pervaded every breast save that of the young heir; he did not wear that air of careless gaiety he had used to do in more juvenile days.

'I am surprised,' said Mrs. Martha, one day to her brother, at the change in Henry, he is quite a different being, he does not possess the high spirits he had when last here, I have been asking him as to his health, which he affirms never was better.'

'Time will wear it off,' replied Mr. Ellmer, ' he finds this a dull place, after the society he has left; it were better not to take notice of it.'

'Really, brother, continued the maiden, 'I fear there must be some other cause than that you assign.'

'And what do you suppose it to be?' asked Mrs. Ellmer.

''Tis hard to say,' rejoined Mrs. Martha, but I am certain it does not proceed from regret at parting from his young companions.'

'I can guess, Martha,' said Mr. Ellmer, what you mean, you imagine he has formed some attachment; in fact, that he is in love; am I right?' 'I confess, brother, I have had some thoughts of this nature.'

'I knew it,' replied Mr. Ellmer, laughing, you have not been studying the contents of the circulating library for nought.'

'Perhaps Martha may be right,' said Mrs. Ellmer, alarmed at the idea suggested.

even

'Nonsense, my dear,' replied Mr. Ellmer, 'all the fancies of Martha's romantic brain should it be so, you know he will not avow it; all the rapture consists in a mystery; Martha, is it not so?'

Mrs. Martha felt irritated at this appeal, and was about to make a sharp reply, when the entrance of a stranger put an end to the conversation.

Henry's reflections on retiring to his chamber were distressing, for he thought if his sisters were so decidedly opposed to his reading the Bible, he must expect more violent measures, when his father and the priest came to know he did so ; but he hoped this would not soon be, for he could not suppose his sisters would betray the confidence he placed in them. He grieved to find Caroline so much inclined to bigotry, but he could not be surprised at it; her education, the habits of the family, all tended to nourish this principle, which, alas, finds congenial soil in the human breast. He was lost in thought, when a knock at his door aroused him, and he admitted Elizabeth.

Ah, Henry,' said she, 'I fear the occurrence of this evening bodes no good, I could not rest without having some conversation with youwhy, my dear brother, will you thus court misery?'

Your fears, my Elizabeth, magnify this matter; surely no misery can result from perusing the Scriptures; they are the words of the Lord of heaven and carth; can it be supposed He is the author of evil?'

'You are aware, Henry, the church interdicts the perusal of this book; when my father and Father Martin come to the knowledge of your doing so, I dread the result.'

My dear Elizabeth, neither pope nor priest have a right to withhold the Scriptures, they are the gift of God, and given us for instruction in righteousness; the clergy can show no just ground

for keeping the Bible from the laity; I can adduce the opinions of popes, and other doctors in our church, who all agreed in the necessity of studying the Scripture.'

'Dear Henry, I am not competent to argue with you, so it would be but loss of time to cite authorities; I have no doubt you believe them right, or you would not be guided by them.'

'What is your opinion, Elizabeth, unbiassed by any human authority?'

You know, Henry, I have never seen a Bible but yours, therefore cannot judge.'

'Have you any objection to my reading a few passages from this holy book?'

'I am at a loss what to say, Henry; I think you would not willingly wish me to do a wrong action, yet how can I reconcile your ideas with the command of Father Martin?

Dear Elizabeth, hear a few of the comfortable sayings of Scripture, which will of themselves bring conviction, and look not to human helps.'

He then read the following and some other portions - Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have everlasting life; and they are they which testify of me.'- Whatsoever things were written aforetiine, were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.' 'For this commandment which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.' And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto us.'

what we must do to be saved from the wrath to come, and how we may become heirs of eternal life; and so far as it is necessary to show this, they are plain and easily comprehended.'

Then why, Henry, do our instructers affirm the contrary, and for that reason keep the Bible from us?'

'My dear Elizabeth, do not be displeased if I freely give my opinion on this subject. I have before stated that the clergy can produce no scriptural authority for withholding the Bible; but they are well aware that if it were put into the hands of their flock, the entire structure of their religion, composed as it is of human inventions, without any foundation in Scripture, would speedily fall to the ground; and that hierarchy, who have so long endeavoured to govern the world, lose their power and wealth, even that little which now remains. This, I am certain, is the real cause of their opposition. Surely, dear Elizabeth, if through the influence of divine grace, I had not been led to study the Bible, I should to this hour be ignorant of the sinfulness of my nature, and the remedy provided there.'

Elizabeth was summoned to attend her mother, and the conversation ended; but Henry hoped that one at least of his family would in some measure think with him. A few days passed, and his change of sentiment was not observed. Caroline in disposition was a bigot, and the spirit was fostered by Mrs. Martha, whose favourite she happened to be the old lady herself was extremely ignorant of all but the externals of religion. Caroline debated long with herself whether she should inform her father of Henry's error; but tender

ness for him prevailed, and she resolved to wait a short time longer.

In the glen, Henry spent many pleasant hours employed in reading and meditation; for finding no agreement of sentiment on what he felt to be the most material subject in life, among his family, he was driven within himself to seek that enjoyment which the interchange of sentiment in pleasing society would have imparted. The morning of the first sabbath after Henry's return was delightful, and tempted him to the favourite retreat; there, shut out from the busy world, he opened the volume of inspiration, and communed with the Divine Author of all the beauties by which he was surrounded. The woods blushing with the roseate hue of morn, the melody of the birds that carolled among the trees, the boundless ocean with its mighty waves flashing against the light - all seemed to pour forth praises to the Almighty Creator. Henry's heart responded to these gratulations, and he turned to the expressive words of the Psalmist, "Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar in the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord." Henry thought how criminal those persons were who deprived such numbers of the benefits to be derived from the sublime descriptions and doctrines of this holy book, and prayed that the Lord of his mercy might take the veil from their eyes. His meditations were interrupted by the approach of a man with a basket on his shoulder, and a boy in his hand, whom Henry recognized to be his foster-brother."