tle more explicit. The principle here laid down is to be restricted within very narrow limits. We do not say that a parent shall not control the moral conduct of his children; he is bound to do so. On all questions relating to morals, or to religion, in regard to which we have a specific revelation, the right of control is absolute. So long as a child has no right to do wrong, his conscience cannot be violated by a law requiring him to abstain from what he thus knows to be evil, or to perform that which by the same means he knows to be his duty. It is only on questions whose morality confessedly rests upon the grand doctrines of expediency, lying beyond the pale of a specific revelation, that the parent is bound to yield to the conscientious scruples of his child. In reference to all such questions, the right of private judgment must for ever remain inviolate. The parent can only advise; he may not command. No child, however, can claim to do what his parent has prohibited, unless he conscientiously believes not only that the thing is in itself innocent, but also that it is required of him as a religious duty.

3. Another limitation arises from the want of perfection in the capacity of the parents. No human government can control the heart. A parent cannot compel a child to love God; he can command him to exercise such an affection, but he can never know whether his command has been obeyed, and he cannot therefore inflict a penalty for disobedience. Yet he has the power to restrain his children from habits of irreverence, and from profanity; and he is bound to see that their external conduct is not inconsistent with their duties to God. The same is true in regard to every affection of the mind. We may educate mind, but we cannot coerce it.

The right of parental legislation, with these three limitations. operating as exceptions, is universal. It will be remembered, however, that the administration of this right is attended by weighty responsibilities, and by peculiar difficulties. It involves the substitution of the will of the parent in the place of the will of the child, in reference to all the affairs of its history during its of pupilage. It forms a subject of inquiry upon which we need "line upon line and precept upon precept."

age

Brooklyn, N. Y.

THETA.

For the Mother's Magazine.

REPORT OF MATERNAL ASSOCIATION, NORTH ADAMS, MASS.

Through the good hand of our God upon us, we have been brought to the first annual meeting of our Maternal Association. It cannot be otherwise than a deeply interesting and affecting season to us all, more especially to that little band who one year ago met together, and with mingled hopes and fears organized this Society.

But as we tread upon the threshold of the coming year, let us pause for a moment and look back upon the past; let us trace the way by which God has led us, and recount his mercies and his wonderful works to the children of men. Let us look at our own hearts, and see what effect the dealings of God have had upon us, what advances we have made, and what reason to believe that the prayers here offered have been heard and registered in heaven. Let us remember that the year now gone can never be recalled; but it has hastened us nearer to eternity, and to that bar of God, from which its mercies and privileges will be again reviewed with feelings of which now, perhaps, we can scarcely conceive.

Does not the retrospect of the past furnish abundant cause for humility and self-abasement before God? Who of us but must confess we have been unprofitable servants? But while we mourn our unfaithfulness and ingratitude, let us seek with a faith and earnestness that can take no denial, for a fresh unction from the Holy One, to enable us more faithfully and successfully to perform the responsible but delightful duties of the mother. And here, may I ask, are we not too apt to think and speak of the responsibilities, the cares and anxious solicitude of the parent, while we neglect the bright side of this picture, the unnumbered sources of enjoyment which this relation opens before us? The mother's sphere of action, to be sure, is circumscribed, it may be, to the narrow limits of her humble home; but there, if

governed by a christian spirit, who has her power and influence? who can make happy faces and a happy fireside like her? Of her has the pen of inspiration declared, "her children rise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her." And oh when we think that those minds committed to her care and training are immortal, who would ask for a wider, nobler field of action? who would ask for greater happiness than to have it said, as was once done by a son to his mother

"And if I e'er in heaven appear,
"A mother's holy prayer—

A mother's hand and gentle tear,
"That pointed to a Savior dear,

"Have led the wanderer there."

Our regular meetings through the year have been, for the most part, well attended, and increasingly interesting. We first numbered seven, but now nineteen mothers and fifty-nine children stand recorded on our list. It is very desirable that parents should make special effort to be present at the quarterly meetings with their children, since this cannot but create more interest in the object, as well as encourage our pastor, who labors to make them profitable seasons.

