among that class of persons whose utter thoughtlessness and indifference have made the Bible to them an unknown, or whose unbelieving hearts have made it a sealed, book. Believe me, Percy, one cold, careless, inconsistent professor does more injury to the Gospel than a thousand hardened unbelieving criminals."

Mrs. Ellars paused, but Percy made no farther reply, and she proceeded: ، If we believe the Scripture declaration that the 'Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil;' is it not evident, that the only effectual way to eradicate the native evil of the human heart, is to lead it to the knowledge, the fear, the love, of him in whom was no sin ?’that the sin?'

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only way to wean man from the world is to preach unto him Jesus?' for how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard? and how can they understand except some man guide them ?' Let us not then, by indulging in our own vain imaginations, contradict the testimony of him who cannot lie; and who has expressly required, as a proof of the

sincerity of our love to him, that we should 'feed his lambs." "

Ellen looked with tears of delight at the countenance of her aunt, animated as it was with the united expression of piety and charity, springing from a heart which ever overflowed with both; but the subject dropped, for Percy had given up the argument in despair.

"And to what corner of the earth are your thoughts wandering, my pretty Flora?" inquired her aunt, with a gentle tap on the cheek.

Flora started, and blushed; then carelessly answered, "My thoughts were perfectly harmless, indeed, aunt.”

"I believe it, my love," said Mrs. Ellars; "but I would have them more than harmless; I would have them profitable."

"Our thoughts are involuntary, are they not, aunt ?" said Flora.

"Too generally they are, indeed," replied Mrs. Ellars; "but certainly not necessarily: it would have been of no avail to tell us that the heart is the seat of sin, if no means were

placed within our reach, by which to curb its sinful propensities: From within, out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts:' this is the leading sin; and what a fearful train is described as following. It was assuredly never meant that we should be left to the mercy of such a host of evil spirits. O no: sin indeed is strong, but there is a stronger than he,' who, if we seek him, will certainly drive the tyrant from our hearts; and, when he is driven out, let us not be satisfied with sweeping and garnishing, and then leaving the house empty, but let us cordially surrender it to the hand of our deliverer, who can and will so occupy it, that there shall be no room for the unclean spirit to enter in again and dwell there."

“But surely, aunt, you cannot think that we are answerable for every trifling thought which arises in our minds?"

"Why not, Flora? Perhaps, properly speaking, there is no such thing as a trifling thought, meaning by that expression a thought which tends to no end either good or evil: to me it appears incredible that any thought can

arise which will not affect one side or the other of the balance in which every thing human shall at last be weighed. A more correct character for those thoughts you mention, Flora, would be idle; a term more than once used in Scripture, as implying something not merely unprofitable, but pernicious; and why should we not be answerable for idle thoughts as well as idle words?"

"Because," answered Flora, "we have a power over our tongues which we have not over our thoughts."

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"Pardon me, my dear, the tongue is an unruly member,' which no man can tame:' we are no more sufficient of ourselves to speak than we are to think any thing as of ourselves: in both cases our sufficiency is of God.' I know but one thing that we can do, and that is to watch and be sober.'"

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Well, I have no doubt I shall grow serious and melancholy in time," answered Flora; "at present I have not leisure to sigh and mourn."

"Was that what my aunt recommended?" inquired Ellen gently.

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Ellen, I vow I thought you wrapt in some ecstatic vision, you have been so long silent," said her giddy cousin.

That is not answering Ellen's question," said Mrs. Ellars, smiling.

"Oh! you know I cannot argue with Ellen; the strongest arguments I could raise she would blow away with the breath of her mouth. I am satisfied to leave her in the quiet possession of her own opinion, so she will permit me to enjoy mine in peace."

In peace! repeated Ellen;

Flora, that is false peace."

"Ah!

"When I have discovered its falsehood I will renounce it," replied Flora.

"And I should be satisfied with that promise, Flora," said Mrs. Ellars, with emotion; "if I had not seen hundreds like you, young, gay, thoughtless, fearless, cut off in the midst of pleasures, of which, perhaps, they said, as you have done, When I see their evil I will renounce them.' Alas! that time never came, or came too late to suffer them to show by a deliberate choice that they did indeed renounce the world. Do you think it unkind