interview with you, shortly?" he asked as he

rose to depart.

"Certainly, Father," replied Edward; “I shall be most happy to wait upon you." "I shall join my prayers with yours, Father,"

said Mr. Travers, "that this poor lost one may be restored. The Holy Virgin aid us! Leave me, now, Edward; I cannot talk to you at present, my mind is too much pained at your folly."

"I am sorry it is so, papa," replied Edward, "but

"Say no more at present, but retire and consider your ways. I trust you will be led to see your indiscretion, and that we shall yet rejoice over you."

Edward did not reply, for he saw that his father was excessively agitated, and he felt that it was then useless to argue. He trusted that his life would exemplify the principles of that religion which is lovely and of good report, and depending on an omnipotent arm, he determined to seek an increased measure of its light, and power, and love.

CHAPTER IV.

"One thing is needful."

It was evening, but Mrs. Travers had not again left her couch, or had another interview with her son. There were other and painful memories mingling with her thoughts of Edward's apostacy, but these alone she could have borne. Agonizing as they were, she could fortify her mind against their full influence by exercises of devotion; but this was a trial too sore and too fearful. Her whole being was shaken to its centre, and seemed as a blighted chaos. She could not think, or reason, or pray; a cloud had come over her entire consciousness, and the past and the future appeared alike involved in gloom. The hopes of years had been in one moment destroyed, for he who was to have been the stay and prop of their faith, had leagued with the heretics. It was bitter agony.

Rosa and Ernestine were assiduous in their endeavours to win her from such painful sensations. At length she appeared more calm, and, looking at Rosa, said, "It may not be

D

true!

Call your brother, my love; I will know it from himself."

66

"Not now, dearest mamma !" exclaimed the sisters in one breath; you are not able to converse to-day."

"I must be satisfied on this point, Rosa," replied Mrs. Travers, in a tone that made the idea of remonstrance useless. "Let Edward

be called."

Edward was not long in obeying the summons, and was soon seated by his mother's side, expressing his sympathy in her indisposition.

"Never mind that now, my love," said she; "I want to ask you a question or two. I feel exceedingly anxious on your account: you are young, and liable to be misled by false teachers. Tell me truly, what faith do you profess ?"

"My dear mamma, we will talk on that subject another day," replied Edward.

"No, no," interrupted Mrs. Travers, "there is no time like the present, Edward. I wish to be satisfied respecting you. Do you belong to the true Church?"

"I trust I am a member of the true church of Christ, mamma, and that I am united to the Saviour by living faith; for I have the testimony of his Spirit that I am a child of God."

"Then you have not really forsaken the Church?" asked Mrs. Travers.

"If you mean by the church, the Romish Church, I fear I shall differ from you, mamma; for I cannot allow that that is the true church."

"Then, pray, what is the true church?" asked Mrs. Travers; "and whence has it derived authority to assume such a title ?"

"My dear mamma, I would much rather have been silent on the subject until you were more able to converse; but, since you wish it, I must obey. I will first premise that my opinions are all taken from the Scriptures; the revelation of God's will to man. I there learn that by the church of Christ we are to understand the whole body of his true people, those who are united to him by living faith. This is the only requirement; for if faith be a principle of the soul, it will bring forth all its fruits of righteousness."

"But," interrupted Mrs. Travers, "there must be a visible church in the world, and you surely will not attempt to prove that our holy and Apostolic Church is not that church. Think of its establishment by our Saviour; of the uninterrupted succession of its Pastors from the Apostles; St. Peter appointed by Christ himself to be its visible head, and his

lawful successor the Pope, continuing so to be to the end of the world. Think, also, of the power delegated to the church in the person of St. Peter, for the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of our Lord that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

"God has had a chosen and peculiar people," replied Edward, "from the foundation of the world; a people whose peculiar title to his favour existed in their living, appropriating faith in his promises. This people constitute his church. It existed before Christ appeared upon earth, being founded in the promise of of the Messiah given to Adam. With Abraham, who was constituted the Father of the faithful, the covenant was renewed, so that since his days the church has in every age been founded upon that covenant, and the work of redemption according to it. With whomsoever, therefore, this covenant is established, with them is the church of God, and to them all the promises and privileges of the church belong. Amongst the Apostles themselves there was no common head, nor did they make provision for the government of the church by the appointment of any. The only unity of which they speak, is the unity of the whole church in Christ, the invisible Head, by faith, and that produced by 'fervent love towards each other.'"