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be indeed the Word of God! I confess that this reflection gives me considerable uneasiness. This may be weakness, and such I am sure it appears to you; but it may more probably be the beginning of wisdom. However," I continued, with an air of cheerfulness, "you need not fear that I am about to do any thing injurious to my character. I shall return this book because it is dangerous to keep it; but I cannot but lament the tyranny of public opinion, to which even you and I, free-thinkers as we are, are compelled to bow."

My friend, of course, did not betray my secret, and it extended no farther until I had an opportunity of restoring the Bible.

Well, I was ashamed of this blessed book! I was disconcerted and confused when it was discovered in my possession! Alas! how blind how foolish is man! Here was a book which revealed the will of my Creator-which unfolded the character of GOD, the condition of man, the awful doom that awaits the sinner, and the means by which that doom may be averted; but instead of joyfully receiving this glorious Revelation-instead of studying with avidity this charter of salvation, and earnestly appropriating its blessings, I was actually ashamed of it, and wished to cast it from me, as the viper was flung

G

from the hand of Paul. "O God, what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost consider him !"

When I had stated to my reverend friend, on my next visit, that I found it impossible to conceal the Bible, and that were it generally known that I had such a thing, without the sanction of the Priest, my character would be ruined, I thought that, as a matter of course, I should get free from the presence of my troublesome companion. But, No! Mr. - had a nice little pocket Testament, with a silver clasp, which might be carried about with perfect secrecy. It was a keepsake, and I must take care of it, and return it again in the course of some months; and it was further interesting, as containing some remarks by the owner in the margin, the more important passages, being, moreover, under-lined with the pencil, so as to strike the attention more readily! I must, therefore, take this as a token of his friendship; and he prayed that God might bless it to my soul.

man!

Oh how important to me, in its consequences, was the kind importunity of this zealous clergyWere it not for him I might have wandered in ways of darkness all my life, and gone down to the blackness of darkness for ever. put into my reluctant hand the Lamp of Truth,

He

THE WORD BLESSED.

111

"a light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb." May he escape all the curses, and enjoy all the blessings recorded in that book! Yet he was but an instrument, and had he swerved from his duty, another would be found.

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform▬▬

"Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will."

He is not dependent on this instrument or the other, for he can raise up suitable means at his pleasure. He that sent Philip to the Eunuch, and Peter to Cornelius, will not be wanting in a proper agency when he designs to bring a soul from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. This fact, however, should not abate any thing of our gratitude towards those devoted individuals who may have laboured for the salvation of our souls.

I took the Testament cheerfully, and read it attentively. Many an hour I spent poring over its pages, as I wandered on the beach, or walked along a lonely road, or reclined under the shade of some spreading tree, or sat on a bank, where the evening sun still lingered on the clover-blos

soms, and the stillness of the scene would woo the mind to solemn meditations. I studied the passages that were marked. The more I read, the more I was interested. A new light seemed to emanate from the pages of a book so long despised. I was convinced that it was inspired by God that it condemned the peculiarities of Romanism-and that it inculcated a religion that was rational and spiritual. My heart was now relieved from much anxiety. I felt a resting-place for my faith. In answer to the question, "What is Truth?" I could now appeal to this blessed volume, and exclaim, with all the joy of the ancient philosopher, "I have found it!"

I now eagerly embarked on the sea of controversy. I read in succession Ousely's "Old Christianity," M'Gavin's “ Protestant," (a work which excited such intense interest, that I allowed myself little sleep until I had got through it,) Blanco White's "Evidence against Catholicism," and a great number of smaller works.

The Vicar of B., who had taken so much trouble with me, gave me a Prayer-book. I examined it with care; and when I saw him again I gave him my opinion of it very candidly. I told him I had no objection to the Thirty-nine Articles. I thought they were Scriptural as far

I was then capable of judging. But I said

THE PRAYER-BOOK.

113

there were several things in the book that did not rest on the authority of God's Word. It retained, for instance, the Romish feasts, vigils, and days of fasting and abstinence throughout the year. The feast days are thirty in number, besides Sundays; the vigils are some sixteen; and the days of fasting, or abstinence, are

1. The forty days of Lent;
2. The ember days;

3. The three rogation days;

4. All Fridays in the year except Christmas day!

Now, Sir, I remarked, are not these authoritative appointments inconsistent with the scriptural arguments usually advanced by Protestants against the Roman Catholic system? Does not Paul, (1 Tim. iv. 3,) represent the command to abstain from meats as a mark of the apostacy of the latter days? Does he not say, (Rom. xiv. 3,) "Let not him which eateth not judge him which eateth; for God hath received him"? And, again, (verse 17,) "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." And, again, (1 Cor. viii. 8,) "But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat are we the better; neither if we eat not are we the worse." These prohibitions, the same Apostle, (Col. ii. 20-23,)

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