or placing their papers on the table, and silently commencing her own writing, usually had the desired effect; and before the wished-for tine arrived, the Editress had quite a number of pieces, neatly and uniformly written. These were not procured, it is true, without some little attention and trouble on her part. Children require an older hand to guide, direct, and encourage them in the execution of such plans.

It was evening. The window shutters were drawn, the sofa wheeled up several chairs were arranged before the fire, and in the centre of the parlor stood a table, on which lay a small port-folio. The long shadows of the andirons flickered upon the neatly swept hearth, and the blazing logs, which illuminated every object around with their soft light, had been arranged with unusual care.

Oh dear," exclaimed Maria, as she anxiously looked at the clock, "Oh dear, it's half past six now. I'm so afraid they wont come, and then sha'n't we have it Ellen ?"

"Oh, be patient," said the mother, who was sitting in a rocking chair in the corner, smiling with interest upon the little group. "Be patient, they'll probably be here before long. Draw nearer to the light, and get your work arranged before they begin."

There was a pause of a few moments, which was interrupted by Anne's anxiously inquiring, May we not go over, and see what the matter is?"

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"Wait a few minutes longer. Hark!"

A noise was heard on the steps;-the door opened;-and the anxiously expected visitors entered. Apologies were soon made, cloaks and bonnets laid aside, and with a glance at the port-folio which still lay on the table, and a peculiar smile, the happy party seated themselves, drew forth their work, and soon were impatient for the business of the evening to commence.

But first," said one, "I propose we make a rule against all loud laughing and talking."

"Oh," replied another, "this is not to be a formal society meeting. We want to have a cheerful, social time, a pleasant party. If we make such rules, they will weaken the restraints of common politeness, which are, I think, all we shall need to keep us in order."

Whether this was the general opinion, or not, is not known, for nothing more was said about it; but at the united request of all, the Editress commenced her duties.

The first piece which she read, was an announcement of the plan, with minute and particular directions to the correspondents, proposing for the sake of uniformity to have the samesized paper used, and suggesting that if neatly written, they might be preserved and bound.

Then came a story, which while it was calculated to interest, yet seemed to aim also at producing some good moral effect.

Then a family scene, telling how one of the little girls gave

vent to her bad temper, and this clear exhibition of her fault, we think must have done much towards preventing a public repetition of it.

Some original poetry, now and then an interesting abstract or anecdote; descriptions of various sorts from the younger ones, and stories, written solely for amusement, came on in regular order. The names of the authors were not given, but the telltale blush, the half averted head, or peculiar air of indifference soon revealed these.

The Fireside, No. 1. now closed; and the happy party separated, delighted with the plan, the younger ones feeling for the first time, interested in writing compositions; and the older ones, conscious that it might be made a means, and if skillfully and delicately used, a powerful means of encouraging habits of industry and application, promoting good taste, correcting little faults, and exhibiting a high standard of moral action.

now is, how you ought to treat your mother. When I was a boy, no larger than you are, my mother used to tell me, that she never knew any one to prosper who did not treat his mother well. She said that when she was young, she knew several children who did not honor their mothers, and that they all came to a bad end.

There were several boys among my acquaintances, whom I knew to have disobeyed and ill-treated their mothers. I thought I would remember them, and see how they turned out in the world.

I should think it was as much as fifteen years ago. I will call these boys William, George and Herbert. I remember as distinctly as though it were but yesterday. They were my class mates at school. I remember their mother perfectly well, for many a play-afternoon I have spent at their houses.

William was a very pleasant boy and a fine scholar. He made as rapid progress in his Latin as any one in school. One afternoon, I was at his father's house. We were playing on the green in front of the door. William's mother stepped upon the doorstone and called him. We were busily engaged in play with some other boys, and William took no notice of his mother's call. After she had spoken several times, he stopped a noment to hear what she had to say.

"I want you to go down to the store, and carry this box to your father," said his mother,

"But I don't want to go, mother."

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Well, you must go."

go."

