१ hearts; no books can teach this we hear it, we readrite but we never feel it till we enter by examination, accom-d panied with the silhamining eye of the Spirit, into thats sink of iniquity, and analize every thought, every secreto propensity, trace to its source every action, and lay our selves open abefore the greatoSearcher of hearts, to see if there be any wicked way in us. What will sever be the results? shame and confusion of facean humble confession of guilt, and ea deep convictions that wes of ourselves can do nothing but sin, and are daily incurring the deserved a punishment of eternal misery O how eagerly do we flyr from such sa sview into the barms of Jesus to deliver usi from the weight, the punishment, and the power of sin 19 to save us from ourselves to cover ausis with his spotless robe, and eludasine his celestial armour. We feel in and measure our tinfiniterobligations, and it is the natural cryve of every soul thus experienced, is Lord whats wilts thou have me to do in what way can I best manifestb theed gratitude which glows, and fills, and expands my heart?d "having received all from thee, shall I not devote all toob thee?shall I withhold anything from thee?shall I robel theen of thy purchased possession, and make friendship with the powers of darkness, who would still have helder me inthadamantinė chains? O save my soul from their la destroying dominion, and let me indeed love thee, andov serve thee, with all my heart, and mind, and soul, and so strength! Suchy are the blessed fruits of self-knowledge,dt and such, my friend, will ever be, I trust, the result of durist self-examinations, When we come forth from commun-ma ing seriously with ourselves, and enter the wide theatre offol the world, we find the same penetrative eye which before dil was turned within, absolutely necessary in opening to ussm the knowledge of men and things; no doubt you have realized this idea, which is admirably enforced in our I 3 W Y Saviour's exhortation, Bedyedwise as serpents : That beast is represented in Scripture as the most subtle of all animals, therefore, it is not an offence against christian charity to be upon our guard, and look into the characters of men, to examine them with his account in our hands, who knew what was in man, to trace the various modificaz tions of human depravity, exemplified in their actions, and endeavour to see things as they are; some there are who will argue that such a plan tends to render young persons narrow-minded and suspicious; but that is not veeb rified in minds divinely taught, nor would it, I think, ing any, for youth is always inclined to look with a favourable eye on the world, and to, think much better of human nature than it deserves too use Mrs. More'soidea, if you hold to young people the mirror of experience, they will be evers more willing to believe the testimony of their own views and senses, than the offered glass I have oftento been deceived in persons of whom I thought highly, which has caused me moments of bitter regret, and my only dependence now on forming a true opinion is my know ledge of human depravity. This has caused me to deter mine never to place dependence on those who have not religion for the basis of their principles; if they change I shall not be disappointed; and I also endeavour to discos.co ver how far serious persons are under the guidance of their natural and spiritual natures. To be thoroughly versed in 97 these things appears peculiarly proper for you, as a ministe ter of the gospel, elect, that you may be able to detecta sin-in its most secret lurking places, and point sit cinco-92 lours so vivid, and so true, that the sinner will feel his likeness-it will also be useful in preparing you to expect t many of the characters of pliable, talkative, light mind, &c. many who make a fair show, but who will prove 1 Ich merely imaginary religionists—it will likewise teach you ajosnatispasm endi to discriminate the vices and errors peculiar to different minds, and different stations, and, like the glorious apostle 9280 9Vanille of the Gentiles, adapt your discourses and exhortations with equal propriety and pathos to the cultivated or uncultured mind/99x9 ens b9a-91 Wydar I * How I know not any station wherein more frequent and better opportunities occur of studying the world, than the middle rank of life, occasionally mixing with the high and with the low; an observing mind will find much improvement, and food for contemplation. Amongst those of superior elegance and rank, we may learn many lessons that polish and adorn the manners, and those lessons are certainly valuable; for the real gentleman and the real christian are characters which never appear to so much advantage as when united; it gives me great pleasure, there fore, that you are so frequently with a family, whose gene! ral manners I deem elegant: by making observations on trifles, you will rub off any little collegiate rust you may have contracted amongst the ancients during your resi dence in the cloistered vale. Ease is the very soul of politeness, and that you possess. You are never deficient in attention to your friends; but do you recollect the hint Mr. B. gave you the night we spent at your room? which implied you were rather too attentive in your care of them; too much attention is not consistent with ease, for it reminds the visitor they are not at home; shall I mention one more thing, and will you have the kindness to receive all this as written by the hand, and dictated by the heart of friendship? "My earnest wish is, that you go forth into the world endowed with every qualification but sin; that you may be a burning and a shining light, and adorn your exalted sta THE TWO OXFORD STUDENTS. 351 new weail [pwt-ajeraorgidez romper yĺza tion. I now close this miscellaneous Essay-I offer it to your perusal with humility, and if you meet with or improving ideas, I shall have cause for gratitude, to "EUGENIA," Charles perused and re-perused this excellent composition with higher admiration, of the writer, till admiration increased into affection. The distant prospect of episto lary intercourse, when both should be settled in life, sunk his heart; he could not endure the thought of so cold an acquaintance with one to whom his heart ever turned as the polestar of his course. He eagerly desired to have her as his constant guide and companion through life He at length took courage to reply with feeling and warmth-he remonstrated with her on the distant limits she had prescribed to his approach, and the far distant prospect of epistolary intercourse. He then made a warmer appeal t to her feelings; acknowledged the deep interest he felt in her friendship, and declared his attachment to her mind and person; and petitioned to be allowed to become her suitor, in the hope of obtaining, at some future period, the prize of her hand. The result of this letter may be seen in the next chapter CHAPTER XLVI. CHARLES'S DISAPPOINTMENT, AND HIS RESOLUTIONS AND CONDUCT. THE ECLAIRCISSEMENT. WHAT was Charles's mortification to receive from Eugenia a letter, renouncing all such feelings, and professing the mere cold dictates of friendship. He took his resolution and determined she should discover in him no weakness of attachment. He began a system of coldness and distance. He immersed himself in his studies; and on every occasion of meeting with Eugenia, continued his system of distant respect. To encounter, however, week after week, the glance of the person whose refined and pious mind he admired, and whose person enraptured him, was a trial to his fortitude. One day as she passed his window, she called upon him, tripping through the garden gate to his door. Oh! to behold her decked in a wedding-visit dress, with the glow of health and cheerfulness beaming in her countenance, and not a wave of trouble across her peaceful brow, while his heart was racked with disappointed love, was a sight that drew from him such a despairing look, and such an involuntary sigh, as she bid him adieu, that it caused her to turn and gaze again. She said afterwards, "That look went to my heart." "What is the heart of woman made of," said Charles to himself "that she is steeled against a lover's affections? |