at many a blessing comes to us in deep disguise,
and that many a dispensation which we look upon as a favor from above,
is far from being so. If, then, it be true that this thing is vouchsafed
to him as a hidden blessing, let us be thankful that we have been
selected as the unworthy means through whom he is made to receive it; or
if it comes to him as a punishment, still it is our duty to reflect that
we are merely the instruments through whose frailties, or virtues, as
the case may be, he is visited, and that from the beginning this and
many other acts which a blind unenlightened world might censure, were
ordained for us, in order that the perfect scheme of Providence might be
fulfilled.

"With respect to the spy system, I do agree with you fully. Many things
must be done in secret, which the perversity of the world will not bear
to hear of without committing sin. For instance, my dear Val, in sowing
your crop of loyalty, so to speak, it might not, perhaps, be wrong--I
am speaking, now observe, with reference to the cunning of the serpent,
which you know we are enjoined to have, and if to have, of course to use
when necessary; it might not, perhaps, be wrong I say, to cast a tare
or two, if only for the purpose of employing our friends and fellow
creatures to pull them, out again. It is as it were, giving the idle
employment, and enabling ourselves in the mean time to gather an
abundant harvest into our own garners.

"With respect to Darby, I trust, that if my unworthy example and earnest
precept have been successful in rescuing him from the bonds of error
and sin--but what is still more dangerous, from the damnable thrall
of Popery--it is not for me to vainly extol myself therefor. His
conversion, however, will, I trust, be edifying to that interesting, but
neglected class, the bailiffs of Ireland. With reference to them, I
am engaged during the very few leisure hours that I can steal--so
to speak--from my professional employment, in writing a second tract
especially for their improvement. It will be appropriately called, _The
Bailiff's Beacon or a Strengthener for tender Consciences_, By their
friend and brother Christian, Solomon M'Slime, Attorney at Law.

"Verily, my lines have been made to fall in pleasant places. On
yesterday, I had the satisfaction to be appointed _soul_ agent to the
Religious Cosmopolitan Assurance Association, being a branch of the
Grand Junction Spiritual Railway Society for travellers to a