society, particularly that of infants, he felt a sphere of holiness and innocence peculiarly tranquillizing to his mind.

This truly pious minister was now far advanced in years: he was tall, and had been a fine figure, and his countenance was, in truth, a type of the mind within. I might describe his polished and elegant manners, and all those outward adornments which gratify the senses; but these, my young readers, would not be the qualities which could raise him in the eyes of a true Christian. O, no; but it was in the exercise of those fruits of the spirit which St. Paul commends, as "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness," &c., that his character shone forth with peculiar brilliancy. He felt deeply the importance of that office to which his Lord had called him; and in the sincerest humility prayed to his divine Master to enlighten his understanding, and purify and increase his affection for spiri

tual things, by the power of his Holy Spirit. This was the person whom to know was to love.

The evening growing late, he did not remain long at the cottage; but after reading to them a portion of the holy Scriptures, he retired to his own peaceful dwelling. And here we will leave our new friends to enjoy that rest which has been so mercifully provided for all.

CHAPTER II.

BEFORE I proceed with the history of Mr. Lorraine's family, I must give some account to my readers of their relatives residing at W whom, as yet, I have only slightly mentioned. Mr. Carlton was an attorney, and had married the only sister of Mrs. Lorraine. He was a man of easy temper, and when entering first upon the

duties of life, had appeared inclined to take pleasure in domestic society. Had his wife been capable of guiding his mind to the only source from which true stability of character proceeds, he might have made a good and happy husband; but she, alas! was far from possessing that "pearl of great price," true religion. Continued disputes were the consequences of this ill-assorted union. They had three children who were constant sufferers from their sinful example. Albert, the eldest, a fine boy, only fifteen, was fast declining in health, and likely soon to be removed from the trials his young heart had already suffered. Henrietta was thirteen: she had excellent abilities, but was sadly neglected by her mother. William, the youngest, was only ten, with a noble and generous disposition, but running wild for want of a kind friend to guide him. But who was to teach them to know and love their Saviour God? Their parents sought him not themselves,

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and therefore could not teach their children. But "God's ways are not our ways;" he will not forsake his helpless children. Mr. and Mrs. Lorraine were ever anxious to do all in their power for this unhappy family. They now sent for poor Albert, to try if by change of air and scene they could not raise his drooping spirits. He seemed lost in melancholy reflections, and frequently, when spoken to, would burst into tears, and refuse to tell the cause of his grief. It was very gratifying to witness the kind and winning attentions of all the little cousins to this dear invalid. Edward, laying aside his boisterous games, would offer his arm, and tenderly lead him to the door and assist him to mount his own favourite horse; the girls would read to him, and display their different fancy-works for his amusement, while the little Henry loved to wait upon and sit by him. But a look of gratitude, or a faint smile, was all the return he seemed able to make them.

On the evening of the second day after his arrival, when they were assembled for their usual reading after tea, little Henry said: "Mamma, do you not remember telling me to remind you of the promise you gave us to read some beautiful part of the Bible, when we were talking of Jesus Christ being like the sun ?"

"Yes, my child; and I am glad you have not forgotten it. You will find the passage I alluded to, dear Charles, in the first part of the seventeenth chapter of Matthew."

Henry wished to know something of the appearance of our Lord and Saviour in heaven, and I thought the view Peter, James, and John there had of him, was one more nearly approaching to the divine beauty and splendour of his sacred Person, than any at that moment present to my mind. In the Revelation of St. John, we may find him described in glorious and splendid language, but in a way