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FEMALE FRIENDSHIP.

the fresh water muscles, which abound in our rivers, the haliotis, &c. Shells, therefore, are only the habitations of soft animals, called vermes, or worms; yet in their formation they afford many beautiful illustrations of the exercise of divine benevolence, in so arranging their several parts as to best fit them for enjoyment in their respective stations.

Should you wish to lay before your readers such cases as those I refer to, I shall be happy to furnish a description of them as often as my leisure hours will permit.

CLEMENT THE ROMAN.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.

CLEMENT, a man of an illustrious Roman family, who lived at the time of the first publication of the Gospel, speaks thus of himself:

Clement was then determined, since by simple reason he could come to no safe and sure conclusion, to travel to the land of mysteries and fancies, and search out in Egypt a magician who could conjure up for him a spirit. Such an appearance would give him satisfactory evidence of the immortality of the soul. And in that which would become certain to him by positive evidence, no future demonstration could disturb his faith. But the representations of a prudent philosopher withheld him from thus seeking the truth by the exercise of unlawful arts, after the practice of which he could never again enjoy peace of mind. In this hesitating, inquiring, doubting, anxious, and deeply moved state of mind, he was met by the promulgation of the holy Gospel, confirmed by proofs of the Spirit and of power; and his condition may be to us a picture of that of many whose souls, weary of the wisdom of this world, have found a Savior in him who conquered the world-Jesus of Nazareth.

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Original.

"From my earliest youth, doubts, of whose origin I was uncertain, perplexed me. Shall I exist after death no longer, and will no one bestow a thought upon me FEMALE FRIENDSHIP. while ceaseless time is burying all human things in for- A COMBINATION of virtues is necessary to true and getfulness? Will it be the same with me as if I never profitable friendship. Elevation of character, firmness had been born? When was the world created, and of principle, and an affectionate heart, are among its what existed before the world was? If it existed from essential elements; and when we consider how rare eternity, then will it be everlasting. If it had a begin- such virtues are in human nature, it is not to be wonning, it will also have an end. And what will there dered at, that friendship is not of more frequent growth. be after the end of the world, unless the stillness of The attributes that qualify one to be a friend, are such death? Or perhaps there will be something which it as reflect lustre on human nature, and especially on the is now impossible to think of." "While I (thus he female character. If, as females, we would form pergoes on) constantly carried in my mind such thoughts, manent friendships, we must look to the basis on which of which I knew not the origin, I was so much har- they are erected. Those intimacies that spring up in rassed by them that I grew pale and wasted away; and promiscuous society, are generally of short duration. what was most dreadful, when I would free myself from True friends are monitors to each other in a benevolent these torments as useless, their violence only increased and mutual fault-finding for improvement. A true in my mind, and I had much sorrow from them. I friend will be as ready to sympathize with us in our knew not then, that in these thoughts I had a good sorrows, as to share our pleasures; and surely such a guide which would lead me to everlasting life, as I after- friend is of incalculable worth. The candor and simwards, by experience, perceived, and for it thanked God plicity of the ancients appear to be more favorable to the ruler of all things; since through these thoughts, the development of friendship, than the artificial strucat first vexatious, I was obliged to seek and find out ture of society in modern times. The history of remote these things. And now I pitied as unfortunate, those ages records instances which have no modern parallel. whom I was first willing, on account of ignorance, to The reason for this may be our promiscuous associaenvy as most happy men. Having been troubled with tions, which are averse to true friendship. She that such thoughts from my youth, I frequented the schools invites her dear five hundred friends, and lavishes much of the philosophers in order to discover something cer- time and expense on their entertainment, perhaps loves tain; but I saw there little else than the advancement not one of them in her heart. Studied courtesies tend and destruction of theories-controversies and counter-to break up that sincerity which is essential to friendcontroversies—first, the proposition was demonstrated|| ship. and believed, that the soul is immortal; then again, that it is mortal. When the first prevailed, I rejoiced; but when the other, I was dispirited.

"Thus was I driven about by opposing propositions, and was at last compelled to admit that these things did not appear in their true light, but only as they were presented by the opposing views of different persons. I was then seized with a greater perplexity of mind, and groaned from the very depths of my soul."

To be able to make a proper selection of friends requires more judgment than usually falls to the lot of youth. Among our most intimate associates, should be those who are not offended at the least neglect of any point of etiquette. The Bible is the best friend. From that volume we may receive instruction and consolation under all the circumstances of life. Have friends grieved or forsaken us, here we may find an unchangeable friend. MIRANDA.

