things richly to enjoy, but he can also defend us in this danger." And when in the Litany they came to that part, "In all time of our wealth, good Lord deliver us,' they looked round at each other involuntarily; and Esther, slipping her hand into Michael's, pressed it with tender affection, and the beautiful aspiration, "Good Lord deliver us!" was breathed with unusual fervour. But although they seemed surrounded with the goods of this life, it was no small trial to them to see the decline of those they loved, and to watch the increasing feebleness of the aunt Margaret and the parent Mary. It is true, they still walked to church side by side, and still were seated carefully at the upper end of Michael's pew; and still that pale faint star, glimmering in the dawn of a brighter day, was watched with pleasure by those who foretold the coming radiance. Yet Esther could but remember that the lot of all living awaited them, and could but tremble in the anticipation that ere long she must see those eyes which always dwelt with delight and kindness upon her, closed for ever. But it was only when they looked increasingly feeble that she felt thus. By the side of their own quiet fire, with every little comfort that age needs, a cleanly little maid that brother Jonathan

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had appointed to wait upon them, and above all, hearts tuned to his praise, who thus inclined all hearts to love them, under these circumstances, it was delightful to contemplate them, and the withering hue of age was forgotten. "It is long since you came to see us," said Michael to Margaret; "we wish to have you again soon. Ah, my good young man, we must give that up, I believe, your hill is too much for us;' and when Esther thought, Ah, they have been to the Brow for the last time," she walked to the window to hide her tears. But if these good women did not go out, they had plenty of visitors at home, among whom, the most constant, was our old friend Jem Brown: he never forgot the days when his clove-pink was gathered in a wrong spirit. Indeed, this young man, who had in his early days given such pain to his uncle, and all that wished him well, was now exemplary for kindness to his relative, and to those who needed his care; and as they were one day sitting together, "I owe you much," said Jem. "Mrs. Beal; never can I forget the lessons I received at your fire, from you and your excellent husband; he was a good man, wise, and mild." 66. Ah, we shall soon meet again. "Then," said James, " you do think we

shall know one another?" "To be sure I do," said Margaret; those who sleep in Jesus shall God bring with him again.' 'I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me,' says David. And was not Lazarus in Abraham's bosom? And are we to suppose that the thief upon the cross was the only one with Christ in Paradise? Surely not. No, no, James Brown, depend upon it, we shall all meet together, we shall all appear before his judgmentseat; and those who trust in him here, and live to his glory, they will join in the same song in one glorious company, singing, Worthy is the Lamb who hath washed us and redeemed us.' No, no, I will never believe but where knowledge is perfect, we shall have that pleasant knowledge, the knowledge of one another."

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Ah," said James," it is very pleasant

to think of meeting, when we know that our friends have loved the Lord Jesus. But, Mrs. Beal, suppose my father had not been a good man, and suppose I should miss him?" "Ah, James, such knowledge is too wonderful for me, I cannot attain unto it, child; I don't know how you find it, but I am often obliged to stop in the midst of all my inquiries, and to say, Lord, thou knowest, and again, ‹ he doeth all things well.' But here," said Margaret,

in her usual arch manner, when she was about to say any thing she thought conclusive, "I am thinking that he who has brought me through all my life in peace and safety to the present hour, is worthy of all my trust and confidence, and with him I am ready to leave what I am too weak to understand." "Mrs. Beal, you are sure to be in the right, and I know for why; because you put your trust in him who never fails to satisfy the soul that relies on him." Why, James Brown, I think I am on the safe side." That you are indeed," said James. These intimate conversations made James's little visits to his neighbour so pleasant, that he was always dropping in when he had a spare hour. It lay in his way home, and had it not, he would have made a curve to visit the cottage of his early friends; and often has James seen the neat Peggy with a small basket of Brownrigg's grass, or his little dish of peas carefully saved and exhibited, we must own, with somewhat of pride, before any one in the parish could get them. He would often say,

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Mine is a small concern, but it is well looked after, and ye see I can have my peas before the rector." This harmless vanity offended no one but the Scotch gardener; he thought it reflected on his care.

As for James Brown, he laughed at it, and was glad in his heart to see his old friends so kindly attended. But he noticed the little Peggy: her very neat appearance, her costume, not at all like that of the modern maid-servants, but after Brownrigg's own notions of propriety and cleanliness. "Well," said James, "if I ever do marry, that girl shall be my wife, if she will have me. But he was aware of one thing, that Mr. Brownrigg would hardly consent; and there was another subject on which he was not quite certain, Was she a Christian? Of this he was uncertain; he knew that Betty Smith was fond of her; he often saw them come out of church together, and once he overheard her talking about the sermon to Betty; he thought these were good signs, and he was disposed to notice every thing favourable; but we are happy to add, he determined to make this part of the matter quite sure before he opened his mind.

It was in one of his visits to neighbour Beal's cottage, that Peggy came in with a very nice chicken and some brocoli, and she blushed and curtsied, and looked down when James Brown opened the door to let her out; and after she was gone, James said, Mrs. Beal, what a nice girl that is." Margaret's eye looked brilliant, and