delineator himself, perhaps, did not consider at the time, but which by their presence authenticate the whole, and demonstrate that its lights and shadows, its bolder and its more delicate features, were caught from actual and passing life. Fountains of the common heart were unsealed at that crucifixion. Amid scenes of fearful wickedness and woe, appear lineaments of human affection in all their freshness. From the appalling transactions of the Judgment Hall, from the coarse abuse of the multitude, from the cruelty of the soldiers, we are attracted by woman, illustrating that unfaltering devotion, which, if it has not power to save, has at least influence to soothe. The eyes of Jesus, dim with death, turn from those uplifted countenances of wonder, from the exulting sneer, from the fierce glare of hatred, to the gaze of these sorrowful women, to the face of his mother. There is sympathy, there is affection, that clings to its object to the last. And how true to itself is that maternal spirit! for the love that bent over the manger

C*

brightens even through the ignominy of the cross. And who but woman, when Judas betrayed, and Peter denied, and the weary slept, and the fearful fled, could thus summon energy to linger around the cruel and despised spot, to mingle the tears of pity with the blood of suffering? Who but woman, when man turned coward and his trust grew faint, could thus stand until the last by the dying Saviour, and then go to trim the lamp of her devotion at the door of his sepulchre ?

"Not she with traitorous kiss her Saviour stung; Not she denied him with unholy tongue;

She, when apostles shrunk, conld danger brave— Last at his cross, and earliest at his grave."

But while the text illustrates the best characteristics of woman, and thus authenticates its own description, it appears to me that it also beautifully symbolizes her true position. That position is close by the cross, near to the Saviour, in intimate sympathy with his attributes. As that cross grows more and more

prominent, it sheds increasing light upon her, and reveals more and more the dignity of her office, the excellence of her nature. From that, too, she derives her power, and goes forth with its influence to accomplish her mission. Yes, though now she cannot literally stand by the cross of the Redeemer, and mingle her tears with his mortal agony, she can go forth to diffuse his spirit wherever she may act, and to recognize his image in the needy and the suffering. And if thus her faith be steadfast, and her labor diligent, she shall see him glorified- she shall be blessed by his

approbation, even as those women of old were

blessed by his dying gaze.

LECTURE II.

CULTURE.

Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. - MATTHEW 25: 20.

THE parable to which these words belong teaches us, among other things, the duty of improving to their utmost capacity the faculties that God has given us; and, accordingly, I shall apply the text as enforcing the main topic of this discourse, which is -CULTURE. I select this as a more comprehensive term than Education, which is too much identified with merely one branch of improvement.

The importance of this topic demands extensive discussion; but as this importance has caused it to be treated of in every appeal that has been made to the young, I refer you for

more minute instructions to the many excellent works that have been written upon the subject. It will be my object in the present discourse, to urge upon young women the general truth of culture as an obligation, specifying only a few of its modes or applications. I shall speak of physical, intellectual, and moral culture.

I. Of physical culture. To break a moral rule, to pervert an intellectual faculty, would deeply wound the consciences of many who seem to think it no sin to violate the laws of our bodily organization. Regardful of an iota in spiritual things, they will neglect conditions of diet, dress, or atmosphere, without a scruple. They realize that God has intrusted their souls to their own agency, but as to the vessel that contains this priceless essence, they manifest no sense of personal responsibility. That is left to take care of itself; or, what is equally bad, is not permitted to take care of itself. In one word, they have, apparently, no idea of moral sanctity attaching to anything connected with the functions of mere physical life