our motives to action, the more vigorously and successfully do we exert ourselves; and the greater the known dangers of the forbidden path, the greater is our caution to avoid it. In this view, as well as in others, our minister's family is more favourably circumstanced than others, with regard to improvement both in morals and religion.

The prosperity of the church depends much on the faithfulness and good example of every minister of religion: and he must begin his faithfulness at home, who would govern well his church; lest it should be said, "Physician heal thyself."-Our Father in heaven has covenanted to reward the proper discharge of parental duties, in the conversion of the children of believers. Nor can the fact be denied, that ministers generally, are examples of fidelity to their own households. And who will dare to assert, that the consequence of their good instruction and government is, that their families are more profligate, when Jehovah hath otherwise promised his blessing to attend such means of grace? Small as their pecuniary means generally are, we usually see their sons publickly educated; and for the inost part walking in the steps of their pious parents.-Nay, we not unfrequently see every child of the family become a subject of grace, and prove a blessing to society, and an ornament to the church.

A godly mother cannot sufficiently estimate the blessing of such an assistant in rearing her family, as is the devoted minister. Far from counteracting her pious labours, by eradicating, if possible, from the tender heart of the undiscerning child, every Christian principle, which she may have carefully planted there, and nurtured and watered by her prayers and tears he too cherishes the growth by his precepts and example. Thus by giving his sanction to the coun

sels of the pious mother, they mutually aid each other, in directing the footsteps of their beloved offspring, with the greatest certainty, in the paths of virtue and the way to heaven.

Does modesty, humility and gravity, adorn the female character? In a most peculiar degree, do these graces give a charm to her character, whose husband, and children, and possessions, like those of the ancient Levite, are consecrated to the Lord. And we expect to see one thus exalted in point of privilege, far more devoted and holy than most of her sisters in Christian profession, and far better informed on divine subjects-fitted to reprove and able to instruct. To her we would often apply for counsel, fully believing that she would not fail to direct us aright.

The church was no doubt greatly blessed by the personal exertions of Mrs. Edwards; and the world had not been so greatly blessed by the productions of Mr. Edwards's pen, had she been incompetent to her station, or inattentive to the discharge of her duties. Perhaps the anecdote is already well known of Mr. M, who expected Mr. Edwards to preach for him, but was disappointed. He went into his pulpit himself, and took occasion to confirm some points of doctrine, by saying such was the opinion of the great Mr. Edwards. To his mortification, when he descended from the desk, he was introduced to Mr. Edwards, whom he had never before seen. "Ah," said he, "is this Mr. Edwards? Well, I am told your wife is a more devoted Christian than yourself." Thus, in addition to all the good which her piety had produced, this honest man was saved from the imputation of flattery. It has also been said, that President Burr asked one of Mr. Edwards's daughters in marriage, whom he had never before seen, merely from the presumption of her excellence, because she had received an educa

tion from so distinguished a mother: nor was he disappointed in her character. It has been said that Mr. Edwards, by the industry and good management of his wife, was almost absolved from worldly

cares.

The remembrance of one of similar endowments, will ever be to me most dear, who, with nine children, was left the widow of a minister in the earlier part of life. Through the blessing of God on her faithfulness, all of them became hopeful subjects of grace. Although her income was small, yet by her good management four of them were educated at college, and became ministers of the gospel. It was not necessary that the domestic altar should fall with the death of her husband; for she could there offer the morning and evening sacrifices. What would have been the anguish of the dying father, to have left such an awful charge to one unqualified by education and by grace!

From generation to generation, even down to the millennium, the blessings of one faithful parent may extend. Thus in Abraham, all the nations of the earth are to be blessed. Thus too, the curse may descend to other generations, as in the case of unfaithful and unhappy Eli.

A grateful people will not find fault with the disposal of a well earned salary, nor consider it merely a gift. But churches and congregations are not always grateful and liberal; and it will be wisdom in our sister to provide against possible evil. She will be a great loser in the affections of the people, if a disposition for luxury and extravagance appear. On the other hand, if disposed to assist in the reputable support of their minister, by the exercise of industry, economy and self-denial, she will take the best method to secure their affection, respect and ready payment of the salary they have proVOL. III. Ch. Adv.

mised. Proper attention to good order and external appearances, will not be mistaken by the discerning for extravagance. Much are a people indebted to her, who by her good management alone, shall make it appear, that their minister is well supported. And as much will she incur censure, who by indolence, waste and extravagance, brings want into her own family, and increases the burden, and injures the reputation of a whole congregation. If the mistress of a family is prodigal either of time or of money, she cannot diffuse comfort around her habitation, let her income and number of servants be what they may. For miserably indeed is her house managed, who gives the charge over to servants. There are but few female heads of families, who themselves weigh the importance of their charge, and manage their own households well. Can it then be expected that servants will be induced, by any reward, to take upon themselves the heavy responsibility, and faithfully perform all its incumbent duties?

