affected by nature and by grace, than to inquire what grace has done for him, to alter the current of nature; to know if it has made a sluggish mind active, a sensual mind self-denying, a selfish mind disinterested, a narrow mind liberal, a hardened mind conscientious. If these old things have passed away, and all things are become new, as St. Paul saith,* then may we feel assured that the believer is indeed born again, and there need be no further doubt about the matter. But if the essential bias and characteristics of the soul remain the same, only modified by a few circumstances-if there is not received internally such, power from on high, as is manifestly a correcting and an influencing principle, ruling the whole man, and subduing even the strongest tendencies and besetments, there is reason to fear that the profession of religion, however fair its apparent progress, however plausible its pretensions, is in reality unsound in its basis.

Leighton begged of Henry to excuse him for an hour before breakfast, as he loved to walk out alone during that period, and promised to give him his whole time for the remainder of the day. Perhaps he thought it well also for Henry to be left a little to himself. The latter acquiesced, and the young men did not meet again till they joined the social party at family worship, preparatory to breakfast.

* 2 Cor. v. 17.

F

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CHAPTER IV.

Oh! shame upon thee, listless heart,
So sad a sigh to heave,

As if thy Saviour had no part

In thoughts that make thee grieve.
Thy treasured hopes and raptures high
Unmurmuring let them go;

Nor grieve the bliss should quickly fly,
Which Christ disdained to know.

CHRISTIAN YEAR.

Ar breakfast, Mr. Leighton asked his family what were the arrangements for the day, and how it was proposed to entertain their young guest?

"Dear Sir," said Henry, "I require no other entertainment than just to be considered as a member of the family, and to be allowed to share in your several employments. I want to be intimate with you all, and with the whole parish; but let no unusual arrangements take place on my account."

Mr. Leighton smiled. "Well, my young friend," said he, "I really believe the best way for you see the varieties and curiosities of this parish, such

to

as they are, will be to accompany each of us severally to our peculiar departments."

"There is nothing amusing or wonderful in everyday duties," said Miss Percy, "but there is much to interest those who heartily enter into them. Religious people, as well as others, have their favourite pursuits and peculiar tastes; but I trust that here, instead of interfering, they blend, like the colours of the rainbow, into one harmonious circle, embracing in its circuit, much of earth indeed, but touching heaven."

"That is prettily said, aunt Harriet," said Philip, "but I fear you have said too much for us all. I, at least, have much to do with earth, but little with heaven."

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My dear Philip," said his aunt, kindly, “why should it be thus with you? Are not the blessings, the privileges enjoyed by us all, equally open to you? Is it because there is no balm in Gilead, that you are not healed and made happy?"

Philip sighed, but he did not pursue the subject. Mrs. Leighton then resumed upon the arrangements for the day. "As you wish to know how we usually proceed," said she, addressing Henry, “I will tell you our general plans: though we are not so rigid in adhering to a system, as not to vary them occasionally, when there is any good reason for doing so. Immediately after breakfast, Mr. Leighton retires to his study, where he remains for some hours. My son, Philip, generally reads or writes during the same period. My sister, and Elizabeth,

take the children into the drawing-room, and instruct them according to a regular plan of education, which includes some attention to music and drawing, though both of these are considered only of value, so far as they promote the general amusement of the family. Meanwhile I am engaged in household affairs. When my business is done, I join the school-room party; and sometimes we read and work, sometimes prepare employment for the poor, and sometimes adjourn to the garden, where the little ones weed and hoe, and do other things under our advice and direction. Once or twice a week my sister is absent on these occasions, having her own peculiar duties. At two we dine, and afterwards we generally go abroad to visit the rich or the poor, our schools or infirmary, as the case may be, each going wherever we are most needed. Then in the evenings”

"Dear mother," cried Philip, "do not tell every particular to Henry, or you will leave him nothing to discover. Pray, let us unfold, like opening buds to his view (as aunt Harriet would say), that every day may reveal some unexpected charm."

Miss Percy laughed. "I am afraid," dear Philip, "that where there are only specimens of human nature to be unfolded, there will appear blights and blemishes as well as charms; nor would it be a slight one to cherish too high an opinion of ourselves, or to affect any lofty pretensions to the character of devoted and disinterested Christians. Alas! what are we in our best state, but unprofitable servants, only doing that which it is our duty to do."

"Well, good people," said the senior Mr. Leighton, "settle your affairs whatever way you think best; but take care of our young friend, and make him feel as happy and as much at home as you can. I think it might amuse him to ride over with Philip to the Park, to see the beautiful waterfall and Lord G.'s classic temple in the woods. And in the afternoon, suppose he were to accompany sister Harriet to the village, and be introduced to one or two of her particular friends. I must claim Theophilus for my companion this day at least.

Henry and the whole party assented to this arrangement; and shortly after breakfast, horses were ordered for the two young men to ride to Naiad Park, a noble and extensive demesne, situated about three miles from Lilybrook, though a very small part of it was included in the parish. Lord G— was seldom resident on this estate, as the neighbourhood was too quiet and retired to suit the taste of his lady and her daughters; and he seldom paid more than an annual visit, of about six weeks' continuance, toward the latter end of summer. He was generally accompanied on these occasions, by a number of fashionable acquaintances, who came to admire the rural beauties of the park, abounding, as it did, with rich copses, clothing the declivities of gently sloping hills of luxuriant green, and affording the view of a noble waterfall at a little distance, pouring in broad torrents from a neighbouring height, and then breaking into beautiful rills, which intersected each other at different spots throughout the demesne. These rills