take his part, and the Gospel was preached in all its fulness."

"Now," continued Mr. Marsden, "this week the whole parish is in a state of the greatest excitement because various novelties and changes in the services were last Sunday introduced; which, indeed, if they were symbolical of false doctrine, we might regard as matters of taste. But, alas! we cannot be so deceived."

not

Sir Arthur was annoyed by this piece of information, as it seemed to indicate that his friend was not proceeding with due caution. However, he replied, good humouredly, "Well, Mr. Marsden, I dare say you and Mr. Silverton do think very differently on many points. Still Charity thinketh no evil:' we are all travelling to the same place, though we may choose to walk along different paths.”

"Are you certain," inquired Mr. Marsden, solemnly, "that you are travelling the right path. For there is such a thing as 'a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death." "

Sir Arthur did not reply, but turning directly towards Lady de Vere, suggested that the travellers must be weary after the day's journey, and that the evening was far advanced.

The party immediately dispersed. As Annie was quitting the room Sir Arthur called her back again, and said to her

"Your friend, Miss Marsden, appears to be a very charming girl; do all you can for her comfort and happiness while she remains here. But, Annie, it is my duty to give you this piece of advice-remember the Marsdens are narrow-minded, old-fashioned Protestants, and my opinions are quite the reverse of theirs, therefore I do not wish either you or your friend to have any religious

conversation together. Controversy is dangerous; never permit yourself to be led into it; it will do you no good, possibly harm; of course, Annie, dear," added he, kissing her, "I have only your highest interest at heart in thus speaking to you. But mention what I have said to you to Dr. Burlton, perhaps in thus advising I am trespassing on his prerogative. I hope, dear, you have been regularly to confession during my absence?"

"Yes, Arthur," replied Annie, " and I will do whatever you tell me, though I must confess I am rather disappointed that I may not talk to Emily on a subject in which just now I'm so much interested."

The next day, as she was leaving the church after evensong, she was told by Sister Cecilia to remain in the church a few minutes, as Dr. Burlton wished to speak to her.

She at once readily obeyed. After waiting a few minutes, Dr. Burlton came out of the vestry and beckoned her towards him.

He was as usual most gracious and affable. At length, after some preliminary remarks about the ordinary affairs of daily life, the people we meet with, their different characters, etc., he proceeded to give her the following piece of advice respecting her conduct towards any who might differ with her in religious opinion.

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Now, Miss de Vere," said he, "you cannot expect to find every one you meet will think precisely the same as you do on this most important of all subjects. But you will probably find some persons who are so selfopinionated that they think that by the force of their arguments, they will be able to persuade you that they are right, and you are wrong. Now, if you should ever meet such people, (and you are certain sooner or later to do so in these days of controversy and error) do not permit yourself to be

led into any argument with them; nothing can possibly be worse for you; not that I wish you to hide your own light under a bushel; just state your own opinions as you have received them from myself, and there leave the matter; you will gain no good by hearing the opposite side of the question, possibly harm, as your own mind will probably thus become unsettled. You have been instructed by me in the truth' as the Church teaches her children, therefore, why should you listen to erroneous statements which will only bring misery on your soul, over which I watch with godly jealousy. It is," continued he, "this desire to investigate matters that they cannot understand, that has led so many young people into apostacy: remember Miss de Vere," said he, warmly shaking hands with Annie, "remember you are to obey your spiritual pastor in all things; it is for your welfare that I thus speak so decidedly."

Annie felt rather annoyed at this conclusion to her interview, as she guessed that Sir Arthur had been speaking to Dr. Burlton about her friends the Marsdens. She left the church in a thoughtful mood. If, thought she, Dr. Burlton's views are right, and Emily's erroneous, ought I not to try and convince her that they are so? But, perhaps, Arthur will endeavour to do this, and he is much more competent than I am for so serious an undertaking; and, therefore, much more likely to be successful.

CHAPTER VI.

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He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel."

WHETHER Sir Arthur found the society of Emily Marsden agreeable, or whether he felt it to be his duty to guard his sister from Protestant influence, it is not at present needful to ascertain. At all events, he remained at Barford till the Marsdens returned home to Westcombe.

The evening that Mr. Marsden came back from Midderton, he and Sir Arthur were seated together in the dining-room after dinner. Their conversation very naturally fell upon the state of things in the Church of England in the present day. Sir Arthur had no apprehension of any evil resulting to him from a little controversy with Mr. Marsden, so did not try to avoid it. Mr. Marsden enquired if the report were correct, that Dr. Burlton encouraged young persons to come to him frequently to confess?

"Most certainly!" replied Sir Arthur, without a moment's hesitation; Dr. Burlton believes it to be the bounden duty of his parishioners to come to him for this purpose, to unfold to him the state of their hearts before he can bestow 6 them the benefit of absolution. The upon priest is like a judge acquitting, or else condemning. when he pronounces or withholds absolution, there is an omniscient Judge, who knows the secrets of hearts, and will correct the erroneous judgment of his ministers. Still this circumstance does not annul the judicial exercise

...

of authority on the part of God's ministers. The virtue of absolution," continued Sir Arthur, "lies in the words, 'I absolve thee,' without which, except in extraordinary cases, absolution cannot be had. "Our Lord Jesus Christ left this power unto His church to absolve all sinners who truly repent. We receive His words in their plain literal sense. We believe that our Lord, when He said to His apostles after His resurrection, 'Whose sins ye do remit, they are remitted unto them,' meant to convey, a permanent power to them and their successors."†

Sir Arthur continued to speak for some time in this strain, evidently considering his statements unanswerable; but as soon as he paused Mr. Marsden said, "Do you mean to say, Sir Arthur, that every ordained minister in the Church of England has the power to absolve a man, who has confessed to him, from his sins; and that this is the divinely-appointed channel of forgiveness?”

"I believe," replied Sir Arthur, " that they have committed unto them the same power which the priests of the rest of the Catholic Church, both in the East and West, have ever claimed as their inheritance.' I also believe all sin in the first instance to be remitted in baptism; that the absolution of the priest is the divine channel of forgiveness for all sin after baptism. The virtue of the absolution to lie in the form of words, 'I absolve thee.'"+

"Thank you, Sir Arthur, for so succinctly stating your opinions, there can be no misunderstanding respecting them, but as you are professedly a member of the Church of England, it may be advisable just to ascertain what is her teaching upon this point. For instance, the absolution in the Morning and Evening Service is familiar to every one. Bishop of Salisbury.

* Gresley.

+ Dr. Pusey.