THE

ENGLISHMAN'S MAGAZINE.

DECEMBER, 1842.

Christmas-boxes. Many others, of course, might be named; but we remember that it is unnecessary to do so, as our publisher has just put together a catalogue of books, religious, moral, and entertaining, adapted for lendinglibraries, prizes, class-books, presents, &c., selected from the catalogues of various publish

THE WANDERER RECLAIMED.

A TRUE STORY.

but was at that time in great distress, having been deserted by her husband, who had gone off to America, leaving her and several children without any means of subsistence. I was informed that she was a Roman Catholic, and therefore I did not see much of her at first. But after a time, to my surprise, she asked me to allow her to send two of her boys to my school; and I observed also that she came to church. I then took an opportunity of speaking to her upon the subject of her religious belief; and she gave me her whole history, which struck me as very remarkable; though I believe, if the truth was known, hers was by no means an uncommon case. It appeared, from her statement, that her parents were members of the Church of England, and she herself, as she expressed it,

the esteemed donor on the subject on which it treats. Hence, works presented either in token of affection, respect, or merit, are those, of all others, in the selection of which most thought and discrimination should be bestowed. And yet, in no instance are these qualities more rarely exercised. If a book be gaudily bound, nicely printed, and attrac-ers, and arranged according to their prices. tively illustrated,—such, for instance, as many of the publications of the Religious Tract Society, these are, or were, for let us hope a more discriminating spirit is abroad, the qualifications sought for in providing Christmas- SOME time in the course of last year, a poor boxes by half the papas and mammas, uncles woman came from a distant part of the counand aunts, affectionate friends, and anxious try to live in the parish of which I have the schoolmasters and schoolmistresses in Eng-charge, in order to be near some of her relaland. The consequence is obvious. The veri-tions. She had evidently seen better days; est trash has been published under the guise of these embellishments, which has found eager purchasers, and still more eager readers. Hence, the readers have been damaged, and the gift has been most pernicious. Indeed, we have no doubt that the disorders and evils of many a nursery, school, and family, may be traced to the pretty-looking volumes which relations, friends, and tutors have, with the best possible intentions, presented as tokens of affection, or rewards of merit. The subject of Christmas-boxes, then, is not so trivial as some may have supposed, when they glanced at the heading of our article; and we are persuaded that we shall have done those of our readers whom it concerns good service, if any thing we have said leads them to reflect upon the responsibility which lies upon them in dispensing their literary presents. A few years ago, however needful the advice, it would have been difficult to have provided the materials for carrying it into effect. The bane only, and not the antidote, was then before us. But it is happily otherwise now; for although our popular literature, as we intend on some early opportunity to shew more at length, is sadly corrupt, there are, here and there, indications of a healthier tone and spirit, which we trust will go on increasing, and in time prevail. Many excellent books-would they were multiplied indefinitely!-have within the last two or three years been published, which will be found not only elegant, but really valuable presents. To name those which occur to us on the moment,-The Englishman's Library, the Theological Library, the Oxford reprints of our elder divines, the tracts, magazines, children's books (two fresh batches of which have appeared within the last day or two), and the publications generally of Mr. Burns. The Cardinal Virtues, The Fairy Bower, Mr. Gres-pel, to see if matters were really as bad as ley's Holiday Tales, Truth without Prejudice, Archdeacon Wilberforce's Eucharistica and Parables, Dr. Hook's Church Dictionarynot to mention the works of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,-may all be safely and appropriately made use of for

was brought up to the Church," but when she was about eighteen or nineteen, she was induced, strongly against her parents' wishes and advice, to go occasionally to a Wesleyan meeting-house. There she became acquainted with a young man, a member of that society and apparently of good character and piety, and they were married. For a time, matters went on pretty well; but she soon began to find that her husband's religious principles were far from being settled or decided. He left the Wesleyan connexion, and joined the Independents; and for some time they regularly attended the Independent meeting. In the same town there were a large number of Roman Catholics; and the Independent preacher was in the habit of inveighing against them in no measured terms, and of drawing a very exaggerated picture of the horrors and abominations of popery. The effect of this was, that some of the Independent congregation were induced by curiosity to go to the Roman Catholic cha

their preacher had represented, and amongst the rest her husband went too. He found that some things which the preacher had stated were utterly untrue, and that others were grossly exaggerated; and the effect of this exaggeration, together with the splendour of

