Henry

fluently, very wisely, very instructively. was much puzzled by these characters; they were more of a mixed kind than any he had ever seen before he consulted his sister, and she only answered with a sigh, that she felt there was something wrong, something inconsistent in the whole system; but she could not tell what to do, or how to get out of it.

"You know, Henry," said she, "they tell me I must do so and so; for Mrs. Such-a-one, who is a great deal older and more experienced than I am, does it; and that as I am so young, and so lately married, it would be considered a very presumptuous thing in me, to break through other people's customs, and lead a new fashion. I know Vincent is uncomfortable also, but he is afraid of offending his connections."

“Well, then,” said Henry, "I think I will write all about it to Leighton. He is a fine clear-headed fellow on all these subjects, and I am sure will show us what is right."

The contents of Henry's letter will be easily gathered from the following, which is an extract from the reply:

"Lilybrook, Nov. 182-.

"MY DEAR FRIEND-You have written to me upon a very serious subject, and I have laid it much to heart, praying for Divine direction, that I may be enabled not to speak mine own words, but such as may be dictated by wisdom from above, to help us both in the discovery of that narrow path, in

which all must walk who aim at eternal life. We are too apt to take human examples for our models, finding them much easier to imitate than the only perfect One, in the New Testament; and it is, therefore, highly necessary for us, when we feel such an inclination, to examine whether we are not in danger of departing from the pure rule of the Divine Law.

"The features of society have been undergoing a very considerable change during the last few years. The religion of the Lord Jesus Christ has been rapidly and universally diffusing itself; the progress of the Gospel in foreign countries, and the exertions of its friends at home, having become daily more extensive and effectual. The missionary spirit, formerly confined to the breasts of a few pious and talented individuals, has now extended throughout the country, and stirs up to action many who, from their sex, or age, or deficiency in encouragement, thought heretofore they had no part assigned them in the labor of love. The time is also past in which piety was a rare and solitary possession, exposing the believer to unkindness and scorn from intimate relations and friends. It is put to no such trial now; for in many families, every individual is more or less under the influence of divine grace; they are like clusters of precious gems, which, uniting their rays with others from every denomination and party, into one shining focus, now use their common strength and fervour for the diffusion of light, heat, and knowledge, to the uttermost parts of the earth. These are fea

tures in the present aspect of the Christian world, which must truly delight every one that is interested in the kingdom of his Saviour, and longs for the promise of his coming. But there is also an evil arising from it, which cannot be too earnestly guarded against. The many noble and wise who have embraced the religion of Christ have rendered its profession respectable, and caused persecution to lay down its weapons; and, as a foreign weed, that once had been trampled on and scorned, is praised for its luxuriance and beauty, if seen in the conservatories of the great, so may the present extensiveness of religious profession arise in part from its connection with noble or respectable circles. It is, therefore, to be feared that many who do not know the real restrictions of the system in which they are so ready to engage, are in danger of making the discovery when too late; and then of attempting to bring down those restrictions to a level less painful and mortifying to unrenewed nature. These are a class of persons

who love the world they affect to despise, and hate the religion they affect to admire. They attempt to join two characters which cannot, which ought not to coalesce; for genuine Christianity is as uncongenial to the spirit of the world, as oil to a mixture with

water.

“I am, therefore, by no means surprised at the distress of mind you feel, and your anxiety to know how far you may make the example of others a precedent for your own conduct, since you have mentioned to me the circumstances of the society in

which you are placed. It appears that you are afraid to differ with them in points of opinion and practice, in many cases where the convictions of your conscience and light derived from the Scriptures leaves you in doubt whether their standard be correct; and this fear arises from your esteem for those characters who are held up to you as models for imitation, their conduct in life being irreproachable, and their external religious duties regularly fulfilled. But the characteristics you mention I will treat of generally, for they belong to many individuals of the same class. On the one hand, they have family prayer frequently in their houses; attend regularly upon the ministry of a pious and eminent clergyman; converse with feeling and eloquence on what they hear; purchase and read many of the best religious publications; and if they do not themselves take an active part in the institutions, either for benevolent purposes or the promulgation of Christian knowledge, they at least subscribe to them, and appear interested in their success. Many are eminent for giving with liberality to private and distressed individuals; and perhaps some go so far as to recommend and distribute Testaments and tracts. These are truly all circumstances connected with the true Christian character; but they are not the whole: a tree may appear very lovely if covered with verdant leaves, and yet be comparatively worthless if without the fruit.

But these individuals have also another world, with which they must keep on good terms. They mix moderately among the ungodly as well as the

religious, and are always contriving plausible reasons to justify themselves with one party, for the steps they have been led to take, while under the influence of the other. Such persons avoid the open scandal of frequenting theatres or ball-rooms, but they have no scruple in attending dress parties, where vanity and frivolity are the leading features of the entertainment. They will subscribe to concerts where sacred music is performed, in which the name of the Most High is avowedly taken in vain; for no devotion is pretended on these occasions, though the language of Scripture and prayer is the theme. They will lay aside a few guineas annually, for religious purposes, but will, perhaps, appropriate hundreds to selfish gratification. They will argue with you upon the necessity of keeping up rank and station in society, and of avoiding too much singularity, to excuse their indulgence of pride and extravagance. They will teach their children to pray and read the Scriptures; but they will allow them to regard these duties in the light of ordinary lessons, in which there is little interest; while the main object of their education is, to fit them to shine in the world, and to make them regard it as their home, instead of their place of banishment. Such Christians as these, are always pleading for rational religion, and blaming as enthusiasts and fools, those who are led by the Spirit of God to see, that every compromise with the world is sinful and dangerous.

"Some of these persons, especially the indolent, are apt to be loud in their censure of those who

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