ably suppose these ornaments were Sarah's? (for Rebekah had her tent) and Sarah is held up by the same apostle, in the very same chapter, as a pattern to women professing godliness. 1 Peter iii. 6. Though I speak thus, I am very, very far from wishing to advocate gay dressing, but I would strenuously combat the idea, that any particular quality or mode of habiliment would prevent or cure vanity. In vain may we cleanse the outside of the cup and platter, if the inside is still suffered to remain defiled, and greatly should I fear, lest any should be led away by the devices of Satan, to imagine themselves pure and free from vanity; because they have thrown off their accustomed finery, and clad themselves in more plain and unpretending garments. If a Christian dis

covers in her mind a hankering after, and delight in the vain tinsel of outward adornment, by all means, let her mortify these carnal desires, even as she promised in the baptismal vow: but, let her beware that she do not give additional food to this sinful propensity, by changing her dress. The colour, texture, peculiar mode, and delicate adjustment, may afford equal or deeper food for vanity, than a compliance with the fashion of the day. I would rather, with humility, recommend fervent prayer, and a deeper and more prayerful examination of the word of truth. Take the lessons learnt there into practical exercise. Examine the flowers of the field, and see in all your glory if you can be arrayed like one of the least of these. Consider that clothing was given as a covering; and while you deck your poor perishing body, let it be a season of especial prayer to Almighty God that he will deliver you from vanity, teach you to consider, and look at your dress merely as a need

ful covering, and take out of your heart all vain delight therein. Hereby, I cannot help thinking a victory might be gained, a victory which would be productive of increased watchfulness and humility. If we will but resign ourselves to Christ, trust in him, plead with him his precious promises, his word, his immutable word of truth, is pledged to remove out of our hearts all things displeasing to himself. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness; and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 27. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." John xiv. 13, 14.

I remain,

Madam,

Your's very respectfully,

ETA.

THE WIDOW OF NAIN.

Ir was on the 19th of the month Sivan, about the time of the evening sacrifice, that a party of travellers was slowly ascending the rivulet, which rising in the Lesser Hermon behind the city of Nain, and passing it on the side toward the sun-rising, winds in gentle beauty to the southward, until lost in the Kishon. The conversation carried on among the party was, for the most part, confined to one individual in their midst, to whom the most heedful attention was paid; and judging from the thoughtful brows of his hearers, it appeared to be of an unusually interesting character. While thus occupied, they were suddenly interrupted by the distant and intermitted wail of lamentation, proceeding from within the city. As these understood plaints of woe reached the ears of the group, the hum of discourse gradually subsided, and in a short time was hushed into silence: the countenances of some among them began to wear an expression of concern and sympathy; and in that of the principal speaker especially might be discerned the workings of true and genuine emotion. He was in the prime of life, or haply in its bloom; and the familiar yet parabolic style of his discourse, as enunciated by a clear and music-breathing voice, in language eloquent and flowing, and in the tone of gentle authority, indi

cated a prophet-teacher in Israel. There was to his hearers, in all that he said, a pleasing and undefinable charm, of a kind that took unconscious possession of their minds, and wound so about their hearts, that they could not but acknowledge the truth, and beauty, and wisdom, of what he urged. They listened as men listen when facts of the highest moment are laid before them, bearing immediately upon their most important interests, attracted by the affectionate earnestness of his address and demeanour, and drinking in the novel and extraordinary truths he was uttering, as the thirsty ground drinks in the showers at the first fall of the latter rain. But their attention was now for a time diverted. As they drew near the city, the cause of their sudden concern was explained, by the appearance of a weeping crowd of mourners trailing forth through its gate. They were following the mortal remains of a young man to its ultimate rest," he was the only son of his mother-and she-she-a widow." He was her first-born-the light of her eyes-the joy of her soul-and the stay and comfort of her advanced age. All the desires and fervent longings of her widowed heart were bound up in him-her dear, dear son. All a mother's fond and unalienable affection was concentrated, and poured in profusion on his head, with all the extravagance of a mother's love. The sound of his light step on the threshhold would chase away the gloomiest thoughts ; the music of his voice was the sweetest music she ever wished to hear. And, when at times, as gazing in his face, he would, with tender respect, take his kind parent's hand, and kissing it, place it on his head, and entreat her blessing-the fountain of her

whole heart was moved-tears of exquisite delight would gush out, and a song of praise burst from her lips," Ben-gaddi, the son of my happiness art thou, my child! Bless the Lord, O my soul, my cup runneth over; surely goodness and mercy follow me all my days." But the angel of death had been commissioned, and her life was desolate. "Look away from me-look away from me-I will weep bitterly-labour not to comfort me. My child, the son of my old age is gone from me-and he is not! Is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow! I am her that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath: he hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for his arrows; he hath removed my soul far off from peace!" There were many sincere mourners in the City of Pleasantness when the painful dispensation was made known. "How is the strong shaft broken," said they," and the beautiful rod! What shall we take to witness for thee? What shall we liken to thee, O daughter of Israel! What shall we equal to thee, that we may comfort thee, O daughter of Zion! for thy breach is great indeed, like the sea; who can heal thee?"

And now, as the sad procession came neargroaning and smiting their breasts, their garments rent, their heads shrouded in their mantles-might be heard the wild interrogatory strains of the 'dirge funereal,' as chaunted responsively or in chorus, by the professional mourners, "lamenters skilful in lamentation." And ever and anon the languid and monotonous notes of the pipe, now low and trembling, now shrill and shrieking, proclaimed that the sun of youth, in all its beauty and brightness, had gone down at noon. But most affecting was it to