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From a Mother in town, to a Daughter at school in the country, recommending the practice of Virtue

DEAR CHILD: Although we are separated in person, yet you are never absent from my thoughts; and it is my continual practice to recommend you to the care of that Being, whose eyes are on all his creatures, and to whom the secrets of all hearts are open; but I have been somewhat alarmed because your two last letters do not run in that strain of unaffected piety as formerly. What, my dear, is the reason? Does virtue appear unpleasant to you? Is your beneficent Creator a hard task master, or are you resolved to embark in fashionable follies of a gay, unthinking world? Excuse me, my dear; I am a mother, and my concern for your happiness is inseparably connected with my own.

Perhaps I am mistaken, and what I have considered as a fault, may be only the effusions of youthful gaiety. I shall consider it in that light, and be extremely glad, yea, happy to find it so. Useful instructions are never too often inculcated, and, therefore, give me leave again to put you in mind of that duty the performance of which alone can make you happy both in time and in eternity.

Religion, my dear, is a dedication of the whole soul to the will of God, and virtue is the actual operation of that truth, which diffuses itself through every part of our conduct; its consequences are equally beneficial as its promises: "Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace."

Whilst the gay, unthinking part of youth are devoting the whole of their time to fashionable pleasures, how happy shall I be to hear, that my child was religious, without hypocritical austerity, and even gay with innocence. Let me beg that you will spend at least one hour each day in perusing your Bible, and some of our best English writers; and do not imagine that religion is such a gloomy thing as some enthusiasts have represented; no, it indulges you in all rational amusements, not inconsistent with morality: it forbids nothing but what is hurtful.

I beg that you will consider attentively what I have written, and write to me as soon as possible.

Your anxious mother.