feelings, Clara threw herself at his feet, entreating pardon, and promising to think no more of what Annette had told her. "I pardon your error, but beware how you fall into the same again; and be very careful to tell me all your thoughts and feelings. Thus only can you be preserved from error. For how can an ignorant child like you judge of such solemn and mysterious subjects. Again, I charge you to be aware of self-conceit, and shudder at preferring your own judgment to that of your spiritual guides and the holy Church, which only is infallible.”

Humbled, yet happy, Clara retired to rest that night, strictly cautioned not to mention her dream. She was yet allowed to believe it was really sent by the virgin, who had answered her prayers, and delivered her mother's soul from purgatory. She strove to check a feeling of regret that arose when she remembered Annette, and the sweet truths she had taught her, and by redoubled devotedness to the virgin, to atone for the fault of which she had been guilty.

And here we would remark how great a sin the Church of Rome commits when she teaches her people to pray to a creature instead of the Saviour. How many immortal souls are thus deluded, taught to believe a lie, kept from coming to that one mediator, “who took not upon Him the nature of angels, but of the seed of Abraham," that He might be touched with their infirmities. Oh, it is, it must be, deeply painful to a devoted Christian, to see so many thousands of their fellow-creatures lavishing npon saints and angels the love, the adoration, which ought to be given only to Christ, and which would be given, were His love to the race of Adam faithfully proclaimed, and believingly received. Yes, it is a sight to make angels weep, and fiends rejoice, to see thousands of immortal beings, redeemed by such a costly sacrifice, prostrating themselves in lowly gratitude and devout adoration, not so much before Him who has so loved them, as before one who was once a mortal, a fellow-sinner like themselves, yet one whom they ignorantly believe to be quite as able, and more willing, to save them than that adorable Being, who was so rightly styled by the inspired prophet, "Wondrous;" at once" the Babe of Bethlehem," and the Almighty God.

After the conversation just related, Father Joachim laboured to implant in the minds of Hubert and Clara a greater dread of listening to any conversation, or indulging in any thoughts, which might tend to shake their faith, which he assured them were the suggestions of the evil one, and would, if not resisted, lead to their final destruction. Hubert felt no desire to disobey, his mother's dying injunction was too well remembered, and he assured the Father his only desire was to be better informed as to his duty, that he might attain to the heaven of the virtuous. Clara was likewise brought to feel how much she had sinned in despising the Holy Mother's intercession. A visit which she soon after paid to the Convent of Grey Nuns, confirmed for the time her views of Annette's impiety, when she saw the reverence paid to the virgin by all the holy sisters.

CHAPTER II.

FIVE years had passed since that sad day, in which her weeping children had caught the last sigh, and listened to the last words, of Lady de Montmorency. Time, which soothes the roughest woes, had healed the wound made in the hearts of the bereaved, but time had not effaced from the mind of Hubert the impressions made by that deathbed. Time had not caused him to forget his mother's caution, to beware of those who would lead him from the one true Church; yet, strange to say, though he had not forgotten, though he had so long shunned the society of all who were not devoted Romanists, at the time we now resume his history, none occupied a place in his affections so strongly as a Protestant Englishman, named Willoughby. We will not relate the circumstances which led to their acquaintance, neither will we stop to trace the gradual progress of their friendship, nor the manner in which Hubert endeavoured to persuade himself that zeal for the conversion of his friend justified his neglecting his mother's parting admonition. Their tastes, pursuits, and feelings were similar on every subject but the most important, yet this difference in religion had not prevented them from feeling an interest,—an interest in one another even painfully intense, from each believing the other to be in dangerous error, and each resolving (at first with all the ardour of youth) to convince his friend of the error of his creed, for neither of them could adopt the false liberality of the poet :

"For forms of faith, let senseless zealots fight,
His can't be wrong, whose life is in the right."

To the eye of a casual observer, little difference would have appeared in the lives of Ernest Willoughby and Hubert de Montmorency, but there was a difference, a vital one, though He who searches the heart alone could discern how widely different were the motives which influenced their conduct. Was an appeal made for aid in any benevolent cause, both equally responded to it; the one to procure that favour he longed to merit, the other from an humble conviction he already enjoyed that favour, and while (from gratitude to Him who formed and died to redeem him) most forward in every work of faith and labour of love, deeply felt, as well as owned, he was unprofitable servant."

