gospel." His companions being silent, Mr. Nichols proceeded. "Our minister to-day chose to give us from the text-He breathed into their nostrils the breath of life,' an excellent treatise on anatomy; and led our thoughts to the admiration of the infinite wisdom and skill of the Creator of our bodies. The first part of his plan was, in my opinion, not well adapted for any pulpit, much less so for a country congregation; on the latter he might very properly descant, and had he used plainer terms would have been profitable. But his principal object should have been to direct his audience to the consideration of that spiritual life, which the Creator would breathe into the souls of men, and destitute of which, their natural life would prove no blessing." "I don't quite understand what you mean, Sir," said Mr. Wilson, "by the words spiritual life." " "I mean," replied Mr. Nichols, "that new creation in Christ, which takes place on the heart of every believer, when old things pass away, and all things become new; when the rebellious will and affections are brought into subjection to the law of faith." Mr. Wilson was aware that some of Mr. Nichols's expressions were the words of scripture, consequently worthy of respect; but their application seemed to him new and uncommon. He felt wholly at a loss how to answer, and the silence of the party obliged Mr. Nichols to change the subject of conversation. Perhaps Mr. Wilson's ignorance may to some appear surprising, possessing apparent--ly an humble and teachable mind, and acknowledging the importance of religion. Yet in the nature of things it was unavoidable, for Mr. Wilson had not received the advantage of early religious instructions. He had immersed himself in business, which engross

ed the whole of his time and attention on the week days; and when he repaired to his parish church on the Sunday, which he did with tolerable regularity, he heard moral subjects discussed in a plain and easy style; but faithful application was omitted, and if doctrinal subjects were introduced at all, an ambiguity was thrown over their explanation. For unhappily Mr. Wilson's parish rector (to use the language of a learned bishop, applied to some clerical characters) lost sight of his proper office, namely, "to publish the word of reconciliation, to propound the terms of peace, and pardon to the penitent; but made no more use of his high commission, than to come abroad one day in the seven, dressed in solemn looks, and in the external garb of holiness,to be the ape of Epictetus."

But Mr Wilson had the Bible to refer to, why then did he not detect the errors of his minister? And he was surrounded by other churches, why did he not avail himself of a change of ministers ? He did indeed sometimes look into the scriptures, but they seemed as a "sealed book," because he did not fully comprehend that "spiritual things must be spiritually discerned ;" and he consequently omitted prayer for the teaching of that Spirit which indited them; and, never supposing that his minister was less informed than other ministers, he felt no inclination to leave him.

The Wilson family attended church again in the afternoon. Miss Patty looked round in vain for the smart ladies who had engaged her attention in the morning. They, since their return from London, had not attended church in the afternoon, for Lady Georgiana Olympia S and her intimate friends were never

seen there at so unfashionable an hour, having take their dose of piety in the morning.

a

The minister had chosen this afternoon a very evangelical text, "I am the living bread, which came down from heaven." And he enlarged on the excellencies of the Saviour, as the source of spiritual nourishment to his people, in a manner which seemed to evince some experimental knowledge of the subject. But even on this plain text he could not refrain from the indulgence of his critical vein. He told his country hearers that the derivation of the word manna was extremely uncertain, mentioning a few reasons that occasioned the uncertainty, and that Artaphanus, heathen writer, had compared it to meal like to oatmeal, in colour resembling snow. The discussion took up so much of his time, that he could afford none for the application of his discourse. This deficiency was noticed by Mr. Wilson, who remarked to his brother, as they walked home, "I wish instead of that preamble about the word manna, our parson had given his opinion on the way to discover whether we were partakers of the heavenly nourishment or not. One might then have been helped on a little in the work of self-examination. "Self-examination," repeated Mr. Gregory Wilson, "did I not know to the contrary I should think you belonged to some fanatical sect or other who are always talking about self-examination and so on." "And why may not the true churchman talk about self-examination and so on ?" asked Mr. Wilson. Mr. Gregory not being furnished with a ready answer to the question, he proceeded, "I tell you what, brother, when I was in business I found it necessary not only to talk about examining my books, but to do it frequently and carefully

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I found it impossible to be indifferent to my success in trade, and many an anxious hour did it occasion

me.

Now there was nothing unreasonable in all this, and it has turned out well, I now reap the advantage of my care and diligence. So, I insist, there is nothing unreasonable in taking the same care for the soul, and every true churchman will be just as anxious about religion as the people you call fanatical sects."

Had Mr. Gregory deserved the title of a true churchman, he would have acquiesced in his brother's opinion, instead of which he persisted in his affirmation, that so much solicitude about spiritual matters was inconsistent with the principles of the church of England, who, by her baptismal rites, introduced her members into the Christian faith, and therefore precluded the necessity of such anxiety.

The remainder of the evening was spent by Mr. Gregory Wilson at his own apartments, and employed in reading a Sunday newspaper: by the elder Mr. Wilson in strolling about his garden, while his wife and daughter took a larger range in the neighbouring fields; and by the female servant, left at home, in reading ballads, and consoling herself with the reflection that next Sunday would be her turn to go out. The following day brought its destined employMrs. Wilson ransacked her hoards of choice receipts. Mr. Wilson began his gardening operations, Miss Patty accompanied her uncle to the next markettown, he in quest of a horse and gig, and herself in quest of a circulating library.

ments.

CHAP. VI.

A FORTNIGHT after the Sunday which introduced Mr. Nichols to the Wilson family, Mr. G. Wilson called upon that gentleman in the afternoon, and requested himself and daughter to accompany him on a tea visit to his brother's, adding, that he was not a man of ceremony, and had no objection to unexpected guests. Miss Nichols raised an obstacle of etiquette, saying she had not yet called upon the ladies, which was usual before tea visiting commenced. The two gentlemen treated her argument with great indifference, and avowed defiance to all ceremonial observances of this nature. She was at length prevailed upon to accompany them, and the three unexpected visitors made their appearance at Mr. Wilson's gate at the usual tea drinking hour.

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Bless me!" exclaimed Mrs. Wilson (as she peeped through the blind of her bed-room window to see who was ringing at her gate,) your uncle has brought that gentleman, Mr. What's his name, and a lady, and here we have not a maid in the house even to open the gate Dear, dear, what shall we do ?” returned Miss Patty. At the same instant running to a back window, she screamed out a request to her father in the garden, that he would open the door to the visitors. Mr. W. was never very prompt in his proceedings; it was some time before he could be made to understand the reasons for this unusual and unexpected request, and still longer before he could manage to reach the house door. It was, however, opened just in time to prevent the retreat of the party, and Mr. Wilson made a suitable apology for the de