though not in the way my wishes dictated. It is all right, and for the best. Some other post, and a wider sphere, perhaps, is destined for me in a far country, where I may do good without those local prejudices and influences, which might have cramped my exertions and confined my services in the place of my childhood. A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country."

6

Now here I would impress upon my young friends the importance and advantage of candour and truth. When Charles and Eugenia had parted, with a mutual understanding, that for the future they would look on each other as brother and sister, Eugenia requested that he would use the privilege of a brother in consulting her whenever he should think of any lady with a partial r partial regard, and she would give him the best advice. "Whenever you may be united to a lady," she said, "I and my mother will be amongst the first to pay you a wedding visit." This promise, therefore, was a pledge of their continued friendship; and as Eugenia adhered to her resolution of persevering in the path of single life, a friendly intercourse was kept up for years, both by correspondence and visits; the benefits of which we shall have occasion hereafter to record.

窗

CHARLES's anticipations seemed, by the sequel, to be prophetic; for when the time came for him to take orders, the station destined for him by Providence demanded his pre

sence.

Having the great object of his life in view, viz., the sacred ministry, Charles now began sedulously to devote himself to the reading of the best divines to prepare himself for his examination by the bishop for ordination. He had read through and through the Oxford sacred classics, viz., Pearson, Stillingfleet, Burnet, Wells, Hooker, &c. &c., and Archbishop Usher's Body of Divinity, and Scott's Commentary, and Guise's Paraphrase; and now he set himself to draw out a Latin dissertation on each of the thirty-nine Articles, in which he found much assistance in Limborch's Latin Body of Divinity. Having made known his wishes to his friends at a distance to enter into holy orders, he received an application to undertake the curacy of (what we shall call Newtham,) a populous parish of upwards of 20,000 souls. Mr. Whiteden remonstrated, and was unwilling to part with him-reminded him of the difficulties to be expected in so large a curacy—the turbulent state of the place, and the impolicy of leaving his retirement among his friends to go to so distant and dis

turbed a town. Charles, therefore, agreed to submit the matter to the decision of two clergymen, well known to Mr. Whiteden, of whom the Rev. T. Scott was one; they at once gave their decision in favour of his accepting the curacy. "Go," said Mr. Scott, "and draw your sword, and fight the devil at Newtham. I know it is a wicked place, and the Gospel is almost a stranger there-the more need for you to go; and if he drive you out of Newtham, draw your sword, and go fight him in some other strong hold; and God be with you, and give you success."

The time arrived, and Charles set off to York to be ordained at Bishopsthorpe by the archbishop. As he was entering the coach in London, he met an old college friend, Mr. Varney, who was going on the same errand to York, but unfortunately he had taken his place in another coach; setting off nearly at the same time, they often passed each other on the road. "Why Mortimer," said Varney, "what a fine dashing appearance you make with your quizzing glass hanging at your waistcoat, and your fashionable coat? One would think you were going to a ball-room instead of to a bishop." "Oh!" said Charles, "we live in awkward times. I am afraid your primitive dress and lanky hair will occasion you a thorough examination, if not a rejection! They will take you for a Methodist! Now I go as spruce as possible, that they may have no suspicion of any Methodistic taint, and depend upon it, I shall be thought none the worse for my genteel appearance." "I am half-inclined," said Varney, "to buy a quizzing-glass too." "No, no!" said Charles, "the glass I use because I want it, as I am short-sighted; do not you use any pretence. Go as you are, and answer truly, and honestly, and sincerely; and piety, with competent abilities, will be properly appreciated by Archbishop Markham, and will, I am sure, bring you through; and there is the great Shepherd above who will direct you.”

Arrived at York, they joined company with a dozen more, and went over to Bishopsthorpe. Charles had his Latin dissertations in his pocket, so that when the several subjects were given, he chose one "on faith and works," and had only to transcribe one of his dissertations; and it told so much in his favour, that the chaplain gave him but little trouble in reading the Greek Testament, Grotius, &c. and asked him few questions. But poor Varney was examined and re-examined on all points of divinity-the sacrifices under the law-the doctrines of grace, election, predestination, &c. ; but he gave his answers with such blunt Welsh honesty, that they approved him. And now the candidates being all assembled on the Sunday, they passed through the solemn and importaut services for their consecration to the ministerial office, and afterwards sat down to the hospitable table of the venerable archbishop: and as he had been at Newtham, and knew Dr. Clines, the vicar, his grace conferred the favour of desiring Charles to sit near him, and condescended to have much conversation with him. Charles particularly impressed upon the archhishop the disadvantages of the church of England compared with the privileges of Dissenters. They could build a meeting when and where they pleased, and get it licensed at a trifling expense, whereas the church. could erect no chapel without going to Parliament, at the expense of 500l. "If," said Charles, "the liberty of building chapels, endowing them, and presenting to a clergyman of their choice, was allowed to churchmen, you would gain a hundred thousand to the church in a few years, and retain, twice the number." The archbishop' promised to think of it; and this idea has become, after thirty years, so favourably entertained, that the facilities of building, endowing, and presenting, are now so greatly

increased, that we already see the good effects in various populous districts through the whole kingdom.

+

Charles had promised a clerical friend, on his return from ordination to Landham to see his parents, to take his church, in the neighbourhood, for two Sundays. Alighting from the coach, he had to walk upwards of twenty miles; and in the midst of his journey, he arrived late in the evening at his old friend Scoper's rectory. He was delighted to see him; but Charles did not say a word that he was ordained. He said that the Rev. Mr. -- was gone out for three Sundays, and he had rode twelve miles to take his duty the last Sunday, but no one could tell who was to take it the next two. Charles said he should be there, when he was sure some one would come, as he knew there was one already provided. When he arrived at Landham, his father, mother, uncles, aunts, and cousins, inquired who was to preach for Mr. at Leston, where they all went to hear the Gospel from good Mr. Charles said he had certain information that some one was engaged to take it; and, therefore, exhorted them all to go. But what was the surprise of the crowded congregation-his parents and all his relatives, to see him walk through them all, put on the surplice, and commence the service! All eyes were fixed on him; but Charles, instead of meeting their glance, went steadily through the prayers; and then, putting on the gown, mounted the pulpit and commenced his text. Psalm lxxi. 16, 17, "I will go in the strength of the Lord God—I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only-O God, thou hast taught me from my youth up; therefore, I have declared thy wondrous works."

The affectionate embraces of all his friends and neighbours, with whom from a child he had assembled in that