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Observer, Feb. 1, '72

Family Room.

DOMESTIC GOVERNMENT.-No. I.

It is a singular fact in natural history that there never was a baby which was not immeasureably superior to every other baby that was ever born in the world! Now, I grant that, generally speaking, it is not distin guished in all respects from the whole previous creation, but it never fails to possess some special characteristic that gives it unquestionable pre-eminence. It is the largest, or, let us say, the smallest; the longest, or peradventure, the shortest; the heaviest, or the lightest; of course, it is the prettiest and the sweetest; and then it has the dearest little nose, and the fattest little feet, and the cunningest little hands, of any "little thing" upon the face of the earth. Anon it notices sooner, and cooes sweeter, and smiles in its sleep with a more enchanting witchery than was ever seen before. Now, for my part, I am glad that this is so. I see in it something that is exquisitely beautiful and touching. And I rejoice to know that helpless and speechless innocence can open such fountains of love in a mother's tender heart.

WHEN I visited you a few days ago, | reading all at once. I will therefore my dear Matrona, I was delighted mercifully give it to you in instalwith the motherly triumph and ments. affection painted on your face as you exhibited to me you brand-new and (as you very properly said) incomparable little baby. After we had, in seeking to do justice to the merits of the new-comer, exhausted the inadequate list of complimentary phrases found in the dictionary, I remember that you seemed all at once to grow serious and anxious, and said, "Oh, if I only felt competent to train him up in the right way!" I appreciated your feelings, and I pitied you. Like thousands of others, you had passed from the school-room into a rapid round of dressing, and parties, and love-making, and weddings and what not, until presently you find yourself a wife and mother, destitute alike of experience and instruction respecting your new and most responsible duties. I do not wonder at your anxiety. But let me beg of you to be courageous and trustful. A woman of your good sense can learn what she does not know. Only keep your eyes open, and every family that you visit will be a school of instruction for you-some illustrating erroneous, and some correct, principles of government. For my self, I will very cheerfully comply with your request to give you in writing the result of such observations and reflections as I have made -premising that the subject is an extensive one, and that you must permit me to exemplify both the wrong and the right way of managing and training children. Of course, with the matronly care and duties which that wonderful baby imposes upon you, it is not to be expected that you could attend to so much

And yet I cannot disguise from myself that this beautiful picture has its ugly side. I would not change the picture; I would not, for the world, extingiush or diminish that holiest of earthly flames, a mother's love, but I would warn you that it borders closely upon dangerous ground. Unless good sense and good principle predominate over and direct it, it may lead you-and it is but a step-into foolish fondness and ruinous indulgence.

I have seen, after this miraculous baby has become a prodigy of a boy,

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

that the uncommon brilliancy of his at the same time to illustrate Domestic Government a la mode Easyman, permit me to narrate what I myself had the pleasure of seeing of this

tender feelings for a moment, but be patient, and I pledge you my honour Thomas Jefferson shall come out triumphant in the end.

intellect is such that every visitor is entertained (I will not say disgusted) and in the boy's own presence -with a recital of his wonderful taking-in-hand. It will harrow your accomplishments and speeches, the surprising evidences of his precocious wisdom. Thus he learns-nor is he slow in acquiring the informationthat he is the most interesting and I had gone to dine with the consequential member of the whole Easymans-and a very good place to household; that papa, and mama, dine it is-and was sitting at a and cook, and nurse, and waiting- window which looked out into the man, all are subservient to him. An courtyard. Betty, the coloured example in point is that hopeful son washerwoman, was dilligently purof our good friends, the Easymans. suing her calling, singing the while, This intolerable little rascal amuses as I suppose was her wont, when himself by indulging in all manner Master Thomas Jefferson, arrayed of outrageous behaviour. He worries in all the glory of best bib and tucker, the cat, he beats the dog, he stones approached her and forthwith began the calf, he makes sundry explor- pulling at a small tub of suds in the ations into the mysteries of pots, effort to climb upon the bench. "Go ovens and skillets, without the fear 'way from dah, Mas' Tommy," says of smut before his eyes, His weak Betty. "I sha'n't do it now," was and incompetent mother tells him, the reply; "I will get up there if I five hundred times a day, to stop want to." Whereupon Betty screams this, or come out of that, but seldom for "Miss," to "come here quick to or never, insists upon being obeyed. Mas' Tommy." Mrs. Easyman, Afterwards, she narrates before him greatly excited, rushes out upon the his freaks of mischief and disobe- scene, just in time to see the boy, in dience as a capital joke. I have spite of Betty's struggles to prevent seen him at table, thrust his buttered it, pull over the suds upon himself. and be-syruped little hands into the Mercy on us, what an uproar! The gravy-bowl-(the little darling!)- enraged mother, forgetful for the scream for hot pudding; halloo at moment of maternal tenderness and the servants; throw his spoon across boyish privileges, seizes the halfthe table; spill his tea in his lap; drowned and squalling offender, dash his saucer upon the floor ;- makes such elevations and depresuntil once good Mr. Easyman sions of his outer habiliments as the actually said to good Mrs. Easyman, case requires, places him in the Really, my dear, I'm afraid you'll position foreordained for extemporary have to take this boy in hand!' punishment, and inflicts it roundly You are ready to conclude that a and soundly! Tremendous excitefearful and angry cloud is about to ment! A hero in agony!! Thomas darken the hitherto sunny skies of Jefferson screams. Betty, feeling Master Thomas Jefferson Easyman. a little alarmed for herself, picks up But I beg that you will not be the tub. Thomas Jefferson still greatly alarmed for the dear little screams. Betty, more and more

