Elizabeth. Mother, I have often thought of that, when I have heard members of the church talking about other members, and telling over all their faults. I wonder how they can get along with their consciences.

Mother. It is greatly to be lamented that this practice so generally prevails among professors of religion. It is a great sin, and I have no doubt that the frown of God often rests upon the church on account of it. But when we listen and appear pleased to hear one person speak evil of another, we become partakers of his sin. By frowning upon such conversation, and manifesting our displeasure, we might prevent it. In the year 616, John left Alexandria, for fear of the Persians. Soon after, he died in Cyprus, in the same spirit in which he had lived. The same year, Chrosroes, the haughty king of Persia, conquered Alexandria and Egypt. Heraclius saw that his empire was going to ruin, and desired peace. The haughty tyrant told him that he would never make peace with him till he would renounce Christ, and worship the sun. There was very little difference in the moral characters of these two wicked men.

But the king of Persia was a bold blasphemer of the living and true God, while Hereclius confessed his name, and honored him with his lips. God confounds his open enemies in the face of all mankind. If you will turn to the 18th and 19th chapters of 2d Kings, you will find a remarkable instance of this.

Samuel. O yes, mother, I remember all about it. The wicked king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh to Hezekiah, king of Judah, to blaspheme the name of God, and set him at defiance. But Hezekiah prayed to God, and he sent his angel in the night to the camp of the king of Assyria, and killed one hundred and eighty five thousand of his men. But Hezekiah was a good man;

it seems to me the cases are not alike.

Mother. If you will read these chapters with attention, you will see that it was not for Hezekiah's sake, that the Lord wrought this wonderful deliverance; but on account of his own glory.

The Lord regards the arrogance and rage of this man as directed against himself. He says to him," Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come into mine ears, therefore will

I put my hook in thy nose," &c.* However, the arrogant and blasphemous conduct of the Persian king roused the spirit of Hereclius, and God gave him wonderful success. He gained

repeated victories over the king of Persia, and took from him most of his kingdom. After this, like Sennacharib, he was murdered by his own son. After this period, there is scarcely any thing worth relating in the history of the Eastern church. It was overrun with divisions and false doctrines. The bishops of Constantinople and most of the emperors embraced the prevailing errors. Here and there, individuals. rose up in defence of the truth, but they were persecuted in the most barbarous manner. Maximus, with two other holy men, were cruelly whipped, their tongues torn out, and their right hands cut off. In this situation they were thrown into prison, where they remained till their death. Scarcely a vestige of true piety remained in all the country where the Lord poured out his Spirit in such a wonderful manner upon the first Christians. They had long abused the

*II Kings, 19: 28.
+ II Kings, 19: 37.

higest privileges. The lord was now preparing a scourge for them, in order to accomplish his threatnings against backsliders.

QUESTIONS.

What took place in the East, in the year 527? What particulars can you relate of the life and character of the emperor Justinian? Did the church ever receive any benefit from being supported by government? From what motives should ministers of the Gospel engage in their work? What ought to be the object of private Christians, in all they do? What was the state of religion in Africa, during the reign of Justinian? What happened at Rome? What is bribery? How did Justinian employ himself? What notion did he embrace in his old age? What law did he make about it? Who re sisted this law? What did he do to them? How did God punish him? What can you relate of the monastery of Mount Sinai? If people punish themselves, will that satisfy God's justice? What does every sin deserve? In what way only can God pardon sin? What makes impenitent sinners hate this way? impenitent sinner? What is it to repent?

What is an How can we

tell whether a person has pened in the year 610 ? ning of the reign of Hereclius? Can you give an account of John, bishop of Alexandria? What is related of Chrosroes and Hereclius.

repented or not? What hapWhat happened in the begin

CONVERSATION III.

The Arabs descended from Ishmael,-Birth and early Life of Mohammed,—he marries Cadijah,―begins to make converts to his new religion.

Samuel. Mother, yesterday evening you promised to tell us about Mohammed and his followers. Where did Mohammed live?

Mother. He lived in Arabia.

Elizabeth. Was it where the wandering Arabs live, mother?

Mother. Yes, he was an Arab himself.

Samuel. I have read about the Arabs of the desert, they are a savage people, who wander about from place to place, robbing and plundering every one they meet. I have often thought they must be the descendants of Ishmael; for the Lord told Abraham that Ishmael should be a wild man; and that his hand should be against every man, and every man's hand against him.

Mother. You are right, my son. After God had promised Isaac to Abraham, and told him that Sarah his wife should be the mother of