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simple statement of the leading doctrines of the Christian religion, requesting the most serious attention of her young auditors.

"We are called upon as Christians," said the lady of the manor, "to believe that there is one God, eternal, omnipotent, and omnipresent; and that in this one God there are three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-whose Godhead is one, whose glory is equal, and whose majesty is co-eternal. By this one God were all things made, both visible and invisible, and in him do all things subsistfor in him we live, and move, and have our being. We are also taught to believe, that every thing which was created came perfect, and free from sin, out of the hands of the Creator. Nevertheless, we are informed, that some of the angels of God (by what means we cannot tell) did actually fall from their first estate; and that, becoming the enemies of God in consequence of that fall, they have thenceforth sought to introduce ruin and disorder into all the works of the Almighty. These are the evil spirits of whom we read so frequently in Scripture. These are they, who, by their satanic arts, have brought sin and death into the world; and having separated man, by transgression, from his Creator, have thus fitted him for becoming the inhabitant of hell, and the companion of devils. But this malice of Satan and his angels," proceeded she, "by which they hoped to obtain a mighty victory over the Lord of Glory, has, instead of furnishing them with a triumph, afforded an occasion of bringing forward the character of the Godhead in such a new and ravishing point of view as will supply subjects of thanksgiving and praise for the redeemed among men, and all the glorious hosts of heaven, through the never-ending ages of eternity.

"Before the foundation of the world," continued she, "before the mountains were settled, before the hills were brought forth, while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world, (Prov. viii. 25, 26,) the Lord Jehovah, the glorious Three in One, established the mighty scheme of salvation, by which he decreed by his counsel, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he chose in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ unto everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour' (Articles of the Church.)

These chosen ones of the human race are described in Scripture," added the lady, "to be as numerous as the stars of heaven, and as the sand of the sea: they are elsewhere spoken of, as being clad in robes made white with the blood of the Lamb, and clothed with the righteousness of Christ; whence we are taught to understand somewhat concerning the method of their salvation, the procuring cause of which is not their own works or deservings, but the imputed merits of the Saviour.

"Furthermore, we learn from Scripture," continued the lady of the manor, "the different parts which the several Persons of the Trinity have chosen to themselves in the glorious work of man's salvation; and though, I hope to discuss these subjects more at large with you, my young friends, at some future time," added she, "yet I feel it necessary in this place to touch slightly upon them.

"And first, I would wish you to be strongly impressed with this sweet and consoling thought-that each Person of the glorious Trinity is equally interested and engaged in the salvation of the redeemed; and that, although they have appointed unto themselves different offices and distinct parts in this divine work, yet, as acting with one mind and will, they are all inseparably united in the same glorious undertaking. First, God the Father loved his people, before they knew how to choose the good from the evil, and appointed his Son to die for them, before the foundation of the world. Therefore the redeemed of the Lord are drawn out in love towards him, because he first loved them. Secondly, God the Son freely gave himself up to be the propitiation for our sins. Lastly, God the Holy Ghost fits the redeemed for the glory prepared for them, by carrying on in their hearts the twofold work of regeneration and sanctification; the first of which is instantaneously effected, while the latter is commonly progressive.

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And now," proceeded the lady of the manor," having given you this short view of these important doctrines, I will endeavour to assist you in examining the state of your souls with reference to these fundamental points. Have your hearts been drawn out in love and gratitude towards your heavenly Father? Have you a becoming sense of his wonderful mercy? and are you aware of the depth, the blackness, and the unpardonable nature of that guilt, which re

quired for its obliteration such an inconceivable degree of love in your heavenly Father: Are you sensible of the worth of that all-sufficient sacrifice, which the Redeemer offered on your account? And are you willing to take up your cross and follow him? Finally, have you perceived upon yourselves any tokens of that divine influence, by which the Holy Spirit operates upon the hearts of the righteous? Are your affections renewed or changed? Do you hate sin? and do you loathe and disallow the evil which your corrupt nature too often leads you to com, mit?"

The lady of the manor here paused a moment; and, the young people remaining silent, she added, "I do not mean, my dear young friends, to induce you to make your con, fession to me, but I would lead you to search and try yourselves to enter into the secrets of your own hearts, and to begin with the divine assistance, that most salutary work of self-examination, which is now especially necessary, before you take upon you your baptismal vow."

