of wretchedness we want to extract comfort; out of misery, splendour; out of poverty affluence; out of blindness, clearness of vision; out of nakedness, richness of attire! Is it possible to reflect seriously on the subject for a moment, and not perceive the gross folly and absurdity of our expectations, as well as the criminality of such ideas!"

Cora Wilmot thought she saw the point very clearly, but still she said, she feared she should have many severe conflicts before she could arrive at wisdom's door.

"Ah my dear friend, you may well say so, it must cost us many a sharp trial; but of this we may confidently assure ourselves, that until we have learnt to cease from self, as an impediment to our progress in the divine life, we shall never enjoy permanent happiness. It is said, 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed in thee' and every one who has been in some measure emptied of self, and taught to have his mind stayed on Christ, as his all-sufficient Saviour, will gratefully acknowledge that the promise has been most faithfully fulfilled to him.

"But then, Miss Conroy (for you see I must bring in my buts) how am I to get rid of self,

and stay my mind on the Saviour? I can't do it; I can't cease from sin; and I can't fix my thoughts on heaven!"

"No! of course you cannot; no one ever could is not this the point we have been discussing?

"But what am I to do? how am I ever to grow in grace?"

"Never! so long as you are trying to bring a clean thing out of an unclean,' for Job says no one can do this; but you must go to Christ as the centurion did, beseeching him to say in a word and his servant would be healed; ' or as the blind man who cried after Jesus, notwithstanding the disciples rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David;' and what was the result? Our Lord stood still, and called him to him, and said, 'What will ye that I shall do unto you?' and hearing that he desired to receive his sight, he had compassion on him, and immediately opened his eyes; after which, we are told that he followed Jesus. The blind sinner no sooner saw his Saviour than he followed him! What a gracious encouragement is this to us! that on going to him with our diseases to be healed, with our difficulties to be assisted, with our

sins to be forgiven, with our weakness to be strengthened, with our burdens to be sustained, He not only gives instant and full attention to our call, but grants our petition, heals our wound, and gives us ability to follow him. Next comes that blessed assurance, He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' So that by going to Jesus, and seeking to have our eye fixed on him, we have the promise of light to guide us under all circumstances-a promise that meets every objection, for if Christ be the light of men' and this light is given unto us, we may well take up the Apostle's words and say, 'What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? it is God that justifieth.' ' Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Consequently neither your sin nor your weakness, nor your difficulties, nor your temptations, nor your unbelief, nor your hardness of heart, nor your trials, be they what they may, shall be able to separate you from the love of

God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I am sure this is consolation and encouragement enough to fill us with songs of gratitude for years to come; and we will take leave of each other for the present as it is growing late, and may our heavenly Father and blessed Lord send down his gracious Spirit to quicken our earthly souls!"

CHAPTER XIX.

'GIVE UNTO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE UNTO HIS NAME.'

OTHER

Psalm xxix. 2.

FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY, THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.-1 Cor. iii. 11.

THE evening came, on which the Rector of Drayford was expected; Mary was very anxious about his coming, and he did not disappoint them. There came also the Wilmot family, Mr. Forbes, and two other clergymen, besides the Vicar of St. Mary's. Two of the Miss Hoopers and a brother, with the regular inmates, made up the party.

The uncle seemed to have determined on coming out in a new character, for, contrary to custom, instead of withdrawing to his retired situation, he occupied a prominent post, entertaining Mrs. Wilmot with a variety of subjects, and addressing her daughters and the Miss