THE SYSTEM OF POPERY, AS EXHIBITED IN VISITS OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY.'

THE following narrative shows the danger to which our Protestant Population is exposed, from the activity of Popish emissaries; and sets forth the value of the formularies of our Church-the writings of our Reformers as a powerful means, under God, of delivering from the snare of Popery the feet of those who have been unwarily entangled in its meshes.

The Sisters of Mercy' having heard of a poor widow-woman sick in bed, seriously ill, called at the house, and tried to persuade the widow and her daughter to join the Roman-Catholic Church; they did not, however, on this occasion, obtain their wish. The widow soon afterward very much improved in health, and the daughter was taken ill; she grew much worse, and the Sisters of Mercy, continuing to pay their visits, were at length permitted to hold religious conversation with her: they urged the mother to have the priest, but this she refused. The daughter recovered. After a while, the widow was again taken seriously ill, and her sickness was unto death. The Sisters of Mercy' continued their visits, and ultimately prevailed on her to receive the visits of the Roman Catholic Priest. When the priest attended her, he told her that unless she and her daughter embraced the faith of the Roman Catholic Church she could not be saved. He told her, also, that she would never see her husband again, for that he had died a heretic, and was damned, and had gone to hell. The poor woman, being weak in faith, and frightened, believed what the priest had said; and from that time, until a few days before her death, she confessed to the priest.

A priest and the Sisters of Mercy' continued to visit her regularly and she was at length so far led into error, that she compelled her daughter to attend the Roman-Catholic worship. On the first occasion of the young woman going to the Roman Catholic Chapel, the priest took her Bible from her. This much grieved her; it had been given her by her father, before he last went to sea. The priest made her kneel down to the image of the Virgin Mary, and told her that the Virgin Mother was interceding for her,

The poor widow urged her daughter to follow the Roman-Catholic Religion. The widow was at last taken off rather suddenly, and died in the Roman-Catholic faith; but her death was not announced at the convent. The priest and the sisters of the convent afterward told the daughter that her mother could not enter heaven, because she had not had her mouth sealed.

The young woman was now left in the world in a state of destitution, desponding, despairing, unhappy: she had forsaken the Holy Religion which her father had taught her; she was following the errors of a deceived mother; her former friends slighted her, because she had turned Roman-Catholic; and no one seemed to care for her soul. She was much afflicted in mind, for she greatly doubted the correctness of the Roman Catholic Creed. She went again to the chapel; but when she knelt down before the image, she prayed to God that it would please Him

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to convince her whether she was in the right way, or not. The sisters of the convent continued to call at her house, but she refused to see them; for she now began to see the sad effects of her error in leaving the Protestant Church. She inquired of an old acquaintance one day whether she could be received back again into the Protestant Church. The person, being inexperienced, replied it was quite impossible, because she had altogether left the Church of England, and had joined the Roman-Catholic Church. She was kept in this desponding state of mind for some weeks. In the meantime, one of the Visitors of the Poor heard of this destitute young female. She went to see her: they entered largely into the subject: the young woman freely opened her mind, and told all her grief. On leaving her, the Visitor begged her attention to the Homily, Of Prayer.' Upon a subsequent visit, she expressed great gratitude for the kindness of calling her attention to the important subject of prayer,' and to the points of error in the Roman-Catholic Church respecting prayer; and said, ‹ If that Homily is correct, then I must be in error.' She was requested to pause a while, and to read other Homilies, such as that Of the Reading and Knowledge of Holy Scripture,' Of the Misery of all Mankind by Sin,' 'Of Salvation only by Christ our Saviour,' and 'Against the Fear of Death.' After she had read these Homilies, and had held many conversations with her Visitor on their several subjects, she declared that she had been very much comforted, and begged to be informed whether she might return again to the Church of England. The Visitor engaged to wait upon the clergyman of the district, to ask the question for her; and subsequently she had the gratification of introducing her to the clergyman, who has since received her back as a communicant of the Church of England.

