I. One of the most agreeable scenes we can ever survey upon earth, is a peaceful and happy family where friendship comes in to draw more closely the bonds of nature; where the individuals resemble the human body, and if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, and if one member be honoured, all the members rejoice; where every care is divided, every sorrow diminished, every joy redoubled, by discovery, by sympathy, by communion; where mutual confidence prevails, and advice, consolation, and succour are reciprocally given and received. To such a sight God himself calls our attention. Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Some things are good, but not pleasant; and some things are pleasant, but not good. Here both are combined; and the effect is fragrant as the sacred perfume, and reviving as the influences of Heaven. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the moun

tains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded
his blessing, even life forevermore.' Let us
establish the IMPORTANCE of domestic happi-
ness, by taking some particular views of its
connexions and influence.

And, First, We may consider it in reference
to our AVOCATIONS and CARES.
These are
numerous and diversified, and demand relaxa-
tion and relief. Who could endure perpetual
drudgery and fatigue? and what so refreshing,
so soothing, so satisfying, as the placid joys of
home!

See the traveller. Does duty call him for a
season to leave his beloved circle? The im-
age of his earthly happiness continues vividly
in his remembrance; it quickens him to dili-
gence; it cheers him under difficulties; it
makes him hail the hour which sees his pur-
pose accomplished, and his face turned towards
home; it communes with him as he journeys;
and he hears the promise which causes him to
hope, 'Thou shalt know also that thy taber-
nacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit
thy habitation, and not sin.'
re-union of a divided family;

Oh, the joyful

the pleasures of

renewed interview and conversation, after days of absence!

Behold the man of science. He drops the labour and painfulness of research, closes his volume, smooths his wrinkled brows, leaves his study, and unbending himself, stoops to the capacities, yields to the wishes, and mingles with the diversions of his children.

And

He will not blush that has a father's heart,
To take in childish play a childish part;
But bends his sturdy back to any toy

That youth takes pleasure in, to please his boy.'

Take the man of trade. him to the toil of business?

What reconciles
What enables

him to endure the fastidiousness and impertinence of customers? What rewards him for so many hours of tedious confinement? Byand-by, the season of intercourse will arrive; he will be embosomed in the caresses of his family; he will behold the desire of his eyes, and the children of his love, for whom he resigns his ease; and in their welfare and smiles he will find his recompense.

Yonder comes the labourer.

He has borne

the burden and heat of the day: the descend

ing sun has released him from his toil, and he is hastening home to enjoy repose. Half-way down the lane, by the side of which stands his cottage, his children run to meet him: one he carries, and one he leads. The companion of his humble life is ready to furnish him with his plain repast. See, his toil-worn countenance assumes an air of cheerfulness; his hardships are forgotten; fatigue vanishes; he eats, and is satisfied; the evening fair, he walks with uncovered head around his garden; enters again, and retires to rest and the rest of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much.' Inhabitant of this lonely, lowly dwelling, who can be indifferent to thy comfort! Peace be to this house.'

'Let not ambition mock thy useful toils.
Thy HOMELY joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor grandeur bear, with a disdainful smile,
The short and simple annals of the poor."

Secondly, We may consider this happiness in reference to the AFFLICTIONS OF Life. It looks like a general remedy, furnished by the kindness of Providence, to alleviate the troubles which, from various quarters, we unavoidably

feel while passing through this world of vanity and vexation of spirit. How many little sighing vacancies does it fill up! How many cloudy, nervous vapours does it chase from the mind! Whose frowns and gloom will not the mirth of a child dissipate? What corroding anxieties will not retire from the attentions of a virtuous wife! What a consolation is her

.

gentleness! Who has not experienced its healing, enlivening influence, in the day of sickness and in the hour of depression? Is your confidence frequently checked by the baseness and dissimulation of mankind? Here

your candor recovers, and you are reconciled to your fellow creatures again. Does the behaviour of too many with whom you have to do, cherish a dissatisfaction which sours life? Here a serenity, a sweetness, spreads over the mind, from the simplicity, openness, and kindness, with which you are surrounded. Are you repulsed by others? Here you are received with open and welcome arms. Does the storm rage without? Behold an asylum within. Here we realize an emblem of the Saviour it says to us, 'In the world ye shall