mental derangement. True Christian assurance is provided in the Gospel, according to the nature of the human mind, for which the Author of our being has contrived it: and as it is according to the laws of our intellectual faculties, it is not exposed to the continually extending uncertainty which the Roman Catholic contrivances produce. We have rational means of convincing ourselves of the truth of Christ's mission; we have rational means of convincing ourselves of the nature of the good tidings which we express by the name of Gospel. Again, we may have a rational conviction that we trust Christ, (in other words) that we have faith in Him and finally, in the tone of our minds, in our leading principles of moral action, in our habitual fear of acting in a manner unworthy of the purity and the charity which are the substance of the New Testament--in all these rational proofs, we may ground a rational conviction that we are led by the Spirit of Christ. Under such circumstances, we need not distress ourselves about the means of atone

ment for our sins. As those means are not our own, we have no reason to fear that our imperfect mode of using them may totally or partially destroy their virtue. Our salvation is as sure as the Gospel. We weaken every rational source of confidence if we ask for more assurance.'"These views of Mr. Fitzgerald struck deep into my mind. My brother gave me about that time some papers which that good man had written for him. I believe you are not unacquainted with them. "Can they be" (exclaimed I with surprise) "those manuscripts, which reached me from an unknown hand?" Was it from you they came? "It was. I took (I will not deny it) too much interest in your welfare, and thought they might contribute to dispel prejudices from your mind. At all events, since my own had taken a new direction, I would not, if possible, leave myself without some chance of your following me." "I will follow you, indeed," (I said) "at all risks--though risk there can be none in following innocence, kindness, every thing that is lovely." "No, no,

dear friend," (said my companion with indescribable sweetness) do not trifle with things so serious. I cannot be your guide. All I have done is to endeavour to put you in the way of shaking off the trammels of party prejudice. Follow the truth, without considering for a moment what side your final resolution may help, or disserve. Aware of your intentions in regard to me, I would not have disclosed to you the state of my mind, had I not taken a previous resolution to leave you entirely at liberty to remain a Catholic or not, as your conscience may lead you. I demand but one condition—that you shall never again write on religious subjects, unless you are determined before God, to write with candour. To employ your talents in rivetting the mental chains of so many millions; to lure the free to submit to the yoke, and worse than all, out of bitter hatred to Protestants, to endanger the Christian hopes of thousands who might, but for your writings, preserve their faith in Christ; may be pardoned once, considering the circumstances in which

you have been placed. But I would sooner give my hand to a professed Atheist, possessed of honourable feelings, than to one who could call Christ his master, and sell him to a political party." I could hardly speak from shame and confusion. Impressed with the holy sincerity of Rose's manner, I raised my heart to heaven, imploring assistance to perform the vow I was about to make. 66 My friend, my tutelar angel (said I with deep emotion) in God's name, I promise you never to trifle again with religion. I am certainly no longer a Catholic in my heart. My desire is to be a Christian. To what denomination I shall join myself, I cannot tell at present. But be sure of this, dear Rose, that the hand that I offer you shall never be sold again for the love of party applause. Will you be mine on that condition ?" A YES uttered in the gentlest whisper conveyed to my heart the purest and deepest sense of happiness I had ever experienced in life. We continued in silence till the carriage stopt at the inn where we had to pass the night.

CHAPTER III.

Rule of Faith.-Limits of the power of language in expressing invisible subjects.

MANY other conversations took place among our party, every one of which might, if reported, show the progress of our mind in the important subject which almost exclusively engaged our attention. The conversation which I am about to relate, was to us all of the greatest service, and it may be said to have settled our minds, by means of the enlarged principles which we have made our guides. I shall report it in dialogue, and MR. M will as usual denote myself.

MR. M.-I have been constantly dwelling, Mr. Fitzgerald, on all you have said and written (for I am now aware of my obligation to you, in regard to the manuscripts) and my con