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the gently falling rain her unobtrusive efforts, encouraged other friends to proceed in the project, long after the sudden shower had ceased. Charlotte's selfishness would not allow either her sordid treasure, or leisure time, to be expended for the benefit of others; and she gladly joined Sophia, in preferring a playful game, or the dressing of a doll.

It was with sensations of painful regret that Miss Phillips witnessed the inefficien

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of her endeavours to eradicate the seeds of evil which daily evidenced themselves in the conduct of her wayward pupils. Destitute of the pruning-knife of discipline and the culture of education in the first stage of life, early principles and deep-rooted prejudices, acquired additional strength with advancing years, and maintained their ascendancy to the subversion of every attempt to suppress them. While their outward deportment manifested the irregularities of their unsubdued passions, the radical error existed in the estrangement of their hearts from God. Yielding

to every ensnaring temptation, and indulging their natural corruptions, they became increasingly averse to every thing holy and sacred; and would not permit religion to transmute the base metal into pure gold.

Julia, experiencing the transforming influence of divine love, exhibited its superior excellence in the ordinary avocations of life; and succeeded in gaining the esteem though not the imitation of her associates.

Ellen also presented in her character every thing truly amiable and lovely; securing the approbation and favour of her companions and governess, she walked steadily and firmly in the paths of rectitude and virtue; but hesitating in surrendering her heart to the operations of the Holy Spirit, she rested in being an “almost christian."

With mingled feelings of pleasure and regret, the cousins looked forward to the approaching vacation; they anticipated the society of relatives at home, with eager

delight, but the thought that their education was now completed, repressed the intensity of their desires to leave school.

The day of parting at length arrived, and they anxiously sat at the parlour window expecting the approach of Mr. Harris in his gig. The kind father and uncle, soon appeared-received and returned the affectionate embraces of his daughter and niece-who bade farewell to their schoolfellows and governess,—and were quickly seated by his side, traversing the forest of Sherwood.

CHAPTER IV.

NOTHING could exceed the ecstacy of Ellen on her arrival at home, in being presented with an infant sister; in a transport of joy, she clasped the lovely babe to her heart-declared it was the happiest hour of her life-and promised to become its constant nurse.

Several years had elapsed, since Mr. and Mrs. Harris were called to resign the last of four sons, who successively passed from the cradle to the grave. They had purposely deferred the baptism of their infant, that Ellen might be present at the ceremony, and the following Sabbath, little Emily was devoted to the Holy Triune Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Ellen felt particular interest in the sacred ordinance, and the solemn and affecting manner in which the minister conducted the service, wrought powerfully upon her mind, and induced a train of se

rious reflections. She saw in a clearer light, that baptism is the sign and seal of the covenant of grace; that it is the grand initiatory act by which we enter into this covenant, in order to claim all its spiritual blessings, and to take upon ourselves all its obligations. She felt thankful to her parents for having early incorporated her in the church of Christ, but was painfully conscious of her guilt in not redeeming the pledge then given, of consecration to the service of God.

The thin attenuated form of Mrs. Harris, and an evident decay of strength, filled the minds of her friends with foreboding fears; and the return of spring was ardently desired, in hopes that a country residence, and frequent excursions in the air, would restore her to a state of convalescence. Increasing weakness and debility rendered the fond mother unable to give support to the babe, whose infant wailings filled her heart with anguish and sorrow; and Ellen had soon to resign her office of nurse, to one more experienced

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