in Travers's manner; an earnestness, a devotion, yet so much soberness of truth, that I could not answer him. Indeed, almost all he had said respecting myself was truth; and I felt, that what he said of his own belief had an advocate for its truth in my soul.

Are you displeased with me, Howard, for so plainly saying you are no Christian?'

6 No, Travers. In your meaning of the term, I am no Christian. Excepting in one point, you have said the exact truth of me. In one point you do not know me. I do not at all times approach the God whom I attempt to worship, without apprehension; nor do I claim eternal felicity, without, at times, experiencing a trembling misgiving, that there may be conditions which I have not fulfilled.'

I was surprised with the emotion Travers betrayed, on my saying this. He grasped my hand, and his eyes even filled with tears. I looked for an expla

nation, but, for a little, his utterance seemed choked.

I have been mistaken,' said he, at last. We, at least, thank God, have feelings in common on this subject,—opi- nions will follow. My dearest Howard, that apprehension you experience on approaching our God, may proceed from an undefined dread of power, and of the greatness, and incomprehensibleness, of the divine attributes; but that trembling misgiving that there may be conditions which you have not fulfilled, is the voice of conscience, and of truth, and is, in reality, an aspiration of your soul after your yet unknown Saviour: for there are conditions which you, or no human being has ever fulfilled, which he took your nature upon him that he might fulfil and till you know him, conscience will still demand those conditions. Listen to its voice, my beloved Howard. Do not shrink from its requirements. It asks no more than God will demand

somewhere. Howard, continued the, why do you not read the Bible?

How do you know that I do not read the Bible poudat vlotrisanti „F197 Nanoq pul mort

He smiled.

I have been trying to discover,(The first day I was in the room where your books are, I looked round amongst them for a Bible, and discovered one on a shelf, beneath several other large, volumes, in apparently the most neglected corner of your book-case. I have looked at it several times since, but I do not think it has ever been moved. Sic&

I confessed I had not opened it during that time; and told him the truth, that I had never read it carefully through... e-han

Might I hope you would consent to read it through with me?' asked her to

Would you, Travers, read it with me, and make me master of your opinions as we proceed?' bias m

'I desire nothing so much.' *57173

I was delighted. Let us begin this very evening,' said I.

• With much pleasure,” replied Travers, immediately taking a small: Biblė from his pocket.

Do you always carry a Bible in your pocket?" asked 1.

Yes. It is my charter for heaven, my guide, my compass, I must always have it with me.'

I took it into my hand, certainly with a feeling I had never experienced for any other book. It was a small Polyglot Bible, and every page was marked with different kinds of characters, in ink or pencil. I looked at some of the marked passages.

'You do not understand my hieroglyphics,' said Travers, pointing to some of his marks; I will explain them to you some future day. They have been useful to me in pointing out my progress in understanding the meaning of scripdoma or gridson stash T

ture.'

P

He then turned to the beginning of the Bible.

One thing I must ask of you, my dear Howard, is this,' said he, that you will stop me, and mark down those passages which appear to you to require more careful study. If, after you have bestowed that study upon them, you still cannot agree with, or receive them, I beg you will write down your objections, and allow me to attempt to overcome them. This will prevent our arguing as we go along, which would inevitably make our progress very slow.' I agreed, but afterwards, as I was very anxious to become acquainted with the system of religion adopted by Travers from the Bible, I rather wished to proceed, and become master of that, than to stop and overcome each difficulty as we advanced.

In a few months we had finished the scriptures, and I certainly found, them altogether different from the idea I had formed of them, gathered from my