appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

Annie. If those persons you have just been speaking of, who did so many benevolent actions, and were thought to be so good, were condemned by Jesus Christ, how must I proceed, that I may guard against self-deception?

Mother. You cannot do better than follow the example of godly David, who thus prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Annie. Truly this prayer is very needful, as we are so liable to entertain a better opinion of ourselves than we ought.

Mother. The danger, to which we are exposed, in this respect, will not be questioned by those, who believe what is written of human infirmity: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Admitting the

correctness of this sentiment, another, from the pen of Solomon, will appear to be most just: "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." The heart, as introduced here, comprehends man's understanding and affections, and these operate upon and influence each other. Sometimes, the understanding is led to conceive good or evil, as likely to arise from things, or circumstances, with which we may be connected, and immediately the feeling of pleasure, or pain, is experienced by us: sometimes, the affections, under the sway of carnality, are led to desire an improper object,-when, if the temptation be strong, and Divine grace counteract not its violence, the understanding is overcome, and we reason ourselves into the propriety of that, which, in moments of sober reflection, is seen to be decidedly improper. Thus, we may learn, that we are always in peril when left to ourselves. The psalmist, knowing this, sought help beyond himself-not from the

creature, but the Creator. Remember his wise supplication, and ever entreat the same aid: "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually." But I see, Annie, our time is expired. To-morrow evening, if the Lord permit, I will resume the consideration of the subject we have been no

"Hail, everlasting Lord,
Divine, incarnate Word!

Thee let all our powers confess,

Thee our latest breath proclaim:

Help, ye angel choirs, to bless,

Shout the loved Immanuel's name!"

Mother. It affords me pleasure, my love, to see you come so willingly to our evening meetings. There was a time when you would have preferred idle amusements to such converse as we are accustomed to hold upon these occasions; and, had I required your attendance, no small degree of reluctance would have been shewn in action, if not in speech.

Annie. Such a disinclination to that which is good I can remember very well. I ought to be thankful that some change for the better has occurred; though I am convinced, from many observations you have made, that I am very far from that state of mind, which God's word enjoins me to possess. I often meditated upon what my dear father uttered in family prayer, especially the blessings he earnestly entreated on my behalf-of which blessings I cannot forget that more prominent one, conviction of sin. Oh! I do desire to be right; and I am sure you will instruct me how I can become so.

Mother. There never has been, there never can be, more than one way of salvation. It was revealed immediately after the fall of our first parents; subsequently in type, and, in the fulness of time, the substance of the shadows, the glorious Antitype, appeared. To this point I now wish to direct your particular attention.