Wor. Yes; but when they see you a humble penitent, the compassions of the people will be excited, and the reproach cast upon your character will, by degrees, wear off.

Chipm. O Sir! the cruel way in which I treated that worthy man, to whom I was united, after I became connected with Sir Charles, must for ever, have done away all his former friendship and love towards me; the union between me and the best of husbands, is now dissolved; and I am ashamed to bear the name of such a worthy man. And then the scandalous manner in which we were, in a measure driven out of the town, and the disgraceful uproar made throughout the neighbourhood by my vile conduct, shame entirely forbids me to relate. O Sir! I am completely ruined, and must for ever be abhorred by all that ever knew me! But if by taking in needlework, keeping a school, or by going out to any sort of labour, I can but earn myself a morsel of bread, for I was always used to an active life, I shall most thank- . fully and willingly submit to it. Let me now suffer whatever I may; I am sure my punishment, can never equal my ingratitude, and my crimes.

Wor. What then, do you think it would be of no avail, if your father should be written to, informing him, that your connexion with Sir Charles is now at

dogma of barbarians, gloomy and disheartening. The only two books on divinity, therefore, he ever read or admired, were Priestly on Necessity, Matter, and Spirit, the latter book brought things so nearly to his own mind, that there was no existence but that which is material; that he found one step farther, a denial of the doctrine of the resurrection would bring them to the same point; that "death is an eternal sleep." He was highly pleased with the philosophy which taught, that "virtue and probity in private life, is but the habit of actions personally useful;" "that our tongues were only given us to hide the real sentiments of our hearts." And he was charmed beyond any thing, at the sentiments of Volney, "that personal interest is the only and universal criterion of the merit of human actions ;" and as to all chastity, as it respects the marriage contract, he would say, that "modesty in the female sex was but refined voluptuousness, and morals have nothing to fear from the generous passion of love." Such were the adopted sentiments of Sir Charles; no wonder that a man of his vile principles, was so vile in every part of his conversation, and especially since he passed many of his early days in France.

an end? and might he not be a successful advocate with your husband, when he is given to understand, how grieved you are at your past misconduct towards him?

Chipm. I can have no objection, that my dear father and husband should be informed, how much ashamed I am of my most vile and base behaviour towards them. [To Mr. Lovegood.] But dear Sir, if I might, I had rather live on bread and water where I am, than again grieve my dear father and husband by my return; or be removed at a distance from your ministry, by which, through the mercy of God, I have been reclaimed from my most abominable ways!

Wor. Perhaps it will be an encouragement to our worthy Minister, if you tell us how your mind was first impressed when you came to Brookfield church?

Chipm. Sir, I am ashamed to acknowledge, that it was very little more than mere curiosity, which first induced me and Sir Charles to come to Church: and there was a something in the character of Mr. Lovegood, that I could not but secretly revere, yet I confess, that public worship, had before then, been too much neglected by me; and entirely so, when I became connected with Sir Charles.

Loveg. I am afraid then, that a neglect of public worship was one of the causes of your present misfor

tunes.

Chipm. No Sir, when I lived with my father, and even for some time after our marriage, we attended public worship, if not constantly, yet more regularly than most of our neighbours; but with us, public worship had been brought into very general neglect; for we knew nothing of our non-resident Rector, but as he came upon the busines of his tithes; and as for his curate, he was much more noticed for his gaities, than for the conscientious discharge of the duties of his office -O Sir! had we been blessed with such a Minister as I have found in you, I humbly trust I should not have been given over to such a wicked

course! but ah me! I have done the crime that has ruined my happiness, and rendered me completely miserable through life.

Wor. I confess, as you sat at no great distance from our pew, I saw you considerably affected, while Sir Charles appeared not a little irritated, and displeased his behaviour, even at Church, seemed to me to be very disgusting and bad.

