so exceedingly tranquil, so indifferent to the rapid rise of the power which rises only to fall from a greater height.'

And who do you mean by we?'

'Not you and I, certainly, dear uncle; and I can reckon up a large number equally free from the imputation. But, not including all who call themselves Protestants, if we look around only on such as claim to be the chosen people of God in Christ, what a lack of earnestness do we behold! Suppose a person could take, in rotation, all the church services in England, all the private lectures, and various ministrations of the enlightened clergy, how many do you suppose he would find employed in instructing his hearers on the points where they are all likely to be soon assailed? Even among those who do see the wolf coming, how many are giving notice of his approach ?'

'Some, I know: but I fear not many. I will tell you what, to my own knowledge, occurred within a short time in a neighbouring county. A pious rector, and his equally excellent curate, finding that a popish chapel was about to be opened in that parish, preached in turn, the preceding Sunday, faithfully exposing the soul-deluding snare, and warning their hearers against defiling themselves with the spiritual abomination. The chapel was opened, and the Romish priest addressed an overflowing congregation: he complimented' the many respectable Protestants whom he saw around him,' and added that their being present was a proof that they did not BELIEVE what they had heard at their church on the Sunday before. He also informed them that the Catholic religion, as he falsely called it,, was spreading fast;

and would yet extend itself in the land, far and near of course assuring them that it was the only true faith. This is a fact, of recent occurrence; and the £70 collected at the door of that mass-house was chiefly from these hollow-hearted Protestants.'

'It seems, then, uncle, that even when the ministers do their duty, an answerable effect does not always follow.'

'The wicked will do wickedly, and the foolish will do foolishly, though Paul himself returned to earth, to occupy the parish pulpit. But think you the labour of these upright pastors was altogether in vain? No, no, my dear; even had not one heart been opened to receive their instructions, oh, with how unburthened a conscience might each of the preachers exclaim, "I am pure from the blood of all men," in this matter. You know, St. Paul, after describing in the plainest terms the papacy, as it was to appear, adds, to Timothy, "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of THESE THINGS, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." It is to me a wonder how the ministers of the gospel, knowing-for know it they must-what fearful strides popery is making in this land, can dare so despise God's express command.'

'I honour those two clergymen, uncle.'

'So do I: they not only preached from their own pulpit, but challenged the priest to an open discussion of the subject. In vain: these doers of evil hate the light, and will not come to it. The place where it occurred was the scene of some glorious martyrdoms in Mary's days; and it may be in answer to their dying prayers that God leaves it not now

without a powerful witness to the truth. Mark me: I hold no man as a faithful witness to the truth of God, who keeps back any part whatever of that truth as opposed to its antagonist error. A minister may preach like an angel, and handle every point of doctrine in a general way: but if, in these times, he sends the flock out, unguarded against the two particular snares that are now set for them on every side-especially popery, because it is the more delusive of the two, as nominally professing Christ, whom the other party deny--if a man does this from sabbath to sabbath, there is wanting the capacity of a good workman, rightly to divide the word of truth, and to give to each his portion in due season. He may be blind, unable to see afar off; he may be dumb, or afraid to bark: but be the defect what it may, it is in part wilful, and I fear he will have to render an account, in that when the enemy came in like a flood, he failed to lift up the standard against him, which the Spirit of the Lord had committed to his hands.'

'I fear so too, uncle. But now for something pleasant. A friend who was at our recent little meeting followed our example; assembled the ladies in his neighbourhood, addressed them on the subject of Protestantism in Ireland, and was rewarded by seeing them, on the spot, enrol themselves as a Ladies' Auxiliary Branch of the Irish Society, in a most populous district, where nothing of the sort had been in operation before.'

Very well thank God, and take courage.'

THE

CHRISTIAN LADY'S MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1838.

CHAPTERS ON FLOWERS.

It is not in the power of winter, however severe and sweeping in his operations among the flowers, to deprive me of all my store. Though every leaf should wither, and every root become a mass of corruption, and not a blossom remain in the conservatory, I am always provided, not only with one, but a complete bouquet of bright and showy flowers. The Amaranthus, in all its varieties of form and colour, with everlastings of purple or of gold, and a rich assemblage of grasses, that appear quite indestructible, form this magic group. I bought it in the street, of a poor, sickly-looking aged woman, who evidently wanted the price of her Christmas posy' to supply the craving of hunger: but this common-place mode of acquisition by no means lessened the interest of the purchase. What has been touched by the poor,

MARCH, 1838.

·

possesses a peculiar character in my eyes: and I could not but think, when taking the gay bouquet from a withered hand, how tenderly the Lord provides for their wants, whom we so little consider in the midst of our festivities.

The intense cold that followed, soon left my winter nosegay without a rival, and, excepting the border of box that encircled it, not a change has yet appeared, not a tint has faded, not a leaf fallen. These flowers are an exception to the general rule; they have been cut down, yet neither dried up nor withered; even the flower of grass,' that impressive emblem of man's glory and goodliness, waves in its pristine grace, and shines brightly when a sun-beam falls aslant upon the cluster. I must needs apply this: not indeed to an individual, but to a race, far more to be wondered at than these imperishable flowers. A race long since deprived of the life-giving fatness of the root; dead, yet continually before us in all the reality of bustling life. Need I name them?-the Lord's own ancient people, the dispersed of Judah, the ‘nation scattered, and peeled,' and trodden under foot; familiar with every storm that can rage without, and preyed upon by every corrupt principle within, separated from the stem, deprived of spiritual nutriment, yet surviving all; and destined to survive, in preeminent glory, the pride of that earth which now scorns them. Oh, I cannot look upon the unfading Amaranthus without recalling those precious words, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." I read in it at once the promise and its fulfilment: I see what the Lord has said he would do: I see what he actually does, and I know assuredly what he will yet do. I have no more doubt of the literal restoration