The house may be good and well furnished, yet every article may be a disgrace to the owner, for want of proper attention. She may have the best of provisions, yet very few table comforts. There may be an expensive wardrobe, yet every garment out of order; and the congregation may well blush for the neglected appearance of their minister.-His respectability and influence will be much injured, and he will be pitied, while his wife will bear all the blame. And is not such neglect on the part of a minister's wife, treating the congregation and the worship of God itself with disrespect? The people will consider it as practically saying, that their feelings are not to be regarded. Benevolence forbids a disgusting appearance. It has often been said that a degree of pride is necessary, that we may, by its influence, appear decent. But where C

benevolence extends her influence, she supersedes the necessity of that baneful passion, and forbids us, by a careless or disgusting appearance in dress, house, or table, to give pain to a fellow being. Benevolence forbids pride also, the tendency of which is to wound, by a pretended superiority in external things-thus rendering the beholder discontented with his situation in the allotment of Providence, and creating wants to which he was before a stranger.

How much is the female character marked by the apparently trifling circumstance of dress. Congregations in general are ambitious that the family of their minister should appear respectable; for a mean appearance reflects discredit either on their choice, or on the support which they afford him. And those who know little else of the Christian's duty, can tell how inconsistent with the Christian character and profession, is a gay appear ance and profusion of ornament. Such a display may become the ball-room or the theatre, but with the attire of their votaries, we have as little to do, as with the places themselves; and such attire in his wife, it is plain, can never correspond with the grave dress and sober manners of a devout minister. Will it not depreciate his worth in the view of beholders, to know that one apparently so vain and ostentatious was the object of his choice?

On the other hand a superstitious regard to little things, is equally unbecoming; particularly if made a subject of censoriousness or of criticism. An affectation of plainness has much the appearance of spiritual pride, and will-worship. We do not read that our Saviour censured any thing more highly, than this hypocritical show in dress and manners. We have also often known persons lay down.rules for the conduct of others, from which they themselves were the first to deviate; or it was soon manifested

that they "paid tithes of mint, annise, and cummin," so scrupulously as to leave no time to attend to "the weightier matters of the law.” There is one precious rule, however, which we may safely adopt, for the regulation of our deportment-" Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, to do all to the glory of God."-Then our appearance will never be such as to stand between God and our own souls, by exciting either pride or mortification. For "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

When we begin to say, "the expense of this or that article might have been saved, and given to the poor," where shall we end? For it will apply to every article of convenience, until all shall be reduced to the provisions of poverty itself. A very coarse dress will defend from the cold; or a very poor house will shelter from the storms; and a brown loaf will satisfy the cravings of hunger-all else might be spared. Yet this is not required. We must not, therefore, with respect to these things, dictate to others. But there is scarcely any act of self-denial which conscientious Christians may not voluntarily exercise, for the dear cause of missions, or for souls around them. We are in little danger of erring on this ground; but much do we transgress by selfishly withholding the tithes and offerings which we might present.

Let it be our care to purify the fountain, then will the streams be pure also. If our hearts are really humble, our appearance will be grave, and our dress modest and becoming. Our adorning will not principally be "of gold, and of pearls, and of costly array, but such as becometh women professing godliness." In vain shall we attempt to give this appearance to the trifling and the gay; and therefore if they are not immediately under our own care, the attempt would pro

bably only disgust or irritate. If their dress is gay and frivolous, it accords with their dispositions, and none will be deceived-they appear and will be taken in their true character; and let our's become us as well. We should consider ourselves accountable for the appearance of our children; and of our servants also, who should be, equally with our children, governed by the rules of wisdom and prudence.

(The remainder in our next.)

TRAVELS IN EUROPE FOR HEALTH IN 1820. BY AN AMERICAN CLERGYMAN, OF THE SYNOD OF PHILADELPHIA.

To the Editor of the Christian Advocate.

