from her own lips a faithful narrative of her life. The wreck of beauty was still visible amidst the ruins of her constitution; and the hectic flush gave, at intervals, a super-human expression to her countenance. But I felt conscious that she was hastening to the judgment seat; and this circumstance deeply depressed the feelings of her pious parents, who trembled for her destiny. I requested them to retire from her room, for she was obliged to take to her bed on the very day of her arrival, when I began conversing with her on the subject of death, and on the only way of salvation for sinners. She wept, and said, that she was fully aware of her danger and desert; but added,

I hope that the Friend of sinners will have mercy on me. My conscience has often smote me; the anguish of my mind I cannot describe; but I lay myself at his feet, and cry, God, be merciful to me a sinner!' "I have,” added Mrs. Stevens, "regularly renewed my visits every day; and I hope that my feeble efforts have been made the means of leading her to the Saviour."

We now alighted from the chaise, and entered the cottage. Its cleanliness bespoke the presence of religious feeling; but I was not permitted to remain below; for as soon as the poor girl heard that there was a minister of the gospel in the house, she expressed an ardent wish to see me. When I approached her bed-side, she exclaimed; "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.' (1 Timothy i.. 15.) Though my pious parents impressed this fact on my memory in the days of childhood, yet it never reached my heart till since I have been confined in this chamber. I have spent the prime of my days in vanity and sin, neglecting the means of grace, and pouring contempt on the remonstrances of my own conscience; and, had not an invisible hand arrested me in my progress, I should have gone on till overtaken by the storm of the divine displeasure. But here I am, a prostrated monument of mercy; a sinner saved through the

blood of the Lamb. That kind lady (pointing to Mrs. Stevens) is the best earthly friend I ever had. She has been the means of gilding the even-tide of my life with the vision of glory; and now, Sir, I can advance without fear; for I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him, against that day.'"

I expressed my pleasure at the joyful tidings which she narrated, mingled my tears of gratitude with those of her relatives and friends; and, after commending her soul to the care of the Lord Jesus, I bade her adieu till we meet in that world where no disease will invade the constitution; where death will never burst asunder the bonds of social union; and where

"Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown."

As we rode back to the villa, I congratulated Mrs. Stevens on the honour which God had conferred on her in employing her as the instrument of saving this dying female from the pangs of the second death. "Yes, Sir, it is an honour which I prize more than gold and silver;-which imparts a purer joy to my mind, than ever heaved the bosom of a mere earthly philanthropist, and invests the eternal world with a fresh charm, as I expect to embrace my Harriet as my child in the faith."

"I have often thought," I observed, "that if the infidel could perceive the sources of pleasure which Christianity, in her more localized influence, opens to the pious mind, he would be less disposed to reproach her as hostile to human happiness." Yes, Sir, but such is the degree of his mental aversion to pure Christianity, that her more sublime doctrines are turned into themes of ridicule; the spirit which she inspires in her friends is regarded as the wild-fire of fanaticism; and though we may attempt to justify our conduct on the admitted principles of social life, yet we can but rarely succeed."

Our conversation was now very unexpectedly in

terrupted by a gentleman, who stepped out of his garden, and informed Mrs. Stevens, that the poor widow was worse, and was not expected to live through the day. This communication, I perceived, very deeply affected her. She paused; and then said:"Do you think, Sir, that I may be permitted to see her?" "Why, Madam," replied Mr. Roscoe, "the medical attendant has given express orders, that no one be allowed to see her except the nurse. I hear that she has made her peace with God, and is not afraid to die. It will be a happy release for her.' "I hope Mrs, and Miss Roscoe are well," said Mrs. Stevens; you will make my compliments to them, and say, that we hope to see you at the villa very soon."

