new point of view. At length he candidly acknowledged that the approbation of the lower order of people was not the object of his wishes; that to acconimodate the style of his discourses to their comprehension would be extremely irksome to his feelings; and, in short, that a love of learning and retirement were the sole motives which had induced him to take himself the important office of a clergyman.

upon

Mr. Nichols seemed pleased with the free communication made him by his new acquaintance, yet resolving not to lose so fair an opportunity of expatiating on what he deemed the duties of a christian minister, he replied "Sir, I am no enthusiast, I talk not of visions, a voice from heaven, or even extraordinary impulses of mind, to induce a man to take upon himself your profession, but I have no scruple in saying, that every man who does so should lay his hand upon his heart, and be able to say with sincerity, that the glory of God and the good of souls are his motives, not merely a love of learning and retirement. Ministers are watchmen in Israel, they are said to watch for souls as they who must give account.' In the 33d of Ezekiel their duty is exhibited in the most striking colours. Oh! that ministers would read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest' that portion of God's word.”

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A crimson hue overspread the countenance of the young divine as Mr. Nichols was speaking. He seized his hat and cane, drew out his watch, and observing it was near twelve o'clock, with an air implying he had an appointment at that hour, hastily retreated, leaving, with a scholar-like absence, his gloves behind him.

The expression of the clergyman's countenance did not escape the notice of Mr. Nichels. "I fear,"

said he to his daughter, "I have offended him, than which nothing was further from my intention." "Indeed," replied Miss N. "I thought you did speak rather harshly, not in your usual style." "Say you so," returned Mr. N. "then he shall have my apology to-morrow. Ah! how difficult is it to reprove with propriety." Scarcely had he spoken before the elergyman again appeared. Concluding that his second appearance was occasioned by his recollected gloves, Mr. N. advanced towards him, and presenting them "Sir," observed he, "you forgot your gloves; but I did worse, for I forgot the deference due to your character, in my zealous application of scripture." "Sir," replied the divine, “you are mistaken in your supposition that my recollected, or rather not recollected gloves occasions my return. A maxim of Periander's occurred to my mind the instant I quitted your gate." Here the scholar repeated a Greek sentence, which Mr. Nichols afterwards translated at the request of his daughter, Be master of thy anger.'

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The two gentlemen instantaneously presented their hands to each other, and perhaps years of friendly intercourse could not have ensured esteem more than this little incident. The conversation which followed turned chiefly upon the propriety of church establishments in a political point of view. We omit the recital for three reasons, first, because though many excellent things were said in its favor by these gentlemen, many equally excellent have been published by others. Secondly, because we think it not quite fair, on subjects controverted by wise and good men, to give but one side of the argument, and here was no opponent. And thirdly, because we conjecture the discussion would not prove either very instructive or

entertaining to our juvenile readers, whom we delight to please, and for whom almost exclusively we write. Mr. Nichols did not fail, at the close of the debate, to urge on his friend consistency of conduct. "Sir," said he, 66 as you appear so well convinced of the expediency of church-establishments, you will surely no longer express an indifference at the non-attendance of your parishioners." The young pastor was not disposed to controvert so fair a proposition, yet took leave with so irresolute an air as left small hopes on the mind of Mr. N. "Surely," observed Miss Nichols, "this gentleman's character is uncommon. He can talk of christian doctrines, which he professes to believe, with apathy; of the excellence of an establishment, he takes no care to support ; and with all his attainments seems to have neglected to acquire the knowledge of those duties he has undertaken to perform." "This character is not uncommon," replied Mr. Nichols, "and evinces the necessity of heartfelt piety. Till the heart be warmed by love, the conduct will be slightly, if at all, influenced by mere head knowledge. We even read of those ' who hold the truth in unrighteousness.' But this is not the case in the present instance. The morality of our new rector is unexceptionable, and this leads me to hope, that in due time his heart will become the convert of his head. God has various methods of dealing with his rational creatures, and he doubtless suits his dealings to their various capacities. He often works on the affections more than the understanding. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings he has ordained praise.' And often the cold assent of the understanding long precedes the subjection of the will and affections. There are diversities of

operations, but it is the same God who worketh all in all.'"

The rector with slow and solemn steps, his hat flapped over his face, regardless of the numerous bows and courtesies which assailed him in his way, gained his habitation. He shut himself into his study, locked the door, forgetting that he was now far removed from the impertinent intrusions of fellow-collegians, and opened his Bible at the chapter in Ezekiel to which Mr. Nichols had referred. He read both that and the following with self-application, and now for the first time in his life experienced the truth of the apostle's declaration, "The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." "This blood will I require at thine hand,” seemed to vibrate on his ear as he paced his study, agreeably to his usual custom the half hour before dinner, and when seated at the table, this sentence was exchanged for "Wo be to the shepherds in Israel that do feed themselves." He arose from his solitary repast, (for he had no pious, affectionate wife to aid him by her counsel or soothe him by her sympathy) with a resolution to shake off all unpleasant sensations. For this purpose he dispensed with his prudential maxim of refraining from study in the afternoon, and seated himself to the favourite work he had in hand, “ A Treatise on the Nature of the Soul." He arranged all his metaphysical authors around him, seized his pen, with the full expectation of giving a decisive blow to the modern advocates for materialism, when he discovered he had lost his own philosophical penetration, clearness and precision. After musing a considerabie time he exclaimed, It must be so! These

sensations must be the effect of a divine influence upon my mind; a doctrine contained in scripture, which I have defended, but never understood before. This is then no season for philosophical researches—“ Quench not the spirit." Our student replaced his authors upon their shelves, threw aside his pen, and devoted the remainder of the evening to prayer and meditation.

Was his conduct enthusiastical? Then was St. Paul an enthusiast when he exclaimed, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Then was David enthusiastical when he prayed," Take not thy Holy Spirit from me." And then, to speak with reverence, our Lord himself is found an encourager of enthusiasts when he said, "The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things, and abide with you forever." "Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost," was a charge brought by the martyr Stephen against his persecutors; and numberless passages of scripture might be adduced, where directly or indirectly the Spirit of God is said to strive with the fallen race of man, The experience of christians attests the truth of sèripture in this particular. Who does not recollect the remonstrances of conscience, God's vicegerent, and who has not been guilty of stifling those remonstrances? Who does not recollect seasons when the written, or the preached word, has flashed conviction on the soul, which, though neglected, could not be forgotten?

Enough we trust has been said to vindicate our young clergyman from the heavy charge of enthusiasm, and if so, surely the propriety of imitating his conduct will be evident to all. The unconverted will then