BOWDOIN SQUARE MATERNAL ASSOCIATION.

THE religious instruction and discipline of their children are duties which parents owe to God and to society. On the faithful and judicious discharge of these duties, God has taught us to expect will depend their character, their usefulness, and their happiness. 'Train up a child in the way he should go,' is the Divine command; and the encouragement to fidelity is given in the promise that 'when he is old he will not depart from it.'

The testimony that The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame,' contains a warning against the neglect of discipline; while the command, Ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' admonishes of danger in the mode of exercising it. The parental relation, consequently, is one of momentous responsibility. To know how to discharge the duties of it so as to avoid the indulgence of affection to the injury of discipline on the one hand, and secure obedience to authority without weakening the ties of af

fection on the other, should be the constant and prayerful inquiry of every Christian parent; and all the information which may be obtained should be sought, not only from the word of God, but from the experience of others.

A portion of the mothers connected with this church, who felt the importance of this subject, some of whom had been connected with Maternal Associations elsewhere, were called together on the 13th of October, 1841

The following paragraphs from the Secretary's minutes of that and the two subsequent meetings are here given, partly as the record of the formation of the society; partly as a means of information to those who are not acquainted with the mode in which it is attempted to make the meetings profitable and interesting; and partly to render a melancholy tribute to the memory of one whose fondest anticipations of usefulness and happiness were identified with the prosperity of this Association.

'A meeting of ladies of the Bowdoin Square Church was held in the Committee-room on Wednesday afternoon, the 13th of October, 1841, for

the purpose of forming a society to be known as the Bowdoin Square Maternal Association. The meeting was called to order and opened with prayer by Mrs. Cushman. Mrs. Waterman was chosen Secretary, pro tempore. Some time was then occupied by Mrs. Cushman in reading apppropriate and instructive selections on mothers' responsibilities, &c. A Constitution was then submitted, and the ladies proceeded to the choice of officers. It was moved and seconded that Mrs. R. W. Cushman be chosen as First Directress, and Mrs. John Spence as the Second Directress; and they were unanimously chosen. Mrs. Edwin Woodman was unanimously chosen Secretary.

'The second meeting of the Bowdoin Square Maternal Association was held November 3d. Mrs. Cushman opened the meeting by reading the fourth chapter of Hebrews; after which she led in prayer. An article was then read by Mrs. Cushman, from the Mother's Monthly Journal, on the 'early religious culture of children.' Mrs. Cushman said that the views contained in that communication entirely accorded with her own. She thought it very desirable, when conversing with children whose minds are so tender and susceptible, to present death in as pleasant an aspect as possible. She had been accustomed so to speak with her own children upon the subject; that they appeared to be entirely free from the fear of death which is so natural to children generally. Instead of dwelling

on the gloomy side of the picture,—the cold grave, the decay of the body, &c., - she endeavored to divert their minds from that which is mortal and corruptible, to that which is spiritual, immortal, and incorruptible. She told them that if they were good and prepared to die, they would only leave this world. to enter that brighter world beyond the grave, where all is blessedness and love. Mrs. Cushman said, that her own mind had suffered much from the dread of death, when young, which she attributed to the influence of early impressions. She remarked, however, that since she entertained a hope in Christ, death had been disarmed of its terrors; she had no fears on the subject now; she could say she felt ready to go home when the Lord should call her.'

These remarks, taken in connexion with the chapter with which she opened the meeting, indicate the existence of a presentiment of her nearness to that home for which she was so well prepared; although at that time in her usual health. Ere one week from that day had passed, her Lord had called, and she was gone.

'Third meeting, December 1st. We assembled under peculiarly solemn circumstances. The Committee room was crowded with mothers and children. We felt, as we entered the place, a sadness

come over us, for which we could easily assign a reason. Where was she whom we had so recently chosen to preside at these meetings-on whose directions, counsels, and prayers, we had placed so much dependence? We looked around in vain to meet the animated eye, and hear the welcome voice of her who was so suddenly called away from her duties here, to engage in the higher and nobler employments of the world above. The reflection forced itself on our minds: How vain is the help of man!' We had been placing too much dependence on her, who was ready to do with her might all in her power to subserve the welfare of others.

'The Lord in his wise and holy providence was pleased to take her to Himself in an hour which we thought not of. But while we feel deeply our loss, yet we rejoice in the assurance which we have that our beloved sister was ripe for heaven. Her pure spirit has winged its way to join the redeemed on high, in ascriptions of praise to Him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb forever.

'Our pastor was present, and opened the meeting with prayer. He then made some remarks on the importance of Maternal Associations. He said that of all societies and benevolent institutions there was none in which Mrs. Cushman was more deeply interested, or engaged, than the Maternal Association. He attributed her success in the performance of her maternal duties to the strength which she derived through this medium. He said that this Association