beautifully expressed the noble mild spirit of his mother, and her pious submission and content.

"Your determination, my dear Theodore, though I have seen its approach, has certainly deeply shaken me. However much we may be prepared for sacrifices, our weak hearts are sorely pained by the final necessity of renouncing a loved possession, or a cherished wish. So it has been with me. Ať our last leave taking, I left you, as you know, to your free choice, and honestly resolved to acquiesce in it: and now it costs me tears to do so. But this, my dear son, must not make you weak or infirm of purpose; keep to your determination, and do not waver or tremble, for the scripture says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." I have fulfilled my vow by doing all I could to induce you to enter upon the profession of a clergyman, but I will not bring to the Lord an unwilling offering. Your intention of going to *** and entering into the state's service, appears to be too closely connected with your idea of relinquishing theological studies, for me to say any thing against it. I only add the warning-be not blinded by the glitter of the great world; keep true to your heart and the pious feelings, which you have still preserved notwithstanding your theological doubts. If you do this, and I certainly expect it, you will soon be aware, that only in the calm circle of domestic life can a fixed blissful activity and peace of mind be found. It will be well for you to make this experience for yourself; mine cannot help you, and I will not urge it upon you. May God guide you upon your new path of life, and may his grace be near you."

you so

"Frederica is very sad, because you will leave our circle; but I hope she will acquiesce in this. My old pious friend, the Pastor, who writes you by this opportunity, has contributed much to render me contented. He feels satisfied with far as this, that you have complied with his requests, and not acted hastily or lightly; and he recognizes in the direction your path of life has taken, a higher guidance, as also do I. Again, my son, remain pious, faithful, and honest, and all will eventuate well.”

Theodore was so much moved by this self-denying love of his mother, that he had almost faltered in his purpose, and he was only kept up by the thought, that he could not be false to his convictions of truth. For nothing makes us more inclined to obedience, and to yield up our own will, than ready self-denial on the part of those who have a right to expect from us compliance with their wishes, and whom we have disturbed by our self-will. Theodore vowed to his mother

unchanging truth, and made it his duty to use every means, to soften the pain his action had caused her.

After this, our friend threw himself with zeal into some studies which he judged necessary as a preparation for his future course of life. The general culture which he had before obtained would serve as a good foundation upon which he could build, and there were only a few chasms to be filled up.

.

But not a great while after, there arrived a letter from the pastor, which announced to him the death of his mother. A cold caught during a short journey had brought on a fit of sickness, and a violent fever soon ended her fair life. Her death was serene and placid; in her last moments her mind came back perfectly clear; she thought of Theodore with quiet. hope, and consoled and blessed the weeping Frederica. As to the outward arrangements of the family, she had, as it seems, purposely done nothing, and satisfied herself with confiding Frederica to the protection of the pastor, and giving some legacies to the most faithful of her servants. Some lines were added to the letter by Frederica, which betrayed a deep pain, but more composure than one might have expected from a girl of her sensitive mind. She also announced that she, by the advice of the pastor and physician, intended to pay a visit with a female friend to a distant aunt, and requested him to direct his letters to that place,

We do not undertake to describe the pain of Theodore. He was a tender son and a feeling man, and it may be imagined how such a blow would move him. The thought which chiefly pained him was, that his mother shortly before her death had been troubled by his conduct, and he tormented himself with the conjecture that the agitation of her mind which he had caused, might have contributed to her sickness. But the pastor and Frederica quieted his mind on this point, by assuring him that the departed had long spoken about him and his choice, with joyful confidence, and that even in her dying moments, she had felt no anxiety nor care on that account. Some time passed before Theodore could collect himself sufficiently to continue his studies. He was also anxious about Frederica, who was not happily situated with her aunt; but who did not wish to return to her desolate home in the village. Landeck, who, during Theodore's grief, had attached himself to him with great sympathy and kindness, took a deep interest in Frederica's welfare; and his inclination to her, which he had merely expressed of late by occasional allusions to her, now appeared in a more decided light. He confessed at last to his friend, that he had spoken to his father about his affec

tion for Frederica, and hoped to gain his consent to the match. Theodore was terrified at the thoughts of introducing his sister also into the great circle of city life, and of leaving the family mansion wholly forsaken. Yet this event as regarded his sister, seemed to be the necessary consequence of his own step; about which he had nothing to reproach himself with; and he felt that he could do nothing to alter it.

In the meantime John, whose studies were finished, had returned home, in order to assist the old pastor in the church and school. Theodore could not part from him without great pain, and the last bond seemed to be broken which attached him to his dear home.

Now also the time approached in which Theodore and Landeck should leave the university, and should go to ***, where the situations under government were ready for them. The thought had occurred to both of having Frederica go with them; she herself was pleased with it, and the pastor gave his consent, on the condition that she should board there in the family of an old University friend of his. Theodore brought her from her aunt's, and took her to the city, where both, happy in being again together, were to enter upon a new and important period of their lives.

