THE SERAPH SONG SURPASSED.

BY MISS MARY H. E. CHASE.

BESIDE a vine-clad cottage,

Sat a maiden fair and young;

And hill and vale resounded

With the song that maiden sung.
And as the simple chorus,

"I thank thee, Lord," rose high,
The zephyrs caught the echo,
And bore it to the sky.

Before the throne of glory,

A white-robed seraph sang;

And loud through heaven's portals,

His hallelujahs rang.

As he tuned his golden lyre,

In heavenly praise to God,

Each trembling one before the throne,

In adoration bowed.

But, while the mighty anthem

Loud swelled through heaven's abode,
A voice was heard low murmuring,
"I thank thee, O my God!"
Joy beamed in every angel's face,
Love every bosom thrilled,

As, blending with the seraph notes,
It heaven's vast concave filled.

And, when the heavenly raptured song

Had gently died away,

And silence hung upon the harp,

That scarce had ceased its lay,

That low, soft, child-like voice was heard,
Through all that bright abode,
Still floating from its world afar,
I thank thee, O my God!

The Eternal Father loved

The seraph song to hear;

But when that low, soft voice was heard,

He bent his listening ear,

And said: Dear, dear the song

Of this, my angel band;

But dearer is the hymn of praise,

That comes from yonder land.

HINTS TO YOUNG LADIES.

EDITORIAL.

We propose, first, to guard our young friends against some things which are injurious. Beware, then, of the slightest deviation from truth. When it is known that a young lady has once practised deception, her reputation for veracity is gone. Such was Johnson's habit of telling the truth, that even improbable things were believed, if he narrated them. When Aristotle was asked what one gained by uttering falsehoods, he replied, "not to be believed when he speaks the truth."

Loquacity is another trait which a young lady should avoid. "Great talkers are like broken pitchers, every thing runs out of them." If they utter any sense, it lies buried beneath a vast amount of nonsense. "Be swift to hear and slow to speak," is a wise maxim for a young lady; though we would not urge the cultivation of that cold reserve, which is so repulsive to our nature.

Beware of slander. It is a poisonous plant; and, unless checked in the bud, will become too deeply rooted to be removed. Baneful as its influence is, how it prevails even among young ladies! One sees another more beloved and respected than herself, and, instead of aspiring to that excellence which renders her so, she endeavors by detraction to bring her down to her own low standard. Look into that circle of young ladies! How much of their precious time is spent in setting forth the foibles of others! How many lovely characters have been shorn of a fair reputation, by the breath of slander! Let every young lady use her influence to stem this current of vice.

Beware of anger. Zoroaster was very easily put out of temper. He once broke a marble table to pieces, because he chanced to stumble over it in the dark. Are not some young ladies equally irrational? How easily they fall into a passion! A few words from a companion rouses their anger. Should

this spirit be cherished, all within your influence will be rendered unhappy; and rough, indeed, will be your own pathway through the journey of life.

Fretfulness is another undesirable trait. The effects of anger may be compared to the violent upheavings of a volcano; the effects of fretfulness to the ravages of a constant stream of lava. Our way through life will not be strewed with flowers. Many, very many hindrances and annoyances will overtake us. Will fretting be of any avail? It only increases the difficulty. How sadly does a fretful daughter fulfil her mission! What shadows does she spread over the declining years of her fond parents!

We would now direct your attention to some of the qualities requisite to the formation of a complete character.

Whatever your situation in life may be, you will find many things which require a spirit of forbearance. Your conduct may be censured when your intentions are good. But there is consolation "for those who have an approving conscience; they can enter that pavilion, and be comforted amid the strife of tongues."

Are you an object of slander? Cherish the spirit of the great Boerhaave, who said with regard to his enemies, "I will never repeat their calumnies. They are sparks, which, if not blown, will go out themselves."

Independence of character. This trait cannot be too highly recommended. It is not a disregard of the opinions of others; but it is that quality which leads us to form our opinions. deliberately and independently, and then to adhere to them firmly, till we have evidence that we are in the wrong. How pitiable is the condition of that person, who is dependent on others for his course of action! Such an one is destitute of that deep-rooted principle which enables him to rise above the storms of life.

Punctuality. Perhaps no habit is more prevalent than that of being dilatory; and yet its evil consequences are little realized. They are felt not only by individuals, but throughout society. It is said that George III. was never known to

be a minute behind any of his appointments. Lord Nelson acknowledged that he owed his success in life to being ready for every appointment a quarter of an hour beforehand. The importance of punctuality cannot be too fully appreciated. How many well meaning and well educated young ladies are faulty in this respect! Exert your influence to promote this desirable habit, and it will not be in vain.

Industry. How often do young ladies excuse themselves from duty by the plea, that they have no time! Let them have a portion of time allotted to every duty, and do every thing in its proper season, and they will accomplish much more. It was by the greatest industry, that Franklin acquired his fund of knowledge. A lady of high intellectual attainments says, "I read all the papers of the Spectator and Rambler while waiting breakfast for an unpunctual member of the family." "Industry is up with the sun; she awaketh at the crowing of the cock, and walketh abroad to taste the sweetness of the morning." Remember that it is industry, rather than genius, which is most often crowned with

success.

Cheerfulness. There are many ills to poison the fountains of human happiness, and we should seek to meet them with serenity and cheerfulness. "The habit of eliciting, from the discord of opposing circumstances, a song of praise, is of inestimable value." It is said of Klopstock, the German poet, that his mind was a perpetual spring, a never-failing succession of beauty and of fragrance. If the rose wounded him, he gathered the lily; if the lily died on his bosom, he cherished the myrtle.

In conclusion, we urge you, as a source of exalted pleasure as well as of great usefulness, to cherish the spirit of benevolence. Never was an instance known of regret for devotion to the happiness of others. The more this holy and delightful principle is exercised, the more are the desires increased, and the more are the susceptibilities for enjoyment enlarged. While the votaries of pleasure are wearing down under the exhaustion of abused nature, and the votaries of

LINES, SUGGESTED BY THE DEATH OF MRS. MARY SAWYER. 123

ambition are sighing over its thorny wreath, the benevolent spirit is exulting in the success of its plans in accomplishing good, and reaching forth to purer and more perfect bliss.

"I am well aware," says Miss Jane Taylor, "that, to conquer bad habits, to store my mind with useful knowledge, to cultivate a correct taste, to cherish amiable dispositions, and above all to choose my Heavenly Father to be the guide of my youth, and my portion forever, are the only objects worthy the ambition of an intelligent being."