anticipations of another; till he had borne a public testimony of his gratitude to the Redeemer, by receiving the memorials of his death. He waited on the faithful minister who had been employed as the angel of mercy to his soul, to express his desire; and on the next sabbath, with his honoured parent, he sat down at the Lord's table, when the following appropriate verses were sung: "O happy day, that fixed the choice Charm'd to confess the voice divine. "High Heav'n that heard the solemn vow, And bless in death a bond so dear." We shall forbear giving any account of the parting scene, or the occurrences which happened on his journey, that the reader may have a more full developement of his character, through the medium of his future history. 66 He was expected at the office, on the morning of his return, as he had written to make the communication; and when he entered, every one arose to offer his congratulations, but Mr. Gordon exceeded all in the ardour of his expressions. This," said he, "is one of the happiest days of my life, and I adore the fate which has decreed that death shall lose a victim, to restore me my friend." "I adore the mercy," replied Lewellin, that has spared my life, and I trust, my dear Sir, that my friendship will be a purer flame than ever burnt on the altar of my heart." This reply created a little embarrasment in Mr. Gordon's mind; but he soon got over it, and resumed his accustomed vivacity of disposition and ease of manners. the evening, they walked away together, when Mr. Lewellin informed his friend, that a material change had taken place in his sentiments and his habits; and that, if he wished for a renewal of their former inti In 1 66 macy, it must be on the express condition of paying a most devout regard to the truths and institutions of revelation." What, Sir," said Gordon, are you again enslaved in the trammels of superstition, and do you expect that I shall bow my neck to such an ignominious yoke!" "What you deem the yoke of ignominy, I esteem the badge of honour; what you deem a cunningly devised fable, I esteem truth. You won me over to your sentiments, and what have they done for me. They impaired my health; they tore up the foundation of a good constitution; they plunged me into despair; I lived a sceptic, but I found that I could not die one. I am now restored to health, to truth, to happiness, and it is my inflexible determination to consecrate myself to the honour of the Redeemer." "Ah! I pity you." "Pity is for objects of woe, and had you seen me when the terrors of death fell on me, you might have pitied me, but now, Sir, want not pity, for I have that T 'Which nothing earthly gives, nor can destroy, Then, Sir, I suppose, in future, our office is to become the hot-bed of fanaticism, where the rank weeds of an ancient superstition are to overshade the lovely plants of reason's golden age?" "As I shall not obtrude my religious sentiments on the attention of others, you may calculate on passing through your professional duties without being annoyed, unless you step forward to attack them, and in that case, I shall certainly stand up in their defence." "Well, well, that is all very fair. Then, if I do not commence the assault, you will not open your battery." "It will be my aim to make myself agreeable, and to recommend my religion more by my example, than my arguments; because I know how you will evade the one, but it is not certain that even you can withstand the other." "Ah! I see you resolve to play off upon me, in the same way in which I conquered you; and I have no objection for the experiment to be tried, but it will not. succeed." "The bold and decided manner in which Mr. Lewellin met the sarcasms of infidelity, and avowed his supreme regard to the truth of revelation, cut off from his former companions all hopes of getting him again to join their ranks; and they, as by mutual consent, abstained from either pressing or enticing him to do it. He pursued the even tenor of his way, without much obstruction; unfolding an amiability of temper, and a dignified integrity of principle, which gained him general respect; and though some regretted the change, yet all acknowledged that it was beneficial. As his mind was deeply impressed by the truth, he discovered no eager attachment to the peculiarities of human opinion, and was able from this circumstance, to guard religion against the obnoxious charges to which it is too often exposed by its injudicious friends. He was now introduced to the Rev. Mr. C, of whose Church he became a member; and such was the energy of mind which he threw into all his relative engagements, and, such the unaffected humility which adorned his charar, that he rose to a high degree of eminence in the est of all his religious friends. As a Sunday School Teacher, as a visitor of the sick, as an agent of the Tract Society, he was equaled by few, and surpassed by none; and never appeared more delighted than when he had the prospect of promoting the spiritual welfare of those whom he once attempted to corrupt and destroy. It is now more than twelve years since the angels of light first beheld this moral transformation; and attuned their harps anew to the praise of Him by whose mysterious power it was produced; and he who was the subject of it, is still living, to reflect its inimitable lustre, and demonstrate its super-human origin. In the next, will be given an original letter, addressed to a young man on his entering the world, communicated by a friend. Printed by MILNE and BANFIELD, 76, Fleet-strect. LETTER ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG MAN, ON HIS ENTERING INTO PUBLIC LIFE. "Early piety will have a good influence to secure us from all those dangers to which we are exposed in a scason of life the most perilous. Conceive of a youth, entering a world like this, destitute of the presiding, governing care of religion, his passions high, his prudence weak, impatient, rash, confident, without experience: a thousand avenues of seduction opening around him, and a syren voice singing at the entrance of each; pleased with appearances, and embracing them as realities; joined by evil company, and ensnared by erroneous publications; these hazards exceed all the alarm I can give." JAY. "MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND; "ACTUATED, I trust, by a sincere regard for your best interest, I am induced to address a few admonitory lines to you. Not that I have any reason to believe that you are walking inconsistently, or imbibing any principles that will ultimately destroy your religious character; but the suspicion which my regard for you awakens, creates within me a strong desire to contribute in some small degree towards your present and future happiness; and I doubt not but your good sense will put a candid construction upon my intention, and secure me from any hazard of offending you by the freedom of my address. |