed be the Father of every mercy that there is no exigency nor perplexity in this great work, in which we may not go to Him to guide us through it. I am convinced that if we go to our God each morning, expressly to implore his direction, and blessing, and the bestowment of all that gentleness, patience, and decision upon ourselves, and all that mildness and teachableness upon our children which is necessary to our success, we should each evening have occasion to go to him again, and gratefully testify that he hears prayer, and is an abundant rewarder of all who diligently seek him...

I presume that religious people generally feel it to be a duty to ask God's blessing upon all their lawful employments, and his assistance in the performance of all their duties; but do they implore him, with an importunity which cannot be denied, for the grace they need in this most important employment, and most arduous duty of their lives?

My interest is strongly excited on this subject, and when I see a mother who is rearing a family, I almost look upon her as having the destiny of immortals entrusted to her disposal, and I cannot but say within myself, "how much piety, how much wisdom, how much patience does she need!"

May our kind Benefactor bestow these, and all needed blessings upon you and your unworthy friend.

M.

2. As the pious soul derives all her light from the Sun of righteousness, are there not seasons when the world is suffered to obscure this reflected light? How many Christians, who have imparted a salutary light for years, attract more notice from the world, by one unchristian action, than they had ever before received. Eyes were watching for their falls, and exulting in them. How exceedingly circumspect and prayerful should Christians be, not to suffer the earth to hide heavenly rays from their souls, and thus cause the lovers of darkness rather than light, to exult; and perhaps occasion many to stumble, and fall, and perish, in consequence of darkness, which had they been exemplary, they might have dispelled. But my feelings this evening are not very favourable for moralizing. You will, however, exercise your rightful prerogative, print, or not print this trifle, as you please. Yours, &e.

E.

BIBLE CLASS IN BRIDG WATER.

MR. EDITOR,-Having been requested to furnish some account of the Bible Class in my Society, to be published in the MONITOR, I readily consent to do it, in hopes that others. may be excited to a more general and systematic attention to the rising generation..

THE Bible Class in this Society commenced about the first of March last, and consists of the youth of both sexes from fourteen years of age and upwards. About sixty, (these being nearly all the youth in my Society) have united in the Class, the most of whom, especially the females, have attended with a good degree of punetuality. The Class meet once in two weeks, in two divisions, and recite from the New-Testament,aking it in course. We use the edition with reference letters and questions, by Rev. H. WILBUR. A certain portion, one or two chapters, is set them for a lesson for each meeting, at which all the members of the Class are expected to be able to give an answer to the questions proposed in the Testament. Most of them prepare their answers in