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er's relations of his own devout experiences with impatience, and he listens to Mr. Nichols's clear definitions of gospel doctrines with a clouded intellect.

Mr. Wilson would have felt the deprivation of his daughter's constant society more acutely, had not his attention been so much occupied by his benevolent alms-house project, and his private meditations. The former was now completed, and he had soon the supreme satisfaction of witnessing the temporal necessities of age supplied, and from the spirituality of mind promoted by the latter, he was enabled to enjoy himself in that period of life. His amiable partner was less absorbed in pious contemplations, yet the assurance of her daughter's increased rather than diminished happiness in the married state, fully reconciled her to the separation. Her attachment to her son-in-law rendered her a partial hearer of his discourses, and their extreme plainness and faithfulness soon roused her from the self-righteous spirit which was the chief impediment to her reception of the truth. Fearless of the charge of legality, we will venture to assert that a blessing may be expected to attend those who walk in the path of duty, and perhaps no one deviated less from it than Mrs. Wilson for the last three years; she sincerely desired to obey God and serve her neighbours. From many passages. of scripture which might be adduced to prove the correctness of our assertion, we select only two. "If any man," said our Lord to his disciples, "will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it is of God." And the spirit of prophecy has declared— "To him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I shew the salvation of God." A reasonable hope then may be entertained that the spirit of humility already

infused into the heart of Mrs. Wilson will be followed by knowledge, and perfected by a true and living faith.

In summing up the relation of events respecting our various characters, the honest woodman and his family should not be forgotten; yet so uniformly have they pursued the "noiseless tenor of their way," that nothing remains of an interesting nature to relate, with the exception of the melancholy death of his brother Andrew. His career of nefarious practices was soon ended; for being seized by the magistrates, he was dragged to prison, and followed there by the execrations of his poor neighbours, who transferred their own self-deserved reproaches upon him. He was sentenced to a long imprisonment; but unused to the deprivation of air and exercise, his constitution became weakened, and habits of intemperance hastened the slow advance of the awful stroke which summoned him away in the same impenitent state he entered the prison, a dreadful monument of justice, human and divine.

CONCLUSION.

If the characters exhibited in the foregoing pages have done their duty, they have each spoken their design so plainly as to render a long application superfluous. The honest woodman has exemplified the observation, that respect and patronage are the result of integrity in the humbler walks of life, while hist industrious partner has proved that the talent of influence is not confined, as some imagine, to the higher. We have seen how her benevolent example operated on the conduct of Mrs. Wilson, and all the happiness both to herself and neighbours in consequence. We have evinced, by the experience of Mr. Wilson, that an advanced period of life does not necessarily impede the acquirement of religious knowledge, nor benevolent exertions for the good of society. Should any reader have formed an esteem for Mr. Gregory Wilson, while they deplore the weaknesses found in his character, let them improve them to their advantage, should any similar dispositions reign in their own. Are they superficial in their attainments? Let them avoid his conceit, and humbly maintain silence rather than disputation. Are they naturally easy and good-humoured in temper, let them guard against becoming a prey to seductive argument at the expense of their better judgment. Are they humane in their feelings? Let them be economists in the management of their incomes, that they may not, like Mr. Gregory, sacrifice the fine feelings of benevolence at the shrine of extravagance. But above all, let them consider the effects of his careless and frivolous course

of life upon declining years, and their attendant infirmities.

If the author has anxiously desired to benefit any one description of readers more than another, it has been the younger part of the female sex. To their attention, then, are more particularly offered the examples of the four young ladies, who form a conspicuous part in the work. If they had received a polished education, suitable to a superior rank in life, their ability for usefulness is increased,—a correct taste being the result of a polished education; and from that correctness of taste, united to religious principles, arose all the beauty and dignity of character discoverable in Miss Nichols. Should the liberality of friends have bestowed a more than suitable education to their station in life, it does not necessarily follow that, like the Misses Jones, they are to abuse the advantage, by supposing it raises them above that station. Accomplishments afford no sanction to pride or indolence, nor preclude the necessity of mental cultivation. But if, like Miss Wilson, they have received an education of the humblest description, they have no cause for regret, since all that is necessary to form a character for useful life is independent of science and polite accomplishments. A moderate share of reading, and a habit of reflection, are within the compass of every intellect. A judicious choice of intimate associates also should be attended to by all who wish to enlarge their sphere of knowledge. The advantages derived by Miss Wilson from her acquaintance with Miss Nichols, exhibit no false nor even flattering picture of the effects of female friendships.

While it is admitted that it is not necessary to be learned, to understand the essential truths of christianity, it must be confessed that learning has shed much light on obscure and difficult passages of scripture, and that the labours of the learned deserve the thanks of the friends of revelation. Let, then, our studious divine, of retired habits and critical disposition, share equally our esteem with the more pleasing and generally useful, who, like Mr. H. Nichols, win souls by means of their social intercourse, and the simplicity of their public addresses. If, like his venerable parent, any readers should possess wealth and influence, may they, like him, apply both to the purposes of general utility, assured that "the last end of the good man is peace."

FINIS.

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