shores of Keswick Lake. But before I communicate to my reader the process of reasoning by which these estimable persons came to the conclusion that they ought to admit the acquaintance of their fashionable neighbours,-at the same time within the strict limits of christian principle,-I should mention to him the origin of it.

The introduction of the two gentlemen to each other took place at the quarter sessions: both of them being in the commission of the peace for the county of Cumberland. As magistrates, therefore, for the county, they were frequently called upon to act together, as well on the bench, at the more public quarterly meetings, as more privately in petty sessions. Thus brought into contact in the first instance, not by inclination, but by the accidental concurrence of official duties, and living within two or three miles of each other's residence, an interchange of visits seemed almost a natural consequence. The gentlemen having exchanged cards and mutual civilities, the ladies followed, as a matter of course, the example of their liege lords. In this way was formed an acquaintance, the propriety of keeping up which occasioned, afterwards, much anxious consideration on the part of the conscientious owners of Derwent Cottage.

It may be mentioned, also, that besides the inducements to a social intercourse, to which the circumstance just alluded to gave rise, the son of Mr. Stately was at the same school with the two sons of Mr. Gracelove, between whom, during the holidays, an occasional meeting had taken place. Indeed, the latter had been, on one occasion, invited to the Hall, for the mutual gratification of the three boys; as young Stately, having no brother, was thrown on the resources of others for his amusements.

After a certain period, however, had elapsed from the first introduction of the two families to each other, affording

thereby a knowledge of the worldly-mindedness and gay propensities of the inmates of Stately Hall, it became a grave subject of deliberation with the owners of the cottage how far they were justified in continuing the acquaintance.

The momentous question put by the apostle, and in part already stated-" What communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" produced a serious discussion at the cottage as to the position in which they stood, and the risk they ran of compromising their principles. For though the proprietors of Stately Hall were not infidels by name or declared sentiment, though they attended the services of the church, and outwardly acknowledged the doctrines of Christianity, yet the practical tendency of their lives seemed to belie the profession thus outwardly made.

On consulting further those divine records from which alone our christian friends drew their rules of conduct, they met with various passages that appeared to warrant them, within certain obvious limits, in still continuing the connexion; under the hope of being instrumental in effecting, if not a reformation of their neighbours, at least an approximation to it. Among the number were the following,-“ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." "As we have, therefore, opportunity, let us do good unto all men." "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."†

Now it was quite evident that these injunctions could not be obeyed by refusing to hold intercourse with the objects of James v. 19, 20.

* Gal. vi. 1—10.

them, and by withdrawing altogether from their society. They called to mind, also, the still more powerful reasoning of the great apostle of the Gentiles, where he says,-" Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some." * The gracious prayer of the blessed Saviour for the disciples He was so soon to leave was present also to their remembrance, in which our adorable Redeemer says,-"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." +

After much earnest prayer to God for the guidance of his Holy Spirit, in a matter presenting so much difficulty, first, as to the correctness of the principle itself, and next, as to the best mode of carrying it out in practice, it was decided that the family should keep up their acquaintance with the Statelys, but in such a way as neither to participate in their gaieties, nor take any part in those worldly amusements of which they could not but sincerely disapprove.

It was settled, therefore, that Mr. and Mrs. Gracelove should not refuse an invitation to the Hall when the family were quite alone, and when the opportunity would be offered of "casting their bread upon the waters;" knowing that, under the blessing of God, it would be "found after many days."

And now, at the hour appointed, Mrs. Stately made her appearance in an elegant close carriage, attended by two footmen in livery. After the usual salutations had passed between 1 Cor. ix. 20-22. ↑ John xvii. 15.

her and the fair hostess, the lady proceeded at once to explain the object of her visit. My dear Mrs. Gracelove," she said, "I have done myself the pleasure of calling on you for the purpose of inviting you and Mr. Gracelove to a dance, which I am going to give at Stately Hall. While I am quite anxious that you should be present at the party, I have felt that I dare not trust to a written invitation, in consequence of an apprehension that, differing, as I fear we do, on some points as regards the lawfulness of certain amusements, which, for my own part, I hold to be quite innocent, my invitation might have failed of success. I am come, therefore, with a personal entreaty that you will honour my soirée dansante with your presence."

'I cannot but feel obliged to you," replied Mrs Gracelove, "for the kind motive which has induced you to call rather than to write, with the hope of affording me a gratification; but I must frankly as well as respectfully acknowledge, that you are quite right in the apprehension you entertain as regards the difference existing between us on certain topics, of which dancing is one."

"And do you, indeed, esteem it an unlawful amusement ?" said Mrs. Stately. What a sinful generation must we then be, for every one dances who is young; while those who have ceased to be so, sanction the practice as admiring spectators."

"I readily grant," observed our fair objector, "that the world, both in this and in many other much graver instances, gives its unqualified approbation where an infinitely higher authority denies its sanction-nay, utters its solemn denunciation. We read, my dear madam, in that sacred book whence alone I draw my rules of action, and which we are all bound implicitly to obey, the following startling declaration,"That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination

in the sight of God." himself."

These were the words of Christ

"Having appealed to Scripture," responded the lady of fashion," which I trust we all acknowledge, you will, of all persons admit, as is most evident, that we cannot argue the question on a more solid basis. To be very candid with you, then, I will confess that I have, within the last few days, been consulting the sacred volume in strict reference to this very subject, and with the view of anticipating the objections which I apprehended you might entertain. What will you then say," she continued, "if I prove from the divine records themselves the truth of my position, that dancing is a perfectly lawful recreation ?"

"I rejoice sincerely," rejoined Mrs. Gracelove, "to find that you rest the decision of the question on testimony so unimpeachable, because infallible; and shall listen with the deepest respect to any proof proceeding from such a source."

"What answer, then, will you make," continued the fair interrogator, drawing a paper from her reticule, on which were inscribed some notes, to the passage contained in the sixth chapter of the second book of Samuel, where King David is represented as dancing before the ark? Or what response will you make to the instance recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Exodus, where it is stated—' And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances ?""

66

My reply," answered Mrs. Gracelove, opening her Bible, 66 is a very short one, and to my own mind most conclusive, namely, that both the instances you have cited were altogether religious ceremonies, and can, in no possible way, apply to your argument; unless you are prepared to say that the

* Luke xvi. 15.