This world is too much made up of appearances.  Many a family, which we suppose to be the abode of union, peace and joy, is distracted with the voice of discord, and is dragging out an existence in secret, concealed grief.  Many a husband and wife, who, we suppose, are of one heart and mind and passing their days in the sunshine of peace and love, are torn by secret broils, and whose mansion stands overcast with the dark shadows of discontent and misery.  Little do we dream of the secret woes, that rend many a worthy heart concealed behind a smiling countenance.  The husband is perhaps stern and unrelenting—­and will, in no case, yield to the wishes of his companion.  Discouragement and anger may perhaps at times take possession of the heart.  In such a case, instead of treating her kindly, he rouses into a passion himself, and a private contention ensues.  This is a wretched practice, for instead of extinguishing the flame, it adds fuel to the fire, and consumes all that is fair and lovely in matrimonial and domestic life.  Much misery might be avoided by observing the following rule.  When the one is melancholy, let the other be rationally cheerful, and endeavor to divert the attention from the subject that causes gloom.  When the one is angry, let the other keep a perfect equanimity and a benign composure of countenance.  Then watch the opportunity, and in some future day, when the offended one is most cheerful and kind, then bring forward the subject, and expostulate most feelingly on the impropriety of indulging a wrathful spirit to a bosom friend.  Speak of the shortness of life and point each other to the silent grave and to the parting scene, and vengeance, anger and discontent will soon be strangers in your habitation.  Your dear children, from the very dawnings of intellect, will take the example, grow up in harmony and affection with perfect rule over their spirit, and thus you will not only secure your own domestic peace, but will bequeath those sacred enjoyments to your posterity—­enjoyments that infinitely outweigh a thousand fortunes in gold!  Let others toil to leave their offspring wealth, we ours the joy to bequeath them this.  We ask no more.

We are not only to be of the same mind one towards another in our families but in our religious societies.  Here all selfishness ought to be discarded, all private interests sacrificed, all hostile feelings subdued, and the whole offered on the altar of genuine good, and thus the harmony, peace and prosperity of the whole body consulted.  The permanent security of these depend on the individual conduct of the members.  By uniting ourselves in a religious body, we express the necessity of living a sober life, maintaining a union of heart and a respectful conversation towards all with whom we associate in life.  Let us not dream that heaven will prosper us above others, if we also blaspheme the name of Him who gave us life and sustains us in being.  Let us lay aside every evil, that has a tendency to disunion, and live soberly and righteously in the world, doing good unto all as we have opportunity.