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"You know it-you have read it too, then!" said Marion, whose eyes were now lighted up with animation. 'Oh, tell me, where have you read it?

"In the Bible," replied her friend. "The Bible!-what is that?"

"It is God's holy word-His revealed will, which is given to show us the way of salvation." As he spoke, Dr. Mansfield drew out a small pocket Testament, which was his constant companion, and finding the fifth chapter of Matthew, he placed the book in Marion's hand. She took it with delight, for she longed to search those pages; and if rest and peace were to be found on earth, where, she thought, should she find them but in that Holy Book? Dr. Mansfield was not unobservant of her intense emotion; gladly would he have spoken some words of comfort, but he felt that she was in the hands of One who was leading her by the right way, and who alone can pour consolation into the wounded heart.

He took her hand to bid farewell, and merely said, " My dear child, you shall have that blessed book for your own: one verse of it is worth more than all the libraries of human wisdom in the world. May it be deeply blessed to you, and impart to you that holy peace which passeth all understanding.'

He knelt beside her, and offered a few words of simple, earnest prayer, that the Holy Spirit might guide her into all truth, and lead her to rest her weary spirit, in faith, upon that precious Saviour, who had borne all her griefs, and carried all her sorrows. It was the prayer of one who had himself the joy of knowing God as his reconciled Father in Christ, and who lived in the sunshine of His presence; and its child-like, confiding simplicity, seemed to Marion like a vista of another world. What a wide gulf lay between the darkness and misery of her soul, and the bright atmosphere in which his lived and moved! She pressed her Testament closer to her heart, and prayed that his petition might be granted, and that God's holy book might lead her to a knowledge of the way of life.

Dr. Mansfield left the house, prescribing for his patient as much repose and quiet as possible, and from that day a new phase of life opened upon Marion. She became a Bible reader. Her Testament was her constant companion; and her wish to be left much alone, secured her many an hour for her new and delightful study. The wonderful narrative of the gospels opened before her like a new world; and, day by day, as she read on, the mists of her mind gradually cleared away beneath the bright beams of heavenly truth.

The plan of salvation revealed itself to her searching gaze. She began to see the dawning of a better day, and to look, in faith, upon the Sun of righteousness. And now the returning bloom of her cheek and happy smile on her lip began to gladden her parents' hearts, and remove all their anxieties for her.

A woman servant, who had lived for many years in the family, and who was a very zealous Romanist, had, however, for some time suspected that all was not right. One day, when Marion had retreated as usual to her dressing room, and was deep in study, this woman suddenly stood before her, and, ere she had recovered from her surprise at the interruption, the book was taken from her hand, and the woman left the room. She had carelessly left the door unfastened, contrary to her usual custom; and now her treasure was gone.

There was not much said on the subject, but still enough to show that her offence was considered a very serious one; and Marion was made bitterly to feel that her parents' trust and confidence in her was at an end. Exposed to a cold displeasure which she had never before experienced, and deprived of her only source of comfort, Marion again sunk under extreme illness.

Dreading the effect of this relapse into delicate health, and with all their anxieties thoroughly aroused for her safety, her parents again sent for Dr. Mansfield. A few minutes' conversation with his patient explained to him the whole state of the case, and, on his next visit, a Bible was left in her hands. This was the soul's medicine which Marion needed.

Her midnight hours were devoted to her happy studies, as the only time in which she could pursue them in safety.

But suspicion once excited could not easily be lulled to rest. By her parents' desire, the priest, Father Matthias, held long and frequent conversations with her, the result of which was his expressing himself much dissatisfied with the state of her mind, which he considered to be deeply tinctured with heresy. A family council was held to determine what course to adopt, and it was resolved by the priest and parents that a Roman Catholic husband should be found for Marion, and that she should be married with as little delay as possible.

