being interwoven with your daily life. Erase those of the former class, and strive immediately to adopt those of the latter, lest you should incur the guilt of slighting the grace of the HOLY SPIRIT. I need scarcely add that in all doubtful cases it will be your duty to apply

"But about meditation," resumed Mabel, reverting to her one crowning perplexity; "is there no way in which it can be rendered simple to beginners ?"

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Some excellent aids have been recently published, but perhaps you are not far enough advanced for them at present. I will procure one of the best when you are able to use it with profit, and meanwhile I shall suggest the topics, leaving you to make out the heads of reflection, commonly called 'points,' of which three are attached to every meditation. Devote five minutes to each, unless indeed a single aspect of the subject should absorb your faculties to the exclusion of the rest, in which case you need feel no scruple, for you will then have fulfilled the chief end of this sacred exercise."

"May I assist myself by writing out the points beforehand, uncle ?"

"Yes, but they should not be too copious; in other words, you must not be content with reading an elaborate moral or religious essay when the hour of meditation shall arrive.”

"I will be careful in avoiding that extreme," said Mabel; "but will you now give me an example which shall guide me in my own endeavours?"

"I will show you how to frame one for yourself," said Mr. Harland, placing a portfolio before his niece. "Take that verse from the Epistle to the Hebrews which tells us GOD's angels are sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. Copy the passage as a text; then see if you cannot draw thence three trains of thought, either distinct, or flowing naturally from each other."

Mabel possessed that precious talent, the "pen of a ready writer," but indulgence in prolific and unpruned luxuriance had impaired its usefulness and dimmed its lustre. Her letters were in general marked by the easy grace of conversation, but it was far otherwise when she dealt with more abstract themes, requiring condensed, vigorous language. Lilian, with her inferior capabilities, was the skilled lapidary whose office it was to cut and polish the rough gems broadcast on every side by the young prodigal who had not learned to count the

jewels which lay hid in the gold mine of her imagination. Many were the bright images and glowing metaphors; many the lofty aspirations, and, strange though it may appear, the practical reflections, which must have been lost but for the patience of the elder sister. Mabel herself, when in the vein, delighted in revising and correcting with the most consummate care, applying words as delicately as the painter lays colours upon his canvas, until some fugitive poem, or short essay, or stray chapter attained a mosaic finish far surpassing the results of Lilian's toil. Upon this occasion Mabel especially desired to excel, but vainly did she seek to cull out a few prominent images from the many which thronged around her, and fix them upon the paper in terse lucid sentences. According to her usual mode of composition, the essay, lecture, or, as she was often pleased to style it, "sermon," was not designed to be intelligible until after several arrangements of its crude, although costly, materials. Now she sought to economize labour and time, but the wealth of the English tongue appeared unfitted to convey her meaning, and impatiently drawing her pen through several paragraphs, she said, decisively,—

"There is no use in trying, uncle. I could never as a child shine in the art of composition in the class, and this is just on the same principle. The mere notion that you are waiting for me is enough to chase away the ideas."

“What have I said or done to hurry you, my love?" asked Mr. Harland, without raising his eyes from the writing he had placidly resumed.

"Nothing," admitted Mabel, "but I cannot overcome the difficulties of this task. With me the stream of thought always diffuses itself over a broad surface, like the springs which under the Eastern mode of irrigation, overspread wide landscapes with a sheet of silver."

"Only the sheet of silver is composed of a fine net-work of tiny ducts, each flowing in its own appointed channel; and thus, dearest child, shall every divine truth, pondered and made our own, in serious meditation, be to us a precious rill from the River of Life."

In a more docile mood Mabel again took up her pen, while Mr. Harland returned to his lecture on the Brazen Serpent. Gradually, in obedience to the strong will which now asserted its rightful supremacy, the young writer's diffusive energies narrowed and concentrated, until after about an hour had elapsed, she rose, and timidly bending over the Vicar's chair, submitted her outline to his inspection.

Meditation on the Ministry of God's Holy Angels.

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"-Hebrews i. 14.

First Point.-GOD's holy angels are ever around us; our unseen companions, our unwearied guardians. Sharing with us the tie of creation, although not the closer and more blessed union of Redemption, they are yet linked with us in devotion to one common LORD. They scan with wondering eyes that marvellous history, with many passages of which they have been so mysteriously interwoven. They are joined with us even now in adoration; they will be co-inhabitants of the Redeemed in the celestial city.

Second Point. In the spiritual combat, Satan's hosts of fallen angels are arrayed against us, and hence GOD in His mercy sends to our aid the glorious spirits who await to do His bidding. CHRIST is Himself our Shield and our Deliverer, by Whose Name only we obtain salvation, but He has vouchsafed to multiply around us lesser sources of strength, comfort and protection, all alone available through His atoning Blood. Let us then thank Him for the grace of angel ministries, and strive to emulate the fervour, zeal, and purity of our sinless companions.

