pleasing, every year to perceive a gradual improvement, a growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. And when in her tenth year, she began to be quite a comfort and an assistance to her mamma, and to the younger branches of the family, whom she delighted to instruct, teaching them passages of Scripture and hymns. By this time she had made considerable progress in music, and having a sweet voice, it was particularly pleasing to hear her playing and singing spiritual songs. But the picture will never be forgotten which her parents had the pleasure of beholding almost every evening, when dear Sarah, surrounded by her little sisters and brother, previous to their going to rest, used to sit around the fireside, singing their favourite evening hymn:

Now condescend, Almighty King!

To bless this little throng;
And kindly listen while we sing
Our pleasant evening song.
We come to own the power Divine,
That watches o'er our days:
For this our feeble voices join,
In hymns of cheerful praise.
Before Thy sacred footstool, see
We bend in humble prayer,
A happy little family,

To ask Thy tender care.

May we in safety sleep to-night,
From every danger free;

Because the darkness and the light

Are both alike to Thee.

But all this only tended to endear her still more to her parents, and to make that separation which was about to take place, more painful. Sarah had now arrived at an age when a more extended plan of education became necessary, which, for various reasons, could not be afforded her at home. The father was often absent on Missionary journeys, advocating the claims of Israel. The mother generally in very delicate health, having the care of a numerous and increasing little family. Thus their minds were for some time exercised as to the best plan to be adopted. The idea of sending their children to any school at a distance from home, was most painful to them; for, besides the general objections which they in common with many conscientious and affectionate parents felt against schools in general, they knew that their children would be exposed to peculiar temptations and trials, on the score of their being of Jewish origin. For whilst, blessed be God! there is now a decidedly improved feeling existing in the Christian Church towards the chosen people of God, which must be looked upon as a sign that the time to favour Zion is come (Ps. cii. 13, 14), and whilst many Christian parents instruct their children to love Israel, yet is it a strange fact, that few persons will treat individuals from amongst that nation as they do other persons, according to their state and character. By some (and that the majority) they are depreciated simply because they are Jews; and by others they are applauded simply on this account: both are decidedly wrong, remembering that "there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek." But whilst it is perhaps well that one should

counteract the other, the parents feared that both might prove injurious to the minds of their children, and especially to that of dear Sarah. It was, however, their humble desire in this as well as in every other matter, to "cast all their cares upon Him who careth for us," and to follow the leadings of Providence.

It was at this time they heard of the school, which had just been opened at Brighton, for the education of clergymen's daughters; and after much prayerful consideration and correspondence with the authorities connected with that establishment, and after Mr. A. having himself been to see it, they resolved on sending their two eldest daughters. On the first of September, 1836, the painful separation took place. The dear children, most fondly attached to their hone, however humble, and who always considered going to school, entirely away from their parents, as a punishment, yet cheerfully submitted to what they believed to be the will of God and the wish of their parents. There were only a few other pupils at St. Mary's Hall when Sarah and Fanny went; and from the kind treatment (which they experienced, they became soon reconciled. Of this the parents were informed a few days after, by the superintending lady, in the following communication:-" I avail myself of a favourable opportunity of sending you a few lines, knowing how glad you will be to hear something of your two dear little girls; and I truly rejoice in being able to give you a good account of them. Nearly the whole of to-day they have been cheerful and happy, and were soon pacified last night. I do not mean to say that they do not feel the separation; but behave sweetly under the trial. Dear ...... sobbed aloud this morning, when in our family prayer I asked for the blessing of God upon all our absent friends. I brought her into my parlour, and she was soon pacified and amused; and I have no doubt but in the course of a few days they will both be interested in their studies, and be quite happy I feel you have left a precious treasure in our hands, which I trust God will enable us to train up for himself. It is a source of comfort to me to think we shall have your prayers."

