child may learn the names, and to some extent the properties and uses of all the important minerals upon the earth, in less time, and with far more pleasure, than he can commit to memory one column of words in a spelling book; and with these and other productions of nature, which every child is eager to learn, spelling itself becomes a pleasant exercise, and is most thoroughly learnt with little or no trouble, either to parent, teacher, or pupil. Cutting paper and drawing figures for "GEOMETRICAL ALBUMS," form other delightful and profitable exercises for children, as preliminary to books. A slate and pencil, a pair of scissors, with a few scraps of paper, and a sheet of geometrical diagrams, are all the iustruments necessary to secure the successful performance of this work, by the hands of children, hundreds and thousands of whom have exhibited by it an amount of skill, taste, and improvement, both surprising and delightful. Connected with the last is "DRAWING," or representing by the slate and pencil various objects of nature and art, which come under the observation of children. The great and excellent Cuvier often spoke of the encouragement given to him by his mother, when in early childhood, as one of the most fortunate circumstances of his life. To that single circumstance the world is evidently now indebted for some of the most surprising and beautiful discoveries in science, and the most wonderful displays of the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, ever unfolded to his humble and unworthy creature, man. These, and various other exercises of a similar character, wisely and bountifully provided for every member of God's rational kingdom, and admirably fitted to furnish delightful and profitable employment for children, are the more important from the fact, that children disposed to engage in such exercises, are frequently discouraged, ridiculed, or perhaps, forbidden by their parents to enjoy them; and thus indirectly and undesignedly, but certainly are compelled, in self-defence, to resort to places of vicious amusement, which to myriads of young men open the gate to the bottomless pit. Deeply and solemnly impressed, alike by the importance and neglect of these simple and natural, but beautiful and abundant means of instruction, which God, by his own hand, has furnished to all, I esteem it a privilege to throw out even a few hints on the subject, through so important a channel, to a class of the community with so responsible a station and so holy an office as that of mothers. For the Mother's Magazine. "FOLLOW THOU ME." It was the first Sabbath in March. The day was bright and sunny. The snow was melting away with the heat of spring, and many willing hearts seemed to say, "Let us go unto the house of our God." I was there. Seated amidst the throng, I was wrapt in contemplation. It was the day of our holy communion. A man of God entered; meekness and solemn awe were on his countenance. That day, the child of his bosom was to become one of the professed followers of Jesus. He saw her take the solemn vows; he sat by her side at the sacramental feast. Where was my child? Far from hope, far from God! As I compared the situation of this blessed man with mine, methought the Savior whispered, "What is that to thee? follow thou me." There was a pang in those words, "Follow thou me." Yes, Lord, I have followed the world, I have followed other professors, I have followed the temptations of Satan and my own wicked heart, but alas! I have not followed thee. I have not been dead to sin, as thou wast; I have not learnt of thee, who was meek and lowly in heart. Else, perhaps, my own dear one had been thine at the communion table, and prepared to sit down at the marriage supper in heaven. A. Stereotyped by F. F. RIPLEY, ON THE EVIDENCE OF EARLY PIETY.-(Continued.) BY T. H. GALLAUDET. In ONE of the most interesting traits of the moral character of young children, is the development of their conscience. forming a correct estimate of early piety, this part of the subject deserves very particular attention. No one who has watched the opening faculties of the infant mind, but must have noticed how much sooner the blush of shame, when reproach for misconduct is given, will be diffused over the cheeks of some children than of others; and what different degrees of discrimination and sensibility mark the progress of conscientiousness in different individuals of the same family of brothers and sisters. Another striking fact, too, is of very frequent occurrence. A little child will be strictly conscientious with regard to certain things, and very deficient, in this respect, with regard to others. The same is true of adults; and forms, often, one of the most inexplicable traits of the human character. What the latent causes of these striking moral phenomena are, it is often extremely difficult to decide. In some cases they are to be found in the original differences of the mental, moral, and bodily constitution, and their reciprocal influences upon each other. But most frequently we must look for them to the training which the conscience receives from the circumstances in which children are placed; from the impressions that are made upon them by parents and teachers; by the books which they read; and by the companions with whom they associate. One thing, however, in the opinion of the writer, is certain. Much too little pains is taken, both in the family and the school, to enlighten the youthful conscience, and to cause it to act faithfully with regard to practical points of duty, those daily concerns of business, or of pastime, in which children are engaged. They are taught the doctrines and precepts of the Bible, and receive instruction on certain great topics respecting the right and the wrong in the case; while the right and the wrong in their own little affairs, (as we deem them,) is left unexplained, and unenforced. Their consciences are prepared to be nicely correct on what they may be called to do when they become men and women, but not so with regard to their use of a borrowed article; the treatment of a playfellow and schoolmate; the temper which they are to show in small things; their habits of neatness, of punctuality, and of order; and many other subjects of a similar nature. Often, indeed, positive injunctions are given on all these points, and commands, rules, and regulations in abundance, sustained, or expected to be so, by appropriate sanctions. Obedience is, perhaps, secured by the dread of these sanctions, or from respect for the mere personal authority of the parent or teacher. But it is not the obedience of an enlightened and sensitive conscience.-It does not lead to self-government,—to the doing of right for its own sake. No one who observes the education and discipline of young children, as generally conducted, can fail of coming to the conclusion, that much too little is done, in the way of regular instruction, and the practical illustration which appropriate examples afford, to form and exercise their conscience aright, and according to the unerring standard of God's word, with regard to the daily occurrences of their own peculiar spheres of action. We have large volumes of "Cases of Conscience," for adults. We need a few lessons, at least, on this subject, for the men and women in miniature. For the reasons which have been mentioned, it not unfrequently happens, that a young child who it is hoped is a subject of divine grace, exhibits, with regard to certain parts of its conduct, an apparent want of conscientiousness which is equally strange and perplexing. But let us not decide too hastily. Is not the same child very conscientious in other things, and becoming more and more so? Do we not find, on a careful recollection, that it has often manifested the same trait of character before, in similar cases? Have we not neglected the enlightening and training of its conscience, in this particular, by careful instruction, and the imploring of the influence of the Holy Spirit to accompany and bless our labors? Is not what occurs rather an evidence against the reality of our own piety, than against that of the child's? Begin the work of instructing the conscience in this respect, and see how it responds to this instruction. Make a fair trial, and perhaps you will find, that as soon as the youthful follower of Christ is made to see his duty clearly, he will be found to be as truly conscientious in this particular as in any other. We must not forget, too, that as we ought to make all due allowance for the weakness of faith in the child who we hope is a Christian, we must do the same with regard to his conscience. Both, under the influence of grace, are to be strengthened by the constant presentation of divine truth, and by frequent exercise on their appropriate objects. Scrupulous consc entiousness on all points connected with the duties which we owe to God, and to our fellow-men,-in the minute particulars of these duties,-in the abstaining from all appearance of evil,--in the giving up of what may offend a disciple of Christ, or excite unnecessary prejudice in men of the world, 'is one of the characteristics of the mature Christian, and always indicates high attainments in piety. Let us bear this in mind in forming an estimate of early piety. If the evidence of this piety is satisfactory in other respects; if a general conscien tiousness marks the character of the child; and if the same conscientiousness is waked up and called into exercise, in those particulars where there has seemed to be a deficiency of it, when duty is made clear, and the opportunity afforded for conscience to do its work, let us not be discouraged. Let us be careful how we express, at times, when conscience seems to fai of discharging its office, a startling surprise, or an overwhelming reproach. Let us, in the light of the remarks which |