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tionary combats, had gladly seized the opportunity it afforded him, for retiring from the profligacy with which he had been surrounded, to spend the residue of his years employments, better adapted to the character, and more accordant with the destination, of an immortal being.

After wandering for a considerable period in search of some quiet spot, where he might close his days unmolested, he learned that du Blesne, the companion of his youth, had returned to his hereditary estates; and he determined to visit him, with the intention, should the renewal of their acquaintance promise a permanency to its duration, of finally settling in his neighbourhood. To his contemplative mind, the lake of Geneva presented an inviting scene. Its picturesque confines-its lovely and serene waters, occasionally agitated by storms, which here have an effect peculiarly sublime, amidst lightnings playing over a hundred snow-clad summits, and thunders rolling in deep reverberations among the hills, as they take

up the peal, and repeat it to a thousand echoes*-its genial climate, free from the extremes of temperature, and perhaps for eight months in the year unrivalled by any in Europe:-these, united with easy access to all the comforts, and many of the elegancies, of life, offered to the eye of Villaret, numerous and powerful inducements; and he already beheld himself, in imagination, seated on its romantic banks, calmly preparing for the important change that awaited him.

In pursuance of this resolution, he accordingly visited du Blesne. Mutually great, and agreeable, was their surprize. Since they parted, they had alike learned the value of that time they had once so thoughtlessly squandered; and alike had they found, under a Divine tuition, the sole happiness attainable on this side the grave. Many were the mercies they had to enumerate, and many

"A silent tear of thankfulness they shed."

*See note.r.

How different now their intercourse! Formerly, combined, if not in the fellowship of open crime, yet in the determination to forego the best duties and occupations of life,

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they had only strengthened each other's hands in iniquity;' for the limits, which the unrenewed mind, willing to content itself with the externals of religion, has placed between avowed infidelity, and that secret impulse of hatred, which says to the Most High Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways;' are not only deceitful and dangerous, but less than nothing. Yet, the ties, which then held them together, were merely those of unacknowledged selfishness :-the enemy of God cannot be the disinterested friend of man. Now, the cords of love, that united them, were indissoluble as His faithfulness who twined them round their hearts. The friendship which now subsisted between them, such is the transforming efficacy of true aud undefiled religion,' was as the medicine of life,' heavenly in its nature, and healing in its effects. Assisting one another, reciprocally,

in the discharge of their present engagements, they were now mutually urgent on each other, to honour that Lord who had borne with them so long; to fight manfully under the banners of the cross; and so to live as they would wish to be found, when the final summons should vibrate on their

ears.

There is something peculiarly interesting in this illustration of that new and benignant commandment, which was left with us as a merciful token, that we were to be henceforth under the law of love. It came from the lips of Him who was well acquainted with all our wants and infirmities, and who desired, doubtless, that we should be helpers of each other. How inconceivably gracious was that promise of his: If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.'- The communion of saints,' bears the validity of his immediate sanction. Did he not call

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his disciples, friends?'

Even the stricter

ties of hallowed affection can boast his ap

proval. Was there no one, whom he chose as the more intimate companion of his bosom?-No disciple, whom Jesus loved?

Let the world entertain what opinion they will upon the subject, true friendship was never yet the inmate of an unrenewed mind. Various, indeed, and remarkable have been the instances of apparent devotedness to the happiness of others, exhibiting feelings which indicate, and that not obscurely, the height from which we have fallen. But, let it not be supposed, that they were of such a nature as those which proceed from the influence of the Holy Spirit, when it combines the children of one common Redeemer, in the sacred bonds of amity and peace. They may have worn the semblance of disinterestedness; but, if there be veracity in the records of truth, it is only in 'passing from death unto life,' that man can love his fellow with an unfeigned love! But, to return.

It happened, at this moment, that there was a small but neat cottage untenanted on the lands of de Mertenburg, and but at a short distance from the glen. This, as it

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