blindnesss, and hardness of heart. That this awful state may never be your experience, is the earnest desire of your sincere well-wisher,

"ANONYMOUS."

The above letter was enclosed by Mr. D-- in a cover directed to Sir Charles, in which was written a few lines to the following purport, and dated a month previous to his death.

"Behold, my dear friend, the direful effects of seduction. To you indeed I believe the caution is needless: but I have permitted you to see this letter in case you should once more meet the vile Alldash. Show it to him, and oh! impress, if possible, upon his mind the anguish it has occasioned me; an anguish so great, that I would not support it for one hour longer, could I be assured, that death would terminate in annihilation; or that suicide was no crime in the eyes of the Deity."

CHAP. XIX.

The History, of the Warian Family concluded. Mr. Trap's Conduct related, and also the Conduct of the Parish Rector. Some important Reflections occasioned by a sudden Death. The Consolations necessary for the Hour of Afflic

tion.

W

E hope the readers have not forgotten Mr. and Mrs. Warian, and Mr. Trap, but on the contrary, that they wish to know what they were doing all this time, that Sir Charles was occupied in reading the Bible, attending church, and sympathising with his friend Mr. D---.

Mr. Trap was talking nonsense to a crowded audience, the majority of whom, were attracted by motives of curiosity, to hear odd things, which they found it impossible to understand, and Mr. and Mrs. Warian were contenting themselves with a form of godliness, destitute of the power. In this conduct, both parties were injuring the sacred cause of Christianity, and the dissenting interest particularily for numbers affirmed, that all dissenting ministers preached

exactly like Mr. Trap, and numbers believed their affirmation, without giving themselves the trouble to investigate the affair. The religious, and moral interest too, of the small congregation which could properly be termed members of Mr. Trap's meeting were suffering considerably; for they were uninstructed in the chief duties of Christian faith and conversation.

The immoral conduct of some, and the absurd ideas of others, at length became the object of much observation, and attracted the notice of the worthy rector of the parish. It is the duty of all, who are placed in that important station, to watch against errors, and to endeavour to counteract their influence in their own parish, and it is much to be lamented that numbers of parishpriests are deficient in this duty. Not so, the person in question, he was not an unconcerned observer of what was saying in Mr. Warian's barn, and what was doing by many of its frequenters. He resolved to take active measures on this occasion. Now what were the measures he adopted? He preached against the parties, perhaps say some. He made the pulpit resound with invective. He declaimed in the strongest language against schism, fanaticism, and conventicle frequenters. Or, perhaps, say others, he threatened the parties with the secular power, which, if they were not regularly licensed,

might easily be exerted against them. Perhaps, the following preaching-day, he procured a constable to arrest the famous Mr. Trap, and thus expose him to the laugh of his deluded audience. None of these measures were adopted. The pious rector felt too forcibly the true dignity of a church of England pulpit, ever to degrade it by invective, or undue warmth of expression. And he possessed too much Christian love to admit a thought of persecution under any form. Reformation also was his object, and he knew the human heart was not to be convinced by the invective which offends, or the force which it abhors.

Armed with sound arguments, the only weapons he desired on this occasion, and depending upon a blessing he took care to petition for previous to his departure, he set off for the house of Mr. Warian. Our readers have already seen the strength of that gentleman's argumentative powers, and may easily suppose, that he who was not an equal match for the simple-worded Roger Trusty, and the young divine, could not combat the learned and pious rector with the smallest effect. But though it was easy to confute, the good minister found it difficult to persuade Mr. W. to relinquish his opinions, and change his preacher for one more scriptural. Long he pleaded with all the mild, yet zealous eloquence

proper for the occasion, and at length gained only the promise that the old gentleman would consider all he had said, and acquaint Mr. Trap with the subject.

It was fortunate for all parties, that Mr. Trap was a man of penetration, and not disposed to deceive longer than he thought it probable he could do it with effect. No sooner did Mr. Warian inform him of the step taken by the worthy rector, than it instantly appeared to him most desirable to throw aside a mask, which, perhaps, in a few months might be torn forcibly away: for he was aware that a regular license had not been procured for his conventicle. He disguised his sentiments from Mr. Warian, affected great indifference as to what had passed, declared he should still continue his usual style of harangue, and concluded by requesting a great favour of Mr. W. Having, he said, relations in distressed circumstances, he was desirous of rendering them some assistance, which it would be out of his power to do, unless he (Mr. W.) would have the goodness to advance his years stipend. Mr. Warian was easily prevailed upon to comply with this request, and instantly counted out to Mr. Trap eighty guineas, the sum agreed on for the next year's salary.

On the following day Mr. W. called at Mr. Trap's lodgings, and, to his great surprise, was