er try to pry into things which God has not made known; but always be satisfied to believe just what he says in the Bible, whether we can comprehend it or not.

But, as I was going to say, some true piety still existed in Italy. In the Eastern church, religion was very low. The forms of public worship were maintained; but divisions, heresies and immoral practices very generally prevailed. Yet, occasionally we catch a gleam of light; which shows that the Lord Jesus still had some faithful witnesses. In Arabia Felix, many Christians lived under a king called Donnouas or Dunaan, a Jew, who pretended to be the Messiah, or Christ. This cruel man commanded them all to turn Jews; and those who would not, he threw into pits full of fire.

Elizabeth. O how could any man be so cruel!

Mother. This man only acted out the natural enmity of the unrenewed heart against the Gospel of Christ. All sinners, whose hearts have not been changed by the Holy Spirit, have the same disposition, and would act it out, if God did not prevent them. In the year 522,

this wicked king besieged Negra, a town inhabited by Christians. By swearing to save their lives, he prevailed upon them to give up the city. When he got possession of the town, he broke his oath, burnt the ministers alive, and cut off the heads of the people.

Samuel. O what a wicked wretch, to break a solemn cath, and kill the people so horribly! Didn't he get punished afterwards?

Mother. Yes, my son, the next year the Lord sent Elesbaan king of Abyssinia, against him, who made war upon him, and killed him. We have evidence of true piety among these people, for they suffered death rather than renounce Christ.

QUESTIONS.

What is a church? Could either the Eastern or Western Church lay any claim to the character of a church, after the final establishment of Popery? Who reigned in Africa, near the close of the 5th Century? How did he treat Christians? What is the meaning of orthodox ? Is is right for the government to force the people to receive any particular creed or system of religion? Why do some men wish to persuade others to believe as they do? Did the African bishop obey Thrasamond? Is it our duty to obey our rulers? In what cases are we justified

in disobeying them? What interesting particulars can you relate of the life of Fulgentius? How should we behave towards those who injure us? If we seek to be revenged on them, what commandment do we break? In what case has a person a right to defend himself from the violence of others? What is patience? Is it right to complain of any thing that happens to us? Who directs all things? What particulars can you relate respecting the affairs of the Western Church, at this time? Was it right for men to shut themselves up in monasteries, as they did in those days? What lesson does the example of Christ and the Apostles teach us in this respect? Is it right for children or grown people to be running out of church during service? What sin do you commit when you think about something else while singing or at prayer? What is a Trinitarian? What is the doctrine of the Trinity? What was now the general state of religion in the Eastern Church?

CONVERSATION II.

Affairs of the Church from the beginning of the reign of Justinian to the end of the Century.

Samuel. Well, mother, will you tell us more about the church, this evening?

Mother. Yes, my son; I am glad that you are not tired with the subject. After the death of the emperor Justin, which took place in the year 527, his nephew Justinian, became emperor of the East. He was forty years old, when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-nine years. This prince made a great show of religion but he knew nothing of its life and power upon his own heart. He was temperate in his private life, and employed much of his time in religious acts and ceremonies. He honored monks, and built splendid churches. He estab lished monasteries, and was exceedingly liberal

in supporting the clergy and public worship. He engaged actively in public affairs, through a long life; and scarcely ever gave himself time for recreation. He spent much time in studying the doctrines of Christianity, and for the greater part of his life, supported the truth. But he was the slave of superstition and avarice. He sold the government of the provinces for gold; and encouraged the vilest of characters in their wickedness, in order to get a share of their gains.

Elizabeth. Why, how could such a man pretend to be a Christian ?

Mother. Just as many people now deceive themselves by thinking they are Christians, while they are slaves to the vilest passions. In the life of this emperor, we see what a miserable shell the profession of Christianity is, without its spirit. He tried to force others to embrace Chistianity, while its precepts had no purifying effect upon his own heart. He directed what the bishops and people should believe, and tried to make all believe alike. The consequence of these measures was, that divisions and contentions multiplied; superstition and formality took