you are now labouring under a delusion which will leave you still more wretched than it found you." "But, my dear father, suppose it be a delusion, is it not a pleasing one? It has delivered me from a species of melancholy, which no other expedient could remove;-but it is no delusion, because the effect is produced by truth operating on the mind through the medium of the judgment; and if you examine the Scriptures, you will perceive that they represent such a moral change as indispensably necessary. Jesus Christ says, that, unless we are born again, we cannot see the kingdom of heaven. This new birth I once thought was baptism by water, but I now perceive the absurdity of such an opinion. For those who are born again, are fitted for heaven; -but can we believe, that all who are baptized are fitted for heaven? There is a baptism by water, which is the external sign of that moral purification which is denominated the baptism of the Spirit. And St. Paul says, Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.' 2 Corinthians v. 17. And, though some would say that this refers expressly to the reformation which must take place in the more abandoned and impure, yet the comprehensive phrase which he employs (if any man be in Christ) demonstrates the necessity of this change in each individual, irrespective of the peculiar modification of his character." "I admit with you, my Sophia," replied Mr. Roscoe," that there must be a change, but that must be produced by our own reflections; and it does not require these flights of the fancy which you take."

But, my dear father, can a change so important as that which the Scriptures describe, take place in the human mind, without affecting all its faculties and passions? The change may be sudden or gradual, according to the sovereign will of the great Agent,

by whom it is produced; but, when it has taken place, a person cannot be unconscious of it. It is not merely a change of opinion, but of principle; it not only gives a distaste for the follies and vanities of this world, but raises the affections to the unseen realities of another, and transforms the whole character into a near resemblance to Jesus Christ's. Dr. Paley says, "It is too momentous an event ever to be forgotten. A man might as easily forget his escape from shipwreck." "I know," replied Mr. Roscoe, "that this change is necessary in relation to some, but I cannot see that it is necessary in relation to yourself; and, I fear, that you are perplexing your mind with a subject, which, if not above your reach, is altogether inapplicable to you." "But, my dear father, I feel the necessity of this change in relation to myself, and it is evident that my opinion accords with the current language of Scripture. Hence we read of being born again,-of passing from death unto life, of being created a new in Christ Jesus,of being made new creatures;-and, I feel that I have undergone this change. It is no airy notion. which flutters over my fancy; it is no superstitious impression sporting with the credulity of my mind ; it is no mysticism of opinion which dreads the light of investigation; but a substantial fact, which I cannot conceal, and to which I attribute, and exclusively attribute, my present mental composure and felicity. Yes, I now can say, I am happy."

"That gives me pleasure," replied Mr. Roscoe, "and though I fear your happiness arises from a source, which will, ere long, dry up, yet I will not disturb it while it lasts. Your heart, I know, is good; and the errors into which you have now fallen, will be corrected, I have no doubt, by the more mature reflections of your judgment. It is natural for persons who have laboured under a physical depression of spirits, to be delighted by almost any object of pursuit which first strikes their attention. Some are

charmed with the gaieties of this world; and some with imaginary conceptions of the felicities of the next; and hence are carried away with the visions of their own fancy; but time cools their ardour, and they ultimately live, and think, and act like other people. And this will be the case with you, I doubt not." "My errors I hope to detect," replied Miss Roscoe," and when detected, I will renounce them; but my religious principles, I hope, I shall never live either to renounce, or compromise, or dishonour."

"I know, my dear, that you are too virtuous to dishonour, and too independent to compromise any good principles; but I hope you will renounce those gloomy and dangerous ones which you have recently imbibed, and return to the adoption of those in which you have been educated. A mind that is given to change, becomes the sport of every wind of doctrine, and liable to be imposed on by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. " "But my dear father, you will permit me to say, that I am not deceived. I have cautiously examined the Scriptures,--especially the New Testament, and I am as thoroughly convinced, that 'I have been living in a state of total ignorance of the nature and design of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as I am opposed to the horrid rites of Pagan superstition." Well, my Sophia, I perceive that you are too much enamoured with your opinions to enter on a logical investigation of them at present; but when the freshness of novelty is worn off, and your mind reverts to its accustomed accuracy of perception, we may then do it with mutual satisfaction." hope, my dear father, we shall; for I assure you, that as my happiness is inseparably connected with your's, it is ny daily prayer, that we may be made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

J. S. Hughes, Printer, 66, Paternoster Row, London.

"I

Indeed, Papa," said Miss Roscoe, "I should like to have been present; it must have been a noble sight to have witnessed a child rising to the contemplation of a state of future bliss; to have beheld the involuntary movements of her soul towards the source of all blessedness; and to have heard her speak in terms so delightful of the love of Christ, as the first moving cause of her love to him."-Page 11.

London:

THE SOCIAL PARTY.

"The commerce of conversation is something like every other kind of commerce; if people have nothing to offer in exchange, there can only be little intercourse."

GILPIN'S DIALOGUES.

THE day at length arrived when the Roscoes came to dine at the villa. I had previously seen Mr. Roscoe, and had become somewhat acquainted with his character; but there was something so peculiar in his manner, that I could not approach him with ease. He was affable, yet reserved; high, yet condescending; polite, yet spoke and acted as though conscious that he was about to engage in a disputatious combat. The cloth was no sooner removed, than Mr. Lewellin, who had attended the Anniversary of the S

Bible Society, in the preceding week, informed us, that a medical gentleman moved one of the Resolutions, and said, "That he had been for many years an avowed infidel; but, on application, he became a subscriber to the Bible Society. After," he added, "I had, by paying my subscription, become a member of the Society, I thought I ought to read the Bible, to see whether it were a proper book to put into circulation. I did read it. Its historical parts afforded me instruction; I was pleased with its bold and chaste imagery; its beautiful narratives and parables; its pure and sublime morality excited my astonishment. The character of Jesus Christ struck me with awe and delight; but I was most affected by its accurate delineations of the human heart and character. I felt conscious that they were correct. I could not resist the impression which they produced on my mind; nor did I feel disposed to resist them. satisfied from the internal evidence of the Scriptures that they were a revelation from Heaven. receive them as such; and am anxious to bear my feeble testimony to their worth. I deeply regret that I ever despised them; that I ever lifted up my voice of calumny against them; and I think it a duty which I owe to the Redeemer, and to the world, and to this Society to say, that I renounce my infidelity as the bane of human felicity, and take my Bible as my guide to everlasting life!”

I was

I now