orbed in the intellect.

There remains one more view of the fireside, and that is the moral,
spiritual, religious one. This I believe to be the grand figure on the
canvass of domestic life. Every other should be subservient to this. It
should stand forth with a commanding interest, and address us in a tone
of authority. Our home may be welcome for the conveniences and comforts
it affords. We may take a just pride in its external aspect. Our hearts
are allowed to fix some of their affections on its objects. It is right
that the young should seek earnestly the means of intellectual culture
at the hands of parental care. But these are all "lesser lights." They
can only borrow and reflect. There must be in the highest heaven a
"greater light," even the Sun of Righteousness, or life sinks beneath a
darkness that may be felt.

The Scriptures assign this rank to the moral bearings of home. The
patriarchs exhibited their fairest virtues in the private relations of
life. Judaism was penetrated with a domestic spirit. The age of the wise
man could furnish qualities, of which, in the book of Proverbs, we have
an illustrious picture, in the character of a perfect matron and wife.
Sarah, Rebecca, Ruth, Hannah, where was the scene of their glory? In
home. Equally does the New Testament exalt the spiritual influence of
the domestic relation. Who was the immortal Mary? The mother of Jesus.
What gave Martha and the other Mary their renown in the gospel? They
were sisters of Lazarus, and partly from their fidelity as such, were
loved by their Master. She who cast the two mites into the treasury,
among the rich the richest, was the more commended because a poor widow.
Lydia, not only gave herself, by the baptismal seal, unto God, but
honored the cause in her household. Thus does home blend its waters with
the river of life. Fidelity to its trusts is an inseparable ingredient
in the cup of salvation.

Therefore would I conjure the youthful female to value her domestic
bonds as a means of moral culture, and never, under sunny skies, or
beneath clouds that lower, to lose sight of this use of them. She should
carry into the detail of her daily walk religious principle. Not the
slightest act should she perform, which is at war with her spiritual
culture. Love, duty, trust, these may enter into the very soul of her
being. Let her place them before her, and pursue them steadily, and she
shall become the "corner-stone" of her family, "polished"