train up her children, we should soon feel its beneficial effects, not
only in private life, but in society. It would produce Davids, Edwards
and Dwights to adorn our pulpits and colleges, Washingtons, Madisons
and Jays to fill our military and civil offices and Brainards, Eliots
and Mayhews to disseminate knowledge and religion among the heathen. A
faithful mother not only points out the road to virtue, but arduously
guards her offspring against the dangers of dissipation in all its
various forms. The theatre, the gaming table, and the midnight revel,
would not open the gates of the bottomless abyss, to so many of our
deluded youth, had their mothers with agonizing eloquence warned them
to shun those dangerous inlets to the infernal regions, when as yet
the world had not cast its iron chains around their hearts, while
their minds were in a degree pure and spotless, and their bosoms
glowed with love to her who bore them. It is not enough to plant moral
principles in the heart and to warn the young against the baleful
effects of dissipation—the syren tongue of pleasure will often lure
the youth of lively temper from the paths of virtue, unless pleasing
entertainments are found at home to relax the mind. Women who have the
arrangement of domestic amusements should seek to procure such as are
innocent and improving not only to induce their children, but their
husbands and brothers, to delight more in the domestic circle than in
the most elegant public entertainment. And would mothers, wives and
sisters exert their talents as much to please their own family as they
do to entertain strangers, we shall see fewer husbands, sons and
brothers resorting to public places for amusement. I cannot elucidate
this theory better than by giving you the history of one of my
earliest friends. Mrs. B—— possessed a superior understanding which
had received the highest improvement that a solid and polished
education could bestow. These advantages were rendered more pleasing
by the charms which pure and ardent piety cast around her sincere....
Her husband was so much engaged in public business he seldom found
leisure to assist in the arduous task of training up their three sons
to usefulness. Mrs. B. early discovered that her sons possessed
uncommon eagerness of spirit, and would be easily led astray by the
arts of the designing and flattering multitude, who swarm around young
men of high rank and large fortunes. She therefore devoted her time
and talents and all the power of her mind to guard them against the
dangers which surrounded their path. While infants in the mother’s
arms she began to form their tempers and check their too glowing
sensibility by teaching them to bear and forbear with each other’s
petulance and to submit with patience when any disappointment
occurred. I remember finding her one morning with books, pictures and
children’s toys scattered around her; she made an apology for the
litter in her parlor, saying as it was a holy day, she felt it her
highest duty to entertain her children, lest they should desire to
resort to the common among their school companions, where they might
acquire habits that the exertions of maternal influence would never
correct. I endeavor, therefore, she added, to select their associates
and devote my time to enliven their amusements, that their home may be
the happiest place on earth to them, and truly I never beheld a
happier group of youthful faces than at that instant entered the room,
from a short run they had taken in the garden, each one begging Mrs.
B. to come and walk with them, and teach them the names and history of
the flowers and birds as she promised them. When the sons of Mrs. B.
had reached that period of life when childish amusement becomes
insipid, and as young men they wished for higher entertainment, she
invited an orphan niece to reside with her, whose amiable manners and
polite accomplishments, assisted to enliven the family circle. Musick,
painting and the most sprightly and interesting conversation gave a
zest to each hour not devoted to study. Mrs. B. gave frequent
entertainments to prevent her high spirited sons from resorting to
public places for amusement. The charms of intellectual conversation
were never more fully displayed than in Mrs. B.’s parties. Men of the
most enlightened minds and most shining talents thought themselves
honored to be admitted as her guests. And none received that favor but
those who possessed unblemished morals. She was particularly careful
to select as companions for her sons young gentlemen and ladies who
were more distinguished for talents and virtue than for rank or
wealth. By these means she formed the taste and matured the judgment
of her sons and preserved them from the dangerous allurements of the
gay and dissipated circles they would otherwise have entered and which
would undoubtedly have proved their ruin.
Her prayers and her exertions have been fully answered for their
spiritual as well as their temporal interest. They are now active
promoters of religion both at home and in foreign countries, united to
intelligent and pious wives and displaying those manly virtues which
justly entitles them to rank among our most distinguished citizens.
