whose seeds had been sown when his delighted look followed the steps of his idol in the maze of a dance. O how often, when I have witnessed the earthly wisdom of a parent banishing the thoughts of eternity, have I dwelt on that expression which seemed the last reflection from a season of departed hope, 'Last year I would have sought the Redeemer !"

But there are instances in which the opposition is of a more distinctive character; and when; instead of arising from a fallacious regard to the temporal welfare of those concerned, it collects and concentrates the malignity of a heart inimical to divine grace. This may be observed sometimes in the very individuals who pay an outward respect to the ordinances of religion. The taunting sneer, or the lower but not less bitter, ribaldry, aims to transfix a spirit already fallen by another hand. For that temper of mind which, with conscious falsehood, applied to the Saviour epithets of ignominy and scorn, and then condemned him under the charge, is not less disposed to apply false terms to all that opposes its interests, and then to hold up the object of its slander to contumely and reproach. And should the sincere follower of Christ hope to live ever unassailed, when his Master was accused as an epicure, and executed as a traitor?

There is one consideration here which should

not be forgotten. If the thoughtless opposer would assign the true motive of his repugnance, that opposition, instead of proving an impediment in the way of the inquirer, would form a strong ground of encouragement. He would see its source, in an ignorance alarming in the extreme; or in a selfishness which arrogates to itself a right to new-modify the gospel-plan; or in the disguised malice of a heart which partakes of the rancour of lost spirits! Believe me, this language is not too strong. The passions of a bosom unreconciled to God are never displayed under more plausible pretexts, or with more decided energy, than when they are called into action by an example of piety, warning the conscience while it enlightens; or by an instance of departure from worldliness, forming a gap in the circle of association that may more admonish of danger than the very instructions of the sanctuary. Yes; if the inquirer would ponder these truths, of which he may have the clearest conviction, every hand that opposes his progress would appear to beckon him on.

Religion is indeed the only sure basis of domestic peace. But whenever it comes in contact with a spirit of worldliness, or threatens to encroach upon its territory, we are to predict nothing less than the fulfilment of the Redeemer's prophecy-"For I am come to set a man at variance

against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."*

To an affectionate bosom, it must be admitted, there is a peculiar painfulness in a situation which involves a contest between natural attachment and Christian principles, or convictions of duty. ́ It is far more than possible that it has often thwarted the great purpose which appeared to have begun in the bosom. But to all this, my dear friend, may you be able to say, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy."+ To you a voice has come, significant and earnest as that to one in former days: "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain."+

Yet in some instances of severe opposition, the fault may be, in a considerable measure, in the inquirer himself. His own conduct may provoke an array of hostility, where it would not otherwise have appeared. Let me then subjoin the following injunctions.

Avoid all that unnecessary appearance of gloom, which may be mistaken for austerity, or may give rise to a suspicion of rooted melancholy. The effort to exhibit an hilarity which you do not feel,

*Matthew x 35.

+ Acts xx. 24.

Gen. xix. 17.

and which would be productive of mischief, in your present state of mind, even if unfelt, is certainly one extreme. But a cultivated dejection of countenance or air, is another extreme, which may be injurious to yourself, as well as to others. There are those who have been induced to form an artificial aspect of sorrow, by the hope that the artifice may sadden and depress their own feelings. This is nothing less than a species of hypocrisy. On the other hand, sedateness and sobriety of deportment will be perfectly compatible with that amenity of demeanour which society has a right to claim from us all. You owe much to the happiness of others around you: never, therefore, unnecessarily infringe it. But especially, you owe it to your God, to avoid subjecting his cause to an imputation which it does not deserve. It was an excellent answer, if understood within its proper limitations, which was given by a minister of state, to one who rallied him on his seriousness in the midst of the festivities of a court: "While we laugh, my friends, all things are serious around us. God is serious, who exercises such patience towards us; Christ is serious, who shed his blood for us. The Holy Ghost is serious, who strives against the obstinacy of our hearts. The Scriptures are serious, in all that they say.

Sir Francis Walsingham.

All that are in heaven and hell are serious. May man then trifle, whose doom is settling every moment?" Yet it was, perhaps, a still better reply given by one who had been reproached for his visible distress: "It is not religion that renders me sad, or that has ever rendered another sad; it is the want of religion which I mourn." A distinction which worldly friends are not apt to remember.

Again: If ever it become necessary to defend the views you have adopted as your own, and to which despondency is so often imputed, do so with all that gentleness of spirit, which may win others, while it is a safeguard to yourself. One of the most lovely effects of Christian prudence which I have ever known arose from the conduct of a young friend, whose temper was naturally irascible, and whose love of victory in argument was paramount in his bosom: but who, under distress for the fate of his soul, displayed a manner affectionate and patient, in opposition to numerous efforts to harass and discourage him. 66 Why," said his brother, after an illtimed charge on his principles, "why are you not now as desirous of victory as in former times?" In a subdued tone, he replied, "The cause then was that of my own vanity: the present cause is Christ's: I was alone in the first Omnipotence will take care of the