A PICTURE OF HOME INFLUENCE

BY MRS. POLLEN.
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 leaning to the right, will be acknowledged by all.

 Dear Edward" said his wife, "you have something on your mind your brow looks trouhh'd; what Is it ,"

 "Only anxiety about business, Any, How often have l wished that had not been bred a merchanl! But my mother said ii was d favorite wish of my father that should be an accomplished merchant"

 Il have sometimes wished so too" an- swered his wife; "and then again, remem- Der that the very evils which belong to your profession may be turned into good. He that has it in his power to do wrong with impunity, though he gains by it, yet chooses the right, by which he loses, is the most elo- quent preacher of righteousness"

 "Very true, Amy but sometimes this is indeed cutting off the right hand, and pluck ing out the right eye; and then thinking al- ways about money and bargains, has such a contracting influence upon ones mind."

 "But how often Edward, have lheard you say that no man has such wide and various connexions with the human race, as q well educated, upright, and active merchant Every part of the world sends him its trib- ute of knowledge, as well as of riches. He sees men under all aspects, and while he may, with certain degree of security, in- dulge in dishonesty, and be the enemy of his fellow men, perhaps no man can be so true, and self-sacrificing, and efficient philanthro- pist, us the Christian merchant"

 "lt is not always so easy as you may imagine, for merchant to act as remember ing that he is under his great Task-master's eye" ...,..

 "Not for all, or some men; but for you Edward, the difficulty would be to act oth- wise. When ] think of your profession, it gives me pleasure to notice that merchants in general, as they acquire property more easily, arc most disposed to spend it liberal ly."

 "Yes," said Edward. and his eyeikindled at the thought "lhe greater portion of our public benetactors have been merchants Their money has given eyes to the blind. ears to the deaf, health to the sick, and peace and comfort to the forsaken it feeds and insiructs the ignorant and poor; it sends the glad tidings ot salvation to the unbelev- CT and penitent; it takes little children in its arms and blesses them. But all this glo. rious power supposes wealth, Amy"

 "And you, dear Edward, are rich enough to enjoy this highest of all privileges, the dispensing of good to others. You have cause only for thanktulness. But the poor. unsuccessful merchant, who has not the means of educating his children, whose spir- it's are broken down by failures, and whose temper is sourcd by what he considers the injustice or dishonesty of others, perhaps even of his own friends; he is the man who perhaps, may be excused for finding fault with his profession. My heart aches for him." Ee3 A.. '..r .4..s. .....

 Edward started up, and walked hastily backward and forward through the room, as if he had been seized with some sudden and intolerable pain.

 "What is the matter 2" said his wife, "Are you ill :" .G. ,.

 "Oh. nothing; nothing of importance" said Edward; "l happened to think of something rather unpleasant then. It is late now, believe, and my head aches." ,o.a

 They retired for the night. The next day, Edward looked depressed and thought iul, as if he had passed a sleepless night Amy was troubled by his silence. This was the first cloud that had rested on her hus- bands brow since they were married.

 He has," she said to herself, 1" he has d. ways confded every thing to me. He will tell me what it is that hangs so heavily upon his spirits. He will never shut me out from his sorrows, any more than his joys"

 She thought when he returned from the counting house for the day, that he looked more free and happy, though he was still si- lent and thoughtful. y

 "Come and sit by me, Any," said Ed ward to her when they were alone in the eve ming. o. !. ..... ..i

 Amy sat down by her husband.

 Do you not enjoy, Amy, our handsome house and pictures, and carriages, SLc. 2"

 "Surely, Edward, I take great pleasure in these things. But why do you ask"

 "And you love to have money enough to give to those who want it !" '

 "Why, what question, Edward! You know l value this power more than l can tell" '."t

 "And can you voluntarily resign all these luxuries, Amy?' ....t

 "Wby should I voluntarily resign them, Edward! What makes you so enigmati- cal? Tell me what you mean"

 Suppose that all the money which ena- bles us 10 indulge ourselves in these luxu- ries, is not truly our own; what would you have me do, Amy" .r.,u "Is it you, Edward, that asks me whether would be dishonest?"

 But suppose, according to the law of the | land and the customs of society, and tacit consent of those not interested, this property was secured of you"

 "When am statistical" said Amy. "that can plead the law of the land, the customs of society, and the opinions of the world, before the judgment seat of God, as an excuse for violating that higher law. which he has writ ten on my heart; when have placed tlie opinion of the world in the scales against my own self-respect, and found it the weightcst. then, Edward, I might hesitate. But why as me such questions! Why do you not speak plainly!"

 "I will, Amy" answered the husband.- When failed in business before our mar riage. made a settlement with my creditors,