ment's reflection told me that the donation so given was either intended as a personal compliment to myself, or would have been granted with equal readiness to the Roman Catholic priest, or the Independent preacher. It is easier to give than to refuse; and the spurious liberalism of the day has (among all its other hundred falsehoods) a false charity, which takes pride in making "no distinctions," in contributing to the Church one hour, and to the meeting-house the next. This, probably, was the secret of Mark's ready gift; for the general bearing of his conversation, coupled with what I had heard from Mildred Clifford (to say nothing of Mrs. Badger's ominous anecdotes), convinced me that if he still called himself a Churchman, his principles must be exceedingly lax. best, he could be only halting between two opinions. He was not one who was "fully persuaded in his own mind;"4 but must needs be wavering and vacillating between extremes-the balance now preponderating in favour of one set of notions, now in favour of another.

At

I resolved, therefore, if possible to probe him; so after thanking him cordially for his munificent donation (for munificent it was, as compared with what many richer men than my friend would have contributed-men, I mean, who give their pitiful units where they ought to give tens, and hundreds where they ought to offer thousands,) and acknowledging his kindness in making me the bearer of it, I added, + Rom. xiv. 5.

"And now do tell me what you meant when you said, a short time ago, that you were no particular friend of the Church. I hold in my hand a very sufficient evidence to the contrary; do I not? and a proof that the report was false, that you had declined to contribute to the church at Mirkley?"

66

The colour rushed into Mark's cheeks as I put this question; he seemed quite confused, and as if he was hesitating how to answer me. Come," thought I, "this argues well; he is, at least, not firmly fixed in his erroneous opinions."

After a short pause he said," It is quite true, I did refuse Mr. Harvey; and, perhaps, I have been somewhat inconsistent in yielding to your solicitation : but you put the matter in a new light, and-andin short," added he, affectionately, "I was unwilling to refuse you any thing."

"But why should you, who have been born and bred a Churchman, and with ample means at your disposal, have had a moment's hesitation on the subject?"

"Because, Mr. Warlingham, my opinion with respect to the Church has (as I have already hinted) undergone a great change of late."

May I know what are the points to which you allude?"

Oh," replied he, "it would be an interminable discussion, and a useless one, for I have made up my mind. And yet it is almost due to you, who have known me so long, and who have ever shewn such

my

kind interest about me, that you should be made acquainted with the real state of mind. It is growing late now; but if you will dine and sleep here to-night, you will at least save me from a solitary dinner on New-Year's day, and we shall have plenty of leisure in the evening for conversation."

Self-Confidence.

Why should I e'er forsake thy dwelling, Blest
Of God; or whither from Thy shelter move?
Whate'er vouchsafement waits us from above,
To cheer, sustain, enlighten, is possest
By Thee, and Thou to Thine distributest:
And sure I think, if tempted once to rove

From Thee, my foot would find, like Noah's dove,
O'er the wide waters refuge none, nor rest.
Grace is within thy precincts, Holy Ark;

Grace and salvation! And though gathering gloom Now and again with signs of presage dark

O'erhang Thee, mercy's beams the screen illume; And faith on blackest clouds may brightest mark God's bow, the pledge of blessings yet to come!

BISHOP MANT.