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DOMESTIC PEACE.

The bonds which unite the husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters, are, of all others, the most sacred. Woe to him, who severs them by his unkindness!

Where will our sorrows receive the same solace, as in the bosom of our family? Whose hand wipes the tear from our cheek, or the chill of death from our brow, with the same fondness and care as that of the wife? If the raging elements are contending without, here is a shelter. If war is desolating the country, here is unmingled peace and tranquillity. Blissful and happy hours, that unite us together in sweet and holy companionship, I bid you a joyful welcome!

The father, by this industry, ensures the prosperity of his family. When his daily labo is completed, he returns with gladness to their welcome and smiling embrace. If the whole world should be in arms against him, here he is soothed by the gentlest and holiest affection.

The earnings of the husband are not foolishly squandered by the provident wife. She is careful in attending to the duties of her household. She guards over those under her care or direction, with fidelity and love. She encourand love, and adorns her character

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know of no enjoyment, beyond the confines of their home. They love to be obedient. With unspeakable delight they fondle on their parents. Even the servants are happy and contented. They are faithful to those who are so attentive to them. Instead of masters, they have found parents, whose prosperity is their chief delight.

Let there be mutual love. It is an indescribable charm. It gives to every thing a higher value and importance. I you are sick or afflicted, all are ready to offer you their assistance. The individual happiness of each, is the paramount concern of all.

Behold the lonely and destitute widow, who, in her solitude, is neglected by all the world. She has followed her husband and friends; one-all-to the silent grave. Poor In gay. and needy, she was driven from the ranks of the her distress, there are none who know her; none who share with her their society. But why should you pity her? She is happier than you can conceive! A pious daughter, who renounces the pleasures of the world, la bors through the day, and by the burning of the midnigh lamp, to add to the comfort and support of her aged mother Why should you pity her, when she participates in heav enly joys, that gold cannot purchase?

Why do you sympathise with the aged man, who is lan guishing in prison, because his misfortunes have prevented him from discharging his debts? He is already liberated A dutiful son, at the sacrifice of his own liberty, has bar tered himself to the army, to procure the release of his helpless but beloved father.

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How many blessings, even in affliction, spring out of family concord. How pleasant its consequences-how lasting its recollection. Domestic harmony may be likened unto heaven; but discord is only to be compared with hell itself.

How deplorable is the man who leaves the bosom of his family, in pursuit of happiness elsewhere! He is every where a stranger, even in his own dwelling! He must brood over his sorrows alone! There are none to share with him their sympathy! Cold civility is all he receives from the world! He complains with bitterness, that he ever pledged his hand at the altar! His children are to him as thorns that bear no fruit!

It is to be regretted that discord in families is increasing rather than diminishing. This is owing to the many inconsiderate marriages that are constantly taking place. Many people enter into a matrimonial alliance, without reflecting upon the importance of the subject, or studying each other's character or disposition. They contemptuously barter the happiness of a whole life, for a family name, or unnecessary fortune. But alas! no paltry wealth or ancestral honors, can atone for the tears of anguish, or desolation of the heart that it occasions.

There can be no happiness in the married state, only where there is a similarity of disposition, that will ensure mutual love, and enable the parties in case of misfortune, to rely solely upon each other. We have seen indigent families emerging from the depths of their poverty, and

of the husband; or the innocence and economy of the wife. We have also seen the prosperity of affluent families, blasted by the discord of the parents, whose infirmities have extended over and given a hue, even to the characters of their children.

It is a great source of evil to the newly married pair, when, instead of seeking happiness in the society of each other, they resort to gay assemblies. Before they are aware of their own weakness, they find themselves already corrupted by their dissipations. The increasing thirst for those foolish pleasures, render the uniform peace of the house, tedious and oppressive. Their idleness leads to want, their prosperity is at an end, and they sometimes contract dangerous acquaintances, that is too often repented of with tears of blood.

And lastly: a more fearful evil is a contempt for religion. A pious man can never be entirely miserable. He will love those who are under his care-look with indulgence upon their faults-bear with their infirmities, and Where there is no endeavour to correct their frailties. domestic peace, there is an absence of religion. The precepts of Christ have given place to passion and defamation. Instead of tenderness and affection, we will find cold hearted selfishness; instead of confidence in God, there will be madness and despair! The children, too, instead of loving their Creator, are full of pride, presumption and mockery. Piety and virtue seems to have taken their flight.

If thou wouldest restore the peace and tranquility of thy family, thou must first awaken religious impressions.

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When thou hast succeeded in this, then thou hast laid the corner stone of domestic felicity. Preserve the equanimity of thy temper; exercise kindness to those who are under thy control, and they will love and respect thee the more. Thus wilt thou establish the joy and happiness of thy household, and strife and jealousy will flee away.

Without mutual respect, there can be but little domestic happiness. Many newly married couples, lavish their affection upon each other for a few weeks, and then give way to disputes and quarrels. As they advance in their matrimonial existence, they become more negligent in their conduct; those little attentions by which they before rendered each other agreeable, are forgotten or despised; less attention is paid to their exterior; they grow more indifferent, and care but little whether they please or of fend. Finally, rudeness will extinguish the last spark of respect; they will contend about trifles; exact unusual obedience; and seek, if possible, to revenge every trifling wrong.

You must govern your children and servants with proper respect and dignity. Let every censure, every command, every denial of their requests, be given without too much authority. If they have been guilty of error, do not reprove them before others; but show them their own unworthiness in private. They will love you for your delicacy; they will obey your commands with more cheerfulness, and their happiness will not be embittered by the ridicule of their companions.

Wouldest thou behold domestic misery? thou wilt find in