adopt the most exaggerated notions of liberty. Looking forward to a life in which they have to seek their own fortunes, and not relying upon their fathers to establish them in business-as the youth of other countries are prone to do—they set out too eagerly, and reject the restraints of the domestic circle, before they can well do without them. Like a ship which casts off its moorings, before it is ready to unfurl its sails, they are tossed upon a tempestuous ocean without principles to guide and steady their course. Rejoicing in the bewitching prospects for aggrandizement which a free government always unfolds, they gird themselves to run the race without strength to accomplish it. Fixing their eyes upon the prize before they can commence the pursuit, they become impatient of the necessary restraints of youth. Fired with an unhallowed ambition, the youthful mind despises the invaluable lessons of parental discipline-often breaks loose from all the influences both mental and moral with which God has blessed it, and hazards its all upon some ill-judged and premature enterprise.

If there be any cause for such unhappy results other than the depraved tendencies of the human heart, it is the fact that in our country, THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIfe are assumed at TOO EARLY AN AGE, and an independence of parental authority thus attained, which is fatal in its effects. Dependence is the most effectual of all restraints. A sense of mutual dependence holds mankind together in every civil association; and as soon as a man becomes independent of his fellow-men, he learns to value their interests as little as their authority. In tracing the course of a headlong youth in the career thus begun we soon find him at variance with his father and a source of incessant sorrow to his mother. He stoutly resists every attempt of his parents to restrain or advise him-he adds abuse to insult, if they persevere in their endeavors to restrain him; until, at length, through discouragement, or desire of peace, or the influence of prevailing customs, he conquers, and is allowed to run his mad career unmolested. Now he swells in' self-esteem, and rises above the influences of the family circle, until, although dependent upon his father and maintained at his table, he becomes a beardless

man whose own parents dare not address him except as an equal. Thus the tendency of excessive liberty is exhibited; and now its baneful influence is witnessed in the parents. They fail to enforce the authority which God, and nature, and reason have assigned them, and, neglecting to rule their own household, suffer an example of rebellion which endangers the character of every child. We need not trace this history farther-all have seen the issue. We have known the broken-hearted sire to yield a child-like obedience to the tyrant son he had cherished—we have seen the kind but unavailing entreaties of the still hoping mother. We have seen wo, poverty, and ruin all following in funeral procession after that fatal laxity of discipline, which planted the germ-and when the bell has tolled the "old man's" knell, we have felt most bitterly "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."

No one can be surprised at the picture here presented, who is acquainted with the condition of society in the city of New York, or who has considered the strength of the causes which produce such melancholy results. This cause is deeper and broader than we are all aware of, and its contagious poison is so fatal, that we cannot estimate its mischief. What greater evil can befall a family than to contain one thankless son! And most of all, if some reverse of condition render a parent dependent upon a child who does not respect him, what language can express that curse? Who that has not felt it, can conceive how withering to the heart of a fond father is the angry chiding of a wayward son! Nor does this deadly Bohon Upas spend all its mischief on the domestic circle. It poisons the atmosphere far beyond, and reaches to the walks of public life. To filial impiety we may trace many of the vices which afflict our land. Who is more likely, than a thankless son, to be a thankless citizen? Who more likely to betray his trust? Who so sure to be an unkind husband, as he who betrayed the bright trust he received from above-of guarding the happiness of his parents? Why is it said of us, that we lack reverence for our rulers and clergy? Why have hoary hairs so little power to claim attention and respect? If it be doubted by any one, whether disobedience to parent

tends to produce all these vices, let the experiment be tried---let parents maintain an equitable administration in their families, and suppress the first risings of revolt-then see what a change will come over the character of our people. Or let such an one even now trace the history of our forgers, our mutineers, and our murderers, and see the seed of their ruin sown in rebellion against parental authority.

