The Bible your best friend.

keeping it wholly-and the awful curse that must fall upon every one that does not keep it. After having concluded his remarks, he presented to me and each of the other servants, a Bible, observing, that he had a number for distribution to those who were willing to receive the word of life-and that in each of the books he had given us, he had turned down leaves, and marked passages that related to the subject of which he had been speaking-and would show he had been declaring to us the word of God. He hoped before we slept we would look over those passages, and seriously consider how we stood in relation to God— how it would be with us, if, before the morning light, we opened our eyes in eternity. When he put the sacred volume into my hands, he said,

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Mary, you will here read of a Mary who chose that better part which could not be taken from her. May God lead you to choose that part. Be well assured that this book is your best friend. It will teach you how to live, and how to die. Your eternity hangs upon the counsels it

contains.'

With these words, he kneeled down to offer up the devotions of the family; and among those for whom he petitioned the rich communications of divine grace, were the persons who had just been furnished with a copy of the word of life. I was deeply affected. I immediately retired to my room, and read the passages marked in my Bible. A new discovery was opened to my mind. In this mirror of divine truth, I saw myself in an entire new light. I had ever before thought myself very good, and entitled to great consideration and regard. I now saw that I was the vilest of sinners. I had broken every law of God, if not in act, yet in thought and intent. There appeared to me to be no way of escape. The wrath of an offended God seemed to kindle upon every page I read. I went to bed, but found there was no rest, no peace for me-I never closed my eyes during that whole night. The terrors of judgment and the indescribable horrors of a burning hell seemed to

The workings of an awakened but unregenerate soul.

rise continually before me. I left my bed in the morning exhausted by intense feeling, and filled with dejection and despair. Still I was too proud to allow any one to know how my mind had been agitated and during the day I tried to throw off my serious feelings, and convince myself that it was all delusion. I resolved that I would not again be present at family prayers, and accordingly the next evening feigned headache, as an excuse to retire before the hour of devotion. But these expedients did not relieve my conscience from that burden of guilt which seemed bound to it as with cords. I still saw, still felt, that I had broken the law of God, and was under sentence of death. The Scriptures I had read, and the solemn words I had heard from Mr. I, seemed to dwell upon my mind, as though they had been written there in letters of fire. I tried to forget them. I thought of the scenes of pleasure through which I had passed, and thus strove to beguile my thoughts into another train. But the remembrance of those scenes no longer delighted me. They now appeared full of sin, and covered with guilt. I tried to sleep, but it was all in vain. The one all-absorbing thought was still in my mind, I am a sinner against God, and my feet are going down to the chambers of death. The course I had taken this very evening now appeared to me awfully wicked. I had been trying to flee from the Holy Spirit. I had resorted to prevarication, that I might avoid being present at that family altar where God first met me. The thought flashed upon my mind, that by this last act of rebellion I had ruined my soul for ever.

"I lay and thought of these things, till my mind became wrought up to the highest pitch of excitement. The most horrid images seemed to glide before me, and I felt every instant as if I was making the dreadful plunge into the burning abyss. My mind continued in this state for a number of days, and during this period, I, at times, fully believed that I should not live another hour. My health became seriously affected, and I was obliged to take to my bed.

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The way of salvation.

"I at length resolved to seek counsel of the Rev. Mr. I—————, and to tell him of the misery into which he had plunged me. O! I shall never forget the interest that lit up his countenance when I made this communication. I concluded with telling him, that I felt confident there was no hope for me; that I had sinned beyond the reach of mercy. In the most kind and affectionate manner he replied, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He then opened to my view the plan of salvation through infinite grace. He read to me a number of passages from the Bible like this-For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. O! they were sweet passages, and while he read them, my burdened heart seemed to grow lighter. The way of salvation of which he spoke seemed entirely new. It appeared every way lovely, and exactly suited to my case. I felt that it was just what I needed. And I know not how it was, but before he had done speaking, a peace that passeth all understanding had gently and imperceptibly come over my soul, and my fears and griefs were wellnigh gone. Being left alone, I began to think more deeply upon what I had heard. The more I reflected, the more I was struck with the beauty, excellence, and loveliness of this new way of salvation. It seemed so simple, so easy, so sweet to rest my naked soul upon the merits of a crucified Redeemer to commit myself into his hands, and depend upon his grace to enlighten my understanding, sanctify my heart, and guide my feet in the way of his commandments. I wondered that I had never before understood it. My Bible now became my constant companion, and I began to perceive the truth of Mr. I's remark—that it was my best friend.' When betrayed into passion, or neglect of duty, its heavenly precepts taught me to repent, and cast myself afresh upon the tender mercies of a covenant-keeping God. When suffering ill treatment from others, my Bible told me of a more excellent way, than to

The influence of divine grace.

return railing for railing. And I soon found that I was much happier when I restrained my feelings, than when I gave vent to them. From my Bible I learnt the misery of ignorance, the worth of time, and the sinfulness of an indolent life. I had no sooner begun to reduce to practice what I had learnt, than I found my advantage in it. By rising early, and employing my leisure hours in reading, I found I was much happier. Every thing seemed to go on better through the whole day. The family appeared better suited, and inclined to be more indulgent. God has greatly

blessed me in lifting up the light of his countenance upon me. I have lived to see Mr. and Mrs. Wilson both brought into the Redeemer's fold. I feel that we belong to the same family. I am happy in their service. Nothing would tempt me to leave them. I feel a delightful assurance that neither life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come, will ever separate us from each other, or from the love of Christ."

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A worldling's view of Christianity.

CHAPTER III.

THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF A CHRISTIAN TEMPER.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Gospel according to St. John.

THE Consistent and affecting account that Mary had given of the manner in which she had been led to walk in the ways of religion, deeply interested my feelings, and continued to dwell on my mind with such vivid impression that I could not refrain from alluding to it in the hearing of Mr. Wilson. He appeared much affected, and after a few moments' silence, remarked,

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Mary has not told you all; I will finish the narrative. When I returned, after the absence to which she referred, I found that things in my house had undergone a great change. Mrs. Wappeared evidently altered. I had always respected Christianity, and considered it valuable chiefly as inculcating a system of pure and exalted morality. I knew that my wife possessed, in an eminent and distinguished degree, all the moral virtues which adorn domestic and social life. When, therefore, upon my return, I was congratulated by the Rev. Mr. I— upon the change that had occurred in the religious views and feelings of Mrs. W, I was indignant, and hastily replied,

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What change? Why, sir, you are dreaming! Harriet has always been pious. She can be no better than she has been from the first day I knew her. She has ever been as pure as an angel. She is innocence itself.'

"Far be it from me,' answered the discreet and prudent