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"Far from it, my dear Charles."

"And wherefore? if I may ask the question." "Because the end of these things is death."

"Herbert!" exclaimed Mr. Hastings, starting up and looking anxiously at him, "did you not tell me that you were quite well?" "Yes; and I said truly; nevertheless, I shall not be at the races this year."

"And wherefore?" again inquired his companion, in a lighter tone, as he resumed his seat.

"A few words will suffice to explain my reason." Herbert rose as he spoke, and opening his Bible, which lay on the table, read, slowly and distinctly, "Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.'"

Surprise, perplexity, and inquiry were visible on Mr. Hastings' countenance, but other response he made none; and after regarding him reflectively for a minute, Herbert continued, "Now, from henceforth I intend to take this Book as my guide and counsellor. You will, therefore, readily perceive that, this being so, I cannot consistently join in those worldly amusements which bring no glory to God, and on which I dare not ask His blessing."

"I perceive nothing of the kind," muttered Charles Hastings, in an under-tone, while a half-contemptuous smile curled his lips. "But," he added,--a sudden doubt crossing his mind," are you not trying to play off some joke upon me, just for the pleasure of laughing at my credulity?"

"Do I look as if I were joking?"

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No, verily, you look serious enough," he replied, after eyeing him with a glance of keen penetration; "that I must admit."

"You are right, my friend,-I am serious. Since I last saw you I have been made a partaker of joys far superior to any I had ever known or experienced before; and, having myself discovered the secret of true and abiding happiness, I am naturally--"

"And what is this wonderful secret? You have not told me yet," said Mr. Hastings, incredulously.

With gravity, simplicity, and deep emphasis, the answer was given, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

A transient expression of mingled curiosity and uneasiness passed over Charles Hastings' countenance; he, however, merely made a gesture of impatience, shrugged his shoulders slightly, and exclaimed, almost involuntarily, "It's incredible!" Then, resuming his wonted vivacious manner, he turned, with an amused smile, to Herbert, and said, carelessly, "I suppose I ought to congratulate you, my dear fellow; but really you must excuse me, for I do not understand it in the least," adding mentally, "or you either."

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"Have you any wish to understand it?" asked Herbert, quickly; you can scarcely imagine how much happiness it would give me if I could induce you to

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"Oh, spare me !" cried the young man, lifting up both his hands, and assuming an expression of consternation and alarm; "I assure you the sermon is quite sufficient without the application! The fact is," he went on more seriously, "my present position satisfies me well, and I see no reason why I should wish to change it. I am not worse than others, neither do I pretend to be better."

"Will you tell me," said Herbert laying his hand lightly upon his

friend's shoulder, and speaking very gently, expect to derive on account of this?"

"what advantage you

"What advantage!" he repeated, looking puzzled. "Why, is it not an advantage?"

"I read in this book, 'Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil,' and Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished.'"

"Well, you certainly do not flatter me," returned Mr. Hastings, half offended. "Do you mean to intimate that that is my condition?" "Forgive me, dear Charles, if I speak too plainly; but as there are only two classes, the righteous and the wicked, you must of course belong to one of them. You are either walking in the broad road that leads to destruction, or the narrow path of life."

"But surely a man can be a Christian without making a parade of his religion by acting differently to any one else."

"There must be a difference," remarked Herbert, thoughtfully, "between those who follow Christ and those who reject Him. The latter live unto themselves, and serve sin, and love the world; the former are the servants of God: the language of their hearts and lives is, 'We are not our own, we are bought with a price-even the precious blood of Christ; therefore we cheerfully yield ourselves, body and soul, to Him, and in all things seek to glorify Him.'"

Charles Hastings shook his head doubtfully, and said, "If this is what you mean by being a Christian, I do not wonder at your hesitating to call me one."

"But this very moment you may be made one," exclaimed his companion, eagerly, "if you are only willing."

For a few seconds he remained silent, looking at Herbert with a wistful expression on his face; but presently his emotion passed away, and he remarked, in his own frank, good-humoured manner, "You will not, I trust, allow anything to interfere with the friendship we have hitherto enjoyed. Let us each follow our own way, and in this one particular agree to differ. What do you say?—is it a bargain?"

Herbert smiled as he answered, "I see nothing to prevent our still continuing friends-not, perhaps, such close ones as we once were; for in our future intercourse something will, I fear, be lacking which we have hitherto possessed."