"Mr. Roscoe," observed Mrs. Stevens, "is our nearest neighbour, but I fear that he has no just perception of the nature of true religion, though he is, in his own estimation a very religious man. He is so lovely in his temper, so kind in his disposition, and so benevolent in his spirit, that every one esteems him who knows him but I fear that he substitutes all this exterior amiability in the place of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and thinks that nothing more is necessary for salvation, than an occasional attendance at the parish church. But I feel for the dying widow. I saw her at the commencement of her illness; but, when I told her that she was a sinner, and that she could not be saved but through faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, she told me, that she had never done any harm in her life, and that she did not doubt of the mercy of God. I have called several times since; but, as I attempted to disturb her peace in her dying moments, I have not been permitted to see her again; and some very severe remarks, I understand, have been made on what is called my cruel conduct." "Yes, Madam," I replied, "the spirit of this world will often forbid the herald of mercy entering the chamber of affliction, and will wrap up the departing soul in the winding sheet of half-security, before it enters the valley of the shadow of death. What must be its surprise and alarm on entering the invisible state! The lan

guage of Jesus Christ, in reference to such a state of feeling, is very, very awful: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name have cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.'

Matt. vii. 22 23. "I grant," said Mrs. Stevens, "that prudence often renders it necessary to exclude even intimate friends from a sick chamber, lest the patient should have too much excitement; but, to exclude friends merely because they are religious, and who may be disposed to say something in relation to that tremendous scene which eternity opens on the disembodied spirit, is a crime of no ordinary magnitude; and, if the spirit were permitted to step back after that tremendous scene has been beheld, in what indignant language would she reprove such an act of cruelty."

Just as this remark was made, the villa rose on our view, which turned the current of our conversation on a more interesting theme, I remarked, "that I thought the country more favourable to devotional feeling than the city. The gaiety and the bustle of the one, distract the mind; whereas the quietude of the other, composes it." "True, Sir;" replied Mrs. Stevens, "but the spirit of devotion would soon languish beside the murmuring stream, or the silent shade, unless invigorated by the unction which cometh from above. If we, who live in the country, have fewer temptations than you who live in cities, yet, in general, we have fewer religious advantages; and though we are not altogether deprived of the society of christian friends, yet it is but seldom that we are surrounded by a sufficient number to admit of making a selection."

We now stopped, got out of the chaise, and entered the parlour, where Mr. Stevens soon joined us, who seemed deeply interested by the report of our morning's excursion. After having partaken of a plain dinner, Mr. Stevens and myself adjourned to a sequestered arbour, at the extreme point of his shrubbery, where

we sat the greater part of the afternoon, engaged in a tête-à-tête conversation. "Mr. Roscoe," he observed, "to whom you were introduced this morning, is a most interesting companion. He is a man of very extensive reading, of deep and close reflection, of a fine taste, very benevolent in his disposition, of strict integrity, and very religious in his own way. He is rather too fond of disputation, and there is no subject which he likes to discuss more than the subject of religion, though I think he does not understand it so well as he does many others." "Is he fond, Sir, of introducing religious subjects in conversation?" "Very." "Does he introduce them merely for discussion, or in relation to their practical tendency?" "Why, Sir, his uniform design, if I may be permitted to judge of his motive, by their introduction, is to excite a general feeling of disgust against what he calls the Methodistical or Calvinistic delusions of the age, which he regards as more injurious to our national character, and more destructive to our natural happiness, than even the spirit of Infidelity itself." Then, I presume, Sir, that you are not very intimate." "Oh, yes, we are. We often protract the debate, in this arbour, or the tea-room, till our wives interfere, and request us to recollect the hour.”

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But, Sir, are not some of his prejudices against the demoralizing tendency of the Methodistical delusion, (to use his own phraseology,) shaken, by your conduct?" "Oh, no, Sir, he has, like many others, an ingenious expedient, by which the force of individual example, against his sweeping charge is repelled. He says, that our superior good sense, and our superior virtue, prevent these delusions from operating on us, as they operate on others. So you see, Sir, that his complaisance nullifies the argument which his opinions cannot resist; and the mine which christian consistency springs beneath an erroneous opinion is countermined by the artifice which friendship employs.""Is he very dogmatical in conversation?". Rather so; but he never loses his temper. Indeed, he is a most valuable man; and if it should

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