beneficial to the naturally sensual heart of man and so efficacious in subduing pride and selfgratification. Above all we should often and faithfully bring our sins to our recollection, that the sight of them might humble us before God. We should look at them in all their enormity, as committed against a holy and sinhating God, and dwell upon our ingratitude and guilt, till we could abhor ourselves and become truly penitent; a state which was extremely desirable, as it mortified the flesh and rendered us more fit for the reception of grace.. Also it excited us to press on towards holiness, and purity, and devotedness. He thought our views were far too low as to what the renewed creature might become by constantly endeavouring to purify himself from all infirmity of the flesh; he was persuaded that we should soon see more loveliness and beauty in the Christian character if we would bear this in mind; we should set up a higher standard than we usually did, and seek to imitate it. He was persuaded that the creature might become exceedingly lovely, if the means of amendment were carefully attended to; he thought we might, and ought to, expect to see it freeing itself (if he might so say) of its carnal incumbrances, and its earthly propensities, one by one, and becoming so dead to sin,

that scarcely any thing was to be discovered but pure acquiescence in the divine laws, and utter renunciation of the corrupt will. He considered it the duty of every Christian not to rest satisfied until he saw something of this feeling in himself, and when he did, to bless God who had enabled him to get the victory."

Having concluded these observations, the speaker requested his other friends to add their reflections, but the impression already made appeared so favourable, and the sentiments so much in unison with those of all present, that it was agreed that nothing further could be urged; and a chapter being read, and a prayer offered up, the visitors withdrew.

Mrs. Harding's sister eagerly inquired how Mary liked her evening. The fact was, Mary had wished to profit, and had really sought to hear something by which she might be benefited, in order to which she listened attentively to every remark that fell from the speaker. A few thoughts indeed pleased her, but the whole, taken together, was rather painful than otherwise: she felt that the foundation was wanting; the edifice raised on sand. The Saviour was not exalted; His name was scarcely mentioned; His great atonement was, indeed, tacitly acknowledged, but the creature was

called in to aid in the continuing and completion of the work. Man was to perform this duty, and to avoid that evil; to withstand this temptation, and to resist that inclination; to conform to this injunction, and to escape that infection; to assume this appearance, and to cast off that deportment. Such observances, performances, resistances, obediences, and even such appearances, were declared to be the best means for growing in grace, and for qualifying the sinner for the reception of the favor of God. Mary repeated to herself countless passages of scripture descriptive of man's unprofitableness, worthlessness, and helplessness, and as she heard of him in this new and strange character, as equal to such efforts and deeds of might, power, worth, capacity, valor, and fortitude, she almost wondered if she had heard aright, or had mistaken the whole.

But the time was come for her opinion to be given, and the lady would not be put off by aný evasive answer. "How did you approve of the remarks on general seriousness and solemnity of manner? for my part," she added, "I thought them very judicious; and if you will not be offended, my dear Mary, I must say his ideas instantly brought you to my recollection. You know that I have often hinted to you that

I thought a Christian should always maintain a serious air; and knowing as I did, that you had lately advanced much in religion, I certainly hoped never to have seen your countenance moved beyond a smile: and I was equally surprised and disappointed to see that smile widening into a laugh the first evening of your arrival; I forget what it was about, but I think a Christian should have that command of himself, that nothing should excite him to lose his self-possession."

Mary felt this to be irresistible, and, though she was vexed at herself, felt impelled to endanger her character for piety for ever, by laughing without control. Mrs. Harding, who was not SO much prejudiced as her sister, smiled, and began conversing on subject of the evening's discussion. She objected to the view taken of deportment and dress as too strict, and therefore injudicious in its effects on the world, who were apt to think that religion made people look melancholy and dull, and neglect their persons, wearing any kind of clothes without attention to neatness, or what was befitting one's station in life. Her sister took quite a different view, and argued that there should be a distinction in the smallest particulars; she would have the walk

more sober, the countenance more grave, the language more particular, the dress more simple and coarse.

Mary was again asked what she thought of the opinions delivered, and how she had liked the evening and unable to avoid answering, she promised to give the subject more consideration that night, and to express her sentiments in the morning.