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the power of disinterested affection: the be nevolent attentions of Mr. Haven to this poor savage soon gained him over, and he willingly consented to accompany him to his residence. Here his natural wildness shewed itself without restraint; nor was his guardian solicitous to impose a premature check upon those ungoverned tempers which, for so many years, had grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength. He did not seek, by violence or force, directly to lop off these branches of human depravity; but, by endeavouring to bring the subject of the atoning sufferings of the Son of God home to his heart, he laid the axe to the root of the tree. In this mode of proceeding, Karpik's guardian acted wisely. The gospel contains in it the germ of all that is excellent in character; it is a seed which, planted by faith in the heart, tends to the production of all that is really excellent and amiable; and the best way to check the growth of evil passions is, to labour at the cultivation of the opposite virtues: just as, in the cultivation of the soil, we find the careful culture of what is useful and valuable to be

IGNORANCE OF GOD.

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the best and the speediest mode of eradicating weeds.

But this appeared, at first, a very hopeless task, for poor Karpik was utterly destitute of any conviction of. his own sinfulness and guilt; and therefore to invite him to accept the mercy offered in the gospel, was like presenting a honey-comb to the full soul-it could excite no feelings but those of disgust and loathing. It is said in the sacred Scripture, "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." Did men see God in the light of his holiness, they would discover the foul stains of sin which defile their souls; and did they know God in his purity, as a consuming fire to sin, they could never enjoy any rest until they had found a Saviour. Observe how this effect was produced in those holy men who are spoken of, in the Bible, as having known God. When the prophet Isaiah had a vision of the Divine glory, observe how immediately he beheld his own filthiness with shame and dismay. "Woe is me, said I, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of

unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts!" And, although we are not now to expect similar visions, yet, when the Holy Ghost opens our minds to understand the testimony of Scripture concerning God's purity, we shall remember our own evil ways, and our doings which were not good, loathing ourselves in our own sight for our iniquities and our abominations. But poor Karpik, being at this time wholly under the influence of a darkened understanding, was an utter stranger to this state of feeling. Being told that the great God and Creator of all things wished to make him happy, he appeared to wonder at the assertion; but réplied, without the least emotion, "That is right, for I am a good creature."

Nor are we to suppose that Karpik's erroneous estimate of his own character, in the sight of God, arose from any deficiency of intellect, or apathy of disposition: his literary attainments forbid the former supposition, and the earnest perseverance with which he pursued any object that attracted his attention, shews that he possessed a natural energy of character.

LOVE OF DRESS.

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It may be of service to some of our readers, to know that this poor unenlightened savage manifested a great desire for fine clothes. When he was first delivered into Mr. Haven's care, his skin was covered with a filthy scurf: this was cleansed away, and the little savage decently clothed; for this kindness he manifested the deepest gratitude. But, in a few days afterwards, he conceived a sudden passion for a hat and coat embroidered with gold. In vain his kind teacher remonstrated with him, telling him that such finery would be of no use to him, and exhorting him to employ his thoughts in learning to know the Lord who dwells in heaven. "Poor clothes," he replied, "will not teach me that: my countrymen, who are clad meanly enough, die, and know nothing of the God in heaven, of whom you say so much. The king wears fine clothes, and why then should not I? I can still become acquainted with God, and love him." Mr. Haven answered, that he ought to be contented with his coat, if it only kept him warm, and that he had no money to procure him a gaudy dress. "Then go to the

king," rejoined Karpik, " and get some money from him." "Well," replied his guardian, 66 we will go to him this minute; but, if the king inquires, what has Karpik learned? can he read and write? is he acquainted with the God in heaven? and I am forced to answer, he has learned nothing-the king will say, take him on board the man of war; there let him serve my officer, and clean shoes for seven years, until he has learned something. You know how those youths are treated!"

This address produced an immediate effect -Karpik clung round Mr. Haven, and promised to stay with him and be obedient.

Mr. Haven's patience was frequently put to the test, by repeated instances of this capricious humour, until at length a change became visible. Karpik grew thoughtful, and, from the attention with which he received religious instruction, it became evident that his mind was influenced by a conviction of the solemn importance of the things connected with the soul and eternity.

This growing conception of the value of eternal things, was accompanied by a convic

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