Nor was the bright example of Mrs. B. lost on her husband, who in
early life had imbibed infidel principles. She was greatly afflicted
when she found the husband whom she so tenderly loved, was not only
indifferent to religion but a disbeliever in Divine revelation; his
respect for his wife’s weakness (as he thought it) prevented him from
expressing his contempt of religion in her presence, but she easily
perceived his sentiments were perverted, and strove by her conduct to
prove what influence it produced on the heart and temper. She never
obtruded her principles upon him, or reverted to his want of faith.
But in a severe affliction which befell them, he saw and admired the
fortitude which sustained his pious wife, while he felt only the
repinings of discontent. This led him to wish that there was another
and happier state where he should again meet his beloved and only and
uncommonly lovely daughter, who had been snatched from them at the
interesting age of four, when the infantile prattle is most dear to a
parent’s heart. Mrs. B. seized upon these moments of affliction and by
her mild and forcible arguments prevailed on her husband to read the
Scriptures and attend public worship. When he read or heard any
doctrine advanced which he disbelieved or perverted, her lucid and
simple explanations accompanied with the tenderest expressions of
affection, convinced him of his error and removed his doubts. Her
prayers in the meantime ascended hourly to heaven for his conversion
and were heard by Him who has promised that the prayer of faith shall
never be offered in vain. Mr. B. had sought for happiness from wealth,
from the approbation of the world; his political and military talents
raised him to the highest summit which ambition desired, but he found
the temple of happiness was not there, and he sought it before age had
palsied his feelings in the bosom of his family, in communion with his
Redeemer and in employing his great abilities for the extension of
knowledge and truth. Mrs. B.’s example and instructions were blessed
to all who were so fortunate as to reside long in her family. Her
domestics were patterns of honesty, industry and piety. But she did
not confine her exertions to her own family,—the poor looked to her as
their protector, her alms were always accompanied with suitable
admonitions and many hardened sinners have been brought through her
influence to humble themselves at the foot of the cross. She engaged
with ardor in all the benevolent societies of this day of enterprise.
Like Mr. Frey she visited the abodes of infamy and guilt, on her
tongue dwelt the words of persuasion and kindness, and many outcasts
of society were brought by her means to abandon the paths of iniquity
and return to the abodes of virtue and blessed the day which led Mrs.
B. to visit their wretched cells. Age has now silvered her head and
destroyed the bloom of her cheek, but the virtues of her heart and the
exalted intelligence of her mind have stamped a loveliness upon her
countenance which the withering hand of Time cannot destroy, and
though seventy years have shaded the charms of youth, she is a more
interesting object to her husband and friends than she was at the
fascinating age of seventeen.
(E.) You have in the history of Mrs. B. shown us how a married woman
possessed of wealth and intelligence may exert influence, but what can
be done by the young and inexperienced.
(MISS T.) Young women have the power of extending the knowledge of
religion by aiding the charitable institutions established for
preaching the Gospel, those who are rich by their contributions and
influence. We have not many women who like Lady Huntington devote
_all_ their income to that noble end, but I am happy to know a number,
who though they do not leave themselves destitute of a change of
apparel (as Lady Huntington often did) yet clothe themselves in the
most simple attire that they may bestow what others expend in jewels
and fashionable dress, in promoting the cause of their Redeemer.
Miss Julia T—— receives a moderate allowance from her father, who is a
man of the world and wishes to see his daughter dress in the most
fashionable style. Julia conforms to his wishes so far as to appear
neat and elegant in her attire, but at the same time practices such
strict economy as enables her to bestow a great part of her little
income in charity. Her expensive dresses are never worn except to
please her father, or when ceremony requires a splendid attire. She
can with truth apply the words of Queen Esther to her own feelings:
“Thou knowest O Lord that I abhor these signs of my high estate,” and
Julia not having any family to employ her time devotes all her
activity in promoting the cause of Christ. She not only contributes
largely herself, but influences others to support the Gospel, not only
in their own city and country, but in evangelizing the heathen. Her
hands are daily employed in making garments for the poor, or for the
benefit of education and missionary societies. The sick, the
afflicted....
[A fragment.]
