Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

study most accurately each others tastes and distastes, and most anxiously abstain from whatever, even in the minutest things, they know to be contrary to them. The ancients, in their conjugal allegories, used to represent Mercury standing by Venus, to signify that by fair language, and sweet entreaties, the minds of each other should be united.

If they would preserve love, let them most carefully avoid all curious, and frequently repeated distinctions of MINE and THINE: for this hath caused all the laws, and all the suits, and all the wars in the world: let them who have but one person, have also but one interest. Instances may occur in which there may and must be a separate investiture of property, and a sovereign independent right of disposal in the woman: in this case, the most anxious care should be taken by the husband, not to attempt to invade that right, and by the wife neither ostentatiously to speak of it, nor rigidly to claim it, nor selfishly to exercise it. In ordinary cases, "they should be heirs to each other, if they die childless; and if there be children, the wife should be with them a partner in the inheritance. But during their life the use and employment is common to both their necessities, and in this there is no other difference of right, but that

the man hath the dispensation of all, and may keep it from his wife, just as the governor of a town may keep it from the right owner; he hath the power, but not the right to do so."

TRUE ADORNING OF WOMAN.

Suffer me then, my fair hearers, says the wise and venerable Mr. Jay, to recommend this exchange, this preference of decoration. Like "the king's daughter, be all glorious within." Let the Bible be the mirror at which you dress; and while others are weightily engaged in catching a fashion, or adjusting a curl, let the object of your cultivation be the understanding, the memory, the will, the affections, the conscience. Let no part of this internal creation be unadorned: let it sparkle with the diamonds of wisdom, of prudence, of humility, of gentleness. These ornaments alone will confer dignity, and prepare for usefulness. If destitute of these, can you imagine it possible to obtain real, durable regard? Need you be told, that these skindeep perfections, these exterior senseless appendages, imply no excellency in the wearer, and are only admired by the weak, or the worthless? Are you ignorant that

[ocr errors]

men often despise a soul lodged in a form they adore, and admire nonsense, because it is poured from handsome lips? Are you designed for toys, or rational beings? the playthings of the senses, or improving companions? Would you in company keep your husbands on thorns, while they wish you to be seen, and hope you will not be heard; knowing how much more likely you are to strike by the quality and pattern of your robes, than by the insipidity and inanity of your discourse?-Adorn yourselves in the newest mode, in the richest attire, plait your hair, deck yourselves with pearls-will these render you valuable?-Will these' qualify you to manage the concerns of a family, "to give a portion to your maidens," to train up your children in wisdom and virtue, to be a help-meet for your husband!—What! are you endued with reason and immortality, only to be enamoured with a piece of embroidery, or to pay your devotions to the colour of silk?-Are you sublimely resolved never, never to leave the world of fans, and enter the region of intelligence and of mind?

These decorations are "not CORRUPTIBLE."

other ornaments "perish in the

All

using." All other

attire gives place to the shroud.

66

Beauty consumes

away like a moth "-the sparkling eye "is closed in darkness"—the body is "laid in the grave-death shall feed upon it." The charmer, looking in vain for admirers, says "to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother and my sister."-Prolong life. Accidents may disfigure, and diseases corrode. -How quickly time changes the countenance !— How transient the empire of colours and of tints!— How soon wrinkles and gaudy attire disagree!— Having laid in no stock of mental influence, and sober entertainment against the evil day, what becomes of these delightful creatures? A few A few years reduce them to insignificance, leaving them only the humiliating claims of pity, or the uncertain returns of gratitude.But an accomplished pious woman, can never be the object of neglect-she will attract notice, and confer happiness, even when descending into the vale of years. The ravages of time cannot reach the soul: death cannot strip off the habits of immortality: it will only change her "from glory to glory:" only remove her from earth, unworthy of her continuance, and place her among "the innumerable company of angels."

THE HUSBAND'S SACRED OBLIGATIONS.

You are to give HONOUR unto the wife. What honour?

The honour of ESTEEM. This is to arise from a consciousness of her worth, and a knowledge of her importance in the community-in the family-and to yourselves-by polishing your character, dividing your cares, soothing your sorrows, affording you in a peaceful home a refuge from the storm, an asylum from the mortifications of an unfriendly world.

The honour of ATTACHMENT.

This affection is to

Nothing is to wear

be peculiar, undivided, unrivalled. it away-nothing to diminish it: no length of time, no discovery of imperfection. Children are parts of yourselves, but your wives ARE yourselves. "No MAN ever yet hated his own flesh :"-but many a MONSTER has done so.

The honour of ATTENTION. Nothing is so intolerable to a female as neglect; and upon what principle can a man justify indifference, omissions of observance, and

« ПредишнаНапред »