wards the good order of the town as your Gospel plan. Only ignoble minds are influenced by the fear of punishment, and hope of reward. I will teach them to love virtue for her own sake, and to esteem the consciousness of having performed a worthy action reward sufficient. Mr. D--- has kindly undertaken to assist me in this matter; he will occasionally deliver a moral lecture. Don't erroneously suppose, Roger, that Heathens knew nothing of morals; I will lend you a book penned by Seneca, which contains some of the finest moral sentences extant."

"Pray, sir," said Roger, "when did this Mr. Seneca live?"

"He lived," answered his friend," in the days of the tyrant Nero, and was by him cruelly put to death; for no other reason but because he was wise and virtuous."

Roger now appeared wrapt in profound meditation: he paused for a few moments, and then striking his stick on the ground, he lifted his eyes up to Sir Charles, and with the importance of one who had just made a new discovery, observed--" Then, sir, I don't wonder that this gentleman wrote such good morais, for the apostle Paul lived in those days, being put to death also by that cruel tyrant; and most likely they were acquainted. If any other wise gentleman before. that time wrote about moral virtues, I wish you

would take the trouble to compare them with Mr. Seneca's, and if you find his the best; surely then, sir, you will give Christianity the credit of it."

Sir Charles smiled. "You must not, Roger," said he, "call Seneca Mr. nor were the wise philosophers of antient times denominated gentlemen. He is called Seneca.

“I was willing to speak respectful of him, sir," replied Roger, "as you gave him so high a character; indeed I like to speak respectful of all, both good and bad. I thought none but gentlemen wrote books; 'tis a marvel to me then how they came by their learning."

As Sir Charles did not think it necessary to enter upon a literary debate with Roger, nor to explain to him the antient style of epithets and avocations, he took his leave, and left him as ignorant as ever on this subject. Each party separated, possessed of the same sentiments as when they met. Yet Sir Charles had not a contemptible opinion of Roger Trusty's understanding; he thought he argued well on the principles he had adopted; but those principles he believed to be false in their nature, consequently the conclusions drawn from them to be erroneous. He resolved to take an early opportunity of waiting upon Mr. Warian respecting the purchase of the land; and as he intended to make

advantageous proposals, he entertained few doubts, from that gentleman's known character, of success.

Roger spent a more melancholy evening, than he had done for many years. He repeated the conversation that had passed between Sir Charles and himself to his wife, who ever sympathized in his cares, both of a spiritual as well as temporal nature. They sat conversing on the subject till the hour of rest arrived, when they committed their respected friend, and the cause he had undertaken, to the protection and blessing of that all-wise Being, who has the hearts of all in his hands, and who "ordereth every thing according to the wise counsel of his infinite understanding."

CHAP. V.

Sir Charles makes Proposals on a Matter of great Importance to a Gentleman of the Name of Warian. Legal Preaching, and Female Influence described. A Dissenting Minister undertakes to converse with Mr. D--. Some Remarks on the Temerity of the Undertaking.

IR Charles took an early opportunity of

SIR

waiting on Mr. Warian. He represented to that gentleman, in glowing colours, the utility which he conceived would result from the proposed scheme of establishing a manufactory; taking care at the same time to conceal his own views upon religious instructions, least that circumstance should throw impediments in the way of the wished-for purchase. Mr. Warian listened with profound attention; but he was not one who decided very hastily on matters of importance; he dismissed Sir Charles with many professions of good wishes for the success of the undertaking, and said he would consider of his request respecting the land. Sir Charles willingly took leave, glad to escape from an

interview, in which he expected to encounter a long puritanical harangue of good counsel and advice. He was indeed a little disappointed, that proposals so advantageous, and addressed to the weak part of Mr. Warian's character, were not immediately accepted, but he doubted not that reflection would favour his wishes. The emotions which Sir Charles's visit raised in the mind of Mr. Warian were various and conflicting. Avarice whispered accept the terms, and suffer the meeting to be pulled down. Reputation replied; what, sully your Christian profession, and give the world liberty to say, that gain is, in your eyes, more profitable than godliness. Avarice again whispered, cannot you persuade your friends to suppose that you have changed your religious sentiments, and now see beauties in a form of prayer, and the church service, which you never before discovered? Pride made answer, I cannot make such an acknowledgment, after all I have advanced to the contrary: and Suspicion added, nor would it be believed if you did. And what said principle and conscience? enquire those, who think a professor of the Gospel should appeal to those high tribunals. Alas! that truth should warrant us to say, that professors of the Gospel are to be found who seldom appeal to those authorities, and such was Mr. Warian.

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