eloquence, and generosity, and many other brilliant qualities may be the mere offspring of Nature, and belong to an individual who never truly took upon him the yoke, or knew what it was to have the mind that was in Christ. Accidental circumstances may concur to bring these into the service of the Gospel, but perhaps under another influence they would have been equally available for the service of the world.

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CHAPTER II.

"Take up thy cross and run. If love be there
Strong will thy courage be, the cross to bear.
If fancy only prompts thy flight, oh stay,
Her foot will tire e'er thou art half the way,
But let thy heart in Christ its portion find,
It ne'er will turn aside, or look behind."

ANON.

SOME time after the events, related in the preceding chapter, had taken place, a conversation occurred in Mr. Villeroi's family, respecting the future settlement and destination of his son Henry. Mr. Villeroi, being a benevolent parent, as well as an experienced Christian, used to converse openly with his wife and children, about their domestic circumstances, and never took any important step, even for their interest, without consulting their inclinations; his intentions and measures were generally so reasonable, and so kind, that he had little difficulty in leading his children into his own will, even when he appeared to be complying with theirs. And his wife, the dear and judicious partner of his counsels, by her well-timed tenderness, and maternal persua

sion, helped him to guide the movements of the domestic circle with equal gentleness and skill.

Assembled round the breakfast table one morning, Mr. Villeroi began the conversation by addressing Henry in his usual affectionate tone and manner.

"Well, my son, your birth day will occur in a few days; you will then be sixteen, a serious age, and time to look about you, and think of fulfilling some of the purposes of life. Your elementary education is sufficiently advanced to prepare you for the study of any profession you may select, and if you have thought about it, Henry, I should like to know `in what direction your inclinations lean, as in some cases there may be preparatory steps to take, concerning which my daily intercourse with society, may afford me advantageous opportunities, when I know exactly what is to be desired."

Henry looked down for a moment, and played with his teacup and spoon. There was a pause. "Well, Henry love," asked his mother, "have we taken you by surprise? Perhaps you have never thought much on the subject, or are not yet determined; but you know we need not decide directly, suppose we now talk about it among ourselves. I know you are not fond of business, so I am sure your father will not propose any plan in the mercantile way to you; but what do you think of the learned professions. Law?" "Oh no, mamma," cried Henry. "Physic?" "Worse and worse." 66 'Divinity? which last, according to the order of precedence established in all public processions, coronations, installations,

goes

&c. &c.," said his mother playfully.

tated. 66

Henry hesi

Why, mamma, in some sense, I have thought of the church." "In what sense, my love?" Henry coloured deeply and paused again. A remembrance of Leighton's words, and a half-conscious idea of his unworthiness for the office, pressed upon his mind, and he was unwilling to give his wishes utterance; his embarrassment was not unnoticed by his sister Louisa, the dear and intimate companion of most of his thoughts and feelings, and as she guessed the subject on which he was thinking, she relieved him by breaking open his way. "I think, Henry," said she, that I have sometimes heard you speak of your wish to become a missionary." His mother's eyes glistened as this hint was uttered. "Yes, my son," said she, "if you proved worthy of so high an office, gladly would I resign you, to spend your life, and even risk health and safety, by devoting yourself to the rescue of the perishing heathens from their idols and false religion. But you know it is not to be undertaken like any other profession, merely with a little preparatory study, or some legal forms; there must be a preparation of the heart; a fitness which cannot be obtained by the use of mere human instrumentality. Have you thought of this, Henry?"

"I have," he replied, "and I feel such a peculiar interest in this subject, and think I could be so useful, that I have resolved, if you and my father will consent, to go abroad, as soon as I am old enough, and plant the standard of the Cross on every pagan shore."

"Well, Henry," said his father, "if this idea of yours is really the result of a deliberate choice, and not the mere evanescent decision of a heated fancy, I have no wish to oppose it. God forbid I should hinder you, my child, from following the dictates of conscience, or it may be, the call of a Divine influence, to give yourself to a high and holy work. But, to follow up your mother's observation, I must add, that besides giving yourself with very peculiar and devoted attention to the advancement of your own spiritual concerns, by constant and fervent prayer, there is a course of preparatory study to be entered upon, which will greatly facilitate your missionary labours in whatever countries your lot may be cast, and which your extreme youth will allow you to prosecute with advantage, as you have much time to spare, before you could possibly offer yourself to any of the societies for promoting missionary exertions." Well, papa," said Henry, "I have been considering all this for a long time, and with your advice and instructions I should like to commence immediately whatever course of study you would most recommend."

66

Mr. Villeroi paused, and then replied, that it would be necessary to consult some wise and experienced friends, as to the choice of his destination; and then, as to the best means of acquiring that peculiar information which would be most useful. But that, in the mean time, he thought that Henry could not employ his time better, than in trying to master the original languages in which the Holy Scriptures were written.