Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/207

Rh that extend beyond the circle of her every-day domestic life. All around her are clustered the means of doing good to others; and one would think that a harder struggle were required to turn from them than to enter diligently into the use of these means. How much good may not a sister do among her brothers and sisters! There is not a day, nor an hour in the day, that she may not, by some act or word, do a lasting good. In the divine providence she is thus placed, with ability in the midst of those who need the exercise of her ability to do them good. She is thus placed, in order that she may do them good. In like circumstances, Providence provided those who could guide and instruct her, and minister to her wants. If, instead of faithfully performing her duty, she seek rather her own pleasures, she acts from a selfish and debasing end, that, while it does wrong to others, leaves her own mind unsatisfied or positively unhappy, but if, from a love of these little ones, or a sense of her duty to them, she supply their wants, and do all in her power to elevate their thoughts and affections, and lead them to good, she will experience an inward peace and satisfaction that will be felt as a sufficient reward.

To her mother, the grown-up, unmarried daughter may, if she will, prove a comfort and a