missionary stations, to inquire into the circumstances of the young, and to try some simple measures to gain their love and confidence. They will then find ample opportunities to do them good, and to fill up their leisure with most gratifying recreations. If two or more such "children's friends" would occasionly interchange visits, or correspond, they would find it to produce mutual benefit. We ought not to content ourselves with admiring the examples of foreign philanthropists, but should imitate them, and hope to surpass them in success, as far as our own advantages, in a free and protestant country, surpass theirs. Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1838. THEODORE DWIGHT, Jr. For the Mother's Magazine. REPORT OF THE MATERNAL ASSOCIATION OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ALBANY. IN presenting this, our first annual report, we feel a degree of diffidence in regard to ourselves, which leads us to desire to humble ourselves before God, in review of our great unfaithfulness, while we admire the faithfulness of our covenant God in sparing so many of our mercies clustering around us. This association was formed at the house of our pastor, Dec. 9th, 1833-ten mothers present; since which, we have registered forty-five mothers and sixty-one children. Four of our members have removed from the city, but desire still to have their names registered with ours; desiring to be remembered in our supplications, when we bend around the mercy seat, to beg aid and assistance for the duties and responsibilities that rest upon us, as mothers, to train our children for usefulness on earth, and eternal happiness in heaven. It is now five years since our society has had its existence : for the first four years, we were spared, in almost unbroken numbers, with the exception of two beloved sisters, whose names were on our list, but who, previous to their meeting us, were called to their eternal rest. Oh, how do the painful recollections of the past year press upon our hearts, while we record the painful bereavement our society has sustained in the death of Mrs. Sprague, its first directress; when we remember the meek and humble spirit with which she presided at these meetings,—her fervent and decided piety,-the many happy seasons we have enjoyed, mingling our hearts and voices around the mercy seat, the place of prayer, where the holiest and purest affections of the human heart are called forth,-when we remember her earnest petitions for the early conversion of our children,-while we think of these things, it seems as though the spirit of the dear loved one were hovering over us, and we almost fancy we hear the sound of her sweet voice speaking to us in all its redeemed purity, telling us not to weep over her memory, but to be more engaged in duty, more active in our Master's service, pressing forward to the prize of eternal glory, looking for a reunion in heaven! In the death of Mrs. Pemberton, we also mourn that a mother in Israel has fallen-one who through a long life has maintained a decided christian character-called to endure trials such as falls to the lot of few to encounter--loss of children and widowhood came upon her as it were in a day; but smitten as her heart was by these painful and successive bereavements, she found her support in him who hath said-" As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten"-and clearly evinced the reality of her faith by her humble resignation to the will of God. Showing that experimental religion, and faith in the promises of a covenant God, are the best supporters in a season of sorrow and deep affliction. Her example, in the high value she set upon the public worship of God, and the ordinances of his house, her constant attendance at the place of prayer, where she was to us a loved and choice companion, will long be felt by us. Oh, it is truly an encouraging and delightful spectacle to see the aged disciple thus honoring Christ, and bringing forth spiritual fruit to the glory of God! Two of our beloved sisters, within the past year, have been made to understand full well the sad import of the words, "a widowed heart." Under trying circumstances, one, while on a visit to her friends at the west, and expecting her husband soon to come and accompany her home, received the distressing intelligence, that in a moment of apparent health, in the midst of business, the companion of her youth had fallen a victim to the king of terrors. The other, whose husband left home a few weeks since, in feeble health, to seek relief in a more genial clime, while anxiously watching for words that should whisper hope and tell of restored health, received the painful news that herself was widowed, and her children fatherless; that he whom she fondly desired to welcome home, had found a grave amidst strangers. We mourn the loss of six of our children, mostly infants. One mother, who buried a child at the age of fifteen years, is comforted in view of the evidence she left that she sleeps in Jesus. From one mother, an only child has recently been taken; but we are comforted with the thought that the consolations of grace are all sufficient to support under the sorest bereavements; and the christian mother, when called to lay her choicest comforts in the grave, can say--"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Four of our children have become hopefully pious. One having made a public profession of her faith; and we do most fondly hope that our united prayer for the early conversion of our children, may be owned and blessed of God, and that they may glorify his name, and advance the precious interests of the dear Redeemer's kingdom; that some of our dear children may be chosen of God to plant the glorious gospel amidst falling idols, and their polluted devotees; that they, washed in the blood of Christ, and elevated by moral and intellectual worth, may, through redeeming grace, adorn the society of prophets and apostles forever, in the kingdom of heaven. The number who have attended our stated meetings, average from ten to twenty. Those of us who have met regularly have felt there is a blessing in it; our desires for the welfare of each other's families have been increased; our faith in God's promises strengthened. We meet as mutual helpers of each other. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." If one member suffer, all the members suffer with it. believe in the efficacy of united prayer. God hath promised, and shall he not perform? We We would thankfully acknowledge the aid our pastor has rendered, by countenancing and attending our quarterly and annual meetings. Our contributions have been devoted to the cause of education. E. P. MCCLURE, Cor. Secretary. Albany, January 9, 1838. NOTICE OF BOOKS. "Forbid them Not," or the hinderances which prevent little children from coming to Christ. By S. E. Dwight. New-York: published by E. French, 146 Nassau street. This little book was originally in the form of a sermon, and then was of about half its present size. We heard it delivered, in that form, from the desk, with the deepest interest. We urgently requested the author to allow us to publish it in the Mother's Magazine. We shall, therefore, be believed, when we say that we rejoice in its publication. We regard this little work as pointing out, most clearly, the true causes why so many children of pious parents are lost, and the only way in which the salvation of little children can be secured. We can conceive of no subject which can be more interesting to parents, and especially to mothers. We recommend it to our subscribers, and to all Maternal Associations, and cordially wish that a copy of it were already in the hand of every christian mother. For the Mother's Magazine. "THE SABBATH A DELIGHT." Happy is this sacred day, While the friends of Zion pray; Happier still those glorious days, When, in heaven, their song they raise. Sweet the Sabbath songs below, Where God's people meet and bow; Sweeter far th' immortal strains, Where the great Redeemer reigns. Christ our Sun arose with power, Mortals! hear your Saviour's word; May we spend our Sabbath hours THE Science of accumulation is becoming the science of the country. Yet, let us, who are mothers, be careful not to perplex the unfolding mind with its precepts and contradictions. A child hears perpetual conversation about the dearness or cheapness of the articles, with which he is surrounded. Perhaps the associations which he forms, are not between his apparel, and its fitness or comfort; but between the quantity of money which they cost, or the adroitness with which the merchant was beaten down. He is interested by frequent remarks from lips that he reveres-about how much such and such a person is worth; and hears the gradations gravely settled between neighbor and neighbor. "Does worth mean goodness?" inquires the child. "No-it means money." "Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow," said the ethical poet. But the child coming with his privately amended dictionary, says, "Money makes the man." Of course, he whose purse is empty, is less than a man. Some person is spoken of, as possessing distinguished talents. The listening child is prepared to admire, till the clause "he can never make a fortune," changes his respect to pity or indifference. The piety of another is mentioned; his love of doing good; his efforts to make others better and happier. "But he is poor." Alas, that the forming mind should be left to undervalue those deeds and motives which in the sight of heaven, are the only true riches. 7 VOL. VI.NO. VII. |