tized worldlings, who, not having received the baptism of the Spirit, (the only true bond of christian union,) have no skill to discover the comparative importance of fundamental life-giving truths, and external lifeless forms. These, eager of course to uphold each their own party, bitterly oppose and condemn those who differ from them; and thus a schism is made-such, for instance, was that concerning Easter and the tonsure."

" and do you

"Still it is a schism," said Barbara ; not think that many of the people of God mingle in these strifes, and so become guilty of schism?"

*

I do," returned Ridley; "but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh.' Who can now trace the beginning and progress of the great falling away,' or tell the bitter fruits of that schism which first made non-essential things, and the commandments of men of moment in the church of God? Yet there is a bond of union between true believers. They have one perfect trust in the Redeemer's merits, one love to all who bear his name, and one earnest thirsting after complete sanctification: and they will come forth at last one even as the Father and the Son are one'' In that multitude whom no man can number, will be some who prayed with liturgies, and some who joined in extemporaneous prayer; some

* 1 Thess ii. 3.

who at baptism were signed with the sign of the cross, and some who left out this not essential form some who acknowledged the authority of bishops, and some who yielded a christian obedience to one order of ministers; but none to whom these things had become a veil with which the god of this world blinded them, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.'

Philip was silenced, but not convinced; or if his judgment told him that his brother was right, his feelings were predetermined to pronounce him wrong. He was not therefore sorry when Ridley's habits of exact punctuality put an end to the conversation, and left him at liberty to pursue his way to Clare Hall, the residence of Mrs. Dalton and her daughter. He was a welcome guest, for he was an eager listener to the strange doctrines which Mrs. Dalton delighted to discuss with him, or to the melodious strains with which Elizabeth (in furtherance of her mother's plan, into which she cordially entered) strove to render his captivity more secure, not indeed to her own charms, but to the charms of that heresy which had supplied words wherewith to accompany her music.

The sound of her harp attracted his ear as he drew near the house, and he entered the room gently,

* 2 Corinth. iv. 4.

afraid of dissolving the spell. Mrs. Dalton was sitting by the fire, deeply engaged with a new book. Elizabeth passed her fingers lightly over the instrument, and sang: Philip could not hear the full burden of her song, but the words Ave Maria were repeated more than once. He was startled-he forgot the solemn melody, and the halo of sanctity with which his imagination had begun to invest Elizabeth Dalton; and when that young lady and her mother observed his entrance, and spoke their customary welcome, he returned their salutation with so much agitation, that Mrs. Dalton imagined her daughter's musical powers had caused his emotion.

"These are beautiful hymns," she said, taking up the book which lay beside Elizabeth's harp; "my daughter received them this morning from a young friend in London."

"Dear Clotilde," exclaimed Elizabeth," she is at least one instance of a truly pious and holy Roman Catholic."

"But does not the hymn which I heard Miss Dalton singing," interposed Philip, timidly, tain idolatrous sentiments?"

rr con

A shade of displeasure gathered on Mrs. Dalton's brow. "Surely, Mr. Seldon," she said, "you do not think I would suffer my daughter to sing anything idolatrous? or that Elizabeth would express

sentiments unfit for the lips of a christian lady. But come," she added, the momentary displeasure passing away, "I see your vulgar' Protestant errors are still too strong for the admission of every branch of Catholic truth. They will, however, gradually give way, and you will cease to count the holy saints and confessors of other days and other lands as idolaters, because they practically prove their belief in the communion of saints. It must be acknowledged that it is a very difficult and trying task, to offer to the blessed saints that invocation which is their due, without encroaching on that worship which we owe to God alone. The blessed Virgin, for instance, is an object of contemplation so full of that which will naturally engage and engross our affections, that, under all circumstances, there is a certain danger; and if she be looked upon as the sole channel of grace, then there is the most imminent danger, lest men allow their thoughts to rest finally on her, rather than, through her, on God. This is of course no reason for neglecting a plain duty, but for performing it with sensitive caution.* Tell me," she continued, "what you mean when you say, 'I believe in the communion of saints?" "

Philip looked puzzled. Passage after passage of scripture rushed into his mind, each of which was * British Critic, Oct., 1841.

:

sufficient to show the idolatrous tendency of Mrs. Dalton's sentiments, though the fear of being called an ultra-protestant, or charged with holding " vulgar” notions, prevented his referring to them and now, in reply to her question, he could have used the words of inspiration" There is one body and one spirit, even so ye are called in one hope of your calling-one Lord, one faith, one baptism ;"* but a secret feeling, that Mrs. Dalton would think scorn of his controversial powers, if he could bring nothing to oppose her arguments but a text, kept him silent, while he mentally sought assistance from Chrysostom, Augustine and Ambrose-all in vain; not a single sentence would come to his aid, and he felt relieved, though surprised, by the entrance of Ridley, which he supposed would spare him the necessity of answering.

There was a distance in Ridley Seldon's manner; a sad, almost stern expression on his countenance as he entered, which added to the embarrassment with which Mrs. Dalton rose to receive him; and Philip, anxious to avoid any reference to Mr. Delany's case, at once proposed to his brother the question which he had left unanswered.

I am a Protestant, Mrs. Dalton," said Ridley, taking his Bible from his pocket," an ultra-protestant perhaps I should say, for the Holy Scripture is to me Ephes. iv. 4, 5.