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heaven, is of vast moment, and will be long remembered. I think, my case, my parents acted with a venturesome prudence. My father is a rigid dissenter, my mother a kind church woman; my mother has a refined taste for the elegancies of life, and she wished to give me,and my sister all the advantages of a liberal and polished education. They allowed us to learn drawing, music, dancing, and other accomplishments, and suffered us to go to the public ballroom of the neighbouring market town of Bellam. They were not of the number of those who constrained their children to adopt their religious notions, and restrained them from all worldly amusements. I confess it was a hazardous system, but it seemed the result of an upright design and the best intentions on their part, and God honoured it by blessing the means which parental love suggested. They permitted us these occasional indulgences, that we might be acquainted with the world under their own inspection and guardianship, and not be left to long after these supposed pleasures till an opportunity should occur to gratify ourselves when emancipated from their authority. They took occasion to contrast the superior pleasures of religion with the vanities of time. To point out the richer ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price, as infinitely more valuable than all personal ornament and decoration. They also placed in our way entertaining books containing similar sentiments. I here particularly mention Dr. Young's Night Thoughts. My sister and myself became great admirers of his writings; we read them with peculiar attention; they painted to us the world in its true and wretched state, stripped of its meretricious ornaments, and animated us to live as candidates for a blessed eternity! And to this book may be attributed our choice of religion's ways, under the blessing of God, together with the other means of grace

which were recommended by their seasonable use and their pleasing accompaniments. Much also is to be ascribed to cheerful views presented to us of religion by my amiable mother and by Mr. Kindly, whose polished manners and cheerful piety adorn religion, and make it lovely in the eyes of all that know them. And now Charles," continued he, "it is your turn to inform me how you were first induced to give your youth to God?"

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"The tale," said Charles, "is short; from the age of seven years I began to love the Scriptures under the ministry of my old friend, your worthy minister at Lowdham chapel. I propose to walk with your sister to visit him. I rejoice to revisit my old academy every vacation. The Rev. Mr. Bredwell's conversation, his preaching, the place itself, all revive impressions which I first felt under his ministry---nay, the sight of him in the pulpit, though not a word were said, would be half a sermon to me. But when the wellknown tones salute my ear, which first roused me to reflection, and enkindled the flame of holy love to God in my heart, Oh, then, such a sacred, solemn, joyful sensation is diffused through my soul as is never felt under any other preacher. The reason is clear. I listened to him as a child to a father; he was my spiritual father; I hope I am a son of his in the gospel, and trust one day to stand up and preach its everlasting truths, which he has so successfully proclaimed to the conversion of hundreds.”

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They had now returned home, and while John went into the factory to give some orders, Charles entered the parlour, where the cloth, neatly laid for the tea equipage, announced the approach of breakfast.

Charles took his Greek Testament from his pocket, and began to peruse the epistle to the Romans. When he had proceeded to the third chapter, Miss Gell entered, beautiful and lovely as the morning; health and youth bright

"The admirable

ening her countenance, in which the lily and the rose blended their charming hues, while religion seemed to diffuse through every feature an angelic charm, and gave to her whole carriage a more than human loveliness. Charles for a long time, ever since he had been at school in this neighbourhood, contemplated Miss Gell with highest admiration, but now he was half enchanted with her person. Ye lovers of the romantic novel, expect not the rapturous effusion or the thrilling adventures which ye delight in! It was angelic goodness, sense, refinement, christian kindness, and esteem, which absorbed the attention and warmed the heart of Charles. "What are you perusing this morning?" said Miss Gell. epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, in its original language, and I am perfectly astonished," added Charles, "that reasonings so strong, arguments so conclusive, accompanied with such eloquence, genius, and zeal, should be read by our moral divines without conversion. On any other subject they would compel assent; but when the depravity of human nature, the need of a Saviour, the insufficiency of our own righteousness, the merits of the Redeemer, his vicarious sacrifice, his imputed righteousness, are the subjects of discussion and proof, then the most powerful argumentation fails of humbling the proud heart, of convincing the prejudiced understanding, of gaining over the reluctant will." "How does this prove," said Eugenia," that it is not learning nor abilities, but the celestial influence of the Spirit of God which must make a convert to truth and righteousness, and a faithful preacher of the gospel of Immanuel !" "Yes," said Charles, "on other subjects mankind have a quickness of comprehension, and a readiness to submit to evidence; but with respect to the glorious gospel there seems an impenetrable dullness of intellect, an unconquerable prejudice of mind, a kind of natural

aversion, which bar the heart like iron bolts, and prevent its opening a passage for truth and grace." "What beauties of language and figure do we observe also," said Eugenia," in the sacred writings, and yet while these flowers are so eagerly sought after, extolled and gathered in the light and trifling productions of the passing hour, they are overlooked in the sacred gardens of revelation.”

"Happy privilege! Miss Gell," said Charles, "that we are taught the value of the gospel, and have found the rich treasures it contains." Mrs. Gell now made her appearance, and the family party sat down to breakfast.

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CHAPTER IV.

CHARLES AND EUGENIA.

CHARLES's acquaintance with Eugenia, had now amounted to so great an intimacy, that he proposed to her to accompany him in a walk to his old tutor's, the Rev. Mr. Bredwell. She kindly acquiesced: and now arm in arm with one, whose good sense, cheerful piety, and numerous accomplishments, so much excited his admiration, he walked forth with as high delight as he had ever yet experienced. How sweetly flowed the gurgling brook, in a clear silver streamlet over the smooth pebbles, as they passed along the wooden bridge, while her accents flowed as gentle, and as soothing to his delighted ear, and in conversation which enraptured and improved his mind. How soft, and green seem the meadows, while he tripped through them with such a companion! The wood-crowned hills cast a peculiar shade, as he contemplated them with her by his side, and the umbrageous willows, formed a cool and soothing walk, as they together paced along the margin of a river, in which the pendant branches were dipped. What was the reason? Not that which the reader may conjecture. Now, for better ascertaining the state of intimacy, subsisting between Eugenia and Charles, it should be remarked, that this accomplished lady was nearly six years older than Charles; let not the reader, therefore, dream of any light