stipulate that you shall not become a minister, you do not wish that, do you?"

"I have not thought of it," answered John, "but if it should seem duty, you know I could not be bound, sir."

"But if I should yield this point,-leave you entirely free?"

"You are very kind, sir, but-" John hesitated, and looked down.

"But what, John?"

"Why, sir,—as you are not a Christian, -I don't like to say it, sir,- but I am afraid I should grow careless. Forgive me if I am too bold, but, I don't dare to choose such a home for myself, I am so apt to do wrong when under the most favorable influences. Please do not be offended with me for saying it; indeed, this is a hard trial to me; but dearer than any earthly friend is Christ my Saviour!"

Mr. Dexter leaned his head upon his

hand. Though he answered not, he did not look offended.

"You have been so kind, so very kind.

to me," ventured John, in a voice lacking its usual steadiness. "Please allow me to say, how very much I wish you knew the love of Christ, and the blessedness of believing! I pray God every day that you may!"

"Thank you, John," said Mr. Dexter, raising his head while a tear even stood in his eye; for John's devotion to principle, even more than his appeal, had moved him deeply. "I do not blame you, though I regret your decision. If your religion is true, your course is right. We will say no more about it. You shall always find me a friend. You must not think it unfriendly, if I say, now, I would rather you should leave me alone. I do not feel either like hearing you read, or like talking."

Alone, "without God in the world,"

Mr. Dexter was very, very lonely, as he sat in his library that night. "He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence," being "an alien from the commonwealth of Israel and a stranger from the covenants of

promise, having no hope."

CHAPTER VIII.

MODIFICATIONS.

"THERE is one thing which I do not understand, father," said Robert, one evening, after he had evidently been studying upon the matter for some time. "You would not do yourself what you had taught me I ought not to do, but," he hesitated, not liking to put his thoughts into the only words that would express them.

"But what, my son? Tell me just what you mean."

"Why, father, you said that I must pay for what I buy when I buy it, remembering the Scriptural rule, 'Owe no man any thing;' but, to-day, you borrowed a thousand dollars of Mr. Shute.”

"And my acts seem a plain contradiction of my words;" replied Mr. Warren,

smiling. "I am glad you have spoken of the matter. You have opened a large subject, of which I am very glad to have you think. Perhaps I can help you to understand it, while I explain, my own consistency of conduct. But, first, what do you think that command implies?"

"Why, I suppose just what it says, sir, owe no man any thing.' It means to forbid all debts, does it not?"

"But there is another direction, Robert, 'Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.' Now set these two explicit commands opposite to each other, and tell me when it is a favor to a man for me to borrow his money, may not the spirit of the latter be allowed to modify the letter of the former, and I be justified in taking his money?"

"Well, yes, sir,I suppose so,only I don't see the use of the first rule if it can be so modified away.'