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earth, but it has lost its savour;-the glory of Christ is clouded by the darkness of men's minds, and they see not that they want the anointing of the Holy One; they will not buy eye-salve, that they may see.' This is called a day of great light; and it certainly is a day of great activity in furtherance of various religious objects ;-large subscriptions are gathered; funds accumulated; missionaries sent to foreign lands;—but where is the pure unadulterated truth among ourselves? Where is the full and free gospel of Christ Jesus preached at home into our own bosoms? Where are the faithful disciples of Christ;-those who will follow him through evil report as well as through good; who, feeling themselves profitless, unworthy, and vile, praise him in accents of grateful and adoring thanksgiving, trampling on the merits of the creature, and magnifying and exalting the work of the Redeemer. Light is said to be fast spreading, but how few and faint are the gleams of the Sun of Righteousness upon our hearts! Oh! that he would arise with healing in his wings! that he would manifest himself more unto his people, as he doth not unto the world,' that it might no longer with truth be said unto the professing Christian, 'Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee.'

CHAPTER XXII.

'I AM DISTRESSED FOR THEE, MY BROTHER JONATHAN: VERY PLEASANT HAST THOU BEEN UNTO ME.'-2 Sam. i. 26.

THE time drew near for Mary's departure, and she took leave of her friends, and especially of Cora Wilmot, with regret, yet under the hope of meeting them another year but when the moment came for parting from her brother it was not without many painful feelings that she bade him farewell, and turned to gain another glimpse of his residence before the road finally shut it from her view. There is something in the tie of natural affection; in the power of early habits; and the association of youthful ideas, which has an irresistible influence over the mind; —an influence which neither time nor change of circumstances can entirely destroy. Persons nearly related may be separated for years ;—may have heard little of each other ;-and may even appear to have become incapable of the warm

and kindly feelings of nature; but let them meet again after any length of absence, and for a time, at least, the heart will seem to have regained its early feelings; and to have returned to its former habits. Memory recalls a thousand affecting scenes of childhood, and records numberless instances of early impressions; which, for the moment, banish the world with its interests, its cares, its anxieties, and its heartless maxims. It would be well for us if feelings so excited could be fixed and rendered permanent ;— but, alas! the heart falls back into its acquired babits; the feelings sink into their secret hiding place;—and, the world, with its overwhelming torrent, again sweeps all before it. Happily it is not so with the believer in Jesus; who, having a new principle to draw out and strengthen the feelings of natural affection; retains them in the force and freshness of youth, long after time has acted upon the outward circumstances.

Mary loved her brother with a most affectionate attachment; and although she knew he was in the possession of many of the best blessings of heaven and earth; she could not part from him without many feelings of regret. She felt much oppressed during the remainder of the day; and only found relief in lifting her heart to God, and supplicating his

gracious favour for her brother and for herself. Her uncle was also much attached to his nephew; but his character of mind led him to conceal his feelings; and he appeared engrossed with the newspaper, or full of remark on the "The country through which they passed. harvest had been remarkably abundant; the hedges looked unusually thick; the roads were very good after the rains; the rooks were very busy gathering their food; the sheep looked rather thin; the pigs had particularly high backs; the children were very healthy looking; the cottages neat; the gardens well kept; the timber fine; the grass uninjured by the late rain; the soil was rich; the river looked well through the trees; the post-boys drove very slowly. "Ah! there is a sight which I never see without pain; an old man breaking stones as the last refuge from starvation or the workhouse." Mr. Conroy threw the poor man a halfcrown, and continued his remarks. "Henry feels as I do;-I one day found him, with the hammer in his hand, breaking granite for an old man who was allowed so much for the lump. Henry has a generous nature!"

On this topic Mary could not be silent; and before the subject was dropped, they found themselves in sight of the Grange.

Mr. Gray saw them from his study, and hastened down to meet them; his wife they found seated in the drawing-room, surrounded by a very lovely group of children, to whom she was reading some interesting stories; while they appeared to be listening with great attention. She looked very happy amidst them, and rose to welcome the visitors with great cordiality.

Mr. Gray was an old friend of Mr. Conroy's, though a much younger man: he had married a near relative, and retired to a small estate called the Grange. Here his wife became impressed, from the perusal of a 'Practical View of Christianity,' with the importance of real religion; and she immediately commenced a diligent study of the sacred volume of inspiration; through which means, and without any human aid, she appeared to have become established in the faith; and was now anxiously seeking to lead her husband's mind to the only subject which she felt to be worthy an immortal being's attention. It pleased the Sovereign Disposer of all hearts to withhold this desire from her; and although it was a trial, almost as severe in its nature as any that can reach the heart of man; and she felt it most keenly; yet she was enabled to cast her burden upon the Lord, trusting Him to sustain