any one to call upon His name, and then leaves them ;-Oh, never!" "Oh, mamma, how I wish that I was sure of being one of His children, for then I should not be so often naughty, and de what I ought not!" "No, my dear, you certainly would not be so often naughty, but you would frequently forget God's great goodness in taking you into His family, and you would not remember to do as Daniel did, and give God thanks; and perhaps you would begin to listen to 'Inbred sin,' as the little pilgrims did, and grow proud, and forget that he was your worst enemy, and the most difficult to get rid of." "Yes, mamma, I dare say I should, for that wicked Inbred sin never let Humble-mind and the other children alone, but kept teasing them and putting wicked thoughts into their heads for ever." "And this is what he would do to my little girls, and what he does more or less every day to us all." "When will you go on with that story, mamma, for we all like it so much; and I want to hear about the old man again, who was covered with rags, and sat upon the mire and dirt, and was dressed up, and painted and patched, and thought himself so fine, till some one gave him a push, and then he fell over and over into a deep pit." "Yes, my love, I will read it to you this afternoon, if you are a

good child. I am very fond of The Infant's Progress," for I think it is one of the very best books that ever were written; and that story of the old man of sin, sitting on the dirt heap, should be read and remembered by every one ;it teaches us a great deal that it is good for us to know; and the person who wrote that book deserves the sincere thanks of every mother,

The time for reading and conversation was past, and Mary withdrew from the little party, very much gratified.

In the course of the day, Mary looked over the children's library, and saw scarcely any of the numerous story-books that she had usually remarked in the possession of other young people. Mrs. Gray told her that she was desirous of being very cautious in selecting their books; she considered that the general class of story-books, whether written with a religious view or not, only tended to make little novelists; she wished to give her children a taste for solid reading, and with the exception of an occasional work, which she admitted with caution, she never allowed of their seeing any book that might lead them to undervalue the interest of scripture, by requiring more highly wrought description; and upon other subjects avoided all that would diminish their enjoyment in solid

and useful knowledge. Mary mentioned a work she had seen on the drawing-room table, from the pen of a late authoress. Mrs. Gray said that her husband had heard the book commended, in consequence of which she had sent for it for his perusal, and it appeared to have gratified, and she thought benefited his mind. "It is customary," she added, "to cry down works of that description as altogether useless and bad; but I think this an injustice to those who have devoted their time to the task; besides, it should be remembered that such works are not written for the religious world, but for those who probably would admit religion in no other form. I think it quite a waste of time for enlightened Christians to leave their spiritual food, and enervate their minds with the sweetened refreshments prepared for the world; they might nearly as well go to Shakespeare, whose natural light was profoundly clear, for knowledge of the human heart, as to those kind of books for spiritual aid. I am, however, confidently assured, that the works you have mentioned have already been made instrumental in exciting an alarm and an interest in the hearts of some individuals; and I am acquainted with one person whose mind was seriously impressed by the perusal of these volumes.

I wish the author had been made acquainted with the circumstance, for I am persuaded that she wrote with a most sincere desire to do good; however, she is now safe from all anxiety or fear of disappointment; and meantime if God pleases that her endeavours should receive his blessing, the books that have already found their way to the drawing-rooms of the gay and the unthinking, will in his time reach their hearts, and, having prepared the way, they will be laid aside for the precious volume of inspiration itself.

Mrs. Gray made something like an allusion to the sentiments of her husband, touching the education of his children; and Mary, in as delicate a manner as possible, inquired if he objected to her plans of religious instruction. Mrs. Gray assured her, that so far from objecting, he allowed her full powers to act as she liked, "Mr. Gray, my dear Mary, is an excellent father, and a most indulgent husband; it has not pleased God to make eternal things of that importance in his sight, which I trust will one day be the case; but he has never shown any opposition to my wishes respecting the children, and I hope I may have grace bestowed to enable me to inspire them with feelings of respect and reverence for their father. Nothing

appears to me more monstrous, more glaringly sinful, than wilful contempt or disregard of parental authority. I can make no allowances for such conduct. I cannot understand, even supposing a case where direct opposition is shown, how a mother can justify herself in allowing an opportunity to escape her of impressing her offspring with feelings of respect, and love, and gratitude.”

"I have been often struck," said Mary, “ with the strangely unnatural conduct, as I should call it, of some children to their parents; it seems to me that religion should draw the bands of affection tighter, not loosen them; and yet how often do we see instances of coldness and indifference to their opinions, on points with which piety has nothing to do.”

"What you say is quite true; there must be divided sentiments where some are enlightened and others are not, and there must be a difference on all subjects connected with religion; but I am frequently shocked to see well-meaning young men and women (the latter especially) wilfully, for I can think it nothing else, opposing their parents in points wherein conscience can have no claim. The first and grand command is, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The only one to which a promise is