"Charlie, I believe you have a pious, praying mother. I am here at the request of that mother. All this long year have: I sought you from place to place in obedience to a request of that mother.. I have the letter in my pockettasking this of me; would you like to see. it? The young man was struck dumb for a moment with astonishment. I ran my hand into my pocket for the purpose of showing him the letter. 'Oh,' said he,. 'don't show it to ine; don't produce the letter. I cannot bear to see it: If any young man owes a debt of gratitude to as mother, none more than I.' I asked him again to go with me. He answered, 'Let me go back and finish my game, and then I will come and go with you.' He went back and played out his-game, and good as his. word, he came out and went with me. We first went to the temperance rooms, and he signed the pledge. Then we went to the prayer-meeting. The man was soon in great agony of spirit. "To make a long, story short, that young man.became hopefully converted, and witnessed a good confession before many witnesses. He was a liberally-educated young man. He was, in process of time, chosen to be a judge of the court of the county in which he resided. He was a conscientious judge. One day he was trying a man who was indicted' for gainbling and similar offences--just such as he had before been guilty of. The man at the bar was a désperado, and shot the judge upon the bench. He was mortally wounded, and life was fast ebbing away. He sent immediately for me," continued the speaker;"I'lad' just time to reacli him, and receive his last words: Oh,, what precious words they were: "Tell my dear, mother,' said' the dying young man, 'that I am. dying in the assured rope of a glorious inmortality beyond the grave. Send to lier a thousand thanks that she sent your that letter,, and, oh, a thousand thanks to your that you, so faithfully followed me up, and hunted that. whole year for me. Tell my darling; mother, I thank her for that love which never, tired, and, for the prayers which were never omitted for her far-off'son. I am going going to heaven. I'shall meet her there. Oli,,who.can value a mother's prayers? Aud who, would complain of the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping, God, if they would give Ilin no rest,, as did this mother-my dear, dear mo^ther? Farewell""" For the Advocate and Guardian. JOTTINGS BY THE WAY. BOY A BIBLE, READER. MET with a person who said lie had been re viewing his life, and found' it all' sinful and vile; could not think of one good thing that he had ever done; and yet, according to his wife's testimony, he has been a moral man. do hope the Holy Spirit is striving-with lin; he expressed a strong desire to be a Christian. Topened the Word of God and tried to show him how ready and willing the Saviour was-to receive him just as he was Spent nearly eight hours in my district today; my visits were kindly received. I am more and more convinced that this method of going from house to house with the little tract and the Word of God is the only way to reach the masses of the poor, who will not, unless they are sought out, go to any place of worship.. I am sometimes surprised to find how easily they are persuaded to attend our little meet-ings, although according to their own confes-sion, many of them have been living for years in the total neglect of the means of grace. Called to see Mr. G. and was surprised to find him so much worse, it was painful to wit ness his sufferings. But his hope and confi-dence were in the Saviour; said he felt that the Lord would not leave nor forsake him now. I repeated the 23d Psalm and other precious texts from the Word of God, and after offering prayer was obliged to leave him, to attend our female prayer-meeting. There we carried him again in prayer to God, asking Him to be with His servant as he passed through the valley 4th. A very aged disciple of Christ, who of the shadow of death. After the meeting I attended and enjoyed our last meeting very returned to him again, and tried to relieve his much, not being able to meet with us to-day heart-broken wife, by ministering to his wants.in consequence, of extreme debility, I called as far as I could. Procured a watcher for the night, and left, not expecting to see him again in the flesh, but he lingered through another day of suffering and then, we trust, went to be "forever with the Lord." Was much gratified and greatly encouraged by the attendance, at the mission last evening. I recognized quite a number who a few months since were living in the neglect of the means of grace, but are now regular attendants upon the worship of God. Had a very serious talk to-day with a back--| slider and her unconverted husband. The wife confessed her wanderings and with tears promised to return to God; said she had been very unhappy: Her husband, too, listened to the expostulations with apparent interest and pro mised to attend our meeting at the mission This being the day of our meeting on1St.; I'thought of the injunction in the parable, where the master of the feast sent out his serv. auts at supper-time to compel the people to come in, that his house might be, fall.. Accord ingly I started about an hour before the tiine, am visited the families in that immediate neighborhood, entreating them to come in. Ohe poor woman said slie would like to come; but, having an infant and another child