"And what may that be?" inquired the young man, curiously. "Unison of thought and feeling. The things which I esteem as all-important, you will make light of, and-"'

"Herbert! I thought you knew me better," said his visitor, reproachfully. "Do you suppose that because I do not consider it necessary to make such a literal renouncement of the pomps and vanities of this wicked world,' I must needs interfere with those who do? It is just possible," he added lightly, with the air of one dismissing an unpleasant subject, "that at some future period I, too, may be induced to alter my opinion, and if ever such a contingency occur, I shall not fail to apply to you for sympathy and advice." "And welcome you will be," returned Herbert, gently. "But let me remind you that the present, and it only, is yours. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!'"

Mr. Hastings had no wish to linger after that. He rose quickly, took up his hat, and was in the act of bidding Herbert a hasty adieu,

when his purpose met with an interruption by the entrance of Mr. Seymour, who, after casting an almost imperceptible glance round the room, advanced towards him, and, shaking him cordially by the hand, proposed that he should remain with them until the evening. "You will meet several of your friends at dinner," he said, seeing that the young man was about to decline his invitation. Among the rest Mrs. Granville and her daughters."

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The effect which this information had upon him seemed to be just what Mr. Seymour expected. Only for a moment did he hesitate before signifying his willingness to accede to the other's wishes, in spite of his having, as he laughingly declared, engaged to dine elsewhere. "I thought you could not refuse me," said Mr. Seymour, smiling complacently; "and I am sure your society will be most acceptable to Herbert, who, as you may probably have discovered, is in rather a melancholy frame of mind to-day."

Mr. Hastings was slightly embarrassed, scarcely knowing what reply to make, when, to his relief, Mrs. Seymour appeared at the door, and asking Herbert to accompany her to the drawing-room, where some friends were waiting to see him, she took his arm and led him away. Mr. Seymour and Charles Hastings slowly followed them; and the former, again adverting to the subject which occupied his thoughts, said in a low, confidential tone, “Charles, I want your help and co-operation."

"If I could assist you, I would willingly offer my services," he replied, somewhat reluctantly. "But I really do not see that I can be of any use."

"More perhaps than you imagine. You possess great influence with Herbert, and may be successful in dissuading him from the false, rash step he contemplates taking."

"I fear not, sir."

"Does he then appear so very determined?" asked Mr. Seymour, in a voice which expressed both displeasure and chagrin.

"He certainly seems to have made up his mind how to act; for he has just told me not to expect him at the D

races.

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"What confounded obstinacy!" muttered Mr. Seymour, looking excessively aggrieved. "I had no idea he intended to go so far as that; where will he stop?"

Charles Hastings laughed, and in his carelessly frank, yet unconcerned fashion, he replied, "I would advise you, my dear sir, to let him alone. He is the only sufferer, and

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"Indeed you are greatly mistaken, Charles; Herbert is not the only sufferer, and you little know what might be the result of my tamely submitting to these most unusual proceedings."

Just then they reached the drawing-room, and Mr. Seymour entered it with a cloud still resting on his brow.

He gazed at his son coldly and scrutinisingly; listened anxiously to his conversation, and observed his every movement; but with all his investigation could find nothing to complain of. No gloomy shadow was visible on his manly, ingenuous countenance; he conversed with the same animation and cheerfulness as ever; his manner, calm, dignified, and agreeable, showed that he still possessed the same kindly disposition, the same frank, fearless, and gentle spirit, which had hitherto characterised him; and at last Mr. Seymour turned away, feeling relieved, doubtful, unsatisfied.

CHAPTER VI.

"As we have, therefore, opportunity, let us do good unto all men."

"Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labour, and to wait!"

LONGFELLOW.

LADY CLIFFORD's ball passed away, but Herbert Seymour was not among the guests; neither did he accompany his friends to the D races, which began a few days afterwards.

