ual. Or, if this be impracticable, confine yourself as much as possible to the society of Him whose eye you can not escape, and who may be equally your Friend, your Counsellor, and your God.

It is indeed a melancholy truth, that, in the concerns of the soul, a man's enemies may sometimes be "those of his own household;" or, of the very group with which he is daily and necessarily associated. And favoured indeed are they, whose family and friends are all of the household of Christ; and whose progress in holy attainments is forwarded by a pious intercourse! But such is not the lot of all. Strong, and sometimes effective, opposition is made to the advancement of others, less advantageously circumstanced. The air of seriousness is mistaken for an unwarrantable melancholy. The sedate deportment, and perhaps abstracted thoughtfulness, disturb the vivacity of the domestic circle; or even excite some alarm respecting the mind, or health, of the Inquirer. Parental anxiety, or that of attached friends, suggests a thousand unhappy surmises; and measures are taken to arrest an event which affection itself is apprehending. Among these, are those misconcep

tions of doctrine, those mis-statements of the character of religion, and those appeals to a religion of nature, which the natural heart is always prepared to furnish; or those false ideas of the attributes of God, and that unscriptural advice, whose end is rather to hide than to heal "the leprosy of soul." No where is the worldling so willing to advise on a subject which he does not understand, himself-no where so willing to "daub with untempered mortar," as in the complaint of the corruptions of the heart. The convicted sinner, who has some fair insight into his own evil, detects the fallacy of this interference; and while he knows that his disorder is misunderstood by those who, without being sensible of it, are perishing with the same disease, he can exclaim with a sigh, like one in distress before, "miserable comforters are ye all?" But where the view of his condition is more imperfect, and the wound has never been deep, the end of this interference may be fatal to hope. Affection will inspire a strong confidence in those whom we love. A child is very apt to attach an equivocal character to the rules which a father may violate, rather than suspect the integrity of his parent. And this very principle, not unfre

quently, gives an undue influence to the unscriptural and most injudicious counsel of friends; and that too, it may be, where the motive is not fully understood by themselves.

It is a cruel kindness which would sacrifice the interests of the soul to a temporary plea ́sure; or hazard them all for the sake of its own selfishness. And yet we have reason to apprehend that the scenes of another world will tell many a story of woe in the history of the soul, touching this very point.

"I was present," said a worthy minister of the Gospel, on an occasion which introduced this subject" I was present where an instance of this kind made a painful and indelible impression on my memory: An accomplished and amiable young woman, in the town of

had been deeply affected by a sense of her danger. She was the only child of a fond and affectionate parent: And the deep depression which accompanied her discovery of guilt and depravity, awakened all the jealousies of the father. He dreaded the loss of all that sprightliness and vivacity, which constituted the happiness of the domestic circle. He was startled by the answers which his questions elicited; while he foresaw,-or thought he foresaw-a

fatal encroachment on a hitherto unbroken tranquillity. Efforts were made to remove the cause of disquietude: but they were such efforts as unsanctified wisdom directed. The Bible, at last -Oh how little may a parent know the farreaching of the deed, when he snatches the Word of Life from the hand of a child!-the Bible, and other books of religion, were removed from her possession; and their place was supplied by works of fiction. An excursion of pleasure was proposed, and declined. An offer of gayer amusement shared the same fate. Promises, remonstrances, and threatenings followed. But it was the unhappiness of the father which completed the inducement to compliance-Alas, how little may a parent be aware that he is decking his offspring with the fillets of death, and leading to the sacrifice, like a follower of Moloch!-The end desired was accomplished. And all thoughts of piety, and all concern for the future, vanished together. Less than a year shifted the bright scenes of domestic peace. The fascinating and gay LM was prostrated by a fever that bade defiance to medical skill. The approach of death was unequivocal; and the countenance of every attendant fell, as if they had heard the

flight of his arrow. I see, even now, that look directed to the father, by the dying martyr of folly. The eye seemed glazing,—and it was dim in hopelessness; and yet there seemed a something in its expiring rays, that told reproof, and tenderness, and terror, in the same glance. And that voice-its tone was decided, but sepulchral still-"My father-last year I would have sought the Redeemer.-Fath-er

-your child is”—Eternity heard the remainder of the sentence; for it was not uttered in Time. And the wretched survivor saw before him the fruit of a disorder, the seeds of which had been sown when his delighted look followed the steps of his idol in the maze of a dance. Oh how often, when I have witnessed the earthly wisdom of a parent banishing the thoughts of eternity, have I dwelt on that expression that seemed to arise from a season of departed hope" last year I would have sought the Redeemer!"

But there are instances in which the opposition is of a more distinctive character; and when, instead of arising from an avowed regard for the temporal welfare of those concerned, it collects and concentrates the malignity of a heart inimical to grace. And this may be