CONVERSION FROM SKEPTICISM.

CHAPTER VII.

HAVING fully made up his mind to delay his conversion to a (6 more convenient season," he fell an easy prey to the "devices of Satan." This part of the history of Mr. Baldwin speaks in trumpet tones to young men, to beware of the card-table. The first temptation to this vice should be promptly resisted,

"For when to sin our biased nature leans,

The watchful fiend is still at hand with means."

Mr. Baldwin went to the card-table to play for amusement. Alas! how many have been ruined by taking such a false step. Gambling is the master-vice of this age, and when it becomes a ruling passion with a man, there is only one step between him and hell. Every virtuous emotion is quenched in the heart of the confirmed gamester. He soon becomes

an alien from home and dearest friends, and a companion of the most abandoned and profligate of his species. Card-players generally become hard drinkers or confirmed inebriates.

It is said that cards were first invented under the reign of Charles VI, King of France, to amuse him during the interval of that disorder which carried him to his grave. Surely the world would have been the gainer had his majesty been permitted to die in peace, without such an invention to help him to "kill time," or divert his mind from more serious thoughts. I again repeat it, let our young men beware of this fascinating vice. Engage in nothing on which you can not ask the blessing of God. Imitate the example of Dr. Dodd, an eminent minister of the gospel, who, on being once solicited to play cards, arose from his seat and uncovered his head. The company on seeing this, immediately asked what he was going to do? He replied, "To THE BLESSING OF GOD." OF GOD." They in

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stantly exclaimed, "O, we never ask a blessing on such occasions." "Well," said he, "I never engage in anything upon which I can not crave the blessing of God." It is hardly necessary to add that they readily excused him from taking a part with them on that occasion.

In an evil and unguarded hour, Mr. Baldwin was ensnared and almost ruined by this fashlonable and prevalent vice. But God "who is rich in mercy," at last awakened him by a severe providential dispensation, to see the slippery and dangerous precipice on which he was standing. A clear view of his exposed condition excited within him feelings of the keenest remorse and self-reproach. I hope the candid reader will profit by the following thrilling account from the pen of Mr. Baldwin, of this dangerous experiment:

"I fell in one day with some of my friends (?) who proposed a game of cards. At first I felt a strong repugnance, not having played for several years-but the game could not go on without me. I at last consented to take

a part. From that time I felt within me a growing fondness for playing cards. It became a ruling passion with me; I could think of little else, and I waited daily with impatience for the time to roll round, when I could rejoin my jolly companions at the card table. I did not continue to play long for mere amusement or pass-time. I soon began to bet small sums and to partake of an occasional social glass. Conscience severely condemned me, and when I was leaving the place of our retreat, I was stung with a sense of shame and mortification if any one saw me. But the Spirit of God strove with me, and when I returned home to my loving and unsuspecting wife and little prattling child, I often experienced the keenest remorse. This deadly moral disease. was fast gaining on me, destroying all the fine feelings of the husband and parent, and prostrating the lofty ambition of the man. Business became tiresome, domestic ties troublesome, and study insipid. In this state of mind I was hailing with eager anticipation the near

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approach of winter-the long evenings of which I expected to spend with my card-playing and wine-drinking companions. Merciful God! upon what an awful verge I was standing, just ready to take the fatal plunge.

A WAY I KNEW NOT.

"But God who is rich in mercy,' although I had forsaken him, did not forsake me. He was about to 'lead me in a way which I knew not,' the way of affliction and trial-the only way in which he could lead me to himself. My wife was first laid on a bed of sickness, but her case I looked upon as not dangerous. Our first child was born November 30th, 1832. When quite young, it was attacked with croup in an alarming manner-our only child. She was dear to my heart and I thought I was about to lose her. I felt that the hand of God was upon me; I acknowledged his justice, and as severe as might be his chastisement, I could not murmur, I knew I deserved it all and a thousand times more. I did not dare