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ONE day I sent my little boy to gather some herbs which I supposed grew on the side of the road not far from the house, adding, "do not stop to speak to any one, Charley, for the baby is sick." After a long time he slowly returned, and crept up to me with his head hung down. the herbs, Charley? "I did not get them." "Why," said I, quickly. "Because I did not want to." This sounded strangely indeed, but without waiting further to inquire, I said, "Well, Charley, you are a very naughty boy indeed. Go, Ellen, and gather me the herbs as quickly as possible." Charles instantly disappeared. The herbs were soon brought, and as soon as the infant was quieted, Charles came in and drew near to my side. Lifting up his blue eyes to my face, he said, "Mother, I was afraid to gather the herbs." Why," said L. "Because I thought it would be stealing." "Stealing! to get herbs from the roadside, my child?" "Oh, but they don't grow there. They were in Mr. T's garden, and I could not go there without leave, and you told me that I must not stop to speak to any one." Let me not blame my child again for conscientious obedience.

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"Sarah," said aunt Mary, "don't you go near my chamber, for I have just laid the baby there, to sleep, and you must not disturb him." "No, I will not," said the little girl, as she ran briskly down stairs. Presently her mother called, "Sarah, go to your aunt Mary's room and bring me my work-basket." "I cannot, dear mother, for the baby is asleep." "I know it, but my little girl can go very softly and not disturb little cousin, as this is the only moment I shall have to sew some buttons on father's coat before he goes away." So little Sarah crept up stairs and opened the door as gently as possible, and was about to withdraw with the basket, when the little hand was raised, the clothes thrown off, and baby's voice at its highest pitch. Aunt Mary run up stairs

and pushed the little girl aside, saying, "You naughty girl, why didn't you obey me?" Sarah wiped away the tear, wishing she knew how to do right.

UNITY OF COUNSEL IN PARENTS.

PARENTS, it is true, have their infirmities, and do not always see eye to eye; but if each is impressed, as each ought to be, with the importance of every misunderstanding being explained and settled, not in the presence of their family, but when alone, they will mutually waive any expression of dissent till the proper season. Should this precaution be disregarded, children will not only range under opposite sides, but they are in imminent danger of failing in duty in this respect to that parent from whom they differ. The tranquillity of both parents, as well as the peace of all under that roof, are then and thus at an end.

On the other hand, imperfect though parents be, and though both may and will fall short, occasionally, still success, and safety, and domestic order, depend on both aiming after the right pattern. Should their mutual love be grounded on esteem, there is a secret and instituted virtue in their example, which will descend on a constitution of things divinely adapted and appointed to receive it. In every union of which God approves (and he approves of whatever he has appointed and enjoined), he intends not only the present enjoyment of two or three-he has a higher end in view; and what can that end be, in this case, if it is not to promote in all under our roof, the same mutual endeavor to make each other happy? Book for Parents.

MOTHER'S MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1844.

TO OUR READERS.

WITH the present number we close the twelfth volume of the MOTHER'S MAGAZINE, and the twelfth year of special labor in behalf of parents and offspring. We beg the attention of our readers to some reflections suggested by a review of the past and a prospect of the future.

When this periodical was commenced, there was a great dearth of interest and of information on the subject of maternal responsibility and influence. It was our privilege to lead the way with the first Magazine, devoted specifically to the great object of awakening the mothers of the land to a just appreciation of their momentous duties and the faithful discharge of their most solemn yet delightful trust. It was soon apparent that we had not misjudged in supposing that light was wanted in the direction to which our labors were directed. Immediately after we entered the field, and had called attention to the objects we had in view, books, pamphlets, newspaper articles, designed to illustrate and enforce parental obligation, and the incalculable importance of the religious training of children, were issued from the press in great number and variety, and among the many some of great merit. In the course of time a number of new Magazines, also, have been established in various parts of the country, and through all these different channels a vast amount of useful truth has

been diffused and brought to bear upon the very fountainhead of that influence which controls our future destiny.

The Mother's Magazine pays its monthly visits to upwards of ten thousand families, and it has faithfully endeavored to make those visits both agreeable and profitable to that most important class of persons for whose especial benefit the work was intended-the mothers of this nation, and the precious offspring committed to their training. Nor have we been left to despond and lament that our labor was in vain in the Lord. Often have we been cheered on in our enterprise by evidence on all sides, that the cause of Christian Family Education was becoming better understood in its theory and attended to in its practice, and in many instances within our own knowledge the most delightful changes have taken place in the spiritual condition and eternal prospects of beloved family circles. The family altar has been reared in many a dwelling, where hitherto the cry of the penitent had never been heard, where the voice of thanksgiving had never been lifted up, and from which the morning and evening sacrifice had never before ascended. Thousands of children who formerly never heard the name of God and of Christ except in the streets, as used in oaths, now learn the truths of religion from the lips of her who gave them birth, and see those truths illustrated in her meek and humble life, in her daily walk and conversation.

But is the work done for which this Magazine was estab lished, and for which during the last twelve years we have been laboring? Are all the mothers of this land awake and enlightened in respect to their momentous duty to their children, and are they, in the fear of God, like CHRISTIAN in the Pilgrim's Progress, taking their children by the hand and flying with them to the celestial city? Is this so universally the case that there is no longer occasion for our monthly call upon them to be up and doing? Would that it were even so! But, alas! where is the town, or neighborhood, or parish, that does not need a thorough rousing trumpet-note to be sounded in the ears of mothers, calling their attention to