Much surprise was expressed at his absence, and many inquiries made as to the cause of it; but Mrs. Seymour's replies were given with such caution and ambiguity, that the real reason did not for some time transpire. Although evidently greatly annoyed at what he considered his son's perversity, Mr. Seymour, after mature deliberation, resolved to leave him for a time at least-perfectly free, intending meanwhile to observe his conduct narrowly, and take advantage of the first symptom of weariness or disgust which he might unconsciously betray with respect to his new and singular position, Herbert was most grateful for this forbearance, and, finding himself at liberty to follow his own inclination, he pursued his way with a hopeful and undaunted spirit, turning a deaf ear to the oft-repeated remonstrances, suggestions, and solicitations of his old companions. There was no doubtful uncertainty-no hesitation or drawing backno cowardly shrinking from ridicule; boldly he declared himself to be on the Lord's side; and, by jealously guarding his heart against the insidious encroachment of the world, he prayerfully strove to attain unto that irreproachable consistency which so distinctly marks the character of a true Christian,

Nor did he stop here. Remembering the words of the Lord Jesus,— "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work," he became unceasing in his earnest endeavours to do good to the souls of others--to rescue sinners from eternal death. He felt much solicitude regarding the spiritual condition of those who dwelt on his father's estate; for, while their bodily wants were bountifully supplied, their eternal interests were totally neglected, and they seemed in imminent danger of perishing for lack of knowledge. Not that they were wholly unenlightened; but, as the little hamlet of Mertonsville (which was included in Mr. Seymour's property) was more than two miles distant from any place of worship, there were many among them whose opportunities of hearing the gospel were few and far between; and a still larger proportion, whose inclination disposed them-after their week's labour to make the Sabbath a day of mere inaction or recreation.

Herbert lost no time in visiting these neglected ones in their own homes; and wherever he went he was received with every manifestation of delighted surprise and heartfelt satisfaction. When he first introduced the subject of religion, he was listened to respectfully, but with a look of profound astonishment and wondering incredulity;

but gradually, as the novelty of his visits wore away, and they became more at ease in his society, they began to take the deepest interest in what he said, and a spirit of serious inquiry was ere long awakened in their hearts, which led them diligently to search the Scriptures for themselves. Quietly and unostentatiously Herbert followed up this advantage. None but a very keen observer could have discovered the extent of his efforts-how patiently he persevered in his labours of love; the self-denial he daily exercised; the cheerfulness with which he often sacrificed both comfort and pleasure, time and money, for the sake of others; and the calmness with which he endured obloquy and contempt-annoyances of no trivial nature. Even his mother knew not how much he really did; for he was scrupulous in the performance of all those little duties and "courtesies of life" which he had been accustomed to fulfil; and, finding him ever ready to accompany her in her walks and drives, or relieve and assist her in entertaining her numerous guests, she never once thought of ascertaining how those hours were now spent which he had formerly devoted to his own amusement. One evening Herbert went to read and pray with an infirm old woman, called Gordon, who had been for many years nurse in Mrs. Seymour's family. On arriving at the cottage, he was amazed to find nearly thirty people assembled within, all eagerly awaiting his approach.

"Why, nurse, what is the meaning of this?" was his perplexed inquiry, as the old woman came outside the door to speak to him. "Indeed, sir," she answered, nervously playing with her cap-strings, "I could not help it; I tried hard to dissuade them from coming, but it was of no use. I am sorry, however, that you should have the

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"Oh, do not speak of that," returned Herbert, very gently, but with a little flush upon his brow: "I ought to be-and, I trust, ammost thankful to see so many met together for such a purpose."

He then entered the room, and, after pausing a moment for consideration, took his little Bible from his pocket, and at once commenced this his first service by reading to his attentive hearers the fifth chapter of Romans. Seeing the look of expectancy which still sat on every face when he had finished it, he proceeded to give a short exposition of the chapter, dwelling more particularly upon the inconceivable blessedness of those who, having been justified by the blood of Jesus, and reconciled to God by His death, are, notwithstanding their former guilt and depravity, accounted righteous in God's sight, and receive the gift of eternal life which that death has purchased for them. Herbert's words were evidently not without effect, and more than one heart was touched and seriously impressed by the fervent prayer which he offered up before they separated. He was himself much moved; therefore, bidding Mrs. Gordon a brief "Good night," he left her dwelling as quickly as possible, and bent his steps homeward in a very reflective mood.

From this time a similar service was regularly held every week, until at length it became difficult to find sufficient accommodation for all those who flocked to hear the young squire-as Herbert was generally called-preach. An old, but commodious barn was, after a good deal of consideration, fixed upon by some of the people as the most desirable place to be found for their purpose, and, without consulting Herbert on the subject, or even informing him of their

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