Third Point. There is angelic work prepared for each of us on earth. Like theirs our office is to whisper consolation, to support the weak, to raise the fallen, to confirm the strong. Like them, too, we must keep watch over innocence, seeking to fill young hearts with images of purity and peace and joy-in a word, to suggest such thoughts of holiness as shall be the best barriers against the entrance of sin. But to fulfil this mission our own life and conversation must be heavenly. We must be members of CHRIST's Holy Church Invisible, not merely of the outer Fold to which we were admitted in our Baptism.

"That is a fair beginning, May Bird," said the Vicar, “and I would have you frequently muse on the last clause. Sin unrepented, and hence unforgiven, is the only barrier which can divide us from fellowship with God's people, but while that holds us enslaved, we may be virtually outcasts, even while admitted to the fulness of all Christian privileges. When our hearts rest with love and peace in the Communion

of Saints, let us remember there must be a ceaseless struggle to attain to real personal holiness if we would have a share therein. Perhaps, my love, this knowledge may above all others influence you individually."

The quick tears started to Mabel's eyes, and she made no direct answer to the remark, but only said,-"One question more, dear uncle; prayer should precede meditation, should it not?"

"There should be a solemn act of recollection that we are in the Presence of GOD, but this, I scarcely need remind you, must accompany all our religious exercises. When your mind has been thus solemnized, say a short Collect (as, for instance, that for the Second Sunday in Advent); or you may even content yourself with the more brief petition-Let this the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.'"

"I suppose one ought to kneel during the whole time?" pursued Mabel, inquiringly.

Certainly, if you can do so without undue fatigue; but it is not essential to a reverent performance of the duty."

"Is there any hour particularly suitable ?" demanded Mabel.

"As early in the day as possible, before the mind becomes entangled in worldly affairs. The evening is especially to be avoided, for the brain and nerves are then over-wrought and enfeebled. When about consigning ourselves to the slumber which has been well called GOD'S nightly image of the sleep of death, our frame of soul should be deeply devotional, yet unattended by mental fatigue. Now you look flushed and weary, darling, so I will say only one thing more. You have repeatedly asked me to train you for a life of pure devotion to God's service, one spent in continual ministrations to His sick and poor. dared not hitherto accede to your request; I may not venture now to make the promise, Mabel, I should not feel justified in doing so till I can mark a great improvement in your character. Should you be spared so long, accept this next year as one of probation, asking humbly for the grace of perseverance, and at its close I will in all faithfulness tell you whether you may yet aspire to such a signal privilege. Now go in peace, and may GOD ever bless you, little

sister!"

Mabel's emotion was too deep for words, on thus even prospectively hearing from Mr. Harland's lips the title which just then no sacrifice would have appeared too great to win. She had knelt to receive the

I

Vicar's benediction, and still lingered for an instant while the old man's hands rested upon her head. Then without trusting herself to reply, she glided through the hall and up the stairs to her own quiet room, unable for the moment to meet even Geraldine and Lilian, whose voices she heard in the distance, blending in the sweet strains of the Introit which had been chosen for the Christmas Feast.1

CHAPTER XV.

THE Christian seasons had once more run their appointed course, and soon Redemption's wondrous story was to be again rehearsed before adoring multitudes in heaven and earth. Easter, Ascension, Whitsuntide ;-each had dawned in its golden radiance, and tenderly melted away into the deep blue of that changeless faith in the eternal Trinity, one GOD of Love, which a Church bard likens to the celestial canopy that overspreads the spiritual universe. Then had appeared Midsummer, in its leafy prime, bespangling field and hedgerow with the coronal-like blossoms of S. John's Wort, the heraldic symbol of its sway. Autumn had next succeeded, amid loud Hosannas of the Angels' Festival, prolonged, throughout the waning season, till they blended with the chorus of All Saints, in mystic unison. And now gentle Advent, with its undertone of warning and expectancy, opened the fair unsullied scroll of a New Year, to be inscribed more legibly each hour in heavenly characters of mercy and forgiveness, until it should reach its full perfection in the Birthday of the Prince of Peace.

It was the night of Christendom's holiest solemnity, and universal gladness reigned throughout the island. The Church of S. Mary had been exquisitely adorned with flowers, and verdure, and illuminated scrolls, in readiness for the late service which was to replace the usual evensong at four. Upon comparing notes after the early dinner at the vicarage, it was found that the young people, including Geraldine, were still far in arrears with Christmas preparations, and that no one was at leisure for a walk to Blue Cam Moor, excepting Mr. Harland. He set out accordingly, laden with gifts entrusted to his care by Mabel, and before reaching Porth Hellick Sands met Dr. Lawson, who was just returning from Dame Rivers' cottage. Tears glistened in the 1 For several practical hints contained in this and the Sixteenth Chapter, author is indebted to the writings and instructions of an English priest. B B

VOL. VIII.