Original.

THE VALEDICTORY.

THE VALEDICTORY.

The following Address was written for the closing exhibition of the Mount Sterling Female School, Jan. 16, 1841.

How fleet the rolling year hath sped away,
Since last we walked this stage in mimic play-
How heavily old Father Time hath laid
His touch upon the living and the dead!

O, who can count what changes he hath wrought,
In the short space so quickly grasp'd by thought!
What kingdoms rent-what fortresses o'erthrown-
What haughty tyrants of their glory shorn?-
How many hundreds on the battle plain
Have madly fought, and bled, and died in vain-
How many thousands on the restless deep
Hath the rude ocean rock'd to dreamless sleep-
While millions more upon their native earth

Have claimed a burial where they own'd their birth!
But not alone upon the battle plain-
And not alone upon the stormy main-
And not alone in some far distant clime,
We see the mighty ravages of Time.
No! by the thronging annals of the year,
We know the haughty conq'ror hath been here;
And e'en upon our thoughtless little band,
He hath not scorn'd to lay his ruthless hand.
The eye is dim, that once with hope was bright-
The bosom sad, that once with joy was light-
The lips are still that late to life were wed-
And those we lov'd are numbered with the dead.
Where where is she who lately by our side
Stood forth, her parents and her teacher's pride?
Go ask the grave. Alas! 'tis silent all,
And echo, only, answers to your call;
Yet in our hearts her name shall ever last,
Embalm'd with sweetest mem'ries of the past.
But is it ever thus with rapid Time?

Doth naught but ravage mark his step sublime?
From our full souls of gratitude doth flow
A tide of bursting gladness, answering, No!
Not while the pulse of this creation bright
Is bounding high with love, and life, and light.
The merry days of spring-gay summer hours
Adorn'd with nature's garniture of flowers,
Poured forth their glorious beauty to the air,
And banish'd from our brows each trace of care.
Then came brown autumn with her treasur'd wealth-
Her golden sky-fresh breeze-and blush of health-
"Till dreary winter, stealing on apace,

Snatch'd from the matron grave her robe of grace.
Yet not like surly miser mutter'd he,

But threw out favors with full hand, and free;
The feast-the song-the scene of pleasant mirth-
With dearest friends beside the social hearth.
Thus pass'd the year, and with its date most brief,
Its joy and sadness, merriment and grief,
Like shadow on the dial it hath gone.
Another in its footsteps presseth on-
It presseth-aye, even now the new-born year
Vol. I.-23

Is out upon its wide unmark'd career.

And each and all of us are but the play Of sportive Time, as he doth pass away.

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O, mournful thought! And are we then no more
Than struggling victims of a short-liv'd hour?
Hush, boasting Time! Thyself shall one day fall;
But the immortal spirit outlives all.

Then while we bid you each a kind adieu,
Teachers and school-mates, friends both dear and true,
Heav'n grant that we may meet in joy again,
Where the triumphant soul o'er death shall reign!
M. D. F.

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I SEE it gathering-gathering round my head,
It comes between me and the sunny sky;
Deeper and deeper now its gloom is spread,
Its mists are resting on my languid eye.

It is but shadow!-fear it not, my soul,

It cannot harm thee-'tis thy God's decree, Thou shalt pass through it-soon away 'twill roll, And leave thy pathway glorious, bright and free.

The soul that trusts in Jesus is secure,

His blood hath wash'd it from its guilty load-
He is thy Savior, and his word is sure;
That soul may fearless tread death's shadowy road.

And is it thus with thee?-be not deceived,
Haste in this awful hour to sound thy faith,
Thou who so oft thy gracious God hast griev'd,
Hear what the Savior to the sinner saith-

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Original.
PATIENCE.

BY A. M. ALEXANDER.

