children as they grew up. On their education, he spared no pains. For their happiness in life, he advanced all that good example, advice, money, vigilance, or unceasing parental kindness could do. His children loved him, as they might be expected to love such a father, who possessed both amiableness and ardor of affections. They grew up hearing, as early as they were capable of hearing, and knowing ever after that he smiled with scorn at the very name of Christ. Part of the result may be anticipated. His eldest son was an infidel. He would not condemn Christianity, with that vehement confidence which belonged to older men, for he possessed more modesty than many young persons, who were reared as he was, have done. He would even confess that many amiable men, who had read more than ever he had done, did reverence the Bible, but he did not believe. He would even confess that investigation would not be amiss for him, on this subject; but living in the amusements of life as he did, there was no likelihood that he ever would go through the toil of a faithful research. His father had succeeded in teaching him excellent moral principles, to the extent which he himself practised, and he was crying peace to his conscience with but little cessation, if any. It was at length observed, that when professors of religion acted amiss, and he spoke in disapprobation of their conduct, there was more detestation of countenance, and more bitterness thrown into the tone of his voice than usual. He began to notice their ill deserts more frequently, and more readily than those belonging to other men. The hill down which he was sliding, was plain enough to the eye of those who know something of the human heart, and of the different avenues by which men can reach ruin.

The Lord, we believe, had it in view that he should not descend that declivity.*

He had called away from him a young wife, by a slow and lingering disease. She had time and mind to think over forever and its endless concomitants. Before she bade him farewell, she exacted from him a promise that he would read the Bible through, with the notes of Scott. (Scott's Family Bible.) One of the choice rules in which he had been educated, and upon which his whole system was built, was never to forfeit his word. After her departure, nothing short of impracticability could have prevented the fulfilment of his promise, should the task be agreeable, or disagreeable. He began and read a portion every day. As he progressed, his difficulties and his objections were such as are commonly made under like circumstances. Strong minds, or vivid intellects, strange to tell, in this research will stumble over cavils, ridiculous for their imbecility, such as in after days they can scarcely believe, and did they not know it to be so, never would believe, could ever have engaged their thoughts. He had not finished the work before he had made up his mind, slowly and deliberately, but entirely. He said, in the hearing of an assembled

* Some members of the church who lived near there, believed that the reason why his life was altered, is as follows: He had a mother who often held long conversations in a room, when none were present but herself and Creator. They believe that the Man of Calvary can do whatever he pleases, and that if any one loves him, he frequently does choose that they shall have almost any thing for which they ask. None but his obedient children, however, do know this fact by experience.

† One of the mountains in the path of this young unbeliever, was, that we are not told in the narrative how Jacob found out that the purposes of his brother Esau, were evil towards him! Jacob, we are told, fled from them, but we are not told how he knew that his brother intended to kill him,

parlour, "I believe the scriptures to be the work of inspiration." His father asked him with surprise, and with a smile somewhat sarcastic, "And so you believe that book the word of God?" "I do father," said he, "I do indeed, believe it sincerely." (Reader, one item of this case points out a truth which is important. They do well who note and forget it not.) There was a friend near, who heard this declaration, and who rejoiced on the following account. He had long felt concern for the immortal welfare of the young infidel. Whilst conversing together on the subject of religion, the latter had often said, “If I believed the Bible, as Christians say they do, I would certainly obey it. I would scarcely think, or care for any thing else, save that eternity which they expect, and that judgment which they wait for." If his friend should remark to him, that so we might all suppose, but we were besotted by sin and altered by the fall, and that the Bible teaches of a state of soul belonging to us all, which will lead us to slumber on the edge of death, &c., adding, "Perhaps, if you did believe, you would move on much as you do now." He was answered, "Do you think I would risk unending darkness and misery, whilst my Creator was offering me unending peace and splendour, for the bare acceptance? No, I never would be such a fool, if every other man on earth was negligent, I do assure you I would not be with such a prize as that at stake.”

Some months after he had made up his mind concerning the verity of the holy book, he was called on by his friend, and the following conversation (or substance of it) took place between them. Friend,-You say that you read some in your Bible every day, how does it appear to you now? Answer,-I find something new and interesting almost every time I open it. It is a singu

larly instructive book. Friend,-I rejoice that you read, and I rejoice that it is not to you what it once was, a • book of tiresome insipidity, possessing your aversion. Answer,-The fault was mine, not in the book. I was too ignorant to enjoy it. Friend,-Yours is only a kind of literary enjoyment in reading that book, for I do not see your life changed any since your belief in it. You once thought that you would not risk an endless hell half an hour, that you would not be contented a moment without a title to heaven, if you believed God had ordered the writing of that volume. Answer,-That is

another proof of the truth of the Bible. I am going on stupidly, day after day. I never would have believed it, no matter who informed me of it, that I should have acted as I am now acting, and I know that we are not thus infatuated in other things. We do not act with this mad imprudence in any thing else. It must be that sin has some strange effect upon the soul.

For the sake of those who expect to reach heaven, we add one sentence here, which others need not read, unless inclined. It will be pleasing to some, and it does not take us long to state, that this young man after a time, did obtain the Christian's hope. He hopes to see the author of a certain commentary on the right hand side of a throne that is high and white! We should love to see them meet! but it will not be the only feeling interview.

CHAPTER XXXII.

COMMENTARIES INSTRUCT THOSE WHO READ-NO ONE NEED

COPY SENTIMENT.

THERE was a man who had undertaken to make himself acquainted with history. He had read until he knew something of the different ages of the world, and also of the habits, manners, and fortunes, of many nations of the earth.

It was stated by the authors which he had seen, that the main force of the Saracens consisted in their cavalry. These armies of horsemen were, in some respects, such as the earth has not seen since, nor was the like witnessed before. The yellow silk turban around each head, (when their long extended ranks were drawn out in the sunshine at a distance,) caused them to appear as though every individual was a king wearing a splendid crown. Their faces were somewhat remarkable. The Arabian countenance has been noted by travellers for its haughtiness or ferocity. Their long hair streamed on the gale, like that of the American Indians. Their African teeth, long and white, and coming to a point, made their visages more striking still. Their breastplates were mostly iron. But when they charged at almost the entire speed of the eastern horse, when their steel scabbards struck against their metallic trappings, when the feet of twice ten thousand chargers struck the earth in this headlong rush, it is said that the echo of their impetuosity can scarcely be fancied. Reader, suppose a man who has known these particulars, takes up the notes of a commentator on the ninth chapter of the Revelation of St. John, and there find it stated that the