sonal
comfort was cheerfully foregone. That she might enjoy the best mental
and moral culture, this mother discharged daily those services, which
the domestic walk daily demands.

In sorrow there is no bosom that consoles like a mother's. Into her ear
the child pours its every trial. When the world censures, she will
soothe. Let injury, degradation, distress come upon us, let us dread the
eye of others, or, through guilt, shrink timidly from them, we flee to
her for refuge. This affection is bestowed on the daughter with a
fulness and a permanence, which she cannot comprehend, and remain still
insensible.

In view of her relation, the true daughter will always sympathize with,
and aid, this her greatest earthly benefactor. It will be her study, not
to throw every burden on her spirit, because she is willing to bear
them. No, her point of view will be the opposite of this. "How much,"
she will ask, "can I do for my mother? Is there nothing in which I can
relieve her from her toils? The utmost I can render her is but a meagre
compensation for her countless sacrifices for my sake."

The daughter may not only think of those domestic duties which require
manual efforts, but in the general education of her brothers or sisters,
she may prove a powerful ally with their natural teacher. Having
composed the infant to rest, let its childhood continue to be her care.
She can aid it to lisp the first accents of its native tongue. In the
rudiments of knowledge she may be an efficient instructor. For this work
her age peculiarly qualifies her. As the breath of spring quickens the
tender bud, so let her youthful spirit infuse vigor into these minds yet
younger than her own.

For the sake of a mother's heart and hopes she should strive for a
spotless character. What joy and pride will her obedience to Jesus
impart. Let her know, that the virtue of her daughter is dear to a
parent as life itself. What a weight is thrown on that bosom, if she
fail of goodness. Death is grievous:

"But ye, who for the _living_ lost
That agony in secret bear,
Who shall with soothing words address
The strength of your despair?"

Weigh well the influence you exert on this parent. God has ordained that
the child should re-act on the parent in his riper years, that the
daughter should become in her turn the counsellor and the confidant of
her mother. Let her wield this power with wisdom and in purity of
conscience. Never take advant