serve how implicitly Joseph obeyed the order of his father Jacob (Gen. xxxviii. 13). See how Isaiah speaks of it as an evil thing when "the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient" (Isa. iii. 5). Mark how the Apostle Paul names disobedience to parents as one of the bad signs of the latter days (2 Tim. iii. 2). Mark how he singles out this grace as one that should adorn a Christian minister: "A bishop must be one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." And again, "Let the deacons rule their children and their own houses well" (1 Tim. iii. 4, 12). And again, an elder must be one 'having faithful children, children not accused of riot or unruly" (Tit. i. 6). 66 Take care, Parents, do you wish to see your children happy? then, that you train them to obey when they are spoken to,-to do as they are bid. Believe me, we are not made for entire independence, we are not fit for it. Even Christ's freemen have a yoke to wear, they "serve the Lord Christ" (Col. iii. 24). Children cannot learn too soon that this is a world in which we are not intended to rule, and that we are never in our right place until we know how to obey. Teach them to obey while young, or else they will be fretting against God all their lives long, and wear themselves out with the vain idea of being independent of His control. Reader, this hint is only too much needed. You will see many in this day who allow their children to choose and think for themselves long before they are able; and even make excuses for their disobedience, as if it were a thing not to be blamed. To my eyes a parent always yielding, and a child always having its own way, are a most painful sight,-painful, because I see God's appointed order of things inverted and turned upside down,-painful, because I feel sure the consequence to that child's character in the end will be self-will, pride, and self-conceit. You must not wonder that men refuse to obey their Father which is in heaven, if you allow them, when children, to disobey their father who is upon earth. Parents, if you love your children, let obedience be a motto and a watchword continually before their eyes." MOTHER AND SON. MONG our devotional poets no name ranks higher for spirituality and fervour of Christian faith and love than that of the good and gifted George Herbert. His writings are like a full tide of praise bearing the soul of the reader onward to that river whose streams make glad the city of God. Yet George Herbert lived in a sceptical and dissolute age, and belonged to that high station which is so full of temptations to the young. How then came his life to be so pure, sweet, and pious, that it was evident to all he had been with Jesus and learned of Him? God blessed him with a truly excellent and devoted mother. The Herbert family belongs to our most ancient nobility. George was the fifth son of a household that numbered seven sons and three daughters. He was born in Montgomery Castle, Shropshire, April 3rd, 1593. His mother, Magdalen (of the Newport family), was endowed with far more than earthly distinction; she was a woman of great discernment, wisdom, and Christian principle. In the prime of her life she was left a widow, with ten children under her charge. George was but four years old when his widowed mother had to take the superintendence, of his and his brothers' and 'sisters' education. She obtained the aid of her chaplain as tutor, but she consecrated the retired years of her widowhood to the instruction herself of her children in religious knowledge. Ah, how many saints above, and how many strugglers now on their pilgrimage below, have to bless God for pious mothers! The little hymn lisped in a mother's ear, the holy text taught by a mother's lip, the simple prayer uttered at a mother's knee, the gentle blessing and the nightly kiss, how sweet and precious are they to the memory,-what an abiding power they have in warding off all coarse habits and gross pursuits! It was so with George Herbert, and countless multitudes besides him. His great attainments enabled him early to enter the university. His mother removed to Cambridge, so as to be near him and his brothers, and shield him from the temptations that ever beset large gatherings of rich and thoughtless young people. This careful mother had a great recompense for her toil and anxiety in the distinctions early gained by her son George. He was a B.A. at seventeen, a Master of Arts at twenty-two, and was subsequently elected Orator of the university. At this time courtly favour and learned eminence seemed as if they would win him to a life of public distinction, but his mother always wished that his great talents and sweet spirit should be fully consecrated to the ministry of God's Word. And, after some conflicts, her pious wish was realized; her son laid aside every ambition but that of winning souls to Christ. He entered into Holy Orders in his thirtieth year, and was appointed to Layton Ecclesia, in the diocese of Lincoln. He found a ruined building, and, of course, a scattered Church. Out of his slender means he set himself to rebuild the sacred edifice; and, by the help his zeal obtained, left it a perfect gem. In his thirty-sixth year he was inducted