uch made up of appearances. Many a family, which we
suppose to be the abode of union, peace and joy, is distracted with
the voice of discord, and is dragging out an existence in secret,
concealed grief. Many a husband and wife, who, we suppose, are of one
heart and mind and passing their days in the sunshine of peace and
love, are torn by secret broils, and whose mansion stands overcast
with the dark shadows of discontent and misery. Little do we dream of
the secret woes, that rend many a worthy heart concealed behind a
smiling countenance. The husband is perhaps stern and unrelenting--and
will, in no case, yield to the wishes of his companion. Discouragement
and anger may perhaps at times take possession of the heart. In such a
case, instead of treating her kindly, he rouses into a passion
himself, and a private contention ensues. This is a wretched practice,
for instead of extinguishing the flame, it adds fuel to the fire, and
consumes all that is fair and lovely in matrimonial and domestic life.
Much misery might be avoided by observing the following rule. When the
one is melancholy, let the other be rationally cheerful, and endeavor
to divert the attention from the subject that causes gloom. When the
one is angry, let the other keep a perfect equanimity and a benign
composure of countenance. Then watch the opportunity, and in some
future day, when the offended one is most cheerful and kind, then
bring forward the subject, and expostulate most feelingly on the
impropriety of indulging a wrathful spirit to a bosom friend. Speak of
the shortness of life and point each other to the silent grave and to
the parting scene, and vengeance, anger and discontent will soon be
strangers in your habitation. Your dear children, from the very
dawnings of intellect, will take the example, grow up in harmony and
affection with perfect rule over their spirit, and thus you will not
only secure your own domestic peace, but will bequeath those sacred
enjoyments to your posterity--enjoyments that infinitely outweigh a
thousand fortunes in gold! Let others toil to leave their offspring
wealth, we ours the joy to bequeath them this. We ask no more.

We are not only to be of the same mind one towards another in our
families but in our religious societies. Here all selfishness ought to
be discarded, all private interests sacrificed, all hostile feelings
subdued, and the whole offered on the altar of genuine good, and thus
the harmony, peace a