'My dear aunt, the most unpleasant and unprofitable mode of spending time among friends, is in controversy; we should rather mutually assist each other in searching after those precious truths of Scripture that make wise unto salvation.'

What a work you make about Scripture,' said Mrs. Martha; if you had been at prayers to-day, Sir, you would have heard from a better judge than you can be, that when the blessed St. Patrick was converting our forefathers from Paganism, he made no use of Bibles, and therefore they are not necessary to our continuing in the faith what can you say to this, Sir ?'

That I think it safer to obey the ordinances of God, than the doctrines of men.'

And pray, Sir, are not the commands of the church, the ordinances of the Lord ?'

'Why then does the Church of Rome depart so entirely from the dictates of Scripture? Our Saviour commands us to search it as a means of salvation; the Church of Rome, or her priests will not permit this to be done.'

'Do you, Sir, presume to know the doctrines of Scripture better than St. Patrick or our clergy?'

It has been a matter of doubt, madam, among very learned men, whether such a person as St. Patrick ever was in Ireland.'

'Monstrous!' interrupted the old lady.

But, granting he did,' continued Henry, he was not the person who first preached Christianity in this island; the disciples of St. John had that privilege. However, St. Patrick, as we are informed by his historians, was not averse to the circulation of the Bible, he had himself derived great advantage from a knowledge of it, and there

fore would not preclude others from like benefits.' 'I do not credit one word of this,' said Mrs. Martha, St. Patrick was a holy man, and knew too well the mischiefs that would result from such a circulation, to sanction it.'

'But, aunt, you can have no proof that St. Patrick, who was really pious, would thus disobey the positive injunctions of the Lord.'

'Father Martin has told us, he used not Bibles in preaching to the Irish: he, I suppose, has better sources of information than an ignorant boy.' 'It is his interest, dear aunt, to uphold by every means the doctrines of his church.'

'Silence, Sir. Do you presume to say the clergy would advance a falsehood?'

Where error has been long cherished, madam, it may acquire in the opinion of its adherents the semblance of truth; but the sacred volume of inspiration,-'

'I will hear no more of your impiety,' interrupted Mrs. Martha, where can you have learned these heretical opinions? You are the first Elliner who was an apostate, and will be the disgrace of our family.' And so saying, she left the room. 'Aunt Martha will not listen to reason,' said Henry, she is like the priest.'

"Neither will any of the family,' replied Elizabeth, what then are you to do?'

To continue in the path of duty, my sister, and hope in the Lord. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man,' ," for while "the Lord is on my side I will not fear what man can do unto me."'

Henry, you are either devoid of feeling, which I never imagined, or there must be something in

the faith you have adopted, that subdues the emotions of nature: you seem quite composed.'

Ah, Elizabeth, I am not without feeling, and very deeply, the idea of being separated from my family, to whom my heart is drawn by the most tender love. But there is a principle in true religion, that moderates our natural feelings, when they come in contact with our duty to God. This principle does not weaken our affection for the dear ties of kindred, it rather strengthens it.'

'All this is strange to me, and I am anxious to know how you imbibed these new opinions.'

'You shall soon have the narrative I promised; but, Elizabeth, call not the doctrines of Scripture

new.'

'To me, Henry, you know they are so. I hope sincerely they may enable you to sustain with fortitude what I foresee will happen; and that under every privation you may be content,'

Amen, my dear sister, and may they give you to know that peace of God which passeth understanding,' said Henry, pressing her hand as she left the room.

CHAPTER IV.

Scripture is the only cure of wo.

That field of promise, how it flings abroad
Its odour o'er the Christian's thorny road;
The soul, reposing on assured relief,

Feels herself happy amidst all her grief....Cowper.

WHEN Mrs. Martha left Henry, she made a long complaint to Mr. Ellmer, of his obstinacy in those heretical opinions, and set forth the danger of permitting the young of the family to have any communication with him, least those ideas should gain ground. She mentioned having found Elizabeth in deep converse with him that she was a giddy girl, and her principles would suffer by the intercourse.

Mr. Ellmer wanted not further provocation, and directed that not one of the family should go near Henry. But Father Martin interposing, thought that the young people alone should come under the interdiction.

Mr. Ellmer, of course, assented, and the young ladies were desired to obey.

To Elizabeth this was a severe deprivation. She ardently loved her brother, and felt a wish which she scarce dared think of,- to hear him speak on the subject that so deeply interested him. Fearing he might think her unkind, she threw a note into his chamber, letting him know what would in future oblige her to be away from him.

Caroline's affection was not so ardent; her

natural temperament was more frigid, and the chilling influence of bigotry made her yet colder. She carried her scruples so far as to imagine it would be sinful to hold converse with her brother.

Mrs. Ellmer hoped that by mildly reasoning with Henry, he would be led to see his error; and she went to him frequently for that purpose. However, not being versed in controversy, what she advanced were but the sentiments of Father Martin, the infallibility of the church, and the danger of departing from its decrees. Such topics were not calculated to make an impression on Henry; he paid most respectful attention to whatever his mother said, and his replies were so mild, yet firm his manner so dutifully affectionate, that she generally left him in tears, lamenting that such a son should be so led away by erroneous doctrines. Mrs. Ellmer, though attached to her religion, was not a bigot; she disapproved of the harsh measures of her husband and the Priest; but they were absolute. She therefore had no redress but in endeavouring to make her dear. child's confinement comfortable.

The first and second days of Henry's banishment from the family circle passed heavily. He had in some measure expected this, yet when the idea was realized, he felt it not so easy to submit with patience. We are told that 'The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other; so that we cannot do those things that we would.' The truth of this Henry experienced, for he felt the flesh rebel. He read the inspired volume, and prayed for grace to bow with submission to the righteous decrees of Heaven, that he might be