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For when he is taken in alarmed, begins to wash with unhand, I warrant you it will be a wonted rapidity. Mrs. Easyman, tender hand, and that it will very still breathing out threatenings and soon relax its grasp. However, to slaughter, starts back into set your fears perfectly at rest, and kitchen, holding Thomas Jefferson

the

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

well in hand, who screams louder her own-little-darling-precious and louder. Presently she pauses;-BABY? And that is the way she

reflects for a moment; turns round; " took him in hand."

seems distressed; murmurs to This picture is not overdrawn. herself, "What can make him cry You have yourself seen the counterso? I'm afraid I've inflicted some part of it a hundred times. I grant bodily injury upon the little fellow." you it is very ridiculous; but is it Being provoked with herself, she not also, my dear Matrona, very, very naturally seeks relief by turning very sad? When this boy grows upon Betty: "What did you let him up to be a man, and goes out into do it for Madam?” “I'clar, Miss, the world for himself, what can we I didn't." "You needn't tell me, you expect of him? If effects follow trifling, good-for-nothing thing; I'll causes; if show whether you did or not!" and by the time she has finished he will make a man of outrageous boxing Betty's face, who, at every self-will, of ungovernable passion, stroke, says, "Yes'm, yes'm, yes'm, and of domineering disposition; one

you

I 'clar, Miss, I didn't," Thomas Jefferson, mollified by this tardy exhibition of justice, has reduced his crying from sharp major to plaintive minor; and so pathetic is the strain that his poor, afflicted mother can hold out no longer; she turns to the poor martyred boy, folds him in her fond embrace, kisses him over and over again in token of maternal sympathy and sorrow; soothes with soft manipulation the honourable parts that had been wounded; while she says to him again and again, "Did Betty-make mother-hurt

"Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."

who fears not God, nor regards man;

whose own inclinations and desires

will be the rule of his actions; who
respects not authority, nor bows to
Such a man
the majesty of the law.
will be shunned by the wise and
the virtuous, and will be forced, by
the demands of his nature for society,
to find it among the dissipated, the
lawless, and the abandoned. Surely
it needs no prophet's ken to see the
end of such a beginning

Let this suffice to illustrate one

erroneous mode of governing.
have others in store for you.

J. S. L.

I

TEMPTATION.

THERE is a legend of one of the ancient kings of England, that, returning from the Crusades, he was taken captive by his enemies, and confined in a German fortress. Languishing there in the darkness of his solitary cell, he was lost to his people and dead to the world, and fast perishing from the memory of mankind. But there was a minstrel of his court, by the name of Blondel, who sought to find him. He wandered in disguise through Europe and played and sung under the windows of every prison, the airs which he and his master had sung together in the days of old. At the

last trial, after the first strain had died away, the second strain awoke from within the fortress, and rolled responsive from the prison cells. The lost monarch was found.

Precisely such is the office which temptation performs for us. It reveals us. We mean by temptation, such surroundings as make us conscious of wrong desires and draw us vehemently towards forbidden objects. Anyone seeking in good faith to know himself, may find all the shadings of his inmost being reflected back npon him, from the objects that lie along his path. For temptation puts nothing new into us.

