do not search for Him in every commissioned incident. After the pleasant prelude of cutting the strings, and our bustle to tear away the double envelopes of brown paper, we ascertained that these had safely enwrapped a handsomeset of Dr. Milner's History of the Church of Christ, a variety of tracts, with a small volume entitled, "The Retrospect," and that the attention was appropriated to myself, by an epistolary communication from a lady, whose honourable station, dignified character, and undeviating friendship, have entitled me in the joint offerings of gratitude and respect to pay this tribute of the heart, and the memory, to her claims upon the feelings of the one, and the annals of the other. When she who fostered my earliest childhood shall read this page, may I invite her to look back upon the years of that childhood, encircled with dangers, and humiliations, to recollect those harassed scenes which accompanied the hilarity of girlhood, and the bitterness of heart, the trials of reason, the temptations of the world, whether exercised in its allurements, or distresses, and the merciful dispensations which brought me through the period of youth!

With what faithfulness can I appeal to an acute understanding, and vivid sensibility, for the suffrage of astonishment at the mysterious ways of the Lord," who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working." And with what praise can I look up to that Almighty Counsellor, for every instrument of temporal benefit, while, towards the agents who distribute these blessings, I can wish no sweeter token than the approval of their own conscience.

Besides the interesting engagement promised in my acquisition of books, a letter from the centre of fashion and refinement, was in itself an amusing theme for the retired inhabitants of our cottage." "Tis pleasant through the loop holes of retreat to peep at such a world," and nothing can be more agreeable than to listen to anecdotes of life from the observation of those whose situation can command a mass of materials, and whose judgment can select them with perspicuity.

From my ambushed position, I could securely admire the corruscations which sparkled from the hemisphere of London, while the altered bias of my sentiments and wishes, made me view this dazzling spectacle as those who gaze

on the Aurora Borealis. I watched its changeable and vanishing splendours till they faded into nothing. The pageantry of the firmament is not more evanescent in its deviation, than the impression of living manners and graceful accomplishments.

The most striking contrast, which the mind can apprehend, is that which shows the line of demarcation between our natural and spiritual tastes and habits. That beautiful certitude which was the language of one of old, may be adopted by every disciple who can bear witness to the light breaking upon darkness in his own soul. "One thing I know, that whereas I was blind now I see."-John ix. 25. The difference between the blind and the perfect vision, is a correct illustration of the darkness or light of the spirit. When the visual ray is quenched, the poor sufferer wanders unconscious into imminent dangers; his bereavement converts the most ordinary circumstance into evil, and if no kind assistance were offered, a blind man would find every object a source of peril ; but no sooner is his sight restored, than those very medicum which so greatly added to his distress, are transformed into conveyancers of

utility and blessing. In like manner, when the Lord the Spirit illuminates our souls, those things are converted into advantages, which were once an hindrance to our progress.

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Nothing shall by any means hurt you," is an assurance which includes every possible or probable modification of outward events: the child of God walking in light has the command of all things-they subserve to his benefit. St. Paul gives a list of possessions or contingencies, which are thus placed under the controul of the believer: "Let no man glory in men; for all things are yours. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."-1 Cor. iii. 21, 22, 23.

What a dignity is annexed to the claimant on this climax of mercies! Do wordlings boast of independence? The Christian only truly possesses it; for his elevation borrows no stability from the accidental strength or attainment of his equals. The most eminent endowments in natural science, and all the conveniences of polished refinement, are not merely serviceable to him, but made over to his

prior use. The world, once his professed friend, by a miraculous reverse, is become his servant : no longer his companion, but contributing its conveniences to his accommodation, while in this subordinate capacity he can use its donations without abusing them. None can so appropriate life as the Lord's freeman; to others existence is a bondage or a burthen, or a snare; to the regenerated Christian life is a real possession.

Earthly monarchs may extend their authority over captive crowns, but they cannot subjugate death. The believer's inventory includes the sceptre of corruption: he has the King of Terrors for his slave, and can quell his direst look by casting his insignia on the grave of Jesus. The moment a Christian exclaims, "Come, see the place where the Lord lay," Death is disarmed of his malicious power.

Natural men are continually harassed about their portion of goods: things present invade their thoughts: the friction of every day wears off some edge of false hope or futile happiness, so that the generality who cleave to temporal prospects are jaded in their pursuit and disappointed in their conclusion. The spiritual man