that by "communicating with each other," as concerning "giving and receiving," (Phil. iv, 15.) the archetypal beauty of the religion of Love may still be found irradiating the church; and by a practical adaptation of an irrevocable principle, they that believe (may yet have) all things common!" (Acts, ii, 44.)

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The class above referred to, although entirely composed of females, with a female leader, was not of that exclusive character to which we object: its small number presented several varieties of condition. The hour of meeting was eleven in the forenoon, and nearly all were present. After the opening hymn and prayer, we commenced a brief address, in the course of which, besides detailing our own experience, we proposed that if any one present wished for spiritual advice, on any particular topic, we should gladly give it to the utmost of our power. The object was to induce greater confidence in their Pastor; to elicit more fully their existing trials, difficulties, and attainments; to supersede that routine-phraseology, which is so barren of point and individuality; and to afford scope for a personal application of precious and seasonable truth.

It will be obvious that this slight variation from the ordinary forms of a categorical examination may be most easily carried out when (as in this case) there are but few present, and those are of established piety, and superior intelligence.

The Leader happened to be a personal friend of ours, and very obligingly set the example by adverting to that which was uppermost in her own mind, viz.—the welfare of her children. That topic once started, nearly every member in the class followed with a similar statement. They, too, were mothers, with children and young people growing up around them; and it was laid upon all their hearts to submit the duties and cares of their momentous position, for pastoral advice, and mutual counsel. We endeavoured to perform our part of the duty earnestly and faithfully; adverting, as occasion offered, to instruction, discipline, nonindulgence, example, mutual confidence, intercession, &c.

Little could he have observed of the workings of society, and even that little he must have forgotten, who could have regarded this select company of pious mothers with indifference. There were the

tender and the valiant, whose relation to their offspring, from the beginning, is one of pain endured, and forgotten; whose love is the sole endowment of infancy, and being not more pure than perennial, kindles to greater efforts on behalf of its objects as years, circumstances, and numbers, evolve its energies, and amplify its sphere. In RELIGION, all history proclaims the triumphs of maternal instrumentality, so as to justify the eloquent encomium of

the late Dr. MCALL, in his admirable sermon on "Parental Duties," in which he says,-"The fact is certain, that the instructions of such a mother" (as he has previously described)" are, in innumerable instances, productive of more valuable and permanent results than all other forms of instrumentality together. And I doubt not that, at the last day, they will be confessed to have been rivalled, in the magnitude of their effects, only by the actual proclamation of the gospel, and the dissemination of the holy scriptures."

Such were those to whom our best counsels were tendered relative to this momentous part of "woman's mission ;" and, after singing one or more appropriate verses, we prostrated ourselves at the footstool of mercy, and found "the spirit of grace and supplication" eminently pleading in each heart, on behalf of the objects which, during the meeting, had so profitably occupied our attention.

While we were on our knees, a widely different scene presented itself at the residence of one of these excellent ladies, viz.-the Leader of the class. A RABID DOG was seen running along the street, and when it reached the iron gate in the front of the house, it suddenly deviated from its onward course, and attempted to force its way between the palisades. Not able to effect this, the determined animal next leaped the gate, and, bounding towards the

"The Leader set the example by adverting to that which was uppermost in her own mind, viz.-the welfare of her children."

"Deliver my darling from the power of the dog."