Are you in a moderate station? Be content, though not affectedly so; be philosophical, but not affectedly so; see the world in its just light, but, for the most part, keep your thoughts to yourself.

MRS. E. CArter.

THE FEMALE CAPACITY.

WOMEN, in their course of action, describe a smaller circle than men ; but the perfection of a circle consists not in its dimensions, but in its correctness. There may be here and there a soaring female who looks down with disdain on the paltry affairs of "this dim speck called earth," who despises order and regularity as indications of a grovelling spirit; but a sound mind judges directly contrary. The larger the capacity, the wider is the space of duties it takes in. Proportion and propriety are among the best secrets of domestic wisdom; and there is no surer test of integrity and judgment than a well-proportioned expenditure. Mrs. H. More.

Entelligence Department.

Female Asylum, Dublin.

WE are happy to learn, from a letter put into our hands by a Christian friend connected with the Upper Baggot Street Asylum in Dublin, that the institution has been greatly blessed as the means of promoting the moral and spiritual interests of many unhappy females. Since its commencement, some have been restored to their parents who had been so many years from them that they were supposed to be dead. One instance of a girl from Lancashire is particularly mentioned. She was found by an agent of the City Mission in one of the dens of vice in Dublin, and admitted at his request into the asylum. After some time she manifested much compunction for her sins, and her conduct towards her mother lay so heavy on her heart that she could not rest till she was permitted to write to her, acknowledging her disobedience. Two or three letters were sent to her widowed mother by the matron of the institution, but no answer was received. Knowing her deep distress of mind, the matron again wrote, for her, and requested an answer. Her sister replied, stating that her friends had no wish to hear of her, as she had so deeply dis

graced them. She was retained in the asylum for three years, during which time her conduct was highly satisfactory. She was then at her own request sent to her mother, with her decent clothing, the produce of her labour while in the institution; but, lest she should not be received, a letter of recommendation was given her to the matron of the Liverpool Asylum, requesting that she might be admitted there. However, through divine goodness, she was favourably received by her mother, who has subsequently written to the institution expressing her gratitude and stating that she is the best and most affectionate child to her.

The asylum has been opened eight years, during which time ninety-one women have been admitted. Of these five have died, leaving satisfactory testimony that they had been made new creatures in Christ Jesus: one of them, a deaf mute, manifested much of the joy, as well as the peace, of believing, and experienced a triumphant release from this world. More than twenty have been sent to service, and there is reason to believe that most of them are doing well. Thirty-six are now in the asylum, principally Roman Catholics, so that to them the Bible is a new book, and they manifest no little surprise when the preceptive parts begin to be understood by them and they are led to contrast its statements with the errors of popery. May the Holy Spirit open their hearts to receive the unadulterated milk of the word, that they may be nourished up to eternal life, and be made as great a blessing as they have once been a disgrace to their sex.

Letter from A. Steedman, Esq., honorary secretary of the Camden Town Asylum.

SIR,

I cannot refrain from acquainting you, for the encouragement of those who are engaged in forming asylums for the reception of penitent females, that since the formation of the Camden Town Asylum in July last the committee have succeeded in obtaining respectable situations for six of the inmates, who are now supporting themselves by their own industry, deeply grateful for the Christian benevolence extended towards them in their forlorn and destitute condition, in thus rescuing them from the path of vice and destruction and introducing them to that of virtue and respectability.

It is gratifying to be enabled to add that their conduct since they have been out at service has given such decided satisfaction as to induce two other ladies to apply for servants from the institution.

THE FEMALES' ADVOCATE.

THE SISTERS OF BETHANY.

If the sphere of female activity is ordinarily so far removed from public observation as to furnish comparatively few materials for the records of general' history, it is the more honourable to the sex that frequent mention is made of them in the inspired volume, and that while the names of statesmen and warriors who once took a prominent part in the affairs of the world have descended into oblivion, or have been preserved as names of ignominy, the modest and noiseless exercise of female excellence has been recorded with appropriate commendation, and the record preserved for the instruction of remotest posterity. Among the females distinguished in sacred story few were more highly honoured than the two sisters of Lazarus, and none are introduced to us in a more interesting or instructive manner. The family of Bethany was peculiarly distinguished by the Saviour's love, as we are assured by the simple and affecting announcement that Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." They appear to have been in affluent circumstances, and to have possessed a generosity equal to their wealth. Bethany was only two miles distant from Jerusalem, which was frequently the scene of the Saviour's labours; and,

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after having endured throughout the day the taunts of the proud Pharisees, and the varied contradiction and ingratitude of sinners whom he came to bless, he found in the bosom of this pious family a calm and peaceful retreat. Here, in company with his chosen disciples, he obtained a brief respite from persecution. However he was regarded by the multitude, whether they greeted him with loud hosannas or whether instigated by priestly bigotry or Pharisaic scorn they cried against him, here he was always a welcome guest; and, while he partook of the hospitality of his friends, he amply repaid their affectionate attentions by the lessons of heavenly wisdom which he taught, his speech ever dropping as the rain and distilling as the dew.

Of the character of Lazarus little is recorded, but that of the two sisters is more fully sketched. Mary was the younger, and was probably a very recent convert to the ways of godliness. Her sensibilities were peculiarly tender, her disposition was mild, her habits were devotional, her turn of mind was thoughtful and contemplative. At the feet of her divine instructor she sat with delight. Her admiration was excited by the gracious words which proceeded from his lips, and her whole soul was engrossed by the treasures of wisdom which he opened to her view.

Martha, on the contrary, was active and bustling, possessing a sanguine and eager disposition and a hasty and somewhat fretful temper. She too loved the Saviour, but her solicitude was more

engaged in providing a sumptuous repast for him and his followers than in listening to those strains of grace and compassion by which Mary was enraptured. Vexed and perhaps irritated with the cares attending her domestic arrangements, she so far lost the command of herself as not only to upbraid her sister, but to express herself in language which seemed greatly wanting in respect to Christ: "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." Our blessed Lord however knew the real state of her mind too well to pronounce a sentence of condemnation on her general conduct or to express his disapprobation of her present behaviour in severe or unmeasured terms. He saw and appreciated the kindness of her intentions; he knew the piety of her heart; and while he did not pass by her indiscretion because he was her guest, much less flatter her vanity by ill-timed commendation, he reproved with a tenderness and discrimination calculated to produce neither jealousy nor alienation, but to turn the current of Martha's feelings and to endear the sisters to each other:

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her."

Though we are not particularly informed of the effect of this reproof, there can be no doubt that it was salutary. On a subsequent occasion of deep interest the two sisters are again introduced to our