whenever God would prompt him to be faithful to his duty in that branch of it. We have dwelt so long in peace and security, that the sound of a trumpet was not heard among us, because no foe approached our walls and now it is the idle dream of too many watchmen that God has rescinded his solemn command for a warning blast when the sword is seen to approach. They will find too late that none of his words shall fail.'

'It is a remarkable thing, uncle, this reluctance to stir up our hearts to a thankful appreciation of blessings, merely because they were so great and so public. The glory of our statute-book consists in its being framed according to the word of God; so that no man can by law be compelled to do any thing which that word has forbidden: and the same precious liberty leaves, yea enjoins every man to peruse his bible, and there to trace the model of such a subject as the state most cherishes and applauds. Now the first work of Popery is to legislate against the bible, to wrest it from man's grasp, and to compel him under the penalty of death to commit things expressly prohibited by the Most High. I cannot comprehend how it is that the ministers who would feel bound to make the cholera, or any other visitation on the national health a fruitful theme of solemn pulpit exhortation, regard as unseemly any allusion to the spiritual and political plague that would corrupt our laws, and crush our civil liberties as a means of destroying either the life of our bodies or the life of our souls.'

They err greatly: they think only of the temple of their Zion, forgetful that her walls are also the Lord's, built by his direction, and guarded by his

command. Look at yonder sky: the clouds that erewhile appeared in small portions far apart, or slowly rising from the horizon, have imperceptibly neared each other, darkening as they spread the face of day, and even now beginning to pour forth the chilling stream. Happy for us that our cottage roof is now within a step or two, happier for those who while God's judgments are abroad upon the earth have a sure refuge nigh at hand-a chamber in the everlasting Rock, wherein they may enter and hide themselves until these calamities be overpast!'

THE

CHRISTIAN LADY'S MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 1839.

HELEN FLEETWOOD.

III.

AT the noon-tide hour, Mr. Stratton again appeared, with his friend; and after expressing regret at the recent event, said, 'I am too much hurried to stop now but to prove to you that the advice we gave is good, my friend has brought a pamphlet, printed and published, giving an account of the matter. Read it carefully, and keep your promise of saying nothing, till we see you again.'

Mrs. Green needed no inducement to read it carefully she was wavering on a point of the deepest importance to her and hers; and though clinging to a faint hope of the renewal, until she should hear from Mr. Barlow the result of his visit to the agent, she pondered as inevitable the alternative of dispersion, or migration to the factories. The pamphlet NOVEMBER, 1839.

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was soon read: it set forth in glowing colours the comfort, the abundance, the independence of those who engaged in the work, fully bearing out her informant in his largest statements. Could she reject such evidence! No, it would have seemed too much like spurning from her an advantage providentially placed within her grasp; and she only regretted, on seeing the clergyman approach, that she was not at liberty to communicate to him her bright prospects.

Mr. Barlow's entrance, however, recalled too vividly the comforts of past days, and awoke her too painfully to present difficulties, to be hailed without strong emotion. He took her hand with a look that prepared her for the worst, and said, 'Among all earthly changes, how increasingly precious is the word that assures the believer he has "a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.'

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It is, it is,' replied the widow, wringing her hands; but oh, sir, the four walls of this poor cottage have been a home on earth to me that I feel it hard to leave.'

'I know it: the hardest lesson we have to learn is that which convinces us we are strangers and sojourners-pilgrims seeking a better country. Gladly indeed should I have been the bearer of a message that would leave you yet awhile in this quiet retreat: but'-he hesitated.

'We must leave it, sir?'

I urged the case strongly; I even ventured to promise an increase of rent on your part, but in vain another applicant had secured the reversion. Let us now consider in what way we can promote your interests, and those of the dear children.'

Not yet, sir, if you please.'

In vain did the good clergyman remonstrate, telling her he must leave home for some days, and that every hour was precious: she repeated that she would talk it over with him when she saw him again. Reluctantly he quitted the subject; and after much good counsel and scriptural consolation under approaching trials, with fervent prayer, he rose to depart; but turning to the door, said, 'Take a caution, Mrs. Green, from a sincere friend: I know you may be exposed to some inducements to venture on a hasty step before my return. Do not suffer yourself to be tempted, by any shew of advantage, into the manufacturing districts.

wary.'

Remember my words, and be

The widow longed to call him back, and to tell all; but her promise must be kept, and the opportunity was gone. In the evening, Mrs. Barker eagerly began on the same subject, and was not a little mortified at meeting a similar repulse. After many attempts at eliciting some information, she drew herself up, saying, 'I might take offence at your being so close with an old friend; but no doubt you have your reasons. And I wish,' she added with sudden vivacity, 'I wish that old fox Stratton, who was about here, has not been setting some trap for you-p'rhaps the factories!'

The widow's countenance changed a little, and Helen coloured just because she hoped she should not colour at that moment.

'Oh, I see how it is,' cried the lodger triumphantly: 'I was right; but surely, dame Green, you arn't such a simpleton as to be gulled by them who are only afraid you should be a burden