attentive to business and much devoted to the improvement of his mind. He endeavoured to retain the knowledge he had acquired at school, and, therefore, paid attention to his Latin and Greek studies, and laboured to extend his acquaintance with arithmetic, geography, &c., &c. He read a certain portion of the bible daily, marking down those parts which most impressed his mind, or in which he found any difficulty, thus acting upon the maxim of an excellent writer:- "When the time of youth is improved, and that time is laid out in the pursuit of wisdom, which others waste in idleness or folly, what an inexhaustible fund of knowledge is laid up for succeeding periods of life!—the mind is enriched in mental acquirements; and if, besides this, the youth has the fear of God, his soul will expand in spiritual knowledge, and grow in grace." - CHAP. III. It is worthy of remark, that, in general, infidelity has little to do with reason or inquiry, but is commonly a disease of the heart more than of the understanding. WILBERFORCE. Influence of Infidelity-Sceptics unreasonable, although they make reason their God- -Difference between freedom and licentiousness- -Apostates from Religion are often depraved and tyrannical- -Exemplified- An unwelcome Messenger-Late hours productive of mischief- -The sentiments of an almost Christian- -The Police Officeincreasing illness and anxietygleton's encouraging remarksa blessing. Mrs. Elworthy's The Rev. Mr. Sin-Religious education THE mind of young Melville was frequently distressed by the infidel and profane remarks of Arthur Freeman, (who had been seduced from his attachment to the Scriptures, and from his attention to public worship by an admirer of the late Thomas Paine,) and although his faith in the Divine authority of the bible remained firm and unshaken, yet when he read it, some of Freeman's observations obtruded themselves, and diverted his attention from its great and important truths. He had heard nothing of the kind while under his father's roof, and if there were any thing that was above his comprehension, (and there B are many such things in the book of nature, as well as in the book of scripture,) he was told to receive it on the veracity of the inspired writers; he was often taunted by Freeman to explain how sin entered into heaven? Why Adam was permitted to fall? How the conduct of Noah, David, Sampson, Peter, &c. could be consistent with their characters as good men? Sometimes he adduced texts, which he said were entirely contradictory; then he inveighed against the ministers and preachers of the Gospel; describing some as mercenary wretches, mindful only of the loaves and fishes; others as knaves and rogues, imposing on the weak and unlearned; and others as enthusiasts and fanatics, borne away by the strong current of their feelings. "A few," said he, "may be honest men, but they are a very few indeed, and even they are not necessary in this enlightened age. Nature is quite sufficient to teach us our duty to our Maker, (if there be one) and to each other in this world, and as to what becomes of us hereafter, I care not; I believe that as soon as we are put into the grave there is an end of us, and, therefore, as to your preparation for a future state, the enjoyments of heaven and the punishment of hell, why Melville, (tapping his snuff-box) it is all a hum; let us enjoy ourselves, I say, while we can, and a merry taste the good things that nature has so richly provided for us; my motto is, a short life and one! if life must be short, (walks about and sings,) Begone dull care, &c.; we had a merry bout last night, fine sport, master Robert, I assure ye, I did not get home till two in the morning, and then my old dad got up and let me in, and gave me a proper set down at breakfast time. (sings again,) But what care I for mum or dad ;* I have some idea of taking a lodging for myself, and then I shall not be under any restraint, but go out and return when I please.' Melville. Well, Mr. Freeman, if this is the benefit you have derived by relinquishing the bible, and abandoning religion, I think you are not a gainer, but a tremendous loser, and I fear the day will arrive when you will repent most bitterly, that you ever made such discoveries. Freeman, (laughs) ha! ha! ha!-Now then for your lecture, I thought the spirit would move you soon. Melville. As to my lecture, Mr. Freeman, I pretend to nothing of the kind, but I know that your conduct, according to your own confession, is as hostile to reason, as it is to revelation; does not reason point *These are some of the sentiments imbibed by visiting Vauxhall, the Theatres, &c,!!! out the duty of children to parents? Have we not often read and admired the conduct of the pious Eneas, (as Virgil styles him) towards his father Anchises? Paganism itself would condemn your treatment of your parents. The voice of reason says, reverere parentes! and does not the same voice declare, that preservation of health is an important duty, and that late hours are injurious to the health and character and income? Is it reasonable that you should run into those expenses, which must eventually involve you in difficulties, and fix you deep in debt? I do not say this is the fact now, but it is likely to be so in the end; is it reasonable, that you should treat with disdain and contempt a book full of the best precepts, and of the purest morality--a book which brings into clear light that state of blessedness which philosophy, with all its advantages, could not explore-a book which contains promises for the afflicted and disconsolate-advice to the young, and comfort to the aged? To reject such a book merely from the statement of a wild revolutionist in religiou and politics, whose threadbare arguments have been constantly answered and rebutted— whose schemes, if carried into execution, would produce misery among the nations, and plunge the soul into despair-to reject such a book, I say, would be madness and folly in |