with all men, neither offending nor offended; however studious to seek peace and ensue it; there exists not the human being who has not something to forgive, as well as much to be forgiven. Happy for us, when we are as ready to extend forgiveness to others, as to ask it for ourselves! Men offend us by injustice, by unkindness, by harsh judgment, by the bitter word, and uncharitable thought-we offend God by sins, negligences, ignorances, infirmities, imperfection in duty; in various ways coming short of what He requires of us. How can we withhold forgiveness from others, when upon that forgiveness we have in our prayer made to depend, God's forgiveness of ourselves?

Now the heart, as our own experience tells us, is specially prone to forgive, and more ready to expand with kindness when it is itself at ease, and is rendered joyous by any new or unlooked-for blessing. On good minds at least such is the natural effect of joy our own happiness is as a light, diffusing itself brightly over every scene-giving to the barren rock, as it were, beauty, and making the forest smile; reaching every heart with whom we hold converse; softening the asperities of the harsh, and calling forth by sympathy every kindly feeling, however latent. Indeed, where minds are of the right stamp, and act upon a truly Christian principle, the feelings of joy and good will are found to reciprocate. A generous spirit, when happy, wishes others to participate its joy: even in its happiness not enduring to be selfish. Still less can it admit a shade of enmity to cloud the bright season of happiness. Yet who happier than you, now, the happy Mother! As you remember your own recent preservation, and rejoice in your loved

infant's smiles, you feel as though it were ungrateful to the Giver of your blessings, to allow any lower passion, either of anger, or of fear; or any over anxious care for the world, to dim the brightness of your joy, or interfere with the pure and holy peace which now fills your heart. Where, however, would be that joy, and where that peace, if you had not the pardon of God, as a sinful erring creature? But ere you gain pardon from God, others must gain pardon from you. Hence you are eager to forgive, and that from your very heart. Love for your child makes you even to rejoice in your duty.

CHAPTER VI.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

PERHAPS you think the next petition hardly applicable to you under your present holy and peaceful frame of mind. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." In the quiet of your chamber, withdrawn for a season from the world, from its busy cares and vain pleasures, it would almost seem as if you were withdrawn also from the power of temptation. But to say nothing of the evil of our own heart and will; our own tempers and their infirmities; remember that you must again return to the duties of the world, and meet again the various difficulties which attend a. fulfilment of them. Our divine Teacher's memorable warning is for every occasion and for every situation in which we may be placed; "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation"—a prayerful watchfulness

being the best means we can adopt to lessen the force of impending evil. Beware therefore that you be not like Peter-firm in faith only when you are drawing nigh to your Saviour; and coward-hearted to deny him, when pointed at as "of Galilee." Is not your recent recovery rather a special occasion, whereon to offer, even with added earnestness, the petition in question-lest, thrown off your guard, you forget Him, who, whether in the calm hour of retirement or the busy turmoil of the world, is alike your only, but your certain strength? Besides, as every varied event in human life may be turned to our evil or our good, as it withdraws us from our duties or binds us closer to them—so it were well to take heed of the very happiness which you are enjoying. Let it not so absorb you, as that you pass over unacknowledged other blessings and comforts with which your heavenly Father may have surrounded you. Even with respect to this new and dearest object of your love, be cautious that as the child grows up, and becomes sensible to control and guidance, you be not tempted, for the sake of avoiding pain to yourself, to neglect correcting its faults, shaming its caprices, regulating its temper, subduing its will; or forego any other such high duties as will devolve upon you in training up an immortal soul, not for earth, but heaven. In the affection of a parent, forget not the paramount duty of a guide. And since none are strong, spiritually, in their own strength, or wise in their own wisdom, prayer is here your only sure stay. "O Father, lead me not into temptation; spare me the trials even which my affection for my child may bring; let never my maternal love to this thy precious gift make me

remiss in my filial duty to Thee, my heavenly Father! nor let care for its worldly good lead me to neglect its everlasting welfare, or forget that it is a soul committed to my care; but enable me to train it for thy service in holiness here, in glory hereafter. Deliver me, by thy grace, as from all temptation and all evils, so more especially from those which may now await me. I return again to the world in thy strength! grant me thy salvation!”

Yourself a parent, and feeling all the power of parental love, strong is your faith and bright your hope, in offering this prayer to a heavenly Father. Perfect love therefore casteth out fear. You know in whom you believe. You know your heavenly Father to be the omnipotent God-ruling in heaven, ruling in earth-the Lord, who reigneth over all: "Thine O Father, is the kingdom." You know He can both reward and punish as He will; "Thine, O Father, is the power." You know He deigns to find his glory' in the holiness of his creatures here, and in their happiness hereafter-"Thine, O Father, is the glory." And who shall rightly estimate our high privilege as Sons of God?? Humbly indeed, but O how hopefully do we look forward to the hour, when we may become heirs of his heavenly kingdom; repose under the shadow of his power; and share even his unspeakable glory for honour, and glory, and immor tality await the faithful-things so glorious, that “

eye

1 Matt. v. 16. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in

heaven."

2 1 John iii, 2. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

hath never seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the good things which God hath prepared for them who truly love Him!"

Thou then, the nursing Mother, who, happier than thou knowest, dost clasp thy child to thee, and breathing this prayer for blessing upon this thy second self also, dost humbly supplicate, that together you may have the protection and guidance of a heavenly Father here, and together share the glories of his kingdom hereafter; with what earnest care, though with much pain to yourself often, will you henceforth check whatever evil the waywardness of childhood may threaten; and strive, and toil, and pray, that at the close of life, the nursling which now with its smiles rewards your watchful care during its infant years, may one day, before assembled worlds, rejoice to meet you, at the gathering of the nations; and as the "Well done good and faithful" shall welcome it to heaven, rise up and call thee blessed ! When you picture to yourself this consummation of your happiness-the joy of living for ever and ever in the glorious bliss of heaven, with your children and all others now near and dear to you; never again to part; never again to know pain, or trouble, or care, or fear of change; your mutual love sanctified; each one emulous only to serve and praise God with purer and livelier praise; angels your companions, and the spirits of the just made perfect, your fellowservants and all this through a long eternity;when your heart fills with these thoughts, and your eye catches the infant's smile-do you not with your

1 Cor. ii. 9.