We would with gratitude record the goodness of God in suffering none of our number to be removed by death. Sickness has been in our families, and some of our dear children have been brought near to the grave; but God's kind hand averted the blow, and we all live this day to speak of his goodness. But here let a passing tribute be given to one dear to us all, who now is slumbering in the silent grave. Mrs. M'Farland, owing to ill health, had never been able to meet with us, but we were anticipating the time when her prayers should mingle with ours on this common altar. But God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. He saw that her work on earth was ended, and prayer with her might be exchanged for praise. Happy, thrice happy sister! we rejoice that what we count our loss is her unspeakable gain. And has not her joyful and triumphant death left a blessed and abiding impression upon all our minds! Has it not served as a watchword, urging us on to renewed fidelity and di

ligence in the work before us! O, yes! we feel assured that her death has not been in vain. The light of eternity only can reveal its hallowed and saving effects. Are there not some of our number, and some of our dear children too, who trust it has been to them, under God, the means of salvation? We will not then mourn for her; rather let us rejoice that her sufferings and sorrows are ended, and that the white robe and glittering crown are for ever hers. Let us imitate her example, and by a life of prayer and devotion to God, be preparing for a like happy departure.

Two members of our Association, five of the companions of its members, and three children on our list, have within the past year been brought, as we trust, to embrace the Savior. Eight of these have connected themselves with the church.

One very desirable and happy effect of these meetings has been to create a warmth and union of feeling among the members, which perhaps nothing else can so effectually do. Any thing which relates to the well-being and happiness of her dear children will reach the mother's heart. This is the object before us, and it cannot but touch a chord that will vibrate through every breast. We have become acquainted with each other, we sympathize in each other's joys and sorrows.

"Before our Father's throne

"We pour our ardent prayers,

"Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

"Our comforts and our cares.

"We share our mutual woes,

"Our mutual burdens bear,
"And often for each other flows
"The sympathising tear."

In view of all these considerations, my dear sisters, have we not reason to thank God and take courage. Let us not forget that only while depending upon his strength, his grace and heavenly teachings, can we be prospered or succeed in our efforts; but that with these, bestowed as promised, in answer to humble, faithful prayer, we may go forward, enjoying the approving smile of our heavenly Father, happy and useful ourselves, with

our dear families happy and useful around us, and all looking forward with sweet anticipations to the perfect family of love in heaven.

North Adams, Sept. 8th, 1843.

B. M'LELLAN, Secretary.

For the Mother's Magazine.

THE SPECTRE HAND.

BY REV. F. C. WOODWORTH.

It was a festive night. The palace of the proud monarch of Babylon was adorned with more than its usual splendor. The voice of unwonted merriment was there. A thousand lords of the realm, at the bidding of their sovereign, were at that festival. From golden goblets, in rich profusion, flowed the choicest wines of the east. A splendid retinue of nobles attended the king, and many pages in royal livery served at the feast. Each, from the monarch to the humblest slave, save, perhaps, the Hebrew menial, who was wont by the rivers of Babylon to sit down and weep when he remembered Zion, was gay and merry there. Amid the strains of rejoicing no note of sadness was heard in the palace of Belshazzar. Grief, sorrow, care were banished as intruders.

It was a joyous feast. Brilliantly are those halls illuminated. The lofty walls and ceiling are embellished with a variety of paintings and pieces of sculpture, illustrating scenes in antediluvian history, the exploits of national heroes and the fabled achievements of the gods. From the windows of the palace, in the light of a full-orbed moon, are visible those beautiful hanging-gardens, the pride of the realm and the wonder of the world; while artificial jets, sparkling in a flood of light, lend their influence to the enchanting scene. Invisible minstrels pour forth strains of more than Eolian sweetness. The tones fall on the ear as voices from the spirit-land.