conviction had been forced upon her, that she must separate the children, and find other homes for such as were old enough to do any thing for themselves.  This necessary separation had now taken place.  Her eldest son had gone to a distant southern state, carrying with him, his mother’s prayers and blessings; and a strong arm, and stout heart, with which to win himself a name and a place in his adopted home.  John, the second, still remained with her, assisting, by his unceasing toil, to earn a supply for their daily wants.  Henry, the third son, a bright-eyed youth of sixteen, had attracted the notice of his pastor, and by his advice and assistance, had been placed on the list of the beneficiaries of the American Education Society, and was now at an Academy, preparing for College.  James was living with a farmer in the neighborhood, and was now on the green with Arthur.  These changes had already taken place, and now, could she part with Arthur,—­her sweet-tempered, gentle Arthur?  That was the question which agitated and saddened her.  An offer had been made her, by Mr. Martin, who lived in an adjoining town, and whom she knew to be an excellent man.  He wished to take Arthur, and keep him till he was twenty-one; would clothe him, send him to school, and treat him as one of his own family; training him to habits of industry and economy.  Could she hope any thing better for her darling boy?  There was a younger brother and two sisters still remaining at home, and embarrassed as she was, ought she not to be grateful for such an opening, and thankfully avail herself of it?  Such was the view another might take of the subject, but to her it was unspeakably painful to think of the separation.  Arthur was ten years old; but he was a modest and timid boy, whose sensitive nature had led him to cling more closely to his mother’s side than his bolder and more active brothers.

Mrs. Hamilton knew that this was no time for the indulgence of sentiment; she knew that duty must be done, even though every chord of her heart quivered with agony.  After much consideration and earnest prayer, she had concluded to let him go, and the thought of sending him away from her, and all he loved, among entire strangers, was what made her so sorrowful.  She strove to calm herself by the reflection, that she had done what seemed to be right, and by remembering the blessed promises of God’s Holy Word to the fatherless, and to all those who put their trust in Him.  With a cheerful voice, she called the boys, telling James it was time for him to go home, as Captain L., with whom he lived, was a very particular man, and would be displeased if he staid out beyond the proper time.  Mrs. Hamilton’s sons had been trained to obedience, and James never thought of lingering and loitering for half an hour, as I have seen some boys do, after being told to go.  He just gave Rover a good pat on the back, and saying a hasty “good-night” to his mother and Arthur, he ran home.