A free government like ours can only be supported by the virtue of its
citizens. The ancient governments were destroyed by the vices of their
subjects. Greece and Rome ceased to rule the world when their citizens
became corrupted by luxury and sloth. It is indispensable to the
existence of a republic to be moral and religious. Who then can
calculate the beneficial effects resulting from the early habits of
piety and morality planted by maternal wisdom upon the rising
generation. And may we not hope that the daughters of America will
imitate the example of the Spartan and Roman matrons in the day of
their glory, who taught their children to love their country beyond
every earthly object, even their own lives. Then shall we find many a
Pederatio (?) who will rejoice that there are three hundred citizens
more worthy to fill a part of honor than himself. May we not hope that
by cultivating the solid rather than the ornamental branches of
education, our young women will emulate their sisters in Europe in
moral and intellectual acquirements, that on this side of the Atlantic
Hannah Mores and Mrs. Sherwoods will arise to instruct and enlighten
the world and justly merit the high enconium pronounced by Gov.
Metcalf of Kentucky. “It is true that woman....
[A fragment.]
Among the poor and middling classes of society a dangerous ambition is
excited which every lover of their country and religion should
endeavor to suppress. Many of the wives and daughters of our mechanics
and day laborers expend all their earnings in dress and furniture, and
thus deprive themselves of the pleasure of contributing to the
extension of Christianity. Those who have professed themselves to be
the followers of Christ should remember, that when they took the vows
of God upon them, they engaged to devote their time and talents to his
cause, and the small sum bestowed by the poor will meet as great a
reward as the large donations of the rich, and it will be said to the
daily laborer who spends all his earnings upon his own pleasure, as
well as to the rich, for as much as ye did it not to one of the least
of these my disciples, ye did it not to me. The greater part of the
funds raised in England for the extension of the Gospel are from the
poorer classes of society, and she who can prevail on these classes in
our community to contribute to this noble enterprise will aid much in
the extension of the Gospel.
VERSES TO MISS NANCY COLLINS WHO WAS ENGAGED TO BE
MARRIED THE FIRST SLEIGHING.
The inspiring snow storm whistled round,
And Nancy blushes at the sound,
For now pale Sol’s returning ray,
Proclaims how near the nuptial day,
Her bosom beats: she knows not why.
She starts to think the hour so nigh,
When she her plighted vows must pay,
And learn that fearful word, Obey,
The word is not so hard my dear
As our proud sex would make us fear.
When love and friendship tie the band,
Easy the chain, light the command.
Now see her hurrying round the room,
Come Betsy pray put up the broom
The hearth is clear enough I’m sure
Lewis will come in half an hour,
And then that sewing wont be done
There look the sleighs begin to run
I’ll send for Susan right away,
Last year she promised me a day
And Sally too engaged a day,
Norman shall bring them right away,
Now fancy wing thy airy flight,
To where Charles views with wild delight,
The falling snow more swift appear,
And in a bride suit deck the year,
Not half so sweet I hear him say
Is Spring when drest by bloom in May
Not half so sweet are evening showers
That raise the drooping sun-burnt flowers
As this drear storm; they cant impart
Such rapture to a lover’s heart.
Now you’ll see him hurrying down
His sleigh bells heard in every town
Windows are filled, heads at each square
Each wondering much what beau goes there,
Heaven bless you! and may you never know
The sting of sorrow, or the throb of woe
May no dark cloud your shining days o’ercast
But still each sun shine brighter than the last.
[A fragment.]
When tired with dansing I retir’d to rest
My drowsy eyes with wellcome sleep were blest
Me thought my soul had took _her_ last farewell
And now in Paradice had come to dwell
While wondering what kind angel brought me here
The sound of sweetest music reach’d my ear
Such at the Heavenly airs of Paradice
Play’d to departed souls, who freed from vice
Have safe arriv’d upon that blissful shore
Where happiness awaits them ever more
Ye heavenly powers who hear my prayer
Grant me the art to join this heavenly choir
Tis what I never could obtain below—
The music ceas’d and seem’d to answer No
Sighing I make’d the visions disappear
But pleas’d I found the heaven’ly music here
[Illustration:
PL. XXXIV.—JANE R. LEWIS
From pencil sketch
]
The young gentleman played on their flutes under the window of each
Lady after they had retired and this was the compliment Sarah paid
them
PARAPHRASE.[63]
Guide me oh Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim thro’ this barren land,
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me by thy powerful hand,
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
· · · · ·
Guide our troops oh great Jehovah,
Save this sinful war worn land,
We are weak, but thou art mighty,
Save us by thy powerful hand,
King of Heaven, King of Heaven,
Save us, and we ask no more.
