The Dairyman's Daughter

, even while "we see through a glass darkly," the views of Divine love and wisdom are so delightful to the eye of faith, what must be the glorious vision of God, when seen face to face? If it be so va

angels, to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of

ope full of immortality is so animating to the soul, what heart can conceive, or what tongue utter its superior

on as I travelled onward to the house where, in solemn prepara

n the case of her sister, that I should perform the funeral service. Many pleasing yet melancholy thoughts were conne

ad so long enjoyed that privilege with the subject of this memoir. I then indulged a selfish sigh for a moment, on thinking that I could no longer hear the great truths of Christianity uttered by one

ded from a village church in the valley directly beneath the ridge of a h

derable time previous to the hour of burial), the bell, as it were, proclaimed the blessedness of the dead who die in the Lord, and also the necessity of the living pondering these things,

small river winded in a variety of directions, and many herds grazed upon its banks. A fine range of opposite hills, covered with grazing flocks, terminated with a bold sweep into the ocean, whose blue waves appea

the Word of God to unite the admiration of the beauties and wonders of nature to every other motive for devotion. When David considered the heavens, the work of God's fingers, the moon and the stars which He has ordained, he was thereby led to the deepest humil

hable riches of his grace in the salvation of a sinner. And where can he learn this lesson more instructively than in looking around the fields, where his labour is appointed

hadowed with trees and high hedges, led from the foot of the hill to his dwelling. It was impos

the memory of the Dairyman's daughter. Several of them had first become acquainted with her during the latter stage of her illness: some few had maintained an affectionate

e relatives and a few other friends were gone t

perishing habitation, no longer occupied by its tenant. Yet the features present the accustomed association of friendly intercourse. For one moment we could think them asleep. The next reminds us that the blood circulates no more: the eye has lost its power of seeing, the ear of hearing, the heart of throbbing, and the limbs of moving. Quickly a thought of glory breaks in upon the mind, and we imagine the dear departed soul to be arrived at its long wished-for rest. It is surrounded by cherubim

ll, appear more than ever to be momentous subjects of meditation, it is that wh

up his eyes to heaven. A struggle for resignation to the will of God was manifest in his countenance; while the tears rolling down his aged cheeks at the same time declared his grief and affection. The poor mother cried and sobb

gement of the few simple though solemn ceremonies w

dear friend Elizabeth finds it to be so, I have no doubt

e that while her body remains here, the soul is with her Saviour in Paradise. She loved

! What shall I do? Betsy's gone! My daughter's dead! O, my child! I shall nev

ain. It is a cry that has brought thousands to glory. It brought your daughter there, and I

d let us trust Him with our ownselves. 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the

e into my hand, and said-"Perhaps, sir, you would not o

read it. Each minute that was spent in this funereal chamber seemed to be valuable. I made

n the next world for all that this world could bestow without it. What is wealth without grace? Blessed be God! as I march about from one quarter to another, I still fin

Each friend had something to relate in testimony of her gracious disposition. A young woman under twenty, who had hitherto been a very light and trifling character, appeared to be remarkably imp

ared with the dull, formal, unedifying, and often indecent m

gain, while we talked of her. Tearful smiles often brightened their countenances, as they heard the voice of friendship uttering their

departing was

anquillity of her soul. According to the custom of the country, she was decorated with leaves and flowers in the coffin: she seemed as a bride gone forth to mee

peak, and was instantly struck with the happy thoug

e, my honoured sister, be to thy memory and

so many that followed the coffin being persons of a devout and spiritual character. The distance was

gh much affection of heart. Their appearance was calculated to excite every emotion of pity, love, and est

wn effect of the open air, in softening and blending the sounds of music, was here peculiarly felt. The road through which we passed was beautiful and romantic. It lay at the foot of a hill, which occasionally re-echoed th

the countenances of many proclaimed their regard for the departed young woman. The singing was

nessed a similar instance before or since. I was reminded of elder times and ancient piety. I wished the

d not too minutely to conjecture as to the actual nature of those pleasures which, after the resurrection, the reunited body and soul will enjo

came to the grave, the hymn which Elizabeth had selected was sung. All was devout, simple, ani

e seen, but she will be seen on the right hand of her Redeemer at the last day;

ousness? Are we turned from idols to serve the living God? Are we sensible of our own emptiness, and therefore flying to a Saviour's fulness to obtain gr

dost thou resemble her as she resembled Christ? Art thou made rich by faith? Hast thou a crown laid up for thee? Is th

unto thee in pleasant places! thou hast a goodly heritage. Press forward in duty, and wait upon the Lord, possessing thy soul in holy patience. Thou hast

tno

the Dairyman, appeared in the Christian Guardi

d that the pious subject of the little memoir had resided there, and determined that, when I next visited that delightful spot, I would make inquiry respecting her. At the close of April last year, I had occasion to go there. At the village of B--- I had the good fortune to le

erable old man appeared to wonder at the feelings of a stranger, but seemed thankful for my visit, and wept as I made past scenes again pass before his view. I was happy to find that his hopes were built upon the Rock of Ages; that his sure trust was in the Redeemer of sinners. We talked of the kind attentions of the Rev. Mr ---, of the happy death of Elizabeth, of the wondrous grace of God;

en to see him since my former call, but he believed they were strangers, not inhabitants of the island. He appeared much weaker than before, and evidently drawing nearer to his rest. Whether

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