12 THE SNOW-DROP. 



hibifed as resulting from this specious self-decep- 

 tion ! "We know," saiih the apostle, "that we 

 have passed from death unto life, because we love 

 the brethren." The test, when rightly applied, is 

 a sure one : but we cannot guard too vigilantly 

 against that penersion of it to which our deceitful 

 hearts are perpetually prompting us. To love 

 Christ ill his people, is an evidence of spiritual 

 life : lo love Christ /or his people, is a delusion, 

 by means of which the father of lies seals many 

 to eternal death. 



After a few removals, the regiment was ordered 

 to India ; and with bitter anguish has mv poor 

 friend dwelt on the recollection of that year's 

 events. The family of her husband being people 

 of rank, and wealthy, his outfit was rendered, by 

 his father's generosity, a very superior one. Val 

 uable plate, and every thing that taste could devise 

 for affluence to accomplish, was lavished on the 

 young couple ; and as Theresa's fondness, in 

 alliance with the pride that was her natural char- 

 acteristic, pleaded for the display of all that could 

 make her Frederick an object of such respect as 

 this world's envy can bestow, she exerted all her 

 influence to draw him into society which he felt 

 to be most deadening to his spiritual energies, and 

 destructive of the peace which he most coveted 

 Still his affection for her was so great as to render 

 her persuasions irresistible : and, while the fading 



