complacency pride. But deem as they may, they cannot but feel pleased, when they find that their character gains due respect and influence. The discovery that the wise and good think well of them, have confidence in them, notice them, make advances towards them, or meet their advances more than half-way; this, whatever sciolists may say of it, is a discovery never made without as much profit to a woman's character, as pleasure to her heart. From that moment she feels that she has a character! and all her soul rushes into a high resolution to keep it. She feels, through all her soul, that it is worth keeping, both for its own sake, and for the esteem it secures. She sees, as in the light of eternity, that no gain nor indulgence, which lowered her character, could make her so happy as her good name does.

Ripeness of Christian character is much promoted by finding, that we can be of sorne use

both in the world and in the church. This is

another discovery, which has a holy influence upon female character. And in general, it is really a discovery. Very few pious women step forward to be useful, from an idea that they have talents to be useful. They are drawn forward to visit the sick, or to advise the poor; and are themselves more surprised than any one else is, to find that they are not unacceptable, nor altogether unsuccessful. Thus they are encouraged to do what they can to promote the good of others. When, lo! they soon dis cover new motives for the maintenance of their own character. They must not defeat their prayers, nor their advices, by their example. They feel that they are pledged women; solemnly bound to give weight to their exertions, by the

worth of their characters.

"What would that

poor man, that poor woman,

that young person,

whom I have visited and counselled, think, if I

were to act unworthy of my profession?-This is fine ballast in the stormy sea of life! We cannot carry too much of it.

The trials of life have a mighty influence in ripening Christian character. As the sharp winds and frosts of Autumn, as well as the sun of Summer, assist in ripening the corn; so the afflictions and calamities of life, as well as the means of grace, aid in maturing the character. What, indeed, would any of us have been, had not the rod of Providence, as well as the sceptre of Grace, touched us at some tender point? It is not David alone, who has verified the oracle, "It is good for me that I was afflicted." You never yet saw a mother in Israel, nor a virgin of Judah, whom in all things you wished to resemble, who were not purified in the furnace. Be not too much afraid of God's furnace! It consumes nothing but dross. You would not have been what you are, but for its purifying

influence and, therefore, what you wish to be, may involve the necessity of new trials of both your faith and patience. Their trial, however, is more precious than that of gold!

No. III.

DEVELOPMENTS BY ETERNITY.

UNTIL the soul set itself to pass, or allow itself to be drawn, fully within the veil of Eternity, it will not remain long enough in the invisible world to imbibe much of its spirit, or even to acquire much acquaintance with itself. All forced visits of spirit to the world of spirits, are sure to be short visits. The soul will try to get out again as soon as it can, and will bring away no more of the impressions made on it by eternal things, than just what it cannot shake off.

Even forced visits are, however, not uninfluential, happily! A very short glimpse of Heaven or Hell, if very vivid whilst it lasts, is sure to