The lady of the manor then, taking up a small manuscript which had lain before her on the table, requested the young ladies to listen to a story," which," said she, "I consider as being particularly applicable to some parts of our discourse this evening."

The History of Louisa Harley.

Louisa Harley was descended from the younger branch of a noble family. Her parents died while she was yet a mere infant, and she was consigned at the same time to the charge of a great aunt, who was also her godmother.

This lady, whose name was Staunton, was a widow; and, being in possession of a considerable jointure, she was enabled to make a somewhat splendid appearance in the little town of D, in which she resided. And though she associated freely with all her neighbours, yet her house was distinguished above all others in the town, by the handsome iron gates which opened into the paved court before her door; while her establishment was not less distinguished by the rich liveries of her footmen.

Mrs. Staunton had been a widow for many years; and ever since the period of her widowhood, her mornings

had been almost invariably devoted, excepting for a few months in the summer, to an attendance on the church service, and her evenings as regularly occupied by cards; for which last purpose, she met some or other of her neighbours every afternoon, and remained with them till between nine and ten o'clock at night. While thus engaged, this lady had grown old without acquiring any new ideas, and, in consequence, from the very force of habit, becoming more and more bigoted to her old ones.. She had always been in the habit of praying in a building with a steeple at one end of it, in hearing the lessons read by a person in a surplice, and the sermon preached by one in a different garb; and, from this custom, she had learned to attach such amazing importance to these unessential minutiæ, that it would have been infinitely easier to have argued her out of her belief of the divinity of her Saviour, than to have convinced her that a building might afford every necessary convenience for divine service, though it had neither a steeple nor bells.、

As soon as Louisa Harley was intrusted to the care of this lady, she was sent to one of the most eminent boarding-schools which the neighbourhood at that time supplied; where she remained till she had entered her seventeenth year; at which time she was brought home, and became an inmate of Mrs. Staunton's house.

The acquirements which this young lady had made at school were far from extraordinary, although she had profited as much by the very inferior instruction which she had received as could have been expected. But had she been favoured with a well directed education, there are perhaps few young people who would have done more honour to her instructors than Louisa Harley, who was formed by nature to excel most of her sex in bodily and mental perfections-having a tall and graceful person, a fine countenance, a blooming complexion, and a profusion of glossy auburn hair; her mind being powerful, her imagination lively, and her feelings such as, if properly cultivated, promised to render her the ornament of her family. But, unhappily, this fine young creature had no director to whom she could look up with sufficient confidence; and, in consequence, on being admitted as the constant inmate of Mrs. Staunton's house, where she was daily condemned

to hear the dull and common-place conversation of the very ordinary characters with whom her aunt associated, she not only became restless and dissatisfied, but, influenced by the natural vivacity of youth, together with the peculiar energy of her own character, she began to plan for herself modes of action, by which she hoped to obtain the happiness she naturally desired. Her first effort was to disencumber herself of those formal religious observances in which her aunt endeavoured to engage her, especially the daily attendance at morning service; for having no knowledge or feeling of religion, she found nothing in the world so wearisome as sitting for an hour at a time in an almost empty church, while an old clergyman, who was almost blind, deliberately drawled over the public prayers. She therefore contrived to excuse herself from day to day from this observance, and that with so much art and perseverance, that her aunt at length gave up the point; not failing however at the same time to remark, though with a coldness which entirely prevented the remark from having the smallest influence, that Louisa was, like almost all other young people, a contemner of religion, and consequently in a state of reprobation.

As Mrs. Staunton regularly attended prayers at half after ten, and from the church went immediately to pay morning-visits till dinner-time, Louisa, by procuring the fore-mentioned exemption, obtained also the whole of the morning to herself; which liberty she did not fail to use in such a way as might be expected-in calling on her young acquaintance in the town, sauntering with them through the streets, or accompanying them to the public walks; a custom, by which she acquired such a habit of dissipation, that she presently became as utterly dissatisfied with her aunt's dull evening parties round the whisttable, as she had been with her visits to the church. And, as the downward road is always smooth and easy, she failed not very rapidly to proceed to further and more open acts of rebellion against her aunt. She began to form evening as well as morning parties for herself among her young companions; till, at length, she was plunged into one continued round of that kind of petty dissipation which most country towns can afford for those who are not very nice in their company. For example: she would engage VOL. I.

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