CHAPTER XI. THE ERA FOR MOTHERS. "The mother in her office, holds the key Of the soul; and she it is who stamps the coin Of character, and makes the being who would be a savage Then crown her queen of the world." OLD PLAY. THERE are scasons in the majestic march of Providence, when the purposes of a wonder-working God seem rushing to a crisis. The events of ages occur in a year, and the developments of generations are perfected in a day. Exalted conceptions are suddenly evolved. Great enterprises enlist the over-mastering energies of the soul. Opinion battles with opinion. Thought kindles thought. Invention provokes invention, Reform treads upon the heel of reform. Nations are convulsed governments are destroyed thrones are overturned. The excited multitude sigh for change. Liberty struggles,-winning and losing. And truth grapples with error, in the triumph of its irresistible might. Such seasons are crises in the thrilling history of the race; landmarks reared by the Great Proprietor of the universe, to remind our godless race of His power and glory in the conquest of this wicked world. - The present is such a crisis. Never before have the entire masses of the human family been so intensely excited. Never before were the nations moved by questions so vast, relating to their existence and destiny. Never did our own land-this spot of freedom's birthright-ring with such excitement. More than ever, we are a "spectacle" to a wit nessing world. Nations are looking on, breathless, to learn whether this experiment at republican institutions will be exploded, or the great questions which fearfully agitate the country be happily adjusted, and its former tranquillity return. It is a time of commingling hopes and fears, demanding peculiar wisdom for the present, and peculiar preparation for the future. Some gaze with alarm upon the scene of strife, and conclude that the world is making a retrograde movement from bad to worse. They sigh for the "golden age" of the fathers as far surpassing in purity and promise these "latter days." "There is nothing new under the sun," they seem literally to believe. They pride themselves in fierce denunciations of "new things," as if the carlier ages had exhausted the Eternal's store-house of wisdom and knowledge. But we believe in a Law of Progress,- that the world is better now than it was in the beginning, and will be better in the end than it is now. No other doctrine receives the sanction of Divine truth. No other awakens a response in the true christian heart. It requires no ingenious argument to prove to the student of Providence, that "There is a good time coming." His expectant heart is anxious for its promised advent. And yet the present will mould the future. For thus it has been in past days. One generation has sent its mighty influence. down to determine the character of the next. The machin cry of the social compact is now propelled by a current of mental and moral power, whose accumulated might outstrips that of former ages, because it has been fed along the shores of time by the countless tributarics of eras which have fled. Each age has transmitted to us some special agency of power. One has sent down the art of printing; another the invention of the compass; and another the discovery of the steam-power, and its application to the necessary pur poses of life. And thus on through unnumbered agencies, which enable us to wield such a powerful influence over the destiny of the world. And thus, from the present age, must descend a legacy to "generations yet unborn." As our blessings exceed those of former periods, we ought to leave a richer inheritance to the unrevealed, mysterious. future. Certain it is, that clements for weal or woc - principles to bless or curse-will issue from the present, to control, in some degree, the coming cras. But, in order to comprehend the object of this essay, we need to regard more particularly the leading CHARACTERISTICS of the age. He, alone, can achieve much for the good of his race, who studiously watches the tide of human affairs. The close observer of Providence, only, perceives there is "a time to every purpose," and accordingly avails himself of present advantages to secure future ends. Mark, then, some of the leading CHARACTERISTICS of the age. Progress is the universal watchword. In civil, literary, and religious institutions, there is unwonted effort at improvement. Old forms of government are becoming powerless. Their unfitness to advance a people in the scale of civilization is deeply felt. Old systems of education are fast falling into disuse, and new ones are adopted. The schoolmaster is already abroad with his new facilities and improvements to instruct, and "the common people hear him gladly." In short, the multiplied and startling discoveries and inventions of the age, both in art and science, indicate the rapid progress of the race. Disorder reigns. Few nations are free from internal conflict. Divisions and party factions roll billows of passion. Great questions are agitating the political world. Not only the influential and the learned in the seats of authority, but the masses of the "common people" participate in the wonderful movements. Confidence in political organization is shaken. Multitudes feel, that the needful elements, and men of integrity are wanting. Hence, the efforts at reorganization in the "body politic," and the loud clamor for change. Reform is demanded. War is unpopular. The cannon and musket are regarded as needless to settle national disputes. The friends and the foes of intemperance are arrayed for fierce encounter. And with all is mingled an element of spurious reform. The sacred ordinance of marriage is attacked as a human device. And that day of days, the blessed Sabbath-the harbinger of brightest hopes and sweetest joys-is voted down in conventions, as once it was in wretched, infidel France. Temptations various and alluring, throng the fleeting hours. The agencies of moral ruin are numerous Vice has more martyrs than virtue. On the right hand and on the left, the high and low, the rich and poor, the learned and unlearned fall;-and virtue sighs over the vast destruction. Benevolence invites to an ample field. The Gospel now may ride in triumph over the world's wide domain. Nations, long hostile to its spreading power, unbar their gates and hail its coming. Perishing millions lift up their voices for the heavenly boon,-they invite, they implore, they plead. The church might build her altars on Northern bluffs, and gather her chosen bands on Southern plains; plant her banner on the Eastern hills, and burn her purest incense in the Western valley. God bids her rise in the strength of "truth divine," and take the heathen for her inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the carth for her possession. With such a view of the present, we cannot fail to anticipate a future of surpassing interest. The most startling scenes of Providence are probably yet to be. The most thrilling history of human life is yet unwritten. The mightiest overturnings in the sweeping march of truth are yet to burst upon our view. For such a crisis, men of pccu liar wisdom and power, of grasping talent and burning patriotism are needed. God's "set time" for the training of such a band has come. Whence shall they be gathered? Whither shall we look for men efficient for such a crisis? To who shall we appeal? Our statesmen, our ministers of justice and religion, and the instructors of our youth, may accomplish much, but the MOTHERS of our land may achieve yet more. To them we appeal. In a critical period of the French history, Napolcon Bonaparte said to Madame Campan, "The old systems of education are worth nothing. What is wanted for the proper training of young persons in France?" With emphasis, she replied, "MOTHERS!" The thought was original and forcible to the Emperor, and he said, “Behold, then, an cntire system of education! You must make Mothers that know how to train their children." Not less carnest is the appeal of the present era to mothers. With characteristic conciseness we might reply to the inquiry, What is most needed in the present crisis of human history? MOTHERS! We need good men to plan, to counsel, to execute. And one has said with truth, "Good professors can make good scholars, but good mothers alone can make good men." Mothers! Be not surprised, that in this intensely interesting age of the world, our appeal is to you. Truc, such an appeal may awaken in your hearts a sense of fearful responsibility, but it also inspires with the thought of blessings to the race, and reward in the skies. When we reflect, that in our favored land there are THREE MILLION OF MOTHERS, having under their charge, beside their older children. THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND INFANTS, whose tender minds are to be moulded by a mother's plastic hand and quenchless love; and when we consider, that from this band of infants are to come our future judges, senators, statesmen, ministers and rulers, and that in almost every instance, "the boy is |