about three years of age, with no one to leave them witli, "she could not come:" When told that shie night bring them both with her, she said she would come, and did so. As the result of that effort, three mothers were added to our number: O may they be led to give their liearts to the dear Saviour and be enabled by I grace to train up their little ones." in the maurture and adinonition of the Lord!”” · I am very, very weary to-night; but so thankful and liappy that I cannot find words to express my joy. Another precious sont, I trust, has been born again, made a new creature in Chirist Jésus-to Hin be all the glory. Mr. S., for whose conversion earnest prayer has been offered at all our little meetings för the last two or three weeks, has, as we have reason to believe, given his heart to the Saviour and last Friday night erected' the family altar. His family were melted to tears and one of his daughters told me to-day that slie was deter mined to seek in earnest the salvation of her soul. upon her. Her eldest son is a great trial to her, being intemperate. She says her pastor. has given him up, as a complete wreck. But I cannot feel so, I do not believe that mother's prayers will be lost. I presented his case at our little meeting for special prayer. 6th. Called again upon, the aged mother mentioned above and had some conversation with the son. He promised. never, again to take the intoxicating cup. May he be strengthened to keep his pledge. 15th: Went again to see the above family. The son, continued.firm. in his purpose of reformation. Said he was constantly using that little prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me," for Christ's sake. 22d. Mr. F., the: son spoken of above, attended divine service at the chapel last evening. It is pleasant to be able to record these successive steps forward. Called for and, accompanied, Mrs. C. to our prayer-meeting in the chapel.. She went with me last week, but was then partially intoxicated and wore a very dirty dress. Yesterday she washed her dress, and when I called she was clean and sober, and as I entered, said, "I was expecting you to call for me. After meeting, as I was leaving the chapel, Miss B. came to me, saying, "I have something to tell you, I have given my heart to the Saviour." This was indeed good news and my heart rejoiced greatly, I have labored with the family of which she is a member since last May, sometimes feeling almost discouraged, at other times hopeful. They attended the chapel services very irregularly until about the middle of last month. Since then A.,.accompanied by one or two others of the family, has attended nearly every service. And now she is rejoicing in Christ. Last Friday, when I called to see Mrs. S., she was thinking, seriously of separating from her husband because of his intemperance. I urged her to bear with him a little longer, and carry his case to God in earnest: prayer and persuade him, if possible, to attend our meet ings. Also invited her to attend our little fe male prayer-meetings, promising to unite our petitions with hers for his conversion. Last evening, he was at the mission with his wife. Called to see her to-day. She says he has promised to sign the temperance pledge, which makes her quite hopeful. On entering the room of an aged disciple in deep poverty, but "rich in faith," and placing upon the table some articles of food a kind friend had given me for her, she lifted her hands and raising her eyes toward heaven, exclaimed, "The Lord has sent it, His mercies are innumerable," and much more of a similar import. I sat down upon an old trunk and read the 90th and 91st Psalms, and then offered prayer with her. I could not help thinking if those whom God has blessed with an abundance of the good things of this world, could witness the gratitude of the poor for some such small gift, they would oftener send, or better still, go themselves to these humble abodes and minister to Christ in the persons of His disciples. For the Advocate and Guardian. THE SPIRIT OF CHARITY. AN appeal was made for the benefit of a noble Christian Institution, where aged, weary pilgrims and little orphan children are gathered in and made to feel the comfort and blessing of the word home. "I would," said the earnest speaker, "that you could all fully realize the great joy of giving!-not the simple pleasure which a man experiences as he draws from his well-filled purse his roll of bills, and with a liberal hand which feels not the diminution of his store, lays a goodly portion on the plate. Not the self-complacency that says to itself as the golden coin drops into the treasury of the Lord, 'I have done a good deed, I have purchased to myself so much of heaven,'-but that deep earnest love toward God and man, which must needs express itself in outward ministrations of gentleness and mercy, and which in the very act of feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked, and binding up the broken hearts, feels itself thrice blessed. If this spirit is in a man it magnifies the mite beyond the value of the greatest earthly offering. A proud man who possesses not the spirit of charity, refuses to give because of the smallness of the means which he can spare. God required of the Jews for their trespass offering, if they had not a lamb or a kid or he goat, two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, and if they were