Shield our fathers in the strife
Guard our brothers we implore,
Give them victory, freedom, life,
Drive out all foes, from this shore,
King of Heaven, King of Heaven,
Dry our tears, and hear our prayer.
THE MISSES LEWIS’ DIARY—EXTRACTS FROM COMMONPLACE BOOK. 1820.
JANE LEWIS—HER JOURNAL.
Continuation of Journal for the summer of 1820.
Sunday morning Mr. Beecher preached from Gen. 7th Chap. 1st & 5th,
“And the Lord said unto Noah, come thou, and all thy house into the
ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”
“And Noah did according unto all the Lord commanded.” In about 15
years God looked upon the earth, and saw there was great wickedness,
and he said “The heart of man is evil continually, every imagination
of man’s heart was evil” and he said “I will destroy man whom I have
created, from the face of the earth, both man & beast & the creeping
things & the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made
them” but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and he said unto
Noah, make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shall thou have made in
the ark & shall pitch it within & without with pitch.” As the ark
saved Noah, so will Christ save all who trust in him. Noah by faith
prepared him an ark to save him from destruction, so also may
Christians prepare the souls of their children from the bonds of
Satan, It has pleased God to prescribe duties to parents & it has also
pleased him to save those who believe on him. At the appointed time
when all needful preparations had been made Noah was directed to enter
with all his family: into the ark: because the Lord had “seen him
righteous before him in that generation” the apostle says that he
“became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, The same
principle which induced him to believe, on the testimony of God, &
contrary to all human probability, that the deluge would come at the
appointed season, led him also, on the same testimony, to expect the
day of judgement & perdition of ungodly men, this moved him to flee
from the wrath to come, as well as to prepare the ark; & as he
believed that, in the ark alone he could be safe during the
approaching deluge; so he doubtless believed the revelation of a
saviour, & sought & expected salvation through him alone. The duty of
God requires that he that exercises faith for his children shall be
saved, Noah exercises faith for not only his children but for all
mankind, he preached 120 years for their salvation but what effect did
it have “God has made provision in the covenant of grace for our
children. Before the deluge Noah’s family was the only one who could
say, I keep thy commandments. What relation should we exercise toward
our children. In order to bring our children to Christ we must first
come to him ourselves “God has mercy on whom he will have mercy” It is
necessary to bring them to a covenant with Christ. The piety of
parents is necessary to bring their children to a peace with God. When
children are in great danger parents who have no religion themselves
may feel interested for the welfare of their children, and when
parents die & have no heavenly comfort, they feel for them & repent if
their past life has not been spent to the salvation of their children.
[Illustration:
PL. XXXV.—BEAD BAG MADE BY JANE R. LEWIS, 1829
]
“What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world & lose his own
soul,” heavenly treasures are eternal, but earthly riches are but few
& transient. Happy they who are a part of Christs family, and safe
with him in the ark, they may look forward without dismay, & rejoice
in the assurance that they shall triumph when a deluge of fire shall
encircle the visible creation, but, unless we dare to be singular, &
renounce the favor and venture the scorn & hatred of the world unless
we be willing to submit to self-denial & diligence, we can find no
admission into this ark
Sunday afternoon Mr. Beecher preached from Hosea 10th. 1st, “Isreal is
an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself” Isreal has often
been compared to a vine, but the nation was become an empty vine that
bringeth forth no fruit to perfection. They not only spent their
abundance on themselves but even their apparent good works sprang from
ostentation, or other selfish motives, & not from regard to the glory
& the will of God. We shall consider first that there is a difference
between love & selfishness. We exercise more love to ourselves than to
our neighbours & this is termed selfishness. 2nd. modification of
selfishness is to love to God. God loves his children if we keep his
commandments.
