O ye

to thy head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Doth not wisdom cry, and understanding put forth her voice. She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors: Unto you, 0 men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. simple, understand wisdow; and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not sil. ver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

LESSON 8-VIII.

The virtuous woman. (Prov. xxxi. 11—31.)

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good, and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with

strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiv. eth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen and selleth it; and delivsreth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the way of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

LESSON 9-IX.

The boy who never stole an apple.

My large orchard garden had been much robbed of fruit by idle, naughty, thievish boys. In the month of August, I was, in the morning, at work in it, and found, under some bean vines, a large good apple. It had lain there till it had become mellow, and a real treat to any child worthy of it.

Soon there came along the street, near me, two boys, one of whom was the Deacon's son Justus. I wished

them a good morning; and Justus, with civil manner, returned answer, "Good morning, Mr. Rich." Well, said I, in my pocket I have a very good apple for the boy who never stole one. On this, Justus rather slowly and deliberately parted company with the other boy, and came forward toward me at the garden fence, saying, with open, honest, noble countenance, "Sir, I never stole an apple." Not at all doubting the truth of what he said, with much good feeling I gave him the apple, which he respectfully and thankfully re.' ceived.

But what became of the other boy? With show of guilt in face and manner of walking, as soon as he could, conveniently, he passed away out of sight.

Now, my dear children, which of these two boys, at this time, felt the best? Which did the most honor to his parents, to his brothers and sisters, and to his native village? Which is most likely to become a trusty, respectable, and prosperous man-a useful and happy citizen-one of the real studs and ornaments in Christian and republican society? Which the most likely to get to heaven at last? I have high expectations of Justus, and shall be greatly disappointed if he do not become a pious, exemplary, praying man, like my friend the Deacon, his father. I greatly desire finally to see all this family in heaven.

Let me now draw towards a close, by exhorting all parents (and teachers also, who are but assistants to parents) to use their best endeavors, by proper instruction, example, and discipline-by a constant moral training, to bring up their children as they should, and look to Heaven for success; and also exhorting chil dren to be civil and good, submissive and obedient, and, withal, so honest as never to tell a lie, nor steal even an apple.

In finishing off this lesson, I must however say, that Justus, and many others, in some respects good and promising boys, need be told, that loud whistling and singing, or other noise in the streets, (especially vil. lage or city streets) may possibly be very disagreeable and disturbing to some worthy people, who respect and love them. A word, a mere hint, to wise and civil boys-real young gentlemen-is doubtless enough.

LESSON 10-X.

I mean to be a right-down likely man.

In September, 1843, I passed from Albany, N. Y., towards Northampton, Mass., over the high lands, usually called the Green Mountains, lying between the Hudson and the Connecticut rivers. My horse stopped to drink near a house. While there sitting in my carriage, I saw a farmer's boy, of some 8 or 9 years, coming towards me from the orchard. When he got

within hearing, and a proper distance from me, a total stranger, he made to me a respectful, gentlemanlike motion, and said, with a pleasant look and modest appearance, "Good morning, sir." His manners were so attractive, I thought I would go into a little conversation with him, and said, Well, my boy, what do you mean to be in this world? "Why, sir," said he, "I mean to be a right-down likely man.'

Here now my boys, and girls too, is a capital resolution for you. "I mean to be a right-down likely man" let every boy say. "I mean to be a right-down likely woman "let every girl say. Follow this good and noble resolution, and you will of course endeavor, with great earnestness, to obtain valuable knowledge, and to use it well for yourselves and others. You will

keep clear of idleness, and every thing wrong and uncivil, mean and disgraceful, selfish and wicked. All this will, sooner or later, bring you a good return, a rich golden harvest of usefulness, honor, and happiness-render you pleasing and desirable among men -make all who know you glad to see you, and cause you, like the child Jesus, to grow in favor both with God and man.

Let it be your strong resolution and determination, never to be a poor, worthless, disagreeable, unwelcome, despicable creature-never to desire, say, or do any thing low, vile, or unworthy-never to be foolish or dishonest; but always to desire, say and do that which is right and manly-always to treat others as you would have them treat you. Then surely, when you shall have acquired age and strength, knowledge and wisdom, for self-government, self-education, selfdirection, and self-support, you will be right-down likely people, and pass onward in the journey of life free of the distressing and soul-withering pangs and tortures of guilt, shame, and self-reproach.

But, my dear young fellow-creatures, be always on your strict guard, your constant watch, and neverceasing look-out, against the many temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, which may beset you, and try to drive you away from the happy paths of virtue, worth, and honor. When any of these temptations assail you in the path of your lawful and honorable business, and various duties, do not stop and parley with them; but resist them at once, and acquire the habit of resistance, and your strength to resist will be always gaining, and your danger of being conquered, diminishing. Therefore pray, and act out the prayer taught by our Lord, "Lead us not into