the service and the beauty of the chapel, so thought suitable to her case; and at last, beworked upon his mind, that it ended in hising convinced that she was really penitent, becoming a convert to popery. His wife ac- and that it was her sincere desire to conform companied him throughout all his changes, henceforward to the doctrine and discipline because she believed it to be her duty to do of the Church, I allowed her to come to the as her husband did, and because, having no holy communion. It was a joyful day for her decided principles, she did not see much dif- on which she was permitted to draw near to ference between one form of religion and an- the table of the Lord, and to partake of her other. There was, however, yet one more first and last communion. She told me afterchange in which she felt that she could not wards, that it was the happiest day she had join him, and that was, to sheer infidelity. known for many a year, and she did not He became a violent politician, and associ- know how to be thankful enough to almighty ated with men (of whom there are but too God for permitting her to enjoy so great a many in our large towns) whose daily talk blessing. was sedition and blasphemy; and the result was, that he cast off all profession of religion, and avowed himself an unbeliever. Meanwhile his business was neglected, his customers fell off, and he found himself on the verge of bankruptcy; and the end was, that he left his wife and children to shift for themselves, and went off to America.

Within a few days from this time, her husband returned unexpectedly to England, and finding out where she was, came to her, and said that it was his wish that she and the chil dren should accompany him back to America. This was a great blow to her, more especially as there were no signs of improvement in her husband. However, she felt that it was her This was the poor woman's story, which duty to do as he wished, and therefore she she told with many tears and expressions of prepared immediately to obey. I saw her sorrow. She said that no one could tell but the day before she left my parish. Poor her God, what she had undergone since her woman! she was in great affliction, chiefly marriage; but she felt that she had mainly through dread of losing the spiritual privibrought it upon herself by acting contrary leges to which she had been just restored. to the wishes of her parents in the first in- She said she would willingly endure any stance. Her chief anxiety was now, not for hardship, if she could but secure for herself temporal relief (for that through the kindness and her children the opportunity of attending of friends was afforded her), but for spiritual the services of the Church. I exhorted her instruction and advice. She was conscious to trust in God, and to believe that He who that she had gone astray, and wandered from had been hitherto so gracious to her would the right path; but she knew not how to re- not now forsake her, if she remained faithful trace her steps, and she begged me to advise to him. The next day she took her departure, her what to do. I asked her whether, in all expecting very shortly to sail for America. her changes and wanderings, she had had no But it was otherwise ordained by God. It misgivings that she had acted wrong in leav- || pleased him to spare her this heavy trial, ing the Church. She said, yes; and that she and to remove her by death before the ship had never known what peace was, or where sailed. A very few days after she left my to find rest ever since. And she felt this parish, and in little more than a week from more keenly than ever now, because since the time of her coming to the Lord's table, her arrival in my parish she had attended the she was called to her last account. She went service of the Church once more, which re- to bed at night apparently in perfect health, vived old associations, and recalled to her and was found a corpse in the morning. When mind former happy days, and made her most I heard of her sudden removal, I could not painfully conscious of the folly of which she sufficiently admire the goodness of God in had been guilty. Her desire was now to be permitting her to return once more to the instructed in the right way, and to be re-ad- fold of his Church before he called her hence. mitted, if possible, into the communion of When first I saw her, she acknowledged to the Church. I questioned her very closely me that she was very unfit to die, and that as to her motives for wishing to return to the she had no settled hope, and no comfort, Church, being anxious to ascertain whether in looking beyond the grave. How, indeed, it was a mere transitory desire occasioned by could it be otherwise? How can a person who her present troubles, or whether she was in- has no fixed principles in religion-who is fluenced by right principles. Her answers tossed to and fro, and carried about with were in this respect most satisfactory; and every wind of doctrine-have peace in his there was such an air of sincerity and open- own mind, or be at peace with God? But I ness about her, accompanied with great hu- trust that, at the time of her leaving my pamility, that I felt persuaded she was speaking rish, her faith was sted fast, and her religious the truth, and that she really meant what she principles fixed on a sure foundation, and said. I had several conversations with her, that she therefore found mercy with God; and gave her some tracts to read, such as I and I am the more encouraged to hope this,

from the fact of her error having been committed under the influence of her husband, and not altogether by her own free choice.

