CHAPTER III.

"As undivided, so from errors free,
As one in faith, so one in sanctity:

Thus she, and none but she, the insulting rage,
Of heretics opposed from age to age."

Dyden.

AFTER Some instructive remarks on the customs of different nations, which he interspersed with several amusing anecdotes, the Father observed, that the custom of taking the siesta, was as common in Italy, as that of taking caffe after dinner is in France. Rowland, though grave, was facetious and lively, presenting a living picture of a truly pious man, such as the Almighty is pleased with; according to the scripture, "God loveth the cheerful giver."* How far the puritanism of speech and mannor evinces the sanctity of those who are distinguished for it, I leave it to experience to testify.

"But, my dear ladies," said he, assuming his wonted gravity, and an air of dignity, which could not but excite attention, "perhaps you would wish me to continue the subject, which I was interrupted in, before dinner."

"By all means, dear sir," replied Mrs. Wolburn.

Louisa appeared delighted: she had taken her seat at a distance from Rowland, and was looking out of the window into a flower gar* 2 Corinth. 9.

den; which, though it began to fade under the chill influence of the autumn nights, was nevertheless interspersed with some flowers that linger in bloom, and shed their fragrance, amid the withering leaves of others. But, as soon as it was proposed to resume the subject which had become so interesting to her, she hastily, yet gracefully removed to the sofa near the person of him, to whom she now looked up, as to her benefactor.

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'My dear Louisa, how sorry I am that Virginia has behaved so unhandsomely," said Mrs. Wolburn.

"I regret she is not here, mamma, to take. part in this most interesting conversation-"

"As you have desired me to prosecute the observations which I began this morning, on the marks of the true church, dearest ladies," said Rowland, "I will show you that the church must be holy."

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Holiness, madam, is the most precious prerogative, which belongs to the true church alone, and which, of itself, should suffice to convince any reflecting mind of her divinity. She is holy, because her head, Jesus Christ, is holy. He who is the principle and source of all holiness, directs and governs her by his spirit. She is holy, because her doctrine and morality breathe nothing but holiness: her doctrine relates and leads to the knowledge and worship of him, who is the last end, and the sovereign good of man: her morality extends to the love of God above all things, and a well

regulated, and subordinate love of creatures. All the duties of man, with regard to God, himself, his neighbour, are presented, and taught, without the least mixture of error. And be pleased to remark, ladies, that this code, this body of all moral truths, without the mixture of error, is a work, which surpasses the power of human reason, so liable to be deceived, and so often and lamentably deceived, as the experience of so many ages testifies. We see millions of moral systems purely philosophical given by the Platonics, Stoics, Peripatetics, etc. all of which prescribe excellent rules on some subjects, while they admit the grossest errors, on others.

"Besides this, the morality of the church presents motives the most elevated and satisfactory to inspire the love of virtue, and horror of vice: it points to the recompense of virtue, to God himself, the principle of happiness: and this was wanting to all the systems of philosophy, which never could reveal the secret, how virtue can be, and always is, reconciled with genuine happiness, which the human heart pants after above all other things, and cannot help aspiring to-"

"Ah, Louisa!" sighed Mrs. Wolburn, with a flush of sensibility, "there is no happiness but in religion."

"And very little," added Rowland, "except in the true religion. Admirable thing! exclaims Montesquieu, Religion not only promises bliss hereafter, it inspires it here.'

But

to continue: The church is holy, because it joins to the holiness of its doctrine, a sovereign efficacy, which is granted by the Holy Ghost to convert souls, and conduct them to a state of sanctification. This efficacy appeared in the most marvellous manner, in the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ; by the innocence of the lives of the primeval christians; by their charity; and their constancy in the midst of torment. It appeared in the renovation which it operated in the world, in eradicating the corruption of morals so universally diffused, and so inveterate, though nothing could be more contrary to the law of nature. Such were the sacrifices, by which human beings were immolated by human beings; sacrifices, admitted among the most polished, as well as among the most barbarous nations, but which have been abolished by christianity. To reflect on the bloody amusements presented to the Roman people by the gladiators, and consider the present state of the metropolis in which they were exhibited, would be almost sufficient of itself to prove the holiness of the religion which now triumphs over the ruins and waste of paganism."

"I remember, mamma, some very pretty lines from a translation of Racine's Epistle on Man, which, with Mr. Rowland's permission I will repeat:

'But see the stubborn gladiator die, Pierced to the soul he utters not a sigh:

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And should his nature, vigorous and strong,
In horrid pain his agony prolong,

What signs of dark approval are displayed
By the grave senator and vestal maid!""

'Very appropriate and beautiful is your quotation, Miss Louisa," said the Father: "not dissimilar in sentiment to a sentence of Rochefaucault; 'in the adversity of our friends,' he says, there is always something with which we are not displeased.' The church is holy," continued Rowland, "because it alone possesses the power of forgiving sins."

"An interesting question," observed Mrs Wolburn: "what would I not give were Virginia present!"

6

"Truly interesting and important," returned Rowland: "Jesus Christ has communicated this power to his apostles: whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins ye shall retain, they are retained.'* This power is transmitted to their successors, through sacramental ordination, and their successors only, sacramentally ordained, can have the power. Consequently, it cannot pass, or be communicated, to sects separated from that succession: but man cannot arrive at holiness except by the remission of his sins, and this remission of sins cannot be obtained, except through those ministers who are the successors of the apostles.

"The church is holy, because God has been pleased to manifest, from time to time, the * John 20.