ed, had formed no part in my education.
I had read the sacred volume with fear and trembling, and derived no
consolation from its mystic pages. I had adopted the fatal idea, that I
was one of those pre-condemned beings, for whom the blackness of
darkness was reserved for ever, and that no effort on my part could
avert the terrible decree.

This shocking and blasphemous belief had taken such deep hold of my
mind, that looked upon all religious exercises as perfectly useless. I
could not fancy myself one of the elect, and so went from that extreme
to the other. If I were to be saved, I should be saved; if a vessel of
wrath, only fitted for destruction, it was folly to struggle against
fate, and I never suffered my mind to dwell upon the subject. In the
multitude of sorrows which pressed sorely on my young heart, I more
than ever stood in need of the advice and consolation which the
Christian religion can alone bestow.

I left the presence of my uncle, and sought my own chamber. The lonely
garret did not appear so repulsive as usual. No one would disturb its
gloomy solitude, or intrude upon my grief. There I had free liberty to
weep--to vent aloud, if I pleased, the indignant feelings of my heart.
My mind was overwhelmed with bitter and resentful thoughts; every evil
passion was struggling for mastery, and the worst agony I was called
upon to endure, was the hopeless, heart-crushing, downward tending
madness of despair.

To die--to get rid of self, the dark consciousness of unmerited
contempt and social degradation, was the temptation which continually
flitted through my excited brain. I have often since wondered how I
resisted the strong impulse which lured me onward to destruction.

My good angel prevailed. By mere accident, my Bible lay upon the iron
chest. I eagerly seized the volume, and sought in the first page I
should open, an omen that should decide my fate, and my eye glanced
upon the words already quoted--"Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents, and
harmless as doves."

I closed the book and sat down, and tried to shape the words to suit my
present state. What better advice could I follow? from what higher
authority could I derive sounder counsel? Did it not suit completely my
case?

Harrison had disappeared. I was alone and friendless in the house of
the oppressor. Did I follow the suggestions of my own heart, I should
either destroy myself, or quit the protection of Mr. Moncton's roof for
ever.

"But the