hands of mere boys and girls, who are of precisely that age at which such things are most deleterious.

These are but a few among a multitude of exhibitions of the grotesque, which are tolerated, it is to be feared, in too many families of refinement, of general good taste, and, in the main, of unexceptionable morals. The evils resulting from such exhibitions are underrated. It is forgotten, to too great an extent, that the taste of the child is unformed-that models which we esteem the worst have as powerful an influence, perhaps even more powerful, in forming that taste as those of a better class.

Christian parent! let me urge you to bring this subject home to your heart to give it your earnest and devout consideration. The interests of your children, I am firmly persuaded, are intimately connected with it.

Original.

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

THIS is a solemn—a fearful question!

Have I exerted my influence for weal or woe-extended a helping hand, to save or ruin souls?

As a Christian parent, what have I done to redeem the pledge given, to train my children for God? Have I instructed for earth or heaven? Have I kept before their minds their dedication to God, and that I should violate this covenant if I assisted in placing anything before their minds which might supplant Him? Have I made the impression, Religion is the one thing needful— so that if they finally perish, it will not be owing to my unfaithfulness? Have I set such an example as they ought to follow, and my conscience approves, making the impression, The love of Christ is the main-spring of all my actions?

What have I done, as a son, daughter, brother, sister, friend? Have I recommended Religion? Have I tried to win souls to Christ, or aid them in their conflict with the world-the fleshthe devil?

What have I done as an old disciple? Have I been diligent in

business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord? Have I labored as one who knows the value of salvation, and given of my property as I ought? Have I fed the hungry, clothed the naked, comforted the widow and fatherless-and, according as the Lord hath prospered me, aided the angel in his flight, proclaiming Salvation to a sin-bound world?

Alas! alas! What have I done!!!

I have loved the world too much-my Saviour too little! I have given occasion to say, What do you more than others? It may be, I have neglected to call the children I have given to God, morning and evening, around the family altar, to join in thanksgiving for mercies received, and seek the blessings of a covenantkeeping God. It may be, the daily bounties that load my table are enjoyed without one expression of gratitude, before my family, to Him from whom we receive our "daily bread." It may be, around this same table they have sat and taken from my hands (or been encouraged by my example) the cup of trembling, which, when quaffed, discloses too late the hidden serpent. It may be, the cup which I sip they may take; and taking, love so well as to pierce them with many sorrows, and seal them over to the drunkard's doom.

Ah, me! It may be, since I professed to give up the world as my portion, I have, by still adhering to some of its sinful customs, driven the rivets firmer and still firmer in the chains which are binding some to the wine-cup; and friends whom I ought to seek to save, I am thus confirming in intemperate habits. Can the hand of friendship extend the cup in which the sting of eternal death is so often found? Have I done it? Am I still doing it? Lord, thou knowest.

Husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, sister, friend—it may be, you have concluded I have no religion, or I should not be so indifferent about your salvation. Oh, seek it for yourselves. "Taste, and see that the Lord is good," and do not look at the stupid professor-for mine may be the fate of the barren fig-tree; I may be one of the foolish virgins! Blessed Spirit, help me to know myself-so to live that it may be said of me, "She hath done what she could-it is well done for eternity."

HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS, Thirtieth Street, near Fourth Avenue, New York.

THE Home for the Friendless, of which the above is a view, originated with the Ladies connected with the American Moral Reform and Guardian Society, who have carried it through many difficulties, to its present successful completion. It is a noble monument of the devotion and perseverance of WOMAN, when her energies are directed to the accomplishment of a great and glorious object; such as the "Home" is universally acknowledged to be.

Original.

REPORT OF THE BLOOMFIELD, ME., MATERNAL ASSOCIATION.

FROM JUNE, 1848, TO JUNE, 1850.

ALTHOUGH clouds and darkness have been round about us, yet we feel here to set our "Ebenezer," and say, as did Samuel of old, hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Notwithstanding we have had afflictions and bereavements, and have felt at times to mourn our deficiencies as mothers, and our departures from the Throne of Grace, we have also had seasons of refreshing, as we hope and trust, from the goodness of God. Considering the obstacles in the way of our assembling, our meetings have been well attended. Our number being small, we have borne in mind the promise of our Saviour, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

When it has been practicable to present our children at our quarterly meetings for prayer and instruction, it has been a season of peculiar interest both to the mothers and children of this Association. We hope and desire that seed thus sown, will at some future time spring up and yield an abundant harvest. Two of the children of this Association have been made partakers of the Grace of Life. One has been consigned to our mother earth. Death has also diminished the number of mothers in our little circle. On the 14th day of March, 1849, Mrs. Mary S. W. Hathaway, wife of the Rev. George W. Hathaway, Pastor of the Congregational Church in this town, was removed by death from the church militant to join the church triumphant, in singing praises to the Redeemer forever and to contemplate with gratitude the contrast between her condition now, and what it was during her pilgrimage in this wilderness of sin. She has gone through the tribulations of this life—she has arrived, doubtless, at "Zion's hill," "the flowery mount," sooner than she expected, and is enjoying, we trust, the delightful rest of heaven. She has left a husband and seven children, (the youngest about four weeks old at the time of her death) to mourn, and feel the loss of an affectionate wife, and a tender, faithful mother. She struggled hard,

while here, with toils and cares, and various trials. Parental anxiety imposed a heavy burden upon her heart. The responsibility of having young immortals committed to her charge, she deeply felt and she strove to discharge this trust with persevering faithfulness; she was not only the affectionate, faithful, praying mother, but the needed and efficient helper of him with whom she was associated in the closest bonds. She sympathized in the responsibilities of her husband, and took much care upon herself, that he might be less interrupted in his office-work. She felt the deepest solicitude for the purity, peace, and prosperity of the church. Though unable to give her dying testimony in favor of religion, as her reason failed her in the closing scene; yet, she had manifested such regard for the Saviour-his truth and honorthe advancement of his cause, and the enlargement of Zion, as furnished satisfactory evidence that she was a child of God.

In the removal of Mrs. Hathaway, thus, in the meridian of life and usefulness, the Maternal Association in this place sustain a grievous loss. While we sympathize deeply with our Pastor and his family, in their sore bereavement, we mourn our own loss, in being deprived of the society of one to whom we have so long looked for counsel, and to whose prayers and exhortations we have so long listened.

This Association has existed sixteen years. One after another of its members, to whom we have looked as mothers in Israel, has been removed from this world of toil and conflict, to the mansions of rest; but in this removal, our heavenly Father has seen fit to deal with us as the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, in 2d Kings, 2d chap. 3d verse. She ever manifested a deep interest for the prosperity of this and all other Maternal Associations. She felt it important that the children should be taught the Scriptures at home, and that they should be brought to the quarterly meetings for further instruction. On the day of her death, which was the day of our quarterly meeting, she gave directions, with a great degree of interest, for her children to attend. And on Monday preceding her death, which occurred on Wednesday, conversing with a member, relative to the approaching meeting, she desired that her children might be remembered, and that she also might