been born."

born again:" for if this change do not take place upon us, it were "better for us we had never May God teach us the value of our souls, and convince us of the emptiness of all those excuses for delay with which Satan furnishes our lingering and reluctant minds!

XXXI.

WINTER EVENINGS.

Ar the present season of the year, when by many an oblique glance, and shy look, the retiring sun intimates his intention of keeping up the old custom this winter, we console ourselves for his shortening visits by anticipating the pleasures and advantages peculiar to the time of his withdrawment. Not all the charms of summer's evening, under its most lovely aspect, can produce more pleasurable emotions than the fire-side comforts of a winter's night. Indeed, to the domestic taste and manners of the sober English, it has appropriate attractions:-while our sprightly neighbors across the channel, whose happiness lies more out of doors, may regret the departure of the time when, “in the shade of an elm, to the sound of a reed," they dance away their merry

summers; we find in winter such a balance of comfort and advantage as fully reconciles us to its approach; and which leads those who reflect upon it to admire the goodness of Him, who, sitting in the circle of the heavens, rolls round "the varied year," and by the continual change of the seasons, has so admirably consulted the tastes, the duties, and even the restlessness of

man.

"Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast,
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round,

So let us welcome peaceful evening in.”

But ere the shutters close, and the curtains fall, may we not be allowed to take a peep at some of these happy domestic circles illumined by the animating blaze? It is a pleasure even to think of the many, many comfortable parlors in England that exhibit such a family picture every night. There behold the busy work table where the improving book circulates from hand to hand -the lively conversation, and the sweet interchange of the charities of social life.—These are the favorite haunts of happiness, and the nurseries of the private virtues, especially where peace and piety, taste and intelligence combine to grace the scene. And those whose "lines are fallen in such pleasant places," should, indeed, give thanks to God for so favored a lot.

A large majority of our readers, we presume, are enjoying the privileges of a parental home,

and belong to that class of society whose condition the Bible itself has decided to be the most favorable to happiness-those to whom is given "neither poverty nor riches." It is into the apartments of this class of persons that we are just now venturing to glance, and such the readers whose attention we beg leave to invite. For, through the opening of the curtains we could fancy we espy on many a table, the yellow cover of a little pamphlet, which we readily enough conclude to be "the Youth's Magazine," and under this persuasion, proceed to address the respective assemblies.

Having already congratulated them on their happy and favorable circumstances, we would next remind them of the possibility of so neglecting, if not abusing their privileges, that the long succession of winter evenings now before them, may, after all, be but unprofitably passed. Listlessness of body and of mind, frivolity, carelessness, or desultory habits, may render the advantages of retirement, leisure, and intelligent friends, so far useless, that the present season may escape with as little improvement to such individuals, as all the former precious winters and summers of their past lives. There is one very encouraging circumstance respecting the evenings of the approaching winter, on which we may, without exception, congratulate every one of our readers, let their circumstances or pros

pects be what they may: I mean that they are, for the most part, yet to come—an advantage, be it remembered, of which a very few months will deprive us. The first moist, mild, and bright spring evening that surprises us with the conviction that the winter is really gone, will be pleasant or painful in proportion to the manner in which we have spent it. Let us at once so begin to employ it, as to ensure agreeable and self-approving reflections for that time! Who amongst our readers will be so happy as to be able, with modest satisfaction, then to say, “I have improved the past season; I have made some solid acquirements; added to my little stock of knowledge; strengthened my habits of thought; made some progress in the social virtues, and grown, in some degree, in Christian grace and knowledge?" What a happy winter will such have passed! and this happiness it is now within the power of every

one to ensure.

But there may be some, even of our readers, who are looking forward to their winter evenings with feelings widely different from these. The pleasant parties, large and small, the long succession of Christmas visits, are the attractions that give brilliancy to the dull aspect of winter to many a youthful eye. And it is readily granted, that an occasional interchange of friendly visits amongst an intelligent circle of friends, is one of the real pleasures of winter evenings. But this,

in itself so desirable, is not always restrained within moderate limits: and it cannot be doubted, that where the employments and duties of home are continually broken in upon (though by the best society) no successful progress will be made in what is most important to our welfare and happiness. It is to little purpose to spend the morning in useful pursuits, if in the evening the thoughts are always to be dissipated and distracted in a mixed company. Associating with agreeable friends is of all recreations the most delightful; but when, from its frequency, it becomes a sort of business rather than a recreation, the good is overbalanced by a thousand evils; and if this be the case, even with improving society, what must be the effect of incessant visiting with the giddy, volatile, and dissipated, or with gossiping and censorious acquaintances? It is then to evenings at home that we more particularly refer, as seasons capable of affording true pleasure and improvement.

Although it must be admitted that young people, enjoying parental protection and instruction, are in the most favored circumstances, yet there are advantages, and comforts too, peculiar to every condition.

That long range of lighted windows, where the confused din of voices and of machinery indicates the close and crowded manufactory, forms, indeed, a strange contrast with the quiet, orderly,