"seek first the kingdom of God." He must not "touch any unclean thing." He must avoid not only the reality, but even "the appearance of evil." With these precepts before him, how can a pious man enter, with any reasonable expectations of success, upon a business, either on his individual responsibility or as a member of a company, which is to be prosecuted to the injury of public morals and in violation of the decalogue? How can the mind of a Christian be at peace while such an imputation may be cast upon him? To obtain and to preserve true peace of mind, we must keep "a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." And how can this be done, if Christians will commit themselves to circumstances which tend directly to embarrass conscience, and to weaken the moral force of Divine institutions? How much more to be coveted is the condition of the pious but untrammeled artisan, who, content with his daily earnings, has none of these equivocal connexions to tempt him, and none of these implicated social and business vices to

sully his profession! He can sing his hymn of praise at night, and offer his devout thanksgiving to God, with no such draw-back upon his grateful feelings, as must be experienced where heaven's gifts are coveted and obtained under circumstances, the morality of which is at least very questionable.

Piety, after all, exerts its influence to make the soul happy, only where that influence is allowed to predominate. It is unreasonable to ask any more of it. It is requiring too much, to expect that it will kindle up its joys in the heart where every counteracting influence is courted, or keep alive on the altar the fires of devotion, when the cold flood of earthly cares and pleasures is continually poured upon it, to extinguish them. Nor let piety be blamed for that absence of felicity, which characterizes so many professors, when, if the case were investigated, it would be seen, that it is not piety, but the want of it, which operates to dim the lustre of their example. Let the Christian

keep aloof from those ensnaring connexions to

which we have alluded; and, acting on the principle that "godliness with contentment is great gain," let him seek mainly and constantly the "one thing needful," and his path, if it be less attractive to earthly minds, will have the approbation of God, and lead the soul to joys that are pure and unending.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE INFLUENCE OF LIGHT READING OPPOSED TO THE PROGRESS OF PIETY.

The apparatus which the great adversary has brought into action, in order to weaken the moral influence of Christians, is varied and well-applied. To the sources of evil already enumerated, we must add the flood of light and ephemeral productions so constantly issuing from the English and American press.

These are not of course intended for the eye and the mind of the Christian; but are graduated, in their sentiments and style, to the great mass of volatile spirits, who wish for something new and racy to kill a heavy hour, and to kindle a little temporary excitement.

But, unhappily, they too often find their way into those hands which ought to "handle," instead thereof, "the word of life." The univer

sal cry is" Have you read this very interesting work?" The newspapers are lavish in their encomiums; the review enlarges on the genius of its author; and the fashionist seizes the volume yet reeking from the press, in order to be among the first who "have seen it." It is not to be wondered at, then, that this tempting bait should find its way into the library of a Christian, or be seen among the chaster productions which adorn his parlor table. What

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every body reads," it is inferred, "ought to be read by me. I shall be singular not to have perused it, when the whole town are descanting upon its merits." So, with a little such reasoning, backed by that fondness for novelty and excitement which piety may repress, but does not extinguish, the Bible is suddenly closed, and the flippant volume is already riveting the

attention.

It came in at the hour of evening prayer. It seemed as if the spiritual foe, anticipating the time when the Christian was to have been on his knees, taking by "violence the kingdom of