PATIENCE.

conspicuous place among the qualifications for doing good, and should, therefore, be diligently cultivated.

our society useful and agreeable (I might say acceptable) to our fellows. Were I to extend my remarks so far as to notice briefly all these graces, I should exceed my proper limits. Suffice it to say, that impatience in our devotions indicates pride, or the absence of humilPATIENCE implies suffering with calmness, or with-ity-unbelief, or absence of faith—and hatred, or about discontent, the various afflictions incident to human sence of love to God. Impatience in our intercourse life. It implies a proper appreciation of blessings en- with men, indicates the absence of pity, kindness, joyed, and resignation to troubles endured. As the lat-brotherly love, and kindred graces, which are all indister is consequent upon the former, it may be said that pensably necessary to make our society agreeable, and patience proceeds directly from this, and indirectly from secure to us that influence, by which we may accomthat. Without resignation, trouble cannot be patiently plish the greatest amount of good. To do good should indured, since it is in resignation directly and princi-be our greatest aim; to secure and improve the best pally, that patience has its origin. But trouble which||facilities for doing good should be our study; and we is not laid upon, cannot be borne by us, either with or should cultivate with diligence all those graces which without resignation; hence, were it possible to find an qualify us for doing good through those facilities. Paindividual exempted from all the trouble, real or imagin-tience, and her kindred graces, as we have seen, hold a ary, incident to life, we should find a person altogether destitute of patience. I conclude, therefore, that patience can only be in proportion to the amount of our My object in this article is not to point out the means trouble. Job was the most patient man, because he for the cultivation of patience; but to exhort the reader bore with resignation the greatest amount of trouble. to "let patience have her perfect work." Accustom Those speak incorrectly, then, who say, "If I had yourself to bear with resignation whatever troubles are less trouble, I should be more patient;" for "tribulation laid upon you, whether they be afflictions of body or worketh patience." of mind-whether occasioned by a mysterious proviGreat and lasting blessings have their foundation in|dence, by the persecutions of the wicked, or by the inpatience. "We glory," says the apostle, "in tribula-solence of the arrogant. Bear with the ignorance and tion also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; weakness of those less fortunate than yourself. "Love and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and your enemies, and pray for them that despitefully use hope maketh not ashamed." Patience is an important you and persecute you." Your unholy tempers may grace. We have use for it every day, and in all we sometimes begin to rise. Present good will be a tempundertake. We need it in our acts of worship, and in tation; and you will begin to ask, “Why should I sufour intercourse with society. fer?" Then you will find the need of patience. This First, in all our acts of worship. God, in his wis-only will possess the soul, and keep all in due subjecdom, does not see proper to answer all our prayers just tion. Nor think patience dishonorable. You will at the time and in the manner we desire. Yet we never appear more like a Christian, than when, in the should "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." midst of sorrows, you stand resigned to the will of God. The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord, "Afflictions," one justly observes, "supported by paand he heard me." Our Lord says, in the parable of tience, and surmounted by fortitude, give the last finish the sower, "The seed sown in the good ground are to the heroic and gracious character. Thus the vale they which in an honest and good heart, having heard of tears is the theatre of glory. That dark cloud prethe word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."sents the scene for all the beauties of the bow of virtue It is said of Abraham, that "after he had patiently en-to appear. Moral grandeur, like the sun, is brighter in dured, he obtained the promise." Jesus, addressing the day of the storm; and never is so truly sublime as the Church of Philadelphia through his servant John, when struggling through the darkness of an eclipse." says, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

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THERE is but one pursuit in life which it is in the But, secondly, we need patience in all our intercourse power of all to follow, and of all to attain. It is subwith men. The apostle exhorts us to "be patient to-ject to no disappointments, since he that perseveres, ward all men;" and Solomon declares, that "the pa- makes every difficulty an advancement, and every contient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." We test a victory; and this is the pursuit of virtue.- Sinare exhorted to "follow after patience." and to add pa-cerely to aspire after virtue, is to gain her; and zealously tience to our other graces.

to labor after her wages, is to receive them. For the There are several important graces so intimately breast of a good man is a little heaven commencing associated with patience, that the absence of this argues on earth where the Deity sits enthroned with unrivaled the absence of those. And these associate graces, like influence; every safety from danger, resource from sterpatience itself, are necessary to render our acts of wor-ility, and subjugated passion, “like the wind and storm, ship acceptable to God through Christ, and to render fulfilling his word."

THE CHARGE OF SOLOMON.

Original.
THE CHARGE OF SOLOMON.

BY A. M. LORRAINE.

