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diff --git a/19615.txt b/19615.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f68ab2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19615.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3239 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Dairyman's Daughter, by Legh Richmond + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Dairyman's Daughter + + +Author: Legh Richmond + + + +Release Date: October 24, 2006 [eBook #19615] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER*** + + +Transcribed from the Alexander Hislop & Company edition by David Price, +email ccx074@pglaf.org + + + + + +THE DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER. + + +BY +LEGH RICHMOND. + +AUTHOR OF "THE ANNALS OF THE POOR," ETC. + +EDINBURGH: +ALEXANDER HISLOP & COMPANY. + +EDINBURGH: +PRINTED BY SCHENCK AND M'FARLANE, +ST JAMES SQUARE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +It is a delightful employment to discover and trace the operations of +Divine grace, as they are manifested in the dispositions and lives of +God's real children. It is peculiarly gratifying to observe how +frequently, among the poorer classes of mankind, the sunshine of mercy +beams upon the heart, and bears witness to the image of Christ which the +Spirit of God has impressed thereupon. Among such, the sincerity and +simplicity of the Christian character appear unencumbered by those +obstacles to spirituality of mind and conversation, which too often prove +a great hindrance to those who live in the higher ranks. Many are the +difficulties which riches, worldly consequence, high connexions, and the +luxuriant refinements of polished society, throw in the way of religious +profession. Happy indeed it is (and some such happy instances I know), +where grace has so strikingly supported its conflict with natural pride, +self-importance, the allurements of luxury, ease, and worldly opinion, +that the noble and mighty appear adorned with genuine poverty of spirit, +self-denial, humble-mindedness, and deep spirituality of heart. + +But in general, if we want to see religion in its most simple and pure +character, we must look for it among the poor of this world, who are rich +in faith. How often is the poor man's cottage the palace of God! Many +can truly declare, that they have there learned the most valuable lessons +of faith and hope, and there witnessed the most striking demonstrations +of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God. + +The character which the present narrative is designed to introduce to the +notice of my readers, is given _from real life and circumstance_. I +first became acquainted with her by receiving the following letter, which +I transcribe from the original now before me:-- + + "Rev. Sir, + + "I take the liberty to write to you. Pray excuse me, for I have never + spoken to you. But I once heard you when you preached at --- Church. + I believe you are a faithful preacher, to warn sinners to flee from + the wrath that will be revealed against all those that live in sin, + and die impenitent. Pray go on in the strength of the Lord. And may + He bless you, and crown your labour of love with success, and give you + souls for your hire. + + "The Lord has promised to be with those whom He calls and sends forth + to preach his Word to the end of time: for without Him we can do + nothing. I was much rejoiced to hear of those marks of love and + affection to that poor soldier of the S. D. Militia. Surely the love + of Christ sent you to that poor man! May that love ever dwell richly + in you by faith! May it constrain you to seek the wandering souls of + men with the fervent desire to spend and be spent for his glory! May + the unction of the Holy Spirit attend the word spoken by you with + power, and convey deep conviction to the hearts of your hearers! May + many of them experience the Divine change of being made new creatures + in Christ! + + "Sir, be fervent in prayer with God for the conviction and conversion + of sinners. His power is great, and who can withstand it? He has + promised to answer the prayer of faith, that is put up in his Son's + name: 'Ask what ye will, it shall be granted you.' How this should + strengthen our faith, when we are taught by the Word and the Spirit + how to pray! O that sweet inspiring hope! how it lifts up the + fainting spirits, when we look over the precious promises of God! What + a mercy if we know Christ, and the power of his resurrection in our + own hearts! Through faith in Christ we rejoice in hope, and look in + expectation of that time drawing near, when all shall know and fear + the Lord, and when a nation shall be born in a day. + + "What a happy time when Christ's kingdom shall come! then shall 'his + will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.' Men shall be daily fed + with the manna of his love, and delight themselves in the Lord all the + day long. Then, what a paradise below they will enjoy! How it + animates and enlivens my soul with vigour to pursue the ways of God, + that I may even now bear some humble part in giving glory to God and + the Lamb! + + "Sir, I began to write this on Sunday, being detained from attending + on public worship. My dear and only sister, living as a servant with + Mrs ---, was so ill that I came here to attend in her place and on + her. But now she is no more. + + "I was going to intreat you to write to her in answer to this, she + being convinced of the evil of her past life, and that she had not + walked in the ways of God, nor sought to please Him. But she + earnestly desired to do so. This makes me have a comfortable hope + that she is gone to glory, and that she is now joining in sweet + concert with the angelic host in heaven to sing the wonders of + redeeming love. I hope I may now write, 'Blessed are the dead which + die in the Lord.' + + "She expressed a desire to receive the Lord's Supper, and commemorate + his precious death and sufferings. I told her, as well as I was able, + what it was to receive Christ into her heart; but as her weakness of + body increased, she did not mention it again. She seemed quite + resigned before she died. I do hope she is gone from a world of death + and sin, to be with God for ever. + + "Sir, I hope you will not be offended with me, a poor ignorant person, + to take such a liberty as to write to you. But I trust, as you are + called to instruct sinners in the ways of God, you will bear with me, + and be so kind to answer this wrote letter, and give me some + instructions. It is my heart's desire to have the mind that was in + Christ, that when I awake up in his likeness, then I may be satisfied. + + "My sister expressed a wish that you might bury her. The minister of + our parish, whither she will be carried, cannot come. She will lie at + ---. She died on Tuesday morning, and will be buried on Friday, or + Saturday (whichever is most convenient to you), at three o'clock in + the afternoon. Please to send an answer by the bearer, to let me know + whether you can comply with this request, + + "From your unworthy servant, + + "ELIZABETH W---." + +I was much struck with the simple and earnest strain of devotion which +this letter breathed. It was but indifferently written and spelt; but +this rather tended to endear the hitherto unknown writer, as it seemed +characteristic of the union of humbleness of station with eminence of +piety. I felt quite thankful that I was favoured with a correspondent of +this description; the more so, as such characters were at this time very +rare in the neighbourhood. I have often wished that epistolary +intercourse of this kind was more encouraged and practised among us. I +have the greatest reason to speak well of its effect, both on myself and +others. Communication by letter as well as by conversation with the +pious poor, has often been the instrument of animating and reviving my +own heart in the midst of duty, and of giving me the most profitable +information for the general conduct of the ministerial office. + +As soon as the letter was read, I inquired who was the bearer of it. + +"He is waiting at the outside of the gate, sir," was the reply. + +I went out to speak to him, and saw a venerable old man, whose long hoary +hair and deeply-wrinkled countenance commanded more than common respect. +He was resting his arm upon the gate, and tears were streaming down his +cheeks. On my approach he made a low bow, and said: + +"Sir, I have brought you a letter from my daughter; but I fear you will +think us very bold in asking you to take so much trouble." + +"By no means," I replied; "I shall be truly glad to oblige you and any of +your family in this matter, provided it be quite agreeable to the +minister of your parish." + +"Sir, he told me yesterday that he should be very glad if I could procure +some gentleman to come and bury my poor child for him, as he lives five +miles off, and has particular business on that day. So, when I told my +daughter, she asked me to come to you, sir, and bring that letter, which +would explain the matter." + +I desired him to come into the house, and then said: + +"What is your occupation?" + +"Sir, I have lived most of my days in a little cottage at ---, six miles +from here. I have rented a few acres of ground, and kept some cows, +which, in addition to my day-labour, has been the means of supporting and +bringing up my family." + +"What family have you?" + +"A wife, now getting very aged and helpless, two sons and one daughter; +for my other poor dear child is just departed out of this wicked world." + +"I hope for a better." + +"I hope so, too, poor thing. She did not use to take to such good ways +as her sister; but I do believe that her sister's manner of talking with +her before she died, was the means of saving her soul. What a mercy it +is to have such a child as mine is! I never thought about my own soul +seriously till she, poor girl, begged and prayed me to flee from the +wrath to come." + +"How old are you?" + +"Near seventy, and my wife is older; we are getting old, and almost past +our labour, but our daughter has left a good place, where she lived in +service, on purpose to come home and take care of us and our little +dairy. And a dear, dutiful, affectionate girl she is." + +"Was she always so?" + +"No, sir: when she was very young, she was all for the world, and +pleasure, and dress, and company. Indeed, we were all very ignorant, and +thought if we took care for this life, and wronged nobody, we should be +sure to go to heaven at last. My daughters were both wilful, and, like +ourselves, strangers to the ways of God and the Word of his grace. But +the eldest of them went out to service, and some years ago she heard a +sermon at --- Church, by a gentleman that was going to ---, as chaplain +to the colony; and from that time she seemed quite another creature. She +began to read the Bible, and became sober and steady. The first time she +returned home afterwards to see us, she brought us a guinea which she had +saved from her wages, and said, as we were getting old, she was sure we +should want help; adding, that she did not wish to spend it in fine +clothes, as she used to do, only to feed pride and vanity. She said she +would rather show gratitude to her dear father and mother, because Christ +had shown such mercy to her. + +"We wondered to hear her talk, and took great delight in her company; for +her temper and behaviour were so humble and kind, she seemed so desirous +to do us good both in soul and body, and was so different from what we +had ever seen before, that, careless and ignorant as we had been, we +began to think there must be something real in religion, or it never +could alter a person so much in a little time. + +"Her youngest sister, poor soul! used to laugh and ridicule her at that +time, and said her head was turned with her new ways. 'No, sister,' she +would say; 'not my _head_, but I hope my _heart_ is turned from the love +of sin to the love of God. I wish you may one day see, as I do, the +danger and vanity of your present condition.' + +"Her poor sister would reply, 'I do not want to hear any of your +preaching; I am no worse than other people, and that is enough for me.' + +"'Well, sister,' Elizabeth would say, 'if you will not hear me, you +cannot hinder me from praying for you, which I do with all my heart.' + +"And now, sir, I believe those prayers are answered. For when her sister +was taken ill, Elizabeth went to Mrs ---'s to wait in her place, and take +care of her. She said a great deal to her about her soul, and the poor +girl began to be so deeply affected, and sensible of her past sin, and so +thankful for her sister's kind behaviour, that it gave her great hopes +indeed for her sake. When my wife and I went to see her, as she lay +sick, she told us how grieved and ashamed she was of her past life, but +said she had a hope through grace that her sister's Saviour would be her +Saviour too; for she saw her own sinfulness, felt her own helplessness, +and only wished to cast herself upon Christ as her hope and salvation. + +"And now, sir, she is gone; and I hope and think her sister's prayers for +her conversion to God have been answered. The Lord grant the same for +her poor father and mother's sake likewise!" + +This conversation was a very pleasing commentary upon the letter which I +had received, and made me anxious both to comply with the request, and to +become acquainted with the writer. I promised the good Dairyman to +attend on the Friday at the appointed hour; and after some more +conversation respecting his own state of mind under the present trial, he +went away. + +He was a reverend old man; his furrowed cheeks, white locks, weeping +eyes, bent shoulders, and feeble gait, were characteristic of the aged +pilgrim. As he slowly walked onwards, supported by a stick which seemed +to have been the companion of many a long year, a train of reflections +occurred, which I retrace with pleasure and emotion. + +At the appointed hour I arrived at the church, and after a little while +was summoned to the churchyard gate to meet the funeral procession. The +aged parents, the elder brother, and the sister, with other relatives, +formed an affecting group. I was struck with the humble, pious, and +pleasing countenance of the young woman from whom I had received the +letter. It bore the marks of great seriousness without affectation, and +of much serenity mingled with a glow of devotion. + +A circumstance occurred during the reading of the burial service, which I +think it right to mention, as one among many testimonies of the solemn +and impressive tendency of our truly evangelical Liturgy. + +A man of the village, who had hitherto been of a very careless and even +profligate character, went into the church through mere curiosity, and +with no better purpose than that of vacantly gazing at the ceremony. He +came likewise to the grave, and, during the reading of those prayers +which are appointed for that part of the service, his mind received a +deep, serious conviction of his sin and spiritual danger. It was an +impression that never wore off, but gradually ripened into the most +satisfactory evidence of an entire change, of which I had many and long- +continued proofs. He always referred to the burial service, and to some +particular sentences of it, as the clearly ascertained instrument of +bringing him, through grace, to the knowledge of the truth. + +The day was therefore one to be remembered. Remembered let it be by +those who love to hear + + "The short and simple annals of the poor." + +Was there not a manifest and happy connection between the circumstances +that providentially brought the serious and the careless to the same +grave on that day together? How much do they lose who neglect to trace +the leadings of God in providence, as links in the chain of his eternal +purpose of redemption and grace! + + "While infidels may scoff, let us adore." + +After the service was concluded, I had a short conversation with the good +old couple and their daughter. She had told me that she intended to +remain a week or two at the gentleman's house where her sister died, till +another servant should arrive and take her sister's place. + +"I shall be truly obliged," said she, "by an opportunity of conversing +with you, either there or at my father's, when I return home, which will +be in the course of a fortnight at the farthest. I shall be glad to talk +to you about my sister, whom you have just buried." + +Her aspect and address were highly interesting. I promised to see her +very soon; and then returned home, quietly reflecting on the +circumstances of the funeral at which I had been engaged. I blessed the +God of the poor; and prayed that the poor might become rich in faith, and +the rich be made poor in spirit. