shrunk not from inquiry, but courted it; she anxiously courted it; and was unhappy at its delay. She appealed to it with the most fearless intrepidity. She looked forward to it, if founded on just and equitable principles, with the utmost confidence. She felt well assured, that if justice were administered, her innocence would triumph, and her enemies be overwhelmed.

"But she had not justice; yet she triumphed. For in the midst of the investigation, her vile accusers felt their weakness, and hastily retreated. They had vainly thought, that the people of Christiana would have lent their aid. But the people, at least, nine-tenths of the people, viewed the proeeedings with the utmost abhorrence; as an outrage on all justice, humanity, and religion.

"Never was more done on the one part, to disgrace, and on the other, to honour, a nation, since the world began. For never was there at the same time, so remarkable a display, of the very worst, and the very best of passions that can exist in the breast. If there was deep malignity to destroy the innocent, there was also manly indignation, to frown it into shame.

"But the support, the sympathy, the affection of the people, could not ultimately avail to protect the injured. Persecution was leagued with power, and it still raged with malignity; whilst Matilda's frame had

received a shoek, from her unparalleled sufferings, which was rapidly hastening the period of her dissolution. She was hunted, she was perseuted to death. The barbarous malignity that had pursued her for years, preyed upon her vitals, and burst her heart, "Yet it was an enviable death; peaceful and tranquil, hopeful and happy. She was winging her flight from the fangs of demons, to join the society of angelic beings, She was leaving a world where injustice had assailed her, to appear before the bar of the all-righteous judge. She was therefore, serene and happy, cheerful and transported. And as her spirit took its flight to the heavenly mansions, she appealed to God for her innocence, while here on earth. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

per

“Here, at least, Philander, it might have been expected, that the enmity of her secutors would have entirely ceased. But, no; it was not yet satiated, and it would have its fill. They would have insulted her corpse; would have prevented the least expression of public feeling, as a tribute of respect. Poor, paltry, pitiful resort! the last resort of infernal malignity, writhing in its expiring tortures, for want of a victim to gorge its appetite.

"But the noble-minded people of Christiana, would not be deprived of so dear, though sorrowful, a consolation. Rather

would they have perished in her eause, and, mingled their ashies with those of her own. Over her bier did they shed the tears of heart-felt sorrow; in their inmost souls did they embalm her memory, never to be forgotten, while existence shall last.

"Generous and noble people! you will have your reward. You have defended, you have succoured, you have comforted, the oppressed. The blessing of God will rest upon your heads. And hereafter will you be greeted, with the soul-transporting welcome, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, For in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

"Thus, Philander, ended the unfortunate, the injured Matilda; and such was the scene which thou hast just witnessed." "Oh, heavenly Genius, exclaimed Philander, what shall I say! how give vent to my full heart! which by turns is agitated by the most conflicting passions; love and admiration, hatred and abhorrence. What a creature is man! To what a height of dignity may he not ascend! To what a depth of debasement may he not fall! With what radiant colours did the moral character appear in the generous and intrepid friends of Matilda! How was it dishonoured and debased in her malignant enemies and persecutors!

Cruel and barbarous wretches! to persecute a human creature, and a rooman, in so infamous a manner!”

But knowest thou not Philander, replied the Genius, that those of whom thou thus speakest, were Christians?”

"Christians! rejoined Philander, with atter astonishment. Christians! didst thou say? Oh, no, no; impossible! Christians do not trample upon holy vows; do not hate, malign, and persecute, Oh, heavenly Gemius, it cannot be; impossible!

"When their word has passed their lips, it iş inviolable and sacred. When the name of God has been invoked to sanction it, they would deem it impiety and blasphemy, to trample it in the dast. They do to others, as they would that others should do to them. They love each other as brethren. They seek each other's good, in preference to their own. They study continually to promote happiness. They neither speak evil of one another, nor think evil of one another. Rejoicing not in iniquity, they rejoice in the truth. They freely forgive each other, as they hope to be forgiven. That mercy that they would receive from God, they readily and cheer fully shew to men. Love, with them, is the sum and substance of all; the fulfilling of the law, the bond of perfectness; their creed, their practice, their spirit; assured, that he that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

It therefore could not be, that the Persecutors of Matilda were Christians; any more than evil could be good, or darkness light. They have trampled upon Christianity, and outraged all its precepts.”

"True, replied the Genius; most true: but still they were Christians by profession. Nay, some of them were even deemed, the very pillars of the Church; and others, no doubt, fondly thought themselves the folTowers of Clarist. But they were deceived; were under a delusion, that led them into sin. The god of this world had blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; so that they knew not where they went, or what they did; that they were violating the christian precepts, and dishonouring the christian name; that they were crucifying their Master afresh, and putting him to open shame, in the face of the world.

Even admtiting that Matilda was guilty; by retainingthe proceedings instituted against her, they most openly condemned the example of their Saviour. He was appealed to by a set of adulterers, to judge an adulteress, taken in the fact. There could be no 'doubt whatever of her guilt: yet, he judged her accusers, and overwhelmed them with shame. "He that is without sin among you, said he, let him first cast a stone at her." They retired, we are told, from his pre sence, convicted in their own consciences; leaving the poor unfortunate object behind them, to his more merciful treatment: when,