THE oft repeated proverb of Solomon, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," has passed currently and unquestioned among all nations and throughout all ages. Those much admired lines of Pope,

""Tis education forms the common mind,

Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined," may be considered as a poetical paraphrase of the inspired maxim. Education exerts a powerful influence, either for good or evil. If a parent wishes to curse the next generation with a monster of wretchedness, let him ply the child plentifully with mint juleps, and sugar drams. Let him teach it to trample on the holy Sabbath, and despise parental authority; and arrived at maturity, he will be a scourge to his fellow man, a traitor to his country, and concerning every good word and work, reprobate. But as we can scarcely imagine that a desire so Satanic can find a lodgment in the parental bosom, and as we believe instinct alone would lead us to wish the future welfare of our offspring, however mistaken our practice, we will inquire what would be the result of a right education.

In what way should we go? If we were left in this dark world, without a compass to direct, or a star to guide us through its thorny mazes, this question would remain unanswered to all eternity. But we rejoice that this is not the case. The Lord has given us a revelation, to be "a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path," to lead us in the way everlasting. This sacred volume teaches us the way we should go

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the walls of Zion see eye to eye. And when ministers are thus scrupulously indoctrinated, it will follow almost as a natural consequence, that the Lord will bring again all Zion.

The correct rules of searching the Scriptures are becoming better understood, and more generally used. Thirty or forty years back, every preacher, in his ordinary ministrations, betrayed his partizan complexion. While he honestly fought under the great ensign of salvation, he showed his private signal in every sermon and almost in every prayer. Neighbor had no need to say to his neighbor, of what Church is this minister? But now after the stranger or traveler has listened to an evangelical discourse, he has frequently to say to another, "Pray, what religious denomination does the gentleman belong to?" Thus we are inclining to each other, and shall converge until we all settle down on Bible truth. Then may we joyfully sing, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them who bring good tidings—who publish salvation—who say unto Zion, thy God reigneth; yea, they shall lift up their voice-with their voice together shall they sing. And the Lord shall bring again Zion."

2. As it regards our enjoyment, the Bible teaches us the way. We are not of the number of those who say there is no enjoyment in sin. We are not disposed thus to cross the general observation of mankind, or to fly in the face of our own experience. But we know that unsanctified joys are sensual, and consequently must be short and transient. When death enters, if not before, there is a perpetual end to all terrene delights. But religious enjoyment is mental—is spiritual; consequently, it may be permanent and everlasting.

The pleasures to which we are directed by the vol1. As it regards doctrine. There is a chain of evan-ume of truth have never been fully tested, even as they gelical doctrine running throughout the sacred Scrip- stand related to this present life. The most holy have tures. Some will say, how can this be, seeing there are never found the depth of the celestial well. Indeed, so many orders of Christians, differing from each other the joys of religion are an ocean. An inspired apostle in religious sentiment, and all professing to deduce their in his highest ecstasy, seems to stand only on its shore, principles from the same Bible? We answer, the great as he lifts up his eyes and hands to heaven and exvariety of religious opinion in the world, is not to be claims, "O, the length and breadth, the depth and traced to any defect or infirmity in the word of God, height!" And when he looked into heaven, he saw but rather to some imperfection in ourselves-to edu- and heard what the laws of mortal language and cation or something else, over which the Bible, in the human interlocution had made no provision to express. first instance, exercised no control. No man, let him Christian experience is true happiness. And where is be of what denomination he may, will say that the the parent who does not desire the future happiness of Holy Scriptures present various systems of theology, his offspring? Even those who persecute their childesigned to favor the different views and fancies of dif-dren for embracing religion, would not do so if they ferent sects. This would be impeaching the wisdom knew that Christ and happiness are one.

3. As it regards moral practice, the Bible shows us the way. Christian morality is inculcated in the sacred oracles, and is so insisted on from the pulpit and the press, that the most abandoned sinner knows how the Christian ought to walk. Hence, if a man of remarkable piety deviates in the smallest degree from the path of rectitude, more than a thousand ungodly fingers will point to his aberration. This circumstance alone shows

of the Almighty. All will say, "Whatever their own claims may be, the theology of the Bible is one and indivisible." So we say. So our Lord virtually said when he observed, "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me." And when the Bible shall be examined in accordance with all those rules of equity and good faith which govern us in the examination of other matters, scientific, political, or legal, by minds free that the practice of righteousness is better understood from guile and partiality, then will the watchmen upon || than observed.

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THE CHARGE OF SOLOMON.

But who are to bring up children in the way they || vation of God. We are aware that female influence should go?