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +A sweet solemnity often possesses the mind, whilst retracing past +intercourse with departed friends. How much is this increased, when they +were such as lived and died in the Lord! The 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, and animates the soul with the hopeful anticipation of a day +when the glory of the Lord shall be revealed in the assembling of all his +children together, never more to be separated. Whether they were rich or +poor while on earth, is a matter of trifling consequence; the valuable +part of their character is, that they are kings and priests unto God, and +this is their true nobility. In the number of now departed believers, +with whom I once loved to converse on the grace and glory of the kingdom +of God, was the Dairyman's daughter. + +About a week after the funeral I went to visit the family at ---, in +whose service the youngest sister had lived and died, and where Elizabeth +was requested to remain for a short time in her stead. + +The house was a large and venerable mansion. It stood in a beautiful +valley at the foot of a high hill. It was embowered in fine woods, which +were interspersed in every direction with rising, falling, and swelling +grounds. 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 carved divisions and pillars of stone-work. Several pointed +terminations also, in the construction of the roof, according to the +custom of our forefathers, fully corresponded with the general features +of the building. + +One end of the house was entirely clothed with the thick foliage of an +immense ivy, which climbed beyond customary limits, and embraced a lofty +chimney up to its very summit. Such a tree seemed congenial to the walls +that supported it, and conspired with the antique fashion of the place to +carry imagination back to the days of our ancestors. + +As I approached, I was led to reflect on the lapse of ages, and the +successive generations of men, each in their turn occupying lands, +houses, and domains; each in their turn also disappearing, and leaving +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 man at his best state is +altogether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely they +are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall +gather them" (Psal. xxxix. 5, 6). + +Happy would it be for the rich, if they more frequently meditated on the +uncertainty of all their possessions, and the frail nature of every +earthly tenure. "Their inward thought is, that their houses shall +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 is +their folly; yet their posterity approve their sayings. Like sheep they +are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and their beauty shall +consume in the grave from their dwelling" (Psal. xlix. 11-14). + +As I advanced to the mansion, a pleasing kind of gloom overspread the +front: it was occasioned by the shade of trees, and gave a characteristic +effect to the ancient fabric. I instantly recollected that death had +very recently visited the house, and that one of its present inhabitants +was an affectionate mourner for a departed sister. + +There is a solemnity in the thought of a recent death which will +associate itself with the very walls, from whence we are conscious that a +soul has just taken its flight to eternity. + +After passing some time in conversation with the superiors of the family, +in the course of which I was much gratified by hearing of the unremitted +attention 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 character and conduct in the house. I then +took leave, requesting permission to see her, agreeably to the promise I +had made at the funeral, not many days before. + +I was shown into a parlour, where I found her alone. She was in deep +mourning. She had a calmness and serenity in her countenance, which +exceedingly struck me, and impressed some idea of those attainments which +a further acquaintance with her afterwards so much increased. + +She spoke of her sister. I had the satisfaction of finding that she had +given very hopeful proofs of a change of heart before she died. The +prayers and earnest exhortations of Elizabeth had been blessed to a happy +effect. She described what had passed with such a mixture of sisterly +affection and pious dependence on the mercy of God to sinners, as +convinced me that her own heart was under the influence of "pure and +undefiled religion." + +She requested leave occasionally to correspond with me on serious +subjects, stating that she needed much instruction. She hoped I would +pardon the liberty which she had 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 resulted +from it, to a present and future good, as it respected herself and also +her parents, with whom she statedly lived, and to whom she expected to +return in a few days. + +Finding that she was wanted in some household duty, I did not remain long +with her, but left her with an assurance that I proposed to visit her +parents very shortly. + +"Sir," said she, "I take it very kind that you have condescended to leave +the company of the rich and converse with the poor. I wish I could have +said more to you 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 me in a poor cottage. But I am +happiest when there. Once more, sir, I thank you for your past kindness +to me and mine, and may God in many ways bless you for it." + +I quitted the house with no small degree of satisfaction, in consequence +of the new acquaintance which I had formed. I discovered traces of a +cultivated as well as a spiritual mind. I felt that religious +intercourse with those of low estate may be rendered eminently useful to +others, whose outward station and advantages are far above their own. + +How often does it appear that "God hath chosen the weak things of the +world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the +world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things +which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should +glory in his presence" (1 Cor. i. 27-29). + +It was not unfrequently my custom, when my mind was filled with any +interesting subject for meditation, to seek some spot where the beauties +of natural prospect might help to form pleasing and useful associations. +I therefore 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 ground near it, and looked at the +surrounding prospect, which was distinguished for beauty and +magnificence. It was a lofty station, which commanded a complete circle +of interesting objects to engage the spectator's attention. + +Southward the view was terminated by a long range of hills, at about six +miles distance. They met, to the westward, another chain of hills, of +which the one whereon I sat formed a link; and the whole together nearly +encompassed a rich and fruitful valley, filled with cornfields and +pastures. Through this vale winded a small river for many miles: much +cattle were feeding on its banks. Here and there lesser eminences arose +in the valley, 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 curiosity to the traveller, but of daily usefulness to the +pilot, as a mark visible from the sea, whereby to direct his vessel safe +into harbour. Villages, churches, country-seats, farm-houses, and +cottages were scattered over every part of the southern valley. In this +direction, also, at the foot of the hill where I was stationed, appeared +the ancient mansion, which I had just quitted, embellished with its +woods, groves, and gardens. + +South-eastward, I saw the open ocean, bounded only by the horizon. The +sun shone, and gilded the waves with a glittering light that sparkled in +the most brilliant manner. More to the east, in continuation 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 point ships were seen, some +sailing, others at anchor. Here the little river, which watered the +southern valley, finished its course, and ran through meadows into the +sea, in an eastward direction. + +On the north the sea appeared like a noble river, varying from three to +seven miles in breadth, between the banks of the opposite coast and those +of the island which I inhabited. Immediately underneath me 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 afforded them. The eye +roamed with delight over an expanse of near and remote beauties, which +alternately caught the observation, and which harmonised together, and +produced a scene of peculiar interest. + +Westward, the hills followed each other, forming several intermediate and +partial valleys, in a kind of undulations, like the waves of the sea, +and, bending to the south, completed the boundary of the larger valley +before described, to the southward 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 the +crops of grain. One hill alone, the highest in elevation, and about ten +miles to the south-westward, was enveloped in a cloud, which just +permitted a dim and hazy sight of a signal-post, a lighthouse, and an +ancient chantry, built on its summit. + +Amidst these numerous specimens of delightful scenery I found a mount for +contemplation, and here I indulged it. + +"How much of the natural beauties of Paradise still remain in the world, +although its spiritual character has been so awfully defaced by sin! But +when Divine grace renews the heart of 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 blended together and relieving each other in the landscape; so do +the gracious dispositions wrought in the soul produce a beauty and +harmony of scene to which it was before a stranger." + +I looked towards the village in the plain below, where the Dairyman's +younger daughter was buried. I retraced the simple solemnities of the +funeral. I connected the principles and conduct of her sister with the +present probably happy state of her soul in the world of spirits, and was +greatly 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 +is a glorious occupation to win souls to Christ, and guide them out of +Egyptian bondage through the wilderness into the promised Canaan. Happy +are the families who are walking hand in hand together, as pilgrims, +towards the heavenly country. May the number of such be daily +increasing!" + +Casting my eye over the numerous dwellings in the vales on the right and +left, I could not help thinking, "How many of their inhabitants are +ignorant of the ways of God, and strangers to his grace! May this +thought stimulate to activity and diligence in the cause of immortal +souls! They are precious in God's sight--they ought to be so in ours." + +Some pointed and affecting observations to that effect recurred to my +mind, as having been made by the young person with whom I had been just +conversing. Her mind appeared to be much impressed with the duty of +speaking and acting for God "while it is day," conscious that "the night +cometh, when no man can work." + +Her laudable anxiety on this head was often testified to me afterwards, +both by letter and conversation. What she felt herself, in respect to +endeavours to do good, she happily communicated to others with whom she +corresponded or conversed. + +Time would not permit my continuing so long in the enjoyment of these +meditations, on this lovely mount of observation, as my heart desired. On +my return home I wrote a few lines to the Dairyman's daughter, chiefly +dictated by the train of thought which had occupied my mind while I sat +on the hill. + +On the next Sunday evening I received her reply, of which the following +is a transcript:-- + + "Sunday. + + "Rev. Sir, + + "I am this day deprived of an opportunity of attending the house of + God to worship Him. But, glory be to his name! He is not confined to + time nor place. I feel Him present with me where I 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 all your faithful labours; and + that you may find the truth of his Word, assuring us, that wherever we + assemble together in his name, there He is in the midst to bless every + waiting soul. + + "How precious are all his promises! We ought never to doubt the truth + of his Word; for He will never deceive us if we go on in faith, always + expecting to receive what his goodness waits to give. Dear sir, I + have felt it very consoling to read your kind letter to-day. I feel + thankful to God for ministers in our Church who love and fear his + name; there it is where the people in general look for salvation; and + there 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! be + ambitious for the glory of God and the salvation of souls: it will add + to the lustre of your crown in glory, as well as to your present joy + and peace. We should be willing to spend and be spent in his service, + saying, 'Lord, may thy will be done by me on earth, even as it is by + thy angels in heaven.' So you may expect to see his face with joy, + and say, 'Here am I, Lord, and all the souls thou hast given me.' + + "It seems wonderful that we should neglect any opportunity of doing + good, when there is, if it be done from love to God and his creatures, + a present reward of grace, in reflecting that we are using the talents + committed to our care, according 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 act for + God, what a dejection of mind we feel! We are then justly filled with + shame. Conscious of being ashamed of Christ, we cannot come with that + holy boldness to a throne of grace, nor feel that free access when we + make our supplications. + + "We are commanded to provoke one another to love and good works; and + where two are agreed together in the things of God, they may say: + + "'And if our fellowship below + In Jesus be so sweet, + What heights of rapture shall we know + When round the throne we meet!' + + "Sir, I hope Mrs --- and you are both of one heart and one mind. Then + you will sweetly agree in all things that make for your present and + eternal happiness. Christ sent his disciples out, not singly, but two + and two, that they might comfort and help each other in those ways and + works which their Lord commanded them to pursue. + + "It has been my lot to have been alone the greatest part of the time + that I have known the ways of God. I therefore find it such a treat + to 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 + reflection, to think of spending a whole eternity in that delightful + employment--to tell to listening angels his love, 'immense, + unsearchable!' + + "Dear sir, I thank you for your kindness and condescension in leaving + those that are of high rank and birth in the world, to converse with + me who am but a servant here below. But when I consider what a high + calling, what honour and dignity God has conferred upon 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 things, it fills me with love + and gratitude to God, and I do not wish for any higher station, nor + envy the rich. I rather pity them if they are not good as well as + great. My blessed Lord was pleased to appear in the form of a + servant, and I long to be like Him. + + "I did not feel in so happy a frame for conversation that day, nor yet + that liberty to explain my thoughts, which I sometimes do. The fault + must have been all in 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 converse with you. I feel very + thankful to God that you do take up the cross, and despise the shame: + if you are found faithful, you will soon sit down with Him in glory. + + "I have written to the Rev. Mr ---, to thank him for permitting you to + perform the burial service at ---, over my dear departed sister, and + to tell him of the kind way in which you consented to do it. I should + mention that your manner of reading the service on that day had a + considerable effect on the hearers. + + "Pray excuse all faults, and correct my errors. I expect in a few + days to return home to my parent's house. We shall rejoice to see you + there. + + "From your humble servant in Christ, + + "E--- W---." + +It was impossible to view such a correspondent with indifference. I had +just returned from a little cottage assembly, where, on Sunday evenings, +I sometimes went to instruct a few poor families in one of the hamlets +belonging to my parish. I read the letter, and closed the day with +thanksgiving to God for thus enabling those who fear his name to build up +each other in faith and love. + +Of old time, "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and +the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written +before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his +name." + +That book of remembrance is not yet closed. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +The mind of man is like a moving picture, supplied with objects not only +from contemplation on things present, but from the fruitful sources of +recollection and anticipation. + +Memory retraces past events, and restores an ideal reality to scenes +which are gone by for ever. They live again in revived imagery, and we +seem to hear and see with renewed emotions what we heard and saw at a +former period. Successions of such recollected circumstances often form +a series of welcome memorials. In religious meditations the memory +becomes a sanctified instrument of spiritual improvement. + +Another part of this animated picture is furnished by the pencil of Hope. +She draws encouraging prospects for the soul, by connecting the past and +present with the future. Seeing the promises afar off, she is persuaded +of their truth, and embraces them as her own. + +The Spirit of God gives a blessing to both these acts of the mind, and +employs them in the service of religion. Every faculty of body and soul, +when considered as a part of "the purchased possession" of the Saviour, +assumes a new character. How powerfully does the apostle, on this +ground, urge a plea for holy activity and watchfulness! "What! know ye +not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which +ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: +therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" +(1 Cor. vi. 19, 20). + +The Christian may derive much profit and enjoyment from the use of the +memory, as it concerns those transactions in which he once bore a part. +In his endeavours to recall past conversations and intercourse with +deceased friends in particular, the powers of remembrance greatly improve +by exercise. One revived idea produces another, till the mind is most +agreeably and usefully occupied with lively and holy imaginations. + + "Lull'd in the countless chambers of the brain, + Our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain; + Awake but one, and lo, what myriads rise! + Each stamps its image as the other flies; + Each, as the varied avenues of sense + Delight or sorrow to the soul dispense, + Brightens or fades: yet all with sacred art + Control the latent fibres of the heart." + +May it please God to bless, both to the reader and the writer, this +feeble attempt to recollect some of the communications I once enjoyed in +my visits to the Dairyman's dwelling! + +Very soon after the receipt of the last letter, I rode, for the first +time, to see the family at their own house. The principal part of the +road lay through retired, narrow lanes, beautifully overarched with +groves of nut and other trees, which screened the traveller from the rays +of the sun, and afforded many interesting objects for admiration in the +flowers, shrubs, and young trees which grew upon the high banks on each +side of the road. Many grotesque rocks, with little trickling streams of +water occasionally breaking out of them, varied the recluse scenery, and +produced a romantic and pleasing effect. + +Here and there the most distant prospect beyond was observable through +gaps and hollow places on the road-side. Lofty hills, with navy signal- +posts, obelisks, and lighthouses on their summits, appeared at these +intervals; rich cornfields were also visible through some of the open +places; and now and then, when the road ascended a hill, the sea, with +ships at various distances, was seen. But for the most part shady +seclusion, and objects of a more minute and confined nature, gave a +character to the journey and invited contemplation. + +How much do they lose who are strangers to serious meditation on the +wonders and beauties of nature! How gloriously the God of creation +shines in his works! Not a tree, or leaf, or flower, not a bird or +insect, but it proclaims in glowing language, "God made me." + +As I approached the village where the good old Dairyman dwelt, I observed +him in a little field, driving his cows before him towards a yard and +hovel which adjoined his cottage. I advanced very near him without his +observing me, for his sight was dim. On my calling out to him, he +started at the sound of my voice, but with much gladness of heart +welcomed me, saying, "Bless your heart, sir, I am very glad you are come; +we have looked for you every day this week." + +The cottage-door opened, and the daughter came out, followed by her aged +and infirm mother. The sight of me naturally brought to recollection the +grave at which we had before met. Tears of affection mingled with the +smile of satisfaction with which I was received by these worthy +cottagers. I dismounted, and was conducted through a neat little garden, +part of which was shaded by two large overspreading elm trees, to the +house. Decency and order were manifest within and without. No excuse +was made here, on the score of poverty, for confusion and uncleanliness +in the disposal of their little household. Everything wore the aspect of +neatness and propriety. On each side of the fire-place stood an old +oaken chair, where the venerable parents rested their weary limbs after +the day's labour was over. On a shelf in one corner lay two Bibles, with +a few religious books and tracts. The little room had two windows; a +lovely prospect of hills, woods, and fields appeared through one; the +other was more than half obscured by the branches of a vine which was +trained across it; between its leaves the sun shone, and cast a cheerful +light over the whole place. + +"This," thought I, "is a fit residence for piety, peace, and contentment. +May I learn a fresh lesson for advancement in each, through the blessing +of God, on this visit!" + +"Sir," said the daughter, "we are not worthy that you should come under +our roof. We take it very kind that you should travel so far to see us." + +"My Master," I replied, "came a great deal farther to visit us poor +sinners. He left the bosom of his Father, laid aside his glory, and came +down to this lower world on a visit of mercy and love; and ought not we, +if we profess to follow Him, to bear each other's infirmities, and go +about doing good as He did?" + +The old man now entered, and joined his wife and daughter in giving me a +cordial welcome. Our conversation soon turned to the loss they had so +lately sustained. The pious and sensible disposition of the daughter was +peculiarly manifested, as well in what she said to her parents as in what +she more immediately addressed to myself. I had now a further +opportunity of remarking the good sense and agreeable manner which +accompanied her expressions of devotedness to God and love to Christ, for +the great mercies which He had bestowed upon her. During her residence +in different gentlemen's families where she had been in service, she had +acquired a superior behaviour and address; but sincere piety rendered her +very humble and unassuming in manner and conversation. She seemed +anxious to improve the opportunity of my visit to the best purpose for +her own and her parents' sake; yet there was nothing of unbecoming +forwardness, no self-sufficiency or conceitedness in her conduct. She +united the firmness and solicitude of the Christian with the modesty of +the female and the dutifulness of the daughter. It was impossible to be +in her company, and not observe how truly her temper and conversation +adorned the principles which she professed. + +I soon discovered how eager and how successful also she had been in her +endeavours to bring her father and mother to the knowledge and experience +of the truth. This is a lovely feature in the character of a young +Christian. If it have pleased God, in the free dispensation of his +mercy, to call the child by his grace, while the parent remains still in +ignorance and sin, how great is the duty incumbent on that child to do +what is possible to promote the conversion of those to whom so much is +owing. Happy is it when the ties of grace sanctify those of nature. + +The aged couple evidently regarded and spoke of this daughter as their +teacher and admonisher in Divine things, while at the same time they +received from her every token of filial submission and obedience, +testified by continual endeavours to serve and assist them to the utmost +of her power in the daily concerns of the household. + +The religion of this young woman was of a highly spiritual character, and +of no ordinary attainment. Her views of the Divine plan of saving the +sinner were clear and scriptural. She spoke much of the joys and sorrows +which, in the course of her religious progress, she had experienced; but +she was fully sensible that there is far more in real religion than mere +occasional transition from one frame of mind and spirits to another. She +believed that the experimental acquaintance of the heart with God +principally consisted in so living upon Christ by faith, as to aim at +living like Him by love. She knew that the love of God toward the +sinner, and the path of duty prescribed to the sinner, are both of an +unchangeable nature. In a believing dependence on the one, and an +affectionate walk in the other, she sought and found "the peace of God +which passeth all understanding;" "for so He giveth his beloved rest." + +She had read but few books besides her Bible; but these few were +excellent in their kind, and she spoke of their contents as one who knew +their value. In addition to a Bible and Prayer-book, "Doddridge's Rise +and Progress," "Romaine's Life, Walk, and Triumph of Faith," "Bunyan's +Pilgrim," "Allein's Alarm," "Baxter's Saint's Everlasting Rest," a hymn- +book, and a few tracts, composed her library. + +I observed in her countenance a pale and delicate hue, which I afterwards +found to be a presage of consumption; and the idea then occurred to me +that she would not live very long. + +Time passed on swiftly with this interesting family; and after having +partaken of some plain and wholesome refreshment, and enjoyed a few +hours' conversation with them, I found it was necessary for me to return +homewards. The disposition and character of the parties may be in some +sort ascertained by the expressions at parting. + +"God send you safe home again," said the aged mother, "and bless the day +that brought you to see two poor old creatures, such as we are, in our +trouble and affliction. Come again, sir, come again when you can; and +though I am a poor ignorant soul, and not fit to talk to such a gentleman +as you, yet my dear child shall speak for me; she is the greatest comfort +I have left; and I hope the good Lord will spare her to support my +trembling limbs and feeble spirits, till I lie down with my other dear +departed kindred in the grave." + +"Trust to the Lord," I answered, "and remember his gracious promise: +'Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoary hairs I will carry +you.'" + +"I thank you, sir," said the daughter, "for your Christian kindness to me +and my friends. I believe the blessing of the Lord has attended your +visit, and I hope I have experienced it to be so. My dear father and +mother will, I am sure, remember it; and I rejoice in the opportunity of +seeing so kind a friend under this roof. My Saviour has been abundantly +good to me in plucking me 'as a brand from the burning,' and showing me +the way of life and peace; and I hope it is my heart's desire to live to +his glory. But I long to see these dear friends enjoy the power and +comfort of religion likewise." + +"I think it evident," I replied, "that the promise is fulfilled in their +case: 'It shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.'" + +"I believe it," she said, "and praise God for the blessed hope." + +"Thank Him too, that you have been the happy instrument of bringing them +to the light." + +"I do, sir; yet, when I think of my own unworthiness and insufficiency, I +rejoice with trembling." + +"Sir," said the good old man, "I am sure the Lord will reward you for +this kindness. Pray for us, old as we are, and sinners as we have been, +that yet He would have mercy upon us at the eleventh hour. Poor Betsy +strives much for our sakes, both in body and soul; she works hard all day +to save us trouble, and I fear has not strength to support all she does; +and then she talks to us, and reads to us, and prays for us, that we may +be saved from the wrath to come. Indeed, sir, she is a rare child to +us." + +"Peace be unto you and all that belong to you!" + +"Amen, and thank you, dear sir," was echoed from each tongue. + +Thus we parted for that time. My returning meditations were sweet, and, +I hope, profitable. + +Many other visits were afterwards made by me to this peaceful cottage, +and I always found increasing reason to thank God for the intercourse I +there enjoyed. + +An interval of some length occurred once during that year, in which I had +not seen the Dairyman's family. I was reminded of the circumstance by +the receipt of the following letter: + + "Rev. Sir, + + "I have been expecting to see or hear from you for a considerable + time. Excuse the liberty I take in sending you another letter. I + have been confined to the house the greater part of the time since I + left ---. I took cold that day, and have been worse ever since. I + walk out a little on these fine days, but seem to myself to walk very + near on the borders of eternity. Glory be to God, it is a very + pleasing prospect before me. Though I feel the workings of sin, and + am abased, yet Jesus shows his mercy to be mine, and I trust that I am + his. At such times + + "My soul would leave this heavy clay + At his transporting word, + Run up with joy the shining way + To meet and prove the Lord. + + "Fearless of hell and ghastly death, + I'd break through every foe; + The wings of love and arms of faith + Would bear me conqueror through." + + My desire is to live every moment to God, that I may through his grace + be kept in that heavenly, happy frame of mind that I shall wish for at + the hour of death. We cannot live nor die happy without this, and to + keep it we must be continually watching and praying: for we have many + enemies to disturb our peace. I am so very weak, that now I can go + nowhere to any outward means for that help which is so refreshing to + my spirit. + + "I should have been very happy to have heard you last Sunday, when you + preached at ---: I could not walk so far. I hope the Word spoken by + you was made a blessing to many that heard it. It was my earnest + prayer to God that it might be so. But, alas! once calling does not + awaken many that are in a sound sleep. Yet the voice of God is + sometimes very powerful when his ministers speak, when they are + influenced by his Holy Spirit, and are simple and sincere in holding + forth the Word of Life. Then it will teach us all things, and + enlighten our mind, and reveal unto us the hidden things of darkness, + and give us out of that Divine treasure 'things new and old.' Resting + on God to work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure, we + ought always to work as diligent servants, that know they have a good + Master, that will surely not forget their labour of love. + + "If we could but fix our eyes always on that crown of glory that + awaits us in the skies, we should never grow weary in well-doing, but + should run with patience, and delight in the work and ways of God, + where He appoints us. We should not then, as we too frequently do, + suffer these trifling objects here on earth to draw our minds from + God, to rob Him of his glory, and our souls of that happiness and + comfort which the believer may enjoy amidst outward afflictions. If + we thus lived more by faith on the Son of God, we should endeavour to + stir up all whom we could to seek after God. We should tell them what + He has done for us, and what He would do for them if they truly sought + Him. We should show them what a glorious expectation there is for all + true believers and sincere seekers. + + "When our minds are so fixed on God, we are more desirous of + glorifying Him, in making known his goodness to us, than the proud + rich man is of getting honour to himself. I mourn over my own + backwardness to this exercise of duty when I think of God's + willingness to save the vilest of the vile, according to the + dispensations of his eternal grace and mercy. Oh, how amiable, how + lovely does this make that God of love appear to poor sinners, that + can view Him as such! How is the soul delighted with such a + contemplation! They that have much forgiven, how much they love! + + "These thoughts have been much on my mind since the death of ---. I + trust the Lord will pardon me for neglect. I thought it was my duty + to speak or write to him; you remember what I said to you respecting + it. But I still delayed till a more convenient season. Oh, how I was + struck when I heard the Lord had taken him so suddenly! I was filled + with sorrow and shame for having neglected what I had so often + resolved to do. But now the time of speaking for God to him was over. + Hence we see that the Lord's time is the best time. Now the night of + death was come upon him; no more work was to be done. If I had done + all that lay in my power to proclaim reconciliation by Christ to his + soul, whether he had heard or no, I should have been more clear of his + blood. But I cannot recall the time that is past, nor him from the + grave. Had I known the Lord would have called him so suddenly, how + diligent I should have been to warn him of his danger. But it is + enough that God shows us what _we_ are to do, and not what _He_ is + about to do with us or any of his creatures. Pray, sir, do all you + can for the glory of God. The time will soon pass by, and then we + shall enter that glorious rest that He hath prepared for them that + love Him. I pray God to fill you with that zeal and love which He + only can inspire, that you may daily win souls to Christ. May He + deliver you from all slavish fear of man, and give you boldness, as He + did of old those that were filled with the Holy Ghost and with power! + + "Remember, Christ hath promised to be with all his faithful ministers + to the end of time. The greater dangers and difficulties they are + exposed to, the more powerful his assistance. Then, sir, let us fear + none but Him. I hope you will pray much for me a poor sinner, that + God will perfect his strength in my weakness of body and mind; for + without Him I can do nothing. But when I can experience the teaching + of that Holy One, I need no other teacher. May the Lord anoint you + with the same, and give you every grace of his Holy Spirit, that you + may be filled with all the fulness of God; that you may know what is + the height and depth, the length and breadth of the love of God in + Christ Jesus; that you may be in the hand of the Lord, as a keen + archer to draw the bow, while the Lord directs and fastens the arrows + of conviction in the hearts of such as are under your ministry! + + "I sincerely pray that you may be made a blessing to him that has + taken the place of the deceased. I have heard that you are fellow- + countrymen. I hope you are, however, both as strangers in this world, + that have no abiding place, but seek a country out of sight. Pray + excuse all faults, + + "From your humble servant in the bonds of the Gospel of Christ, + + "E--- W---." + +When I perused this and other letters, which were at different times +written to me by the Dairyman's daughter, I felt that in the person of +this interesting correspondent were singularly united the characters of +an humble disciple and a faithful monitor. I wished to acknowledge the +goodness of God in each of these her capacities. + +I sometimes entertain a hope that the last day will unfold the value of +these epistolary communications, beyond even any present estimate of +their spiritual importance. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +The translation of sinners "from the power of darkness into the kingdom +of God's dear Son," is the joy of Christians and the admiration of +angels. Every penitent and pardoned soul is a new witness to the +triumphs of the Redeemer over sin, death, and the grave. How great the +change that is wrought! The child of wrath becomes a monument of grace--a +brand plucked from the burning! "If any man be in Christ, he is a new +creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." +How marvellous, how interesting is the spiritual history of each +individual believer! He is, like David, "a wonder unto many;" but the +greatest wonder of all to himself. Others may doubt whether it be so or +not; but to him it is unequivocally proved, that, from first to last, +grace alone reigns in the work of his salvation. + +The character and privileges of real Christians are beautifully described +in the language of our Church, which, when speaking of the objects of +Divine favour and compassion, says: "They that be endued with so +excellent a benefit of God, be called according to God's purpose in due +season; they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: +they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his +only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works; and +at length, by God's mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity." + +Such a conception and display of the Almighty wisdom, power, and love, is +indeed "full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly +persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of +Christ mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members; and +drawing up their minds to high and heavenly things: it doth greatly +establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed +through Christ, and doth fervently kindle their love towards God." + +Nearly allied to the consolation of a good hope through grace, as it +respects our own personal state before God, is that of seeing its +evidences shed lustre over the disposition and conduct of others. Bright +was the exhibition of the union between true Christian enjoyment and +Christian exertion, in the character whose moral and spiritual features I +am attempting to delineate. + +It seemed to be the first wish of her heart to prove to others, what God +had already proved to her, that Jesus is "the Way, the Truth, and the +Life." She desired to evince the reality of her calling, justification, +and adoption into the family of God, by showing a conformity to the image +of Christ, and by walking "religiously in good works;" she trusted that, +in this path of faith and obedience, she should "at length, by God's +mercy, attain to everlasting felicity." + +I had the spiritual charge of another parish, adjoining to that in which +I resided. It was a small district, and had but few inhabitants. The +church was pleasantly situated on a rising bank, at the foot of a +considerable hill. It was surrounded by trees, and had a rural, retired +appearance. Close to the churchyard stood a large old mansion, which had +formerly been the residence of an opulent and titled family; but it had +long since been appropriated to the use of the estate as a farm-house. +Its outward aspect bore considerable remains of ancient grandeur, and +gave a pleasing character to the spot of ground on which the church +stood. + +In every direction the roads that led to this house of God possessed +distinct but interesting features. One of them ascended between several +rural cottages, from the sea-shore, which adjoined the lower part of the +village street. Another winded round the curved sides of the adjacent +hill, and was adorned both above and below with numerous sheep, feeding +on the herbage on the down. A third road led to the church by a gently +rising approach, between high banks, covered with young trees, bushes, +ivy, hedge-plants, and wild flowers. + +From a point of land which commanded a view of all these several avenues, +I used sometimes for a while to watch my congregation gradually +assembling together at the hour of Sabbath worship. They were in some +directions visible for a considerable distance. Gratifying associations +of thought would form in my mind, as I contemplated their approach, and +successive arrival within the precincts of the house of prayer. + +One day, as I was thus occupied, during a short interval previous to the +hour of Divine service, I reflected on the joy which David experienced, +at the time he exclaimed: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go +into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O +Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: +whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of +Israel, to give thanks unto the Lord" (Psa. cxxii. 1-4). + +I was led to reflect upon the various blessings connected with the +establishment of public worship. "How many immortal souls are now +gathering together, to perform the all-important work of prayer and +praise--to hear the Word of God--to feed upon the Bread of Life! They +are leaving their respective dwellings, and will soon be united together +in the house of prayer. How beautifully does this represent the effect +produced by the voice of 'the Good Shepherd,' calling his sheep from +every part of the wilderness into his fold! As these fields, hills, and +lanes are now covered with men, women, and children, in various +directions, drawing near to each other, and to the object of their +journey's end: even so, many 'shall come from the east, and from the +west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the +kingdom of God'" (Luke xiii. 29). + +Who can rightly appreciate the value of such hours as these?--hours spent +in learning the ways of holy pleasantness and the paths of heavenly +peace--hours devoted to the service of God and of souls; in warning the +sinner to flee from the wrath to come; in teaching the ignorant how to +live and die; in preaching the Gospel to the poor; in healing the broken- +hearted; in declaring "deliverance to the captives, and recovering of +sight to the blind." "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; +they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name +shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they be +exalted." + +My thoughts then pursued a train of reflection on the importance of the +ministerial office, as connected in the purposes of God with the +salvation of sinners. I inwardly prayed that those many individuals whom +He had given me to instruct, might not, through my neglect or error, be +as sheep having no shepherd, nor as the blind led by the blind; but +rather that I might, in season and out of season, faithfully proclaim the +simple and undisguised truths of the Gospel, to the glory of God and the +prosperity of his Church. + +At that instant, near the bottom of the inclosed lane which led to the +churchyard, I observed a friend, whom, at such a distance from his own +home, I little expected to meet. It was the venerable Dairyman. He came +up the ascent, leaning with one hand on his trusty staff, and with the +other on the arm of a younger man, well known to me, who appeared to be +much gratified in meeting with such a companion by the way. + +My station was on the top of one of the banks which formed the hollow +road beneath. They passed a few yards below me. I was concealed from +their sight by a projecting tree. They were talking of the mercies of +God, and the unsearchable riches of his grace. The Dairyman was telling +his companion what a blessing the Lord had given him in his daughter. His +countenance brightened as he named her, and called her his precious +Betsy. + +I met them at a stile not many yards beyond, and accompanied them to the +church, which was hard by. + +"Sir," said the old man, "I have brought a letter from my daughter: I +hope I am in time for Divine service. Seven miles is now become a long +walk for me: I grow old and weak. I am very glad to see you, sir." + +"How is your daughter?" + +"Very poorly, indeed, sir: very poorly. The doctors say it is a decline. +I sometimes hope she will get the better of it; but then again I have +many fears. You know, sir, that I have cause to love and prize her. Oh, +it would be such a trial; but the Lord knows what is best. Excuse my +weakness, sir." + +He put a letter into my hand, the perusal of which I reserved till +afterwards, as the time was nigh for going into church. + +The presence of this aged pilgrim, the peculiar reverence and affection +with which he joined in the different parts of the service, excited many +gratifying thoughts in my mind; such as rather furthered than interrupted +devotion. + +The train of reflection in which I had engaged, when I first discovered +him on the road, at intervals recurred powerfully to my feelings, as I +viewed that very congregation assembled together in the house of God, +whose steps, in their approach towards it, I had watched with prayerful +emotions. + +"Here the rich and poor meet together in mutual acknowledgment, that the +Lord is the Maker of them all; that all are alike dependent creatures, +looking up to one common Father to supply their wants both temporal and +spiritual. + +"Again, likewise, will they meet together in the grave, that +undistinguished receptacle of the opulent and the needy. + +"And once more, at the judgment-seat of Christ, shall the rich and the +poor meet together, 'that every one may receive the things done in his +body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad'" (2 Cor. +v. 10). + +"How closely connected in the history of man are these three periods of a +general meeting together! + +"The house of prayer--the house appointed for all living--and the house +not made with hands eternal in the heavens. May we never separate these +ideas from each other, but retain them in a sacred and profitable union! +So shall our worshipping assemblies on earth be representatives of the +general assembly and Church of the firstborn which are written in +heaven." + +When the congregation dispersed, I entered into discourse with the +Dairyman and a few of the poor of my flock, whose minds were of like +disposition to his own. He seldom could speak long together without some +reference to his dear child. He loved to tell how merciful his God had +been to him, in the dutiful and affectionate attentions of his daughter. +All real Christians feel a tender spiritual attachment towards those who +have been the instrument of bringing them to an effectual knowledge of +the way of salvation: but when that instrument is one so nearly allied, +how dear does the relationship become! + +If my friend the Dairyman was in any danger of falling into idolatry, his +child would have been the idol of his affections. She was the prop and +stay of her parents' declining years, and they scarcely knew how +sufficiently to testify the gratitude of their hearts, for the comfort +and blessing which she was the means of affording them. + +While he was relating several particulars of his family history to the +others, I opened and read the following letter:-- + + "SIR,--Once more I take the liberty to trouble you with a few lines. I + received your letter with great pleasure, and thank you for it. I am + now so weak, that I am unable to walk to any public place of Divine + worship: a privilege which has heretofore always so much strengthened + and refreshed me. I used to go in anxious expectation to meet my God, + and hold sweet communion with Him, and I was seldom disappointed. In + the means of grace, all the channels of Divine mercy are open to every + heart that is lifted up to receive out of that Divine fulness grace + for grace. These are the times of refreshing from the presence of the + Lord. How have I rejoiced to hear a faithful and lively messenger, + just come, as it were, from communion with God at the throne of grace, + with his heart warmed and filled with Divine love, to speak to fallen + sinners! Such an one has seemed to me as if his face shone as that of + Moses did with the glory of God, when he came down from the mount, + where he had been within the veil. May you, sir, imitate him, as he + did Christ, that all may see and know that the Lord dwelleth with you, + and that you dwell in Him through the unity of the blessed Spirit. I + trust you are no stranger to his Divine teaching, aid, and assistance, + in all you set your hand to do for the glory of God. + + "I hope, sir, the sincerity of my wishes for your spiritual welfare + will plead an excuse for the freedom of my address to you. I pray the + Giver of every perfect gift, that you may experience the mighty + workings of his gracious Spirit in your heart and your ministry, and + rest your all on the justifying and purifying blood of an expiring + Redeemer. Then will you triumph in his strength, and be enabled to + say with the poet: + + 'Shall I through fear of feeble men, + The Spirit's course strive to restrain? + Or, undismay'd in deed and word, + Be a true witness for my Lord? + + 'Awed by a mortal's frown, shall I + Conceal the word of God most high! + How then before Thee shall I dare + To stand? or, how thine anger bear? + + 'Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng, + Soften thy truths and smooth my tongue, + To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee + The cross endur'd, my God, by Thee! + + 'What then is he whose scorn I dread, + Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid? + A man! an heir of death! a slave + To sin! a bubble on the wave! + + 'Yea, let men rage, since Thou wilt spread + Thy shadowing wings around my head: + Since in all pain, thy tender love + Will still my sure refreshment prove. + + 'Still shall the love of Christ constrain + To seek the wand'ring souls of men; + With cries, entreaties, tears to save, + And snatch them from the yawning grave. + + 'For this, let men revile my name, + No cross I shun, I fear no shame: + All hail reproach, and welcome pain, + Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain!' + + "I trust, sir, that you see what a glorious high calling yours is, and + that you are one of those who walk humbly with God, that you may be + taught of Him in all things. Persons in your place are messengers of + the Most High God. Is it too much to say, they should live like the + angels in all holiness, and be filled with love and zeal for men's + souls? They are ambassadors in Christ's stead to persuade sinners to + be reconciled to God. So that your calling is above that of angels: + for they are _afterward_ to minister to the heirs of salvation; but + the sinner must be _first_ reconciled to God. And you are called on + from day to day to intercede with man as his friend, that you may win + souls to Christ. Christ is ascended up on high, to intercede with his + Father for guilty sinners, and to plead for them the merits of his + death. So that Christ and his faithful ministers, through the + operation of the blessed Spirit, are co-workers together. Yet without + Him we can do nothing: our strength is his strength, and his is all + the glory from first to last. + + "It is my heart's prayer and desire, sir, that you may, by a living + faith, cleave close to that blessed exalted Lamb of God, who died to + redeem us from sin--that you may have a sweet communion with Father, + Son, and Spirit--that you may sink deep in love and rise high in the + life of God. Thus will you have such discoveries of the beauties of + Christ and his eternal glory, as will fill your heart with true + delight. + + "If I am not deceived, I wish myself to enjoy his gracious favour, + more than all the treasures which earth can afford. I would, in + comparison, look upon them with holy disdain, and as not worth an + anxious thought, that they may not have power on my heart, to draw or + attract it from God, who is worthy of my highest esteem, and of all my + affections. It should be our endeavour to set Him always before us, + that in all things we may act as in his immediate presence; that we + may be filled with that holy fear, so that we may not dare wilfully to + sin against Him. We should earnestly entreat the Lord to mortify the + power and working of sin and unbelief within, by making Christ appear + more and more precious in our eyes, and more dear to our hearts. + + "It fills my heart with thankful recollections, while I attempt in + this weak manner to speak of God's love to man. When I reflect on my + past sins and his