you,' helped us to one important objection to our attending any church, when such things are introduged?” asked Mary—“ Will you allow me to read an applicable passage in Scripture?" She read the 8th chapter of first Corinthians, stopping for a moment on the words, "We know that an idol is nothing at all, and that there is none other God but one;" and again reading slowly, and impressively; "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died."

"But the cross is not an idol," observed Lady Sophia.

"It was the idol of Christendom for many ages," said Edward, "and continues to be so wherever the church of Rome retains her sway; therefore our Reformers who had knowledge,' treated it as Hezekiah did the Brazen Serpent; and we ought not (by setting this Nehushtan on its pedestal again) to confirm the poor papist in his fatal error; to assist in making weak and unwary ones offend-I think the chapter which Mary read exactly applies to the case."

"And several weak ones have already gone back to the darkness of Popery," said Emma. "I suppose the cautious introduction of Romish forms and observances smoothed their way back. Do you think, Edward, that this sudden rise of popery in England, was the result of a scheme preconcerted by the AUGUST, 1844.

K

Jesuits, or only the natural fruit of unwatchfulness, formality of heart, and a restless seeking for something new?"

"I know," replied Edward, "that Mr. L- thinks that it has at least been greatly assisted by the reaction resulting from a vast amount of empty evangelical profession. He says, that while the army of the spiritual Israel has been increasing, a mixed multitude has for a time marched under the same banners; that their Egyptian nature and habits being little satisfied with the heavenly manna, they fell a lusting,” and have even decoyed some of the people of God to join in their lamentations after the " flesh-pots of Egypt:" for such indeed, is the thirst after Romish practices and ordinances."

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This is perhaps, the wisest view for us to take of the matter;" said Mary; 66 as it will tend to make us watch ourselves, which will be more useful than the discovery of a plot among others."

"Nevertheless," replied Edward, "I am inclined to think that such a plot really exists. I was much struck the other day, by a passage from a letter written by Campian the Jesuit to Elizabeth's privy council. I met with it in a recent publication, and it ran thus-" Be it known unto you, that we have made a league, all the Jesuits in the world, whose succession, and multitude must overreach all the practices of England, cheerfully to carry the cross that you shall lay upon us, and never to despair your recovery while we have a man left to enjoy your Tyburn, or to be racked with your torments, or to be consumed with your prisons. Expenses are reckoned: the enterprise is begun, it is of God: it cannot be withstood. So the faith was planted. So it must be restored."

"Oh, that such a spirit of union, and deep resolve, were found in the children of light! (exclaimed Emma fervently) and then might all the Campians of the present day, be brought to the true knowledge of God's will, and their nobler natures and martyr spirits be given to a cause more worthy of such self-devotion."

"Devotees may be found to every cause however corrupt;" said Mary; “but do not, dear Emma, count those as martyrs whose death was as much the reward of their treasonable practices, as it was willingly dared in defence of the cherished errors to which they clung. But you cannot really think, Edward, that the Puseyism of the present day, is but the carrying out of a design, formed and resolved upon in the reign of Elizabeth. Satan, indeed, might propose such a plan, and find tools in each succeeding age to carry it into execution; but poor short-sighted man must expect more immediate results from his endeavours, be they for good or ill."

"I do not certainly mean," replied Edward, "that Campian and his compeers laid out a plan which they supposed it would occupy three centuries to accomplish; but they resolved to reconvert England— died, and handed down the resolution, together with the well-framed rules for its fulfilment, to those successors of whom Campian spoke."

"Then let us (said Mary with emotion) make Campian's resolution ours, and strive to accomplish a more blessed purpose, even to recover our country from this terrible snare, and to force the spirit of Popery completely to evacuate our island. We can more truly say 'Expenses are reckoned: the enter

prize is begun; we have counted the cost; it is of God; it cannot be withstood!''

"Yes, (said Edward, smiling at her warmth) but the Jesuits would be willing to pay a price you could not afford for the furtherance of your nobler design. With them, remember, the end sanctifies the means, and crimes may be committed, their own souls jeoparded, the lives of others, and the well-being of communities-all lightly put aside as small obstacles in the way of their one grand scheme."

"We need not such weapons; (said Mary solemnly.) When our expenses were reckoned we found we had an exhaustless treasury, even the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; and when we are opposed by the formidable weapons of craft, and stratagem, we can say as David to Goliath- Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.""

"Yet even in this little village, the foe has already in some measure prevailed," said Edward, " though besides you three he had Mr. Graham, (of whom you have often written to me) and his two good daughters to oppose him. Your Rector must be a clever man; you have never told me anything about him in your letters, Mary. What is his name."

“I did not like to tell you anything about him, Edward, because there was so little that was pleasant to communicate. His name is Norman."

"Norman!" said Edward starting, and a hasty flush passed over his face. He was going to explain, but seeing Mary had not observed his surprise, he checked himself, and merely asked, how long he had been in the parish.

"And

"About one year," replied Lady Sophia. you must not let Mary completely set you against him. I do believe he acts upon strictly conscientious principles; and then he is so very talented, so exceedingly clever, that"

"No Jesuit could possibly outshine him, (interrupted Emma) he has already put down all the religious societies in the parish; shut up the Bible Repository; succeeded (I am pretty sure) in coaxing two or three old women to auricular confession, and lastly, accomplished his master-stroke this morning, by setting up his popish abomination in the church."

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"Now let us speak of Mr. Sidney," (said Mary, seeing the cloud about to gather on Lady Sophia's brow, and anxious to turn the conversation to a more profitable subject) we must introduce you to him, Edward. He is an old friend of Lady Sophia's, and a minister resembling your own Mr. L— so far as I have heard his character from you."

"Suppose we put on our shawls, and walk through the park, while you discuss Mr. Sidney's merits," said Lady Sophia, "we must show Edward all the beauties of Fernely, and a pleasant walk may relieve the monotony of a long eulogium on Mary's favorite minister."

There was some degree of bitterness in her Ladyship's words, that made Mary glad, that the preparation for a walk would relieve her from the necessity of resuming the conversation, and she determined to mention Mr. Sidney's name no more, but to wait patiently till an opportunity occurred of introducing Edward to one, whose society she thought would be so desirable for him, during his stay at Fernely.