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MUCH is now said and written respecting maternal influence on the mind of a child during its period of waxen tenderness. Some of the most illustrious men have been proud to refer their early blossoms of intellect, and promptings of virtue, and aspirations of piety, to the culture and prayers of a mother. How far the same agency may restrain the career of guilt, and silently operate even among the "children of disobedience," it is more difficult to ascertain. The vicious seldom make such disclosures: they are not always accessible to the recording pencil. But in this instance we have a case in point; a voice from the regions of guilt, speaking of a pious mother.

In one of the prisons of New-England is a man, considerably past his prime, who has been a wanderer over the face of the earth, and a partaker in almost all its crimes: retributions of various kinds have overtaken him,yet he has passed through all with singular hardihood and obduracy. He acknowledges that nothing among the punishments of men, or the teachings of God, has “ever made him feel serious, but the words of his dying mother." When her last hour drew nigh, she sent for her son to her chamber. He was then a boy of twelve years old. He approached her bed, she took his hand, and said, "I am going to leave you, and return no more." In the most tender and earnest manner she besought him to love his Savior, and so to take care of his soul as to meet her in heaven. She continued to exhort him, and to press his hand, until both her lips and hand were cold in death. For almost half a century, that son was passing through a course of crime too revolting for description; yet in his deepest, lowest descents, he confesses that he has never been able utterly to drive from his mind the words of his pious mother, or to think of them without emotion. May they not yet be made the instruments of his repentance? May not the seed which has so long retained life in an uncongenial soil be quickened, and bring forth fruit? Who can define the limits of a mother's influence save the God of the mother?

Hartford.

L. H. S.

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MODE OF CONDUCTING MATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS.

For the Mother's Magazine.

MODE OF CONDUCTING MATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS

WE frequently hear the inquiry, "How shall maternal associations be so conducted as to be rendered interesting and profitable to the members, and secure a constant attendance, and earnest attention to the subject? The fact that many associations have been formed, in different places, and have not flourished, has led me to believe that serious difficulties may be felt on this point where there is really an attachment to such associations, and a sincere desire to continue them. The original design of this institution was, if I rightly understand it, to awaken the minds of mothers to their obligations, and to aid them in the performance of their duties, by reading the best books, by mutual conversation and discussion, and, also, by unitedly seeking the wisdom which cometh from above. But it is apprehended that the object is imperfectly attained, when these associations are conducted only as prayermeetings.

We have many facts to show that maternal associations may be conducted, through a long course of years, with interest, under many disadvantages. But we must remember that these institutions have their infancy, and childhood, and maturity, as do others, and not be so unreasonable as to expect to gather the ripened fruit, when we should look for the opening bud. The interest which we desire to see, must be produced by extended views of our relations toward God, and our responsibility for the trust He has committed to us and such views can only be gradually attained by frequent contemplation of them, together and apart, under the enlightening influences of the Divine Spirit, usually granted to prayerful effort. Let the members of young associations never forget, that in "due season they shall reap" all the blessed fruit which they expect, "if they faint not.”

Some things are important to be attended to in the manner of conducting these meetings, if we would hope for success. I have noticed that in those associations which are really accomplishing the greatest good, the responsibility often rests chiefly on a single individual.

In the first place, be careful to select the most devoted and intelligent mother in your society for the directress ;—one who will cheerfully assume the duties of her office, not " grudgingly." "The Lord loveth a cheerful

giver."

2d. She must not "be afraid of the snow," or rain, or suffer slight obstacles to prevent her attendance.

3d. She is supposed to have at her command most of the useful publications of the day, from which she can select, at her leisure, passages of interesting and profitable reading. She must never think of attending the meetings without previous preparation. She should, also, inform her mind with reference to the trust she has assumed. Questions will often be proposed, demanding a prompt and intelligent answer, and her mind should be a storehouse, filled with rich materials, anecdotes, incidents, &c., for thought and conversation. She will probably be sufficiently interested in the subject of

MODE OF CONDUCTING MATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS.

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maternal duties, to hold correspondence with Christian friends, which would be valuable and interesting.

4th. She must endeavor, in every way, to bring forward the feelings and sentiments of the various members. This may very easily be done, by kindness of manner, and skill in conducting conversation, and a tender solicitude in the welfare of each.

5th. The children of the association, must hold a large place in her affections sympathies, and prayers. She sustains a singularly interesting relation to them all. Can she ever think of this delightful charge with indifference? Can she ever approach the throne of mercy for her own little ones, without embracing the whole number, so closely united together by the prayers and affections of Christian love?

6th. If she would always give animation to the meetings, and be instrumental of communicating to others right sentiments and feelings, she must go with her heart filled with melting considerations.. Let her, in her retirement, take affecting views of future scenes, when the effects produced by these humble efforts of associated mothers, shall be felt by the third and fourth generation, as they enjoy in their beloved circles the "peace of those who are taught of God." But I need not multiply considerations. So abundantly can motives be gathered from Heaven, earth, and hell, that no excuse can be thought of for a cold, dull heart, in a maternal meeting.

Does any one hesitate to take upon herself these duties, as we have faintly portrayed them? No! A spirit warm with Christian love, which continually inquires, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" will not shrink from them. But, for her encouragement, let it be remembered, that all which she gives, shall surely be repaid; yes, her affectionate efforts for others will give vigor to her own faith, knowledge and strength to her understanding, and for every precious seed which she carries forth, shall she gather a harvest in return, of love, peace, and joy, in her own bosom.

"Is there not in the bosom of each of our Churches, one mother, ready to go forward in this work of Christian benevolence? Let her who has the ability, and shrinks from the undertaking, inquire at the door of her heart, on whom will lie the responsibility of neglecting special means afforded by the Savior, to bring his ransomed ones into the kingdom,' in the infancy of their days.''

If, then, such are some of the labors and cares of the directress, the members will not be inattentive to the performance of their respective duties, but, by punctual attendance, will give aid and efficiency to her untiring efforts.

The practice of giving a subject for conversation at the next meeting, or a question to be answered in writing by one or two ladies, is sometimes adopted. Various experiments may be resorted to by young associations to render the meetings attractive. But it will be found, when the confidence and freedom of frequent interchange of sentiments, and the fervent zeal which is manifested in the maturer stages of such associations is attained, they will grow in grace and strength. The Holy Spirit smiles upon them; Jesus blesses them; and, receiving the promises, they then "run without weariness-walk without fainting."

B.

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