could be missing a single day without becoming the subject of many interested inquiries? Who is there, however lowly in position, if character be his, whose unexplained absence would not excite solicitude and fears-fears that would have no cessation till the truth had been discovered, and the injury, if any, had been redressed?

2. So true it is that character is, to no slight extent, ARMOur.

3. No circumstances, however favourable, can shroud crime.

Gardelle had ample time and admirable facilities for escaping undetected; or, at all events, abundant leisure, and opportunity, and space, for effectually concealing the body.

He failed in carrying out either alternative. Why?

From no unwillingness to live from no inability to devise expedients-from no lack of industry or energy-from no deficiency in courage or self-possession-but because the Invisible Witness of crime was behind him— because "THE AVENGER OF BLOOD" tracked his every footstep, and marked with unerring certainty his gibbet-home.

Over his last hours, callous, sullen, mendacious, and impenitent, we need not linger.

Of his case, as of others, it may be remarked, Many men do nothing else than make work for repentance, and yet do nothing less than repent them of their work."

CHAPTER III.

POPULARITY-A SNARE.

Br. Bodd.

"A man sometimes suffers himself to be lulled asleep by the agreeable voice of a flattering world, which praises the pastor for performing one half of his duty, while God condemns him for the neglect of the other." QUESNEL.

THE good opinion of those around us is, beyond doubt, agreeable. It is grateful to have our motives appreciated and our labours acknowledged. It soothes a man's self-love, when success has attended his efforts, to hear that success distinctly recognised, and to find that, by his fellows, past results are regarded as heralds of future triumphs.

But Popularity is a cup which intoxicates as well as exhilarates. To whomsoever presented it is perilous. It must not be quaffed; it must be sipped, sparingly, cautiously, and suspiciously. Poison lurks within it, and he who drains it is undone.

How many ministers have been ruined by a love for company!

To the folly, idolatry, and daily incense of their congregations, may the fall of how many clergymen be traced? We need scarcely appeal to the records of years long past; present time will supply us with an instance and a lesson. Let Belgravia be the scene, and the party Dr. Dillon. Who, in his heyday, more followed, caressed, and flattered by his people than he?

Here some personal recollections will not inappropriately aid me. I had to call upon the popular idol on a matter of business. He was then occupying (if I mistake not) apartments closely adjoining, if not over, Charlotte Chapel. It was long past noon, but he had not risen; and I waited with all the patience I could command for three quarters of an hour for the termination of his slumbers. At length he made his appearance, all apologies, smiles, and courtesy. The day was either the third or fourth of January, and he pointed-with perhaps pardonable vanity-to his study-table, thickly strewed with presents from his congregation. A silver inkstand from a duchess was among them.

But his fall-how sudden and irretrievable; and his end how sad!

A career of kindred popularity (closed, unquestionably, by a death of far deeper gloom) was run by Dr. Dodd. The fortunes of these favourites of the hour present many points of resemblance.

The morning of life with each was full of promise! Each appeared in early manhood steadily progressing along the path of professional eminence. Each had the stimulus in his public labours of a crowded auditory. Each was lavishly remunerated by a devoted flock. Each sustained a marked and memorable check in his professional course. The one was struck off the list of king's chaplains, the other was deprived of his chapel. Each experienced the sudden and rapid transition from boundless popularity to general and merited contempt, and each died resigned and penitent.

But usefulness and publicity are not identical. Undoubtedly it must be agreeable to have the noble and influential for auditors. Granted that a refined, intellectual, and highly educated congregation, stimulates the studies of a preacher. But the poor are the chief objects