sentences ever written. Thus perplexed on all sides, who shall approach to unravel the web? Not I.'

I

'There is but one safe method for us to pursue, in reference to this and all other trying matters. We must pray. What, to our poor weak understandings seems impossible, the Lord can do in a moment; and where His own glory is concerned, surely we have every encouragement to ask him to interpose. love the Church of England, as by law established: I prize it as being so established, because it is a token for good to any country when its rulers make provision for the spiritual instruction of their people, according to the word of God. I prize it, because I consider that, with all due allowance for the imperfections and defects that necessarily cleave to man's best performances, there is in it all that the Christian can desire. The abundant provision made for all, in the appointment of so large a portion of scripture to be read in all the services of our church does, in my mind, stamp it the best form of worship extant; and the more numerous and deadly the errors pervading individual ministers, as now this fearful heresy of Tractarianism, the more precious is the Gospel in the desk, which at their peril they must preach there, howsoever they may labour to subvert it in the pulpit. So that, where false doctrine is proclaimed, the conscientious Christian may share all the privileges of social praise and prayer, appropriate his rich portion of the inspired word, and, the worship of God being concluded, may quietly take his departure, before the anti-scriptural finale of a Puseyite sermon, or any other heretical lecture, commences. For all these, and many more causes, I love my church with a very decided preference; and while far from

deeming the liturgy, or any other branch of its formularies perfect, I constantly pray that both minister and people may be led into all truth: settled and stablished, and confirmed in whatsoever is perfectly accordant with the Bible; and if anything they be otherwise minded, that God will reveal it to them.'

You will be called a dissenter for all this,' said my uncle, smiling.

'I have often been called so by one party, and by another a most bigotted church-woman; but what is man's judgment? The time is not far off when principles will be so tried and sifted, that each individual must show to what party he belongs. They who are on the Lord's side will shine as a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. Very probably that city may become a mark to the scoffer, and a scorn of the proud. It may be beseiged, assaulted, menaced with famine, and the sword, and sorely straitened but destroyed it cannot be; for, uncle, whatsoever others may build upon, whether on names or privileges, forms or genealogical successions, our foundation standeth unchangeable and sure. Upon the Eternal Rock are we built, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against us.'

:

THE

CHRISTIAN LADY'S MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1842.

JUDAH'S LION.

CHAPTER XXI.

THERE are few situations in life so painful as not to be aggravated by the addition of uncertainty. Alick Cohen was a prisoner, in the hands of pitiless barbarians; he was suffering in mind, in body, and estate. The friend for whom he had relinquished all others, and who was to have been his guide into what he was taught to believe was the only way of acceptably serving God, was in worse plight; nearly insensible, and probably dying beside him. They had also been taken in the worst company, for Abdalla and his band had proved themselves robbers; and their own disguise bespoke a wilful, premeditated identification with those dishonest associates. The men, too, who of all others would have been most likely to disregard the odds, and freely venture their lives to deliver them, had looked on them with evident compassion, but without ever DECEMBER, 1842.

2 I

dreaming that they were fellow-countrymen, or aught but what they appeared to be, criminals in the hands of justice; yet all these aggravations were less in Alick's sight than the tormenting uncertainty as to their present destination and impending fate.

That the latter would be summary judgment and death, was exceedingly probable: but Alick, though naturally brave to recklessness, was not able to contemplate a sudden doom without such a revulsion of feeling as made him tremble all over. Conviction

of his personal sinfulness had fixed itself too deeply in his soul to admit of self-deception there; and he felt that he had been trifling with a season of rare opportunities, while deferring to some future day the settlement of the solemn question, How should that sin of his heart and life be atoned for? He ought not to have rested until he ascertained the true character of Him whom he was invited to regard as his Saviour; for, whether Jew or Gentile, he could not enter into the presence of the God of heaven without some propitiation for his sins,' What avails it to me,' thought he, that I am of the race to whom God gave this fair land, over which I am now goaded like a beast to the shambles-what avails it that my race shall again possess this land, and rejoice therein to the end of time, if my soul is lost, and my portion is in Gehenna, where hope cometh not? And not only with my own safety, but with that of my poor brother here, how cruelly have I trifled! I felt sure that my enquiries would end in beholding in Jesus of Nazareth the desire of nations-the King of Israel; but I resolved to bring to a practical test what I already knew to be unsatisfying, insufficient; and I meant to take the same circuitous route with respect

What ensues?

Destruction like

to poor Da Costa. a whirlwind has come upon us, and he dies wholly rejecting One who probably holds the keys of heaven; and whom I half love, half dread-whom I do not acknowledge, yet dare not defy-yet may I not even now confess him, and throw my cause into his hands? How then shall I answer it, if he be not what I would wish him to be? and how shall that secret wish be forgiven by him whose name is Jealous!'

The Egyptian party had moved on; and a soldier less savage than the former had charge of the captives. He marked the faltering steps of Alick, whose face was moreover much disfigured by the blow that had cut his lip, and swollen it greatly. This man, having lifted his whip to strike him when he flagged, suddenly dropped his arm, and taking from his saddle a small leather case, gave him to drink, but would not allow him to share it with Da Costa. The beverage was refreshingly cool and invigorating also; and the graceful courtesy of Alick's respectful obeisance as he returned the cruse, seemed to win yet more upon his Egyptian guide. After a while, he threw the thong to a comrade, rode up to his officer, and made some representation which was very surlily repulsed he returned, looking dark and fierce, and Alick trembled lest Da Costa, whose sensitiveness to pain seemed on the increase, should suffer under a savage ebullition. It was otherwise however; the soldier as he rode back had plucked some delicious fruit from a tree overhanging the road, and this he gave to Alick, pointing at the same time to Da Costa, and giving sufficient freedom to Alick's hands to admit of his administering the welcome juice to his fever-parched comrade.