Price.! 316 [January. 



heart of her husband doth safely trust her." <' She openeth her 

 mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She 

 lookcth well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread 

 of idleness." (Prov. 31.) 



This domestic rule combines powers that would be most danger- 

 ous, if united in the hands of a single political executive ; of one 

 who combines the legislative, judicial, and executive authority. But 

 in the institution of the family, this concentration of powers is not 

 dangerous, as a general rule, while it must necessarily exist. They 

 are virtually in one ; for in their exercise, husband and wife must 

 act as one. Their dual reign must have the concert of unity of coun- 

 sel and of action ; will be tempered by the love of children and 

 their love of each other; and will be restrained by the ceaseless con- 

 sciousness towards the residue of the family, that they who are mas- 

 ters on earth, "have a Master in heaven." If these influences be 

 forgotten, the family is not that which God intended to set together; 

 and he who violates that intent, is traitor both to God and his own 

 happiness. lie who is despot in his f;imily, must expect that family 

 to reflect no joy to him. And many there are who perform their 

 moral obligations respectably well, who know not how much more of 

 happiness lies unelicited within their easy reach, for want of genial 

 and social attractiveness to wife and children ; whose happy social 

 sensibilities are chilled, or not drawn forth in those reciprocations 

 that give home its joys and life its purest happiness. 



Pardon my having so long dwelt upon that which is obvious to 

 you all. It is with purpose to impress upon others, and women them- 

 selves, how available may be made their influence and that of the 

 family, for the advancement of human welfare and civilization. Evi- 

 dently, the Creator has intended the fulfilment of a higher mission 

 than man or woman has yet generally fulfilled. Countless are the 

 examples of exalted excellence and virtue in both ; but these are to 

 be multiplied everywhere and constantly. Yet will the moral safety 

 of mankind rest mainly with woman : 



"Spirits are not finely touched 

 But to fine issues." 



So said the master observer of the human heart. And finely touched 

 spirits can alone reach to touch and mould the tender and impressi- 

 ble heart of children, and leave upon it impressions that shall endure 

 through life, and after life. For that duty, neither the fether nor 

 the teacher will adequately suffice. Their ruder appliances and tern- 