"William, I tell you, you must for your father must have this immediately."

go,

Just then one side of the party who were playing ball had beaten the other. William heard the merry hurra and exclaimed, "Well I won't go, there." He picked up a stick and throwing it at his mother, ran eagerly off to join the victors. I turned just in time to see the stick fall from his mother's dress, and to see how sad she looked as she went into the house.

I never before saw a boy strike his mother, and it made me feel so badly, that I could not play. I told the boys I believed I must go home. I walked away thinking of what my mother had told me. I thought I would always remember Willian and see if he prospered.

Perhaps it would have been better, if William's mother had spoken more kindly to him, but that was no excuse for William. But what I wanted to tell you is, what became of him. grew up he was taken very sick and after many years of great suffering he died.

Before he

The next boy was George. His mother indulged him very much. She used to let him do pretty much as he chose and anything he wanted she was sure to do for him, but anything she wanted,

In fact, he seemed to have much less regard for his mother than for an older scholar, who used to be a leader in all our sports. He never minded any thing his mother said to him, and she might as well have talked to the currant bushes in the garden, as to have asked him to do an errand. He always acted as if he felt, if he did not say, "I don't care for my mother."

Well, George is dead too. He became dissipated, lost his character, and died a miserable death.

Herbert was much like William and George,-worse if any thing. He not only did not care for what his mother said, but used to ridicule her before the other boys. He used to do it, to be sure, in a good humored way but after all, it was a great way off from the respect that was due to his mother. And what do you suppose became of Herbert? His end was more miserable than that of William or of George. I shall not tell you exactly what became of him, for it is a more dreadful story than I love to relate. But I can never think of him without remembering the text, (Prov. 30: 17.) "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagle shall eat it.".

plenitude of Christian affection, proffer a cordial from the Word of Life, to an afflicted brother merchant, hoping to strengthen him by a draught from the same bank whence he draws his funds, he would be answered by a look, plainly indicating that he had no use for such promises, though endorsed by Him whose are the cattle upon a thousand hills.

But what does David mean then when he says, they that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion? they shall never be moved?— "I would not mind this failure," says Mr. B., "a straw, were it not for the peculiarly aggravating circumstances.' I never knew a failure that was not attended with peculiar circumstances. Suppose it is so; are the silver and gold the Lords? You would think it an indignity, should one insinuate that your book-keeper committed mistakes in the management of your accounts; and shall not the financier of all the earth do right?

The Apostle says the service of Christ is perfect freedom; and the Apostle was a business man; none more so. The Saviour says my yoke is easy, and my burden light; but the experience of modern business men make it an Egyptain bondage. And this is the actual practice of Christians, is the commentary that the world read and understand. Scott and Henry have written very good commentaries and the Christian may look into them and find something about the peace of which we speak; but the world read the living epistle, and they are not perplexed with

figures of speech,' though they perplex themselves occasionally with difficult questions, as for example, "if Mr. B. is a Christian, why is he so much disturbed by the apprehension of a loss of this world's goods?" and thenwe are forced to the explanation, Oh, Christians are but imperfectly sanctified in this world; you niust not look at Christians. But men will look at Christians, and they have our Saviour for their warrant; "by their fruits," says he, "ye shall know them."

That Christian merchants should possess this peace will be admitted by every true Christian, but in their hearts many will say "it is a hard saying, who can hear it?" Not those who have conscientiously, incurably imbibed the notion that doing all for the glory of God, is doing the greatest amount of business human nature can sustain. To them I speak in parables which they will never get time to sift. But if there be those who are striving to maintain a conscience void of offence towards God and man, and who have been seeking the way carefully with tears; to them it is given to know the mysteries of the word of God. Let a man acknowledge the Lord, literally in all his ways, and He will direct his paths. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.

Is there any man desirous of this peace, yet conscious that he has it not? Let him pause; consider; my people do not consider, saith the Lord. Let him investigate his affairs. How stands your credit on Heaven's Ex