DUTIES OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
It is the duty of brothers and sisters to take a delight in each others' society, and readily to share their comforts with each other. The kindness of the heart beams in a sister's smile, and speaks in a brother's praise. The heart must be sadly corrupted, if the remembrance of the scenes that passed under a father's roof ceases to interest. It is the duty of brothers and sisters to admonish one another for their faults. There are failings in the temper and defects in the manners which are concealed with care from the eyes of the world, but which are apparent amidst the freedom of domestic life. If follies are not checked at home, or by strangers, they will grow into habits. The indolence from which the young were never roused has kept them all their after days in poverty, and the pride which was never repressed has rendered them odious. Never let affection make you blind to the deformity of sin.
It is the duty of brothers and sisters to sympathize tenderly with each other. The heart is so framed that it requires the aid and comfort of sympathy. How soothing to a sufferer's heart are the attentions of a sister, and the word spoken by a brother in season! Let sisters consider how much the persuasive language of mildness and affection is adapted to transform the roughest and most impetuous temper into meekness and wisdom, and that their remarks may direct a brother's attention to sentiments full of beauty and feeling, which he has overlooked.
Brothers and sisters should vie with each other in promoting the comfort of their parents. Every one should cultivate respect for their parents' authority, compassion for their infirmities, attention to their wishes, and be solicitous to give them all necessary aid, and reverence, and love, undiminished as they witness the decline of their faculties. How delightful it is to hear parents say of their children, "I cannot tell which is the kindest to me." What peace such children are preparing for themselves when their parents shall have passed away!—Portia.