Page:Letters to Mothers (1839).djvu/39

 ==== INFANCY. 27 ==== way through the ear's untrodden labyrinth, giving its key-tone to the wondering mind; all the mystery and beauty of this miniature temple, where the etherial spirit is a lodger, lead the observer to an Almighty Architect, and constrain him to adore.

But especially is the care of infancy salutary to the character. It inspires the gentle, pitying, and hallowed affections. Mothers, the blessing of this ministry is ours. Let us study night and day, the science that promotes the welfare of our infant.

We cannot but be aware that our duty to it begins before its birth. Every irritable feeling should then be restrained, and the overflowing joy and hope of our religion be our daily aliment. Exercise among the beautiful works of nature, the infusion of social feeling, and contemplation of the most cheering subjects, should be cherished by her who has the glorious hope of introducing into this world a being never to die; who, already a part of herself, adds warmth and frequency to her prayers, and whom, "having not seen, she loves."

To those, who from a depression which they imagine they cannot controul, are inclined too much to seclude themselves, we would address the elo- quent words of Milton: "In vernal seasons of the year, when the air is calm and pleasant, it were both an injury, and a sullenness against nature, not to go forth and see her riches, and partake in her rejoicing with heaven and earth."