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Show 78 N AllRAT!Vl> OF his summer in New York, in tbc pursuit of tbc lcga] profession. rrbcy were both Carolinians, and had no Jitllc of that ardent spirit wl1ich distinguisl1cs il1c yo~th of the South; wl1ilc their wcll-dc,·clopc<l forms, their intcl1cctual countenances, anJ. their sensible spcccl<, pbced them in association beyond tl<eir years. As Mary leaned upon the arm of her gallant pro-tector, their conversation sparkled as the ocean epray that dashed against steamer's b01v. l3ut suddenly, as the jet black eye of Albert Gillon caught the soft blue of Mary's, he started at the discovery of a tear trembling upon l1cr eye-lash. " Sweet hlary, what saddens you?" "Ah! Albert, the greatest trial of my feelings is the thought that you have never yet eonsccrate<l yourself to Christ." "I have," replied Albert, " no natm·al repugnance to Tc1igion. On the contrary, I see and acknowledge God in all his worl<s and in all his providence, as the author and supreme ruler of all things. l3ut, Mary, I do not understand the God of the Bible. I do not understand how they who claim to be God's own people, and have the distinguishing title of Chris· Ar~llEU'r AXD ~[AnY. 70 tiaus, arc, many of them, far worse in moral c11ar::tetcr, than those who make no such profc~sion. I do not rncun hypocrites; but those who arc actually respected ns ortl10Uox Christians. rl111Cre is }.lr. Verse, of Philac1elpl1la, for instance, who has a high place as a religious editor, and discusses the doctrines of Christianity with a zca1 ,which shows he takes deep interest in 1ds wor~~~ and yet young ns I nm, and gay as I am, I can sec tlmt in his practical application of Christianity, be tcaclJCs sentiments at variance with the plainest principles of moral truth; and he sets himself against those whose moral character is above reproach; nne\ rebukes them as Ulfidcls in their V?ry efforts to elevate the moral tone of society. Ilow is it that Mr. V crsc is recognized as a Christian, and these excellent men arc avoided as infidels? \Yhy is he fit for heaven, and they must be cast down to hell? I don't understand it." "I know," replied Mary, "ibat wiser heads than 1ninc find difficulty in answering your question; and it would be presumptuous in me to signify that I can solve it to your satisfaction. But still, Albert, your observations only confirm, in my own mind, your total ignorance of what constitutes a Christian. Al- |