as mere soulless machines, contrived for your benefit, which have no sensitiveness, and can bear any amount of hard usage and indifference. Be patient with their failings, their infirmities, their shortcomings. Is it not often true that we demand a more thorough performance of duty from our servants than from ourselves, and that we blame them for faults occasionally committed, that we are ourselves habitually guilty of? For instance, I have known one whose besetting sin it was to forget, all the day through, things that ought to be remembered, bring tears to the eyes of a sensitive girl, in waiting at dinner, by a stern reproof administered because, when he came to it later than the rest of the family, she forgot to put a hot plate before him. If there were a being in the world so free from infirmity, so secure against any shortcoming in duty, that his conduct never called for the exercise of patience and forbearance on the part of others, such an one perhaps would have a right to demand a perfect performance of it to himself from all connected with him; but he would be the last to do so, and would be far more tolerant of human infirmity wherever found, than those who are all the time exhibiting it in their own persons.

Much that is trying in servants often proceeds from mere narrow-mindedness; they can see only as those see who walk in a dark night with a lan

tern, which throws the light a short distance straight before them, so that they are quite blind to any thing bearing on their course that should induce them to alter it. In such cases you must condescend, if condescension it be, to reason with them, and endeavor to enlighten them.

Being generally children in knowledge, they should be treated, in some respects, as we treat children-much of whose wrong-doing comes from thoughtlessness, and confused indefinite perceptions of right and wrong. We make allowance

for the sick, the lame, and the blind, forbearing to require from them that for which their peculiar condition unfits them. We should make equal allowance for moral and intellectual infirmities, and, therefore, not expect a proper use of reason in one who has never been led to use her reasoning powers-habitual self-control in one never trained in the proper government of her temper-nor broad and comprehensive views of duty in those who are necessarily narrow-minded through a want of that enlargement, which can come only from education. I had in my service many years an excellent woman, so perfectly faithful and reliable, so unfailing in her routine of duties, that she perpetually reminded me of the following stanza in a hymn which I learned when I was a little child :

"So, like the sun, would I fulfil

The business of the day,
Begin my work betimes, and still

March on my heavenly way."

Yet her extreme narrowness of mind showing itself in a great jealousy of the slightest addition to her regular work, as well as in other ways, abated considerably, not from her value, but from my enjoyment of her. It really prevented the proper expansion of her heart, which was a very good heart. She had a peevish disposition, and although habitually her manners were very respectful, this peevishness occasionally, though rarely, would be indulged to impertinence.

On such occasions it was my habit to wait until she had returned to better temper, sometimes until the following day, and then set the matter quietly before her in its true light, as thus:

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Bridget how could you speak to me in that way ?"

"Oh, it is just my way sometimes, Mrs. S."

"But it should not be your way; you know I am never otherwise than courteous and considerate in my manners to you; and, besides, your own selfrespect should prevent your ever speaking thus to any one."

"Well, ma'am, I'm very sorry

Meanwhile, her eyes would fill with tears, and many months would pass without any repetition of the same offence.

Such a course of treatment is almost sure to bring back an offender to a right state of feeling, and yet I know that it is not unfrequently thought

right and best, even by conscientious women, to dismiss a servant abruptly, who offends in so serious a manner. One clause of the Lord's Prayer always occurs to me, when such occasions of duty arise, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." If our Heavenly Father were to deal with us summarily, what disaster and destruction would come upon us! Sometimes occasions occur when apology is due from the mistress. Is it ever made? Yes, I knew one instance, which I have never forgotten. A relative of mine, a woman of excellent and truly religious character, had also some infirmities of temper. One day she administered a harsh, severe reproof to her cook, a member, I think, of the same church as herself, which, as she afterwards discovered or remembered, was quite undeserved. The next day she confessed her fault, and asked forgiveness. The good servant's eyes filled with tears as she said: "This makes me think of what my minister told us, that in Heaven there will be no ladies and gentlemen, but all will be brethren !"

A harsh, abrupt, unkind treatment of servants is often the result of bad temper on the part of the employers, unchecked by Christian principle; and sometimes, strange and painful to say, it is deliberately adopted and practised, chiefly, however, by the vulgar rich, denominated "parvenues," under the idea that it is a mark and badge of high

estate, whereas, it belongs to pure, unmitigated snobbishness. No person of real refinement, will indulge in coarseness of any sort. sort. She will be deterred by self-respect, if not by consideration to others.

Servants, and the class to which they belong, have often nice discrimination in character and manners. They distinguish between what is false, and what is genuine-what is real, and what pretended-what is vulgar, and what refined. In order that they may render you faithful and willing service, you must secure, first of all, their respect, by your character and their affection, by kind and friendly treatment. You must manifest, in your dealings with them, the justice, the truth, the good temper, the fidelity to principle, which you wish them to practice towards you; and show yourselves as much devoted to their interests, as you wish they should be to yours. When, in spite of all your efforts, they are wayward or unfaithful, bear with them as patiently as possible, remembering the condition on which we are permitted to ask forgiveness of God for our transgressions, and remembering, too, how much better we ought to be than they, on account of our greater advantages.

Every house has its atmosphere, favorable or unfavorable to the growth of the "fruits of the spirit," love, joy, peace, etc., and the same is true of each member of the family-and it is the resort