jectured, that the boat had been upset, and all on board had perished.

From this period Albert became more thoughtful. The airy fabric of happiness he would have reared on earth had dissolved before his eyes. While the sun of prosperity shone on it, it seemed fair to view; but when the clouds of sorrow and adversity loured around it, it tottered for an instant, and then vanished for ever. He was now conscious he had been leaning on a reed for comfort, instead of deriving it from that only

ce whence true consolation can spring. The late tragical occurrence sunk deep into his mind; and the impression it left there, indelible as the loss he had sustained, often elicited from him the self-upbraiding sigh. He had neglected the education of his children-that portion of it more especially, which should have had a tendency to fit them for a residence in a 6 kingdom, which flesh and blood cannot inherit.' One of them had passed into eternity-and his irrevocable sentence could now never be reversed.

These were afflicting recollections; and they awakened in his breast the most agonizing emotions.

Henceforth, he was led to reflect on the realities of the invisible world, and was frequently heard, when alone, to cry out as with an involuntary burst of anguish ; · Amadeus, where art thou? Where is my Amadeus? Say! Have I undone thee, my poor boy?' The Bible, thenceforward, became the companion of his solitude; and his grief began gradually to subside from the perusal of its sacred pages, as if absorbed in the glorious prospects they unfolded to his view. There, he found a balm for his wounds which the scene around him was unable to impart. Like the dew on the tender grass, it fell upon his wounded spirit. The blessing from on high was present, and he was sensible of its healing efficacy. Through it, he was taught that no incident, however trivial it may seem, can arrive without the supreme concurrence of an infinitely wise and gracious God; and that all things, untoward as they may appear to our narrow sight, work to

gether' for the welfare of those who obey him. Thus did the light of truth imperceptibly dawn upon his heart. If the late event was sent to his soul with terror, it was guided by a hand of mercy. He, to whose purposes of love winds and waves are alike subservient, had ordained it as the instrument of opening a way for the more abiding lessons which du Blesne had yet to learn, and of exciting him to an anxious inquiry after the things which belonged unto his peace.'

These sentiments, thus auspiciously rising in his breast, were watched and diligently cherished by a pious pastor in his neighbourhood, whose acquaintance he had hitherto avoided, but with whom he subsequently became united in the closest ties of Christian benevolence and friendship. It was his care to lead the mind of du Blesne to higher hopes-to point out to him the superintendance of a particular Providence –to induce him to recognize its over-ruling interposition in every occurrence of lifeand to enable him to trace, in his own afflic

tions, its especial interference, chastening him for his ultimate advantage. From these he conducted him, and his humble but faithful endeavours were acknowledged from above, to that mysterious display of benignity in the Creator, which was manifested in the restoration of his offending creatures. In the gift of his only Son, as a propitiation for our iniquities, in the vicarious obedience of Jesus, and his atoning death, he showed him at once the infinite demerit of sin-the means of reconciliation-and the unbounded compassion and tenderness of Him, against whom we had so causelessly, so ungratefully transgressed. Finally, he unfolded to him the medium through which the benefits of redemption are appropriated; and exemplified from sacred and unimpeachable testimony the vital influence of a true faith.' 'Through it,' would this good man say, ' and may this be our happy experience, the believer becoming identified with Christ, pays in Him the penalty due to the Divine justice, and is entitled to the possession of a tranquillity which this world can neither give

nor take away: while, in the fair perspective of the immortality that awaits him, he will often rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.'

Thus was du Blesne, by slow but sure degrees, made wise unto salvation.' The economy of the Gospel-dispensation opened on his astonished sight in all its harmony and beauty. His mental vision was unfilmed. He beheld the refuge provided for him, 'the Rock that was higher than he,' and fled to it with trembling gratitude. He was no longer without God in the world.' Admitted to his embraces,' he found in Him all he wanted-a Redeemer, a guide, a friend. A stranger once from the covenants of promise,' he had been brought nigh by the blood of Christ:' and, roused from the restless dream of delusive security, he awoke to the sweet reality of pardon and peace. In the fate of his darling child he now saw a circumstance of awful indeed, but salutary interest, proceeding from Him, who' numbers the very hairs of our heads,' and without whose permission not one of