all first attempts

The effort may be hard at firstare hard and difficult; but only persevere and pray, and avail yourselves of the means provided, and the rugged path will be made smooth-the way of duty will be straightened. What a paradise might this world present, if men would live in obedience to the mild precepts of the blessed Gospel! How would all wars and tumults, all heart-burnings and misery, vanish from the world, if all men were real Christians! No need of human schemes for the regeneration of mankind. God Himself has prepared the way of happiness, and opened to us the path of peace. And if it appear to some a hopeless expectation that any great amelioration should take place in the vast field of human society, still it is in the power of every one amongst us to secure his own happiness at least, both in this world and the next, by yielding a grateful and reasonable service to the God who made him, and accepting the terms of pardon and reconciliation so freely offered by a loving though offended Father, for the sake of the precious blood-shedding of Christ our Lord.

"Let me then conclude in the humble yet impressive words of the Church universal: Lord, we believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray Thee help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood: make them to be numbered with Thy saints, in glory everlasting."

The deeply impressive manner in which the mi

nister of God made this appeal to the misguided men -the awful sternness of his denunciation, coupled with the winning earnestness of his invitation to them to accept God's mercy- -wrought a visible effect on the strange assembly. Notwithstanding some interruption, his address was listened to throughout; and as he reasoned on temperance, righteousness, and judgment to come, it was clear that many of his hearers trembled. The effect on the congregation was such as their leaders had not expected. It was not, however, likely that a single sermon should prevent the results to which events were fast approaching though the solemn words of truth might be blessed by God, and fix themselves in the hearts of some who heard them, yet from the souls of others they glanced as an arrow shot against a wall; for long-continued sin renders the heart of man hard and obdurate as the nether millstone.

CHAPTER XVII.

Boubts and Difficulties.

Thy thoughts, Thy ways, great God! are not as mine;
And to Thy mercy I myself resign.

CRABBE.

MR. MORTON was sitting that evening in his study, pondering over the sad state of affairs, and inwardly praying to God to turn the hearts of the misguided people, when his servant announced that a person residing in his parish desired to speak with him; and Charles Lever was ushered into his presence.

It is a fearful crisis in the life of man when the conscience is strongly moved, but the will not yet determined; when the danger and misery of sin are made manifest to the understanding, but the affections are not yet effectually touched by the grace of God. Such was the inward condition of Lever. Mr. Morton's address operating upon a spirit already disgusted with a course of ungodliness, had convinced him of the imminent peril, the madness of remaining in his present state; while, at the same time, his mind, which for a long time had been immersed in the gloom of scepticism, was unable to furnish hope or guidance for the future. The Socialist, fearful of losing his victim, had poisoned his mind with doubts

and subtilties, which had hitherto effectually prevented him from deriving comfort from that source whence alone true comfort is to be obtained. But the Socialist's influence was beginning to lose its hold; and in a fit of desperation Lever resolved to seek the advice of Mr. Morton.

The worthy pastor knew Lever's person and character, and was somewhat surprised at his visit; but he received him with a kindness and courtesy of manner which contributed to remove his embarrassment.

"Sir," said Lever respectfully, "I feel that it is an unwarrantable liberty for one who has scarcely ever entered your church before to-day, to intrude upon you with his personal troubles and difficulties."

Mr. Morton. "I beg you will not for a moment longer think so. My time and my services are at the command of those amongst whom the providence of God has ordained me to minister; and if I can be of service, either in temporal or spiritual matters, to any of my parishioners, it is a duty of pleasure.”

Mr. Morton then pointed to a chair, and Lever took the place assigned to him; when the following conversation ensued.

Lever." It is perhaps best, sir, that I spare your time, by coming at once to the point. Let me confess to you that I am a Socialist. Such, at least, has been my persuasion. I need not explain to you, probably, what are the opinions of those who bear that name. I have doubted, I cannot say disbelieved,

the existence and the providence of God; and have taken no care to live according to His laws. But I begin to have great misgivings on the subject. The novelty has worn off; and the more I see of the views and characters of those who advocate Socialist principles, the more I dislike them. of to-day, sir, has much affected me.

Your sermon

You have de

passed in my

scribed so accurately what has often own mind, that I have made bold to come and seek your further counsel."

Mr. Morton. "Be assured that I will do my best to aid you; and with the book of God before me, I hope I may promise that my aid will not be ineffectual."

Lever. "The arguments which you have used in your sermon this morning respecting the duty of rational beings to live to the glory of Him who made them, appear to me conclusive and undeniable; that is, if we have really been placed in this world by a good and benevolent Being."

Mr. Morton." Can you doubt it for a moment, when you see the wonderful provision which has been made for our preservation and sustenance,the comforts and blessings which He has showered around us?"

Lever. "I see all these; and cannot deny that every where around us are evident signs of a Divine providence and benevolence. But, at the same time, sir, I meet with so many difficulties and contradictions, that I am confounded and staggered. If you