(To be continued.)

ART. 20.-CRITICISM ON NO. 9,

In a Letter from a Friend.

"You ask me for a criticism on the Messenger, and you shall have it. Premising that the reception of No. IX. has given me new hope in regard to the enterprise and convinced me that you ought to wade through fire and water rather than give it up."

"The editorial, at the end, is right, it is the truth, and you must not hold back from trouble and contempt, and risk of failure, when you have such grand designs, however feeble your efforts may seem. Heretofore I have not done what I might, in sending you articles or in getting subscribers, I wili try to do better in both respects.

No. IX is a good one; the typography is an improvement, although there are rather too many typographical errors. This is not wonderful, and considering that there is no paid editor, ought to be excused.*

* We will try to look sharper.-Ed.

Article 1. AGRARIANISM, is capital. Do not let Perkins give up writing; his articles alone are well worth your subscription price.

Art 2. UNITARIANISM IN THE WEST. This is a very interesting and well written paper. I think what Mr. Eliot says here is true; and if the Unitarian association do not believe it, and turn their eyes to this western country, you must cry. aloud, and spare not.

Art. 3. CHANGE Nor, is good poetry. You ought not to let any number appear without one or two poetical pieces. Art. 4. THEODORE. Of this, a word or two. Theodore is the very thing for the western mind. If it goes on as it has begun, it will help to settle many wavering minds. It has already done me good, and I know some who may be brought to a sound faith by it. The idea of translating from German is also good. Tell me any thing from Schiller to translate, and I will do it. Why should you lean solely on your inventive faculty, when there is so much excellent matter already written, out of the reach of your readers?

Art. 4. CHANNING ON SLAVERY. Is bold and good. You must not fear to speak plainly on this subject, or on any other. The idea of Dr. Channing's coming to Kentucky when freedom of speech is denied him in Boston, is unique.

Art. 8. WAY FOR A CHILD TO BE SAVED. Those who read it will be well repaid for their trouble, and doubtless there will be some. I have returned to my first opinion of its authoress, that she is not only a woman of original genius, but of good sense. Recently I have been opining that much learning had made her mad. She certainly thinks for herself. I do not regret the publication of the article. But do not have many such. You must not make the Messenger a "Christian Examiner." It would not be read. Your articles must be short, plain, to one point. They will be read by those who read in a hurry, and their meaning must be readily got at. Learned disquisitions are not marketable. Yet sometimes they do well, and the one in question will put some ideas into people's heads which they never had before.

Art. 9. SCEPTICAL TENDENCIES OF CALVINISM. I did not know that your friend Mr. Day had so much in him. It is conclusive. You must not neglect controversy, for to many it is essential.

Art. 5, (to go back). LETTER OF H. MARSHALL. It is well to encourage correspondents of this sort. The answer you have given Mr. Marshall is as good as a long article on the subject. Art. 12. ON THE LINWOODS, will give satisfaction to very few."

"You see I am satisfied with the number. Perhaps you ought to speak more to the moral wants of the west; against such vices as are common. Every article ought to have something to take hold of the mind. You must get at the skepticism of the day, and show that it is neither manly, nor philosophical, nor safe. The more you deal in illustrations the better." "It is outrageous that Mr. Palfrey did not preach for you.. I care not in how great a hurry he was."

It may, perchance, be a wonder unto many, that we should print the above letter, being a sort of panegyric on our own work, and also containing personal allusions of approbation and censure. As to its being a panegyric, that is accidental. The letter is from a friend. If any enemy will write us a sharp criticism, so it be not abusive, we will thankfully publish that also. Criticisms of a discriminating and thoughtful kind, whether they praise or blame, are useful and instructive. Indiscriminate panegyric and sweeping censure are of no avail to writer or reader. But as to the personal allusions in the above letter to our contributors, they will, I think, be glad to see for once what people really think of their writings. There is so much polish and softening off of every thing distinct now-a-days, that one can hardly get at an honest opinion.

The last paragraph requires explanation. The letter-writer thinks it outrageous that Mr. Palfrey should have passed through the country and not preached. He does not mean, I suppose, to say, that Mr. P. was particularly to blame in this matter, but he is indignant at the great indifference which almost all eastern Unitarians feel with regard to the progress of their principles in this valley, of which indifference this incident is but a single proof among ten thousand. Every thing shows that they have no adequate idea of their duties on this subject. The Dean of the Cambridge Theological School travels through the country from one end to the other, and does not recognize it as his duty to stop and preach in it. The Unitarian Association subscribe 18 or 20 thousand dollars to support an agent, which was subscribed in a great degree on the express understanding that this agent was to travel through the West. The condition and wants of the West was the strong argument to induce people to contribute. Years have passed by, and his foot has not been wet by any waters which run toward the Western sun.

Flourishing societies, and the germs of societies have fallen through because there was no one to preach to them. Take the case of Rochester, in New York, where, years ago, was a