I assure you on the present occasion, the amiable character of that young christian, shone in splendent loveliness. It was in unison with his filial feelings, and touched harmoniously on the vital cord that went round his heart, purest benevolence. Never shall I forget the reality; and that semblance is every thing to the purpose, with only one exception, the absence of animated life. The mouth seems ready to speak, but it cannot.

You may be sure that Monsieur was extremely busy with his pallet and brush in a convenient part of the hall; and his effort was crowned with very happy success.-My father presented him with a hundred guineas, in compliment to his willing services; and the picture was elegantly framed, and suspended in the centre of the hall above my harpsichord. Now, said my father, we shall have music enough, Marie, when Henri is at the university, as you can perform with your hands, and gaze on his likeness as you sing. He ordered it veiled with blue silk, decorated with fringe and tassels of gold. This was done, as well as the framing, in your father's absence, who inquired at his first visit after it was stationed, "what or whose image was concealed behind so rich a covering?" I drew the curtain aside, and he started at the view.-On hearing the cost, said, "ah! my sister,

that sum would have comforted many a son and daughter of penury in this world of sorrow.Well, spread the veil over it, and do not show it to me again."

But it is nearly dark, my love, we must adjourn our inspection of the other pictures, and repair to the tea-table-this evening, as we are to be alone, I shall beg the favor of you, to relate the exercises of your mind, in religious matters, and unfold to me the process of the holy spirit in leading you to God.

CHAPTER VII.

AFTER tea, Mrs. Seymour's retired apartment was lighted; and our lovely orphan, seated by the side of her aunt, opened her innocent lips to give the desired relation, which I shall transcribe for the benefit of my youthful readers, as follows,

"I can adopt the language of David, and say, • Come ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul;' and call upon all that is within me to bless and to praise his holy name.' I have been from my infancy one of those who can say to the Redeemer, thou hast planted a hedge about me; and preserved me on every side I was ushered into being amid the prayers of a holy father, as well as the groans of a pious mother-and by an act of faith, hope and love, I was dedicated to God on the day I was born. At the early age of three years, I remember feeling an awe and dread at the sound of God, Jehovah, or Lord; and often covered my face with my hands, when my father read the scriptures, expecting him to repeat those titles that belong to Deity. At four years I was really afraid to pray, lest I should mock my Creator, as my father said those did who offered him the service of the tongue, while the

heart was far from him. When my little brother was born, I thought God was a good being to send us such a present; but through his transient day I was a complete idolater; and at the time of his sickness and his death I was a rebel. In my heart I hated God, whom I then viewed as a cruel enemy to me, because he let death seize upon my blooming idol. All my bad thoughts I kept secreted in my own breast, where the flames of opposition to my Maker consumed all my reverence of Deity; and for some hours I was hardened, and of course tormented. At length, through the influence of parental teaching, (that was indeed appropriated by me to selfishness,) I was comforted: not divinely but carnally-for my mind was carnal. My parents assured me that little John was happy; and that he had become a beautiful cherub. I believed my parents; and therefore my heart exulted in my brother's felicity. At nine years of age, I began to understand something about religion, that it was the thing which made my dear parents good and happy. I felt that I was not good in the sight of God, who searched my heart, as my dear father told me. My rebellious thoughts and feelings, at the time my brother lay dying in his mother's arms, all revived in my memory, and conscience within, spoke warmly against me. I was naturally

reserved, disliking to question others, or to be examined myself. I felt unhappy, but told not my dear parents of it. I thought of a particular prayer that my father offered for me three years before, and wondered that God did not answer it ; and again I rebelled, by suffering myself to think hard of God—I fretted, secretly, against the Lord.

"All this time I was called by our vicar and the neighbors a wise and amiable child, as my deportment was steady, and upon all occasions I obeyed and endeavored to please my beloved parents. Every thing that pained them struck a blow on my heart; and I lived but in their placid smiles. I observed it seemed rather to displease than gratify my father, when the vicar praised me; and I used to tremble when the latter called me to come and sit upon his knee, for fear he would applaud me, and disgust my father. But O, when the dreadful day arrived, in which I was told that God had sent for that dear parent, what were my feelings! human language cannot express them. My agony resembled despair, and my poor little body sunk beneath the load. For some time I was so ill, that the vicar thought I should die; but my mother believed that God would raise me up again. Alas! I, who had been called so amiable, that many persons said they did not think my nature