SECTION 6.

The good mistress continued.

EVERY evening, the good mistress of the family, assembles her children and her servants around her, to worship the great and good God; and to hear some part of his most excellent book, which teaches them their duty to their Creator, and to all mankind *.

When her servants, who can read, have no Bible, she kindly gives, or lends, them one, in order that they may read in it, every day, to themselves; and often lends them other good books to read. On Sundays, she contrives to set them as little work as possible; and never, if she can help it, keeps them from attending the public worship of God, at least once in the day. She goes along with them to the house of God; and loves to be there with all her family. In the evening, she reads to them, or hears them read, the Bible, or some other good book; and explains to them what has been read, and asks them questions about it; and encourages them to converse familiarly with her on the

* In some families, it would be inconvenient, if not impossible, except on Sundays, for all the members of them, to attend family worship, in the morning: but in every family, where any degree of order is preserved, all might assemble, for a few minutes, when the business of the day is over, to acknowledge the great Father of the family, and of the whole world. Family worship and reading the Bible, used to be a general custom in our country; and there can be no doubt, that if it were so now, it would, through the Divine blessing, be attended with the best effects: it would promote the glory of God, and the honour of religion; and it would increase the order, the harmony, and the happiness of families, and, consequently, of the nation.

things which belong to their salvation. She neglects no opportunity of instructing them in their duty; and takes great pleasure in encouraging them to do it. "If," says she, "servants fear and love their great Creator, they will do their duty to their masters and mistresses; but if they neglect Him, how can we expect they should serve us faithfully?" She wishes that all who live with her, should spend their time pleasantly and profitably; and that when they leave her, they may, to the end of their days, have some good to remember which they learned from the example she set them, or the instructions she gave them. She wishes, and earnestly endeavours, through Divine grace, to do them, in every respect, good, and not evil.

She does not refuse her servants leave to go, now and then, to see their friends; or to have their friends come and see them, at her house. But she requires that they should not choose for their companions, idle, wicked people; that they should not go out, or invite any persons to her house, without her leave; and that they should not stay out late in the evening: and she strictly charges them, wherever they are, to behave modestly, and prudently, and as becomes Christians. She encourages them to do their duty to their parents,

and all their relations.

When she hears, or sees, that her servants are in trouble, she kindly inquires what it is that grieves them ; and gives them the best consolation and advice she can. She encourages them to apply freely to her, when they are in distress, or difficulty; and does the best she can for them. When they are ill, she nurses them, and sits by their bedside, and reads to them, and comforts them, and talks kindly to them; and gives them what

8

is proper

for them. She does not send them home, unless they wish to go; or she thinks that their friends

can do better for them, than she can do.

:

But she

She never grudges them proper wages. desires, that they will not waste their money in buying gaudy, expensive clothes, that are not fit for them to wear; or in any extravagance and that, if they have not aged, distressed parents, or other near relations whom they ought to assist, they will save as much as they can, in order that if they should marry, they may have something handsome, to enable them to furnish a house, and to begin business; or that if they should continue single, they may have enough to maintain themselves decently and comfortably, when old age, or infirmities, render them unable to work. All the money which they save, she kindly keeps for them, and allows them interest for it; or advises them how to put it to interest elsewhere.

When they are deserving, she promotes them, if she has an opportunity, in her own family. She does not like to part with them, when they have served her faithfully for many years; but if she thinks they would be more useful, or better situated, elsewhere, than with her, she advises them to change, and does her best to recommend them. When they are settled in the world, she does not forget, nor forsake them. If they live near her, she often calls to see them, and gives them good advice; and when they are sick, or in distress, she comforts aud assists them.

Her servants very seldom wish to leave her, to go into any other service, "Where indeed," say they, "could we be so happy and comfortable, even if we could get more wages, as with one who is so very

kind and good to us?" They love and respect her; and speak well of her. There is nothing scarcely that they would not do to serve her. When they have left her service, they rejoice to see her; they look upon her as one of their best friends; and thank kind Providence that ever they lived with so good a mistress.

SECTION 7.

The good servant.

THE good servant rises early. She is quick and diligent at her work; and does it so willingly, and cheerfully, and handily, that it seems a pleasure to her, rather than a task.

She is strictly honest; so that she might safely he trusted with gold untold. She would not, on any account, take for herself, or give away, even the smallest thing belonging to her master, or mistress, or any one else, unless she knew it was intended for her. She always speaks the truth. If she has done any mischief, or committed a fault, she confesses it at once; and hopes, and endeavours, not to do the like again.

Whatever she has the care of, is kept in excellent order; and always in its proper place. She loses no time in seeking for the things which she uses: she knows exactly where she puts them; and she could find them even in the dark. She takes pains to make things clean and neat; and to keep them so. She leaves not even a lumber-room in litter; and no passage, door-way, window, nor any hidden corner, dirty endeavours to be as careful of the property of her master and mistress, as she is of her own; and as managing about it. She thinks there would be almost as much

She

dishonesty in wilfully wasting, or abusing it, as in absolutely stealing it.

Her master and mistress have no fear, nor suspicion, about her, when she is out of their sight. They know that she is as careful, as industrious, and as attentive to any directions which they have given her, as if they were standing by, and looking at her: nay, she is even more so; for one of her greatest fears, is to offend her Heavenly Master, who has strictly forbidden eyeservice. "I like,” says she, "that my mistress should look after me and then, she will be sure that I do my duty; or, at least, that I try to do it."

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She seldom forgets, or neglects, any orders which are given to her because she wishes to remember them, and obeys them as soon as possible. She receives every instruction from her mistress, and even her reproofs, with great respect and attention; and she takes very kindly any advice that is given to her, about her behaviour, as well as about her work.

She looks upon that place as a good and proper one for her, where she is allowed, and encouraged, to do her duty to her great Creator; and to all persons with whom she has any dealings. She is not fond of changing. She becomes attached to her master, and mistress, and their children; and serves them faithfully and attentively, from love, as well as from duty. She does not expect more wages because she stays long in her place; unless she does more work than she used to do, or does it better. "I do myself good," says she, "by continuing with my master and mistress. I shall gain more real friends, and credit, than I could do by running from place to place. My parents, and my other relations, will be better satisfied with me. My master and mis