od between us and the mercy of God. That indeed is the language
and the state of the devout Christian. Stronger terms must be used to
express the alienation of heart of those, who, living in the avowed
neglect of Scripture, maybe said, forgive me, sir, 'to live without God
in the world.' Ignorance is no plea in a gentleman. In a land of light
and knowledge, ignorance itself is a sin."

Here Dr. Barlow being silent, and Mr. Flam not being prepared to answer,
Mr. Stanley said, "That the pure and virtuous dispositions which arise
out of a sincere belief of Christianity, are not more frequently seen in
persons professing themselves to be Christians, is, unhappily, one of
the strongest arguments against us that can be urged by unbelievers.
Instances, however, occur, which are too plain to be denied, of
individuals who, having been led by divine grace cordially to receive
Christianity, have exhibited in their conduct a very striking proof of
its excellence; and among these are some who, like our friend Carlton,
had previously led very corrupt lives. The ordinary class of Christians,
who indeed scarcely deserve the name, as well as skeptics and
unbelievers, would do well to mark the lives of the truly religious, and
to consider them as furnishing a proof which will come powerfully in aid
of that body of testimony with which Christianity is intrenched on all
sides. And these observers should remember, that though they themselves
may not yet possess that best evidence in favor of Christianity, which
arises from an inward sense of its purifying nature, they may
nevertheless aspire after it; and those who have any remaining doubts
should encourage themselves with the hope, that if they fully yield
themselves to the doctrines and precepts of the gospel, a salutary
change will in time be effected in their own hearts, which will furnish
them with irresistible evidence of its truth."

I could easily perceive, that though Mr. Stanley and Dr. Barlow
entertained small hopes of the beneficial effect of their discourse on
the person to whom it was directed; yet they prolonged it with an eye to
Sir John Belfield, who sat profoundly attentive, and encouraged them by
his looks.

As to Mr. Flam, it was amusing to observe the variety of his motions,
gestures, and contortions, and the pains he took to appear easy and
indifferent, and even victorious: sometimes fixing the end of his whip
on the floor, and whirling it around at full speed; then