despair. As he combated these horrible recollections with distracted
feelings, but with a resolved mind, he became aware that his arguments
were answered by the sophistry of another, and that the dispute was no
longer confined to his own thoughts. The Author of Evil was present in
the room with him in bodily shape, and, potent with spirits of a
melancholy cast, was impressing upon him the desperation of his state,
and urging suicide as the readiest mode to put an end to his sinful
career. Amid his errors, the pleasure he had taken in prolonging his
journey unnecessarily, and the attention which he had bestowed on the
beauty of the fair female, when his thoughts ought to have been
dedicated to the religious discourse of her father, were set before him
in the darkest colours; and he was treated as one who, having sinned
against light, was, therefore, deservedly left a prey to the Prince of
Darkness. As the fated and influential hour rolled on, the terrors of
the hateful Presence grew more confounding to the mortal senses of the
victim, and the knot of the accursed sophistry became more inextricable
in appearance, at least to the prey whom its meshes surrounded. He had
not power to explain the assurance of pardon which he continued to
assert, or to name the victorious name in which he trusted. But his
faith did not abandon him, though he lacked for a time the power of
expressing it. "Say what you will," was his answer to the Tempter;
"I know there is as much betwixt the two boards of this Book as can
insure me forgiveness for my transgressions, and safety for my soul."
As he spoke, the clock, which announced the lapse of the fatal hour,
was heard to strike. The speech and intellectual powers of the youth were
instantly and fully restored; he burst forth into prayer, and expressed,
in the most glowing terms, his reliance on the truth, and on the Author,
of the gospel. The demon retired, yelling and discomfited; and the old
man, entering the apartment, with tears congratulated his guest on his
victory in the fated struggle. The young man was afterwards married