not able to bring these, a little fine flour. Have we not all been unjust toward our fellow-men? Is there no suffering brother whom we have defrauded, by withholding a needful charity! Let us then, each one of us, bring his trespass-offering, according to our several ability, 'Not grudgingly, of necessity, for God 'loveth a cheerful giver.'" The plates were then passed around, and returned upheaped with gifts, and of one offering I am sure the Lord took note, for as I shook hands with the donor, as we were leaving the sanctuary, she said, with her very nor heart in her voice, "How I did wish I had a F. B. S. For the Advocate and Guardian. "Never do anything which shall make you What she meant he could not imagine. Instead of having a gay time in the stage with the boys as he had anticipated, he was continnally thinking, "What did she mean? has she heard anything that troubles her?" He was a wild boy, fond of play and fun, and if any mischief was going on he was usually in it. He could not forget the parting words; they followed him everywhere, and often when he was tempted to wrong-doing they turned him although he is no longer young; and their inback. He has not forgotten those words yet, fluence remains as it was when they were uttered. They have molded his whole life, and I tions he would do that which it would make do not suppose that even in his business transachim ashamed to have his mother hear from or of him. This boy was the eldest of five sons. When he was fifteen his mother died. On her deathbed she one day called him to her and said; "I do not wish you to make me a promise, for boys often do not realize what a promise is; but if I could only feel that you and your brothers would never use tobacco in any form, I should die happier." John said to his mother, "I am old enough to make a promise and to keep it, and I now promise you that I will never smoke one whiff of tobacco nor chew one quid.” As his brothers grew older he reminded them of this wish of their mother, and told them he should not dare disregard it. The five boys grew to be men; they engaged in business, and in business which carried some of them all over the country and threw them into all sorts of society, but not one of them ever forgot this wish of their mother. Not one of them ever smoked one whiff, or chewed one quid. There is so much to encourage mothers in her five sons motherless in their childhood, the molding influence of this mother who left that it should cheer the many hours of anxiety which too often cload our happiness when we think of the loved ones we have launched on the ocean of life. We see something of the dangers that assail them, and our hearts ache and tremble; but our Father can watch over them wherever they are, and He can bless whatever in our weakness and imperfection we may have done for them. ANNA HOPE. | For the Advocate and Guardian. RAY'S MENTAL HYGIENE. SOMEBODY Once spent a good deal of time writing directions as to the best way to live and eat and drink and sleep and study and work, so as to keep body and mind and soul in the best possible condition. And many of those who saw these things in a religions paper said, "What use? we want religious instruction and help for our souls. Our bodies will live, and it is making these outward things of do well enough. Anybody knows how to too much importance." Dr. Ray* would say that such people were mistaken. He has been for many years at the head of a large Retreat for the Insane, and the course of his studies has led him to observe very closely the connection of mind and body, and the dependence of one upon the other. He tells us that the health of the mind and the right state of the soul depend upon the health of the body, and therefore proper attention to this point is of the utmost importance. Dr. Ray is a man singularly free from hobbies and isms, and takes a calm, clear view of the whole subject. His remarks upon the subjects of food, drink, stimulants, work, rest, sleep, reading, recreation, study, discipline, self-discipline and the training of children are worth the consideration of all: not only those who have to do with any case where there is a tendency or pre-disposition to insanity, but all who wish to keep a "sound mind in a sound body." All the skill in the world can not draw music from a cracked and tuneless instrument, and such many of us become unless we learn to take proper and wise care of ourselves. It will not do to trust to instinct in the management of a steam-engine or a cotton-mill. The body is a much more complicated piece of machinery, and quite as easily put out of order. * Mental Hygiene, by J. RAY, M.D. V. THE RAILROAD SWITCH,-Passing along the railways of city and country, it is a common thing to see the turnouts from the main track called "switches." How readily and gradually the massive car moves off in a different direction when the lever turns the path. It is thus with human destiny. All along the moral pathways of men lie the diverging lines from the straight one of duty. Every day we see the richly freighted car of existence yielding to the pressure of temptation gently laid upon the will With scarcely perceptible deviation from the lines of right and purity, the young and lovely go from it on every hand to return no more. Young man and maiden, beware of that "little sin," that shining folly, that simple delay to repent and believe; for you will soon see and feel that the hand of the arch-fiend was on that lever which turned your course away from God and heaven, and unless you hasten back, you are lost forever.