In a subsequent letter she said, " Although I only wrote to Mrs. A. a few days ago, I think it will be a satisfaction to you to hear again of your dear children before you leave home; I do sincerely rejoice in being able to tell you, that I believe they are really quite reconciled and happy. They often talk of you and mamma, and were very glad to hear this morning of your safe arrival at home, &c. They are sweet affectionate little dears, and I feel sure will soon attach themselves to those about them, if they meet with kindness, which I trust both you and Mrs. A. feel assured they will meet with here. They are very playful and happy when out of school, and very attentive at their classes. I believe you did not place them here without seeking direction, and I do hope and pray that you may find it promote both their spiritual and temporal welfare." During the first year, every account received by the parents from St. Mary's Hall was cheering and satisfactory. Sarah's letters were generally of an interesting nature, marking her progress in grace and in knowledge. She never failed to give an intelligent account of sermons and the periodical lectures delivered at

the school by the indefatigable founder of the institution, and particularly when she had the pleasure of attending any of the missionary meetings. She always related the most interesting particulars which she heard, proving that her mind was engaged and interested. The following may serve as a specimen : "We had a lecture this afternoon on Gen. xlvi. 1-7. Mr. Elliott put the practical question to us, after having beautifully explained the passage, What are we to learn from it? We learn three things: 1, Not to go to any place without asking God's blessing to accompany us; 2, That God loves family worship; 3, That God likes family love." In another letter she said: "Mr. Elliott preached two beautiful sermons last Sunday on Heb. xii. 1, 2. He compared the cloud of witnesses to a great number of birds by which we were encompassed. Do you not think this verse is very much to that effect?

God's witnesses, a glorious host,
Compass us daily like a cloud;
Martyrs and seers, the sav'd and lost,
Mercies and judgments cry aloud.

He strikingly illustrated the expression, 'Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us,' by saying, that when men engage in a game which requires great activity, they take off their clothes that they may be more active in running for the prize; so Mr. Elliott said we should put away everything which hinders us in our way to heaven. In the afternoon he preached to us on the communion of saints, &c." In another letter she said, "Dear Mr. Marsh preached to us last Sunday week from Phil. iv. 7, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, He considered three points: 1, The nature of peace; 2, Its office; and 3dly, The channel through which it flows. He said, The nature of peace was, that it passes all understanding. Its office was to keep our hearts and minds, and the channel through which it flows is Christ, from which channel all good things do flow. The Wednesday after, we had a sermon from the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, from Colossians ii. 8-10, Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.' He began by saying, that man is the noblest part of creation, that he was endowed with an immortal soul, which raises him far above the brute creation. He said that the word 'spoil' there meant, to be robbed as by a thief. We are to take care that we are not robbed of our privileges. He said that philosophy, or wisdom, is a good thing in its place, but it is not to be either put on a par with the Word of God or above it. Philosophy, it is true, is a help to the right understanding of the Scriptures, and there are many things in the Bible which we cannot understand without philosophy; but she is trying to get above the Word of God, and that must be resisted. I am sorry I have not time to give you more particulars of that very interesting sermon. He spoke beautifully on the exaltation of Christ at the right hand of God," &c.

THE PRIEST AND THE MINISTER.

An Historical Sketch, translated from the French.

THE BIBLE.

The Bible says, and I will quote your own authorized translation from the Vulgate, since you have said or insinuated that our Protestant Bibles are falsified,a-it is Bible that says:

your

"The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls; the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones," Psa. xviii. 8. "I have understood more than all my teachers: because Thy testimonies are my meditation," Psa. cxviii. 99.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater,-so shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent," Isa. lv. 10, 11.

"Are not my words as a fire, saith the Lord; and as a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces," Jer. xxiii. 29.

"Jesus answered them-Search the Scriptures, for you think in them to have life everlasting, and the same are they that give testitimony of me," St. John v. 39.

