In useful learning all your youth engage;
    From simple knowledge of your mother tongue,
  Proceed to figures; then, from stage to stage
    Pursue each science, though the way be long.

  By knowledge learn your ignorance to know,
    Nor dream you have the height of wisdom gained;
  No greater proof of ignorance below,
    Than loud to boast of what we have attained.

  Read useful books—­the Bible most prefer,
    In it your Maker’s will is clearly shown;
  Then bend your humble knee in secret prayer,
    That faith may make its precious truths your own.

  If tales of fiction should themselves present,
    Too oft injurious to the mind of youth,
  Throw them aside; and sacredly intent
    On your improvement, follow after truth.

  When you require relief, be history true
    Of your own land, and other lands perused;
  This will instruct, give entertainment too,
    While neither time nor talents are abused.

  Thus, in your youth, redeem the fleeting hour,
    That you in future life may useful be;
  By word and deed as far as in your power,
    To stem the torrent of impiety.

  Remember, as your present life is spent,
    Future reward or punishment is due;
  Oh! then improve the precious moments lent,
    And everlasting life shall wait on you.

“Praise God, I have a partner desirous of joining heartily in the Christian warfare; often are we blest while we pour out our souls together before the Lord, O for a closer walk with God.”

V.

SHOWER AND SUNSHINE.

  “NOW MEN SEE NOT THE BRIGHT LIGHT WHICH IS IN THE CLOUDS;
  BUT THE WIND PASSETH, AND CLEANSETH THEM.”  Job xxxvii. 21.

That stage of life which immediately precedes a ripe age, when man is in the full vigour of his strength, is not unfrequently like an April day mingled with sunshine and shower.  The care of a rising family, and the accumulating interests of business and society, bring constant alternations of joy and sorrow; designed by God to soften and fructify the heart, which might otherwise become too callous under the scorching blaze of the world.  Happy is it, when these kindly workings of a sublimer providence, cause the graces of his spirit to shoot forth like “the tender grass springing up out of the earth by clear shining after rain;” and when the experience acquired in seasons of vicissitude, is treasured up in the heart for future use.  Mrs. Lyth had her April weather preparatory to the summer of her usefulness, as will appear by further extracts from her journal.

“1815—­My father Lyth left us to join the disembodied throng.  The last fortnight of his life was chiefly spent in prayer.  I believe he died penitent.  Thou best of Beings! prepare me for the approaching trial.  In the fire may I lose nothing but sin.  Fortify my mind, and let patience have its perfect work, that by no pain I may fall from Thee.  Here I call to mind, that Thou hast brought me through six troubles; O leave me not in the seventh.  Let me again prove Thy faithfulness.