that I wished them to understand the holy rite tho roughly, if possible, before they came publicly to the altar; "for it is reasonable to suppose," I said, "that God will expect of us more preparation of every kind, more knowledge of what we are about to do, and better qualifications for doing it worthily, when we communicate deliberately and at leisure, than when we communicate upon a sudden emergency which allows of no delay. In this latter case we do the best that we can; in the other we must do the same; that is, we must use the opportunity of preparation with a proportionate diligence." Thus I left them.

3.-The Same, and Mr. Barking.

Two or three days elapsed before I visited them again. In this interval I endeavoured to retrace my steps through the conversations which have been represented in the previous sheets; and it appeared to me, that, as I had advanced so far towards a full elucidation of this important subject of the Sacrament, it would be worth while, if occasions should present themselves, to explain whatever might still remain untouched. At the same time I was well aware, that some of the points already handled were but imperfectly understood. I had often used expressions, with which persons in the habit of attending church are familiarly acquainted; but neither the expressions, nor the ideas represented by them, were at all known to these people; so that they only obtained a general and confused notion of my meaning, when they happened to comprehend the antecedent and

subsequent passages. All these obscurities, therefore, were also to be cleared up, as opportunities might occur, before I could pretend to have accomplished my object. They knew indeed already much more than was necessary for humble-minded Christians to know, in order to enable them to communicate worthily; but they were very inquisitive, especially Mrs. Turner, and difficulties suggested themselves to their thoughts, the explanation of which suggested others in succession. It was to be hoped, however, that the series would not be infinite, and that I might bring the whole to a prosperous conclusion.

I entered their house on the next occasion after a consideration of this kind. Mrs. Turner was alone; her husband, she said, had just gone out for the first time, under the care of a neighbour, to take an airing in a chaise-cart. Immediately I congratulated her upon his extraordinary amendment, and expressed my hope that after such a mercy he would never return again to his former vicious habit. "He shews no disposition as yet to do so, Sir," she answered. "It would be madness for him to drink in his present state; the trial of his resolution is still to come. God knows what the event may be! He is determined, however, Sir, to take the Sacrament in the church, according to his first intention. But you have alarmed me, Sir, about the preparation, which you say is necessary in our present circumstances; indeed, I think now, as I thought in the beginning, that a person in my business can never be prepared sufficiently." "But," I said rather sarcastically, "you are always sufficiently prepared to die, I presume?" "Ah! Sir," she replied, "that is the old argument; it puts me to silence at once; no, no, I

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am sadly troubled about it; yet, I fear, I shall go on, putting the great concern off and off till it is too late." Why should you act so foolishly?" I asked. "Is there anything in the nature of your business to make it necessarily dishonest? And if that were so, which seems however incredible, is there no other business in the world, which is honest in itself, and which you may pursue honestly, and so pick up an Why, Sir, to honest and sufficient livelihood?" tell you the truth,” she answered, "I shall not get much by my business, if I carry it on with strict honesty; I see that now; for I am more scrupulous "Thank than I was, and my profits are less." "If you are God!" I exclaimed with earnestness. poorer at home, you will be richer with God; to be poor, because you are determined to be honest, is to lay up a treasure in heaven. This is a great imcharacter and conduct; it is the provement in your awe of the Sacrament which has produced the good effect; you are growing in grace already, and there is no knowing what wonders the Spirit may do for if you frequently put yourself in the way of his influence; the fear of poverty will then be quite ridi

you,

culous."

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This sentiment was beyond Mrs. Turner's calibre, and after a little thought she said, "Yes, Sir: but it is a very painful thing now to sink below our former "And is it not," I rerespectability and comfort." joined, a very pleasant thing now to have a good conscience?" She was silent; so I continued, “Why, a dry crust and a cup of cold water, with a good conscience, must be better, I should think, yes, and pleasanter, than the nicest dainties procured by cheating lies, and cunning tricks, which your mind secretly

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cries out against within you, and which you are, therefore, quite sure that God will condemn. But what need is there of any lies or tricks in your business?" "Oh! do not mention it, Sir," she replied hastily; "I should be ashamed to tell you all that I once did, almost without scruple, in order to drive a more profitable trade; but last night, Sir, I threw away some fish that was unsound, and unwhole some; I could not find in my heart to hawk it about." "Mrs. Turner," I exclaimed, "I admire you for that, and God will reward you too even here if you continue steadfast in the same principles under the guidance of his spirit; he will give you, that is, either unexpected prosperity, or contentment in poverty. But, perhaps, it may be as well to leave the fish-market altogether, if it be attended with so many temptations. How is the other?" Why, I should do better, Sir," she replied, "with fruit and greens, if I could get employment enough; there is less temptation there." Very well," I said, “then turn your mind to that. But how is your husband's business?" "Oh! Sir," she answered at once, "that is all very straight-forward and honest; he has nothing to reproach himself with in any respect, nor any need of little paltry lies or tricks." glad of it," I said; "and I should hope, if he pursued it steadily, there would be no further occasion for you to toil and slave and load your conscience, as you have been used to do. All his gains will come home, instead of going to the ale-house; and he will be always in the way to receive orders, and in a condition to execute them. That will make a prodigious difference, Mrs. Turner; there will be more saved in that way than you can get in any way.”

"I am

Mrs. Turner shook her head at this, not as if it was an erroneous calculation, but as if she feared the thing would never come to pass; and before I could enquire into the grounds of this constant distrust which she seemed to have of her husband, he was driven up to the door, and she ran out in a hurry to help him down, and into the house. I went out also myself, and was sorry to observe that his friend and companion was no other than Mr. Barking, a man of most profligate morals, or rather without the restraint of any morals at all. Nothing was sacred in this man's estimation; neither the religion, nor the government of his country; neither the reputation of his neighbour, nor the chastity of his neighbour's wife his own passions and appetites were his only law; he recked not of God, or devil; nevertheless, he was a man to whom I judged it politic to be civil, in the hope that some time or other I might have the better chance of catching him. So I said to him, "It is extremely kind of you, Mr. Barking, to take the sick man out in this manner. A little more air and gentle exercise will bring him on faster in the re-establishment of his health." Aye, aye, Sir," he replied, touching his hat; " but what is the matter with him now? He used to be a jolly, spirited fellow, and never was known to flinch his glass; but now he won't taste a drop. I drove him to the Bull, where there is the best tap in the parish; but it wouldn't do. Neither the fame, nor the sight of the ale itself sparkling in the tankard, could make him stir a peg. I should like to know what you have

been all doing to him?"

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Thus he went on with volubility enough, and without any sense of decorum; the question, with which