LATE AT CHURCH.

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LATE at Church,' is one sign of a heart not right with God. say nothing of the indecency of disturbing all the rest of their fellowworshippers by their noisy footsteps, with what degree of reverence can such a man regard the presence of the High and Holy One, of whom it may be said, "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him!" Take such an insult, and "offer it now unto thy Governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person ?" No, they would fear to offend a king, but not the King of kings. The manifold sins involved in a want of punctuality in the attendance of God's house, must make it to be regarded as one of the greatest evils resulting from this bad habit. Their own devotions are hindered, those of others are disturbed, their minister is grieved, their God insulted, and all for what? for a trifling indulgence of sloth or self-will.-Chambersburg Messenger.

CHRISTIAN ENERGY.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

THE time allotted to man by his Creator, is not only short but uncertain. If from the earliest period of responsibility, to the threescore years and ten, which is reached by comparatively so small a number, entire devotion to the service of his master, has characterized his life, still much will have been left undone which should have been performed. But how few, in early life, dedicate themselves to the service of God !-who suffers not many years to pass away, without seeking, and finding, an interest in the blood of Christ?

The text of Scripture which has been selected as the motto of this communication, speaks trumpet-tongued to every Christian. It calls for energy, for effort, and for action. There are two aspects in which it is proposed to consider it. First; as relating to strenuous endeavours for the increase of personal piety, in our own hearts, and of a constant and steady growth in grace; and secondly, for bringing others, over whom any influence can be exerted, within the fold of Christ.

The heart of man" is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." There is therefore a constant call for watchfulness and prayer. The world, the flesh, and the devil, present their varied allurements in ever-changing forms, to entice from the strait and narrow way in which the word of God commands the Christian to walk. "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation," said the Saviour; and what Christian is there who does not feel that this injunction is intended for him; and that unless it be earnestly heeded, soon he will find that he has wandered from his Father's home, and will be obliged to mourn the withdrawal of the light of that countenance without which the deepest gloom will shroud his pathway. As he who is constantly employed, is almost without exception the most happy, and the most likely to obtain the desired object,—so will the Christian who most strenuously labours to eradicate sin from his own heart, find wisdom's "ways to be ways of pleasantness, and all her paths to be peace," and have clear conceptions of Divine grace to cheer him upon his pilgrim-journey, and his mind be drawn forth with increased love toward that Saviour to whom he owes every thing that he enjoys, and upon whose meditation he can alone rely for acceptance with God. There is too much reason to fear that the happiness which it is the privilege of all Christ's people to enjoy, is in some degree lost by their neglecting to perform with their "might" those duties, which are incumbent upon them as the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" says the Scripture. This is the first duty of every individual. Secure an interest in the sacrifice once offered for the sins of the world, by faith upon Christ-seek justification by the only source of pardon, and forsake every thing which God has forbidden. Man, though justified freely by grace, needs the enlightening and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. In the beautiful words of an eminent prelate of our Church, We are not made holy in a JANUARY, 1843.

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moment, the work of sanctification though not of justification, is progressive each day to the faithful Christian adds greater desires and a more longing aspiration after holiness and purity, more earnest seeking and consequently greater attainments. As the turbid stream deposits its earthiness as it flows upon its way, and then emerges into a broad lake of crystal purity; so the heart drawn from the world loses its worldliness, and becomes perfected as it passes into the valley of the shadow of death, and reaches those mansions which have been prepared from the foundation of the world for those that love, and serve, and obey their Master.' How important is it then for Christians to do for themselves what "their hand findeth to do, with their might." Sloth upon the subject of personal religion, cannot but be attended with the most lamentable effects. Piety and inaction are incongruous. There can be no congeniality between them. Close examination-constant and ardent prayer-untiring efforts, and unbending industry, a lively faith upon Christ, and ardent love, are all required for growth in grace, and these duties to be rightly performed, must be done with " might."