past mercies, I am assured, that if I had all the + gifts of wise men and angels, I could never sufficiently describe my + own inward sense of his undeserved love towards me. We can better + enjoy these glorious apprehensions in our hearts, than explain them to + others. But oh how unworthy of them all are we? Consciousness of my + own corruptions keeps me often low; yet faith and desire will easily + mount on high, beseeching God that He would, according to the + apostle's prayer, fill me with all his communicable fulness, in the + gifts and graces of his Spirit; that I may walk well-pleasing before + Him, in all holy conversation, perfecting holiness in his fear. + + "If I err in boldness, sir, pray pardon me; and in your next letter + confirm my hope, that you will be my counsellor and guide. + + "I can only recompense your kindness to me by my prayers, that your + own intercourse with God may be abundantly blessed to you and yours. I + consider the Saviour saying to you, as He did to Peter, 'Lovest them + me?' And may your heartfelt experience be compelled to reply, 'Thou + knowest all things, and thou knowest that I love thee supremely.' May + He have evident marks of it in all your outward actions of love and + humanity, in feeding his flock, and in the inward fervour and + affection of all your consecrated powers; that you may be zealously + engaged in pulling down the strongholds of sin and Satan, and building + up his Church, sowing the seeds of righteousness, and praying God to + give the increase; that you may not labour for Him in vain, but may + see the trees bud and blossom, and bring forth fruit abundantly, to + the praise and glory of your heavenly Master. In order to give you + encouragement, He says, 'Whosoever converteth a sinner from the error + of his way, shall save a soul from death;' and that will increase the + brightness of your crown in glory. This hath Christ merited for his + faithful ministers. + + "I hope, sir, you will receive grace to be sincere in reproving sin, + wherever you see it. You will find Divine assistance, and all fear + and shame will be taken from you. Great peace will be given to you, + and wisdom, strength, and courage, according to your work. You will + be as Paul: having much learning, you can speak to men in all stations + of life, by God's assistance. The fear of offending them will never + prevent you, when you consider the glory of God; and man's immortal + soul is of more value than his present favour and esteem. In + particular, you are in an office wherein you can visit _all_ the sick. + Man's extremity is often God's opportunity. In this way you may prove + an instrument in his hand to do his work. Although He _can_ work + without means, yet his usual way is by means; and I trust you are a + chosen vessel unto Him, to prove his name and declare his truth to all + men. + + "Visiting the sick is a strict command, and a duty for every + Christian. None can tell what good may be done. I wish it was never + neglected, as it too often is. Many think that, if they attend the + Church--the minister to preach and the people to hear--their duty is + done. But more is required than this. May the Lord stir up the gift + that is in his people and ministers, that they may have compassion on + their fellow-sinners, that they may never think it too late, but + remember that while there is life there is hope. + + "Once more, I pray, sir, pardon and excuse all my errors in judgment, + and the ignorance that this is penned in; and may God bless you in all + things, and particularly your friendship to me and my parents. What a + comfort is family religion. I do not doubt but this is your desire, + as it is mine, to say: + + 'I and my house will serve the Lord, + But first obedient to his word + I must myself appear: + By actions, words, and temper show + That I my heavenly Master know, + And serve with heart sincere. + + 'I must the fair example set; + From those that on my pleasure wait + The stumbling-block remove; + Their duty by my life explain, + And still in all my works maintain + The dignity of love. + + 'Easy to be entreated, mild, + Quickly appeas'd and reconciled, + A follower of my God: + A saint indeed I long to be, + And lead my faithful family + In the celestial road. + + 'Lord, if thou dost the wish infuse, + A vessel fitted for thy use + Into thy hands receive: + Work in me both to will and do, + And show them how believers true + And real Christians live. + + 'With all-sufficient grace supply, + And then I'll come to testify + The wonders of thy name, + Which saves from sin, the world, and hell, + Its power may every sinner feel, + And every tongue proclaim! + + 'Cleans'd by the blood of Christ from sin, + I seek my relatives to win, + And preach their sins forgiven; + Children, and wife, and servants seize, + And through the paths of pleasantness + Conduct them all to heaven.' + + "Living so much in a solitary way, books are my companions; and + poetry, which speaks of the love of God and the mercies of Christ, is + very sweet to my mind. This must be my excuse for troubling you to + read verses which others have written. I have intended, if my + declining state of health permit, to go to --- for a few days. I say + this, lest you should call in expectation of seeing me, during any + part of next week. But my dear father and mother, for whose precious + souls I am very anxious, will reap the benefit of your visit at all + events. + + "From your humble and unworthy servant, + + "E--- W---." + +Having read it, I said to the father of my highly valued correspondent: + +"I thank you for being the bearer of this letter; your daughter is a kind +friend and faithful counsellor to me, as well as to you. Tell her how +highly I esteem her friendship, and that I feel truly obliged for the +many excellent sentiments which she has here expressed. Give her my +blessing, and assure her that the oftener she writes, the more thankful I +shall be." + +The Dairyman's enlivened eye gleamed with pleasure as I spoke. The +praise of his Elizabeth was a string which could not be touched without +causing every nerve of his whole frame to vibrate. + +His voice half faltered as he spoke in reply; the tear stood in his eyes; +his hand trembled as I pressed it; his heart was full; he could only say, +"Sir, a poor old man thanks you for your kindness to him and his family. +God bless you, sir; I hope we shall soon see you again." + +Thus we parted for that day. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +It has not unfrequently been observed, that when it is the Lord's +pleasure to remove any of his faithful followers out of this life at an +early period of their course, they make rapid progress in the experience +of Divine truth. The fruits of the Spirit ripen fast, as they advance to +the close of mortal existence. In particular, they grow in humility, +through a deeper sense of inward corruption, and a clearer view of the +perfect character of the Saviour. Disease and bodily weakness make the +thoughts of eternity recur with frequency and power. The great question +of their own personal salvation, the quality of their faith, the +sincerity of their love, and the purity of their hope, are in continual +exercise. + +Unseen realities, at such a time, occupy a larger portion of thought than +before. The state of existence beyond the grave, the invisible world, +the unaltered character of the dead, the future judgment, the total +separation from everything earthly, the dissolution of body and spirit, +and their reunion at the solemn hour of resurrection--these are subjects +for their meditation, which call for serious earnestness of soul. +Whatever consolations from the Spirit of God they may have enjoyed +heretofore, they become now doubly anxious to examine and prove +themselves, "whether they be indeed in the faith." In doing this, they +sometimes pass through hidden conflicts of a dark and distressing nature; +from which, however, they come forth, like gold tried in the furnace. +Awhile they may sow in tears, but soon they reap in joy. + +Their religious feelings have then, perhaps, less of ecstasy, but more of +serenity. + +As the ears of corn ripen for the harvest, they bow their heads nearer to +the ground. So it is with believers; they then see more than ever of +their own imperfection, and often express their sense of it in strong +language; yet they repose with a growing confidence on the love of God +through Christ Jesus. The nearer they advance to their eternal rest, the +more humble they become, but not the less useful in their sphere. They +feel anxiously desirous of improving every talent they possess to the +glory of God, knowing that the time is short. + +I thought I observed the truth of these remarks fulfilled in the +progressive state of mind of the Dairyman's daughter. + +Declining health seemed to indicate the will of God concerning her. But +her character, conduct, and experience of the Divine favour increased in +brightness as the setting sun of her mortal life approached its horizon. +The last letter which, with the exception of a very short note, I ever +received from her, I shall now transcribe. It appeared to me to bear the +marks of a still deeper acquaintance with the workings of her own heart, +and a more entire reliance upon the free mercy of God. + +The original, while I copy it, strongly revives the image of the +deceased, and the many profitable conversations which I once enjoyed in +her company and that of her parents. It again endears to me the +recollections of cottage piety; and helps me to anticipate the joys of +that day when the spirits of the glorified saints shall be reunited to +their bodies, and be for ever with the Lord. + +The writer of this and the preceding letters herself little imagined, +when they were penned, that they would ever be submitted to the public +eye. That they now are so, results from a conviction that the friends of +the pious poor will estimate them according to their value, and a hope +that it may please God to honour these memorials of the dead, to the +effectual edification of the living. + + "Rev. Sir, + + "In consequence of your kind permission, I take the liberty to trouble + you with another of my ill-written letters; and I trust you have too + much of your blessed Maker's lowly, meek, and humble mind to be + offended with a poor, simple, ignorant creature, whose intentions are + pure and sincere in writing. My desire is that I, a weak vessel of + his grace, may glorify his name for his goodness towards me. May the + Lord direct me by his counsel and wisdom! May He overshadow me with + his presence, that I may sit beneath the banner of his love, and find + the consolations of his blessed Spirit sweet and refreshing to my + soul! + + "When I feel that I am nothing, and God is all in all, then I can + willingly fly to Him, saying, 'Lord, help me; Lord, teach me; be unto + me my Prophet, Priest, and King; let me know the teaching of thy + grace, and the disclosing of thy love.' What nearness of access might + we have if we lived more near to God! What sweet communion might we + have with a God of love! He is the great I AM. How glorious a name! + Angels with trembling awe prostrate themselves before Him, and in + humble love adore and worship Him. One says, + + 'While the first archangel sings, + He hides his face behind his wings.' + + Unworthy as I am, I have found it by experience, that the more I see + of the greatness and goodness of God, and the nearer union I hope I + have had with Him through the Spirit of his love, the more humble and + self-abased I have been. + + "But every day I may say, 'Lord, how little I love thee, how far I + live from thee, how little am I like thee in humility!' It is + nevertheless my heart's desire to love and serve Him better. I find + the way in which God does more particularly bless me, is when I attend + on the public ordinances of religion. These are the channels through + which He conveys the riches of his grace and precious love to my soul. + These I have often found to be indeed the time of refreshing and + strengthening from the presence of the Lord. Then I can see my hope + of an interest in the covenant of love, and praise Him for his mercy + to the greatest of sinners. + + "I earnestly wish to be more established in the ways, and to honour + him in the path of duties whilst I enjoy the smiles of his favour. In + the midst of all outward afflictions I pray that I may know Christ, + and the power of his resurrection within my soul. If I were always + thus, my summer would last all the year, my will would then be sweetly + lost in God's will, and I should feel a resignation to every + dispensation of his providence and his grace, saying, 'Good is the + will of the Lord: infinite wisdom cannot err.' Then would patience + have its perfect work. + + "But, alas! sin and unbelief often, too often, interrupt these frames, + and lay me low before God in tears of sorrow. I often think what a + happiness it would be, if his love were so fixed in my heart, that I + might willingly obey Him with alacrity and delight, and gradually + mortify the power of self-will, passion, and pride. This can only + arise from a good hope, through grace, that we are washed in that + precious blood which cleanses us from every sinful stain, and makes us + new creatures in Christ. O that we may be the happy witnesses of the + saving power and virtue of that healing stream which flows from the + fountain of everlasting love! + + "Sir, my faith is often exceedingly weak. Can you be so kind as to + tell me what you have found to be the most effectual means of + strengthening it? I often think how plainly the Lord declares--Believe + only, and thou shalt be saved. Only have faith; all things are + possible to him that has it. How I wish that we could remove all + those mountains that hinder and obstruct the light of his grace; so + that, having full access unto God through that ever-blessed Spirit, we + might lovingly commune with Him as with the dearest of friends. What + favour doth God bestow on worms! And yet we love to murmur and + complain. He may well say, What should I have done more that I have + not done? or wherein have I proved unfaithful or unkind to my + faithless backsliding children? + + "Sir, I pray that I may not grieve Him, as I have done, any more. I + want your counsel and your prayers for me in this matter. How + refreshing is the sight of one that truly loves God, that bears his + image and likeness! + + "But delightful as is conversation with true believers on earth, whose + hearts are lifted up to things above, yet what is this to that happy + day which will admit us into more bright realms, where we shall for + ever behold a God of love in the smiling face of his Son, who is the + express image of his Father, and the brightness of his glory! Then, + if found in Him, we shall be received by the innumerable host of + angels who wait around his throne. + + "In the meantime, sir, may I take up my cross, and manfully fight + under Him who, for the glory that was set before Him, endured the + cross, despised the shame, and is now set down at his Father's right + hand in majesty! I thank you for the kind liberty you have given to + me of writing to you. I feel my health declining, and I find a relief + during an hour of pain and weakness in communicating these thoughts to + you. + + "I hope, sir, you go on your way rejoicing; that you are enabled to + thank Him who is the giver of every good gift, spiritual, temporal, + and providential, for blessings to yourself and your ministry. I do + not doubt but you often meet with circumstances which are not pleasing + to nature; yet, by the blessing of God, they will be all profitable in + the end. They are kindly designed by grace to make and keep us + humble. The difficulties which you spoke of to me some time since, + will, I trust, disappear. + + "My dear father and mother are as well as usual in bodily health; and, + I hope, grow in grace, and in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. + My chief desire to live is for their sakes. It now seems long since + we have seen you. I am almost ashamed to request you to come to our + little cottage, to visit those who are so far beneath your station in + life. But if you cannot come, we shall be very glad if you will write + a few lines. I ought to make an excuse for my letter, I spell so + badly: this was a great neglect when I was young. I gave myself + greatly to reading, but not to the other; and now I am too weak and + feeble to learn much. + + "I hear sometimes of persons growing serious in your congregation. It + gives me joy; and, if true, I am sure it does so to yourself. I long + for the pure Gospel of Christ to be preached in every church in the + world, and for the time when all shall know, love, and fear the Lord, + and the uniting Spirit of God shall make them of one heart and mind in + Christ our great Head. Your greatest joy, I know, will be in + labouring much for the glory of God in the salvation of men's souls. + You serve a good Master. You have a sure reward. I pray God to give + you strength according to your day. + + "Pray, sir, do not be offended at the freedom and manner of my + writing. My parents' duty and love to you are sent with these lines + from + + "Your humble servant in Christ, + + "E--- W---." + +Epistolary communications, when written in sincerity of heart, afford +genuine portraits of the mind. May the foregoing be viewed with +Christian candour, and consecrated to affectionate memory! + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Travellers, as they pass through the country, usually stop to inquire +whose are the splendid mansions which they discover among the woods and +plains around them. The families, titles, fortune, or character of the +respective owners engage much attention. Perhaps their houses are +exhibited to the admiring stranger. The elegant rooms, costly furniture, +valuable paintings, beautiful gardens and shrubberies, are universally +approved; while the rank, fashion, taste, and riches of the possessor, +afford ample materials for entertaining discussion. In the meantime, the +lowly cottage of the poor husbandman is passed by as scarcely deserving +of notice. Yet perchance such a cottage may often contain a treasure of +infinitely more value than the sumptuous palace of the rich man; even +"the pearl of great price." If this be set in the heart of the poor +cottager, it proves a gem of unspeakable worth, and will shine among the +brightest ornaments of the Redeemer's crown, in that day when He maketh +up his "jewels." + +Hence the Christian traveller, while in common with others he bestows his +due share of applause on the decorations of the rich, and is not +insensible to the beauties and magnificence which are the +lawfully-allowed appendages of rank and fortune, cannot overlook the +humbler dwelling of the poor. And if he should find that true piety and +grace beneath the thatched roof which he has in vain looked for amidst +the worldly grandeur of the rich, he remembers the declarations in the +Word of God. He sees with admiration, that the high and lofty One that +inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, who dwelleth in the high and +holy place, dwelleth with _him also_ that is of a contrite and humble +spirit; and although heaven is his throne, and the earth his footstool, +yet, when a house is to be built, and a place of rest to be sought for +himself, He says, To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and +of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (_See_ Isa. lvii. 15; +lxvi. 1, 2.) + +When a house is thus tenanted, faith beholds this inscription written on +the walls, _The Lord lives here_. Faith, therefore, cannot pass by it +unnoticed, but loves to lift up the latch of the door, and to sit down +and converse with the poor, although perhaps despised, inhabitant. Many +a sweet interview does Faith obtain, when she thus takes her walks +abroad. Many such a sweet interview have I myself enjoyed beneath the +roof where dwelt the Dairyman and his little family. + +I soon perceived that his daughter's health was rapidly on the decline. +The pale, wasting consumption, which is the Lord's instrument for +removing so many thousands every year from the land of the living, made +hasty strides on her constitution. The hollow eye, the distressing +cough, and the often too-flattering red on the cheek, foretold the +approach of death. + +What a field for usefulness and affectionate attention on the part of +ministers and Christian friends is opened by the frequent attacks, and +lingering progress, of _consumptive_ illness! How many such precious +opportunities are daily lost, where Providence seems in so marked a way +to afford time and space for serious and godly instruction! Of how many +may it be said, "The way of peace have they not known;" for not one +friend ever came nigh to warn them to "flee from the wrath to come." + +But the Dairyman's daughter was happily made acquainted with the things +which belonged to her everlasting peace before the present disease had +taken root in her constitution. In my visits to her, I went rather to +receive information than to impart it. Her mind was abundantly stored +with Divine truths, and her conversation was truly edifying. The +recollection of it must ever produce a thankful sensation in my heart. + +I one day received a short note to the following effect:-- + + "Dear Sir, + + "I should be very glad, if your convenience will allow, that you would + come and see a poor unworthy sinner. My hour-glass is nearly run out; + but I hope I can see Christ to be precious to my soul. Your + conversation has often been blessed to me, and I now feel the need of + it more than ever. My father and my mother send their duty to you. + + "From your obedient + + "And unworthy servant, + + "E--- W---." + +I obeyed the summons that same afternoon. On my arrival at the +Dairyman's cottage his wife opened the door. The tears streamed down her +cheek as she silently shook her head. Her heart was full. She tried to +speak, but could not. I took her by the hand, and said: + +"My good friend, all is right, and as the Lord of wisdom and mercy +directs." + +"Oh! my Betsy, my dear girl, is so bad, sir. What shall I do without +her? I thought I should have gone first to the grave, but--" + +"But the Lord sees good that, before you die yourself, you should behold +your child safe home to glory. Is there no mercy in this?" + +"O, dear sir! I am very old and very weak, and she is a dear child, the +staff and prop of such a poor old creature as I am." + +As I advanced, I saw Elizabeth sitting by the fireside, supported in an +arm-chair by pillows, with every mark of rapid decline and approaching +death. A sweet smile of friendly complacency enlightened her pale +countenance as she said: + +"This is very kind indeed, sir, to come so soon after I sent to you. You +find me daily wasting away, and I cannot have long to continue here. My +flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my weak heart, and, I +trust, will be my portion for ever." + +The conversation was occasionally interrupted by her cough and want of +breath. Her tone of voice was clear, though feeble; her manner solemn +and collected; and her eye, though more dim than formerly, by no means +wanting in liveliness as she spoke. I had frequently admired the +superior language in which she expressed her ideas, as well as the +scriptural consistency with which she communicated her thoughts. She had +a good natural understanding; and grace, as is generally the case, much +improved it. On the present occasion I could not help thinking she was +peculiarly favoured. The whole strength of gracious and natural +attainments seemed to be in full exercise. + +After taking my seat between the daughter and the mother (the latter +fixing her fond eyes upon her child with great anxiety, while we were +conversing), I said to Elizabeth: + +"I hope you enjoy a sense of the Divine presence, and can rest all upon +Him who has 'been with thee,' and has kept 'thee in all places whither +thou hast gone,' and will bring thee into 'the land of pure delights, +where saints immortal reign.'" + +"Sir, I think I can. My mind has lately been sometimes clouded, but I +believe it has been partly owing to the great weakness and suffering of +my bodily frame, and partly to the envy of my spiritual enemy, who wants +to persuade me that Christ has no love for me, and that I have been a +self-deceiver." + +"And do you give way to his suggestions? Can you doubt amidst such +numerous tokens of past and present mercy?" + +"No, sir; I mostly am enabled to preserve a clear evidence of his love. I +do not wish to add to my other sins that of denying his manifest goodness +to my soul. I would acknowledge it to his praise and glory." + +"What is your present view of the state in which you were before you felt +seriously concerned about the salvation of your soul?" + +"Sir, I was a proud, thoughtless girl, fond of dress and finery; I loved +the world, and the things that are in the world; I lived in service among +worldly people, and never had the happiness of being in a family where +worship was regarded, and the souls of the servants cared for either by +master or mistress. I went once on a Sunday to church, more to see and +be seen than to pray or hear the word of God. I thought I was quite good +enough to be saved, and disliked and often laughed at religious people. I +was in great darkness; I knew nothing of the way of salvation; I never +prayed, nor was sensible of the awful danger of a prayerless state. I +wished to maintain the character of a good servant, and was much lifted +up whenever I met with applause. I was tolerably moral and decent in my +conduct, from motives of carnal and worldly policy; but I was a stranger +to God and Christ; I neglected my soul; and had I died in such a state, +hell must, and would justly, have been my portion." + +"How long is it since you heard the sermon which you hope, through God's +blessing, effected your conversion?" + +"About five years ago." + +"How was it brought about?" + +"It was reported that a Mr ---, who was detained by contrary winds from +embarking on board ship, as chaplain to a distant part of the world, was +to preach at church. Many advised me not to go, for fear he should turn +my head; as they said he held strange notions. But curiosity and an +opportunity of appearing in a new gown, which I was very proud of, +induced me to ask leave of my mistress to go. Indeed, sir, I had no +better motives than vanity and curiosity. Yet thus it pleased the Lord +to order it for his own glory. + +"I accordingly went to church, and saw a great crowd of people collected +together. I often think of the contrary states of my mind during the +former and latter part of the service. For a while, regardless of the +worship of God, I looked around me, and was anxious to attract notice +myself. My dress, like that of too many gay, vain, and silly servant +girls, was much above my station, and very different from that which +becomes an humble sinner, who has a modest sense of propriety and +decency. The state of my mind was visible enough from the foolish finery +of my apparel. + +"At length the clergyman gave out his text: 'Be _ye_ clothed with +humility' (1 Pet. v. 5). He drew a comparison between the clothing of +the body with that of the soul. At a very early part of his discourse, I +began to feel ashamed of my passion for fine dressing and apparel; but +when he came to describe the garment of salvation with which a Christian +is clothed, I felt a powerful discovery of the nakedness of my own soul. +I saw that I had neither the humility mentioned in the text, nor any one +part of the true Christian character. I looked at my gay dress, and +blushed for shame on account of my pride. I looked at the minister, and +he seemed to be as a messenger sent from heaven to open my eyes. I +looked on the congregation, and wondered whether any one else felt as I +did. I looked at my heart, and it appeared full of iniquity. I trembled +as he spoke, and yet I felt a great drawing of heart to the words he +uttered. + +"He displayed the riches of Divine grace in God's method of saving the +sinner. I was astonished at what I had been doing all the days of my +life. He described the meek, lowly, and humble example of Christ; I felt +proud, lofty, vain, and self-consequential. He represented Christ as +'Wisdom;' I felt my ignorance. He held Him forth as 'Righteousness;' I +was convinced of my own guilt. He proved Him to be 'Sanctification;' I +saw my corruption. He proclaimed Him as 'Redemption;' I felt my slavery +to sin, and my captivity to Satan. He concluded with an animated address +to sinners, in which he exhorted them to flee from the wrath to come, to +cast off the love of outward ornaments, to put on Jesus Christ, and be +clothed with true humility. + +"From that hour I never lost sight of the value of my soul, and the +danger of a sinful state. I inwardly blessed God for the sermon, +although my mind was in a state of great confusion. + +"The preacher had brought forward the ruling passion of my heart, which +was pride in outward dress; and by the grace of God it was made +instrumental to the awakening of my soul. Happy, sir, would it be, if +many a poor girl, like myself, were turned from the love of outward +adorning and putting on of fine apparel, to seek that which is not +corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in +the sight of God of great price. + +"The greater part of the congregation, unused to such faithful and +scriptural sermons, disliked and complained of the severity of the +preacher: while a few, as I afterwards found, like myself, were deeply +affected, and earnestly wished to hear him again. But he preached there +no more. + +"From that time I was led, through a course of private prayer, reading, +and meditation, to see my lost estate as a sinner, and the great mercy of +God through Jesus Christ in raising sinful dust and ashes to a share in +the glorious happiness of heaven. And O, sir, what a Saviour I have +found! He is more than I could ask or desire. In his fulness I have +found all that my poverty could need; in his bosom I have found a resting- +place from all sin and sorrow; in his Word I have found strength against +doubt and unbelief." + +"Were you not soon convinced," I said, "that your salvation must be an +act of entire grace on the part of God, wholly independent of your own +previous works or deservings?" + +"Dear sir, what were my works before I heard that sermon, but evil, +carnal, selfish, and ungodly? The thoughts of my heart, from my youth +upward, were only evil, and that continually. And my deservings, what +were they but the deservings of a fallen, depraved, careless soul, that +regarded neither law nor gospel? Yes, sir, I immediately saw that, if +ever I were saved, it must be by the free mercy of God, and that the +whole praise and honour of the work would be his from first to last." + +"What change did you perceive in yourself with respect to the world?" + +"It appeared all vanity and vexation of spirit. I found it necessary to +my peace of mind to come out from among them and be separate. I gave +myself to prayer; and many a happy hour of secret delight I enjoyed in +communion with God. Often I mourned over my sins, and sometimes had a +great conflict through unbelief, fear, temptation, to return back again +to my old ways, and a variety of difficulties which lay in my way. But +He who loved me with an everlasting love, drew me by his loving-kindness, +showed me the way of peace, gradually strengthened me in my resolutions +of leading a new life, and taught me, that while without him I could do +nothing, I yet might do all things through his strength." + +"Did you not find many difficulties in your situation, owing to your +change of principle and practice?" + +"Yes, sir, every day of my life. I was laughed at by some, scolded at by +others, scorned by enemies, and pitied by friends. I was called +hypocrite, saint, false deceiver, and many more names which were meant to +render me hateful in the sight of the world. But I esteemed the reproach +of the Cross an honour. I forgave and prayed for my persecutors, and +remembered how very lately I had acted the same part towards others +myself. I thought also that Christ endured the contradiction of sinners; +and as the disciple is not above his Master, I was glad to be in any way +conformed to his sufferings." + +"Did you not then feel for your family at home?" + +"Yes, that I did indeed, sir; they were never out of my thoughts. I +prayed continually for them, and had a longing desire to do them good. In +particular, I felt for my father and mother, as they were getting into +years, and were very ignorant and dark in matters of religion." + +"Ay," interrupted her mother, sobbing, "ignorant and dark, sinful and +miserable we were, till this dear Betsy--this dear Betsy--this dear +child, sir--brought Christ Jesus home to her poor father and mother's +house." + +"No, dearest mother; say rather, Christ Jesus brought your poor daughter +home, to tell you what He had done for her soul, and, I hope, to do the +same for yours." + +At this moment the Dairyman came in with two pails of milk hanging from +the yoke on his shoulders. He had stood behind the half-opened door for +a few minutes, and heard the last sentences spoken by his wife and +daughter. + +"Blessing and mercy upon her!" said he, "it is very true: she left a good +place of service on purpose to live with us, that she might help us both +in soul and body. Sir, don't she look very ill? I think, sir, we +sha'n't have her here long." + +"Leave that to the Lord," said Elizabeth. "All our times are in his +hand, and happy it is that they are. I am willing to go. Are not you +willing, my father, to part with me into _his_ hands who gave me to you +at first?" + +"Ask me any question in the world but that," said the weeping father. + +"I know," said she, "you wish me to be happy." + +"I do, I do," answered he; "let the Lord do with you and us as best +pleases Him." + +I then asked her on what her present consolations chiefly depended, in +the prospect of approaching death. + +"Entirely, sir, on my view of Christ. When I look at myself, many sins, +infirmities, and imperfections cloud the image of Christ which I want to +see in my own heart. But when I look at the Saviour himself, He is +altogether lovely; there is not one spot in his countenance, nor one +cloud over all his perfections. + +"I think of his coming in the flesh, and it reconciles me to the +sufferings of the body; for He had them as well as I. I think of his +temptations, and believe that He is able to succour me when I am tempted. +Then I think of his