as a privilege and a source of delight. The help of woman enhanced the value of that privilege, and improved that delight: and even in paradise, the attention of Eve to the disposal of the fruits of his labour, must have been to the man, an exquisite accession to the pleasure of enjoying them. The arrangement which her taste and care had made constituted the charm of the repast. In a state of uncultivated nature, the subsistence of the day is man's object. He has no idea of "much goods, laid up for many years." But the society and assistance of his rude companion are necessary to give a relish to "what he took in hunting;" and "the burden and heat of the day," he cheerfully encounters, in the prospect of the refreshment and repose of the evening; and even the hut in the desert exhibits the accomplishment of the Creator's purpose, woman "an help meet" for man, managing his scanty portion with discretion, and doubling it by participation.

Per

As the state of society advanced, new ideas of property must have been produced. The labour of to day began to look forward; "to-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow." The care of posterity arose. manency must be given to possession. The earth and its produce are parcelled out, men "call their lands by their names," "house is joined to house, and field added to field." But could man do this alone? No. In vain have his labour and skill provided "bread enough, and to spare," unless the woman's prudent attention manage that sufficiency, and lay up that surplus, for the evil day which may come. No man ever prospered in the world, without the consent and cooperation of his wife. Let him be ever so frugal, regular, industrious, intelligent, goes for nothing, if she is profuse, disorderly, indolent, or unfaithful to her trust. His farm prospers, his barn is filled with plenty, "the floors are full of wheat, the vats overflow with wine and oil," his cattle increase, he is waxing rich. His neighbour's commerce thrives, his

plans were well laid; Providence smiles; the wings of every wind are wafting to his door gold, and silver, and precious things. The talents of a third are procuring for him reputation, and distinction, and honour, and wealth. How came they all to fail? Who opened the door, and let poverty rush in as an armed man? The thing speaks for itself. The design of Heaven is defeated; the parties were "unequally yoked;" the "help" found for these men, was not "an help meet" for them. Skill, was counteracted by carelessness; the fruits of diligence were scattered about by the hand of dissipation; the labours of a year perished in the sitting of an evening; "by much slothfulness the building decayed, and through idleness of the hands, the house dropped through."

But "O how good a thing it is, and how pleasant," when the gracious intentions of God and nature are fulfilled! With what spirit and perseverance does a man labour in his vocation, when he knows that his earnings will be faithfully disposed, and carefully improved! With what confidence will he resort to his farm, to his merchandize, fly over land, over the seas, meet difficulty, meet danger, if he has the assurance, that he is not spending his time and strength for nought and in vain; that all is well and safe at home; that indulgent Heaven has crowned all his other blessings, with that of "an help meet for him," a discreet manager of his estate, a fellow-labourer with him, from interest, from affection, from a sense of duty, in "doing justly," in seconding the goodness of divine Providence, in making fair provision for the time to come, in "providing things honest in the sight of all men!" I conclude this branch of my subject, with a portrait drawn by the pencil of inspiration; may Heaven propagate the resemblance.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She

will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates," Prov. xxxi. 10-31.

Her

A third respect in which God intended that woman should be "an help meet" for man, is the care of his health, and every thing connected with it; his tranquillity of mind, his temper, his character and reputation: without which the greatest bodily vigour will quickly decay and sink, and life will cease to be a blessing.

It is pleasant to have a companion in solitude, an assistant in labour, a fellow partaker in joy. But human life contains varieties painful, as well as pleasant. Sorrow, and pain, and solicitude, and disappointment, enter into the history of man: and he is but half-provided for the voyage of life, who has found an associate for his happier days only; while for his months of darkness and distress no sympathizing partner is prepared, no "help meet" is found. The provident care of the Almighty meets every wish and want of man; and in bestowing upon him a companion for youth, a sharer in felicity, a partner in property, he was securing for him, at a distance, a friend in age, a solace in affliction, a partner in want-" a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

If a man's worldly estate, whether it be much or little, is wisely managed, one foundation of health and comfort is laid; and she who is thus habitually employed, may be considered as administering a perpetual medicine or cordial to her husband. But no prudence of foresight can ward off the attack of disease, or prevent the stroke of calamity; affluence cannot purchase release from pain, nor tenderness cool the fever in the blood. But the sufferer is not left destitute. There is one ear into which he can pour out all his heart; there is one hand ever ready to relieve him; "one life bound up in his life." And as enjoyment derives all its relish from participation, so misery loses all its anguish in the bosom of sympathy and kindness. The spirit of penitence is inferior only to unsullied innocence; and next to the blessing of unimpaired health, and uninterrupted comfort, is the consolation of sickness alleviated, and comfort restored, by the gentle language and engaging offices of love. What shall I say? Is there not, perhaps, in the restoration of repenting guilt, and in the suspension of wo, by the assiduity of affection, a peculiar satisfaction, and a de

light, which perfect innocence and perfect health could not possibly have known?

The regular temperature of a man's body is, however, only one ingredient in the cup of health. "An help meet for him" will be anxious to preserve a sound mind in a sound body; will endeavour to prevent or to dispel painful reflection; will remove disquieting objects; will present smiling images; will watch the ebbing and flowing of passion, will bear and forbear, and, like the best of beings, "will overcome evil with good."

She will likewise consider herself as entrusted with the care of his good name. His reputation is her brightest ornament; his honour is her joy, and crown of rejoicing. If he is disgraced, she is degraded. Every instance of misconduct in her, she knows, glances at him; and therefore to support his dignity is a powerful motive with her to act wisely and well. She reflects, that not only by gross deviations from duty in the wife, does the husband suffer in character, but that levity, indiscretion, carelessness in her, are an imputation upon his understanding, and, in the opinion of the world, incessantly upbraid him with the choice he has made, of "an help meet for him." As she would therefore compassionately nurse his body in pain and sickness; and prudently study and watch his temper, amidst the conflict of contending passions, so, to approve herself what God and nature meant her to be, she will guard his fame, the life of his life, "as her precious eye," and thus, in every thing relating both to mental and bodily health, to private comfort and public estimation," she will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life."

But there is somewhat still dearer, still more sacred to a man than children or property, than health or reputation, somewhat which, neglected, forfeited, lost, it "will profit him nothing, to gain even the whole world;" and in the securing and promoting of which,