Sunday evening Mr. Brace read a sermon.
Monday we were examined in the third volume of Sacred History and
recited in Modern Europe.
Tuesday sums were given out.—
Wednesday morning recited in Logic and Modern Europe, afternoon I went
over to see Roxana Clark along with Maria C.
Thursday was parsing afternoon, no division beat as several had the
same.—
Friday was examination day.
Saturday Miss Pierce gave us some very good instruction.
Sunday morning Mr. Baldwin preached ... evening I attended conference,
Mr. Baldwin read a letter from Mr. Beecher concerning the revival at
New Haven & delivered an exhortation—
Monday to Saturday nothing particular happened. I attended school and
recited my usual lessons in Logic & Modern Europe—& attended to the
usual occupations of school, mornings & evening’s generally devoted to
study.
Saturday afternoon took a short ride.
Sunday morning I attended meeting heard Mr. Hooker preach—Evening
attended conference—The remainder of the week was spent the same as
usual.
Sunday morning Mr. Beecher preached—Evening Mr. Beecher gave an
account of the revival in New Haven.
Monday was examined in 3rd Vol—of Universal History
Tuesday forenoon recited in Logic & Modern Europe & wrote, afternoon
Mr. Brace gave out sums. I did not have the good luck like others of
my companions to get a sum done—evening took a short walk.
Wednesday was field-day—I had the great pleasure of seeing a Louisania
Parawra or Black Bear—
Thursday was parsing day Miss Rogers division beat—
Friday was examined in Modern Europe, Logic & the Coast.[64]
Saturday my name was called, I cared more for the lecture that I
expected than the miss for ciphering, but it was short, much more so
than I expected.—
Sunday morning Mr. Beecher preached.—evening attended conference.
Monday forenoon recited in Logic & Modern Europe afternoon was
examined in Third Volume of Universal History & spelt.
Thursday took the coast & recited in Logic & Modern Europe.
Wednesday was holiday evening Betsey & Elizabeth both went to walk
with me.
Thursday afternoon were called to parse, our division has beaten twice
this summer. evening Betsey & Elizabeth went with me up to Mr.
Brace’s. We spent the evening very pleasantly with Ann Jones &
Margaret Mix.
Friday morning took the coast & were examined in Modern Europe
afternoon examined in Logic & The Coast, the latter I did not miss in
evening was spent in writing journal & coast.
Saturday the credit marks were taken in & I had about an hundred for
writing etc.
Sunday. Mr. Beecher preached morning & afternoon. Sunday evening I
attended conference
Monday was examined in Chemistry missed three times afternoon in
Modern Europe did not miss.
Tuesday morning finished being examined in Modern Europe & was in
afternoon examined in Universal History.
Wednesday was examined in Universal History all day & missed
considerable.
Thursday was examined in lectures in Astronomy. Philosophy &c. by
having two weeks journal to copy I have missed the wrong weeks
journal, This week I have been attending school & preparing myself for
the general examination
[Illustration:
PL. XXXVI.—MARY ANN LEWIS
From pencil sketch
]
Sunday morning attended meeting. Mr. Beecher preached morning &
afternoon. Evening attended conference.
Monday was examined in Chemistry & Modern Europe.
Tuesday was examined in Modern Europe & Universal History.
Wednesday was examined in History.
Thursday in Paley, Philosophy & Logic
Friday in Philosophy, Arithmetic & Rhetoric.
Saturday in Grammar
Sunday Mr. Mills preached
JANE R. LEWIS—EXTRACTS FROM HER COMMONPLACE BOOK.
AN ADDRESS TO THE MOON.
Sweet Moon if like Cretona’s sage
By any spell my hand should dare
To make thy disk my ample page
And write my thoughts my wishes there
How many a friend whose careless eye
Now wanders o’er that starry sky
Would smile upon that orb to meet
The recollection fond and sweet
The reveries of fond regret
The promise never to forget
And all my heart and soul would send
To many a dear lov’d distant friend
ANN M. RICHARDS
NEW YORK
WRITTEN ON THE LATE QUEEN OF FRANCE BY BOUFFLE, ON
HER REQUESTING A SONG ON HER DEFECTS.