-American Messenger. BEGIN ARIGHT.-If you are about to do a piece of work, you will be careful to begin it right; otherwise you will have to take it in pieces and do it over again. If you are going on a journey you will be careful at first to get into the right road. The way to begin life aright, is first of all to seek God, for "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Children's Department. For the Advocate and Guardian. ASHAMED OF JESUS KITTY's father lived by the village church, in the parsonage. One side of the house looked out on the bright grass of the church. yard, with the gleaming of tombstones through the trees, the other side, sunny andr cheerful, faced the garden, gay with flowers,. and two busy bee-hives: The house looked rather worn and shabby within, as if many feet, had passed over the threshold, and rested. in the old-fashioned rooms. Kitty's mother was sitting in tlie piazza talking to, a poor woman, in trouble,. when the voices of children, were heard. Kitty had been allowed to invite a little. friend to drink tea, and spend the night at her home. They stopped at the door of the study, where the evening sun was lighting up, dingy old books on the walls. There was nothing, here to amuse a stranger-child, only an old desk with scattered papers and quill pens, a well-filled inkstand, and the Bible always open. "There is a skeleton," said Kitty, pointing to a sheet of paper on the floor, with sentences scattered here and theres “A skeleton!" screamed the visitor, in horror: "Oh you silly child," said: Kitty, with ac wise air, "father makes skeletons: for: his sermons < every week." Kitty's friend did not care to linger: long in this place, so they went to a little room fitted up with a white bed, and a low chair. by the window, where the child kept her. own books on, shelves, and. a. tiny work, basket.. Then, the children visited the parlor, that Kitty might show the choicest possessions of the household, and her best toys. A few portraits in old frames, a hair-cloth sofa, and a few chairs, the rocking-chair covered with a tidy. made by a young lady friend, Kitty had always admired very much, but the little guest saw nothing beautiful. The flowers were rare, and grouped with skill, in simple vases. Gertrude proposed that they should visit the church-yard. As they were passing the church, the sexton opened the door to toll the bell for a funeral. The little girls ran softly up the dark aisle to the pulpit which they entered, feeling the mysterious awe of those who come very near the Holy, of Holies. From the mossy old stones, the children were summoned to tea. Gertrude did not feel entirely at ease, when. Kitty's father seated himself at the table, and said a few words of prayer to that. One who has bidden us, whether we eat or drink, do all to His glory. After tea, Gertrude saw with amaze-ment that Kitty gave her father a large Bible, from which he read pleasant words of the Lord Jesus. Kitty sat, with downcast eyes this evening, not listening to the blessed house she longed to return to the old parson: When the two friends were undressing in. Kitty's room. Gertrude said: "Is your father. rich, Kitty?" then. Kitty blushed again as she answered, "No, L. think, he is poor," for she remembered. troubled looks sometimes. on.her father's face, which she was sure were occasioned by the want of money.. "Your house isn't very handsome," remarked, the visitor. The. doors were open, so that the children could hear the old clock ticking, and the gentle voice. of: Kitty's mother singing something about Christ and Heaven. In the morning, the prayer-time came again, then Kitty's father carried the girls to school in his chaise, entering into all their plans with so much interest that Gertrude was not in the least afraid. "We don't have prayers at our house," whispered Gertrade, before school began Then Kitty wished in her heart, that her father and mother would not be so particular: about this daily worship. Kitty was ashamed to confess Jesus Christ before men. Gertrude's father lived in a handsome house, with fine. pleasure-grounds. There: was a conservatory opening from the parlor, a. fountain playing in the flower-garden. Kitty was invited, in a few weeks, to return her. friend's visit.. As the children entered the hall, with its marble floor, and carved stair-case, envious thoughts arose in Kitty's heart. Gertrude volunteered to show Kitty the house. At the door of the billiard-room, they paused a moment, with a dreadful oath a man knocked a.ball too far. "Come," said Gertrude, pulling her guest away, afraid. that. Kitty would hear her father swear again. They went up-stairs together; a lady stood at the door of an elegant room, "Who is that child?" she asked sharply. Gertrude explained in a whisper. Through the door of the dressingroom, Gertrude heard her sister scolding the maid for not bringing her dress sooner. There seemed to be no quiet place in the splendid house. Gertrude and Kitty stole out to the trees, here a lame child was lying on a shawl, amusing himself with a book. The three children played until dusk, then the house was lighted, and ready for a gay party. To the nursery the little ones: crept. quietly, listening to the servants' quarrels below, and a great confusion of voices in the drawing-room. "I wish we had prayers in our house," whispered. Gertrude, before they slept. Kitty was old enough to see that.. Kitty was old enough to see that people may be very unhappy in a luxurious prayer-time The child went away, from the grand house. well-pleased that she belonged to those who were rich in faith, although their furniture was mean and old, resolving never again to be ashamed of her Heavenly Friend. Will Kitty be ashamed of her Saviour.at the last day, when He gathers His saints to be with Him in glory everlasting? Then she will praise His name forever, that He preserved her fronr many perils in the safe nurture of the pastor's household. For the Advocate and Guardian. THE OLD BLACK MAN. A LADY, in her visits among the poor one day, entered a dark, dismal-looking room, where two old colored people lived. The woman was all bowed together withinfirmity, but she was a child of God, and was patiently waiting a call to her heavenly home, "where they hunger no more,, neither thirst any more; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water; and God shall wipe all' tears from their eyes." But her husband had no such hope. Old, feeble and' destitute of every earthly good, he had no comfort in this life, and no joy in prospect for the future. "I want t'you to pray for him, missus," said the poor old woman, while the tears rann down her cheeks, "that the Lord may turn his heart. It's pretty hard, arter all the trouble we've had in this world, for him to suffer forever and forever in the other." They were just going to pray; the old: woman had covered. her face. with her. crooked, withered fingers, and the lady was. about to bend her knees, when a hurried,, shuffling step was heard, and the old man. himself entered the room, panting and almost. choking with excitement. "What is the matter, my friend?" said the visitor with real concern. "What has happened?" "I'm mad," says he, "mad"-muttering between his half-closed lips. "Mad? Angry, you mean. But don't be angry. Calm yourself down, and do tell" us what has happened." The old man looked stealthily up, and saw there was nothing but sympathy and bene volence on the stranger's face. He hesitatedTM a little, but assured from her looks and manner that he had nothing to fear; he at last spoke. "I was hungry, missus starving to death my old woman and me. We had no breakfast to-day, and only a crust of bread and a sup of water yesterday, and my old bones ached for something to eat. And. I went out and saw a plenty in the stores and the houses, and the women's baskets were full and the children's hands, and I couldn't have nothing, and I was mad 'cause God didn't give me something too. He cares for other folks 'cause theyls white Is'pose, but He don't care a fip for us, poor, old, black creatures. 'Tis too bad. What did He make us for, just to cry and starve? Then the boys they came along, a hooting after mre, and calling, "Old migger' with therr dirty tongues, and I couldn't bar that no how, and I was mader than afore, and I cursed and swore, and prayed almighty God to scorch 'em. in fire.forever" "Oh, stop, stop," said the lady, that is too dreadful. I wish you'd let me tell you what Jesus Christ would have done; yes, what He did when He was treated in just such a shameful, cruel way; even when His enemies were taking His very life. He prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”” "Oh, I couldn't do that no how," gasped the old man. But if we would have Jesus for our friend, to take our part and help us when we are in trouble, we must have this same spirit." And taking her little Testament out of her pocket, the lady read, For if ye for give men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you."" Do you Oh, little children, isn't it sad to think that any boy or girl can be so heartless and wicked as to abuse a poor old black man, and despise him just for the color of his skin. I hope none of you will ever be guilty of such argreat wrong. Does not God love and pity them just as much as. He does you? He saw everything that He had made; and behold, it was very good, the Bible. says. suppose God made a mistake when He created some people with a dark skin? Do you think He turned around and despised them? No.indeed; He has made of one blood all the nations of the earth;" and, "in every nation, he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted of Him." "My dear children, I hope you will always pity those who have a darker skin than yourself, and do everything you can to help them for get the reproach which has been cast upon ithem. 7 tried as you have had them this morning, by the hard-hearted, selfish people outside. God owns everything, and He has said, “Ask and it shall be given thee." He looked up into the speaker's 'face' with wonder. "I reckon," said he, I shouldn't get much if I didn't go after it." "Well, let us try it for once," remarked the lady, I was just going to kneel down with your good wife, to ask God to give you the things you so much need. Will you not kneel and pray with me?" Dear missus, I don't know how to "pray. might hear you, but he wouldn't hear me I never prayed in my life. Maybe God nóhow. I'll go off, and you and the cold woman can pray" and so saying, he rose and lifted the latch to go out No, no, stay with us," earnestly 'exclaimed the latly. God is kinder to you than you think; and he will not only give you blessings for your body, but for your soul too. He has said so and the little Testament was opened again, while she read all through those precious words of Jesus, beginning: "Therefore Issay unto you, take no thought for your life what you shall eat; neither for the body what you shall put on." The old man stood still with his hand upon the latch and listened. "Come now," urged the lady, "be per suaded, and kneel with me while I pray." He closed the door, and turning with a trembling step back into the apartment, knelt by her side, while she poured out her soul in a brief but fervent supplication to heaven, in words suited to the comprehension and the needs of her listeners; and they wept together before. the Mercy-seat. When they rose the old man was the first to speak. "Specs He couldn't help hearing that; and Iodo hope tire good God will forgive my mad, but I tell I'm afeard almost to go ont again lest I swear some more. God help me." you "He will help you if you look to him," replied the lady, and I want you to-see that He has already helped you in one thing. Bee, here is some money which one of His own children gave me to-day to buy bread for the hungry. I shall give you a part of it, and you can go out and buy some bread and some tea for your wife, and I will see that you have coal, so that you shan't be cold all winter." The old man's face brightened up with a look of relief as he took the money. I know you folks come round to pray with as poor creatures, but I never carel for the prayers, 'cause prayers don't feed us or warm us but now I see. Well, I specs I shall think more of what you've said now, and I won't mind the saucy boys no more, if I can help it. Tll turn 'em over to the Lord to take care of." Children, what do will do with them? you WHAT I LIVE FOR. I LIVE for those who love me, I live to learn their story And follow in their wake. Whose deeds crowd history's pages, Live to hold.communion Twixt Nature's heartrandamine: And fulfil each grand design. By gifted minds foretold, I live for those who love me, For the Advocate and Guardian. OUR OWN FAULT. We are hardly aware how many customs and traditions have come down to us from old monkish times, for which, perhaps no good reason could now be rendered and from which now and then some peculiarly energetic spirit breaks away. Such was the onstom in soute of our colleges of "early prayers," which being made compulsory as to attendance,made many students hate the very manie of prayer, connected as it was with the cold, dimcohapel, before light of a winter's morning, after breasting sleet and storm to reach the place. Happily the custom is abolished, and prayers are held at a later hour, when there is not so much penance involved in the attendance. With the old monkish idea of merit in suffering, canch penance in prayer, the whole system should have fallen. (There is another notion which seems to have come from the same source, and which the light of these times ought to dissipate. Ina late book on the times of the Reformation, giving a history of the fearful struggles of Luther and of other souls out of the trammels of: Romanism, there is a sentiment like this, written by anun. Having secluded ourselves from all ble joys and sorrows and vicissitudes of common life, we seem scarcely to have left anything in think the Lord God's laws wherewith to try our faith and -subdue our wills to His, except sickness. Be H.E. B. reavements we can never know, who have weaned ourselves of all companionship with our beloved forevermore on earth. Nor can we know the trials either of poverty or of prosperity since we can never experience either. Sickness only remains beyond our control, and therefore when I see any of the sisterhood laid on the bed of suffering I think: 'God has laid thee there,' and I feel more sure that it is the right thing." This notion was not peculiar to the poor nun, but is that of many people to this day, who have brains and consciences and who in most cases can trace the connection between cause and effect. In ignorance it may be, and yet in fact they will violate the laws of their being, which are the laws of God, and then when sickness comes, "bow in submission to the dispensations of Providence." Or they will, for their children, neglect the plainest rules of health, and when those children are ill and die, again they "submit to the wise and inscrutable Providence." The poor nuns but did as they were taught by the superstition with which their religion was overlaid, and in obedience to that, taxed nature beyond endurance by fasts and vigils, want of sleep and self-torture. We have not even this excuse. And we have wiser teachings in our day, as for instance in the following brief extract from a work on "Mental Hygiene" by Dr. Ray of Rhode Island, Chief of an Institution for the Insane. In studying the causes of insanity, he is led to many general conclusions as to the connection between the health of the body and the health of the mind. The book is worth studying by fathers and mothers, ministers and laymen. Dr. Ray says: "I do not mean that a fever or an influenza, a hemorrhage, or a broken bone may be always avoided by any practical degree of prudence or forecast; and yet it can scarcely be questioned that a very large proportion