This

Mild. I think I can tell you how it came about: : -gentleman, from Vain Life, got an intimate friend of his, that has considerable influence in this town, to speak for him.

Miss G. Who could that be? I shall not have a very good opinion of him any more, let him be who he will.

Mild. He is called by different names; but I believe he is most properly called Mr. Pride.

(Here Miss Gayclothes could scarce avoid a blush, as Mr. Plainman had just been charging her with too great an intimacy with the same character.)

Miss G. As she always manifested such an aversion to him, I wonder she should be influenced by what he could say.

Mild. When he first went, he concealed his name; and assumed the appearance of some other person of respectability. He told her a pleasing tale of the excellency of this gentleman's disposition; that though he was fond of pleasure, he was not grossly immoral; - that it was her duty to accept the offer, as it would be a mean of her preferment: set forth the pleasures of a higher station, and made her think it would afford her satisfaction to move in a higher sphere; and also argued, that as he was superior to her in circumstances, it must be pure affection that led him to pay his addresses to her. Conscience indeed opposed it; but in these cases Conscience is not much attended to. Pride gained the ascen dency and, to make short of it, I believe she married him to rise in the world. Though I think she did give Conscience an answer to satisfy him: when he opposed it, she said, she would talk to him, and endeavour to persuade him to come and live in the town; but, alas! he perverted her to Heathenism, instead of her converting him to Christianity: all occasioned by this wretched Pride! and it is surprizing what mischief he has done in the town.-Oh! have you heard, Miss, of Mr. Imprudent's house being broke open, and his losing all his money, and almost every thing else that was valuable?

Miss G. Yes; I believe they are now gone to live in Beggar Lane?

Mild. Yes, they are. Do you know who it is that was guilty of the burglary?

Miss G. Mrs. Imprudent told me, it was one Cross Pro

vidence.

Mild. There is very strong suspicion that it was Mr. Pride. He and they were always upon friendly terms; and I understand, that as the daughters grew up, he got particularly acquainted with them; in consequence of which he came more frequently, and stimulated them to assume a gay appearance, make rich entertainments, &c. until at length this villain, for the kind reception he met with, robbed them, and reduced them to their present situation. I belieye he continues to

live with them, now they are in Beggar Lane; but seems a good deal mortified, especially when any of their former acquaintance call on them; he then appears very much abashed, as he cannot bear the thought of living in such a nasty hole, as he calls it.

Miss G. I think it very inconsistent for persons to go beyond their circumstances; and I also think with you, that Pride is often seen in Be. ergar Lane. He is not confined to those who make a more spiendid appearance in the world; for many who live in Fashion Market are less acquainted with him than some who live in Poor Man's Road, or Quaker Street.

Mild. Your observation is, in some measure, just, for dress is not the only way in which Pride is manifested; for Mr. Fine (who is perhaps one of the persons you allude to in Fashion Market) dresses to an excessive degree; but in every other respect appears to be humble: and Mi. Self-Importance is very plain in his dress, but appears to be under the influence of Pride: in other respects, though exclusive of this, I should conclude the latter was the proudest character. But though dress is not the only way in which Pride is manifested, it does not prove that it is not one way; and you will bear with me, Miss, if I say, I think you have lately shewn too great an inclination for the vanities of Fashion Market. I hope you will not be offended at the liberty I take, as I can assure you it is not as an enemy, but with a view to your happiness, that I thus speak. I highly esteem you as a Christian character; and would wish to see you happy in your soul, and an honour to your profession.

Miss. G. As it respects my dress, I am not convinced there is any harm in it.

Mild. To that I fully give credit; for I cannot, for a moment, indulge the thought that you would wilfully live in any sin. Unless I am greatly deceived in you, it is your desire to know and do the will of God; and as such, I presume you will hear me patiently.

Miss G. Yes, Sir.

Mild. It is a duty enjoined on all the followers of the Lamb, that they walk worthy the vocation wherewith they are called: their calling is a holy calling, a heavenly calling; and we should be careful lest it be tarnished with any thing vain, earthly, or carnal. We are called to leave the world with all its vanities, and aspire after Heaven with all its glories: hence those who are bound for the heavenly Canaan become strangers and pilgrims on the earth; and you know strangers should not make so free as those who are at home; but come out from the world and be separate. The children of Dis obedience have many things invented for their amusement, by the Prince of the Power of the Air, to occupy their thoughts and engage their attention, while they live without God, and without hope in the world; but let not the children of the

