s of life. And it is one as pure as it is primitive,
giving scope for unalterable attachment, and deep joys, for kind offices
and sincere virtue.

But let it not be imagined that all these fruits spring from the soil
spontaneously. Not of necessity is a sister happy in this relation; and
the reason is apparent. She is not coerced into sympathy, and
self-sacrifice, and devotedness to her brothers, and without these
qualities no outward connection brings peace and pleasure to the heart.
It must be her study to devise means, frame plans,--and to execute them
faithfully,--of promoting their good. Far will it be from accomplishing
this most desirable end, to make protestations of her love, when
prompted by impulse. Her actions must be the still, small voice that
conveys the rich tones of her heart. If she refuse to enter into the
schemes and prospects of a brother, and to render him those minute
services, which both indicate affection and prompt to it, she will
regard this relation as a dull thing. It may be but a source of
alienated feelings, of vexation and strife.

Especially must the sister guard well the avenues to moral danger, which
beset her brothers. Let her strive to make home attractive in their
sight. Is she competent in music, she has here a means of ever-new
interest, and of affording that variety of recreation for which the
young man thirsts. By pleasant conversation, and by reading occasionally
a volume to a brother, she may bind him to the fireside. Does he desire
to pass the evening abroad? Better join him, even at some cost of
personal ease, or of taste, than leave him exposed to seek places of
equivocal character. Be his confidant, his adviser, constant in
demonstrations of kindness. Perhaps he is aiding your progress in the
walks of intellect. How can you so well requite his care, as by a steady
emanation of moral and spiritual light? A sister's love is often an
amulet to the subsequent character of a circle of brothers. She whispers
to them, when on the brink of temptation. Her form is ever present.
Their thoughts wander often to their childhood's home, and in secret
self-communion the sentiment re-visits the heart,

"For I, methinks, till I grow old
As fair before me shall behold,
As I do now, the cottage small,
The lake, the wood, the waterfall;
And thee, the Spirit of them all."

The services of a sister are peculiarly to be appreciated by the other
sisters. If they comprehe