CHAPTER V.

Perhaps some of our young friends may feel interested to learn something more of Emily, in whose mind religious impressions were beginning to take deep root. The evening on which Miss Windermere, after conversing with her, had left her for a little while alone, she for the first time really endeavoured to confess her sins to God, and entreat pardon through the blood of Jesus: she remembered the words, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you;" and her anxiety began to give place to a feeling of hope. She thought much on the mercy of Jesus, and felt encouraged to place some trust in Him, and to pray that she might be his disciple.

Thus did this youthful wanderer return to the Good Shepherd; thus did she take her first trembling steps in the narrow way. But still she had much to learn, for her religious character was but

in its infancy. In this respect, she found a constant friend in Miss Windermere, who took frequent opportunities of conversing with her; and under the instructions of this gentle guide, united with prayer and reading the Scriptures, the way of salvation was made more and more plain to the mind of our young friend: she began to rejoice in the all-sufficiency of the Saviour, and wished no longer to live to herself, but to Him. She now found verified in her own experience the promise of Jesus to his disciples, "In me ye shall have peace; " and she longed that all around her might be taught as she had been, the way of true happiness. She was one day mentioning some of her feelings on this subject, to her friend, who replied, "My dear, that is a wish in which I can indeed sympathize with you; but we must use the means to lead them in the narrow way, you know, as far as possible; and when we have done all, it is a satisfaction to remember we may pray for them.

Emily. Yes, that I think, ma'am, is some satisfaction; but there are several of them I love dearly, and I do so wish that they may not satisfy themselves without real religion. There is dear Mary Ann, what a sweet, lively girl she is! and

many others besides: I feel so sorry when I think perhaps they are neglecting the Saviour whom we need so much.

Miss W. Well, my love, we are permitted to carry these anxieties to a throne of grace, where encouragements are not wanting to hope that our prayers will in some degree be answered. And it is certainly our duty to do all in our power to render religion attractive to them.

Emily. My dear Miss Windermere, that is just what I so much want to know how can I, for instance, in any way do them good?

Miss W. Why, my dear girl, there certainly is something within your power. You should endeavour to make your actions speak for you, by aiming to mould your conduct according to the precepts of the Gospel, and to avoid even the appearance of evil. In particular, you should study kindness and gentleness towards those around you; one simple word should be the rule of your actions, and that is, love; which will lead you to embrace every opportunity of doing a kindness to any one who may need it. Favourable occasions also may sometimes arise of speaking to one and another; and if you follow the course I have been recommending, all you may say will come with

greater weight. But why do I say, the course I have been recommending! it is the path our Lord himself has marked out, and it is our solemn duty to follow him in it, if we would be his disciples. Take up your cross then daily, my dearest Emily, deny yourself, and follow your Redeemer.

Emily. Oh, I do desire that my conduct should be such as to honour the Saviour; but I feel how difficult such a course is. I should sometimes feel discouraged, were it not for the hope that God will help me, if I seek the assistance of his Holy Spirit.

Miss W. Well, my love, it is a mercy to feel your own insufficiency, and you must pray to be kept humble, and free from self-dependence; but you may safely place all your confidence in the compassionate Saviour. Go in the narrow way, simply looking to Jesus, seeking every day, through Him, the influences of the Holy Spirit, to renew your heart, to lead you in the right path, and strengthen you to walk in it; and He will be found faithful who hath said, "Ask, in my name, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." You see from that text, my love, that it is the will of Jesus that we should rejoice in Him. Depend therefore, fully for yourself upon that Saviour,

to whom you are anxious to win others; and this will assist you also in the attainment of that even cheerfulness which it is our duty to cultivate, both because of its beneficial effect on our own minds, and the favourable influence it is apt to have on others, particularly the young.

Emily continued thoughtful for a minute, and then said, "Miss Windermere, now that I have an opportunity, there is one thing more I wish to ask you. What do you think of those studies which are not exactly connected with religion? do you think it is right to bestow so much attention upon them, as I have been in the habit of doing?"

Miss W. Yes, my dear, most certainly I do; it is your duty to avail yourself of the advantages of cultivation by which you are surrounded. Improve the talents which God has given you, and remember, all useful studies may be connected with religion if you pursue them with a view to his glory. Your mental powers may be called for in after life, in ways that now you do not foresee.

Emily. So they may; I really did not think of that before: I think these ideas will make me pursue my studies with greater interest than ever.

Miss W. I think it is very likely, my dear.