In educating the children of her own sex, the mother seems to be more than an "help meet" for man. The trust chiefly, if not entirely, devolves on her:' and where could it be deposited so well? The knowledge she has of herself, experience of the world, and maternal affection, are all she needs to qualify her for this arduous undertaking. A mother only can enter into the feelings, and weaknesses, and necessities of a young female, entering on an unknown, varying, tempestuous, dangerous ocean; for she remembers how she herself felt and feared, what she needed, and how she was relieved, and assisted, and carried through. And to a mother only can a young female impart the numberless, nameless anxieties which every step she takes in life necessarily excite. When she converses with her mother, it is only thinking aloud. A mother's conduct is the loveliest pattern of virtue, and the hope of a mother's applause is, next to God's, the most powerful motive to imitate it. The superiority of female to male youth in respect of moral, whatever be the case as to intellectual improvement, is clearly deducible from the larger share which the mother has in the education of the one, than of the other. And the more liberal and enlarged spirit of the times we live in, procuring for the female world a more libera! and rational education, is daily evincing to what an equality of intellectual endowment they are capable of rising, and thereby of, in all respects, fulfilling the design of the Creator, who said in the beginning, "I will make for man" an help meet for him."

I now proceed to mention a second most important respect, in which it is the obvious intention of Providence that woman should be "an help meet" for man, namely, the care and management of his worldly

estate.

In a paradisaical state man did not, and in what is improperly called the state of nature, he could not long continue. In the former, there was labor, im

far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meet to her bousehold, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandize is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her bands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are cloathed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry: her cloathing is silk and purple. her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her cloathing: and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuous. ly, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain. but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates," Prov. xxxi. 10....31.

A third respect in which God intended that woman should be "an help meet" for man, is the care of his health, and every thing connected with it; his tranquillity of mind, his temper, his character and reputa tion: without which the greatest bodily vigor will

quickly decay and sink, and life will cease to be a bles

sing.

It is pleasant to have a companion in solitude, an assistant in labor, a fellow-partaker in joy. But human life contains varieties painful, as well as pleasant. Sorrow, and pam, and solicitude, and di appointment enter into the history of man: and he is but half provided for the voyage of life, who has found an associate for his happier days only; while for his months of darkness and distress no sympathizing partner is prepared, no" help meet" is found. The provident care of the Almighty meets every wish and want of mau ; and in bestowing upon him a companion for youth, a sharer in felicity, a partner in property, he was securing for him, at a distance, a friend in age, a solace in affliction, a partner in want...." a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

If a man's wordly estate, whether it be much or little, is wisely managed, one foundation of health and comfort is laid; and she who is thus habitually employed, may be considered as administering a perpetual medicine or cordial to her husband. But no prudence of foresight can ward off the attack of disease, or pre. vent the stroke of calamity, affluence cannot purchase release from pam, nor tendemess cool the fever in the blood. But the sufferer is not left destitute. There is one ear into which he can pour out all his heart; there is one hand ever ready to relieve him; "one life bound up in his life." And as enjoyment derived all its relish from participation, so misery loses all its anguish in the bosom of sympathy and kindness. The spirit of penitence is inferior only to unsullied nocence; and next to the blessing of unimpaired health, and unmterrupted comfort, is the consolation of .ickness alleviated, and comfort restored, by the gentle language and engaging offices of love. What Shall I say? Is there not, perhaps, in the restoration of repenting guilt, and in the suspension of woe, by the assidu

ity of affection, a peculiar satisfaction, and a delight, which perfect innocence and perfect health could not possibly have known?

The regular temperature of a man's body, is however, only one ingredient in the cup of health. "An help meet for him" will be anxious to preserve a sound mind in a sound body; will endeavor to prevent or to dispel painful reflection; will remove disquieting objects; will present smiling images; will watch the ebbing and flowing of passion, will bear and forbear, and, like the best of things," will overcome evil with good."

She will likewise consider herself as entrusted with the care of his good name. His reputation is her brightest ornament; his honor is her joy, and a crown of rejoicing. If he is disgraced, she is degraded. Every instance of misconduct in her, she knows, glances at him; and therefore to support his dignity is a powerful motive with her to act wisely and well. She reflects, that not only by gross deviations from duty in the wife, does he husband suffer in character, but that levity, indiscretion, carelessness in her, are an imputation upon bis understanding, and, in the opinion of the world, incessantly upbraid him with the choice he has made, of "an help meet for him. As she would therefore compassionately nurse his body in pain and sickness; and prudently study and watch his temper, amidst the conflict of contending passions, so to approve herself what God and nature meant her to be, she will guard his fame, the life of his life, as " her precious eye," and thus, in every thing relating both to mental and bodily health, to private comfort and public estimation," she will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life." But there is somewhat still dearer, still more sacred to a man than children or property, than health or reputation, somewhat which, neglected, forfeited, lost, it "will profit him nothing to gain even the whole world;" and in the securing and promoting of winch, who is so

qualified to minister and assist as her, whom the Father of mercies gave him, to be " an help meet for him?" I mean,

IV. The salvation of the immortal soul. This is indeed a personal concern; an interest which cannot be transferred or communicated. The good-will of another cannot impart it; the remissness of another cannot defeat it: to God, his great Master, here, every man standeth or falleth, for "every one must give account of himself to God." But, is it not obvious, that example, that reason, that co-operation, possess a mighty influence toward promoting or obstructing personal piety, growth in grace, meetness for the kingdom of heaven? Is the man impressed with the worth, with the danger of his own soul; does he feel" the powers of a world to come;" is his mind turned to devotion; is the love of God shed abroad in his heart? How will such impressions be fixed and strengthened, by endeavoring to communicate them to a beloved object, and by receiving back the impression, heightened and improved, from that object? How much more exalted and affecting is a sense of divine goodness, when it is beheld embracing more than one! when it is seen conferring immortality, eternity, on virtuous human affections! what a live coal applied to devotion, when the solitary my Father and my God is changed into the social our Father, and our God! How is the hope of glory ennobled, extended, animated by the prospect of participation! "Here am I, Holy Father, with her whom thou gavest me, to be an help meet for me. We were one in interest and affection; one in the faith of the gospel, and the practice of piety; our prayers ascended in one s' ream of incense, and every gift of thy providence and grace was multiplied and sweetened to each by being bestowed on the other. sweet were our labors of love to our joint offspring ; Sweet our united efforts to improve the bounty of our common parent; sweet the sympathies of kindred