thusiasm this abiding honour. Still, there is in all this admiration, fervid as it is, palpable and well-founded reasons for so doing. There are I could not but think also of the enormous claims to respect and esteem evidently displayed in the life and writings of the man whose memory evils of that system by which she had been seduced from the Church, and by means of thus engrosses, as it were, the hearts of his countrymen at the present day. Scott was beyond all which her soul had been so fearfully endanquestion a remarkable man, consider him in what gered. She, indeed, was permitted to return light we may. Remarkable alike for genius, as to the fold which she had left. But how well as skill in turning that genius to account. many are there who, having once been led His literary fame has left a deep echo with posastray, never find their way back again, terity, who still delight to awaken glen, ruin, and but go on, like her husband, from bad to loch, by repeating his household name, or one worse, from one change to another, until equally familiar-the name of some one of his they cast off religion altogether? The course poetical or historic characters. The boatman who from dissent to infidelity is easy and natural; ferries you over Loch Katrine, shouts out "Rodefor the same principle which leads a man rick Dhu!" that you may hear the name of that to reject the doctrines of the Church, is very imaginary hero repeated a thousand times from The rough highlander likely to lead him to reject all doctrines what-rocky glen and cavern. who leads the straggling defile of travellers amongst soever. No one can say of dissent, "Thus the picturesque passes of the highlands, is confar will I go, and no farther; nor can any tinually uttering the title of some well-known chief one tell whither his wanderings will lead or heroine-the poetical creation of the Scottish him, if he once outsteps the bounds of the bard. This daily renown gives a singular vitality Church. and interest to each memorial wherewith the Abbotsford minstrel is in any way connected. To be indifferent, therefore, on this topic in Scotland is impossible. Eye and ear must be closed ere that could be effected; you must shut out both senses to avoid any reminiscence of Scott in the land he loved, and which he has, in no small degree, la

Should this story meet the eye of any young persons who are halting between two opinions; or who from curiosity, or some such motive, are tempted occasionally to enter a dissenting meeting-house, I would entreat them to take warning by the example here given; and as they wish for peace and happiness both here and hereafter, to remain sted fast in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship in that branch of Christ's holy Church into which they were baptised, and which they cannot forsake but at the peril of their souls. They may depend upon it, they will find no peace if they once leave the Church; they will be like Noah's dove, who found no rest for the sole of her foot, until she returned to the ark.

SIR WALTER SCOTT AND DRYBURGH
ABBEY.'

"But Scotland is proud of her great national minstrel, and as long as she is Scotland will wash and warm the laurels round his brow with rains and winds that will for ever keep brightening their glossy verdure."

boured to celebrate. And who would desire to shut out-even if he could-the remembrance of a bard, Surely none other than churl or bigot would wish whose memory Scotland still delights to honour ? the beautiful imagery which he has created, and literally scattered over every nook and corner of his native land, suppressed-unrecalled, save to condemn and censure the author and disseminator of chivalrous deeds and heroic actions-glimpses of the olden time! Far be such intolerance from us; at least let it be withheld in our day. The creations of fancy and imagination, when skilfully exhibited, as well as the faithful delineations of history itself, have their respective claims to attention; especially so, when national characteristics are interwoven and unfolded at the same time. They serve to shew us how intimately connected both are with the legendary chronicles of a land, and assure us also that the prototypes of both were originally drawn from nature or founded upon facts. IF genius ever gave celebrity to a name, in this Hellenic fable and tradition were the potent mateour mutable and eventful era-or awakened inte- rials of Homer, grasped by his unequalled mind, rest and curiosity in the public mind of both he- upon which the classical scholar banquets to this mispheres, from its extraordinary versatility and hour; yet who would desire the Grecian imagery of the Iliad obliterated? The mind of man has profusion that genius certainly was recognised in the person of Sir Walter Scott. His name and been sentient and alive to moving incidents and his writings greet your ear and follow your footnarrations in all ages; he has ever sought some steps throughout the length and breadth of Scot- vehicle whereby to give permanancy to his thoughts land to this hour. From baronial hall to highland or to embody the incidents of past ages. The poetbower, his mental renown is acknowledged and ical or thrilling events of life have awakened, inechoed; and the humblest dweller amongst high-flamed, or soothed man from the earliest periodsland glen or lowland heather is at least familiar with some item of his history. It would indeed be almost a rare thing to find one who could not quote a modicum of his poetry. This is assuredly marvellous fame. The Scotch national characteristic -amor patria-will account for much of this en1 From the New York Churchman.

PROFESSOR WILSON.

enlisted his sympathies, or excited his passions. Hence arose poets, chroniclers, and historians— song and legend, poem and annal. We cannot shut out these facts from our mind, nor avoid the daily reiteration of applause and honour bestowed upon the name of one who has contributed, more than any other writer, to throw around the scenery