Accordingly, arrangements were made. Mr. Gerard, a bigoted Romanist, was fixed on as the person on whom Marion's hand and fortune should be bestowed, and a day was appointed for the introduction. Of all this Marion was perfectly ignorant. One morning, on being summoned to the drawing room, she found her parents, Father Matthias, and another gentleman, a

stranger. On her entrance, her father advanced to meet her, and said, "Marion, I have sent for you to introduce you to Mr. Gerard; and perhaps it is better that you should know at once that you are to look on him as your future husband."

Overwhelmed at this sudden announcement, Marion felt as though she would have fainted. At her request, she was permitted to withdraw;-and how eagerly did she hasten to her little sanctuary!

She knew where to seek for guidance; and, as she knelt, she prayed that she might be strengthened to suffer death rather than suffer herself to be entangled in the meshes of that dark system from which her mind had escaped, by becoming wedded to one who was the slave of Rome, and to whom God's holy word was an unknown and a forbidden book.

She well knew that this proposal was made in order to fasten the fetters of Popery more firmly upon her, and she resolved that all such attempts should be frustrated by steady resistance. Prayer and the reading of the Word calmed and strengthened her. She was prepared to suffer rather than to sin; and the hand that had guided and sustained her hitherto, would not, she felt assured, desert her now in the hour of trial. It was nearer than she thought.

She was again summoned to her father's presence, and now found him with the priest only.

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Marion," he said, "I have sent for you to inquire your answer to the proposal that has been made to you. Are you ready to accept Mr. Gerard as your husband on a very early day "

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My dear father," Marion answered, timidly, "this is a very serious matter. Surely I shall be allowed time to think over it."

“There can be no objection to your thinking of it," he said, "but you must make up your mind at once, either to engage to marry Mr. Gerard on this day week or to leave my house."

Undeterred by the presence of the priest, and by the sternness of her father's manner, Marion opened her whole heart to him. She related the whole history of her trials, and showed how peace and joy had reached her only through the light of gospel truth. She reminded him of how it had always been the delight of her life to please him, and begged he would exact any other sacrifice than this. She could not sin against God by becoming united to one whose religion, she had now learnt, was widely different from the teaching of his word. She could not marry a Roman Catholic."

But our story has already passed its limits, and we must draw it to a conclusion. That week was the last which

Marion spent beneath her father's roof. A fiery furnace was prepared to try the faith of the young disciple; but there was One by her side who bore her through it, and it served but to free her from her bonds.

A young

She sought refuge in the house of her friend, Dr. Mansfield, in whose family she remained, as governess, for six months. But another and happier sphere was opened for her. missionary clergyman became acquainted with her. They formed an attachment, founded on the most christian friendship; and if Marion be still living, she is now gladly devoting herself, as a missionary's wife, to spreading the good news of salvation.

And now, of all my readers, Protestant and Roman Catholic, I would ask one question: "Is your religion the religion of the Bible?" Have you closed with its offers of salvation, and are you cleaving in faith to Him who has said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me," John xiv. 6. ? Are you striving in all things to follow his example, knowing that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord"?

If not, whatever your religion may be in name, be assured it is not the religion which the Bible teaches. If you desire that religion should be yours, search that book. Do not content yourself with the teaching and opinion of others, but apply your own mind to its study, knowing that you will have to answer at the last day for the use you have made of it.

Read and pray, and the time will come when that book will be to you as it was to David, and to all God's believing children, " more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honey comb." The Scriptures contain divine life. "The words that I speak unto you," says our Lord, "they are spirit and they are life," John vi. 63.

Let not God's warnings pass unheeded; for what does he say of those who neglect his word? Luke ix. 26. Be won by his promises of blessing, which are many and abundant. Psa. i. 1-3. "Search the scriptures." "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom," and you will then walk in the path which "shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

J. F. SHAW, BOOKSELLER, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, AND
PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON;

AND W.INNES, BOOKSELLER, SOUTH HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH.

J. & W. Rider, Printers, 14, Bartholomew Close, London

THE REMEDY FOR SOCIAL EVIL.

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