against smoking? If the number of pipes, and the quantity of tobacco, consumed throughout the year were fairly estimated, many little comforts might be procured for the benefit of the family, and much improvement in the domestic circle insured. No sooner is the frugal repast completed, than the labourer takes his pipe in sullen silence, solacing himself in its false delights until the hour of work calls him from his thoughtless reverie-most frequently he visits an adjacent tavern on his way, to allay a thirst he had himself induced-perhaps there he meets a companion on the same errand, who easily succeeds in tempting him to join in a second or a third glass-and probably appoints a rendezvous in the evening to resume their profitless carousal. How much better might these spare moments be employed in giving a helping hand to his industrious wife, or in imparting valuable instruction to his children.

Those, too, who are removed above the vulgar handler of the pipe, and glory in the luxurious extravagance of Havannah's best cigars, have they ever seriously calculated how much of their substance is wasted in this ensnaring habit, and in the profuse supply of perfumes required for its concealment? How many of the sick and needy might be relieved, were self-denial exercised here.

2. Yet these considerations may fail to influence the philanthropic moralist-he may still find some argument in favour of what he loves too well to relinquish, and enforce it with all the eloquence of determined perseverance in the self-gratification, heedless of the effects produced by his example on those less capable of resisting the usual consequences resulting from it. But that a follower of the self

denying Saviour-the inculcator of the doctrines of Him who left us an example to follow His steps-the preacher of that cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world should be crucified to him, and he unto the world—that such a one, represented as a city set on a hill, should countenance, or participate in this conformity with a world he has solemnly renounced, is an inconsistency I know not how to reconcile with the high standard of holiness set before him! What saith the scripture: "He that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." 1 Cor. ix. 25. "I keep under my body and bring it into subjection." 1 Cor. ix. 27. Is it being temperate in all things to continue a practice, an increasing desire for which is promoted by its very exercise? Is it bringing the body into subjection, to retain one beloved habit which cannot be sacrificed? Instead of keeping the body under, does not such an indulgence prove that the carnal part triumphs? And, alas! how sovereignly does it not triumph in many instances, making a god of infirmity! Were the depths of the heart's deceitfulness faithfully examined by the light of the Holy Spirit, it would, I think, be confessed, by some who pursue the practice of smoking, that under circumstances of sorrow, disappointment, or vexation, they are often tempted to seek consolation in the narcotic influence of the cigar, comforting themselves in a fancied submission to what cannot be avoided, instead of going to Him who has promised to give rest to them that labour and are heavy laden, if they will but come unto him.

But even allowing that smoking could be temperately and lawfully exercised by the individual Christian, still if there exist the slightest apprehen

sion that evil may result from the tacit permission thus afforded to those who move within the sphere of his example, as thereby encouraging this incentive to temptation, there must not be a moment's hesitation; the right eye must be plucked out, and the right hand must be cut off. Moreover," It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." Rom. xiv. 21.

If, then, there be any truth in the view I have taken of the subject, surely the Christian ladies of our land will unite in exerting their best, their persevering influence for the subjugation of this dangerous habit. Wives will affectionately represent to their husbands the train of evil connected with it, and urge the responsibility of their position as fathers and masters of families, on whose example so many eyes are turned, intent to imitate rather the errors than the virtues of their guides. Sisters will gently persuade their brothers to resist the tide of fashion, and to make a bold stand against conformity with this ensnaring practice. Whilst those espeIcially who have learned the fulness of that true freedom, which only exists where the Spirit of the Lord is, will conscientiously deprecate, and faithfully shun, every appearance of slavery to the gratification of the flesh.

66

They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Gal. v. 24.

E. L.

[We are reminded by the foregoing paper, in the main topic of which we fully concur, that it was taken for granted by some correspondent, a while

us.

ago, that we were friendly to the principle of Temperance Societies, because a communication eulogizing them was inserted without a comment from Not wishing to engage in any discussion, we are still constrained to acknowledge that our views are not favourable to the plan of those societies. We apprehend it to have been, in too many instances, a fruitful source of self-righteous deception to the unconverted sinner. We fear that the new piece stitched on the old rotten garment of a carnal mind, tends to make the rent worse, in the sight of Him who trieth the hearts. We detect somewhat of a false gospel, in this method of throwing men on the strength of their own will. He from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed, is not recognized as the alone source of that power by which a clean thing may be brought out of an unclean. The man is fettered by a point of honour; his pride is enlisted against his intemperance-one devil engaged to cast out another. The end is unquestionably good; but whether the means employed are according to the spirit of the gospel, is a point that remains to be settled.-ED.]

ADDRESS TO MOTHERS.

HAVING long contemplated, and secretly lamented the evil complained of in a letter from A Matron,' in the Christian Lady's Magazine, of January last, I am anxious to contribute my aid, however small, towards the eradicating of an evil which is the cause of so much misery to multitudes of my fellowcreatures; and which, with all the advances that are daily making in education, does not appear to diminish in the least. Surely this ought not to be so; and if education were effectual it would not be. But it is not my intention to enter into a discussion upon systems and methods, &c.: every Christian mother must desire at least a Christian education for her child; and I am anxious to call attention to that point, the defectiveness of which is one great source of so much mischief, and which, let me not be thought harsh in saying so, rests principally with mothers themselves. Often, very often whilst I blame, do I pity from my very heart mothers, whom I behold suffering from evils they ought to have prevented, and lamenting in their children failings which their own exertion alone might have corrected. I do not allude to mothers who, either from indolence or incapacity, neglect their children; but I am speaking of careful mothers, who, anxious to fulfil aright the duties of their office, have, during early years, bestowed upon their daughters every advantage, and have seen them pass with much propriety through the nursery and the school-room. It