Of all curses denounced in Holy Writ may I escape that which shall be visited upon abusive children! I cannot respect the man who dishonors a parent, be he ever so gifted with wealth or wit: he thus poisons his whole being and renders himself execrable; and all who know him, both the honest and those as base as himself, must despise his inhumanity! He even degrades himself below the brute creation-for they are obedient to the laws of their own nature, but man becoming thus unfilial, shows himself so corrupt and base, that nature, even with the instincts which unite in harmony the stupid brutes, is unable to hold him in decency. If he had no mind, or powers above a beast, he could not thus violate the laws of nature; but being thus gifted, and being made in the image of God, he is able and willing to pervert all the glory of his superior nature that he may sink in this respect below the beasts of the field! I have seen this curse developed, and have been compelled to watch its working in detail, and know its blighting mildewand if there is any prayer I ever sent to heaven with honest heart it is, God save me from a thankless child!

If any child reads this communication, let that one beware, and be tender of a parent's love. Guard as the apple of your eye the happiness of those who gave you being. Remember that a parent dead is a loss which all the world cannot restore. Grieve not a mother-revere her for her sake-for your own sake-for HEAVEN'S SAKE!

"Grieve not thy sire!
How oft that palsied hand hath led
Thy infant footsteps weak with fear;
How gently bowed that reverend head,
Thy childhood's broken tale to hear;

And when those wayward feet have strayed
Mid youthful follies rashly free,

Those lips invoked at midnight's shade
The pardon of thy God for thee!

-If from his speech should dotage flow,
Or eye, or ear, be dull and dead,
Thou to his second childhood show
The love that smoothed thy cradled-bed.
Grieve not thy sire! for if his love
Unblest or unrequited be,

He whom thou call'st thy Sire above,

Will bend a Judge's frown on thee!

F. G. C.

MATERNAL ASSOCIATION-ROCHESTER.

FIRST REPORT OF THE MATERNAL ASSOCIATION OF THE BRICK CHURCH,
ROCHESTER, APRIL 11, 1843,

DEEPLY impressed with the solemn and responsible duties of our situation, and urged on by a desire to blend our sympathies and prayers together, mutually to instruct each other in the fearfully responsible duties of a Christian Mother; and with earnest prayer that our feeble efforts might be crowned with success, we assembled one year since for the formation of this Society. At first we numbered 27 mothers, and 86 children; 17 mothers and 64 children have since been added,—making at the present time 44 mothers, and 150 children. Of these mothers three have rejoiced in the conversion of their husbands, and have witnessed their public espousal of the cause of Christ. Here also, with grateful hearts, would we record the fact that of the 150 children but two have been removed by death, while a large number have given hopeful evidence of a saving change, and 13 have united with the Church. Does not this convince us that our prayers have been heard, and our public efforts greatly blessed?

Since our organization, perhaps some of us have at times felt that the monthly meetings of this Association were of but little consequence, and with a faithless despondency have been ready to think the time allotted to them was almost wasted. But in

tracing the short history of the Society have we not much to cheer and encourage us, and cause us to feel that it would be most criminal and ungrateful to yield one moment's ascendency to such a feeling?

We have brought our offerings to the common altar, and has not the solicitude we have felt for the eternal happiness of our beloved offspring endeared to us the place where the altar of prayer has been erected, and where, in concert with other mothers, those fervent supplications have ascended which in return may bring down upon the beloved objects of our unceasing solicitude those spiritual blessings which are so rich and so enduring? May we not confidently expect that around this very altar ⚫ of prayer, we may, like one of old, have power with God, and be enabled to prevail in behalf of those endeared objects of our love, and secure for them the "Great Salvation," which will make them useful here, and holy and happy throughout eternity?

"Where two or three are met together in My name, there will I be in the midst of them, and that to bless," is the cheering declaration of One, who is alone able fully to sympathise with all of a Mother's anxieties and trials. And are we prepared to say that in all our meetings, during the past year, we have never been in a situation to claim the fulfilment of this precious promise? I feel assured that all who have attended our meetings can bear testimony that our labor has not been in vain. Many thanks are due to our Pastor for his efficient aid at our quarterly meetings, and for his advice and counsel always cheerfully rendered.

And now, dear Sisters, while we make an humble and heartfelt acknowledgement of our past unfaithfulness; let us begin another year of effort, relying upon Him, who is able and willing to impart every needed assistance, and move onward in the work he has given us to do. Then may we indulge in the pleasing anticipation of witnessing more signal displays of the mercy and grace of God, in the fulfilment of that gracious promise, "I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee."

MRS. W. J. WOOD, Cor. Sec.