its dark shadow into the present, and pervert the judgment. We are
fearfully made."

"Why pain yourself, dearest father, with speculations of this
character? Our Maker knows our weakness and will pardon our
infirmities."

"I am an illustration of the subject of our conversation," continued
Armstrong, after a pause of a few minutes, during which he had
remained meditating, with his head resting on his hand. "I know I
would not, willingly, harshly judge another--for who authorized me to
pass sentence? Yet these ideas would force themselves into my mind;
and how have I spoken of our kind and excellent neighbor! There is
something wrong in myself which I must struggle to correct."

We communicate only enough of the conversation to give an idea of
the state of Mr. Armstrong's mind at the time. At the usual family
devotions that night he prayed fervently for forgiveness of his error,
repeatedly upbraiding himself with presumption and uncharitableness,
and entreating that he might not be left to his own vain imaginations.




CHAPTER IV.

O! I could whisper thee a tale,
That surely would thy pity move,
But what would idle words avail,
Unless the heart might speak its love?