1. Parents should do it. They should labor to give their children a liberal and pious education. They should even deny themselves the luxuries, and indeed some of the comforts of life to do so, if such denial is necessary. Mothers cannot be excused, for they have peculiar opportunities of impressing moral truth on the minds of their children. While the father must of necessity go to his office-his farm-his merchandise, the mother is still with her children; and that, too, at a season of life when their hearts are tender and most susceptible of impressions. Waiving all the advantages of opportunity, females exert an influence, not only over children, but over all the world, that they are hardly conscious of. We might well ask, in the language of the poet,

has been largely dwelt upon already; but we hope that the "Repository" will still speak until female diffidence itself shall be constrained to exclaim, "Truly, God hath a work for us to do!" yes, a mighty work-to train up a world in the way it should go.

2. Teachers of schools should be co-workers in this mighty enterprise. Time has been when it was considered, by many, to be hopeless heresy for a man to say that a school-master should pay any attention to the religious education of his charge. I have labored in neighborhoods where the people were decidedly religious, but would still employ some old drunken infidel to teach their children. While expostulating with a brother on this subject, and showing him the inconsistency of his course, he replied, "We employ school-masters to teach our children to read and write"What lost a world? what made a Roman fly ? we pay our preachers to make them religious." Yes, A trembling tear in Cleopatra's eye." give a drunken school-master two dollars per quarter to Adam was not deceived. But female influence as-corrupt their children, and the minister twelve cents to sailed his mind, his conscience, his heart, and he fell. save their souls, and then make them stay at home and We do not mean by this that female influence is effec-work in time of preaching! Now who would ever tual in evil only. No. We might proceed to inquire || think of setting a wolf to guard the sheep, or commitwhat saved a world? what, but the carrying out of ting the poultry to the tender mercies and supervision that glorious promise, which sprung a rich mine in the bosoms of our first parents, even when hope itself had fled "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." Was it not the immaculate virgin who first pressed to her bosom the Savior of Israel, and the light of the Gentiles? Was it not the voice of the Marys, that on the glorious morning of the third, began to spread the news that life and immortality were 3. Sabbath schools are well calculated to train up brought to light by the resurrection of Christ? Yes, children in the way they should go. The Sabbath with a voice that has been swelling in melody, and school, though one of the last, is by no means the least which will roll louder and sweeter until its hopeful among our religious institutions. It is a powerful minmusic will be swallowed up by the peal of the arch-ister of truth, and lays the axe at the root of the tree. angel's trumpet, "Arise ye dead, and come to judg-Our missionaries have always complained that the most potent obstacle in their way is the early and idolatrous

ment."

of a hawk? Yet this would be wisdom compared with the folly of placing young but immortal souls under the watchful care of an infidel. When we look back at "old times," we see many things to awaken pleasing recollections; but upon the whole we are glad that this old acquaintance is on the march, and will soon be out of sight.

Is it not the maternal hand that will be chiefly em-education which they have to contend with. If error, ployed in molding and directing the lives and charac-which is sustained neither by reason nor revelation, ters of the rising generation of this vast republic? becomes thus strong, by obtaining the first lodgment in Yes, the earliest instructions of our presidents and the human mind, how invincible must the truth of governors, our doctors and lawyers, our farmers and God, the religion of reason and revelation be, under merchants, our sailors and soldiers, must and will flow the same circumstances! The best fruits of Sabbath from female effort. And those instructions will im- school labor are necessarily slow in their growth. press a character for weal or woe, that will be felt Education, literary or moral, consumes time. Many through all the nerves and sinews of this mighty nation. years since, I superintended one of the largest Sunday Were all the female part of the community deeply schools then in the state. In process of time I was imbued with a correct literary and religious education, || sent back to labor in that place. Many of my old classhow different would be the state of affairs in this world! mates were gone-some to the new countries—some to Then would every cabin, in some sort, be a seminary-heaven. But there was still a large and very respecta every mother the industrious professor to train her own ble Church left. In looking over the class-papers, I interesting charge, and light and grace would stream found that the society was principally made up of young through every land. Then might our earth, in closing people, married and single, who once belonged to my her last annual circle of the nineteenth century, be Sabbath school. And some of them are now industriprepared to bound on the bright pathway of her mil-ous and flaming heralds of the cross. The Sabbath lennial race. Her orb would be girded with a halo of school furnishes the Church with the best kind of holiness; and as she rolled on, the moons and belts of members-members who understand the whole theory other worlds would fade before the brightness of her of religion, even before they experience its divine glory, and all the ends of the earth would see the sal-power on their hearts-members who know before

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