not only going to hell herself but dragging others with her. She acknowledged what I said was true. She also wept, and having further exhorted them all to turn from their evil ways, we closed our interview with prayer."

"Called upon another female, to whom we read the tract; she wept much, and told us she would give the world to redeem her character."

In another house, was a woman whom I had known for many years. I said, 'So you still go on in your wicked ways.' 'Yes,' she said, 'I am in it, and you cannot help me out.' I told her I could advise her to turn to the Lord and seek him while he was to be found. She said, 'I never think of God.' Such was the wickedness of this woman, that she obliged her daughter, when only 13 years of age, to live upon the wages of iniquity. I read the tract, which made a deep impression on those who were present; they wept and lamented bitterly their situation-their characters lost, and not a friend in the world to help them. We could not help weeping with them. I must say, the interviews we have had, would melt the hardest hearts. What are we to do? Where are we to go? Who will have us?' is their general cry."

From our continued visits to-day among these women, I am confirmed in my opinion as to the practicability of lessening very much this great evil. They are most anxious to give up their evil way, if any thing could be done for them. While reading the tract to one, she wept and was quite overcome, and when asked if she was not afraid to die, she said, 'that is what makes me miserable.' Her parents were dead, but her brothers were living, and though her application to them had been refused once, yet,

she said, she would make another attempt to abandon her course of sin."

"We felt much interest in a young woman who seemed deeply to feel her degraded conduct. The following are some of her own words. 'I am sure I should be most happy to leave it if I could do anything to get a livelihood.' 'I often go with two meals a-day rather than go out.' 'I should be glad to go to the Magdalen.' We asked her what it was that principally induced her to wish to go? She said she was concerned about the sinfulness of her way of living, and could she be released, she would go down on her knees to thank the friend that would assist her."

"On entering upon the subject of our visit, one young woman was quite inclined for mirth, and continued laughing, as we continued to press it upon her consideration, saying, 'she could not help it, because we looked so serious, but after a little conversation she became serious, and eventually burst into a flood of tears, and seemed to feel great compunction of spirit;' remarking, 'Your talk gives me the horrors.' She said she should very much like to quit her course of life, and for that purpose had written to her father before Christmas, but had received no answer; she wished us to intercede on her behalf." "Went into one house where we found a young woman, not 19 years of age, in company with three young men. As soon as we began talking about the last days of Martha,' the young woman seemed to shudder, saying, 'She knew her, `and worked with her.' One of the young men endeavoured to turn what we said into ridicule, for which, the female often reproved him, and told him that we were right and he was wrong."

“In another house we found one girl very ill; the doctors gave no hope of her recovery. In this awful condition, however, she appeared hardened and impenitent."

66

Another young woman we found in bed, who said she had laid in bed all the previous day also, because she had neither food nor firing."

(To be continued.)

THE WORLD.

"THIS world is all a fleeting show,
For man's illusion given:
The smiles of joy, the tears of woe,
Deceitful shine, deceitful flow,-

There's nothing true but heaven.

And false the light on glory's plume,
As fading hues of even :

And love, and hope, and beauty's bloom,
Are blossoms gathered from the tomb,-
There's nothing bright but heaven.

Poor wanderers of a stormy day,

From wave to wave we're driven:
And fancy's flash, and reason's ray,
Serve but to light the troubled way,-
There's nothing calm but heaven."

MR. EDITOR,

A DAY OF RETIREMENT.

For the benefit of romantic and sentimental young ladies who indulge in idle musings, building castles in the air, &c. I desire with your permission to disclose the mortification I lately experienced when thus engaged.

A short time since, having leisure and opportunity to spend a day as best suited my inclinations, I

determined to pass the day in solitude. Anticipating perfect peace and happiness in the tranquil repose of retirement, like the Eastern Prince I presumptuously thought "this shall be a day of happiness." Full of these imaginings I hastened to my little study, closing the door after me and locking it to keep out intruders. Thus entrenched and isolated, I glanced my eyes around my chosen retreat, the smiling neatness of which was quite captivating. There were many nice volumes carefully arranged on the shelves. The interesting paintings and prints that adorned the walls pourtrayed a variety of subjects calculated to induce meditation. Then the windows were thrown open to a sweet garden so secluded and still, that there was not a sound to be heard except the tuneful voices of the little woodland choristers chanting their morning song of praise. In fancied security I reclined on the sofa, with a book in my hand, and gave myself up to enjoyment,-now reading, now musing and carelessly gazing on the fair daughters of Flora, whose balmy breath perfumed the air which I inhaled.

Secretly exulting in the idea that my proudest wishes were about to be gratified I fell into a kind of waking dream, wandering in imagination through scenes of future bliss. But O how transient were these halcyon moments! on a sudden a swarm of flies, apparently envious of my peace, attacked my face and neck; some hummed in my ear to the distraction of thought, whilst others impertinently fluttered on my neck, altogether making most discordant sounds. Thus assailled, I covered ny face with a handkerchief for awhile, and endeavoured to bear the vexatious interruption with patience,

reasoning with myself on the folly of allowing a trifling accident to ruffle the serenity of my thoughts.

How long I resisted this temptation to anger I cannot tell, but at last I felt a sharp twinging bite on my throat that thrilled through my bosom and made me start. I could restrain no longer, exasperated with rage I threw down my book and chased the enemies of my peace round the room, till I succeeded in puting one to death; the rest flew away, leaving me in silence to reflect on the unworthy deed my vindictive hand had so suddenly committed. In pensive mood, I gazed with regret on the little victim of my passion. Thus, I thought, do the great and powerful of the world sometimes hastily remove a weak and helpless being who thwarts the gratification of their desires; I sighed deeply as I drew this comparison in my mind, whilst the tear of pity trembled on my cheek, and self-convicted, the still small voice of conscience whispered, Selfish recluse! when you shut out the world and its jarring interests, its passions were not excluded, for anger, revenge, and remorse have discovered a world of iniquity within. When you next seek for peace, remember it dwells not with the idle in solitude, but is found where self is forgotten in the service of God. Henceforth choose a better part, go and do whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, and do it with all thy might, For the night cometh when no one can work.'

Thus conscience spoke in the stillness of solitude; my heart echoed, What doest thou here? At a loss to answer this searching question I begun to look into my past life, and thus employed the last hour of a