bad to worse. They sigh for the "golden age " of the fathers as far surpassing in purity and promise these "latter days." "There is nothing new under the sun," they seem literally to believe. They pride themselves in fierce denunciations of "new things," as if the earlier ages had exhausted the Eternal's store-house of wisdom and knowledge. But we believe in a Law of Progress, that the world is better now than it was in the beginning, and will be better in the end than it is now. No other doctrine receives the sauction of Divine Truth. No other awakens a response in the true Christian heart. It requires no ingenious argument to prove to the student of Providence, that

"There is a good time coming."

His expectant heart is anxious for its promised advent. And yet the present will mould the future. For thus it has been in past days. One generation has sent its mighty influence down to determine the character of the next. The machinery of the social compact is now propelled by a current of mental and moral power, whose accumulated might outstrips that of former ages, because it has been fed along the shores of time by the countless tributaries of eras which have fled. Each age has transmitted to us some special agency of power. One has sent down the art of printing; another the invention of the compass; and another the discovery of the steam-power, and its application to the necessary purposes of life. And thus on through unnumbered agencies, which enable us to wield such a powerful influence over the destinies of the world. And thus, from the present age, must descend a legacy to "generations yet unborn." As our blessings exceed those of former periods, we ought to leave a richer inheritance to the unrevealed, mysterious future. Certain it is, that elements for weal or woe principles to bless or curse will issue from the present, to control, in some degree, the coming eras.

But, in order to comprehend the object of this essay, we need to regard more particularly the leading CHARACTERISTICS

of the age. He, alone, can achieve much for the good of his race, who studiously watches the tide of human affairs. The close observer of Providence, only, perceives there is "a time to every purpose," and accordingly avails himself of present advantages to secure future ends. Mark, then, some of the leading CHARACTERISTICS of the age.

ment.

Progress is the universal watchword. In civil, literary, and religious institutions, there is unwonted effort at improveOld forms of government are becoming powerless. Their unfitness to advance a people in the scale of civilization is deeply felt. Old systems of education are fast falling into disuse, and new ones are adopted. The schoolmaster is already abroad with his new facilities and improvements to instruct, and "the common people hear him gladly." In short, the multiplied and startling discoveries and inventions. of the age, both in art and science, indicate the rapid progress of the race.

Disorder reigns. Few nations are free from internal conflict. Divisions and party factions roll billows of passion. Great questions are agitating the political world. Not only the influential and the learned in the seats of authority, but the masses of the "common people " participate in the wonderful movements.

Confidence in political organization is shaken. Multitudes feel, that the needful elements, and men of integrity are wanting. Hence, the efforts at reörganization in the "body politic," and the loud clamor for change.

Reform is demanded. War is unpopular. The cannon and musket are regarded as needless to settle national disputes. The friends and the foes of intemperance are arrayed for fierce encounter. And with all is mingled an element of spurious reform. The sacred ordinance of marriage is attacked as a human device. And that day of days, the blessed Sabbath the harbinger of brightest hopes and sweetest joys is voted down in conventions, as once it was in wretched, infidel France.

Temptations, various and alluring, throng the fleeting

hours. The agencies of moral ruin are numerous. Vice has more martyrs than virtue. On the right hand and on the left, the high and low, the rich and poor, the learned and unlearned fall; and virtue sighs over the vast destruction. Benevolence invites to an ample field. The Gospel now may ride in triumph over the world's wide domain. Nations, long hostile to its spreading power, unbar their gates and hail its coming. Perishing millions lift up their voices for the heavenly boon, they invite, they implore, they plead. The church might build her altars on Northern bluffs, and gather her chosen bands on Southern plains; plant her banner on the Eastern hills, and burn her purest incense in the Western valley. God bids her rise in the strength of "truth divine," and take the heathen for her inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for her possession.

With such a view of the present, we cannot fail to anticipate a future of surpassing interest. The most startling scenes of Providence are probably yet to be. The most thrilling history of human life is yet unwritten. The mightiest overturnings in the sweeping march of truth are yet to burst upon our view. For such a crisis, men of peculiar wisdom and power, of grasping talent and burning patriotism are needed. God's "set time" for the training of such a band has come. Whence shall they be gathered? Whither shall we look for men efficient for such a crisis? To whom shall we appeal ?

Our statesmen, our ministers of justice and religion, and the instructors of our youth, may accomplish much, but the MOTHERS of our land may achieve yet more. To them we appeal. In a critical period of the French history, Napoleon Bonaparte said to Madame Campan, "The old systems of education are worth nothing. What is wanted for the proper training of young persons in France?" With emphasis, she replied, "MOTHERS!" The thought was original and forcible to the Emperor, and he said, "Behold, then, an entire system of education! You must make Mothers that know how to train their children." Not less earnest is the appeal

of the present era to Mothers. With characteristic conciseness we might reply to the inquiry, What most is needed in the present crisis of human history? MOTHERS! We need good men to plan, to counsel, to execute. And one has said with truth, "Good professors can make good scholars, but good mothers alone can make good men."

Mothers! Be not surprised, that in this intensely interesting age of the world, our appeal is to you. True, such an appeal may awaken in your hearts a sense of fearful responsibility, but it also inspires with the thought of blessings to the race, and reward in the skies. When we reflect, that in our favored land there are THREE MILLIONS OF MOTHERS, having under their charge, beside their older children, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND INFANTS, whose tender minds are to be moulded by a mother's plastic hand and quenchless love; and when we consider, that from this band of infants are to come our future judges, senators, statesmen, ministers and rulers, and that in almost every instance, "the boy is father of the man," we cannot suppress the feeling, that the present is

THE ERA FOR MOTHERS.

Not from the imposing Capitol of these confederated States are to emanate the influences which will decide our future national destiny. The Mother is now nursing at her breast the gigantic spirit which will hold the reins of future government, and control the elements of political faction in that stormier period when the battle with "a nation's crying sins waxes hotter and hotter. O ye mothers at the cradle of helpless infancy! Could ye lift the veil and look in upon the scenes of the momentous future, and get one comprehensive view of the responsibilities your boy may sustain in its unwritten history, your soul would be fired with a patriotism which would lay the child upon the altar of his country, and a Christian devotion that would make him an offering on the altar of his God. Yes; to yourselves. God has committed, in a measure, the destiny of the world. Around that cradle cluster the hopes and fears of an anxious nation.