The National Register.
London, England, 1816-04-22 00:00:00

LITP,R.ITURE.

WE this week present our readers with an extract
from a Tale written by Miss Tav Loa, entitled "Display,"
in which, under the history of Elizabeth and Emily, two
sisters, she describes the character, and details the actions,
of a nominal, and a real CHRISTIAN. Miss TAYLOR is
one of a famii b. sf authors who have devoted their talents
to the productiOn of works for the use of the young, dis-
tinguished by their amiable cast, and beneficial tendency.
Her mother, father, and sister, are known to the pub-
lic (especially that part of it which, either as parents or
guardians, conduct the education, or superintend the
morals• of the rising generation), for several interest-
ing Tracts and little Pieees in prose and verse, tend-
ing to remove the prejudices, improve the principles, or
advance the moral and religious instruction, of the ju-
venile maul. They almost meet the child as it rises from
the cradle, and continue their useful lessons, till, passing
through the nursery and the school, their young pupils
of both sexes are prepared for entering life •and fulfilling
its duties, provided with sound feelings, with Chi+stian
principles, and enlightened understandings. We may
enumerate the titles of a few of the works to which we
allude, for the use of families. We have Twelve Addresses
to a School, by Mr. TAYLOR, the father ; Maternal Soli-
citude for a Daughter's Best Interests, and Practical Hints
to Young Females, on the Duties gl a a Mother, and the
Mistress of a Family, two most amiable and useful publi-
cations, by Mrs. TAYLOR. Hymns.* Illiort Minds ; the
Hymns fur the Nursery; Original Ilymns for Sunday
Schools, and some other little works of the same kind, by
JANE and ANN TAYLOR jointly. " Display" is written by
the former. All these productions are distinguished for
their singular adaptation to the end view, their sound
sense, their pure and Christian spirit, and their total ab-
sence, either of bigotry or cant phraseology. They are
liberal, without the sacrifice of the least Christian princi-
ple; and strict, without being morose or enthusiastic.
Being written by the•members of the same family, they
have all a tamils, likeness, and breathe a calm domestic
spirit. There cannot, we think, be conceived a more in-
teresting image than that which is presented by the union
of the different members of one family, to contribute, not
their wealth, not their bodily efforts, for the benefit of
othe'—but the fruit of their genius, the likht of their
principles, the lessons of their experience, the result of
their reflections for the moral improvement and the eter-
nal advantage of that part of our population, from whom
they cannot expect • either pecuniary rewards or literary
fame.

The following passage from " DISPLAY" describes the
progress of Christian principles in the mind of Emily the
4‘ realist," we think, with great truth and felicity:—

"In the mean time Emily's friends witnessed with great
pleasure the hopeful, thong's gradual change tlAt appeared to
be taking place in her mint. These friends could make al-
lowances fur the pre jnclices of education, the intlaenee of early
habits, anti the visions disadvantages which must attend the
dawning!: of- religion in those who have not been taught to fear
God from their youth. _

" The) were pleased to observe in her a delicacy of con-
science winch made her extre:nely. :mauled in cons ening on
the subject, lest she should be lcd ts express more than she
felt. Without sincerity, she saw that religion is but a name,
and without earnestness, a shadow. . .

" As soon as she began reading the Bible with attention and
prayer, she perceived that she had never betbre read it to pur-
pose. She was surprised that she had often passed over the
same passages which now struck her so forcibly, with sacs!'
total inattention to their ohs tom meaning. She began to feel
that ' one thing is needful;' that the grand liminess of life,
ansitbat to Which altothers must be secondary, is to prepare
for the life to cones. Of the necessity :Ind IliitUPC of this pre-
paration she became increasingly conscious the inure she
thought of Owl, and of the natare of heavenly happiness. She
was convinced that.' His presence could not be friness of joy.
to any but those who ore, like I tint, holy antl'spiritnal. When
she compared the state of mind which the Scriptures call
' inertness for Heaven,' with the vanity and earthliness. of her
present taste and pleasares, and with the distaste she fidt to
those that ar,s wholly spiritual, she began to nnilerstatoi what
is meant by being' born again.' and to feel the necessity of it,
although her ideas of the way in which this oitange mast be
produced. were still indistinct and uncertain.
" Site had bowed at the name of Jesus, and spoken of Hint,
and. heard Him tpoken of, our Savioap.,' nod our blessed
.1-aviour:' but with notions the most vague, and feelings -the
most hulas:rcpt.. But when. she began. to regard Him as a
Saviour faun sin and misery, as the friend' of si:.Mus, a living
and present friend‘and to hope that He might be her's—His
being and His chenseter appeareu an astonishing reality, and
it seemed to her as though she had nevewheard of slim before.
"At filet Emily set about beeomiutt-a Christian with the
same expectation of ~access-as-sac %%acid have applied herself
to a language uraseioorv. She saw that she had it an to learn,
and she thought there was nothing to l,•e done but •to learn it.
40011, however, began to .expericucesume of the dithcultica