"Just as this question was proposed, they were startled by a deep groan, that came from the interior of a plantation of evergreens near which they were walking; and, on running to afford some assistance to the sufferer, they beheld their facetious sister Emma, with her group of young friends, attempting to conceal themselves among the trees." Page 4.

London:

MISS HOLMES.

PART VI.

"But certain it is, that the doctrine has been so injudiciously meddled with-it has tempted so many ingenious and specu lative men to transgress the limits of the Scripture-it has engendered so much presumption amongst some, and so much despondency amongst others, it has been so much abused to the mischief of practical Christianity, that it were well for us all, could we carefully draw the line between the secret things which belong to God, and the things which are revealed, and belong to us and our children." Chalmers.

A LARGE party dined at the Elms, consisting princi pally of Mr. Holmes's old civic friends, who came, according to an annual, custom, to talk over the events of "olden times," and enjoy the pleasures of social intercourse. They had all sprung from an obscure origin— commenced business about the same time-and were now in the possession of considerable wealth. When the cloth was removed, the worthy host said, he would give a toast, which he hoped the ladies would honour,"as they were deeply interested in the sentiment of it; though he admitted he ought to apologize for attempting to revive a practice which was now become almost obsolete amongst them. "Prosperity to the citizens of London; and may they ever express their gratitude to God, by supporting the institutions of benevolence." This toast was drank standing, when the ladies withdrew, leaving the gentlemen to their debates and discussions.

Mrs. Holmes proposed a walk. It was a fine tranquil evening a gentle breeze sprang up as the sun descended his western course; and the party was regaled with the last notes of the yellow-hammer, intermingling themselves with the early song of the nightingale. They sauntered along together, till they gradually paired off, and became scattered through the walks of the garden, or the paths of the lawn and the grove, which environed the back part of the mansion.

"Yonder," said Miss Holmes, to her sister Jane, who was her companion, " is old Mrs. Kent's cottage! It is a beautiful object, when viewed from this mound. Come and look at it." "Indeed it is," replied Jane; "she has discovered great taste in the intermixture of

evergreens by which it is adorned, and the arrangement of the flowers which shed their fragrance around it. But its chief glory is within." "Very true, my dear," said Miss Holmes; "it is a sacred spot-often visited by unseen messengers, when they come to earth on errands of mercy. It is a little sanctuary, in which the sacrifice of prayer and of praise is offered up to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and which he protects by his power, and enlivens and animates by his presence. Strangers would pass by, and admire only the neatness of its external appearance, but we have seen its concealed beauties." "I was much struck with her manners," said Jane," and could not avoid the impression, that she had once moved in refined society. She certainly possesses a very superior mind, for a person in her situation." "There is nothing," Miss Holmes replied, "which gives such a high polish to the human character, as the influence of religion, when it is felt in early life. It refines the taste, without making it fastidious-enlarges the intellect, without engendering a spirit of vanity-softens, and sweetens the temper-and inspires a consciousness of individual worth and importance, even while it pays a respectful regard to the laws and customs which prevail in society. Hence a Christian appears as dignified in a cottage as in a mansion; and living comparatively disengaged from the temptations of the world, he is more at liberty to commune with the Redeemer, by which he imperceptibly receives a finer and more correct impression of his lovely image."

"But do you think,” said Jane, "that every Christian exemplifies the correctness of your remarks?" "No, my dear. Some do not feel the influence of religion till late in life, when their taste has been vitiated—their habits formed and their tempers set; and though it will correct many of the evils which they have contracted, yet it rarely gives such an exquisite polish to the character, as it would have done if they had felt its transforming power at an earlier period." "I was so much delighted," said Jane, "with the old lady's spirit, and manners, and conversation, that I should like to go and spend an hour with her. Cannot we contrive to steal away from the party?" "I should like to accompany you," Miss Holmes replied, "but it would not be pru

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aent. We have a character to maintain, and it would not do for us to sacrifice the laws of politeness to gratify even our best inclinations. We must walk in wisdom towards them that are without, or we shall cause our good to be evil spoken of." Very true. But why did you lay the emphasis on we and us, when you must be aware that I have no religious character to maintain." "I have thought that my dear Jane has lately felt the first impressions of truth upon her mind. Am 1 mis

taken?"

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Just as this question was proposed, they were startled by a deep groan, that came from the interior of a plantation of evergreens near which they were walking, and on running to afford some assistance to the sufferer, they beheld their facetious sister Emma with a group of young friends, attempting to conceal themselves amongst the trees. What's the matter?" Nothing, Ladies; oh nothing!" "We were afraid, from the groan we heard, that some one was ill." "It was Miss Emma, feigning illness, to disturb you in your grave musings." "I am happy," said Miss Holmes, "that it was only a feigned illness; and I do not regret having been disturbed in our musings, as it appears to have contributed to your innocent mirth." "I have taken the ladies," said Miss Emma, "to the cottage, and we have had an interview with Mrs. Kent." "O what a lovely place!" exclaimed several voices. How I should like to live in that beautiful cottage!" said a little girl; "I wish grandpapa would buy such a one for me. What beautiful flowers!" "The old lady," said another, was reading her Bible when we tapped at the door, and she rose and received us with as much grace as though she had been a duchess. She is an intelligent, and, if I judge from her appearance and manners, a very contented woman. She is, I believe, very religious in her way. Is she not, Miss Holmes?" "Yes." "She is at a good age to become religious, and she has nothing else to engage her attention. I should like to have another interview with her before she goes to heaven; but the distance, you know, my dear Miss Holmes, is so great, and my engagements are so numerous, that I cannot calculate on such a gratification." "We shall be happy to see you at any time, and I shall be very glad to

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accompany you.” 0 yes, I know you would; but as my propensity is to be religious, I must check it, or I shall get quite unhappy. It won't do for me to associate much with such devout people." "Here are the gentlemen.”—“Come, Ladies; tea is waiting.-We have lost you. You have forgotten the hour."

The party began to move off about ten o'clock, just as the moon arose to illumine the evening shade; when the family, being left alone, resumed their scats for a few minutes before they retired to rest. "This has been a pleasant day," said Mr. Holmes; "for though our friends are not all religious people, yet they are very excellent members of society." "It must be a high gratification to you, father," said the eldest son, "to see the companions of your youth sitting around your table, with their children, at such an advanced period of your age, and by mutual intercourse bringing back to your recollection the early incidents of your life." "Indeed it is, my son; and I hope God has reserved the same enjoyment for you all: and then, when 1 am resting in the grave with my fathers, you will think and talk of these gone-by days of my earthly pleasure."

On Miss Holmes's return from London, where she had been spending a few days with her brothers, she found the following letter from her esteemed friend, Mrs. Loader, which she read with deep interest.

"MY DEAR LOUISA,

"The calamity we have been so long dreading has at length fallen upon us; and though we are not left without consolation, yet we are in the deep waters. The dear little sufferer struggled through the severity of the winter, and began, with the opening spring, to regain her vivacity and strength; but the disorder returned upon her with great violence about three weeks since, and terminated in her death on the 13th. She was very reserved on religious topics, till she heard the doctor say there was no hope; when, seeing us bathed in tears, she said, with great composure, Don't weep for me, nor yet sorrow as those who have no hope. shall die; but I have a good hope through grace, tha when the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dis

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