deep root, to spread widely, and to bear much fruit over a varied tract of country. In high places, in the cathedrals and parish-churches, all went on as usual. Images were set in every niche, tapers lighted before their shrines, votive gifts suspended round them; and all the services of the Romish ritual duly celebrated. Here, at stated hours, sate the priest in the confessional, ready to dispense absolution to sinners on the accustomed terms: there hung the pix, over the high altar, containing a wafer, to which the special adoration due to Saint Sacrament' might always be directed: there the mass was sung, the censer smoked, the holy water flew right and left, sprinkled by the hand of priestly benediction and there, at the accustomed seasons, appeared the reigning compte, with his knights, burgesses, vassals, and a goodly assemblage of worshippers, all devoutly engaged, so far as externals went, in worshipping they knew not what. No doubt, many prostrated themselves there who secretly held a purer faith; and who, if any of the rulers had openly professed a scriptural belief in Christ, would gladly have acknowledged him too,—but of these we cannot speak, otherwise than by a reference to our Lord's emphatic warning, "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven: but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

There were some who thus openly confessed their crucified Lord, and they were numerous. These gave no heed to the noisy chimes that summoned them to a strange worship: they passed by the open doors of each conspicuous temple, rendering no homage to the idol crucifix, taking no notice of the consecrated water,

muttering no prayer to departed saints, nor deeming that aught of holiness belonged either to the building or to any of the uses to which it was applied. Quietly they pursued their way, the father with his matronly partner on his arm, the brother leading the sister, and the little ones of the household treading with subdued looks in the foot-prints of those who preceded them. We may follow them, as they pass along, now jostled by the giddy group who are hurrying to come in for a share of the unmeaning services that speak neither to the heart, nor to the conscience, nor to the understanding; nor can exert the slightest influence either of direction or restraint, over the course of their wasted livesnow smiled upon by a passing friend, who knows and respects their scriptural principles, but lacks courage to turn and accompany them,-now greeted by the whispered blessing of a neighbour, who hopes ere evening's close to swell the hymn of praise that will issue from their lips. On they go, grieving over the desecrating frivolities, or the eager spirit of worldly business, that perpetually break down the barriers placed by the Lord around his day of rest; and which, strong as adamant, in the view of a believer, are regarded by the disciples of Rome as cobweb threads, intrusively thrown across their path.

Our Albigensic patriarch has now conducted his little party beyond the utmost boundary of the village town; and very lovely is the landscape that opens to their eye, resting in that sweet Sabbath repose which is breathed upon it neither from the skies above, nor from the earth beneath, but from the heart of him who contemplates it through the medium of a divine ordinance. The sunbeam seems to fall more broadly, the trees to spread more gracefully their welcome shade. The

hills rise, as if aspiring to an altitude that should bring them nearer heaven; the little flowers deck the earth as though to brighten her Sunday robe; and the streamlet as it murmurs by speaks of the bounteous hand that bade it gush for man's refreshment. Far as the eye can reach, the vineyards stretch along the hilly slope, spreading their clusters to the ray; and then, on the other side, a strip of level land is covered with verdant pasturage, where the flock and the herd browse unmolested, and for a time unwatched; for the shepherd boy has asked and gained a few hours' holiday, not that he may join in the gambols of some thoughtless group, intent only on making themselves merry, but because he loves the company of those who forsake not the assembling of themselves together for purposes congenial to the hallowed season.

Down in yonder shaded nook, where the broad chesnut spreads his venerable branches, and forms a graceful canopy, an open shed stands, lightly thatched, and forming a shelter, in the grape season, for some of the operations connected with that branch of agriculture. Here, on seats as rustic and as various s could well be collected together, are placed a number of females of every age, generally, though not exclusively, of humble station, who wait in sober silence, or in pleasant converse on holy subjects, the completion of their party. Men, youths, and boys are scattered about; some seated on the ground, some leaning against the light pillars of the shed, others pacing the green sward, in quiet, yet animated discourse on the things that belong unto their peace. Our pedestrians take their accustomed station, and shortly after their arrival appears the pastor of the expectant flock. He has no robing-room, no sacristy, to screen his mysterious preparations for the office

whereunto the Lord hath called him. Clad in the simplest habiliments of a travelling dealer in miscellaneous wares, with manners as artless as his apparel is unstudied, and wearing as his only badge of office, that crown of glory which a hoary head found in the way of righteousness confers on its possessor, he advances with looks of beaming affection, and gives the salutation of "Peace be to you," which every heart and every tongue re-echoes with an application to himself.

He has been on an embassy, through many leagues of territory, bartering his simple wares, and using the opportunities thus obtained for speaking the gospel of the grace of God in many a mansion where such language was never heard before. He has trod the stately halls of the proud Chateau, and while his fabric of home-made lace attracted the eye of the courtly dame, he has filled her ear with sounds most strangely new ; even that God so loved the world as to give his own Son, to die for sinners like her; and that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from ALL sin ;" and on that mighty "all" he has expatiated, until the pilgrimages and penances, and purgatorial fires of Rome's lucrative fable seemed as,-what they are a mocking lie, to cheat the soul of its free and full salvation. Many a sweet tale has the missionary pedlar to tell, of " seed sown in desolate places; " and then they all kneel down, and pray to Him that sitteth in the heavens, that He will cause the gentle dew of His spirit to fall, and fertilize the ground, until plants arise, and fruit appear, to His glory.

After this, songs of praise are sung: confession of sin is made to Him who " willeth not the death of a sinner ;" and many a sob of repentance is turned into the prayer of believing hope, as the sure word of promise

is dwelt upon, and its balm applied to the wounded conscience. They strengthen themselves in the Lord ; they build themselves up on their most holy faith; and with eager delight they listen to the well-worn manuscript again produced for their edification, where a portion of the inspired word was inscribed by the hand of a faithful copier, who found the original document becoming illegible from constant use. This leads to exhortation, founded on the word; and again they pray, again they join their voices in a chorus of praise, that the little hills around them seem delighted to adopt, re-echoing it in half-breathed echoes of their own. Much is said of the evils among which they dwell; much of the wolfish character of some who assume the clothing of sheep. Words of warning are spoken to the young; words of encouragement to all.

Perchance even in that little congregation some unsuspected traitor might lurk, taking heed to what was said, not for his soul's profit, but for the destruction of his companions. Some there might also be, as yet sincere in their profession, who would, when the storm fell upon them, flee from the sheltering Rock to rest on a fleshly arm, and perish. But to the Searcher of hearts alone, were the hearts of the little assemblage laid open only the eye of Omniscience could descry their future path; and as they separated, to wend in groupes, or singly, along the diversified paths of that sunny landscape, they looked as peaceful, and as fearless of approaching harm as the quiet goats that browsed on the hill-side, and scarcely raised an eye to glance at the approaching way-farers.

They passed a stone cross, rudely constructed, perhaps, with its attendant niche for the statue of the Virgin. No hat was raised, no head or knee was