cross, and learn to bear my own. I reflect on his +death, and long to die unto sin, so that it may no longer have dominion +over me. I sometimes think of his resurrection, and trust that He has +given me a part in it, for I feel that my affections are set upon things +above. Chiefly, I take comfort in thinking of Him as at the right hand +of the Father, pleading my cause, and rendering acceptable even my feeble +prayers, both for myself, and, as I hope, for my dear friends. + +"These are the views which, through mercy, I have of my Saviour's +goodness; and they have made me wish and strive in my poor way to serve +Him, to give myself up to Him, and to labour to do my duty in that state +of life into which it has pleased Him to call me. + +"A thousand times I should have fallen and fainted, if He had not upheld +me. I feel that I am nothing without Him. He is all in all. + +"Just so far as I can cast my care upon Him I find strength to do his +will. May He give me grace to trust Him till the last moment! I do not +fear death, because I believe that He has taken away its sting. And O, +what happiness beyond! Tell me, sir, whether you think I am right--I +hope I am under no delusion. I dare not look for my hope in anything +short of the entire fulness of Christ. When I ask my own heart a +question, I am afraid to trust it, for it is treacherous, and has often +deceived me. But when I ask Christ, he answers me with promises that +strengthen and refresh me, and leave me no room to doubt his power and +will to save. I am in his hands, and would remain there; and I do +believe that He will never leave nor forsake me, but will perfect the +thing that concerns me. He loved me, and gave himself for me; and I +believe that his gifts and calling are without repentance. In this hope +I live, in this hope I wish to die." + +I looked around me, as she was speaking, and thought--Surely this is none +other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven. Everything appeared +neat, cleanly, and interesting. The afternoon had been rather overcast +with dark clouds; but just now the setting sun shone brightly and +somewhat suddenly into the room. It was reflected from three or four +rows of bright pewter plates and white earthenware, arranged on shelves +against the wall; it also gave brilliancy to a few prints of sacred +subjects that hung there also, and served for monitors of the birth, +baptism, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ. + +A large map of Jerusalem, and a hieroglyphic of "the old and new man," +completed the decorations on that side of the room. Clean as was the +whitewashed wall, it was not cleaner than the rest of the place and its +furniture. Seldom had the sun enlightened a house where order and +general neatness (those sure attendants of pious poverty) were more +conspicuous. + +This gleam of setting sunshine was emblematical of the bright and serene +close of this young Christian's departing season. One ray happened to be +reflected from a little looking-glass upon her face. Amidst her pallid +and decaying features there appeared a calm resignation, triumphant +confidence, unaffected humility, and tender anxiety, which fully declared +the feelings of her heart. + +Some further affectionate conversation and a short prayer closed this +interview. + +As I rode home by departing day-light, a solemn tranquillity reigned +throughout the scene. The gentle lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep +just penned in their folds, the humming of the insects of the night, the +distant murmurs of the sea, the last notes of the birds of day, and the +first warblings of the nightingale, broke upon the ear, and served rather +to increase than lessen the peaceful serenity of the evening, and its +corresponding effects on my own mind. It invited and cherished just such +meditations as my visit had already inspired. Natural scenery, when +viewed in a Christian mirror, frequently affords very beautiful +illustrations of Divine truths. We are highly favoured when we can enjoy +them, and at the same time draw near to God in them. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +It is a pleasing consideration that, amidst the spiritual darkness which +unhappily prevails in many parts of the land, God nevertheless has a +people. It not unfrequently happens, that single individuals are to be +found who, though very disadvantageously situated with regard to the +ordinary means of grace, have received truly saving impressions, and +through a blessing on secret meditation, reading, and prayer, are led to +the closest communion with God, and become eminently devoted Christians. +It is the no small error of too many professors of the present day, to +overlook or undervalue the instances of this kind which exist. The +religious profession and opinions of some have too much of mere +_machinery_ in their composition. If every wheel, pivot, chain, spring, +cog, or pinion, be not exactly in its place, or move not precisely +according to a favourite and prescribed system, the whole is rejected as +unworthy of regard. But happily "the Lord knoweth them that are his;" +nor is the impression of his own seal wanting to characterise some who, +in comparative seclusion from the religious world, "name the name of +Christ, and depart from iniquity." + +There are some real Christians so particularly circumstanced in this +respect, as to illustrate the poet's beautiful comparison:-- + + "Full many a gem of purest ray serene + The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear; + Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, + And waste its sweetness on the desert air." + +Yet this was not altogether the case with the Dairyman's daughter. Her +religion had indeed ripened in seclusion from the world, and she was +intimately known but to few; but she lived usefully, departed most +happily, and left a shining track behind her. While I attempt a faint +delineation of it, may I catch its influence, and become, through +inexpressible mercy, a follower "of them, who through faith and patience +inherit the promises." + +From the time wherein I visited her, as described in my last paper, I +considered her end as fast approaching. One day I received a hasty +summons to inform me that she was dying. It was brought by a soldier, +whose countenance bespoke seriousness, good sense, and piety. + +"I am sent, sir, by the father and mother of Elizabeth W---, at her own +particular request, to say how much they all wish to see you. She is +going _home_, sir, very fast indeed." + +"Have you known her long?" I inquired. + +"About a month, sir. I love to visit the sick; and hearing of her case +from a person who lives close by our camp, I went to see her. I bless +God that ever I did go. Her conversation has been very profitable to +me." + +"I rejoice," said I, "to see in you, as I trust, a _brother soldier_. +Though we differ in our outward regimentals, I hope we serve under the +same spiritual Captain. I will go with you." + +My horse was soon ready. My military companion walked by my side, and +gratified me with very sensible and pious conversation. He related some +remarkable testimonies of the excellent disposition of the Dairyman's +daughter, as they appeared from recent intercourse which he had had with +her. + +"She is a bright diamond, sir," said the soldier, "and will soon shine +brighter than any diamond upon earth." + +We passed through lanes and fields, over hills and through valleys, by +open and retired paths, sometimes crossing over, and sometimes following +the windings of a little brook, which gently murmured by the road-side. +Conversation beguiled the distance, and shortened the apparent time of +our journey, till we were nearly arrived at the Dairyman's cottage. + +As we approached it, we became silent. Thoughts of death, eternity, and +salvation, inspired by the sight of a house where a dying believer lay, +filled my own mind, and, I doubt not, that of my companion also. + +No living object yet appeared, except the Dairyman's dog, keeping a kind +of mute watch at the door; for he did not, as formerly, bark at my +approach. He seemed to partake so far of the feelings appropriate to the +circumstances of the family, as not to wish to give a hasty or painful +alarm. He came forward to the little wicket-gate, then looked back at +the house-door, as if conscious there was sorrow within. It was as if he +wanted to say, "Tread softly over the threshold, as you enter the house +of mourning; for my master's heart is full of grief." + +The soldier took my horse, and tied it up in a shed. A solemn serenity +appeared to surround the whole place; it was only interrupted by the +breezes passing through the large elm-trees, which stood near the house, +and which my imagination indulged itself in thinking were plaintive sighs +of sorrow. I gently opened the door; no one appeared; and all was yet +silent. The soldier followed; we came to the foot of the stairs. + +"They are come," said a voice, which I knew to be the father's "they are +come." + +He appeared at the top. I gave him my hand, and said nothing. On +entering the room above, I saw the aged mother and her son supporting the +much-loved sister: the son's wife sat weeping in a window-seat, with a +child on her lap; two or three persons attended in the room to discharge +any office which friendship or necessity might require. + +I sat down by the bed-side. The mother could not weep, but now and then +sighed deeply, as she alternately looked at Elizabeth and at me. The big +tear rolled down the brother's cheek, and testified an affectionate +regard. The good old man stood at the foot of the bed, leaning upon the +post, and unable to take his eyes off the child from whom he was so soon +to part. + +Elizabeth's eyes were closed, and as yet she perceived me not. But over +the face, though pale, sunk, and hollow, the peace of God which passeth +all understanding, had cast a triumphant calm. + +The soldier, after a short pause, silently reached out his Bible towards +me, pointing with his finger at 1 Cor. xv. 55, 56, 58. I then broke +silence by reading the passage, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, +where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin +is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our +Lord Jesus Christ." + +At the sound of these words her eyes opened, and something like a ray of +Divine light beamed on her countenance, as she said, "Victory, victory! +through our Lord Jesus Christ." + +She relapsed again, taking no further notice of any one present. + +"God be praised for the triumph of faith!" said I. + +"Amen!" replied the soldier. + +The Dairyman's uplifted eye showed that the amen was in his heart, though +his tongue failed to utter it. A short struggling for breath took place +in the dying young woman, which was soon over; and then I said to her,-- + +"My dear friend, do you not feel that you are supported?" + +"The Lord deals very gently with me," she replied. + +"Are not his promises now very precious to you?" + +"They are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus." + +"Are you in much bodily pain?" + +"So little, that I almost forget it." + +"How good the Lord is!" + +"And how unworthy am I!" + +"You are going to see Him as He is." + +"I think--I hope--I believe that I am." + +She again fell into a short slumber. + +Looking at her mother, I said, "What a mercy to have a child so near +heaven as yours is!" + +"And what a mercy," she replied, in broken accents, "if her poor old +mother might but follow her there! But, sir, it is so hard to part!" + +"I hope through grace by faith you will soon meet, to part no more: it +will be but a little while." + +"Sir," said the Dairyman, "that thought supports me, and the Lord's +goodness makes me feel more reconciled than I was." + +"Father, mother," said the reviving daughter, "He is good to me--trust +Him, praise Him evermore." + +"Sir," added she, in a faint voice, "I want to thank you for your +kindness to me--I want to ask a favour; you buried my sister--will you do +the same for me?" + +"All shall be as you wish, if God permit;" I replied. + +"Thank you, sir, thank you. I have another favour to ask: when I am +gone, remember my father and mother. They are old, but I hope the good +work is begun in their souls. My prayers are heard. Pray come and see +them. I cannot speak much, but I want to speak for their sakes. Sir, +remember them." + +The aged parents now sighed and sobbed aloud, uttering broken sentences, +and gained some relief by such an expression of their feelings. + +At length I said to Elizabeth--"Do you experience any doubts or +temptations on the subject of your eternal safety?" + +"No, sir; the Lord deals very gently with me, and gives me peace." + +"What are your views of the dark valley of death, now that you are +passing through it?" + +"It is _not_ dark." + +"Why so?" + +"My Lord is _there_, and He is my light and my salvation." + +"Have you any fears of more bodily suffering?" + +"The Lord deals so gently with me, I can trust Him." + +Something of a convulsion came on. When it was past, she said again and +again: + +"The Lord deals very gently with me. Lord, I am thine, save me--blessed +Jesus--precious Saviour--his blood cleanseth from all sin--Who shall +separate?--His name is Wonderful--Thanks be to God--He giveth us the +victory--I, even I, am saved--O grace, mercy, and wonder--Lord, receive +my spirit! Dear sir, dear father, mother, friends, I am going--but all +is well, well, well--" + +She relapsed again. We knelt down to prayer: the Lord was in the midst +of us, and blessed us. + +She did not again revive while I remained, nor ever speak any more words +which could be understood. She slumbered for about ten hours, and at +last sweetly fell asleep in the arms of that Lord who had dealt so gently +with her. + +I left the house an hour after she had ceased to speak. I pressed her +hand as I was taking leave, and said "Christ is the Resurrection and the +Life." She gently returned the pressure, but could neither open her eyes +nor utter a reply. + +I never had witnessed a scene so impressive as this before. It +completely filled my imagination as I returned home. + +"Farewell," thought I, "dear friend, till the morning of an eternal day +shall renew our personal intercourse. Thou wast a brand plucked from the +burning, that thou mightest become a star shining in the firmament of +glory. I have seen thy light and thy good works, and will therefore +glorify our Father which is in heaven. I have seen, in thy example, what +it is to be a sinner freely saved by grace. I have learned from thee, as +in a living mirror, who it is that begins, continues, and ends the work +of faith and love. Jesus is all in all: He will and shall be glorified. +He won the crown, and alone deserves to wear it. May no one attempt to +rob Him of his glory! He saves, and saves to the uttermost. Farewell, +dear sister in the Lord! Thy flesh and thy heart may fail; but God is +the strength of thy heart, and shall be thy portion for ever." