gain upon her way; all her power was exhausted, in maintaining her position. Her every nerve was on the strain, and as her fiery breath flashed from her huge throat it seemed to show how mightily she grappled in the deadly struggle. Sometimes, as plunging long and deep, she buried herself to the very bulwarks, it appeared as though she were lost for ever in the whelming abyss; but she recovered with a shock which quivered to her centre. She struggled on, labouring heavily; and as she rolled from side to side with the violence of the gale, now and then one wheel was deeply submerged in the water, while the other impotently churned the air. The storm increased, the wind howled, and the waves foamed, as though the spirit of the tempest were gnashing to devour us. I was terrified, as again looking towards the rock, it appeared closer to us, and our ship driving upon it. I convulsively grasped my father's hand, believing that the next minute would involve us in destruction. A hoarse rough voice suddenly bawled, 'Nor'-nor'-west; keep her to half a hair's breadth !' Full of fear, I turned to look at the men at the helm. The light of the compass shone like a hopeful star in the thick darkness. With a turn of their strong arms, the helmsmen brought the ship upon her course. She wrestled heavily with the tempest. Nor'-west; don't let her fall off,' cried the same voice. Another turn of the wheel placed our good ship upon the desired course. Soon the line of the storm was broken, and we steamed away from the threatening breakers to open sea. But the captain walked the deck with a chart in his hand the whole of that tempestuous night."

It does not appear that they met with anything else

which calls for particular attention. In France they made no stay, but proceeded directly homeward; and it was not long ere they safely arrived at their sweet mansion in Cornwall.

On the day following their arrival, Leila remarks in her diary: “I am very grateful while I acknowledge the many mercies and kind providences we have experienced, since I left this, my loved closet. Our travel has been one of rich and pure enjoyment; but I am very thankful to be again at home. I feel a blissful assurance that I am about to enter upon a life of blessing and happiness; and my delight is beyond expression."

CHAPTER VII.

LEILA'S CONVERSION.

WE are now brought to the most interesting portion of Leila's life-her conversion to Christianity.

It has already appeared that her belief in the tenets of Judaism had received an irremediable shock; the absurd fables of the Talmud were cast aside as unworthy of a thought, and the trammels of rabbinical authority completely burst asunder. On her return to England she was only waiting for more instruction in the articles of the Christian belief, to dispose her to embrace it with all her heart. One of her first objects, therefore, was, she says, "to find a company of simple, earnest Christians."

At a small village, distant about three miles from her residence, there was a chapel in which was exercised such a ministry as she desired. This was the nearest place of Christian worship which presented itself, and it was here she began to attend. Being aware that a knowledge of this would call down the severest displeasure of her father, her visits to it were by stealth, and, chiefly indeed, except in one or two instances, solely by night; and she always sat closely veiled. The way to the chapel was through a long, dreary, and solitary lane; but, at all hours, when it was possible for her to be present at the services, Leila might be found, unattended, wending her way among the gloomy

trees.

Her natural timidity was painful, and her dread of walking alone at night unconquerable, until now that an earnest desire for the salvation of her soul made her superior to any bodily fear she might entertain. In her own pleasing way, she says, “I was dreadfully frightened during my first essays in the dark. I usually ran the very utmost of the distance that I could; my agitation and terror of mind being, during the whole time, indescribable. Hurrying in this manner, the whole distance from our house to the chapel was frequently done in a few minutes over half-an-hour; but, by prayer, all my terror was removed, and although I continued to be just as fearful of going anywhere else, yet I could always go to, and return from, my dear chapel, without the slighted perturbation of mind, feeling quite sure that my Father would give me his protection."

We have said that, during the first part of her attendance, she kept herself strictly secret, even from the congregation; but, as the influence of the Holy Spirit applied each discourse more and more powerfully to her mind, this fear subsided, and, in proportion, she felt an increased desire to unbosom herself to some Christian friend, who would sympathize with, and still further instruct her in that glorious cause to which she had now engaged her whole heart. Being assured that this would assist her to the attainment of that peace she so ardently desired, she conferred not with flesh and blood, but, with that fearless decision in favour of duty which ever characterized her, she resolved to seek an interview with her minister. This was easily obtained; and she describes it as "a blessed season:" and says, further, "It has stirred me up to seek the Lord fully-to

agonize with a determination not to rest till I am accepted in the Saviour-till my mourning is turned into joy." And, again, “O, for that earnest, child-like simplicity and faith of which Mr. — [her minister] told me. I want to take the word of God just as it is. This is the faith of the New Testament: this is the faith God requires, and will have, in order to my salvation. Lord, save me! increase my faith; increase it largely—mightily; confirm my hope, and fan my love for thee into a mighty flame !"

She was an earnest and humble seeker of the truth as it is in Jesus. Her heart had now become intent upon one great business—the salvation of her soul, and to this end she used every means, and every effort, regardless of personal consequences. This we think, is abun dantly set forth in the entries made in her diary at this important period. We make a scanty extract :

“O, that I could express half that I feel of love to that gracious Being who has kept me hitherto, and led me from my deep darkness into spiritual light. I have not yet the evidence that he has pardoned my sins through the blood of the Atonement-through my Jesus, but I earnestly pray for it; I am determined to agonize for it in simple faith. I know, I believe-oh, yes! I do believe that Jesus died for me. I thirst, I pant for the Spirit of adoption, whereby I shall be enabled to cry, 'Abba, Father.'

“O, my Father, I thank thee; I adore and praise thy holy name, that thou hast removed from my heart that dark, impervious veil which so long separated between me and thyself, and so between me and the source of all happiness. Now through thine infinite mercy, I