We do not pretend to say that there is not still to be encountered that lighter species of persecution which consists in reproach, suspicion, and contempt; that there is not still an inferior kind of spiritual martyrdom, which those who would live godly in Christ Jesus must be content to suffer; a persecution which touches not the life but the fame: but this affects only Christians of a higher strain than those whom we are considering; persons who do not draw on themselves censure by their indiscretion, but by their elevation in principle, and their superiority in practice. This reproach, however, they esteem a light evil, and are contented that as it was with the Master so it must be with the servant. It is well, however, if attack makes even them more discreet, and reproach more humble.

In short, the religion of the phraseologists is easy, their acquisitions cheap, their sacrifices few, their stock small but always ready for production. This stock is rather drawn from the memory than the mind: it consists in terms rather than in ideas ; in opinions rather than in principles; and is brought out on all occasions, without regard to time, place, person, or circumstance.

It has been triumphantly asserted, but probably with more confidence than truth, that the children of pious persons are not, in general, piously educated. We have known too many instances to the contrary to admit the charge.

Though a good man's religion cannot be always transmitted with his estate, yet much has been

done, and is actually doing, towards this transmission; and if it is sometimes found that the fact is as has been asserted, it is, we suspect, chiefly, though perhaps not exclusively, to be found in the class we have been considering. It is, perhaps, in consistency with some tenets they maintain, that they neglect to prepare the ground, to sow the seed, and labour to eradicate the weeds; believing that education is of little use; trusting that whatever is good must come from above, and come in God's own time.

We, too, know that whatever is good must come from above; and that of whatever is good God is the giver but we know, also, that the ripening suns, and the gracious showers, and the refreshing dews, which descend from heaven, are not intended to spare the labour of cultivation, but to invigorate the plant, to fill the ear, to ripen the grain, and thus, without superseding, to reward and bless the labours of the cultivator.

AURICULAR CONFESSION.

THERE are certain topics which are almost too serious to be overlooked in an undertaking of this nature, and are yet almost too delicate to be touched upon.

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Though we are far from thinking auricular confession the worst part of another church, yet we do not wish to see it introduced into our own, especially under the circumstances to which we are about to allude. There are certain young ladies of good talents, and considerable cultivation, who have introduced what we might be almost tempted to call the coquetry of religion. To the friendship of men of superior reputation for abilities and piety, frequently to young men, - they insinuate themselves, by making a kind of false confidence. Under the humble guise of soliciting instruction and obtaining comfort, they propose to them doubts which they do not entertain, disclose difficulties which do not really distress them, ask advice which they probably do not intend to follow, and avow sensibilities with which they are not at all troubled.

This, it is to be apprehended, is a kind of pious fraud, an ingenious stratagem to be thought better than they are, by the lowly affectation of appearing to be worse. They ask for consolation which they do not need, for they are really not unhappy; but

it is gratifying to engage attention, and to excite interest. These fanciful afflictions, these speculative discontents, after having, to the sympathising friend, appeared to be removed, are poured with an air equally contrite, and a mind equally at ease, into the ear of the next pious and polite listener; though the penitent had gone away from the first confessor more than absolved, the mourner more than comforted.

This confidential opening of the mind, this warm pouring forth of the soul, might be perfectly right and proper, were the communication confined to one spiritual director. For here the axiom is reversed; here, in the multitude of counsellors, there is not safety, but danger. If the perplexity be real, if the distress sincere, why not confide it to the bosom of some experienced female friend, of some able and aged divine? There all would be right and safe; there confession would bring relief, if relief and not admiration be wanted; and where the feeling of contrition is genuine, admiration will not be sought.

If the young persons in view were not really estimable we should not have taken the liberty to guard them against this temptation to vanity and egotism: to vanity, because they go away not only with comfort but exultation; to egotism, because they go away with an increased tendency to make self their subject.

A celebrated court maxim-monger *, who was deeply read in human nature, though he did not

*Le Duc de la Rochefoucault.

derive his knowledge from the best sources, nor always turn it to the best account, has, however, given a sound caution, from which communicative young persons might glean a lesson : "Never talk of yourself, neither of your good nor your bad qualities."

It is true the Christian will know the above admonition to be carried too far. He who considers that the soul is liable to diseases as well as the body, I will allow the necessity for a spiritual as well as bodily physician. Now if a patient must, in order to obtain relief, tell his case to a practitioner for the body, is it to be forbidden that the languishing and dejected soul should lean for advice on a moral counsellor," an interpreter, one of a thousand?"

But if the graces of the person or manner, or the hope of attracting undue attention, add nothing to the skill or worth of the adviser in one case, let us take care they do not influence our choice of the confidant in the other.

The writer has been induced to hint at the abuse of this practice from actual instances, in which unsound confidence, and a piety too artificial, by exciting kindness and awakening sympathy, have led to ill-assorted connections, formed on a misconception of the real state of mind of the confessing party.

These remarks are by no means intended to apply to that Christian communion at once so profitable and so delightful. When the intention is simple, the heart sincere, the motive pure, and the parties suitable, such intercourse cannot but