Mr R. You see with what persevering and persecuting zeal they pursued him to the death; and though Pilgrim's Progress is but an allegory, it sets forth very faithfully the mind of man, in its unconverted and converted state. With what cruel zeal has the slave trade been carried on; yea, with what cruel zeal it is carried on now, though not by this country. Then look at the fiery zeal of the Papists in martyr-burning cruelties. There is a blind zeal, a mistaken zeal, a bitter zeal, a cruel zeal, an ungodly zeal, as well as many other kinds; so that, when my dear children learn to obtain a zealous feeling, they must take care that their zeal is according to Scripture, to knowledge, and Christian kindness. W. A good man will never be bitter and cruel.

Susan. No: cruel men are all wicked men.

Mr. R. All men, my children, are wicked men until it pleases God, of his goodness and mercy, to give them new hearts, and to incline them to do his will. The apostle Paul was one of the best and most zealous among men; and yet, before God opened his eyes, with what bitterness did he persecute the followers of the Redeemer. It is said, in the beginning of the 9th chapter of the Acts, "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the

any

of this way,

synagogues, that if he found whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And yet afterwards he preached the gospel, though in chains, standing on the stairs, at Jerusalem."

W. Ay, the copy in my copybook is right, after all, "Zeal, in a good cause, deserves applause."

Mr. R. And not always then, for it may endure only for a season. When Jehu set himself to destroy all that remained of the wicked house of Ahab, and all the prophets, and priests, and worshippers of Baal, he said, "Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord," 2 Kings x. 16; but, for all this zeal, he "took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart, for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin," 2 Kings x. 31.

Mary. Then he was not a good king, after all.

Mr. R. When Peter was told by our Saviour that he would deny him, he became so zealous in declaring his love and fidelity to his Master, that he said to him, "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee," Matt. xxvi. 35; and yet it is of this same Peter that it is written, "Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the mån," Matt. xxvi. 74.

M. Poor Peter was like Jehu, in not acting up to his zeal.

Mr. R. Zeal is a warmth, a glow of heart, a passionate ardour in any cause; it is a delightful and valuable quality, but often so headstrong and impetuous, that the more zeal we have, the more discretion we require. It is also a quality much given to change; but with all this, I much wish you to possess it. Be zealous in every good word and work-in your studies, your duties, and your devotions. Your zeal may provoke others around you to tread in your steps.

Be

zealous for each other's welfare; for a growth in grace; and for an increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. All these are worthy objects, and the word of God says, "It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing," Gal. iv. 18.

Mr. Railton was questioned by his children about the next subject of their conversation but he told them that they must patiently wait for an answer till the next Wednesday.

;

It was on the morning of the day, when the young people were next to meet together to listen to the instructions of their father, that Mrs. Railton brought down from a clothes'chest, where it was usually kept nicely folded, a counterpane made of patchwork.

The

patches were very small, and they were beautifully arranged, so as to form a very elegant pattern. Altogether it was a very handsome counterpane, and great labour must have

been necessary to produce it. The whole was the work of the mother of Mrs. Railton; and the young people, especially Mary and Susan, were not a little pleased in turning about and thoroughly examining the workmanship of their grandmother.

The truth was, Mrs. Railton knew that her husband intended to say something about determination to the young people, and she thought that the sight of the counterpane might leave a very favourable impression on their minds; for no one who had not a strong feeling of determination, would have continued to put one small patch to another, day after day, week after week, and month after month, in the way her mother had done in making the counterpane.

At the accustomed hour the party assembled; and Mr. Railton, without loss of time, entered at once on his subject. "What I now have to say," said he, "is on the feeling of Determination. This subject is very like the last we had before us, yet still there is a difference. A zealous feeling, is a warmth and ardour for any cause in which we may embark; but a feeling of determination, implies not only that we are hearty in pursuing the object we have in view, but, also, that we have made up our minds to attain it. You were very warm, William, in your determination to write the copies in the copybook you intended to give the widow's son; and you,