into gladness; but the delights of the vain only lead to bitterness. Fifty invaluable years spent in a state of alienation from God-such is the history of Osborne. May you spend your days so that the retrospective view of them, when life is drawing to a close, may not pierce you with anguish, but inspire you with unfeigned gratitude!

CHAP. XLIX.

BLESSEDNESS AND GRANDEUR OF PIETY.

It is impossible, said the Rector, adequately to conceive the grandeur and blessedness that belong to the truly religious character. The world may despise him; but the world do not understand him.

Their estimate, said Osborne, bespeaks a vitiated state of mind and heart. We are in general materialists in a practical view. We confine our attention to what is visible; we prefer the pleasures of sense to the pure and permanent joys of the spiritual nature that is within us.

Religion, said the Rector, brings us, when it is rightly received, into a new moral world: into a new state of spiritual existence. The soul that is enlightened and purified by the truth expatiates in immensity. The film is removed, and it sees; the fetters are broken, and it goes forth; its powers are invigorated, and it acts as a moral being. Its contempt of the world does not result from gloom, disappointment, dissatisfaction, or stoical pride and apathy, but from a sober and judicious estimate of different objects. It recognizes Him whom the world do not recognize;

it beholds a glory which they do not behold; and it cherishes feelings which they do not cherish.

What you say is true, said Osborne; but most persons would account it a mere revery; true piety, however, is not a gay and splendid illusion, but a noble and solemn reality. It is sober and sublime. It leaves us on the earth, and teaches us to perform our duties as men; but it also elevates us to heaven, and teaches us to live for eternity. Our conversation is above while we are agents below. What a difference there is between the man of the world and the true Christian! The one seizes with avidity as his chief good a few acres of the surface of the globe; but the other rises above orbs and systems, and fixes his adoring eye and his rejoicing heart on the Creator of them all. He who has God has all things; and God is the portion of his people.

You cannot advance too much, said the Rector, in praise of real piety. It makes us new; it makes all things new; but when we dwell on its most sublime topics, we should do it with peculiar sobriety and solemnity of mind. We are mortals below, and not angels. We must seek in religion the enlargement of our views, the invigoration of our principles, the animation of our affections, and the regulation of our conduct; but we must beware of tumultuous feelings and idle fancies. Humility and sobriety are always essential, and especially when we ascend to those heights from which we take the most extensive an

magnificent views of divine truth. Happy is he who is often engaged in sacred meditation; but let him guard against the gaiety of fancy and the effervescence of transient feelings and passions.

Your remark is just, said Osborne: the Scriptures are here our model. We find in them no diffuse oratory or vehement declamation. The sublimest truths are generally conveyed in the most simple possible language. God is love. God is light. What noble expressions! They are not elaborate; but they far surpass the most polished periods of accomplished orators.-Derivatively, and in his measure, the true Christian is light and love, reflecting the perfection of Him who is perfection.

The true Christian, said the Rector, is a great character We admire the hero, at whose name the nations tremble; the philosopher, who extends the sphere of human knowledge; and the bard, whose song delights thousands through revolving ages. We extol the noble and the mighty, whose voice is law, whose smile diffuses gladness, and whose frown creates dismay. But the true Christian, though his lot be humble, his name almost unknown, and of whose existence not a single trace will in a little time be visible, is far greater than these; for he shall be great for ever.

Moral grandeur, said Osborne, is the real grandeur of man. Of this grandeur philosophy may speak in x 2

lofty phrase and in musical sentences; but it is religion only which really confers it on any one.

And let it be remembered, said the Rector, that the true Christian is in general greatest when he displays the softest and meekest virtues. I would not deter him from the noblest exercises of which his soul is capable. Let him, occasionally at least, climb to the loftiest heights of speculation; but let him commonly be found in the valley, a pilgrim on the road, a warrior in the fight, a labourer in the vineyard; always humble, penitent, believing, devout, obedient, resigned, patient, and circumspect. This is the great character, according to my estimation of things.

we are exalted.

The more we are abased, the more

I admit the justice of your remark, said Osborne : the accurate statement of truth and the splendid delineation of prospect are of no value, unless love and humility, in happy and delightful union, pervade our souls. The grandeur and beauty of the universe result from the combination of many properties in harmonious mixture, and not from the prominence of a few.