The other aspect in which the subject may be viewed, is in relation to efforts for the spiritual welfare of others. Not only the "Spirit and the Bride say, Come," but, "let him that heareth say, come." The fountain in which all may wash is ever open, the waters of life flow abundantly from the throne of God and the Lamb, and all that will, may come and partake of them. It is far from the object of the writer to urge any interference with the duties of the clergy. Their people are the connecting links between them and the world; and by example, by precept; by warning and admonitions; and by words "fitly spoken," it is unquestionably the duty of every Christian to "come up to the help of the Lord," and to aid in disseminating the knowledge of the "truth as it is in Jesus." With energy and with spirit they are required to labour for this object. By doing so, their own happiness will be increased, the Saviour's kingdom will be enlarged, and the fruit of righteousness will be brought forth.

The work, to ensure success, must be done with " might." Much is lost for want of zeal and ardour in the cause. The humblest Christian is not devoid of personal influence; every one who has named the name of Christ is called upon to exert that influence in the cause of his Master; and feeling the importance of the subject himself, strenuously to labour as well as fervently to pray, that the knowledge of the Lord Jesus may be co-extensive with creation. That one who is contented with a profession of religion, and who, though not theoretically indifferent to the salvation of others, still neglects to "do with might," from whatever cause, what can be done for the salvation of those never-dying souls by whom he is surrounded; not only neglects to perform a manifest duty enjoined by the word of God, but deprives himself of a source of happiness, and a peace of mind, which the world cannot give, or take away. If we really believe that the value of the soul is above all price; if we really love that Saviour who gave himself a willing sacrifice for the redemption of mankind, how is it possible to hesitate in using every effort for the purpose of bringing within the fold of Christ, those who are wandering upon the mountains of sin, as sheep without a shepherd, and for

leading them into the " of religion.

green pastures, and beside the still waters "

If all who love Christ would with their "might" perform this duty, soon would the aspect of the world be changed. Our sanctuaries of prayer would not contain the worshippers who would throng about their portals. Songs of praise and thanksgiving would resound throughout the world, and the knowledge of redeeming grace would cover the earth, even as the waters cover the sea." We are taught by Christ himself to pray Thy kingdom come," and to this prayer should be added every effort for the accomplishment of the purpose. Both are required. What man can do must be done, and in the language of Scripture, done with "might." Various are the motives which urge to this object, but the most important of all is that given by the " preacher," "For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." Soon the period for labours for self-advancement, or for others, will cease. "As the tree falleth, so it must lie." Regret will then be unavailing that energy in the cause of Christ has not characterized our intercourse with others, and our dealings with our own hearts.

The Christian's life is one of constant warfare. The enemy of souls is ever upon the alert. The shield of faith is required to quench his fiery darts. Therefore, "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." The love of Christ as an impelling motive, will, with your permission, be considered on another occasion.

LAICUS.

WINNING OTHERS TO CHRIST.

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WHERE is the Christian to be found that seriously bethinks himself, What can I do to win souls? It may be you will go on in the company of the godly, where will be edified: but when do you go to your poor neighbour, whom you see to live in a sinful state, and tell him of his danger, and labour to gain him to Christ? If it were but his ox or his ass that lay ready to perish, you would make no question but it was your duty to help it out of the ditch. And do you in earnest think that you owe more to those than you do to his soul?

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Surely the lives of too many Christians speak the language of Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?' Do you not know how to get into a poor neighbour's house? Carry an alms with you; do him a kindness; speak as a brother, or a sister, or a friend, to his children, and you will prepare the way for a welcome reception. Then I shall look to see the kingdom of Christ flourish gloriously, when every one that professeth godliness shall arise and take hold of the skirt of his neighbour. Oh! see your neglect in this. Do not think it enough to keep your own vineyard: let your friends and neighbours have no quiet for you till you see them setting in good earnest to seek after heaven. Oh! if you would bring in but every one his man to Christ, what a blessed thing were it! When so many are busy leading men astray, how active should the friends of Christ be in bringing back the lost sheep to him.-Alleine.