ΤΕΝΤΙΟΝ. That they ought to study to be exemplary beyond the degree which is required of those in the ordinary walks of life, I suppose all will concede. As to the precise details of this example, there will probably be some diversity of opinion. In the following hints, I give you the result of some experience, and of the strongest convictions. I represent the subject as worthy of your serious attention, because I take for granted that any woman whom you would consent to marry, may be expected to regard your wishes, properly expressed, with sacred attention. If there be any clergyman's wife who wraps herself up in a cold indifference to the friends, the interests, and the congregation of her husband, and who feels herself at liberty to depart from that line of conduct which is obviously calculated to strengthen his hold on the affections of his people, and to promote his general comfort, usefulness and honour; I can only say, that, in my view, whatever her other accomplishments may be, she labours under either a weakness of judgment or a defect of principle, which cannot but render her a pitiable object among all sober minded observers.

Whatever may be your temporal circumstances, let your wife, and your daughters, if God should give you any, be studiously plain in their dress. Let no marked expensiveness;

no devotedness to fashion; no flaring colours; no symptom of inordinate attention to ornament, ever appear among the members of your family. On the contrary, let simplicity, modesty, economy, and the absence of all ostentation, in this respect, be among their invariable characteristicks. I give this advice under a deep persuasion, not only of its justice, but also of its importance And I do not give it merely because, by following it, much unnecessary expense may annually be saved. This, indeed, in a christian family, demands constant attention. But the counsel before us

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ought to be followed from other, and far higher motives for the purpose of setting an example of simplicity and economy; for the purpose of repressing those inordinate sacrifices to "bodily adorning," which are apt so criminally, and so mischievously to prevail in all polished society; and for the purpose, too, of consulting the feelings of the less fashionble part of most congregations, who are always pained, and justly pained, at seeing the members of their ministers' 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, EXECISE 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, &-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 advantage

ous, 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. Entreat the 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.

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