of restitution, and those who brought in sin may spread the kingdom of righteousness beyond what has yet been done. Only let it be the aim of each, while others do virtuously, to excel them all. Do the Scriptures speak of the weakness of woman ?they also offer her strength, and record her faith and love. Do they assign her a low place?—they also furnish her with wings of a dove, and feathers like gold, that she may mount upwards. Do they bring forward her love of ornaments?—they praise also her" ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God above rubies, and of great price;" they say also that "she that feareth the Lord shall be praised." Though she is found in the transgression, she may become as a corner stone, polished after the similitude of a palace."

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Let us take this, then, for our standard-let us examine its elevation. A palace is the residence of a monarch, and is therefore built of the best materials and fashioned by the most skilful workmen. Within and without it must be perfect, and the stones must be fitted with exactness and regularity. They must also be carefully cut, and be in good proportions. More particularly must the corner stones be perfecttheir lines more correct, and their size larger. They must have a glory of their own, and contribute to the glory of the whole building. This is a beautiful and exalted illustration of a Christian woman's position in society. She is called to be a upon ner stone," by diligently following every good

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work, and by having the "law of kindness in her tongue." If she is idle, or a "busy-body," or a "wanderer from house to house," the lines are incorrect, and the symmetry is ruined. If she gives occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully, her glory is diminished, and she is unfit for the situation. But, if she has the proper qualifications, she is elevated to the most honourable part of the building, and gives it a finished beauty, which is reflected over the whole.

The illustration, however, may be carried much further; for in the prayer-book translation of the Psalms the daughters of Zion are expected to become as the polished corners, not of a palace, but of the temple. A temple is the house of God. "See," said his disciples to their Lord, "what manner of stones are here!" pointing to their magnificent house of prayer. But that house was soon to be left desolate, and the Lord was about to build another and a living temple, composed of true believers. All people were to be invited to come and build in this temple, and Christ was to bear the glory of it. Every stone was to be an individual, who was in himself a temple, having the Holy Ghost dwelling in him; and these were to grow together till the building was fitly framed, and made a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit. The apostles were the foundation stones; and Christ, having the most eminent place, is called the "chief corner stone, elect,

precious." He will bind the whole building together; and, when the last believer is added to the glorious house, he, the head-stone, will be brought forth with shoutings, crying "Grace, grace unto it." This moment is rapidly hastening on; the living stones are daily being placed upon the foundation, and the edifice is rising to its perfect form. We can already discern its fair proportions, and have we no wish to come and build in it? is there no emulation among the handmaids of the Lord, no desire to be found as the "polished corners" of this beautiful temple? Who would not long to be polished for such a purpose? But it is not outward adorning that will be deemed a polish; it is only the "hidden man of the heart;" for "the king's daughter is all glorious within," and it is the spirit which dwells within that must shine through with a brightness above the brightness of the sun.

Arise then, you careless ones who profess godliness, and set this object before you, even that you may be as the polished corners of the spiritual temple. Renounce at once every thought and deed that does not tend directly to this point. Give yourselves wholly and unreservedly to the Lord. Separate yourselves from those who "walk about the foundation" of this temple but do not come and build in it. Be not hindered in your work by unnecessary intercourse with such as stand "without," but join heart and hand with those who love the Saviour, that you may learn of them, and impart in

return the graces you have received, till all come in the unity of the faith unto the measure of Christ. There are no impossibilities to be dreaded. God's strength is perfected in weakness. He has promised in these days that he will pour out his Spirit more abundantly on his handmaids, and the gospel, as the chariot of Solomon, is " paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem."

Who can estimate the salutary influence which truly Christian women might exert upon the rest of society? Shall not your "chaste conversation, coupled with fear," win over to the Lord's side those who now obey not the word? Shall any dare to utter profane thoughts, or indulge in vain conversation, or exult in the pride of life, in the presence of the handmaids of the Lord? Wherever you go, they will say unto you "Ruhamah," and all who behold you will rise up and call you blessed. TRYPHOSA.

MATERNAL SOCIETIES.

AMONG the various objects to which the attention of the London Female Mission is devoted, and to which we hope to have frequent occasion of adverting, is the formation of Maternal Societies, or associations of mothers for the purposes of mutual instruction, mutual prayer, and mutual stimulation and encouragement in reference to the duties which they owe to their families and the methods of instruction and discipline best

Having obtained mercy.-Hos. ii. 1.

adapted to different modifications of intellect, temper, and disposition. "It is not the design of these associations to prescribe laws for the adoption of their members; neither is it consonant with their intention to interfere with the economical details of domestic life or to trench upon the sacred principles of individual family arrangements. It is not in any wise to legislate nor even to dictate to others upon subjects of which they must be the only competent and responsible judges. But their design is to accumulate and to diffuse information, to discuss subjects applicable to general duties, to concert plans for promoting a truly valuable and religious education, and, above all, to commend each other to the gracious guidance of the Father of lights, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, and with whom is no variableness, neither the shadow of turning.'"*

The first maternal association was formed in 1815, by Mrs. Payson, wife of the late excellent Dr. Payson of America, who, in a letter to a friend, thus details the circumstances which led to it:"A very dear friend of mine, who died about that time (1815), had often lamented that in our social prayer-meetings children were so much neglected. I was privileged to meet with her occasionally, and spend an hour in prayer for our children; but neither of us thought of a special meeting for them. After her death my husband often in our secret prayers appeared earnestly to desire that I might be made useful out of my little family, which then occupied almost all my time and greatly exhausted my spirits. While holding my Caroline in my