then can we perceive our inward depravity-what revelations of indwelling sins are made to us, and of a kind, too, whose existence we little suspected! While we were surrounded by everything calculated to insure our ease and comfort, they were undiscovered; but let the clouds of trial and adversity darken the zenith of our worldly happiness, and coming forth from their obscurity they show their palpable existence. These are the seasons when the world is compelled to confess itself nothing but vanity and deceit, and when the soul is fitted to wing its flight far beyond the things which are seen, to those which are not seen, even the joys of celestial bliss.

"No matter how heavy, how impenetrable, the cloud may appear, the glorious star of Jacob pierces the thickening shadows, and shows himself our unchanging guide-our morning-star. The more weightily our affliction presses upon our spirits, the more valuable and lovely do we feel religion to be, the more do we find its adaptation to our every want. Then it is she stands out in bold relief, and shows herself clad in robes of immortality and eternal life.

"Let such considerations as these induce me to take joyfully my appointed share of trial. Let me lose sight of the world—of all things earthly, and seek after an increasing resemblance to my Redeemer, that I may be a lucid gem in his crown for ever. He shall be my pattern and my guide. I bless God; I love him; I love his service; I love religion better than ever. O, what a bitter draught is life without God, and so without hope!

"Most fervently do I pray that through divine grace I may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, and

increase in the knowledge of God. May I be enabled to 'forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before, pressing toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'

"To-morrow I am permitted to again see and speak to my dear parent. My love for him glows with more intensity than ever. What will be the consequence? I cannot tell; I have given the event to God. My path is clear to maintain simply and obediently my belief in the Lord Jesus, as far as seems necessary to make his goodness to me known, to avow my intention to cleave to my religion; that course will I strictly follow, whatever be the consequence. Most earnestly do I entreat of God that I may have a complete mastery over myself. O, my Jesus! save me from bringing any contempt upon religion; but O, that I may adorn by my life and conversation, that lovely cause in which all my soul is engaged. I bless God, I record it to the praise of his holy name, that he does not permit me to be harassed by a single doubt of the truth of the religion I profess and believe in, not a single doubt that Jesus is the Messiah; on the contrary, each day finds my convictions deepened, my faith strengthened, my love confirmed. Glory be to God for what he hath done for my soul."

come

"Now, my darling, my precious child!" exclaimed her father, with deep feeling, as she obeyed the permission to see him again, which he had given her, to the bosom of your inconsolable father, and tell him you have abjured all your sinful opinions and belief." "O, my dear papa," sobbed Leila, "indeed I cannot; my belief is firmer, stronger than ever."

“Then, my child, it is my duty—you must leave me as I said. To-day I will write to my brother atwhile you are there I shall have no direct communication with you; all that is necessary will be made known to me by your uncle. Till he answers my letter, I shall see

you no more.”

"O, it is cruel, very cruel, papa, to put me away from you, when you are the only being in the world I love, and with whom I can be happy. O, how happy we have been together! Indeed, I could not have supposed that you would do this; and you know that my uncle will certainly treat me unkindly now that I am a Christian. It will kill me, my dear father! you have always been so very and so delicately kind to me, that I cannot now bear the very least unkindness or neglect. But I have never murmured against your will, and I trust to be saved now."

"My dear daughter feels it much less than her father. What do you think it is I have to endure, while I see my choicest treasure removed from my dwelling; my child in whom my every hope was centered! The struggle is deep and severe, and nothing but a stern sense of duty supports me through it. Now, my dear, I am ill."

leave me;

Retiring to her chamber Leila gave vent to her overwrought feelings in an agony of tears. Thus relieved, she became more composed, and able to prepare prayerfully to meet the future.

The morning which had been assigned for her departure arrived. Upon this morning we find the following brief, but expressive entry in her diary.

"Dearest, loveliest, and the best of all, my Jesus!" And then came the last fond lingering moment—the

last tender embrace-the last adieu from her swimming eyes. Graphically as every circumstance of the parting of this affectionate daughter from her only parent has been depicted to us, we must draw a veil over its further description. Such scenes in life are far too sacred to be committed to aught but private remembrance. It was a deeply affecting one. She went, not knowing whether she should ever return; but the victory was hers through divine grace.

The domestics (themselves of the seed of Abraham) shed abundance of tears. แ my dear young mistress," said one, her utterance choked with grief, "do come

O,

back again soon." "When God sees fit; pray for me,"

enjoined Leila; and with a bursting heart, she threw herself into the carriage which was waiting at the door.

12

CHAPTER XI.

TREATMENT OF LEILA BY HER UNCLE-HER TRIALS CHARACTER OF LEILA'S COUSIN.

We have remarked of Leila's father, that although his belief in the Jewish religion was firm and persistent, yet he was not strenuous in the observances enjoined by their ritual. But his brother was much more strict. He was very regular in his attendance at the synagogue, and he was generally regarded as a pious and devout Jew. To his care Leila was confided, with a desire that he would exert all the knowledge he himself possessed, and likewise introduce her to conversations with other wise and pious Jews, with the view of shaking her belief. He was also instructed to guard carefully against her obtaining possession of any religious works except those which belonged to the Jews; and further, she was never to be permitted to attend a place of Christian worship. That this, and the purchase of any Christian books might be effectually prevented, she was never to go out but in the company of another.

Her zealous uncle began his work immediately. Closeting himself with her the very first hour after her arrival, he began: "My dear child, what dreadful tidings are these, that you have apostatized from the religion of your father Abraham ?"

She replied, "Abraham believed God: I do the same, Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness: