are always pained, and justly pained, at seeing the members of their minister's families dress in a splendid style. And if you imagine that the most gay and wealthy part of a pastor's congregation would esteem any member of his family the less for dressing in the manner advised, you were never more egregiously deceived in your life.

That a clergyman's wife ought also to feel that she bears an important relation to the families under his pastoral care, will, I suppose, be readily granted. How far, indeed, she ought to aim at going, in the important work of visiting those families, cannot be definitely prescribed. This will, of course, depend very much on the situation of her own family, her health, her degree of leisure, &c. But that a pious and prudent woman can accomplish a vast amount of good, by visiting among the people of her companion's charge; especially among the females; not forgetting the plainest and poorest any more than the most wealthy; and that it is her duty to do as much of this as her circumstances will admit, none I hope will be disposed to doubt.

I will only add, that it is of immense importance to a clergyman, that his wife not only have, in general, good sense, and prudence, as before inculcated, but that she, and all the members of his family, should be aware that it is peculiarly incumbent on them, as a matter of decorum, as well as duty, to be "grave, sober, no slanderers," habitually and delicately reserved with respect to every thing which concerns either his personal or official duties, and constantly on their guard against every thing, in speech or behaviour, which may, even by possibility, implicate his

character or usefulness. I wish the wives and children of clergymen felt as they ought, the undoubted truth, that every instance of levity or indiscretion on their part, is not only wrong in itself, but tends also, in ways which they little think of, to depress the reputation of those whom it is, in every respect, their highest interest to honour.

16. Before marriage, as well as afterwards, exercise great delicacy in conversing with females. There are clergymen, both single and married, who are not. sufficiently attentive to this point. Every thing that approaches to fondling with females; frequently taking hold of their hands; leaning on, or over their persons; saluting them; retiring much with them into private apartments; often taking solitary walks with them; corresponding with them by letter, &c.— are all practices of which clergymen, young or old, ought to be extremely cautious, and more especially in respect to married females. In a word, in all your associations with the other sex, let your delicacy be of the most scrupulous kind. Shun not only the reality, but even the appearance of evil. And remember that the very confidence, with respect to purity, which is commonly placed in a clergyman's character, while it is, in some respects, highly advantageous, may become a snare to him in a variety of ways easily conceivable.

The importance of perfect delicacy of language, on the part of a clergyman, in conversing with females, has been urged in a preceding letter. I shall not, therefore, now enlarge on the subject, further than to say, that, for any one to use an expression, in their presence, which borders on the indecent, or approaches.

even to double entendre, is to forfeit the character of a gentleman; but for a minister of religion to be guilty of any thing of this kind, is peculiarly base. There is no need, however, of my adding another syllable in support of so plain a dictate of common decorum.

The manner in which you converse with women, and especially with young women, on the subject of experimental religion, will be worthy of your particular attention. Here the text which stands at the head of this letter is strictly applicable. "Entreatthe elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." Do not affect privacy in your conversations with either, more than the nature of the case may render absolutely necessary. And, as often as you can, avail yourself of the aid of those "mothers in Israel," whose piety, experience, and influence render them capable of eminent usefulness among anxious inquirers of their own sex.

17. Let all the time that you spend in the society of females be employed as much as possible in useful conversation. When young men of the world converse with females, they commonly, of design, dwell on frivolous subjects, because they suppose no other to be adapted to the capacity of that sex. As this will not be your opinion, if you derive your sentiments from the Bible; so I trust your practice will be different. Never imagine that to talk on light and vain subjects, is to accommodate yourself to females. They will neither respect nor thank you for the accommodation. Women are just as capable as others of comprehending and discussing to advantage, most subjects which ought to be introduced into any company. And there are many subjects of great im

most men.

portance, which they are able to treat in a more striking manner, and with a more delicate touch, than Avail yourself of this fact. Try to turn every moment that you spend in their society to good account, both for yourself and for them. Especially let religion, and the great subjects connected with it, form as much as possible, when in their company, the leading topic of conversation. You cannot take a better method, at once, to promote their improvement and your own, and to gain their confidence.

18. Never allow yourself to adopt those contemptuous expressions concerning the female sex generally, which licentious men are so apt to indulge, and which some good men are prone, inconsiderately, to employ. That men who have little or no principle themselves, and who have no real acquaintance with any but the most worthless portion of the other sex, should be fond of throwing out reproaches against the character of women, as a body, is not wonderful. But when I hear a man of knowledge and piety, and, above all, a clergyman, doing this, I generally conclude, either that he is a weak man; that he has kept bad company; or that he is revenging some supposed illtreatment from an individual female, or some unhappy connection or occurrence in earlier life. Be assured, my young friend, this is foolish conduct. No truly wise man was ever guilty of it. That there is more intellectual culture among men than women, is evi

dent. But that there is more native intellectual

soundness and justness of mind than the latter, I do not believe.

among the former

And that there is,

decisively, more moral excellence among women, in general, in Christian countries, than among the other

sex, I am deliberately persuaded. If this, or any thing like this, be true, then the practice of speaking lightly of women, is not just in itself; is not agreeable to the word of God; and is not adapted to promote the great interests of virtue and piety in the world. It can answer no other purpose than to harden licentiousness in its folly; to mislead the young; to depreciate, in the view of many, a most precious part of the church of Christ; and to present an unnecessary obstacle in the way of their usefulness.

19. I have only to add, as a final counsel, growing out of all that has been said on the subject, that you endeavour to maintain a constant and firm influence on the minds of the pious females, wherever you reside. Depend upon it, this is worth all the care and pains you may take for its attainment. If you do not stand well with the female portion of your pastoral charge, as I remarked in the introduction to this letter, your prospect of usefulness in the ministry will be very small. If you ask me how the influence which I recommend shall be gained and preserved, I answer, not by flattery; not by any indirect or crooked arts; but by the faithful and able discharge of all your public duties; by a private conversation, pure, delicate, and dignified; and by treating your female parishioners with that respectful and appropriate attention which the word of God, and the interests. of his kingdom, evidently command. We live in an age in which pious females take a far more active part in promoting the spread of the gospel, than was common half a century ago. Their associations, for a variety of humane and evangelical purposes, you will be prepared, I trust, in common with every enlightened