A letter of Lady T. A. Powerscourt to a friend.-Abridged.

My Dear —

After the encouragement which your letter, received last night, gives, I lose no time in writing. The principal reason which has kept me hitherto from doing so was the fear of making you unhappy without being of any use. But now you give me liberty to say what I think; and as I think much on it, I fear my letter will not be very short.

I was indeed astonished at your reasoning, and much more at N–'s, but not the least astonished at the engagement of your affections, for as I often told you, I expected it; but I am not going to laugh at you. No, for I feel most sincerely for you. I am not ignorant of what it is to give up an object tenderly loved, but I can also say, I am not ignorant of the peace which follows when the lacerated soul is at length able to surrender itself into the arms of Everlasting Love, saying,"Undertake for me." But however painful the struggle, it is short and light compared with what, in the other case, it will entail on yourself and him. Will, it be happiness to disappoint the high expectations he has built upon his union with you? Or do you expect to be more amiable than our Jesus, and think you will succeed in walking consistently as a Christian and yet be pleasing to the world ?

Do not be angry at my speaking of Mr.– as an unbeliever; for if not now a believer. it is presumption in you to build upon his seeming anxiety on the "one thing needful." If the Bible is true,
there is a rooted enemy within; and though he may admire the religion of Jesus at a distance, he cannot love to come in contact with it in every turn of life-to have it the subject of conversation, the end to which your every action tends. I say this not only from seeing it around, but the word of God says it; and truly lean say from what I have seen that love-conversions are not to be trusted. I do not say it is hypocrisy in Mr.– or in others I could name; but love for the person really deceives them into love of what is dear to the person.

It was not hypocrisy in Mr.– to admire F–because she did not join in the dance; and his being so " well inclined," induced her to see no harm in following the desires of her own heart. Has he helped her on ? When such uneven weights are put into the scale of the affections, one cannot expect a just verdict. It was not hypocrisy in another I have in mind, to show such anxiety as to sit up nights with dear J–, inquiring into the truth, Alas ! you could hardly now distinguish if she is a Christian or not, after holding out against the reproach of it for many years. I could mention another who, when the prize was obtained, opposed and put a stop to her visiting the poor, or having school-put an extinguisher over the Lord's bright light. I could mention another, whose prayers deceived even Christians, now contending for balls, plays, reading novels, etc.

Passing over many others, I remember one, who never meant to deceive, who continued long in religious society, church-going, reading with his wife etc., and though his kindness and affection are as devoted as ever, is she happy in not being able to speak of our Beloved without exciting the strongest expressions of disapprobation? Is it happiness to have no religious fellowship with one always with you-he despising your pursuits, you not relishing his? Is it happiness, while rejoicing in the glorious promises yourself, to feel that he whois dearer to you than your own life has no part or lot in the matter, knowing he is without God, and consequently without hope? Is this a highly colored picture? Alas! it is far short of what some endure! How often it is persecution! How often separation from every means of grace, and quartering of affections-duties spiritual drawing one way, duties earthly the other, till misery ensues! Is it fair of you, knowing this, thus to deceive, and ruin the future happiness of Mr.–Is it not better to cut it now, when the wound may be healed?

You will say, " Oh, you do not know Mr.–, or you would not so speak; he could not deceive, he is so honest."I believe it ; and, remember, I said it was not hypocrisy. From what I have heard, I believe him to be thoroughly amiable, and, I dare say, "well inclined."But if you have waited for an earthly father's consent, why not for your heavenly Father's ?Because you are sure it is God's intention to bring him to Himself, and that by your means, why not wait till Mr.–'s inclinations end in conversion; till seeking ends in belief? Really, my dear, what is become of your reasoning faculties ?Have you been let into God's counsels ? Are you to disobey His will in order to bring them to pass ? If you had been united to Mr.– before you knew the Lord, then expected that He would hear your prayers for him, it would be expecting abounding grace; but is it less than presumption with open eyes to unite yourself to him now, and then expect that, since you have not fitted yourself to God, He will fit Himself to you ? I should fear you were leaving yourself without an argument to plead with Him, Would it be excusable for you to run away with Mr.– and marry him elsewhere because you feel certain your father intends to give his consent ?

But perhaps you will say, " The Lord has not forbidden it." But what says 2 Cor. 6:14-18 ? I have again considered this chapter and am still of opinion that it is exactly in point. Keep in mind there is no middle state. Read Rom.8:5-9 and see that those who are ''in the flesh"are not in the Spirit; and if the evidences given of those in the Spirit are not seen in him, he is in the flesh, and is to be considered by the Christian in the same light as an unbeliever, and " evil communications corrupt good manners." If the Israelites were so strongly urged not to mingle with the heathen, lest they learn their works (and they were often chastened for this sin) are we in no danger in making a forbidden alliance to fall under God's discipline ? See the effect of their intermarriages in Ezra, chaps. 9 and 10. Did Solomon, with all his wisdom, lead his ungodly wives the good way ? or did they lead him the bad ?

You may not mind what I say, and I fear all this will be seen some day by Mr.–; but I have said nothing against him, except that he is not now one of God's children, which I gather from yourself.

When I found that writing was useless, I prayed often; but your reasoning on this also is strange. You determine, if you can, to walk into the fire, yet you tell me to pray that you may not be burned! Would you think it reasonable for me, were I to yield myself to the dissipations of the world, to ask you to pray that I may not be led into temptation ? The Lord says to us, "If you love Me, keep my commandments."

I know it is painful to flesh and blood to cut off a right hand, to pluck' out a right eye; yet those are not worthy of Him who are not willing to give up all, to "take up their cross and follow Him." Abraham's was a painful trial of faith, when called to offer up his Isaac. Would it have proved his love if he had said, "I cannot do that; but if the Lord takes him from me, I shall be resigned?"The trial of your faith must be more precious than gold tried in fire; it will prove itself by giving up the idol-not in being resigned should it be denied by your Father; not by determining, if you can, to do evil that good may come. As to saying you have consented-I consider it as the enemy's snare. You made a promise you had no right to make, and therefore have no right to keep. The Lord says, " Give Me thy heart; " and Mr.– says, "Give me thy heart." The Lord says, "If you give me your time, talents, everything- without the heart, they will be nothing."Mr.– says the same. You answer,"! will give it to both." But stop, and remember who it is that says, "How can two walk together except they be agreed ? " Remember He will not divide the heart with Belial. Choose, then, whom you will serve. Oh, may you be able to answer in action, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee."