I was not very well for two days after, but finding myself much better on the Sabbath, I went to prayers. After service, the priest made a high eulogium on the faith and constancy of Stafford to the doctrines of the Church, notwithstanding all the efforts, nay, persecution he endured to warp his mind from the faith of the true religion, and all knew the quarter it proceeded from.

But,' he continued, our faith is founded on a rock, that all the powers of earth and hell cannot prevail against; let us not be forgetful of the soul of this devoted servant of the church, but let our prayers ascend to heaven, that mercy may be extended to him, and that his time of trial may be short.'

During this harangue many eyes were fixed on me; and, dear Elizabeth, though in the house of prayer, I felt my choler rise, thus to hear the character of my friend Neville spoken of; for I could not be ignorant that he was the person pointed at. I was tempted to speak out, and vindicate the conduct of my friend, but a respect for the place withheld me, and I remained until the greater part of the people dispersed. The priest perceived me, and came up, accompanied by a few of the more respectable persons.

Your servant, Mr. Ellmer,' said he, 'I did not expect to see you here to-day; I thought politeness would have obliged you to go with your new friends.'

'Sir,' replied I, I regret that misapprehension, or some other motive, led you to assert publicly this morning, what has not the slightest foundation.-————’

" Do you mean, Sir,' interrupted he, to insinu

ate that I have uttered a falsehood?'

'You may suppose, Sir,' I answered, 'what you have said to be a fact, but permit me to affirm, on my honour, in presence of those gentlemen, that my lamented friend, Mr. Stafford, was never in any way, directly, or indirectly, persecuted on the subject of religion; if you recollect Sir, on the morning of his death, I told you the same Mr. Neville, to whom you allude, is too much the gentleman and Christian to persecute; his motives of action soar above the narrow prejudices of bigotry Sir, it were well if the ministers of our church possessed his benevolence, charity, and forbearance.'

'Now gentlemen,' replied the priest, did you ever hear any thing like this, to be insulted in my own chapel, by an ignorant boy?'

It is not my wish to offend,' said I, my only object, Sir, is to vindicate an absent friend; to refute a charge which I again repeat has no foundation. I was generally present at the interviews of my friend and Mr. Neville, therefore am certain of what I assert.'

'Sir,' replied the priest, hear me, this Mr. Neville, your pattern of all excellence, has also corrupted your principles; and, if you remain longer in his society will complete the work; I have already warned you of his being a dangerous acquaintance: I now repeat it.'

"Tis but a few moments, Sir,' I answered, since you said that our faith was founded on a rock, which the powers of earth and hell could not shake, why then do you fear the influence of a single individual?'

'Provoking!' exclaimed Father Thomas; 'but I perceive the leaven of heresy has already begun to operate in you; I command you, Sir, on your obedience to the Church, to return to your father's house, fly from the contagion you are exposed to, for your everlasting happiness is at stake. If I knew where to address your parents, I should certainly advise them of your danger as a minister of the true and holy Catholic Church, I command your obedience to my desires.'

'You assume, Sir,' said I, ' an authority I will not submit to; while it suits my pleasure I shall remain with my kind friends.'

And bowing to those around me, left the house. I was surprised at my temerity in thus addressing a minister of our church; but my passions were aroused. I was provoked by the unchristian spirit of the priest, and resolved I would not go to his chapel again.

Before we retired for the night, Neville informed me, that it was their custom to assemble the household for prayer, and asked if I had any objection to be present; I said not the least, and the servants being called in, he read a portion of Scripture, which he briefly explained we then

bowed the knee, and he offered up such a prayer as I had never heard. My dear Elizabeth, could you have heard the humble and heartfelt confession of sin; the ardent supplication for pardon, and the influence of the Holy Spirit; the intercession for all the race of mankind, for church, and state, for relatives, friends and enemies: the fervent praises for past and present mercies, and above all for the hope of eternal life, through the merits and mediation of our only Saviour Jesus

Christ, you would have thought with me, if this be error, what then is truth? From this time I was always present at the family devotions, morning and evening.

Neville and his amiable family did all in their power to make my visit agreeable, and a week elapsed, ere I thought it had well begun. On the approach of the Sabbath, I was at a loss what to do, for I would not go to Mr. M'Donnell's chapel. I determined to remain at home; but on reflection I thought this would be wrong, when the Lord had given me health and strength. I felt a wish to hear Neville officiate, but at first repelled it, as a temptation to depart too widely from the faith of our church. Again I thought as he had been present at Stafford's funeral, why should I be more bigoted, and that hearing him once could not injure my faith. Then the idea of the priest's anger occurred, and I abandoned the idea. But on farther thought, I saw no reason why I should fear the reproaches of a man I disliked, and that by indulging this wish, I was not disobeying any reasonable command of the church. The result of these reflections was, my determination to hear Neville officiate in his church.

CHAPTER X.

There stands the messenger of truth. There stands

The legate of the skies. His theme divine,

His office sacred, his credentials clear,

By him the violated law speaks out

Its thunders, and by Him, in strains as sweet

As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.... Cowper.

AFTER breakfast, on the Sabbath morning, I signified my intention; my friend, I thought, seemed surprised, yet pleased, and said, he hoped I should find of a truth, that the Lord was with them.

I accompanied the ladies in a delightful walk through verdant fields to the church, which was a short way from the cottage, and experienced rather an awkward sensation on entering it; this was increased by perceiving myself an object of curiosity, at least to the younger part of the congregation, which was numerous and respectable. I condemned myself for having been so precipitate in gratifying my wandering desires, but it was now too late to retract.

The building was neat, but totally devoid of ornament. No candles burned on its altar; no crucifix claimed exterior adoration: neither pictures, nor images were to be seen; no stained glass shrouded the bright rays of the summer sun, which shone full on the windows, and shed a cheerful ray in this unostentatious house of prayer.

The greater number of the congregation showed that they considered themselves in the more immediate presence of the Deity; no whisperings,