friends, with a sincere desire and willingness to take sound advice. It is, surely, a matter of sufficient importance to engage all the deliberation, the inquiry, and the prayer which you have an opportunity of bestowing upon it.

6. In seeking a matrimonial union, BEAR IN

MIND THE INESTIMABLE IMPORTANCE OF PIETY

IN A CLERGYMAN'S WIFE. I say the inestimable importance; because I am verily persuaded, that no one who has not made the experiment, can adequately estimate the importance of genuine and even eminent piety in one who is intended to be a "help meet" for a minister of the gospel. However great the other excellencies of his wife may be ; yet if she have not real piety, she cannot be a "helper" in the most important of all interests. She cannot aid him in the conflicts of the spiritual life. She cannot stimulate him in devotion when he is languid; or sympathize with him when he is dejected, and comfortless. She cannot counsel and excite him in the delicate and arduous duties of his office. She cannot strengthen his hands among the people of his charge, by appearing foremost among the sisters of the church, in every pious, benevolent and laudable undertaking in which they engage. She cannot exert a proper influence in "training up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In a word, she must

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so utterly fail of affording him the least aid, in all that large portion of his duties and conflicts which pertain to the spiritual welfare of himself, his family, and the souls committed to his care; and, if not an aid, must be so frequently a snare and a drawback in ref rence to all these interests ;—that, methinks, a conscientious man, entering on the work of the holy ministry, will be extremely unwilling to form a conn xion, to say the least, promising so little of either comfort or advantage.

Let me earnestly exhort you, then, in seeking a wife, to look for one of unfeigned and ardent piety. Nothing that she can possess, ought to be considered as a compensation for the want of this great characteristick. However beautiful, however amiaole, however intelligent, however extensively read, and however polished in her manners ;-if she lack the "one thing needful," she will be essentially deficient as a companion for an ambassador of Christ. But if, with other qualities, which may fairly be pre-supposed, she whom you choose for a wife, be a p rson possessed of enlightened, active piety, you will find her a treasure beyond all price :-a'comforter in trials; a counsellor in study, in labour, and in perplexity; a soother of your care worn hours; a suitable guide of the best interests of your household in your absence; an efficient helper

in a variety of respects, incapable of being spe-
cified; and, above all, a happy medium of in-
tercourse, and pledge of confidence, between
you, and the other pious females of your con-
gregation. I have often known the pious.
wives of clergymen exert an influence so mani-
fest, so extensive, and so happy, within the
pastoral charges of their husbands, that, in
some cases, there were those who felt constrain-
ed to doubt, whether the pastors or their com-
panions, were, all things considered, the more
useful. But you cannot be made, at present,
to see the whole importance of this matter.
you wish to find your own personal piety nur-
tured, your comfort increased, your influence
extended, and your usefulness doubled, never
think seriously of any other than a pious wife.
All experience, you may rely upon it, speaks
this language. I have never yet known a min-
ister who appeared to know much of the reli-
gion of the heart himself, who did not, as he
advanced in his course, manifest a growing
sense of the great importance of securing a
spiritual helper in the companion of his life.

If

7. You will not fail, I trust, to consider GoOD SENSE, AND PRUDENCE ALSO, AS INDISPENSABLE QUALI IES IN A CLERGYMAN'S WIFE. Whatever piety the object of your choice may possess; yet if she be a person of weak mind,

and strikingly deficient in practical discretion, she will perpetually mortify you, and probably do you more harm than good among the people of your charge. She will seldom fail, by her precipitancy, her rashness, her imprudent speeches, and her childish deportment, to weaken your hands, and counteract some of your best efforts. Or, the most favourable supposition is, that, when her character is once fairly understoood, she will be considered as harmless, and do you no positive injury. Surely something better than this, ought to be sought and expected by him who is about to choose a companion for life; a mother for his offspring; a "guide of his house;" a lightener of his cares; and a counsellor of his most confidential hours. Who can tell the importance of having, in so near a friend, sound, practical wisdom, and habitual prudence? To a clergyman it is highly desirable that his wife should have good sense and piety enough to be a helper even in his professional duties; but that she should have the principal management of all his domestick concerns, will follow as a matter of course. For this purpose, ev ry one sees that wisdom, prudence, and energy too, are indispensable.

8. I scarcely need to add, that you will, no doubt, consider GOOD TEMPER, AND AMIABLE MANNERS, as holding a very important place

in the qualifications of her who is to be a "helpmeet" for a minister. It has been often remarked, that no clergyman ever married a wife of a remarkably weak understanding, without severely repenting it. With this I agree. But I am inclined to think that a wayward temper, and repulsive manners, in a wife, are more destructive of domestick happiness, and especially that of a clergyman, than even folly itself. It is of the utmost importance, that the wife of a pu lick man have that amiable, bland, accommodating disp sition; that habitual equanimity and benevolence, which will dispose her at all times to consult her husband's comfort, and to receive with a kind welcome all his friends and visitants. If her temper be irascible, discontented, querulous or vindictive, she will not only create many a bitter hour under her own roof; but will also alienate the friends of him whom she has the deepest possible interest in sustaining, and present an additional obstacle to the favourable influence of his best exertions. Many a minister has had his usefulness in a great measure prostrated,and some have been driven from comfortable settlements, by the acerbity and perverseness of female tempers. And, on the other hand, it is but justice, and equally to my purpose, to add, that, in many cases, a clergyman of weak mind, or unhappy natural temper himself, has been most happily