heavenly Master......Can we expect 66 better fate than his ?"

My companion......encouraged by this observation on my part....entered into the explanation of Christianity with a warmth of manner, and strength of understanding that astonished me.....As I listened with eager attention.....he redoubled his efforts to enlighten my mind ;...........and, the more he saw me impressed by his discourse....the more zealous he became for my complete conversion.

In this manner, the dawn stole into our chamber..........without our having closed an eye the whole night.

We arose.....and taking an affectionate leave of our worthy host......pursued our journey.....We were soon out of the forest, when my guide left me, with decided a conviction that our acquaintance was not accidental......and

?

with impressions which were every moment gaining increased ascendency

over me. ?

2

The truth is, I had little inclination to part from this amiable family....... Still my father's business at Myletum was so urgent, I could not indulge a choice........I should, however, tell you......as my host embraced me at parting.....he assured me we should meet again much sooner than I imagined.......He was displeased at my offering him a compensation for our entertainment......But, at my earnest entreaty, accepted a trifle to be placed in the stock-purse they kept for the relief of indigent brethren, which the wealthy and humane never.suffered to be empty......" For this purpose"..... “'added he,..." I will accept thy offering, for my heart is already disposed "to receive-thee as a brother.'

When I was left alone, all that the Stranger had said to me recurred to my

memory....I listened, as it were, to his prophetic voice.....dwelt on his words ......and longed with unequalled ardor to remove all obstacles to my perfect initiation.....I thought of nothing but disentangling myself from my family connections, and obeying my vocation. Did not the Stranger see my election imprinted on my forehead!

I was still in the dark about this mysterious Person, who had,.......at our first meeting......read in my countenance, thoughts.....past....present..... and to come......I made some enquiries of my guide.....but all the information I could obtain, was......That he was President of several Asiatic institutions ..... a Prophet of wonderful intellectual powers.....and highly illuminated from above......More, he said, he was not allowed to unfold, till I was fully admitted to the unreserved confidence of the holy church.

I have been obliged, Lucian, to be more circumstancial.........in the latter part of my life.....than entertaining..... But, if I did not impress you with the irresistible power used to entrap me, it would appear incomprehensible that I should be able.......at one leap......to make a colossal stride from the soft luxuries of Venus Mamilia to the hidden mysteries of the kingdom of light.

I shall pass over my years of probation.........and hasten to that period wherein I played a very distinguished part among the Christians.

At my return to Parium.....I found

my father labouring under the premature infirmities of age.....He therefore determined to put a stop to any future mercantile transaction.....balanced accounts with his various correspondents .....and established the possession of ease and independence, that the re

mainder of his days might pass quietly away among his friends and relations.

This he told me was his motive for recalling me to Parium, that I might... as his only son.........take upon myself the remaining concerns which lay variously on the Euxine.....Ægean...... and Sicilian seas.

This was a thunderstroke to all my favorite views.......but I was bound in duty.....and I respected the obligation too highly, to resist.

Having consented to adopt my father's plans....I had a fair opportunity of becoming.....without either labor or vexation.....a reasonable....ordinary....

man.

A chain of business........by keeping the mind constantly employed.....by change of scene, which repeated journeyings would occasion.....by that necessary attention which involves a man's interest and fortunes........is, of