must be either the Bible or the bayonet; moral power or musket power. Our Government, as you know, has been termed, but most falsely, a paradox, a contradiction in terms, a free government; for whilst the word "government" implies, of necessity, control, the word "free" seems to destroy it. I say seems; for it does not do so in reality: it merely changes the mode of administering it.

"You have admitted to me at various times, that, much as you admire our free institutions, you are aware that your people are not fit for them, and that they could not be introduced into Russia. Why? Because you, I mean you as a people, have never learned self-government.

"You look to be controlled by the sword; we, by the moral power in each man's breast. A nation is, after all, but an aggregate of individuals; and, in a voluntary government such as ours, each man submits to certain rules and restrictions for the good of the whole. A republic needs, above all other forms of government, to be guided by reason and conscience: the former, to discover the best mode of harmonizing all antagonistic elements; the latter, to act from the highest motives in carrying out such mode. Now do you see my drift? If so, you may work it out for yourself."

"Go on," he said. "I like your little preachment."

"Well, then, I will only add a few words. Reason and conscience are only another name for religion: therefore, to insure a nation's success, it must be religious; that is, granting the truth of what I have just affirmed, and, as I

said before, as a nation is only an aggregate of individuals, it becomes each man's bounden duty to do his part to promote the right, and not only to do it, but to show to the world that he does it. As God, our Creator, has constituted us, we must have an outward and visible sign' of our inward feelings. Sunday, therefore, becomes that 'outward and visible sign,' the expositor, as it were, of our American sentiments.

"You have told me that in Russia you are marched to church by military command, as the Emperor directs; whilst we go voluntarily, to declare in the face of the world our recognition of God's law, and our determination to abide by it. For this reason, also, we carefully abstain on that day from amusements lawful and innocent on other days; and I ask you to tell me candidly, which system seems to you most productive of the real happiness and the best interests of a people."

He rose, and walked rapidly up and down the room, rubbing his hands over each other, as was his way when interested, as though pondering the words of Mrs. H——, but said nothing.

"I had little idea," observed Mrs. H, "when I entered the room, of preaching you a lay-sermon; but, if it has put a thought into your mind, I shall not regret it."

He still said nothing, apparently lost in reflection; and Mrs. H

left him to his meditations.

Some weeks later, Mrs. H-met a mutual friend

from the country, with whom Mr. P often went to stay from Saturday till Monday. She told her, that, on his last visit, she had been surprised on Sunday morning by his offering to go to church with her. This was so at variance with his usual custom, that she expressed her astonishment.

"Ah!" said he, "I have found out why you keep Sunday in your Republic, and I think there is a good deal in

it."

From that time, during the remainder of his visit to this country, Mr. P— always made a point of attending Pthe morning service; and Mrs. H was thus led to hope that her "little preachment" had not been without effect. An incident deepened this impression. One morning, just before Mr. P left for Russia, he came to his friend Mrs. H, saying earnestly, "I have something to show that will make you very glad;" and he took from its morocco case a richly-bound little volume, a copy of the New Testament.

"Indeed! I am glad that you have chosen such a companion for your voyage" said Mrs. H.

"But I did not choose it myself: it was given me by a young lady as a parting present."

"Then I am sure you will prize it highly and read it." "Yes," was his emphatic reply, "I will read it."

PART THIRD.

I. THE HOME CIRCLE.

"My country, sir, is not a single spot,

Of such a mould, or fixed to such a clime.
No: 'tis the social circle of my friends,
The loved community in which I'm linked,
And in whose welfare all my wishes centre."

Miles's Mahomet.

HESE lines contain a vital truth, and one scarcely

THES

What composes our country,
Not its wide prairies, with

enough dwelt upon. and makes its true life? their billows of undulating green; not its lofty mountains, with their hidden and inexhaustible treasures of ore; not our vast oceans, rolling rivers, nor swelling streams. Grand as each and all of these may be, they are not the country's life, though affecting that life,not the country's power, though increasing that power: its true life and power must reside in the Home; for it is the aggregate of homes which make up the country, and it is from them that all the good must flow which governs and regulates the nation. Hence the importance of making our homes the centre of happiness, usefulness,

and intelligence.

The higher the home standard, the higher the influence exerted by those who go forth from

that home.

The family is God's institution for human happiness as well as for the highest moral culture this life affords. For the sanctuary of a virtuous home, the tender affections are like the sweet May blossoms, that not only shed beauty and hope on the opening year, but from which the best fruits of genius and the sweetest enjoyments of life have their source and cul

ture.

First in the destiny of the home circle, we would place the mother; for this is her rightful domain. The father goes abroad to toil for his loved ones, and is, of necessity, absent much of his time: but God placed upon the mother the duty and responsibility of tending and training her children; and it has been well said, that, "of all whom the world had honored with the appellation of great, more than one-half might, with the strictest propriety, inscribe on their escutcheons, as the motto of their success, the simple word 'Mother.'"

The relation of brother and sister develops the finest traits of character, calling forth on one side all the most beautiful feminine virtues and the rich treasures of selfsacrificing love, on the other the noblest qualities of man's nature, and the constant exercise of a considerate protecting affection; while from both are required the necessity of mutual concession and forbearance. But, as