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was clapped upon me. I went up into my study and wept; but my grief was least of all for myself. My dear parent thinks he is doing right: my knowledge that he does wrong is that which troubles me.

I went down toward evening, and drank tea with the maids, who could not help weeping for me. Nancy White was so overcome with grief that she wept aloud; nor could she for a great while be pacified. The feelings of the lower class of mankind are, I believe, in general, more tender than people in a higher station imagine; and I assure you, Madam, the artless, sympathetic friendship of these poor girls was a welcome alleviation of my grief But, above all, the consolation I received while I was before the throne of grace I am unable to express.

.. I earnestly pray that these things may not be laid to the charge of my dear parent, who knows not what he is doing. Before I went to the meeting I had no comfort. Then my acting in a different manner from what I had been wont to do was an unpardonable crime. Therefore I entreated my father before I went to hear Mr. Lowe, that he would permit me to go and live with you. I further said, that I should think it no hardship to become a servant, or to do any thing that my conscience would allow, if it would give him content. To this he replied, that he would agree to my last proposal with all his heart, were not his own honour concerned, seeing I was a beggar in nature, and originally designed for nothing better than servitude.

I should not, for my parent's sake, have disclosed these particulars even to you. But this last step will publish every thing to the world, at whose bar I shall be condemned: nor does this displease me; for I do not desire to be justified at the expense of my father. If God, my conscience, and you, Madam, approve of what I do, it is enough. Let not my dear aunt trouble herself.

I do not

account these strange things. I have inclosed the letter of our friend, and my companion in affliction, and am,

Dear Madam,

Your dutiful niece,

MIRANDA BARNWELL.

I

LETTER XXXII.

From Mrs. Worthington to Miss Barnwell.

MY DEAR CHILD,

HAVE received a letter from our excellent friend, which I shall immediately transmit to you. You will rejoice with me to hear that she arrived safe at St. Omer's; and your joy will be greatly increased by the pleasing information that her brother is a protestant. In what a wonderful and sovereign manner does our heavenly Father dispense his favours! Mr. Neville sent his son into a pōpish country, that there might be no possibility of his be ing poisoned with heretical notions, as he terms the pure gospel of Christ: but it is impossible to counteract the will of Him, who came to seek as well as to save that which was lost.

Your narration, my dear child, of the cruel treatment which you have received, has given me much uneasiness. It is no more, however, than we had reason to expect. The kingdom of heaven must be entered through great tribulation. The world, the flesh, and the devil, are enemies with which a Christian is never at peace. We must, therefore, put on the armour of God, and fight the good fight of faith to the end of our course.

You and I, Miranda, have no reason to complain. We might have been called to resist unto blood, striving against sin. Besides, you are always welcome to partake with me, I was going to say of my little pittance; but, I thank God, more than enough remains for you, and my

self, and our dear Eusebia, if Providence should place her under my protection.

I received much pleasure from your account of Thomas and his ass. A humble mind is of itself a portion; for it teaches its possessors to be content in the lowest stations. A Christian cannot think himself ignobly mounted, if he ride as well as his divine master. Nor do I doubt but the cottage of your friend pleases him, from the consideration that it is as good as the stable which received the Lord of glory. The world, and the things of the world, are the one thing needful with worldly men. Riches, honour, sumptuous houses, gay clothes, and costly viands, afford them all their happiness; and a poor happiness it is.When we know the value of the divine favour, how many things are there that we can do without! It is more than probable, my child, that a very great share of the things of time will never be your portion: but this you ought to consider as a matter of small importance. The fewer talents of this kind are committed to your trust, for the fewer you will be accountable. If the children of God, who are rich in this world, were sufficiently to consider that the time is coming when they must give an account of their stewardship, it would somewhat abate their eager ness in accumulating transitory trifles. I can only add, my dear niece, that I continue

Your affectionate aunt,

MARY WORTHINGTON,

LETTER XXXIII.

From Miss Eusebia Neville to Mrs. Worthington.

DEAR MADAM,

THROUGH the kind providence of God my friends and I arrived at St. Omer's yesterday about noon. thankful ought. I to be to the Father of mercies for the

How

goodness with which he has followed me from my birth to

this moment.

The pleasure I promised myself from seeing my dear brother was mixed with apprehension that he would reproach me on account of my supposed heresy; but I have been happily and unexpectedly disappointed. Could you have thought that my brother would come to the knowledge of salvation by Jesus Christ in the French Netherlands? Yet such is the happy case: happy for me; but infinitely more so for him. With what joy did I hear him speak the first time we were by ourselves! The exuberant pleasure deprived me of speech; and I could only express my delight by the tears which I shed while he pressed me to his bosom.

He observed, it would not be prudent to disclose his being a protestant, till we arrived in England; and that in the meantime he would act the part of a mediator, as far as he could do it with propriety.

I mentioned my father's promise not to force me into a

convent.

Ah, my dear sister, cried he, don't you recollect that no faith is to be kept with heretics to the prejudice of the church?

I perceive he is fearful that I shall meet with foul play. But, as he will undoubtedly be in the secret if any thing of that kind shall be attempted, I hope, with the divine blessing, to be preserved.

When I intimated my surprise at his being able to keep it a secret so long (for he has been a protestant more than a twelvemonth) he replied, that apparently to have no religion was a trifling sin in a catholic country; and that his few acquaintance supposed this to be his case. As they knew he was fond of botany, they imagined he spent all the time he could spare from his studies in cultivating that pleasing science. And indeed it was in one of his botanical excursions that he providentially met with a person, in whose commendation he cannot sufficiently express himself. All that I at present know of him is, that he lives at

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me promise to give her a narrative of my voyage.

On Tuesday, the seventh of May, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, we embarked at Gravesend, on board the Industry, Captain Williams, bound for Calais. As we

sailed down the river, which in this part widens very rapidly, a seafaring gentleman endeavoured to make the time pass agreeably by telling diverting stories, in which manner he said they spend many of their leisure hours in long voyages. This is a true picture of the world, who, as they sail down the stream of time, take every method to shorten the precious moments, till the voyage of life is over.

In the afternoon we met a fishing vessel, that told our captain it was blowing weather at sea; on which account, in the evening, he cast anchor at Holy-haven. The next

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morning, the wind continuing rough, I began to be sick; nor were my father and Signior Albino much better. However, I kept above deck, and was pleased with the sight of numerous vessels. The sea-gulls also cleaving the air, and the porpoises sporting in the water, afforded me an entertainment as agreeable as it was new. How great is that Being who has confined this turbulent element, this amazing world of waters, as with bars and doors, and has said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further. The ocean is truly a majestic and awful part of the works of God. How happy to have Him for our Father, who measureth the waters in the hollow of his hand! Methinks seafaring people, above all others, should live in the constant view of eternity; since the starting of a plank, or a thousand unforeseen accidents, may in one moment usher them into the world of spirits. I pray for myself, and for every other servant of Jesus, that we may never spend one day. in such a manner as would give us a reluctance to have it for our dying day. It becomes us to be alarmed, lest we should be off our watch and in a slumbering disposition when our Lord shall come. They who are not habitually R

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