INTRODUCTORY SKETCH.

AFTER the last conversation mentioned in the preceding pages, Mrs. Aberley wrote to her son, and prepared to follow him immediately to Scotland, should his answer confirm Gertrude's information respecting the motives which induced him so unexpectedly to leave London. Before Mrs. Aberley received his answer, however, she was called upon to witness a scene which powerfully convinced her of the insufficiency of her own religious principles to support an immortal soul in the prospect of death and eternity. Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Ashton, was taken alarmingly ill; and when, at her own request, informed by her physicians of the truth, which was, that though they did not consider her danger immediate, they had no hope of her recovery, the appalling effect on her mind of this certain and near approach of death was too powerful to be concealed. The thought of entering, perhaps unprepared, into the presence of God, and into a

state of being which must endure to eternity, whatever was her doom, overcame all those other most painful thoughts attendant on the death-bed of a mother leaving a family of orphans. Mrs. Ashton's religious opinions, and those of Mrs. Aberley, had been nearly the same. Charles Ashton had indeed succeeded in leading his mother to adopt some opinions more scriptural than those she formerly had entertained: yet she had not really abandoned that system of religion on which she placed her hopes of heaven; and, though she rejoiced in her son's reformation, and attended whatever church he wished, yet this proceeded more from a desire to indulge him in any way which tended to cherish those principles which produced such effects, than from any con. viction of the superior efficacy of those principles.

Mrs. Aberley now attempted to give that comfort to her sister which she herself supposed would arise on a death-bed, from the recollection of a life of amiableness and respectability; but she saw that Mrs. Ashton listened without receiving a ray of consolation or pleasure from any thing she said. On the contrary, if Gertrude ventured to make a remark, her aunt seemed to feel it deeply, as undeniable truth. Mrs. Ashton indeed clung to Gertrude, whose humble and simple views and expressions on religious subjects were more effectual in overcoming the

gloom of her mind, than the deeper and perhaps more elevated views of her son. Gertrude's society became absolutely necessary to her aunt; while Mrs. Aberley perceived, that, though she did not exactly say so, her sister regarded her as one who, like herself, knew little of that religion which prepares and emboldens the soul to meet its God. This, joined to letters she received from Edward, confirming all that Gertrude had told her respecting him, led Mrs. Aberley to begin, with very deep interest, that examination of Scripture she had proposed. During her sister's illness she went to no parties, and gave none and much of the time which was not spent with her interesting young family, was devoted to the study of the Bible, and in prayer to God for assistance to understand it. The truth gradually dawned on her mind, and became more and more clear as she proceeded in her search. She perceived that her chief errors had arisen from ignorance of those truths so strongly expressed in Scripture;-the natural alienation of the affections from God; and the method God had appointed to do away that alienation, and reconcile the heart to himself. Ignorant of those truths, she had been labouring, with this alienated heart, to fulfil her task of duties, in the hope, perhaps undefined, of propitiating that Being whom she supposed she loved, not because, as with other objects of love, it was her delight

to seek His presence, and her chief joy to have communion with him; but because loving God was one of those many things which every per son knew to be right, and one of those conditions, on the fulfilment of which she hoped to be entitled to heaven. She now perceived that she did not love God in the Scripture sense, and that, in reality, she knew not Christ-in short, that her religion and that of the New Testament were totally different. There, Christ was all; in her religion, Christ was distant and unknown. There, he was the only way to the Father; the Mediator between God and man; the propitiation for sin; the High Priest in heaven, who continually interceded for his people; the Advocate with the Father; he who made reconciliation between the soul and God; he, whom true believers loved with joy unspeakable, with such love as led them to long for death, that they might depart and be with Him. Of such faith in Christ, or love to Him, Mrs. Aberley acknowledged to her own mind she knew nothing; and, consequently, that she was ignorant of, and not reconciled to that God who can only be approached through Christ. These were painful and humbling convictions; but Mrs. Aberley was really searching for truth, and she persevered the more earnestly in her search, on discovering that she had, while supposing herself acquainted with the Scriptures, been almost ignorant of

hem.

She now also frequently met with Mr. Percy in her sister's sick-room. Charles Ashton had prevailed on his mother to see Mr. Percy, n the hope that he might lead her mind to brighter views. But a death-bed is not often the ime when instruction can be received. Mrs. Ashton was unable at times, from illness, to atend to Mr. Percy; and, indeed, was always so weak and languid, that his visits flurried and discomposed her, even when most anxious to see him; and she often derived more benefit from what he had said, when repeated to her afterwards by Gertrude, than from his personal instructions. Mrs. Aberley, however, listened with earnest attention, and joined in his prayers. She also attended his church with Mrs. Ashton's young family, and with Anna; and gradually the way of peace with God, declared in the Gospel, opened on her mind with clearness and conviction. She thankfully and joyfully acquiesced in the plan of salvation made known there, as a manifestation of the wisdom and love of God, and as entirely suited to the wants of her soul; and she at least wished to receive Christ as her all, and to resign herself wholly to the guidance of his word and Spirit.

Anna, during this period of her aunt's last illness, was at times very miserable. Ignorant on the subject of religion, and not of a character to examine any subject with calm attention; yet sensi