" an

"What book was that over which you were so lost in thought when I intruded on your solitude?" enquired Hubert one evening of his friend.

"An unfashionable book," replied Ernest, ashamed of the blush which covered his forehead, "but a book I was early taught to reverence, and from which I have derived sweeter peace than the world can ever bestow. It is the Bible."

“And do you think," added Hubert with warmth, that dissipated the embarrassment of his friend, "that Catholics are taught to reverence that sacred Word less than Protestants ?"

"I do not know that they may not reverence it, but I believe it impossible for those who are not allowed freely to search its sacred pages to love it as the guide of their feet, and the lamp of their paths, VOL. VIII.-September, 1846

D D New Series, No. 9.

or for those who only have it doled out at the will of the priests, to taste its sweetness as they do, who receive it as the gift of a gracious Father, sent for their direction, with a command diligently to read it, with simple earnest prayer for the Holy Spirit's teaching."

"But is it not written in that sacred volume (for it is useless to urge on you the authority of the Church), that the unlearned and ignorant wrest the things hard to be understood, which that sacred volume contains, to their own destruction? How dangerous then must it be for such men to be allowed the free use of the Bible and their own private judgment, and how wisely does our Church guard us from this fatal error!" Ernest was silent for a minute, then replied, "You believe that the divine author of Christianity has provided an infallible expounder of Scripture in the interpretations of the Church; Protestants, that He has given His Word equally to all, commanding them to ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth. The unlearned, of whom the Apostle here speaks, are not those unskilled in human learning, but those untaught of God, ignorant of Him and His ways. Too proud to ask for the Spirit's teaching, they trust to the powers of their own intellect to discover truth for themselves, and thus fall into error. If you remember, the Saviour thanked His Father that he had hid these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes. And St. Paul again, writing to the Corinthians, says, 'Ye see your calling, brethren, not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; for God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.' The Word of God, our only standard of truth, never speaks of the Church as an infallible guide. The Romish Church may assert it, but the fact of an arrogant assumption is not proof. We must try all by Scripture, for St. Paul, writing to the Galatians, says, 'Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other doctrine (than what is there referred to), let him be accursed.' If a Church be of God it cannot teach contrary to his word, which we assert the Romish Church does."

"Which you assert, but they deny," said Hubert.

"True," replied Ernest, suppressing a sigh, "but to prevent their assertion being proved to be false, they conceal that word as much as possible from their people, and when they allow it to be read, deny the right of private judgment to those who read it.”

"But do they not do wisely in that denial? Is it not far more probable that Councils composed of the wise and learned should form a more correct judgment than I, a simple individual?"

"Supposing them to have been men of faith and prayer, simply desirous to discover truth and promote God's glory, much value might *be given to their opinions; but the contrary has often been the case. Men, actuated by no motives but to advance their own interests, have combined to enslave the consciences of their fellow-creatures, and to bind them in blind obedience to their commands."

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Nay, but you forget how many holy, heavenly characters have adorned our Church. Surely I may trust to their guidance?"

"Dear Hubert, answer me one question, Who will answer for your soul at the day of judgment?"

"The Church (if she misleads me, which is impossible), for she 'watches for souls as one who must give account.'

"That text was never spoken of the Romish Church; and St, Paul, in another part of Scripture, uses these words, ' So then, every one must give an account of himself to God.""

Hubert was silent, and Ernest continued with increased animation, "It cannot be; no Priest, no Council, no Church, can answer for another, Our Maker, Saviour, and Judge, has given us a revelation, by which we shall individually be judged, commanding us to search it diligently with earnest prayer. Do this, dear Hubert; and remember the Saviour said respecting the false teachers among the Jews,'If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.""

"Which you apply to our Church, and we think it as justly applies to yours."

"I did not apply it to any; I only quoted it to prove if ministers teach error, they who believe and follow it, when they might have sought after and discovered truth, shall share in the ruin of their teachers."

