path was rather intricate, I had received such particular instructions, that, keeping its general position in recollection I did not doubt but I should find, without difficulty, the abode of my venerable friends. Opening a little gate, which shut in the entrance of that portion of the wood, I began to ascend the steeper acclivity on which their cabin stands. A summer sun shone warm upon me; but from the state of my body, through sickness and confinement, I was scarcely sensible of the glow in which nature was exulting around me." "Ah!" I said, unable to stifle the rising sigh," too apt an emblem of the soul! Long enthralled by sin, and held in the trammels of carelessness, and indifference as to its eternal well-being, how tardy is it in shaking off the chains it had once loved so much! No matter of easy accomplishment is it, indeed, to unlock the affections, even under the bright effulgence of the Sun of Righteousness; more arduous still to acknowledge his efficacy, and to open the bosom to the healing of his wings." "As I proceeded," continued my companion," I took my hymn-book from my pocket, and read that simple song which we sang the other evening together when resting under the shade of the oak. It was the first my eye fixed upon. 1. Veille toi-même sur mon cœur, Que rien d'étranger, mon Sauveur, 2. Que je marche en intégrité, Et, qu' instruit de ta volonté, 1. * Watch o'er my heart, thyself, dear Lord, That nought oppos'd to thy blest will C An admirer of nature even from my infaney, I frequently turned, as with a slow pace I ascended the hill, to survey the prospect. My way, it is true, was solitary, and I was alone. None had I to whom I might communicate my emotions, and who, by partaking, would have enhanced my delight; yet was there one beside • who sticketh closer than a brother;' one to whom I could unfold the most secret of my thoughts; one in whom I could confide with a reliance still more unhesitating, than I could place,”—and he looked at me affectionately as he spoke -" than I could place, my friend, even in you." on me "Passing through a gate, I observed, my right, a wood-cutter. His 2. And that my onward paths to thee May still directly tend, Conduct my steps, and in thy ways appearance was venerable; rather attractive than otherwise. The lines of age were strong upon his bleached brow, and his long grey locks waved in the wind. His aspect was mild, and bore some indications, as far as I could judge, of one redeemed from among men.' His eye had an expression of gentleness, and seemed as if it had wept, and that more than once, over the sins and follies of his youth. I stopped and addressed him : "This is the way to old Duplin's ; is it not?' 66 6 Yes, Sir.' "Do you know that family?' "Yes, Sir. Sometimes I'm cutting wood in their neighbourhood, or trimming the fences, and I step into their cabin.' "Mrs. Duplin is a good woman I believe.' ""I do think she's a Christian woman, Sir.' "You have just grounds for your opinion of her, I hope?' “I can only say, Sir, that her conduct bespeaks her a disciple of the Lord. I never enter her door, but she begins to talk to me about my soul, aud to tell me that she and I are old people now, and that we must soon be going to give account of ourselves to God.' "Indeed, my friend, I would trust so from what you relate. Few study the word of God, or trouble themselves about the salvation of others, who have not some deep anxiety for their own. Instances there are, doubtless, of the contrary; but let us hope that |