company
them, thus overcoming that sensitive dread of misery in its various
forms, so common to the young. They would thus be laying up for them a
good foundation against the time to come--training them in the way they
should go--guiding their feet into the imitation of that blessed One
whom they hope soon to see them following. Of how many delightful hours
have parents deprived their children, who have never taught them, by
precept and example, the luxury of doing good! How many gracious
promises in God's blessed word are yet sealed to them--promises for
time and for eternity! Mothers, awake! to know more of Jesus, of his
life, his example, and of the high and holy inducements which he holds
out to you in his word, to be conformed to his image.

* * * * *

Original.

LUX IN TENEBRAS; OR A CHAPTER OF HEART HISTORY.

BY GEORGIANA M. SYKES.

It was a beautiful winter-morning. The new fallen snow lay light and
fleecy about the porch and on the evergreens before the door, and
cushioned and covered all the thousand minute branches of the trees till
they stood forth as if traced in silver on the deep blue of the sky. A
sparkling, dazzling scene it was, which lay spread out before the
windows of that comfortable family parlor, where the morning sunshine
and the blazing wood-fire on the hearth seemed to feel a generous
rivalry as to which should be most inspiriting.

There were children in the room, a merry group of all sizes, from the
boy of ten years old to the little one whose first uncertain footsteps
were coaxed forth by a lure, and cheered onward like a triumphal
progress by admiring brothers and sisters. It was the morning of
New-Year's day, which had always been held as a high festival in the
family, as it is in many families of New England, all the merriment and
festal observance elsewhere bestowed upon Christmas having been
transferred by Puritan preferences to this holiday.

It was just the weather for a holiday--brisk and bracing. Sleigh-bells
were jingling merrily, as the deep drifts of the road having been
overcome, one after another of the families of the neighborhood had
commenced their round, bearing baskets filled with gifts and pleasant
tokens of remembrance, with the customary wishes and salutations of the
day.

The young mother sat in the group of happy children, but she did not
smile on them. Her hand rested fondly on one little head and another, as
they presse