drefs as an auxiliary: they increase natural attractions by artificial affistance. • Can a "maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her " attire ?"

Peter fhews his knowledge of fexual character. What he despairs to alter, he labours to improve. Women MUST be fine; WILL be fine-He indulges them; only turning their attention from external decoration to internal accomplishment.-Not that he forbids a proper attention to the body. Nothing can be fo despicable and difgufting as a flattern; though it has been remarked, that a propenfity to it is often found connected with a love of finery. The body is the work of GOD-the structure is "fearfully and won

66

derfully made." It is a part of our nature-but it is the inferior part; and this fhould regulate the degree of attention. A woman of good fenfe will always possess a better standard of drefs than is to be derived from any precise rules.

66

She will avoid whatever would appear light and wanton. The apparel of a "woman profeffing godliness," should not be the attire of a woman of the world, much less" the attire of a harlot." Females fometimes wear a label, on which indecency and indelicacy are written, and then appear

to be offended because observers can read. I would not always infer too much of the difpofition from these outward hints-but in the name of a blufh, on what principle can we explain the invention or adoption of certain modes ?--I defcribe nothing.

She will beware of exceeding her rank, and her circumstances, or even of reducing her means of beneficence. Shall I here avail myself of the feafon? How many miferable objects are there around you! What an infult on the wretchedness of the times is the dress of many extravagant females! My fair hearers, escape this cenfure. Remember Dorcas; enter yonder up

per chamber"-see the "widows ftanding "and weeping, and fhewing the coats and garments which fhe made while fhe was "with them."-What will afford you most pleasure when you come to die-the recollection of the property you employed in clothing the naked, or of that which you expended on coftly folly? What fatisfaction resulting from the applause of finery, can equal the joy of benevolence a female feels, while moving among the tears, prayers, and benedictions of gratitude?—" When the ear "heard me, then it bleffed me-and when eye faw me, it gave witness unto me."

"the

D

She will keep it from engroffing too much of the mind; fhe will not fuffer it to be either her business or delight-she will not render herself responsible at the bar of God for the awful wafte of hours, weeks, months -fhall I add, years! detached from a life as fhort as it is important, and the whole of which ought to be redeemed!

The apostle speaks comparatively.—He would teach women that they have foulsthat they are made capable of greater beauty than the body yields-that they ought to adorn the mind-that their endeavours to decorate their perfons fhould be infinitely furpaffed by their attention to intellectual accomplishments-that they fhould be ambitious of moral endowments, and above all things, pay an attention to the "HEART."For what are talents unfanctified ?—" Know

ledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.What are notions the most fublime, and fentiments the most admired, if the difpofition be not under the bias of religion? How defective will the whole figure appear, without" the ornament of a MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT ?" What fo unfightly, so odious, as a difcontented, fretful, foaming, boisterous, scolding woman? "A continual drop

66

ping in a very rainy day, and a conten

"It is better to

"tious woman are alike." "dwell in the corner of a house-top than

with a brawling woman in a wide houfe." "It is better to dwell in the wilderness than "with a contentious and an angry woman. "Whoso hideth her, hideth the wind and "the ointment of his right hand, that bewrayeth itself." The Graces were fe

65

male-fo were the Furies too. Much depends on the cultivation of the mind; more on the regulation of the temper. The neceffity of this qualification in family con nection is inconceivable. In managing the concerns of a household, how many things will perpetually arise to disappoint, to ruffle, to unhinge, to vex, and to provoke !-These require the command of temper. And

there are wives, and there are wives in this affembly, who in "patience poffefs their

fouls"-who can feel, but retain their composure who can calmly remonstrate, but know not to infift—who can yield and accommodate who are "not eafily provoked" but " eafily intreated:" who are difposed rather to endure than complain--and to fuffer in fecret rather than disturb others with their grief.

Suffer me then, my fair hearers, to recommend this exchange, this preference of

decoration. Like "the king's daughter be "all glorious within.", Let the Bible be the mirror at which you dress; and while others are weightily engaged in catching a fashion, or adjusting a curl, let the object of your cultivation be the understanding, the memory, the will, the affections, the conscience. Let no part of this internal creation be unadorned: let it sparkle with the diamonds of wisdom, of prudence, of humility, of gentleness. These ornaments alone will confer dignity, and prepare for usefulness. If deftitute of these, can you imagine it poffible to obtain real, durable regard? Need you be told that these fkin-deep perfections, these exterior, fenfelefs appendages, imply no excellency in the wearer, and are only admired by the weak, or the worthlefs? Are you ignorant that men often defpife a foul lodged in a form they adore, and admire nonfenfe, because it pours from handsome lips? Are you defigned for miftreffes, or rational beings? the playthings of the fenfes, or improving companions? Would you in company keep your husbands on thorns, while they wish you to be seen, and hope you will not be heard; knowing how much more likely you are to edify by the pattern of your gown, than by the in