The Duties and Graces of the Christian Woman.

with the feelings and sentiments of religion. I have shewn you that, without these, they cannot efficiently fill the offices of a wife, of a mother, of a servant, or of the mistress of a family. I will not doubt that, under this conviction, you, who have daughters, will make religious instruction, the first and continued object of your care, in their education, and the duties of Christianity your great concern in forming their conduct. And, shall I not hope that the female part of my hearers, who have attained to any years of discretion, will duly reflect upon these things? that seeing the necessary effects of the conduct and principles of women upon the state of the world, they will use all their efforts to form themselves in a virtuous and godly life, thereby acquiring the ability to confer blessings on the present and future generations?

My fair friends, (I apply this common epithet for the sake of distinction, not to soothe or flatter) your power to grace and ameliorate, or deform and corrupt society, from the very moment you mix with it, and before you are incumbered with the cares of an establishment;

The Duties and Graces of the Christian Woman.

your influence upon our sex, and upon the public happiness, is more than half mankind ever think of. If immoral men found no encouragement or countenance from gay, extravagant, or abandoned women; wanting the facilities, they would curb the desires, of licentiousness. Would all women of unstained reputation shew to virtue that preference, which is the mark of a truly Christian mind; men, while they blushed for the vices which disgrace the age, would cultivate the opposite virtues. If you all possessed the truly Christian graces; the rake and the seducer would hide their heads, and disappear from society. Think, then, I beseech how estimable, how honourable, how valuable a character is the pure, devout, discreet, and diligent woman! And, if so much happiness originate from her, what misery must arise from one of the contrary description? But to such a one I will not direct your attention-It is enough even to have glanced upon the odious object.

you,

Those, who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever. Woman may form to righteousness, at least lay the

best

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The Duties and Graces of the Christian Woman.

best foundation of a righteous life, not only to her own children, but by the force of example tramsmitted to posterity, to her children's children.

To what an overwhelming responsibility are those parents liable, who, neglecting the religious culture of their children, counteract the gracious purposes of God, and sow the seeds of wickedness that will flourish through many succeeding generations? On the other hand, how acceptable, how dear to our Heavenly Lord must those be, who train up their offspring from the cradle to maturity, in the way, in which He desires they should go?

Parents have joy in seeing their children prosperous, happy, and honoured in the world. If this paternal feeling attend them to the realms of bliss, how exquisite must be their delight in meeting there a long posterity, whom their holy and exemplary lives, under the blessing and mercy of God, may have contributed to bring to the mansions of glory! As children, except in particular cases, take their disposition, their manners, and the character of their lives, more from the early nur

The Duties and Graces of the Christian Woman

ture, and ever anxious, ever fond admonition of the mother, than from the graver authority, and possibly wiser counsel of the father at any period; let all mothers so much the more seriously reflect what joy or bitterness they are providing for themselves in eternity, by their care and management of their offspring, and what an awful account they must render to Him, who gave them.

My brethren, whatever may be the thoughts of those, who never frequent this holy place, or of those who appear in it for the sake of custom and fashion, or because it is respectable to have something of the shew of religion; the choice of Mary so approved by our Lord, the knowledge of Divine truth, the study of God's saving providence to sinful man, is imperative upon our meditations; and all, who disregard it, throw away happiness forever. It is an act of Christian charity, and a duty which we cannot neglect, to admonish the inconsiderate and the vain, the wandering and the perverse, and, if it be practicable, recall them to their almost forsaken religion. We must entreat them to take a faithful retrospect of their past

The Duties and Graces of the Christian Woman.

lives, to consider the obligations of their baptismal covenant, to look into the revelations of Heaven with reference to their own ways; that they may be so convinced of their errors, and weakness, as to throw themselves in humiliation and sorrow on the mercies of their insulted Redeemer, imploring, with all the fervour of a contrite heart, pardon for their offences, and spiritual assistance for newness of life. The hour that is passing, and the public event which has overspread it with gloom, are a solemn warning not to defer these things, so needful to be done. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. But the night is coming, when no man can work.

May we all, being in the day, cast away the works of darkness, and put on the whole armour of light. May those, to whom this discourse has been more particularly addressed, as disciples of the Holy Jesus, think on the example set them in his Gospel in the pious sisters of Lazarus; and as British subjects, remember the pattern displayed to them in the conduct of the lamented personage, who, we

hope,