Chipm. O Sir! when I first came into Brookfield Church, I was immediately struck with solemn surprise. It appeared to me, as though I had never been at Church before. With us, going to Church was nothing but a matter of form, and the few who did attend, seemed to have little more to do than to display their dress, and settle the visits for the week; but as to real devotion, I confess, I never knew what it meant, until I came into your Church. O Sir ! how I was struck to see a country village attended as on a fair day, by people from every quarter, all occupying their accustomed seats, with so much devotion, decency, and order; and, how I was farther struck, when you, and your large family, and that dear worthy man of God, and his family, followed to complete the most devout and serious congregation, I ever beheld with my eyes.

Wor. But during the time of divine service, what part of it proved the most impressive upon your mind?

Chipm. O Sir! when that awful sentence from the second lesson was read against me, with so much solemnity, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers, God will judge."-What I then felt I cannot express; and it is impossible to tell with what an indignant and contemptuous sneer I was treated by Sir Charles, immediately as he perceived my confusion and remorse.

Wor. No wonder, that a man of his vile character should treat you as he did, under such circumstances. But was there nothing in the sermon, that particularly

impressed your mind? For I think, on that Sunday, our Minister, though not knowing your character, was most providentially led to the choice of a text which was remarkably striking, as being so immediately applicable to your unhappy situation. I think the words were these, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."

Chipm. Sir, immediately as the text was mentioned, I was so remarkably struck, that for a while, in the midst of my confusion, all my recollection failed me; and as soon as I was a little recovered, I heard Sir Charles muttering in my ear the most cruel taunts, and blasphemous invectives, for my weakness and superstition, as he called it. [To Mr. Lovegood.] But O Sir! was it possible for me not to feel, hardhearted wretch as I have been, when you gave such a character of the monster, who could forsake her sucking child, and when that very monster was then before you? [Mrs. Chipman weeps.]

Loveg. We esteem all your tears and sorrows, as a matter of thankfulness before God: while we trust, what you are now led to feel, of the evil and bitter consequences of sin, will prove to your eternal good. But if Sir Charles behaved so cruelly towards you, even when in the Church, I should suppose, when you retired home to your lodgings, his conduct must have been more abundantly cruel and severe.

Chipm. O Sir! it is impossible I could meet with more than I deserved: it was fit that I should reap the fruits of my own misconduct. How could I expect to be served better by him, when I consider how I had served my husband, my babe, my father, and my God! But after we left the Church, he first began more in the way of flattery than abuse; wondering that I was not more upon my gaurd, than to be overcome, as he called it, by the cant of a whining and an artful priest; and that, though I had been exposing him and myself, by suffering my passions to

even for the chief of sinners, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! We have all sinned against heaven and before thee; and instead of being worthy to be numbered among thy children, we humbly acknowledge, how justly we might have been given over to suffer the penalties of eternal death but blessed be God that we have been brought upon our knees in thy sight, that each may cry for himself, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Yea, and blessed, for ever blessed be God, that we are seeking mercy through his atonement, who is "able to save, to the uttermost, them that come to God through him!" And O! most holy Redeemer, thou hast "loved us and given thyself for us;" thy most precious blood is of infinite value for our redemption; thou hast "put away sin the sacrifice of thyself!" and thou hast given us the word of thy promise, that "whosoever cometh unto thee, thou wilt in no wise cast out :" and now with weeping eyes and broken hearts, we humbly cry, Save, O Lord, save us for thy mercies' sake! And in an especial manner behold the poor contrite sinner before thee; till now ignorant of thee; ignorant of the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of her own heart. We lament, how awfully she has been permitted to fall. by the treachery of a vile seducer, and by the corruptions of her own nature. But lo! the poor penitent now humbles herself before thee, and cries, with indignation against herself, "Behold I am vile!" And while she thus repents and abhors herself in dust and ashes, as in thy sight, O thou most tender witness of the weepings and wailings of her broken and contrite spirit, fulfil thy promise; let thy free forgiving love be her portion, and mercifully prevent her from being overwhelmed by the miseries and sorrows of her own mind! Heal the deep wounds which have been made on her heart, by the hateful and deceitful consequences of sin! restore her by thy blessed spirit: imprint thy dear image upon her, and bid her go and sin no more. Let thy most merciful pity be vouchsafed to her