THE FAMILY.
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If there are any iOys on earth which harmonize with those of Heaven, they are the joys of the Christian family. When the snow flakes fall fast in the wintEy evening, and the moaning winds struggle at the windows. what IS so delightful as tt see the happy little ones sporting around the bla' zing fire. Look at thaf little creature in her nig6t-dress frolicking and laughing as though she had never known or never would know care.- Now she climbs the chair-now she rolls upon the carpet-and now che pursues her older sister around the room, while her little heart is OverflOwingly full of happiness. Who does not covet the pleas. urable emotions with which the parents look upon this lovely scene!

 But with these joys are associated responsibili- ties. All the inmates of this family are immortal. This home of their childhood must be either the nursery of heaven or the broad gate of destruction

 The infant prattlers are acquiring habits and feelings, which are to control them through life, and to guide their destnies forever. How necessa- " then that purifying influences should surround them in their early homel How important the duties devolving upon those who have the control of the family! How soon will this household be scattered! This little boy, now 30 timid and sus- ceptible to every impression may soon be breasting the storms of distant ocean, or controlling the de- cisons of justice and law, or minglng in the con- flict of armies. He may be honored for his vir- justice, and the hopeless victim of wretchedness and crime. This little girl may live to be, in her turn, the happy parent. rejoicing in the opening virtues, and increasing love of her children; or wretched outcast, stroling in shame, disgrace to herself, her friends, and her sex.

 Around the fireside they are, probably, acquiring unchanging characters for good or evil. They will probably go on through eternity in that direc. tion, upon which they enter the first few years of life. The stamp is in your hand, with which to place upon their characters that impress which never can be effaced.