it is most certainly so for every one in our country to be neat and clean; taking care to provide a nicely-washed dress, even of the plainest calico (if the means permit nothing else), for the Sunday's wear. There is a moral

effect in this. We are all aware how much we are under the influence of our surroundings; and, if every thing about us on that day is suggestive of purity, one step is gained towards the purity of heart which we should ever be seeking.

We all teach our children, and hold for ourselves, that Sunday is a "day of rest." So it is. But, upon this subject, it seems to me that there is a mistaken view. The word "rest" implies not idleness or tedious vacuity of thought, but a rest from the wearying secular cares of earth, from physical toil, in order to allow the mind and spirit to mount up towards its God, and dwell upon His perfections.

We are bound and chained to earth and its engrossing cares for the six days; but, on the "day of days," we may rest from those employments, and not turn from thought, but change its channel, and exercise the powers which are God's best gift to man, in studying our duty to Him and his wonderful goodness to us. By educating our children to this view, we shall find that we are at the same time teaching ourselves.

While it is most important, as we have said, that the father should instruct his children upon religious subjects as far as possible, we must never forget that it is from the

mother that children receive their chief lessons on this subject. The Bible, history, experience, all show the mighty influence of the mother's teachings: the religion of the household and of society is mainly woman's.

Our thoughts were turned to the noble manner in which John Bunyan, that Shakspeare of Christianity, illustrates this by the simple words of a child.

"Grandmamma, which character do you like best in 'Pilgrim's Progress?"

"Christian, of course: he is the hero of the book."

The child hesitated: he evidently had formed a different conclusion.

"And which did you like best, my darling?"

"I liked Christiana best."

"Why so?"

"Because, grandmamma, when Christian set out on his pilgrimage, he went all alone; but, when Christiana went, she took the children with her."

There was a deep truth underlying the child's simple words: the great mission of woman was contained in that one sentence. She must, through life, "take the children with her;" and to her moulding and guiding hand they have been intrusted.

There are some other points of importance. The character of the reading should be changed. Let the weekday story-books be laid aside, and others substituted. Far from there being any penance in this, if the right kind are supplied, greater enjoyment will be secured, more

especially if the father will read them with or to his children; as every one knows how this increases a child's pleasure. The habit also is a good one; and children so trained will never, or very rarely, select novel-reading, in later years, as a Sunday amusement.

Good habits are great helps in the right way of life. Children should be taken to church as early as they can be trained to sit still, and not disturb the services. This is matter of some difficulty, not that children wish to do wrong; but their natural love of action makes them restless and mischievous when they have nothing to do. We must find some motive for their minds while under constraint of body, which shall seem to them like action. A happy illustration of this mode has been given in

THE LITTLE GIRL THAT HELPED HER MINISTER. Nellie was but three years old when her mother took her to church, telling her she must help the minister.

"How can I help him?" was the child's question.

"A little girl about as old as you are was taken to church one Sunday by her mamma; and she sat very still, looking straight at the minister while he was preaching. Some children, and some grown people too, I am sorry to say, do not behave so well, but are restless and inattentive, looking about, and even whispering sometimes; all of which must be very unpleasant and distressing to the minister who is talking to them."

"Was that all?" said Nellie, as her mother stopped.

"That was all. The little girl helped the minister by sitting still and listening. He said, when people sat still and listened, it was a great deal easier for him to preach; and, when he saw her eyes fixed on him through all the sermon, it helped him to forget the inattention of others."

"I'll be very good and listen," said Nellie earnestly; and she kept her word.*

It is much to be wished that every family who can afford it should possess a melodeon, and give their children the pleasure of sacred music on Sunday evenings. The practice of assembling the family at that time, to sing hymns has a happy influence on each of its members; giving them a common interest and pleasure, to which, through all the changes of life, they will look back with loving and longing remembrance. The joys of music are more nearly connected with heaven than any other manner of recreation. These pleasures are not only innocent, but really elevating to the mind; and every household that is ordered wisely will find the art of singing one of its essential aids in the ways of peace and pleasantness with children on SUNDAYS.

*We have taken this extract from a little Magazine edited by T. S. Arthur, called "The Children's Hour."

PART SIXTH.

I.- GERMAN HOME-LIFE.

E Americans owe a tribute of respect to our old Teutonic ancestry for their domestic virtues. The German tribes had, according to Tacitus, kept the Eden idea of marriage and the sanctity of home-life, as Christians now understand God's law, while all other Gentile peoples had become corrupt and licentious. And from the customs and manners of these Germans, styled "Barbarians" by their Roman conquerors, "the original institution of chivalry has often been traced," says Sir Walter Scott. So surely does the purity of the homecircle and the honor paid to woman elevate the minds and exalt the characters of men.

It is too much the custom, at the present day, to ridicule the Age of Chivalry; but the effect of the institution upon man was certainly beneficial. Its tendency was to raise the moral tone, and to increase veneration and reverence, by calling forth sentiments of honor and devotion to woman, which reacted on the manly character, beautifying and adorning it. Perhaps no people