only object worthy of man's adoration. It would detain us too long to-day, for there is much in that discourse of the deepest importance to ourselves, and which I humbly trust the Lord the Spirit will render profitable."

With these words Mr. C- closed his book, and though his hearers would willingly have tarried longer, the allotted period was elapsed, and accordingly they took their leave.

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.

THE

NEW TESTAMENT HISTORIES.

It happened that a few days after Mr. C―― had met his friends at M- Court, and set before them the Bereans as a people worthy of imitation, inasmuch as they proved all the instruction they received from St. Paul by the word of God, and "searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so," that our old friend Hyford overtook Mrs. Walton as she was walking alone through one of his fields. After the usual salutations were exchanged, Hyford, to the astonishment of the lady, said—

"I am happy, madam, to find you alone; mayhap you are following the example of the Bereans, and proving by the Bible the truth of what you heard last Wednesday at the Court."

Mrs. Walton smiled. Mr. Lawrence had made her thoroughly acquainted with Hyford's character, and as she was a person of good sense, and really desirous to know and follow what was right, she was prepared to meet the old man in his own way. After she had recovered from her surprise, she replied,

66

Really, Mr. Hyford, I am so perfectly satisfied with the truth and correctness of all your minister said, that I have not thought much about it since."

"Very like, madam, very like," replied Hyford; "I expected as much; you learned folks, whose mind is made up at once, do not trouble much about it; you are satisfied it is the truth and consistent with God's word, so you are satisfied; but, Mrs. Walton, do you bring it home, do you apply it to your own heart? Don't be offended, madam, if I repeat the question, Do you apply it to your own heart ?"

Mrs. Walton looked at him, partly annoyed, but said nothing.

"I fear," proceeded Hyford, "you think me impertinent; but," taking off his hat, "look, madam, on these grey hairs; I have numbered threescore years and ten, yes, and more than that; and I know that in a few more years at furthest the sentence must go forth, for the grain will be ready for the sickle: it must be so; dear madam, permit an old man's word of exhortation. You say you were so satisfied with the truth of what you heard, that you have not thought much about it since. I grieve that this should have been so you know, Mrs. Walton, you do not agree with Mr. C- in all things; you know that you still cling to your own good works, and with a self-righteous spirit try to render yourself acceptable to a just, and pure, and holy God. Mr. C has faithfully endeavoured to destroy this fearful delusion, and you have listened to what he said for the moment, and then thought no more about it. The Bereans acted very differently, and I suspect it was to teach us to copy their example that our excellent Parson dwelt so much upon their conduct. When I first heard Mr. C-——, I did not know what to think of him; conscience told me he was right, but my sinful heart said, Don't mind him, you will soon find out he is like all the rest, preaching holiness in the pulpit, and practising, not altogether unholiness, but worldliness out of it. Well, madam, I watched him narrowly, and I found that his daily conduct was on a piece with his preaching. This was enough for me. This man's sincere, I said, he is entitled to my respect, yes, and more than that; and while I was pondering the matter he preached a sermon on these words, 'For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?' (2 Cor. ii. 15, 16.)

"In that sermon he set forth the fearful state of those who reject the truth because it is contrary to their own ideas; he showed that we must bring every thought, every wish, every opinion to the obedience of Christ; that we must try the doctrine we are taught by the test of his word, and having done so, we are bound to adopt it for our own, or it will prove a 'savour of death unto death;' while, on the contrary, he proved that to the humble child-like listener the faithful preaching of the Gospel is most delightful and profitable, it is the '

Savour

of life unto life;' and as it first called them from spiritual death unto life, so it will lead them onwards until they attain to everlasting life. It was an awful sermon; and when he showed his own responsibility, adding, "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel!' I felt, dear madam, that he was indeed a messenger sent from God unto us, and that as such we were bound to receive and honour him. And thus he has proceeded; though young in years, he is old in grace, for he speaks, and exhorts, and rebukes with all authority. He has the affection of old and young, the confidence of rich and poor, and he is never satisfied until his hearers try his doctrine by the test of the Bible, and then adopt it from conviction that it is the truth. I have said a good deal, madam," added the old man, "and I ask your pardon; but I know you wish to be right, and think you are right, but the Bible says you are not."

"What makes you say that?" demanded Mrs. Walton. "Because you place so high a value upon your good works," replied Hyford. "Pray read over with attention and prayer the 13th of the 1st Corinthians, and this will put you all to rights. It will just plainly set before you what you are taught in God's word, and I know your own kindness of heart will pardon an old man for thus speaking his mind."

"I do pardon you, Mr. Hyford," said Mrs. Walton; "I do more I thank you for your faithfulness; I will follow your advice, and search the Scriptures with more diligence, that so I may profit by the opportunity now afforded me of hearing them faithfully and simply explained."

"Oh! madam," said Hyford, "how happy you have made me! Since our dear Parson has taught us better, how valuable has time become! I sometimes feel as if eternal life hung upon the events of an hour, and that I must speak to warn one, to encourage another, to lead a third, that so all of us may be found in the right place at last. I believe I am often very rude, but I never was at court," added he with an arch smile, " so I hope I shall be exeused; truth is truth, though spoken by a plain English farmer."

Having with these words opened the last gate for the lady to pass through, the honest man with a low bow took his leave. Many thoughts of the most salutary character entered Mrs. Walton's mind, and bid fair, by the Divine blessing. to render her a Christian no longer in name, but in reality. Long did she ponder in secret