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +Who can conceive or estimate the nature of that change which the soul of +a believer must experience at the moment when, quitting its tabernacle of +clay, it suddenly enters into the presence of God? If, 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 valued a privilege here on earth to +enjoy the communion of saints, and to take sweet counsel together with +our fellow-travellers towards the heavenly kingdom, what shall we see and +know when we finally "come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the +living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of +angels, to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are +written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of +just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant?" +(Heb. xii. 22-24.) + +If, during the sighs and tears of a mortal pilgrimage, the consolations +of the Spirit are so precious, and the hope full of immortality is so +animating to the soul, what heart can conceive, or what tongue utter its +superior joys, when arrived at that state where sighing and sorrow flee +away, and the tears shall be wiped from every eye? + +Such ideas were powerfully associated together in my imagination as I +travelled onward to the house where, in solemn preparation for the grave, +lay the remains of the Dairyman's daughter. + +She had breathed her last shortly after the visit related in my former +account. Permission was obtained, as before, in the case of her sister, +that I should perform the funeral service. Many pleasing yet melancholy +thoughts were connected with the fulfilment of this task. I retraced the +numerous and important conversations which I had held with her. + +But these could now no longer be maintained on earth. I reflected on the +interesting and improved nature of _Christian_ friendships, whether +formed in palaces or in cottages; and felt thankful that I had 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 who had drunk so deep of the +waters of the river of life; but the rising murmur was checked by the +animating thought: "She is gone to eternal rest--could I wish her back +again in this vale of tears?" + +At that moment the first sound of a tolling bell struck my ear. It +proceeded from a village church in the valley directly beneath the ridge +of a high hill, over which I had taken my way. It was Elizabeth's +funeral knell. + +The sound was solemn; and in ascending to the elevated spot over which I +rode, it acquired a peculiar tone and character. Tolling at slow and +regular intervals (as was customary for a considerable 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, and laying them to heart. It seemed to say: +"Hear my warning voice, thou son of man. There is but a step between +thee and death. Arise, prepare thine house, for thou shall die and not +live." + +The scenery was in unison with that tranquil frame of mind which is most +suitable for holy meditation. A rich and fruitful valley lay immediately +beneath; it was adorned with cornfields and pastures through which a +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 appeared at +a distance beyond. Several villages, hamlets, and churches, were +scattered in the valley. The noble mansions of the rich, and the lowly +cottages of the poor, added their respective features to the landscape. + +Do any of my readers inquire why I describe so minutely the circumstances +of prospect and scenery which may be connected with the incidents I +relate? My reply is, that the God of redemption is the God of creation +likewise; and that we are taught in every part of 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 humiliation of heart before his Maker. And +when he viewed the sheep, and the oxen, and the beasts of the field, the +fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, he was constrained to cry out, +"O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (Ps. +viii. 1.) + +I am the poor man's friend, and wish more especially that every poor +labouring man should know how to connect the goodness of God in creation +and providence, with the unsearchable 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, and there tracing the handiwork of God in all that he beholds? +Such meditations have often afforded me both profit and pleasure, and I +wish my readers to share them with me. + +The Dairyman's cottage was rather more than a mile distant from the +church. A lane, quite overshadowed with trees and high hedges, led from +the foot of the hill to his dwelling. It was impossible at that time to +overlook the suitable gloom of such an approach to the house of mourning. + +I found, on my entrance, that several Christian friends from different +parts of the neighbourhood had assembled together, to pay their last +tribute of esteem and regard to 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 intercourse +with her for a longer period. But all seemed anxious to manifest their +respect for one who was endeared to them by such striking testimonies of +true Christianity. + +I was requested to go into the chamber where the relatives and a few +other friends were gone to take a last look at the remains of Elizabeth. + +It is not easy to describe the sensation which the mind experiences on +the first sight of a dead countenance, which, when living, was loved and +esteemed for the sake of that soul which used to give it animation. A +deep and awful view of the separation that has taken place between the +soul and body of the deceased, since we last beheld them, occupies the +feelings; our friend seems to be both near, and yet far off. The most +interesting and valuable part is fled away: what remains is but the +earthly 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 and seraphim, and sings the song of Moses and the +Lamb on Mount Sion. Amid the solemn stillness of the chamber of death, +imagination hears heavenly hymns chanted by the spirits of just men made +perfect. In another moment, the livid lips and sunken eye of the clay- +cold corpse recall our thoughts to earth, and to ourselves again. And +while we think of mortality, sin, death, and the grave, we feel the +prayer rise in our bosom--"O let me die the death of the righteous, and +let my last end be like his!" + +If there be a moment when Christ and salvation, death, judgment, heaven, +and hell, appear more than ever to be momentous subjects of meditation, +it is that which brings us to the side of a coffin containing the body of +a departed believer. + +Elizabeth's features were altered, but much of her likeness remained. Her +father and mother sat at the head, her brother at the foot of the coffin. +The father silently and alternately looked upon his dead child, and then +lifted 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 sobbed aloud, and appeared to be much overcome by the +shock of separation from a daughter so justly dear to her. The weakness +and infirmity of old age added a character to her sorrow, which called +for much tenderness and compassion. + +A remarkably decent-looking woman, who had the management of the few +simple though solemn ceremonies which the case required, advanced towards +me, saying: + +"Sir, this is rather a sight of joy than of sorrow. Our dear friend +Elizabeth finds it to be so, I have no doubt. She is beyond _all_ +sorrow. Do you not think she is, sir?" + +"After what I have known, and seen, and heard," I replied, "I feel the +fullest assurance that while her body remains here, the soul is with her +Saviour in Paradise. She loved Him _here_, and _there_ she enjoys the +pleasures which are at his right hand for evermore." + +"Mercy, mercy upon a poor old creature, almost broken down with age and +grief! What shall I do? Betsy's gone! My daughter's dead! O, my +child! I shall never see thee more! God be merciful to me a +sinner!"--sobbed out the poor mother. + +"That last prayer, my dear, good woman," said I, "will bring you and your +child together again. It is a cry that has brought thousands to glory. +It brought your daughter there, and I hope it will bring you thither +likewise. God will in nowise cast out any that come to Him." + +"My dear," said the Dairyman, breaking the long silence he had +maintained, "let us trust God with our child; and let us trust Him with +our ownselves. 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be +the name of the Lord!' We are old, and can have but a little further to +travel in our journey, and then--" he could say no more. + +The soldier, mentioned in my last paper, reached a Bible into my hand, +and said--"Perhaps, sir, you would not object to reading a chapter before +we go to the church?" + +I did so; it was the fourteenth of the Book of Job. A sweet tranquillity +prevailed while I read it. Each minute that was spent in this funereal +chamber seemed to be valuable. I made a few observations on the chapter, +and connected them with the case of our departed sister. + +"I am but a poor soldier," said our military friend, "and have nothing of +this world's goods beyond my daily subsistence; but I would not exchange +my hope of salvation in 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 find the Lord wherever I +go; and, thanks be to his holy name, He is here to-day in the midst of +this company of the living and the dead. I feel that it is good to be +here." + +Some other persons present began to take a part in our conversation, in +the course of which the life and experience of the Dairyman's daughter +were brought forward in a very interesting manner. 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 impressed by the conversation of +that day; and I have since had reason to believe that Divine grace then +began to influence her in the choice of that better part, which shall not +be taken from her. + +What a contrast does such a scene as this exhibit, when compared with the +dull, formal, unedifying, and often indecent manner in which funeral +parties assemble in the house of death! + +As we conversed, the parents revived. Our subject of discourse was +delightful to their hearts. Their child seemed almost to be alive again, +while we talked of her. Tearful smiles often brightened their +countenances, as they heard the voice of friendship uttering their +daughter's praises; or rather the praises of Him who had made her a +vessel of mercy, and an instrument of spiritual good to her family. + +The time for departing was now at hand. + +I went to take my last look at the deceased. There was much written on +her countenance. She had evidently died with a smile. It still +remained, and spoke the tranquillity 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 meet the bridegroom. These, +indeed, were fading flowers, but they reminded me of that paradise whose +flowers are immortal, and where her never-dying soul is at rest. + +I remembered the last words which I had heard her speak, and was +instantly struck with the happy thought that "death was indeed swallowed +up in victory." + +As I slowly retired, I said inwardly, "Peace, my honoured sister, be to +_thy_ memory and to _my_ soul, till we meet in a better world." + +In a little time, the procession formed: it was rendered the more +interesting by the consideration of so many that followed the coffin +being persons of a devout and spiritual character. The distance was +rather more than a mile. I resolved to continue with and go before them, +as they moved slowly onwards. + +Immediately after the body came the venerable father and mother, {116} +bending with age, and weeping through much affection of heart. Their +appearance was calculated to excite every emotion of pity, love, and +esteem. The other relatives followed them in order, and the several +attendant friends took their places behind. + +After we had advanced about a hundred yards, my meditation was +unexpectedly and most agreeably interrupted, by the friends who attended +beginning to sing a funeral psalm. Nothing could be more sweet or +solemn. The well-known 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 the voices of the singers, and seemed to give +faint replies to the notes of the mourners. The funeral-knell was +distinctly heard from the church tower, and increased the effect which +this simple and becoming service produced. + +We went by several cottages; a respectful attention was universally +observed as we passed: and the countenances of many proclaimed their +regard for the departed young woman. The singing was regularly +continued, with occasional intervals of about five minutes, during our +whole progress. + +I cannot describe the state of my own mind as peculiarly connected with +this solemn singing. I never witnessed a similar instance before or +since. I was reminded of elder times and ancient piety. I wished the +practice more frequent. It seems well calculated to excite and cherish +devotion and religious affections. + +Music, when judiciously brought into the service of religion, is one of +the most delightful, and not least efficacious means of grace. I pretend +not too minutely to conjecture as to the actual nature of those pleasures +which, after the resurrection, the reunited body and soul will enjoy in +heaven; but I can hardly persuade myself that melody and harmony will be +wanting, when even the sense of hearing shall itself be glorified. + +We arrived at the church. The service was heard with deep and +affectionate attention. When we came to the grave, the hymn which +Elizabeth had selected was sung. All was devout, simple, animating. We +committed our dear sister's body to the earth, in full hope of a joyful +resurrection. + +Thus was the veil of separation drawn for a season. She is departed, and +no more seen, but she will be seen on the right hand of her Redeemer at +the last day; and will again appear to his glory, a miracle of grace and +a monument of mercy. + +My reader, rich or poor, shall you and I appear there likewise? Are we +"clothed with humility," and arrayed in the wedding-garment of a +Redeemer's righteousness? 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 grace and strength? Do we indeed live in +Christ, and on Him, and by Him, and with Him? Is He our all in all? Are +we "lost and found," "dead and alive again?" + +My _poor_ reader, the Dairyman's daughter was a _poor_ girl, and the +child of a _poor_ man. Herein thou resemblest her; but dost thou +resemble _her_ as she resembled Christ? Art thou made rich by faith? +Hast thou a crown laid up for thee? Is thine heart set upon heavenly +riches? If not, read this story once more, and then pray earnestly for +like precious faith? + +But if, through grace, thou dost love and serve the Redeemer that saved +the Dairyman's daughter, grace, peace, and mercy be with thee! The lines +are fallen 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 just been with me to the grave of a departed +believer. Now, "go thy way, till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and +stand in thy lot at the end of the days." + + + + +Footnotes: + + +{116} An interesting account of a visit made to the Dairyman, appeared +in the _Christian Guardian_ for October 1813, and which is here +inserted:-- + +"It has rarely, if ever, fallen to my lot to trace the gracious dealing +of God with greater advantage or delight, than in the narrative of the +Dairyman's Daughter: and as the Isle of Wight had evidently furnished the +author with the scenery he has so finely touched, I concluded 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 learn her name, +and the situation of the cottage that had been honoured with her +residence and death; and being told that the old man, her father, whose +name is W---, still lived there, I determined to find out his humble +dwelling, and obtain an interview with the aged Dairyman. + +"It was with feelings not to be described that I visited the spot which +had been so peculiarly honoured by the gracious presence of the Most +High. On inquiry, I found that Elizabeth W--- died about eleven years +ago; that her mother followed her in the same year; that one of her +brothers (whom I did not see) lived in the same cottage; and that her +father was about eighty years of age. The venerable 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; and when I bade him farewell, and reminded him how soon he +would again see his daughter, not, indeed, encompassed with infirmity, +and depressed with disease, but "shining as the sun in the firmament," +the poor old man wept plentifully, and little would he be to be envied +who could have refrained. I looked back on the cottage until it could no +longer be seen, and then went on my way rejoicing. + +"On the third of November last, being again in that district, I had the +pleasure of repeating my visit to the good old Dairyman, who immediately +recollected me. He told me many persons had been 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 he is still living, I know not; but it is +probable I shall see him no more."--The pious old Dairyman lived three +years after this visit: he departed in the hope of meeting his gracious +Redeemer. + +* * * * * + +_Schenck & M'Farlane_, _Printers_, _Edinburgh_. + + + + +POPULAR BOOKS +PUBLISHED BY +ALEXANDER HISLOP & CO., +EDINBURGH, +_AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS_. + + +New Juvenile Reward-Books. + + +_Small 8vo_, _illustrated_, _beautifully bound_, _cloth elegant_, _price +1s. 6d. each_. + +1. NED'S MOTTO: "LITTLE BY LITTLE." By the Author of "Win and Wear," +&c. + +2. BERTIE LEE; or, THE THRESHOLD OF LIFE. A Boy's Book of Town and +Country. + +3. CROSSING THE LINE: A Cruise in a Whaler. A Book for Boys. By +CHARLES NORDHOFF. + +4. OCEAN VENTURE: A Boy's Book of Nautical Adventure, Scenes, and +Incidents. + +5. A LITTLE LEAVEN, AND WHAT IT WROUGHT: A Story for Girls. + +6. BEACON LIGHTS: Tales and Sketches for Girls. By T. S. ARTHUR, Author +of "Anna Lee," &c. + + + +New Shilling Juvenile Reward-Books. + + +_Small 8vo_, _handsomely bound in cloth extra_, _coloured illustrations_, +_price 1s. each_. + +I. THE BASKET OF FLOWERS: A TALE FOR THE YOUNG. _TRANSLATED FROM THE +FRENCH_. + +II. "THY KINGDOM COME:" LITTLE MARGERY'S STORY. BY ALICE GRAY. + +III. LITTLE EDDY HILL, AND OTHER LESSONS OF LOVE. + +IV. THE DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER. BY LEGH RICHMOND, Author of "Annals of the +Poor." + +V. PLEASANT GROVE. A BOOK FOR THE YOUNG. + +VI. THE ANGEL FAIRY; OR, MARGERY'S CITY HOME. BY ALICE GRAY, Author of +"Thy Kingdom Come." + + + +New Reward-Books for Sunday-Schools. + + +_Royal_ 24_mo_, _cloth extra_, _illustrated_, _price 6d. each_. + +1. WAYS OF WISDOM. + +2. THE BEST WORK. + +3. THE BEST WARFARE. + +4. TRUE-HEART. + +5. LITTLE HENRY AND HIS BEARER. + +6. THE LITTLE WOODMAN. + +7. SUSY MILLER. + +8. SUSY'S BIRTHDAYS. + +9. HAPPY ELLEN. + +10. KITTY BROWN. + +11. THE BEST FRIEND. + +12. RED AND WHITE ROSES. + +The above Books may also be had in +HANDSOME ILLUMINATED COVERS, +Illustrated, price Fourpence each; + +Or in Packets, price One Shilling each; each +Packet containing Three Books. + + + +New Sunday-School Reward-Books. + + +TWENTY-FOUR DIFFERENT. + +Royal 24mo, Illuminated Covers, Illustrated. + +In Packets, price One Shilling each; each Packet +containing Six Books. + + + +New Religious Gift-Books. + + +_Square_ 32_mo_, _handsomely bound_, _cloth extra_, _gilt edges_, _price_ +1_s._ 6_d. each_. + +1. THE DAWN OF HEAVEN. By JOSEPH A. COLLIER, Author of "Little Crowns, +and how to Win them," &c. + +2. PSALMS OF LIFE. With Notes by Rev. J. A. ALEXANDER. + +3. THE CHRISTIAN CASKET. A Sunday Treasury. + +4. GREAT GAIN. Gleaned from the Writings of THOMAS BROOKS. + +5. GODLY FEAR. And Other Papers. By JEREMY TAYLOR. + +6. BREATHINGS OF THE DEVOUT SOUL. 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