ministers of Christ often treated, in these assemblies of the gay and fashionable world, with the utmost contempt? Now can any truly Christian person conscientiously listen to such things without reproving them? Or would he expose himself to the torment of the rack, which such conversation must occasion within him, without the most urgent necessity

MRS. DORMER.

I have frequently been in large companies. of worldly people, where no outrage on decency has been committed: for such conversation as that which have mentioned, is a gross violation of good manners. I must, however, admit that these topics, in defiance of the laws of politeness, are not uncommon.

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MISS NEWMAN.

Then, madam, you allow that, when you place yourself in the company of worldly people, you have no security from the introduction of those

things which must be grievous to a pious mind. Indeed I cannot conceive how one who loves our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, if unavoidably thrust into the way of hearing his name, character, doctrines, ministers, or people blasphemed, can possibly continue a silent auditor thereof: surely such a one must either testify his abhorrence by leaving the party, or by a bold defence of the truth. For he will remember, that Whosoever is ashamed of Christ and of his words before men, of him will Christ be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with his holy angels. Now I consider, my dear Mrs. Dormer, that, if a Christian were to act faithfully in worldly company, to manifest the spirit of his Christian profession, to introduce conversation on the subject of vital godliness, and to demean himself as one who has the glory of God and the eternal welfare of his acquaintance uppermost in his mind; much trouble would not be necessary to extricate himself from worldly connections; for they would be as glad to drop all fellowship with him, as he would be to break off his intercourse with them.

MRS. DORMER.

Is there, then, no neutral ground on which the Christian and the world can meet?

MISS NEWMAN.

Yes; for the conduct of worldly business, and the reciprocation of the civilities of life; but not, as I conceive, for the derivation of mutual satisfaction. An austere moroseness of spirit and sanctimonious pride are as inconsistent with a Christian spirit, as the levities of carnal pleasure; but what concord can there be between Christ and Belial? Every Christian believer's heart is the temple of God; every unconverted heart is a temple of idols. In what can these concur? A careless sinner, from his indifference to all eternal concerns, may consent to leave religion out of sight in his social interviews, for the purpose of inducing a serious neighbour to visit him; and may, by a misnomer, dignify that indifference with the appellation of candour or charity. But could a

Christian consent to meet him on these terms of communion? Surely not. And I am moreover convinced that, if such terms of communion were made and adhered to, the gravity of a genuine Christian, the seriousness of his aspect, his want of taste for worldly vanities, his wrinkled brow at the commission of sin, and his sighs occasioned by the objects of pity that surrounded him, would become in a short time, without any other language, so offensive to a worldly mind as to be intolerable. A truly Christian spirit must prove such a reproach to an ungodly man, and such a bar to the ebullitions of the carnal mind, that fire and water may as easily coalesce, as the spirit of the world and the spirit of God. How can two walk together except they be agreed?

MISS DORMER.

But did not our blessed Lord accept several invitations to the houses of unawakened sinners ? Was he not present at several feasts? Was it not truly said of him, that he ate and drank

with publicans and sinners? And may not his disciples follow his example?

MISS NEWMAN.

All this is justly stated. And if we can go into similar society for similar purposes, our conduct may be justified by his example. But in this case we shall certainly meet with the same treatment which he experienced. You cannot suppose, my dear madam, that our Lord ever sought such company on account of any correspondence between his spirit and theirs, or of any pleasure he expected to derive from their conversation and ways.-No; He came to seek that which was lost: and this, in union with his Father's glory, was the constant motive of his conduct. And, accordingly, we always find him, on those occasions, engaged in the prosecution of the great work of his mission; and his conversation generally produced either the spiritual benefit of his associates, or their bitter enmity and opposition. I need not refer you to particular instances. An exemplification of

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