"Dear is the hallowed morn to me, When village bells awake the day; And, by their sacred minstrelsy,

Call me from earthly cares away.

And dear to me the winged hour,
Spent in thy earthly courts, O Lord:
To feel devotion's soothing power,
And catch the manna of thy word.

Yes! dear to me the hallowed morn,
The village bells, the shepherd's voice;
These oft have found my heart forlorn,

And always bid that heart rejoice."

CHAPTER IV.

Truth is not local, God alike pervades,
And fills the world of traffic, and the shades,
And may be fear'd amidst the busiest scenes,
Or scorn'd where business never intervenes."

Cowper,

She

THERE had lately become resident in the village, a family, who soon showed, by their compassion for the poor, and their constant efforts to alleviate distress, that they were followers of Him who went about doing good. Mrs. Lawrence had tasted the cup of sorrow. had followed to his last long home the husband of her youth, the friend and companion of her maturer years; and now, with her amiable son and daughter, she bade farewell to the bustle and gaieties of the great city, and retired to the quiet seclusion of village life. Indeed she had a particular inducement to do so, as Mr. Stanley had been the intimate acquaintance and friend of her husband, even from their boyish days. They had spent their early, happy years in the society of each other; they had studied under

the same masters; their tastes and inclinations were similar; but their pursuits in life were destined to differ. Mr. Stanley was placed, in accordance with his wishes, in the church: Mr. Lawrence joined his father in an extensive mercantile business. Thus separated, the friends had little opportunity of personal intercouse; but a correspondence had always been carried on, and occasional visits paid. After some years, passed by the one in the quiet retirement of the country, in the exercise of his important, though unostentatious clerical duties, the other in the bustle of metropolitan commerce,that hour drew on which was to cause a final separation from the interests, friendships, and dearest pursuits of this life. Mr.Stanley obeyed the summons of his friend; he calmed the agitation of his spirits; he directed his views above this earthly scene; he "allured to brighter worlds, and led the way;" he encouraged his hopesfor well he knew that those hopes had long been fixed upon the sure Foundation laid in Zion; the immoveable rock of the Saviour's atonement and merits. Mr. Lawrence was not

ashamed to be called a disciple. His principles were sound, and his profession good. His

business obliged him to mix much in society, of which his gentlemanly address, his cheerful and easy manners, rendered him at once the ornament and delight—his lively wit, his playful fancy sparkled with all the brilliancy of genius, while its radiance was tempered by the mild serenity of religion. Vice shrunk abashed at his approach, and the infidel was glad to conceal his opinions, if brought into contact,

"And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue in her own shape how lovely."

Such was Mr. Lawrence, and his amiable family were worthy of him; but of them we shall have occasion to speak afterwards. Mr. Lawrence was a benefactor of the human race; every thing that was great and good received his sanction and support. He never cramped his noble mind with party prejudice; but met, on the broad basis of Christianity, good men of whatever sect or party. To all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, he would give a brother's hand -a brother's aid.

After the death of Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Stanley assisted the widowed mourner in the settle-C*

ment of her concerns.

These were not intri

cate, so far as good management and regularity were concerned. It had been Mr. Lawrence's wish to educate his son for the church; and he had accordingly directed his views that way. This he had imparted to Mr. Stanley; and that good man now prepared to fulfil the wishes of his friend.

Every thing being settled with regard to the property in hand, and arrangements made, relative to what was yet to be received, Mrs. Lawrence left London with her son and daughter, and took up her abode in the village, where Mr. Stanley exercised his pastoral charge. Mrs. Stanley received her with kind and sisterly af fection to the young people she was a second mother. William soon took up his residence with his father's friend, as Mr. Stanley thought he would better pursue his studies under his constant superintending care.

These were the young friends Mr. Stanley alluded to, as about to join him in his work and labour of love. Ellenor Lawrence was younger than her brother; the one was fourteen, the other sixteen years of age. Ellenor was elegant in person, and amiable in disposition;