It would give me much pleasure to contribute even a little, to the entertainment and edification of the readers of your useful miscellany-And considering the avidity with which the reading publick receive every thing in the shape of narrative, I have thought it might be worth while to put into your hands, a small collection of letters, containing some account of my travels in pursuit of health, through several parts of Europe. You will be able to judge whether their contents render them worthy of being communicated to the publick. The publick are well aware, that an infirm state of health greatly disqualifies its victim for much effort of mind, as well as of body; and from one in such a situation, much will not be expected. I would premise that I left home, under considerable apprehension that I might never return; and for the gratification of my friends, in such an issue, was careful to communicate, from time to time, a pretty full account of whatever changes took place in the state of my health; intending to give them, while I was able, a history of myself. And as

travelling for health has become a fashionable remedy, which, in addition to its utility, has greatly increased the number of those who resort to it, I have thought, in reviewing my letters for the press, it might be right to retain whatever was calculated to be useful to travellers of this description. For their sakes, the publick will bear with an amount of personal detail, that would otherwise be altogether improper. I only add, that my complaint was Dyspepsia, which had increased gradually for about eight years; producing at length such debility, that through the summer of 1819, the services of the pulpit were reduced one half, and for a short time previously to leaving home, had been suspended almost entirely.

Gibraltar, January 4th, 1820.

My dear Friend,-You have been informed that I had taken my passage at New York, in the ship Pacifick, Capt. S-, bound for Marseilles, to stop at Gibraltar. I embrace the earliest opportunity of relieving the anxiety your friendship has made you feel on my account, as well as of gratifying your curiosity, by giving you some account of my voyage to, and safe arrival at this place-This far-famed place, which furnishes so much to attract the gaze of curiosity from every stranger who visits it.

We sailed on the evening of the 3d of last month; an evening of interest to me, never to be forgotten. Setting off on a distant voyage, to encounter the dangers of the ocean

parting at the same time with kindred and country, must awaken lively feelings in any one; and much more in one like myself-to whom the dangers of the ocean are much less threatening, than the debilitating complaint from which he seeks to escape. How will such an one look to the fast receding shores of his native land, foreboding that he is to look upon them no more.

How will he cast his eyes towards the home that holds the partner of his affections, and the children that God has given him-already far distant from his sight, and in his estimation, probably never to be revisited. May you, my friend, never know the anguish that wrings the heart at such a moment. But may you know, in every situation of difficulty and of peril, the more than counterbalancing consolation, which faith finds in the promise-" The eternal thy refuge, and underneath, are the everlasting arms." Let me tell you this is a promise to go to sea with; and that to have it on the heart, is of far more consequence, than any thing Dr. Franklin suggests, in his instructions (very good in their place) to those who are about to undertake a sea voyage.

Being without a companion of my acquaintance, one of the first things that attracted my attention on board, was my fellow passengers. Society on ship-board, is an affair of double interest, to what it is on shore. Good society goes a great way towards making up for the many privations which must be sustained; and bad society has this special aggravation, that you cannot, as on land, run away from it; you must make the best of it. My fellow voyagers were four,-Mr. O, a merchant of Boston, in pursuit partly of pleasure, and partly of mercantile speculation. Messrs. L- and C, young men of New York, like myself, seeking health; being both under pulmonary affection. The fourth was a Mr. P, from the neighbourhood of New York. This man's situation has interested me much. He is a man in middle life, the father of six children, so far gone in consumption, as to be carried on ship-board-being too weak to walk. I noticed him particularly on that occasion; and the distress I witnessed on his taking leave of his weeping.wife and accompany

ing friends, called forth all my sympathy; certainly nothing lessened, by my being forcibly reminded of a family parting, so lately sustained by myself. Oh! how necessary, on such an occasion, and how cordial, the consolations of that gospel, whose direction and promise is, "cast all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you." With faith's firm grasp of such a promise, the husband and father, even in the last stage of decline, may shed his tears over those he embraces, probably for the last time, and yet rejoicing with a joy that even overbalances his sorrow.

We set off under a fine fair wind. Two other vessels, bound for the same port, loosed their rudder bands, and hoisted their sails," at the same moment with us. That night the gale increased; and by the next day became little short of a hurricane, which lasted, without intermission, for seven days. You may judge of the situation in which we landsmen found ourselves, when the captain himself was sea-sick. Our cabin, neatly fitted up for passengers, was small. The hatches had generally to be closed, for protection against the waves dashing into it. The steward was too busy with the storm above, to spend much time in keeping it in order. In a little while it was in a situation, at the recollection of which, my mind yet recoils. But happily the deadening pressure of sea-sickness, very soon blunted my sensibility effectually. For three days I suffered much. On the fourth day I was so much recruited, as to be able to crawl on deck. Here I found a few yards, at the very stern of the vessel, safe from the waves, that were constantly lashing over the rest of the ship. In this shelter, wrapped in my great coat, to protect me from the spray of the sea, that drifted like snow before the wind, and grasping a cable, to preserve my balance, I found myself in a situation I surely