The Dairyman's Daughter

he remembrance of former scenes and conversations with those who, we believe, are now enjoying the uninterrupted happiness of a better world, fills the heart with pleasing sadness,

cter is, that they are kings and priests unto God, and this is their true nobility. In the number of now departed be

in whose service the youngest sister had lived and died, and whe

unds. The manor-house had evidently descended through a long line of ancestry, from a distant period of time. The Gothic character of its original architecture was still preserved in the latticed windows, adorned with

limits, and embraced a lofty chimney up to its very summit. Such a tree seemed congenial to the walls that suppor

aving their inheritance to be enjoyed by others. David once observed the same, and cried out, "Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every m

continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations: they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless, man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way

rees, and gave a characteristic effect to the ancient fabric. I instantly recollected that death had very recent

will associate itself with the very walls, from whence we ar

which the elder sister had paid to the younger during the illness of the latter. I received likewise other testimonies of the excellency of her general chara

almness and serenity in her countenance, which exceedingly struck me, and impressed some i

s and earnest exhortations of Elizabeth had been blessed to a happy effect. She described what had passed with such a mixture of sisterly affectio

taken by introducing herself to my notice. She expressed a trust that the Lord would overrule both the death of her sister and the personal acquaintance with me that res

id not remain long with her, but left her with an assur

u respecting my own state of mind. Perhaps I shall be better able another time. When you next visit me, instead of finding me in these noble walls, you will see

. I discovered traces of a cultivated as well as a spiritual mind. I felt that religious intercourse with those of

mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which

ascended gradually to the very summit of the hill adjoining the mansion where my visit had just been made. Here was placed an elevated sea mark: it was in the form of a triangular pyramid, and built of stone. I sat down on the

lley, some covered with wood, others with corn or grass, and a few with heath or fern. One of these little hills was distinguished by a parish church at the top, presenting a striking feature in the landscape. Another of these elevations, situated in the centre of the valley, was adorned with a venerable holly tree, which had grown there for ages. Its singular height and wide-spreading dimensions not only render it an object of cu

uation of that line of hills where I was placed, rose two downs, one beyond the other, both covered with sheep, and the sea just visible over the farthest of them, as a terminating boundary. In this

e was a fine woody district of country, diversified by many pleasing objects. Distant towns were visible on the opposite shore. Numbers of ships occupied the sheltered station which this northern channel

rd of the hill on which I sat. In many instances the hills were cultivated with corn to their very summits, and seemed to defy the inclemency of weather, which, at these heights, usually renders the ground incapable of bringing forth and ripening

lightful scenery I found a mount for

f the fallen sinner, Paradise is regained, and much of its beauty restored to the soul. As this prospect is compounded of hill and dale, land and sea, woods and plains, all sweetly b

eatly impressed with a sense of the importance of family influence as a means of grace. "That young woman," I thought, "has been the conductor of not only a sister, but, perhaps, a father and mother also, to the true knowledge of God, and may, by Divine blessing, become so to others. It

of their inhabitants are ignorant of the ways of God, and strangers to his grace! May this thought stimulate to ac

oung person with whom I had been just conversing. Her mind appeared to be much impressed with the duty o

letter and conversation. What she felt herself, in respect to endeavours to do g

ount of observation, as my heart desired. On my return home I wrote a few lines to the Dairyman's d

received her reply, of which

un

v.

am, and his presence makes my paradise; for where He is, is heaven. I pray God that a double portion of his grace and Holy Spirit may rest upon you this day; that his blessing may attend

here may they ever find it, for Jesus' sake! May his Word, spoken by you, his chosen vessel of grace, be made spirit and life to their dead souls. May it come from you as an instrument in the hands of God, as sharp arrows from a strong archer, and strike a death-blow to all their sins. How I long to see the arrows of conviction fasten on the minds of those that are hearers of the word and not doers! O, sir! b

ing to the power and ability which we receive from Him. God requires not what He has not promised to give. But when we look back and reflect that there have been opportunities in which we have neglected to take up our cross, and speak and

love and good works; and where two are agree

our fello

s be so

of rapture

the thron

at make for your present and eternal happiness. Christ sent his disciples out, not singly, but two and two, t

o my soul when I can meet with any who loves to talk of the goodness and love of God, and all his gracious dealings. What a comfortable re

n me, to be called his child, to be born of his Spirit, made an heir of glory, and joint heir with Christ, how humble and circumspect should I be in all my ways, as a dutiful and loving child to an affectionate and loving Father! When I seriously consider these

n myself; for there was nothing in you but what seemed to evidence a Christian spirit, temper, and disposition. I very much wished for an opportunity to convers

-, over my dear departed sister, and to tell him of the kind way in which you consented to do it. I sho

I expect in a few days to return home to my pa

umble servan

- W-

Sunday evenings, I sometimes went to instruct a few poor families in one of the hamlets belonging to my parish. I read the lette

the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written b

emembrance is