of our bodily ailments proceed from ignorance or imprudence, or sinful folly." Whoso is wise let him understand. Y. FROM A CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMY. * Enclosed you will please find an order upon Mr. Van Wagoner, who will pay you for the Society the amount specified, as a small offering for your blessed work. My life in the army has been a busy one, and the first year an eventful one. I continued with my regiment through Gen. Banks' eventful campaign, terminating at Port Hudson, and after that until the 18th of September, when I was detached and assigned to duty as Post Chaplain at this point. Through the exposures, hardships, and dangers of an active and long campaign, my life has been mercifully spared, and I am permitted to labor in a wide and most inviting field. Many of the regiments at this point have no chaplain, and having been stationed here for several months, there has been op or portunity for regular services in their camps and in churches in the city, to which all have been invited. My services are held in the Presbyterian church, including preaching in the morning (10 1-2 o'clock) prayer-meetings on Sabbath and Friday evenings. When the weather is pleasant, I usually have one more short services in the camp in the open air. Our meetings are well attended, and prayer-meetings full and solemn. Last Sunday evening there were about 400 present nearly filling the church, and we felt that God was with us by His Spirit. It was a beautiful sight, four hundred officers and soldiers. Many a brave soldier, who had passed through fearful scenes on the battle-field and in the hospitals, testified of the preciousness of his hope in Christ. The prodigal son with sorrow and tears confessed his past unfruitfulness, desiring the prayers of Christians, that the future might find him a faithful soldier of the cross. There is an interesting work among the freedmen. Schools have started spontaneously. We hope soon to inaugurate a system of schools, conducted by northern teachers and missionaries on their way here. Your paper reaches me regularly. I have found it among the soldiers, sent by their friends home and I love to see its pages. Pray for us in our work, while we delight to remember yours in our approaches to the Throne of grace. I am your affectionate friend and brother, L. M. BIRGE. Advocate and Guardian. NEW YORK, MARCH 16, 1864. GRATITUDE. THERE are numerous institutions in our midst, making their mark upon the page of history that but a few years since had scarce a local habitation or a name. We have only to go back into the last century to find on the records of our country, a period when the Sabbath-school, the work of missions and numerous kindred efforts, were things yet to be. Our oldest Orphan Asylums have not yet numbered a hundred years. Homes for Homes for the Friendless, Industrial and Mission schools are of still later origin. That each and all of these have contemplated the good of humanity, the rescue of the perishing, is abundantly proved. To those laying, in faith and prayer, the foundation stones, doing the first hard work, necessary to the support of the superstructure, as they have thought of the many to be benefitted, doubtless the sugges tion came sometimes unbidden, "Gratitude will doubtless fill some hearts for this work, when the earliest agents in its promotion have gone hence." Ought I to become a foster-parent? Does my Heavenly Father call me to this service? Might I expect grace to help so that I should fully obey the precept, "Take this child and train it for me?" of homelessness and want, should I take it "Would gratitude be evinced by the child as one of my own, giving to it in health parental love, and toil, and care; in sickness, anxious days and sleepless nights?" Such are some of the earnest inquiries that are revolved in the minds of many who may but a little while be stewards. Of these inquiries the first are primary, the latter but secondary. Let the former be so settled that the Master will smile approvingly, and the latter may be left without solicitude. We have before us a letter recently received from a bereaved foster-child, an extract from which may be suggestive. The writer says: * "I have lost my dearest earthly friend, my beloved mother, and yet she was my mother only by adop tion. But, oh! how truly did she discharge her trust. She took me, a little, homeless orphan, to her heart, and watched over and cared for me, as only a true mother could ever do. I feel that she merits from me double the gratitude that would be due from an own child. For when an own mother leads her children in the way they should go, she does only what is expected from all Christian mothers. But when one takes a little stranger to rear, and educate, and care for as she cared for me, it seems to me a deed that angels might smile upon. Never -no, never can I forget her love and care, and never will I cease to praise God for giving me such a friend. How deeply do I feel my bereavement! She feared and loved God with her whole soul, was a benefactor to His poor, and well I know that she is no now in the mansions of the blest. She had been a member of the Lutheran church for over forty years. She died at the age of 60. Our house is one of mourning, but we strive not to murmur." Such is the simple testimony of one fosterchild. If all adopted mothers may leave a |