THE MOTHER'S MAGAZINE, when first commenced, was an experiment. No similar periodical had been published, and it is believed that none had ever been contemplated. The ground was therefore not only unoccupied, but unsurveyed; and after the plan had been suggested, although it was perceived to be eminently desirable, and that, if well executed, it might accomplish a great amount of good, yet it was matured with deliberation, and adopted with extreme diffidence.

No sooner, however, was the prospectus announced, than friends, far and near, approved of the undertaking, and not only urged its projectors to zeal and perseverance, appropriate to the magnitude of the object proposed, but kindly pledged their efforts to sustain an enterprise bearing the aspect of much good will to mankind.

True, we have continued to feel a responsibility wisely to improve the talent entrusted to our hands; yet so generously have these early pledges been redeemed, and so extensively has the co-operation of Pastors been secured, and so abundantly have the smiles of Heaven been enjoyed, that we have not been suffered to faint, or to be discouraged.

On the contrary, as years have rolled away, and we have been permitted to see something of the fruit of our labours, and learned more of the wants of American Mothers, we feel strengthened to continue at the post assigned us by Providence.

As we contemplate the multitude of Mothers in our own beloved Zion, and many also in foreign lands, prayerful, and eager to advance the cause to which the Magazine is devoted,

using their unceasing efforts to provide for its pages, and also to extend its circulation, as well adapted to sustain and multiply Maternal Associations,-it becomes us to be humble and grateful.

In consecrating ourselves therefore to our work, at the commencement of another year, we feel an ardour and obligation to renew our efforts to render the Magazine more attractive and useful.

We speak not of former success in any spirit of boasting, for the Magazine has never been, in all respects, what we could wish. Though our aim has never been to please the fastidious, yet we feel that a somewhat higher standard of literary taste might have been advantageously adopted. Still, had we met the entire wishes of some of our literary advisers, it must have been, it is thought, at the sacrifice of the interest in it of those Mothers who would be likely to value such a work only as it was adapted to the humbler advantages they had enjoyed.

There is a species of writing, difficult to procure, which is adapted to please and instruct the finished scholar, as well as the plain reader; and in the successful efforts we have recently made to secure the aid of able writers, we trust that, in this respect, neither ourselves nor our patrons will be disappointed.

We avail ourselves of the present opportunity to reply to the wishes expressed by some of our correspondents, that we should occasionally furnish "hints to young ladies," and to "juvenile readers." We are happy in being able to state, that we hope, the present year, to meet the views of such, though we cannot promise, for either, a distinct department. We hope to have more leisure for reading, and to be prepared to recommend such books as are best adapted to the wants of Maternal Associations, and for the use of families.

We feel constrained to say a word to friends who, from time to time, have desired to see our pages employed to espouse some new project, not embraced in our original plan, or to introduce some new theory, or to advocate some new association or society.

In regard to some of the objects referred to, we have been pressed, and by those too whose judgment, on other topics, we

have honoured, and whose patronage and influence we have desired to retain. Sometimes we have indulged the fear that our motives may have been suspected, while we have honestly differed from them in the "modus operandi" of curing certain evils in society. But in thus steadily pursuing our original plan, we have acted according to our best judgment, and we hope with consistency; nor have we seen adequate reasons to advocate any measures, respecting the expediency of which there exists such a diversity of opinion, even among the patrons of the Magazine.

If we have friends who feel it to be their duty to promote sectarian views, or to send forth productions which would foster party spirit-for ourselves, we prefer to breathe a more healthy atmosphere, to float in a purer and broader stream; we must therefore request, that for purposes foreign to our object, some other publication be selected.

It would be eminently injudicious in us to receive any freight that would endanger our fragile bark; nor can we venture upon seas abounding with rocks and quicksands.

With such a vast object set before us, as the early conversion and salvation of the rising race, we desire to have written upon our hearts the parting lesson given by the Saviour to his beloved disciples" A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another." We desire to cherish, both in ourselves and in others, the sentiment expressed by the poet-

"The Spirit, like some peaceful dove,

Flies from the realms of noise and strife."

In our desires and efforts to guard against extremes, we fear not the censures of the truly benevolent, the enlightened, and the liberal minded.

It will be our aim to caution young mothers, especially, against the dangers to which they are exposed, in a day of excitement and reform, on the one hand, from the prevalence of a wordly, compromising spirit; on the other, by the multiplication of so many different plans of benevolence, each of

which is likely to be thought by its projector as worthy of special regard.

We shall doubtless in our remarks appeal to the painful experience, the wounded consciences, of many a young and ardent mother, who, instead of making a wise selection, has vainly tried to embrace every proposed plan of benevolent action, and in so doing, has been obliged to commit her babes to the care of others.

In this way, much of her invaluable time and attention has been diverted from the daily care, instruction, and salvation of her own offspring, and she mournfully exclaims, as in Canticles, "My mother's children were angry with me because I kept not their vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not kept."

If by the uniform and unobtrusive course we have heretofore taken, and still purpose to take, we do not accomplish all the good that some of our friends may desire, yet on our plan we trust we shall, in the end, accomplish our proportion, without the hazard which would attach to theirs.

On the basis, too, upon which the work has heretofore been conducted, we feel that the public approbation, expressed by many thousand subscribers, received without the aid of travelling agents, has given us its insurance, and we desire not to forfeit a policy of so much value.

For the Mother's Magazine.

MATERNAL EFFORTS.

IT is the duty of mothers to instruct their daughters how to sustain reverses of fortune. Frequent and sudden as these have been in our own country, it is important that young females should possess some employment, by which they might obtain a livelihood, in case they should be reduced to the necessity of supporting themselves. When families are unexpectedly reduced from affluence to poverty, how pitiful and contemptible is it, to see the mother desponding or helpless, and

permitting her daughters to embarrass those whom it is their duty to assist and to cheer.

"I have lost my whole fortune," said a merchant, as he returned one evening to his home. "We can no longer keep our carriage. We must leave this large house. The children. can no more go to expensive schools. What we shall do for a living, I know not. Yesterday, I was a rich man. To-day, there is nothing left that I can call my own."

"Dear husband," said the wife, "we are still rich, in each other and in our children. Money may pass away, but God has given us a better treasure in those active hands and loving hearts." "Dear father," said the children, "do not look so sober. We will help you to get a living."

"You shall see,

"What can you do, poor things?" said he. you shall see," answered several cheerful voices. "It is a pity if we have been to school for nothing. How can the father of eight healthy children be poor? We shall work and make you rich again."

"I shall help," said the youngest girl, hardly four years old. "I will not have any new frock bought, and I shall sell my great wax doll." The heart of the husband and father, which had sunk in his bosom like a stone, was lifted up. The sweet enthusiasm of the scene cheered him, and his nightly prayer was like a song of praise.

He left his stately house. The servants were dismissed. Pictures and plate, rich carpets and furniture, were sold, and she who had been so long the mistress of the mansion, shed no "Pay every debt," said she, "let no one suffer through

tear.

us, and we may yet be happy."

He took a neat cottage, and a small piece of ground, a few miles from the city. With the aid of his sons, he cultivated vegetables for the market. He viewed with delight and astonishment the economy of his wife, nurtured as she had been in wealth, and the efficiency which his daughters soon acquired under her training.

The eldest ones assisted her in the work of the household, and instructed the younger children. Besides, they executed various works, which they had learned as accomplishments, but