It

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

only brings out before the sun something which existed there already. We are enticed by the lusts that are within, and it is the lust which gives to the object without all its meretricious and seducing charms. The corruption within corresponds to the great object with

out, and they call and answer to each other. If there were no lurking evil in our nature, there could be no temptations. They are the Blondels. whose songs and harpings are of the same air and dialect of some corruption within; and so they respond to each other, strain for strain.

Intelligence of Churches, &q

presided, and addresses were delivered by Bros. R. Black, Vane, Builder and Ellis. Several have been immersed of late, and there are often large congregations on Lord's day evening.

AUSTRALIA. The good cause in Buninyong is progressing. About thirty-five have obeyed the Gospel since Bro. Hamill first visited Buninyong. The attendance at the meetings is on the increase, and we have every reason to look forward to a revival of Primitive Christianity in this F. GOODE.

town.

NOTTINGHAM DISTRICT OF CHRISTIAN | Dec. 26, 1861. After tea, Bro. J. Tudor CHURCHES.-On Christmas day about fifty brethren from this district assembled with the Nottingham brethren in Salem Chapel, Barker Gate, Nottingham, for the purpose of holding the usual Annual District Meeting. Edward Evans, Evangelist, was also present. Reports were given concerning Brinsley, Bulwell, Carlton, Derby, Green Hill Lane, Langley, Leicester, Lincoln, Loughborough, Mansfield, Marehay, and Nottingham. J. Dexter was called to preside. From some of the churches most cheering accounts were received. The Green Hill Lane and Brinsley churches reported pressing need of larger meeting rooms. A resolution was passed on behalf of the Green Hill Lane church-"That the churches be recommended to give a contribution from their treasuries to the Green Hill brethren, to assist them in obtaining a new meeting house." A collection was also made, at once, in the meeting, for the Brinsley church, to aid in the same object. Very favourable reports of progress were given of the Loughborough, Lincoln and Derby churches. Mansfield, an infant cause, starting this year with three members, reported six immersions during the year. Langley, Bulwell and Nottingham reported improved state, with encouraging prospects. An unanimous impression prevailed that Sunday schools should receive greater care than is generally bestowed; and many spoke of the blessed results which have arisen from them. The morning and after noon meetings were devoted to the business of the co-operation, and the evening to public addresses. Dinner and tea were provided in the school room. The next Annual Meeting of the district is (D.V.) to be held in Salem Chapel, Barker Gate, Nottingham, on Christmas day, 1872.

GREEN HILL LANE, DERBYSHIRE.-Since the Annual Meeting five have been added to our number by immersion, and one from a sister church. J. HEAPS.

CHRISTIAN CHAPEL, ROTHERHITHE.-A social meeting was held in this chapel, on

BAPTIST CHURCHES.-We have been favoured with an advance copy of the observe that the editor has done bis "Baptist Handbook," and are glad to best to make this indispensable year-book exceeds all others, and is a marvel of cheapcomplete. In bulk the present volume ness. From the summary of statistics we gather that there are 1,940 churches in England, with 2,346 chapels, 178,183 members, and 556,074 Sunday-school scholars. In Wales there are 519 churches, with 550 chapels, 54,905 members, 52,688 Sundayschool children. In Scotland 108 churches, 112 chapels, 8,873 church members, 5,283 children in Sunday-schools. In Ireland, 37 churches, 38 chapels, 1,434 members, 1,035 Sunday scholars, there being twenty-two counties in which there is no Baptist church. This gives a total in Great Britain and Ireland of 2,602 churches, 3,044 chapels, 243,395 members, 315,080 Sunday-school scholars; and an increase of membership of 9,720. Ministers, England and Wales, 2,021; Scotland 60; Ireland 27; total, 2,108, of whom 418 are without a charge.

Observer, Feb. 1, '72.