"Father, the words which thou and they have received them, etc. is truth," St. John xvii. 8, 17.

gavest me, I have given to them; Sanctify them in truth. Thy word

"These (the Jews of Berea) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, daily searching the Scriptures, whether these things were so," Acts xvii. 11.

"For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two-edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," Heb. iv. 12.

"The Father of lights-of His own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of His creatures," James i. 18.

Being born again not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible by the word of God who liveth and remaineth for ever," 1 Pet. i. 23.

"You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you take away from it," Deut. iv. 2.

"Add not anything to His (God's) word, lest thou be reproved and found a liar," Prov. xxx. 6.

Priest! it is the Bible, your Bible, that declares these truths, why then do you not believe it? It tells you again and again, “I am the

a The French tract quotes an edition translated from the Vulgate, Brussels, 1700. Here the quotations are from " The Holy Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate, etc., first published by the English college at Douay, newly revised and corrected according to the Clementine edition of the Scriptures, Edinburgh, London and Dublin, Keating, O. T. 1805, N. T. 1818." To the latter vol. are prefixed the approbations of the popish bishops and vicars apostolic in England.

word of God, he that readeth me readeth God." Why then have you denied this, and why did you utter this insult, "Christ has not said, He that reads the Bible reads me?"

Priest! did you honour the word of God when you thus contradicted it? what excuse can you offer?

THE APOSTOLICAL FATHERS.

And have you duly honoured the fathers of whom you so often speak to this people, with such assurance? have you duly honoured them, when you said that the Bible alone is not the rule of faith?

If your words are true, they knew less than you do; for these doctors, these confessors, these martyrs, distinctly deny your assertion. Will you now alter your tone, and say that they were ignorant men, unlearned and unwise or hypocrites, corrupters of the Bible by anticipation; Lutherans, followers of Zwingle or Calvin? Will you assert this of the fathers who for more than four hundred years from the days of the apostles constantly maintained that the Holy Scripture alone is the Christian's rule of faith, and that the Church, (mark this!) that the Church is subject to the Bible, and not the Bible to the Church?

Will you call Tertullian a mere babbler, who says, in reference to the heretic Hermogenes, "Let the school of Hermogenes show that it is written; if it is not written, let him fear the curse directed against those who add or diminish ?b

Was Origen a mere school-boy, who said, "That every sense, which is without the Divine Scripture, however admirable it may appear to some, is not holy, because it is foreign to the Scripture." And," Consider how imminent their danger is, who neglect to study the Scriptures, in which alone the discernment of this matter can be ascertained !c

Were they mere dreamers of dreams, Cyprian, Athanasius, Basil, Ambrose, Cyril, of Jerusalem, and Gregory Nazianzen, who declared to the whole Church that nothing ought to be taught or done which was not agreeable to Scripture; that they were determined neither to hear nor to speak any words but those of the Lord; that the Scriptures are Divinely inspired, and sufficient of themselves to declare the truth; that nothing can be adopted which is not in the sacred book; that it is a falling from the faith, (mark this,) and a crime of the greatest pride, to desire to take away anything from Scripture, or to make any addition to it; that our faith, even in the least of the holy mysteries, has no other proof or support than the Holy Scriptures; and that the Scriptures by right belong to the people at large?d

Were Chrysostom, Jerome, Augustine, visionaries or enthusiasts, who, not troubling themselves about the heresies of their own times, or of those to come, preached, wrote, and published, that every part of the

b Tert. adv. Hermo. (par. 1675) p. 241. This and the other quotations from the fathers which follow will be found with many similar in " A Sketch of the Romish Controversy, by George Finch."

e Orig. 25th Hom. upon Matt. b. x. c. 16 on Romans.

d See Cyp. Ep. 73, 74. Athan. de Incar. Ch. Orat. cont. Cent. Ambros. De Off. min. i. Basil. de Fido, ii. Cyril, Hier. Catech. Myst. iv. p. 56, (Oxon. 1703) Greg. Naz. Orat. xxxii. 595. (1778.)