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forted by this assurance, and taking occasion from all circumstances to praise Him for His continual and unvarying love and tender mercy, she threw herself wholly upon His care, rejoicing in grace received, and praying for heavenly guidance to preserve her from evil, and direct her unto good.

CHAPTER IX.*

NOW THEREFORE WHY TEMPT YE GOD, TO PUT A YOKE UPON THE NECK OF THE DISCIPLES, WHICH NEITHER OUR FATHERS NOR WE WERE ABLE TO BEAR?'-Acts xv. 10.

Not many days after this occurrence she met, in one of her long rambles, two of the ladies forming part of the society of Dunbury. They were making their weekly collections among the poor, and Mary proposed accompanying them, as she wished to see their plan of visiting. She observed that they scarcely touched upon the subject of religion. They made a point of minutely inspecting the family economy, inquiring into the state of affairs, and ascertaining the mode of management; after which

Lest any one should think this chapter an exaggerated picture, the Author begs to assure his reader that he has given the substance as related by an eye witness, on whose veracity every dependence is to be placed.-Parts have been withheld, and parts softened down, from a desire not to wound unnecessarily.

they proposed other plans of their own, and urged their adoption. They examined the children's clothes, and pointed out where a stitch might be well applied, or a patch added. They asked on what the family fed, and how the parents disposed of their time; censured one for having the character of a slattern, and severely reproved another for gossipping, because she was observed speaking at a neighbour's door as they came in sight. The woman assured the ladies that she had only just left her work to ask her neighbour (who was skilled in reading events) what was meant by dreaming of drowning three nights running. The ladies upon hearing this avowal of her belief in witchcraft, commenced a long lecture on the subject, showing how Satan had first tempted her by idle dreams, next through her inclination for gossip, and lastly by her giving heed to seducing spirits, had led her into the worst crimes. They continued their argument until the poor woman was fully persuaded she had been guilty of the unpardonable sin, and had nothing to expect but eternal destruction. She wept bitterly, promising never to do the like again; and after a few words expressive of their intention to continue their favour provided they heard better of her in future, they withdrew to

another cottage. Here they found great fault with a young girl whose mother had lately died, leaving her the charge of seven brothers and sisters, because they had been given to understand that she had not been to church more than once a day for the last two Sundays. The girl, a modest, timid-looking creature, expressed her sorrow in very humble terms, explaining all the obstacles that stood in her way: "I have father's dinner to get," she added, "and he won't be satisfied unless it is a hot one, and the children are all so young and giddy, that I can't get them to do any thing for themselves; I must wash and dress them with my own hands, and the baby won't go to any one but me; and if it is put to sleep, and I try to get to church, father won't mind it if it wakes up. He says he can't make it quiet."

"But don't you consider the sin of staying away when you might go," replied the ladies.

66 Indeed, ladies, I know it isn't right not to go twice a day, but what can I do? Father would be put out and the children get into mischief."

"Oh, but that's nothing in comparison to offending God." .

"No, to be sure it isn't, I know that, but I thought, may be, He would forgive if I minded

father and the children. I always teach them their catechism and hymns when I don't go, and read the Bible to them all."

"Yes, this is all very well, but you must try and get to church twice next Sunday; no one can hope to prosper who does not use the means of grace, and we cannot think of encouraging any one who neglects her duty."

The tears came into the girl's eyes, but she said nothing, and the visitors took their leave.

The next visit was to a house which contained two females, and Mary was told before they entered that she would see a young penitent rescued from destruction and placed out of the reach of harm, under the care of a most judicious and spiritual-minded elderly woman, who had kindly consented to her boarding with her and being under her own immediate eye. Mary felt an objection to intrude on the unfortunate young person, but her companions urged her to follow them. The elderly woman was sitting in a large arm chair sorting baby-linen belonging to a charity: she appeared to have been discoursing with the young female, who rose from her seat when the ladies entered, colouring deeply as she moved to one side a cradle which had been placed at her foot. The matron looked over her spectacles and bid the young mother

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