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R. Why, I mean that it is a very sad thing to think how we may be moved by vanity or pride, or some other bad feeling, even in doing our most serious duties; so that, instead of doing them to please God, and to be seen of Him, we come to do them to be seen of men, and to please them; and then, you know, we are only hypocrites. There is a great danger of this.

E. But what must we do to prevent it?

R. We must watch ourselves very closely, and repent of our bad feelings when we find them rising up in our hearts, and be thoroughly ashamed of them; try to root them out, and pray heartily against them. Remember our Lord's warning. "He said to His disciples first of all, Take heed, and beware of hypocrisy" (St. Luke xii.).

E. Oh, Rachel, it would be shocking to be a hypocrite! How shall I keep from that? R. You must turn to Him who gives you the warning, that you may be forgiven for His merits, and purified by His Spirit. He can make us pure of heart. But we may have much need of watchfulness and struggle; and if you receive such a warning as you have just had with pride and anger, how can you hope to be the better for it?

E. Indeed I will try to mind all you say. And I did not mean to complain of Mr. Croft's speaking to me.

R. To be sure not! You may have to bear reproof from people who find fault with you for their own sakes-unjustly perhaps, or, at least, impatiently; but your clergyman finds fault with you for your sake, kindly and thoughtfully.

E. Yes, I know. But then Hannah Milsom looked at me, and looked pleased because I was scolded. She is told so often to pay more attention. I could not bear to see her looking at me.

R. Perhaps you have shewn her that you were proud of doing better than she did; and if so, you cannot so much wonder at her being glad to find you in fault. At all events, if you are really humbled, you will bear her looking at you, or any thing else that is mortifying. The way to judge of your being ashamed and sorry in a right way will be your bearing the blame meekly. I am afraid you have shewn nothing yet to your mother but pride and sulkiness. If your father hears of what has passed, and speaks to you about it, try to listen to him, and answer him as you ought to do. I would not have you forget this fault quickly. If other people, when they see you sorry, forgive you, and treat you as usual, still do you remember it.

E. Yes, Cousin, I will try. I will try to

be meek as you tell me, and humble. And I am very much afraid of what you said just now of being a hypocrite.

R. Therefore you should consider it a real gain to you when your faults are brought to light, and are noticed by your spiritual pastor and by your parents. It is much better than if your faults were taking root in your heart, ready to bring forth bad fruit, but out of sight, and so out of reach of being weeded up.

E. Cannot I get rid of them for myself?

R. You must try, of course, by means of that only help with which you can get rid of them; and you must take thankfully the help of those who are set over you.

E. But can I keep myself from being glad when people praise me?

R. I think you can learn to be afraid, at the same time that you feel pleased by it. You can remind yourself of those thoughts which may keep you from being hurt by it. At your age people are apt to be more particularly eager for praise; by the time you are as old as I am, you will know what it is to be frightened when you are thought too well of. You will be afraid lest your friends. should think you better than you are, instead of praying for you that you may grow better. But I see your mother coming home.

Now is the time to shew that you have fitter thoughts in your mind than you had when she went out.

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Lucy. Father took William to see the sheep-shearing this morning; and he was so pleased.

Rachel. I think the sheep must be pleased to be rid of their coats this warm day.

William. They are gone down now to the Low Farm Meads; there is very good grass there. It is so pretty down in the Meads.

Ellen. I daresay you can go in hay-time; you can ride in an empty waggon.

W. The shepherd's boy is gone down with the sheep, and he will go every day and look after them. If I could but walk,

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