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lull their minds into a false security on the subject; by requiring a promise from the Romish instructors, to whom they entrust their children, that no attempts shall be made to interfere with their religion; and, satisfied with this assurance, they persuade themselves that there is no cause for fear. Alas! how greatly are they mistaken! The promises thus given are often indirectly, if not directly broken; and even where there is a conscientious adherence to the engagement, there are a thousand perils and snares inseparably and necessarily connected with a residence among, and constant intercourse with, the votaries of the Romish heresies, which can only be avoided through the special interposition of a merciful providence. Let such parents remember the daily prayer they teach their children,—“ Lead us not into temptation," and the solemn warning addressed to them, by Him "who seacheth the heart, and trieth the reins,"-" Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

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It should be borne in mind, that the public are called upon in this volume to look at the " School Girl in France" under the most favourable circum-, stances in which a scholar in a Catholic school could be placed. She is under the charge of a mistress, who is pledged not to interfere with the religious opinions of her pupils, and of one accustomed to plume herself on her strict adherence to her pledge. But as the author observes, there are indirect as well as direct methods of undermining the protestant principles of the young. To which class of means the following belongs, we leave to the judgment of our readers to determine.

"Emily and Caroline as grandes pensionnaires were entitled to many advantages which their less fortunate companions did not possess.

"One of these privileges was, the liberty of absenting themselves from morning prayers;-a circumstance which they found peculiarly agreeable; for, although the French boarders were obliged to attend mass before breakfast, and the Protestant pupils alone remained, yet they were not allowed to use a Protestant form, but were compelled to

kneel round a French teacher, who read aloud a string of Roman Catholic prayers. These were partly in Latin, and altogether such as no conscientious Protestant could join in. This abuse of authority was repeated in the evening, and then no one was allowed to be absent, unless from illness.

"This last service consisted of a number of short prayers, very few of which were addressed to God, and by far the greater part were not only unscriptural, but even blasphemous. It was some days before Emily and Caroline could understand them, for they were repeated with a rapidity which it was difficult to follow; but, when once understood, they appeared sufficiently shocking. They were, indeed, begun and ended in the name of the adorable Trinity; but, not being presented through the intercession of the Redeemer, nor offered through his merits, they could not be acceptable to him who has so repeatedly commanded us to ask every thing "in his name." That blessed Saviour's name was scarcely used at all, in its proper sense, and his dignity, his character and his work, were openly insulted.

"There was a confession of sins, addressed to "God Almighty, to the blessed Mary, always a virgin, to St. Michael the Archangel, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter, St. Paul, and all the saints;" and this was followed by the request, that the aforesaid saints would "pray for them to the Lord their God." Emily and Caroline shuddered, as, kneeling with the others before a crucifix, they were compelled to hear this antichristian invocation. The former thought of that explicit declaration of scripture, "There is ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" and she felt how awfully derogatory to his dignity, and offensive to his character, such supplications must be.

"The next thing that excited her particular notice was a short prayer, followed by the 130th Psalm in Latin, "for the souls of the deceased faithful in purgatory; that God would, grant them the forgiveness of their sins, and that they might soon enjoy that glory which he had destined for them in heaven." Emily was extremely shocked at this petition; for, besides its having no foundation whatever in Scripture, and being decidedly contrary to the express declarations of God, it was another insult to the perfect and finished work of the Redeemer. After this came a number of short prayers, addressed to St. Joseph, and several others; then one to the different saints whose name each person present bore, and

another to each one's guardian angel. This last, in particular, was a masterpiece of blasphemy. It was in the following terms:

"O boly angel, whom God has entrusted with the charge of my conduct, I thank you for your kind attention, and entreat you to continue it. Assist me always in my necessities; console me in my afflictions; keep me from all occasions of sin; protect me especially at the hour of death; and conduct me to the kingdom of eternal glory."