Most High snatch their toys, and divert themselves with their playthings. Conformity to the world, with respect to dress, appears to me to be expressly forbidden in the word of God: "Let not your adorning be the outward adorning of plaiting your hair, or putting on of apparel," &c. "I will, therefore, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety: not with braided hair, nor gold, nor pearls, nor costly array; but, wlaich becometh women professing godliness with good works." Here we learn, that to follow our natural inclinations, and dress as we list, conforming to the fashions of the world, is sinful, and contrary to the word of God, or else there would have been no need for any thing to have been said about it in the Scriptures: and, 2dly, We learn that those who have religion, are required to be different from others in their dress, -as "women professing godliness," says the apostle. Women professing godliness are to be adorned with good works, and not with the glories of the world; and, that it is contrary to the will of God, will farther appear, if we consider the displeasure he has manifested towards those who have lived in it. The daughters of Zion conformed to the fashions of the times, and decked themselves with various ornaments. God expressly calls it their Pride; and threatens them with many calamities: and it doth appear also to be inconsistent that human nature, in its renewed state, should be fond of it. It is what the world, who are destitute of grace, admire; and if those who profess religion are fond of it too, what proof do they give of being crucified to the world? of being new creatures? having old things passed away, and all things become new?-In the use of this, as well as all other things, Moderation should be our guide. It was the language of an apostle, "Let your moderation be known to all men." If it had been said, Let your extravagance, and let the vanity and pride of your mind be known to all men, we could easily find characters who attend to the exhortation; but it is your moderation. God has given us all things, and we may richly enjoy them, but not superfluously or extravagantly; and we are not only to use one thing, but all things with moderation. Hence it appears, that excessive dress is as much forbidden as excess in the use of any other earthly good. These considerations are sufficient to satisfy my own mind, that conformity to the fashions of the world is contrary to the mind of God; and I hope you will be found in this, as well as in other respects, walking worthy the high and hea venly calling wherewith you are called!

[This mild but faithful speech of Mr. Mildman, appeared to make some impression on the mind of Miss Gayclothes, and they parted friends; but whether it produced the desired effect, I am not at present able to say.]

Newnham, Oxon..

J. C.

ANECDOTES.

[Translated from the French.]

DANGER OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.

ALYPIUS, a friend of St. Augustine, was accustomed to hold in the utmost horror and detestation the gladiatorial combats, which were exhibited in the age in which he lived. Being invited one day, by his companions, to be a spectator of those inhuman sports, he refused to go. They, however, insisted on his accompanying them; and drew him along against his will. When they had all taken their seats, the games commenced. Alypius shut his eyes, that objects so abominable might not pollute his mind. "Would to God," said Augustine," he had also stopped his ears!" For having heard a great cry, he suffered himself to be conquered by his curiosity, and opened his eyes to see what it was, imagining that he still retained the power of shutting them. One of the combatants was wounded. No sooner did he behold the purple stream issuing from the body of the unhappy wretch, than, instead of turning away his eyes, they were arrested on the object; and became intoxicated with those brutal combats. He was no longer the same man: he, by degrees, imbibed the sentiments of the multitude around him, joined in their shouts and exclamations, and carried away from the amphitheatre a violent passion for returning and not only did he go the second time with those who had ensnared him, but he himself enticed others. Yet this man began at first with an abhorrence of such criminal amusements, and resolved to take no part in them: but sad experience taught him, that the best resolutions are insufficient to withstand so great temptations; and that the only way to escape danger is to keep at a distance from it.

May our young people learn, by this example, to distrust their own courage and resolution, and to shun the entertainments of the stage, and all such diversions; which may prove as injuriQus to them as these did to Alypius!

ADMIRABLE ZEAL FOR THE HOUSE of god.

AN old Chinese went one day to a Missionary, who was in his village, to represent to him the extreme desire he had of building a church there. "Your zeal is laudable," said the father to him; " but we have not now the means of defraying so great an expence." I aspire to do it myself,' replied the villager. The Missionary, accustomed to see him for many

1

years lead a very poor life, believed him not to be in a situation to accomplish what he promised. He again praised his good intentions, representing to him the extent of the village, consequently the large size of a suitable building, and his incompetency to so great a work. Excuse me,' replied the countryman, I believe myself able to do what I propose. "But do you know," said the father, "that two thousand crowns at least are necessary for such an undertaking?" I have them all ready,' returned the old man; and if I had not, I should not thus have importuned you.' The Missionary was much charmed at learning that this good man, whom he had thought very poor, was possessed of so much, and that he wished to employ it so usefully; nor was he less surprized, when having the curiosity to ask him, How he had been able to procure this sum? he ingenuously answered, That for forty years, since he had conceived this design, he had retrenched from his food and clothing all that was not absolutely necessary, that he might have the consolation, before he died, of leaving in his village a house erected to the honour of the true God!

Is not this a hint to British Christians? and how many are there now sitting under the sound of the gospel, and enjoying its glorious privileges, to whom some obscure town or village gave birth, not yet favoured with the faithful ministration of divine ordinances! How worthy of every generous mind to emulate the example of this inhabitant of China!

MISSIONARY ZEAL.

FRANCIS XAVIER (called the Apostle of the Indies) being about to undertake a mission which appeared extremely bazardous, was strongly expostulated with by his friends, on the great dangers he would have to encounter from the malignity of the climate, the sterility of the land, and the barbarity of the inhabitants: in short, that every thing was gloomy and terrific. This representation, though just, was so far from deterring him from the attempt, that it seemed to inspire him with more zeal for the arduous enterprize. "The most tractable and opulent nations," said he, "will not want preachers; but this is for me, because others will not undertake it. If the country abounded in odoriferous woods and mines of gold, all dangers would be braved, in order to procure them: Should merchants then be more intrepid than Missionaries? Shall these unfortunate people be excluded from the blessings of redemption? It is true, they are very barbarous and brutal; but let them be more so; he who can convert even stones into children of Abraham, is not he able to soften their hearts?