charging God foolishly, whereas they are eating the fruit of their own way, and tasting that bitterness which unblessed schemes are sure to entail on artful, worldly minded persons. But here in a case of this sort, where the children of God would have been involved in the same ruin, He who ordereth the steps of the good man, He who keepeth his children as the apple of his eye, He who sitteth in the heavens, laughed them to scorn, and his mercy, not only for eternity but for time, followeth his people from generation to generation. Reader, pardon this digression.

The remainder of Mrs. Kemp's letter contained only local intelligence which would interest none who are unacquainted with P Joe would have given something to have heard the remainder, for he concluded that it contained some censure of his conduct, and some doubt of his prudence. Had Michael thought this, not a word would have been kept from him, but he put it in his pocket, and his head was full of contrivances for Joe's return to P, and his heart swelled with gratitude to God who had made his way plain. As they walked back to the farm together, Michael observed, "I think this opening quite pro

"That

"but

vidential, Joseph." Joseph made no reply. "I think," said he, in continuation, "this opening is quite the thing for you." "Do you, brother?" said Joe, "poor Miss Jennings have got such a regard for me, that I'm afraid she won't like it.' is very probable," said Michael, her father will be very well satisfied, that she should escape poverty; for I do not think, Joseph, that you are capable of maintaining a wife at present; you have not sufficient industry. But there is no doubt, by application to your business, you may do something." This was holding out a rational hope, and though Michael thought the connexion by no means desirable, he left this impression on Joseph's mind, that industry in his business might promote his wishes. He however knew enough of the human heart, to feel sure Mrs. Jennings and her daughter would not permit the matter to drop so very quietly, and he greatly feared correspondence, and some foolish result: he therefore determined to call on old Mr. Jennings, and request half an hour's conversation.

There was a favourite walk in the Brow Farm Garden which Michael always took when his heart was oppressed; it was skirted by a double row of filbert trees, and here did he walk and pray for direc

tion. One point of this young man's fear was, that he might act in his own spirit, while outwardly he appeared to be seeking the good of others. Oh, how did he daily discover the windings and intricacies of his own bosom, and how frequently would he feel the truth of that scripture; "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint," and this too, at the very moment when he was admired and looked up to by those who knew him most intimately; and in this sense the approbation of his fellow-creatures was really distressing to him. Thus it will ever be with the renewed mind; the clearer the view of heavenly purity and holiness is displayed in Jesus, the deeper will be the abhorrence of the slightest pollution. In his nut walk Michael prayed, that through the whole of this business he might walk by the light of divine counsel. After this, he went out to visit some of the poor who were sick in his neighbourhood, and he suffered the affair to cool two or three days. In the mean time Joseph was getting ready, and his changing mind was finding advantages in his home residence: they certainly were not consolations of a superior kind, but as they were consolations to Joe, and reconciled him in some degree for the loss of his visits to Sizors,

we will just mention it, that the reader may know the full worth of Joe's tender attachment. He thought, Well now, I'm to be a sort of head man, I shall put down my name to the Bowling Green, and if my father makes any objections, I shall say to him just as Mr. H. Jennings says to his father, "Sir, the thing is done." Oh, I remember seeing Mr. Jennings rub his hands and clap them when he said that! and the old man had not a word to say for himself.'

It may be remembered, that there was a good old Christian of the name of Beal, who was truly an honour to religion. Meekness and resignation had marked her progress through life.

The death of her husband had been a trial which put her firmest principles to a severe test, but he whom she had trusted, was faithful; and she counted it worthy of all honour that she was called to resign, though it was resigning ALL; and she did it in that spirit of meekness, which calls forth the feelings of every one capable of appreciating the beauties of a renewed mind. But Mr. Lascelles, in his frequent visits to her, felt such an increasing regard, and saw so clearly the influence of absolute seclusion at her time of life, when age wants the care of childhood, that he

determined to find some person to attend her but this was more easily proposed than accomplished, and when Margaret heard of it, she shook her head, and replied, "I'm sure, Sir, you are very kind and good, I'm perfectly sensible of that, but I'm really afraid as it would be a difficult matter to suit me. I have always been used to live so very clean, and my poor husband was such delightsome.company, that it is no easy matter to fill up his place. I have a sister who is in great weakness, she has a daughter coming seventeen in August, who has never been out. While her father was alive they wanted for nothing, but he died last year of the scarlet fever; how they have maintained themselves since I can't say. My niece is a good girl, and I should be very glad to have her here, but you know, Sir, this is not a place in which she could earn much, she has been bred to the mantua making, and I should be sorry to bring her here to her hurt." "Well, you can only ask her, and if you find she makes any hesitation, leave it." This conversation had passed between Margaret and Mr. Lascelles some months since, and he saw in the same pew on Easter Sunday a very decent looking woman sitting by Margaret, and a young girl, apparently the age of her niece, and