pprobation.

Albert after a short silence exclaimed with great emphasis: "I thank
God _my_ Bible is my _reason_, my _conscience_, and my _heart_. I
this day glory in being an infidel."

"Oh! Albert, Albert!" cried Mary, and burst into tears.

Albert seeing he had wounded the feelings of one he loved so dearly,
tried to soothe her by remarking that he had met at the North with
some persons who maintained that the Bible was misunderstood and
misinterpreted by the most of the commentators and theologians, and
that when rightly explained and received, would be found to be
perfectly in harmony with the sympathies and philanthropic emotions of
the human heart, and with the principles of enlightened reason. But as
these persons were generally called fanatical and visionary, he had
not paid much attention to their strictures. "I intend, however," he
added, "to take an early opportunity to investigate the Bible for
myself, and if it prove itself to be better than its commentators and
expounders, perhaps I shall become a Christian. But I cannot be a
Christian if Christianity props up slaveholding and piracy."

Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a messenger,
who announced that every preparation had been made, and that Mr.
Gillon and Miss St. Clair could now go on board the merchant vessel.
On rising to depart, Albert with much feeling addressed the Captain:

"Captain Templeton, we are much indebted to you for saving our lives,
and for the hospitality and very kind attentions we have received. I
would that I could repay you in some way. But you will pardon me, so
young a man, for expressing the profound wish of my heart, that you
would abandon this horrible life, and no longer delude yourself with
the idea that the Bible is the highest authority for the regulation of
man's life. Recognize every man, everywhere, as your brother, and
treat all as you have treated Mary and myself,--treat all as your own
heart, left to its most benevolent promptings, would dictate, and (the
Bible to the contrary notwithstanding) you will please God better than
you can do by any adherence to theological dogmas, that make the
Almighty the author of piracy, slavery, war, death-penalties, and such
like institutions and practices."

"And I, too, hope," replied Captain Templeton, "that you will look
into this matter with care, and come to the conclusion to follow that
good book rather than the _ignis fatuus_ of mere human reason a