"To complete this catalogue of Popish prayers, there was a long litany introduced, the first two or three petitions of which were addressed to Christ, and all the rest to the Virgin. If anything could surpass the blasphemous nature of the preceding prayers, this was admirably calculated to put the finishing stroke to the picture. The mother of Jesus was there addressed by several of those titles which can belong to none but himself. She was not only called the "mother of the Creator, mother of divine grace, queen of heaven, of angels, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, and of all the saints," but also the " mystical rose," the "ark of the covenant," the "morning star," the "comforter of the afflicted," the "health of the infirm," the "help of Christians," the "REFUGE OF SINNERS," and the "DOOR OF HEAVEN!" The effect which these misapplied appellations produced upon Emily's mind was so painful; there was such a feeling of horror connected with the idea of their shocking falsehood, that she became cold and faint on hearing them for the first time, and immediately stopped her ears. This was an expedient to which she often felt it necessary to have recourse afterwards; and she found that it was very generally adopted by the English girls, in order that they might be able mentally to repeat their own prayers while they thus knelt, as it was the only time allowed them for that purpose."

We regret that we are compelled to defer a further notice of this book to our next number.

MEMORANDA OF THE PAST MONTH.

Probationary House,

57, White Lion Street, Pentonville.

"THE Secretary has great pleasure in mentioning the

following circumstances which were brought before the Ladies last Committee-day. The first respects a woman (H.) who was in the Probationary House twelve months, and left last July, This woman was recommended by Miss W- to a lady, with whom she lived about eight months, and during that time conducted herself to the satisfaction of her mistress; but the family going abroad, she was compelled to seek another service. Her Patroness, Miss W- has never lost sight of her, and is truly gratified, that the individual thus favoured, is grateful for kindness received. Last week she

wrote a letter to Miss W, expressing gratitude for her condescension, and a hope that she might continue to deserve it; stated her satisfaction with her present situation, and a determination to do all she can to please her mistress,-who, when she paid her wages kindly made her a present, and raised her one guinea a-year. She assures Miss W. that 'she prays to God sincerely to keep her out of temptation," and concludes as follows:

"I often think how unhappy I was two years ago, while I am now getting my living respectably. I feel that I cannot be thankful enough to God and you. I future conduct may prove I that pray my

thank you.'

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The other relates to a young woman, RW., who had been in the Probationary House, and from thence, passed to Camden Town Asylum. She called to see the matrons in White Lion Street, a few days ago. She is living in a respectable family at Hackney, and has conducted herself with great propriety; there is also every reason to believe, from the testimony of Christian friends, that the gospel has reached her heart, and made her a new creature.'

THE PENITENT'S OFFERING.*

Thou, that with pallid cheek,

And eyes in sadness meek,

And faded locks that humbly swept the ground,
From thy long wanderings won,

Before th' all-healing Son,

Didst bow thee to the earth, wh Lost and Found!
When thou would'st bathe his feet,

With odours richly sweet,

And many a shower of woman's burning tears,
And dry them with that hair,
Brought low the dust to wear

From the crown'd beauty of its festal years.
Did He reject thee then,

While the sharp scorn of men

On thy once bright and stately head was cast?
No, from the Saviour's mien,

A solemn light serene

Bore to thy soul the peace of God at last!

For thee, their smiles no more

Familiar faces wore,

Voices once kind had learned the stranger's tongue,

Who raised thee up, and bound

Thy silent spirit's wound?

He, from all guilt the stainless, He alone!

But which, oli erring child!
From home so long beguiled,

Which of thine offerings won those words of Heaven,
That o'er the bruised reed

Condemned of earth to bleed,

In music passed, "thy sins are all forgiven."
Was it that perfume fraught

With balm and incense brought

From the sweet woods of Araby the blest?

Or that fast flowing rain

Of tears, which not in vain

To Him, who scorned not tears, thy woes confessed? No, not by these restored

Unto thy Father's board,

Thy peace, that kindled joy in heaven was made,

But costlier in His eyes,

Is that best sacrifice,

The heart, the full deep heart, before Him laid.

*St. Luke vii. 37, 38.

F. M.

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