the consciousness of the disapprobation of Heaven, which, even in moments of earthly prosperity, must be a heavy draw-back on our joy? Shall we run more fleetly on our race after loading our pockets with golden weights; or wrestle with more success against "principalities and powers," when we have relaxed our moral energies by earthly indulgences? How easy it is to find excuses for our sins! What specious but sophistical arguments will Satan urge, to set us upon a pursuit of the world, and thus rob us of our peace and joy? "All these will I give thee, if thou wilt unchain thy affections from the gospel chariot, and link them to Mammon's car; and why should not you have the means of enjoyment; and your children the means of support, as well as others? Then, too, see how much good you can do with riches; what a field of benevolence they will open to you. Why need you hesitate? There is no church censure that can be passed upon you for this pursuit." The reasoning seems good, says "the old man which is corrupt," and I

will act upon it. So farewell the peace of God

until I have gained the peace which the "world giveth !"

CHAPTER XVII.

SOCIAL AND BUSINESS PLEDGES SOMETIMES OBSTRUCTIONS TO A CHRISTIAN'S JOY.-SOCIAL PLEDGES.

The Christian professor has an important practical point to settle, viz., how much intercourse with the world is safe and allowable ; and what proportion of his time should be employed daily in communion with God.

Such are the varying circumstances and temperaments of individuals, that one standard, it must be evident, will not apply in all cases. But by a conscientious and quick-sighted Christian, the following rule, or rather criterion, may be safely consulted. If he finds his interest in the closet on the wane, and his interest in worldly business or social pleasure gradually deepening, he should suspect that too small a proportion of time is given to devotion. In this

case he is evidently too much in the world. His happiness as a Christian is thereby endangered; and he is called upon at once to retrieve lost ground. His confession and his prayer must be, Lord "I have gone astray like a lost sheep seek Thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments."

The great sources of temptation, in our day, are social and business engagements. These are entered into sometimes, without due reflection on their tendency to weaken the divine life of piety in the soul. Some Christian people seem to think, or rather seem to act as if they thought, they can take "coals of fire in the bosom and the clothes not be burned."

The pleasures of social life are tendered to the Christian, on the ground that they are innocent, and therefore allowable; and, without much discrimination as to the forms they assume, or the deleterious ingredients accompanying them, he is persuaded to indulge himself in them, even at the expense of his pious joys.

The world knows well how to graduate

these social entertainments, so as not to alarm the weak conscience, nor, at the outset to betray its designs. But step by step is the unapprised soul led on; until it can relish, and even desire, a scale of pleasurable excitement, which once would have startled its fears, and driven it back to its peaceful and soul-satisfying retirement.

An invitation comes to Theodosia, indited in the usual complimentary strain; in which it is affirmed, that nothing more than a social few are to pass an evening in a very quiet way. The plan is well-adjusted, and the timid Christian is induced to accede. But from this moment there is an unaccountable perturbation in her mind. She has been so long accustomed to the calm pleasures of home, and especially to the pure delights of communion with God, that the bare anticipation of so different a scene, seems to have entirely unsettled her peace. It is like the sudden inundation of a river, which, a few hours before, flowed with clear and gentle stream; but is now rushing on with an impetuous and turbid flood. The busy