Church of Christ. But the main part of the volume is occupied upon the illustration of the practical working of these principles when sincerely received-setting forth their high value in the commerce of daily life, and how surely they conduct those who embrace them in the safe and quiet paths of holy living. CONTENTS. The Church, as established in England. VI. The Churchman entering upon the World. VII. The Churchman's use of Ordinances. PORTRAIT OF AN ENGLISH CHURCHMAN. CHAPTER I. YOUTHFUL DIFFICULTIES. "When in the slippery paths of youth, Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe, ADDISON. It was with no slight feeling of satisfaction that Arthur Ridley threw himself back in his chair, as he finished the last page of the Nicomachean Ethics. To a young student, the first perusal of a Greek author is seldom a work of unalloyed pleasure. The current of thought is so often interrupted by some corrupt or abstruse pas B sage, and the ardour of enquiry broken in upon by the necessity of some critical research, that the conclusion of the work is usually accompanied by a relief of mind, very much akin to that which one experiences at paying off a heavy debt. But Arthur Ridley's satisfaction was not altogether of this common-place order. He was not one of those, who study merely as a task, or read only for honour. He felt and reasoned on the subject of his studies. What a noble work (said he mentally) has the Pagan philosopher undertaken-to investigate the object of the life of man! And, unaided as he was by the light of Revelation, how admirably has he worked out his problem! How nearly has he approached to the description of that model, to which God's word directs us to look-the Saviour of the world: "Whose hours divided were Between the mount and multitude: His days were spent in doing good, His nights in praise and prayer." Here a change came over the train of his meditations, and thoughts deeper and more absorbing crowded on his mind-thoughts which, of late, had often presented themselves, and had been |