“I must form a much higher opinion of my own judgment than I have at present," persisted Hubert," to suppose myself more competent of forming a correct opinion than the Fathers and Martyrs of early days."

"Then, Hubert, only do this, entreat that God, to whom (believe me) you will have to answer, to guide you into all truth, to preserve you from error. Do this sincerely and earnestly. Your Church

cannot condemn this."

"No, certainly, but I shall feel more disposed to thank heaven for having guided me into the one true Church, and to pray that you, and all who have erred, may be brought home ere too late, even should fire and faggot be the means employed."

Hubert reddened, and Ernest felt grieved for the tone of voice in which he had spoken. "So you think me friendly to persecution, Ernest?"

"I cannot tell what you may be naturally. Your generous nature would lead you to revolt from it, but the Church, which you believe to be infallible, teaches, that it is not only lawful, but kind, to put heretics to death, since the soul is of more value than the body. Therefore, at whatever cost, the attempt must be made to reclaim the obstinate. Am I unjustly accusing your Church here?"

"I would rather not express an opinion on that point; my feelings lead me to shrink from persecution. You have at least the pleasure of finding me a weak defender of the Church you are attacking." Forgive me, dear Hubert," said Ernest with much feeling, "if I have appeared unkind. For you and your feelings I have sincere respect, but, believing from my heart that the doctrines of your Church are subversive both of the happiness of man and the glory of God, having found solid peace in the glorious truths the Bible teaches, I long to see you a partaker of like precious faith.'

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me candidly, do your views of religion make you happy?"

Tell

My answer to that question cannot have any weight as an argument. I doubt not that many more devoted than I am have obtained that peace, which I own I have sought in vain."

"And which you ever must and will while you seek it in ought but Jesus. He has obeyed, suffered, done all for us. For His sake we

are restored as completely to the favour of God as though we had never sinned; and they who teach that works of our own are needed to reconcile us to God, and merit heaven, derogate from the merit of Christ's obedience, and keep back from Him the love and gratitude which they must feel who believe what manner of love the Father has bestowed on them, that they should be called the sons of God." "If I rightly understand you then," replied Hubert, "the necessity of good works on our part is done away with, and a door thus opened for all manner of immorality."

"You do not understand me then; Protestants believe that without holiness none shall see the Lord. They insist as much on good works as you can do, but deny their meritorious efficacy. They are the fruits of faith, which they follow as surely as a good tree brings forth good fruit."

"Well," said Hubert in a more lively tone, "I shall have a pretty account to give of this night's intercourse with you. A soldier fighting for the Church is not likely to succeed against one who is soon to be a Protestant minister. I had better, therefore, parley no longer with temptation, so I invite you to take a walk. The coolness of the air will temper the heat of our controversy, if not quite dispel it." (To be continued in our next.)

AN ADDRESS TO THE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION OF
SHEFFIELD.

CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, Let us one and all be resolved, at all hazards, to maintain the ascendancy of Protestantism in this distracted land. It is necessary, and made quite plain, from the faithless infidel character of the Government, and the lapsed state of some of the clergy, to demand of all reflecting minds a most serious consideration how they may stem the torrent of evil, which increases in magnitude daily, and which may, without great efforts of prayer and action by the people, sweep away the civil rights of Englishmen, and level us with the degraded trodden-down Popish states of Europe, with our mouths stopped and our Bibles closed. We have now so many Jesuits, or men who act like them, in the senate, in the pulpit, in public assemblies, prowling over the land, diffusing their deadly poison by tracts, and in every way which such deceitful craft can devise, in order effectually but slowly to sap the foundation of this once happy state, and which will be accomplished without some interposition of providence, an interposition which we have no right to expect, while we sleep in wilful ignorance and heedless security. "If the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through." Watch ye, therefore, for at an hour ye think not, ye will fall by treachery, surprise, and tyranny. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." And let us not be as the idle ungrateful sloth, who wrapped his Lord's talent in a napkin. Seeing as we do, the aspect of the times, we are thus drawn out of silence with a desire to renovate that Protestant spirit in Sheffield, which so conspicuously manifested itself in 1839 and 1840, by both clergy and laity, in public meetings and stirring speeches,