London reports 34,976 persons as members | Henry Green, D.D.; Prof. George Emlin

of Baptist churches; Glamorganshire, 20,823; Yorkshire, 14,012; and Lancashire, 12,564. Pembrokeshire being next, 10,264. Westmoreland has only two churches, and four chapels, with a total of eighty-nine members-this being the lowest on the list. Thirty-nine new Baptist churches have been formed in Great Britain and Ireland during the year, of which Middlesex claims six, Surrey five and Lancashire four. Fifty-one new chapels have been erected, forty-three | chapels enlarged or improved by addition of schoolroom or otherwise, and twenty-six chapels have had their debts either liquidated or diminished. On the whole, says the editor, there is a very considerable increase in the active labours of the several associations, and it is delightful to notice the earnest spirit in which nearly all of them are addressing themselves to the work which the Master has devolved upon his followers of "preaching the gospel to every creature." At most of the annual meetings resolutions were adopted (1), commending Mr. Miall's motion in the house of Commons for the separation of Church and State; (2) deprecating the working of the Elementary Education Act, especially the 25th clause of it; and (3) calling for prohibitory legislation against the present license for the sale of intoxicating liquors. The statistics of the Welsh Associations are not fully enough recorded to allow of fair estimates being made of the work done. But the Baptist Union of Scotland is already in successful operation, aiming at (1) Church Extension; (2) Ministerial Education; and (3) Beneficiary support of Aged Ministers, for which latter purpose the sum of £253 was appropriated last year. Freeman.

BIBLE REVISION.-We learn that a definite arrangement has been made for the co-operation of American scholars in the work of Bible revision now going on in this country. An invitation was extended to our American brethren through a letter to Dr. Phillip Schaff from Bishop Ellicott, written at the direction of the British Committee. A meeting was held at Dr. Schaff's, study, Dec. 7, the action of which has just been made public in authorised form. Dr. Howson, the Dean of Chester, was present by invitation, and took part in the deliberations. After organising, and an address by Dr. Schaff who had conferred personally with Bishop Ellicott, Dean Stanley, and others of the British revisers-the following list was read of those who have accepted invitations to engage in the work :

On the Old Testament-Rev. Thomas J. Conant, D.D.; Prof. George E. Day, D.D.; Prof. John De Witt, D.D.; Prof. Wm.

Hare, D.D.; Prof. Charles P. Krauth, D.D.;
Prof. J. Packard, D.D.; Prof. Calvin Stowe,
D.D.; Prof. James Strong, D.D.; Rev. C.
A. Van Dyck, D.D. (not heard from); Prof.
Tayler Lewis, LL.D.

On the New Testament-Ezra Abbott,
LL.D.; Prof. H. B. Hackett, D.D.; Prof.
James Hadley, LL.D. Prof. Charles Hodge,
D.D.; Prof. Matthew B. Riddle, D.D.;
Prof. Phillip Schaff, D.D.; Prof. Charles
Short, LL.D.; Prof. J. Henry Thayer, D.D.;
Rev. Edward A. Washburn, D.D.; Rev.
Theodore D. Woolsey, D.D., LL.D.

Obituary.

Freeman.

LOUISA PALMER, departed this life, at Leicester, December 2nd, 1871, aged thirtynine years. She was for several years a member of the church, and in April last went to America with her husband, leaving two children in Leicester, and taking two with them. Circumstances, however, led to her return to Leicester, her husband remaining in America. In November she gave birth to a son, and for some days bid fair for recovery, but a change for the worse took place, and now she is released from her sufferings. Her husband is still in America, and the four children in Leicester.

In

SARAH ANN HAND, united with the church in September, 1870, in company with her widowed mother (Mrs. Talbott) and three sisters, the household being thus immersed into the death of Christ. September last Mrs. Talbott, with three of her daughters, left for Australia, and the trial of separating from so many loved ones seems to have been heavier than the frail frame could bear. During her affliction she suffered greatly, often desiring to depart and to be at rest. She departed this life January 3rd, 1872, aged thirty-five years.

MARY GREY, formerly a member of the church in Nottingham, and since then (and nearly from its formation) of the church in Leicester, fell asleep in Jesus, January 4th, 1872. In her were aptly blended the qualities of the Mary and Martha whom Jesus loved. She was confined to her room for some six weeks before her death, and realized that peace which can only be found in Christ.

He

JOHN BARRETT fell asleep in Jesus, at Ballarat, September 9th, 1871, aged thirtyeight. The Dawson Street Church has lost, by his removal, its senior deacon, and the Lord's day school its superintendent. displayed the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; he was one whom the tongue of malice and envy dare not defame. A widow and four children mourn their loss. His end was full of peace.

C. M.

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