to the living at Bemerton, about a mile from Salisbury. Here, for the next three years, he lived a life so active and holy, that it presented a perfect example of Christian excellence to all. He was a true pastor, the friend of the poor, the teacher of the ignorant. More than two hundred years have passed away since he died at Bemerton, but his name and memory yet live in the hallowed records of the place. It is a pleasant thought that his dear mother lived long enough to see her son in the office she had prayed he might fill, but not to mourn his death. Her end was peace; and in a few short years after, while he was yet under forty, holy George Herbert had run his heavenward race, and was called to his reward. Consumption quietly sapped the springs of life. He knew he was dying, and his faith and love, if possible, grew brighter as he came near the celestial city. The Sunday before his death he suddenly sat up and called for one of his instruments, and tuning it, played and sang :— "The Sundays of man's life, Threaded together on Time's string, On Sundays Heaven's door stands ope, *The Church. Band of Hope Review. HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS. HERE is nothing that smooths the rugged pathway more effectually than thorough self-dependence. The woman who in early life resolves so to familiarise herself with the duties of her household, that, in the event of a reverse of fortune, she knows and feels that she is able to do that which, under prosperous circumstances, would be performed by others, is the possessor of a consciousness of selfpower that will bear her bravely up, when others, who are ignorant of these duties, sink in almost hopeless despair. Were it possible to arrive at a correct estimate upon the subject, it would be proven that a very large proportion of the worriments, perplexities, and discords of wedded life, are traceable to want of familiarity on the part of wives with household duties. Unable themselves to direct, they are necessarily compelled to depend upon others, and mainly upon those who have least interest in doing things well, or seeing that they are done as they should be. A woman thus circumstanced is an object of pity. However honest her intentions, and however earnest her desire to please and gratify her husband, she finds, in many cases, that this is impossible. Her best efforts are generally failures; and sinking beneath her own weakness, she gives up in despair. Every girl has it in her power to arrest this calamity-for a calamity it must be regarded. All that is necessary is the determined resolve that, whatever her position in life, she will acquaint herself with household duties. Having thus resolved, let her set apart certain hours of each day for the acquisition of such knowledge, and prove that she is in earnest by her supervision of matters, or by her personal assistance in the kitchen, the sewing-room, the bed-chamber, in fact, everywhere in the house where her presence or services can be profitably engaged. There is nothing dishonourable or degrading in this; on the contrary, it is ennobling and dignifying. One of the proudest ornaments of society, in our estimation, is a woman who "looketh well to the ways of her household" (Prov. xxxi. 7; 1 Tim. v. 14). A MOTHER'S REWARD. RS. A's home was gladdened by the presence of ten sweet children. The mother was an earnest Christian, and felt that a sacred trust had been committed to her keeping. Looking to God for strength and guidance, she strove to train her loved ones in the right way. Her heart's desire and prayer to God for them was, that in that day when He made up His jewels, when He gathered to Himself His peculiar treasures, not one might be wanting. It was the custom of this faithful mother to gather her little ones about her morning and evening, read to them some portion of God's Word, and bow with them in prayer. She felt that it was a sweet and holy privilege to point her little ones to Jesus. As they grew in years, and looked out with all the bright hopes of youth upon the attractions the world presented, she urged them to heed the gospel admonition, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring them that God would be true to His word, and add unto them all things needful. Such faithfulness God did not permit to go unrewarded. That noble Christian mother lived to rejoice that her prayers on behalf of the dear ones God had given her had been most graciously answered. Her ten children are all on the Lord's side, and gratefully acknowledge their faithful mother's instrumentality in leading them to Jesus. One of the sons of this godly mother has in charge a large Sabbath-school in one of our eastern cities, and in this school, as long as her failing strength would permit, the aged mother laboured as a teacher. When at length, through the infirmities of advancing years, deterred from engaging in her loved employment, she still offered fervent supplications that the God, who in the case of her own children had lent a listening ear, would send His Spirit to quicken the hearts of the dear youth gathered in this school. While she was yet speaking God heard, and gathered into His fold from this school about one hundred souls. |