THE FORTESCUE FAMILY. CHAPTER I. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.-1 COR. xiii. 1—3. MR. COLTON was a barrister, who, after a youth of hard labour and little profit, was just beginning, at the age of fifty, to make some advantage of his profession, when he was suddenly taken off by a fever, leaving a beloved wife, who was no longer young, wholly dependent upon the protection and kindness of her relations. Mr. Colton had been a most tender husband, and a faithful friend and pious guide B to his wife, with whom he had lived many years; his loss therefore could never be made up to her on earth, although the assurance which she had of meeting him in glory, through the merits of their Redeemer, prevented her from giving way to such grief, as would have made her incapable of exerting herself. When the widow had performed the last duties to the remains of her husband, and closed all her affairs in London, where she had lived many years, she most thankfully accepted an invitation from an uncle, a clergyman, who resided alone in a quiet parsonage at a considerable distance from town. In that peaceful retirement she became, after a short time, so resigned to the divine will, as it regarded her late loss, that she was enabled to reflect with tranquillity on her future plans; for she could not think of continuing to live entirely on the bounty of her uncle. Mrs. Colton was, as we have said, not a young woman: she had always lived in the best society, and was what the world calls highly accomplished, her manners and conversation being particularly pleasing. It therefore naturally entered into the minds of her friends, that if a desirable situation could be found for her as a governess, she would be a treasure to any family which might obtain her. When this plan was proposed to her by her uncle, she instantly agreed to it, though she rather expressed a fear that she might not be altogether equal to so arduous an undertaking, as that of leading and directing the minds of children in the way they should go. "Do not be startled, my dear niece," replied her uncle," nor think me inconsistent, when having fully allowed that neither you, nor any other person, can change the heart or inclinations of a child, I still advise you to undertake the office of a governess, whenever it may please God to open the way for you. We are not now speaking of the capabilities which you have, in common with many others, of teaching languages and various branches of elegant education; you have no uneasiness I presume on these accounts; but your doubt is, how far you may be qualified to lead your pupils in the way of holiness." Mrs. Colton acknowledged that this was the case; and spoke of the vast responsibility of parents and tutors. 66 Probably," replied Mr. Addison, "you have an incorrect view of this responsibility; arising from an imperfect apprehension of charity or love as it is explained in Scripture. God, as reconciling man unto himself in the Redeemer, is a God of love, and one who willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his iniquities and live. The blessed Saviour also hath said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' The qualification required of you, therefore, is to undertake this charge in the same spirit of love, trusting that every child who is placed under your care is an object of the divine love, and that this love will be manifested in due time, though you should not live to see it. Thus, faith working with charity or love, you will be strengthened to endure all the oppositions which the evil hearts of your pupils may raise up against your instructions, and all your lessons will be given in mildness, and with the assured hope that your endeavours will be accepted; whereas, were you in your own strength, and without this principle of love, which is the effect of a right view of the feelings of God towards the creatures whom he has made, to exert your utmost powers for the conversion of your little |