e susceptibilities, she is
pre-eminently qualified to preside over and foster the fireside virtues.
Who has not seen the unbelieving husband sanctified, made serious and
holy, by the believing wife? Where a free intercourse on the subject of
religion exists between them, it can hardly be that man is not softened,
his thoughts withdrawn at times from the world, and the concerns of the
soul, infinite and eternal considerations, brought home to his heart by
the power of his nearest earthly friend. Sometimes, alas! she, whose
whole nature and whose entire condition seem but one lesson to awaken
piety, has given her influence against it. By a worldly disposition, by
a neglect of the means of religion, or by indifference to the most
solemn themes, and an habitual levity of character and speech, the wife
has been known to check the best aspirations of her husband, and reduce
his spirit to the same low, earthly level with her own. She has fastened
the more firmly around him, that chain, which the love of riches, or a
thirst for fame, had already drawn till it corroded his immortal part.
And when God has spoken to his conscience, and rebuked him for his
iniquity, what better plea was at hand than this, "The woman whom thou
gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat"?

Look again at the fraternal influences in a family group. What
inestimable power, can a wise and virtuous Sister exert. Has she a
brother prone to waywardness and passion? Her words may restrain his
wanderings, her example subdue his anger. It can hardly fail, that a
daily influence, mild, gentle, Christian in its character, will produce
no effect on so near a relative. Do the brothers incline to seek their
recreations abroad? Are the charms of merriment, of sensuality, or of
questionable excitements and pleasures, stealing on the heart, and
estranging it from God and duty, from purity and heaven? Now is the
moment for kind remonstrance, for affectionate counsel, and earnest
entreaty. She, who employs these means, and adds to them all the
attractions she can throw round their common home, may be sure that her
efforts will not be lost. Let her persevere, and success, earlier or
later, shall crown her toils and hopes. What power is there in her
intercessions before Heaven, "Years have passed away," says the
grateful brother, as his thoughts revert to his distant home, "and
Heaven has prospered me. Often, when temptations have assailed me,
should I h