Laura. The fifth commandment seemed to be the monitor of their daily thoughts, as it was the inspirer of their conduct in the presence of their parents. Nor was it exceeded in degree by any other commandment of the Decalogue, except the first, which, in its enlarged spiritual sense, they were always taught to regard as entitled to their most fervent devotion; and always to take in connexion with it that declaration of our blessed Saviour-" He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me."* The germ, indeed, of Christian piety, in its most comprehensive acceptation, which includes love to God and good-will towards man, had been implanted in their hearts by the careful culture of their conscientious parents; and God, who alone can do it, was silently giving "the increase" unto everlasting life.

With respect to Laura, she was growing up to be all that a father's or a mother's prayers could desire. Though so young, only in her eleventh year,-her conscience was as susceptible and as watchful over the heart's tendencies, whenever inclining to an evil direction, as that of an experienced Christian. In tender and dutiful affection towards her beloved parents, as has been already intimated, she was a pattern to all daughters, whether old or young. She wanted not to be told what it might be desirable to accomplish, if by zealous foresight and reflection she could anticipate her parents' wishes. What an interesting example is here presented, in the person of this young disciple of Christ, of the truth of that gracious scripture-" I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me." What an appeal is this! What a motive to a young and confiding heart!

In the gentler and more retiring virtues, Laura resembled her brother Jasper; as the earlier history of Edmund's childhood reflected the present character of his little sister Maria; + Prov. viii. 17.

*Matt. x. 37.

and what a pious and judicious training had effected for him was now in a course of development towards herself.

The latter, like many other little girls, as well as boys, had been born with a will of her own; and had manifested, up to her present age of eight years, various wayward and intractable tempers, which had caused her tender parent much uneasiOften when desired by her mamma to learn an assigned task, or render obedience to advice given, both of which were unpleasant to her, the little self-willed Maria would evince an irritability and obstinacy that surprised as well as distressed. her mother's heart.

ness.

On these occasions, however, instead of acting as many injudicious guardians of children will do, at once administering personal chastisement, contrary to what a preliminary course of reformation should endeavour to effect; Mrs. Gracelove would quietly lead her daughter into an adjoining room, if any other person were present, and then, in the most persuasive yet firm manner, represent to her the extreme impropriety of her conduct. She would point out to her, in simple but forcible admonition, the great sin she had committed against God; and as she daily taught her child to read the Bible, would direct her to those striking passages of scripture where disobedience to parents and superiors was visited with exemplary punishment. She would then make her kneel down, and pray to God to forgive the offence she had committed; and require her to promise that she would endeavour diligently and conscientiously to amend those faults of unruly disposition, which would otherwise call down upon her the anger of her offended Maker.

This wise course of reformation was generally attended by beneficial results; but, still, it was not always limited to verbal remonstrance; for when a more prominent instance of perverse behaviour occurred, recourse was then had to the

advice of Solomon, and the rod was not spared that the child might not be spoilt.

The continuance of this excellent system of education had, at length, produced more permanent effects on the temper of this little maid; and, at the period at which this history commences, Mrs. Gracelove had the grateful satisfaction of witnessing a decided improvement in the character and conduct of her youngest daughter. The anxious and pious mother found, to her great comfort, as well as to the increase of her faith, that equally, in a religious as in a physical sense, was that scripture righteous and true which says, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."*

There is a familiar saying that "Rome was not built in a day." With equal truth it may be declared that holy dispositions are neither established in a day nor a year; and, in the majority of instances, not before the lapse of many years; and then only by the painful and unremitting exertions of an awakened conscience combating, and at length, by the grace of God, triumphing over, the besetting sins of the heart. In the case, therefore, of so young a child as Maria Gracelove, in whom conscience was only beginning to assert its spiritual supremacy over the motives and affections, it could not be, neither was it expected by her parents, that the evil of her temper would be at once eradicated. They were sufficiently delighted and thankful to God to perceive a marked amendment in her conduct, both as regarded the less frequency of the offence committed, and the milder form it had assumed. They were now content to await in faith and patience the gracious accomplishment of the rest.

One day, however, after a longer period than usual of circumspect and obedient behaviour, the still unsubdued

* Eccles xi. I.

leaven discovered its latent working in her unruly little heart, under the following circumstances. It appears that some time previously, Mrs. Gracelove had ordered the gardener to form a parterre of flowers, to be called " Maria's garden," as an innocent and instructive recreation for her juvenile daughter, and had taught her the names and some of the properties of the various flowers it contained.

Pleased with the possession of something so interesting, as belonging exclusively to herself, the gratified child was continually running to her little domain, as she said, to

see the flowers grow," and to make her tiny bouquet, while the appointed lesson for the day was left in sad arrear. On the morning in question, her mamma had particularly enjoined her to remain in the house, in consequence of the saturated state of the walks, arising from heavy rains that had fallen the previous night. Having assigned to her the task she was to learn, Mrs. Gracelove left her in the parlour, with the appearance of conforming to her wishes, and proceeded up stairs to attend to some domestic arrangements.

The lesson allotted to the little maiden on that occasion, consisted of twenty words of spelling; and it was certainly her first intention to yield an implicit obedience to the commands of her parent. She set herself, therefore, diligently to work, and had accomplished the first eight of the series, when her sympathies were unhappily awakened by the word "dahlia." She at once thought of her pet flowers, -sighed gently, and laid down her book. However, after musing for two or three minutes, the child resisted the temptation that presented itself, and with an effort resumed her lesson. Again she learnt five more words, when a second evil coincidence fairly upset her moral philosophy.

It is said that Satan will sometimes array himself as an angel of light. In the present instance the tempter came

in the form of a beautiful flower; and a rose might well entice a child of eight years of age, when an apple could seduce the first of her sex, and the second of created beings, formed with attributes of perfection, and inhabiting a para

dise.

The unsuspecting Maria, as a second unhappy stumblingblock in the path of her duty, had come to the word representing the flower just named,-a rose,—and which formed the pride of her little garden; and her obedience at length gave way to the renewed impulse she had just resisted. She now closed her book-looked round the room-saw she was alone, and creeping silently to the door, proceeded hastily to the forbidden parterre, without shawl or bonnet.

After remaining in the garden about ten minutes, absorbed in the contemplation of her little property, removing a weed from one place, plucking a flower from another, and gazing with delight all around her, she returned to the house with her shoes and stockings wet through. Conscious that the appearance of her feet would tell the tale of her disobedience, were her mamma to see them in the state in which they were, as well as for the purpose of removing the unpleasant dampness that she felt, she was stealing softly up stairs to her room, in order to change her shoes and stockings, when she encountered her parent midway.

Well, my dear," said Mrs. Gracelove, going?"

"where are you

"Only up-stairs, mamma," replied the naughty little Maria. "I see that, my dear," answered her mother, " very plainly; but I want to know what for."

Here the child was silent, and inclined her head downwards to see if her feet were visible. The motion attracted the attention of Mrs. Gracelove, who immediately perceived what her undutiful daughter had been doing during her absence.

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