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the Baptized have more right to come in with the words of the prodigal son, than Heathens have, because they only can say 'Father' in the highest sense of the word, and therefore the Church opens the Service with this sentence, as you know.”

"But baptized sinners are the worst and they lose their gift sometimes, and are more miserable than before."

"Yes, when they lose the power of repentance, but not till then."

This was a new light to Godfrey, and the doctrine, with Barrow's counsels, restored him to hope, and inspired him to make fresh efforts. And indeed he had great need of hope and encouragement, for a heavy trial now awaited him, heavier than anything which he had yet experienced.

Q

170

CHAPTER XIV.

Affliction.

Lively he seemed, and spoke of all he knew,
The friendly many and the favourite few :
Not one that day did he to mind recall,
But she has treasured, and she loves them all :
When in her way she meets them, they appear
Peculiar people; death has made them dear.

He named his friend: but then his hand she pressed,
And fondly whispered, "Thou must go to rest."
"I go," he said; but as he spoke, she found
His hand more cold, and fluttering was the sound:
Then gazed affrighted, but she caught a last-
A dying look of love—and all was past!

CRABBE.

MR. DAVENANT was now about fifty years of age. He was, as we have hinted, a true example of the old race of half squire, half clergyman, which happily is becoming more and more rare every day. Latterly his character had improved much.

His

losses and family humiliations, Godfrey's escape, and what he heard of Dr. Wilson's teaching, had produced a great effect upon him. He was observed to be less with his gun, and more with his people, than of old. He had increased the number of Communions, and seemed to be meditating further changes. For some few weeks past Godfrey had heard but poor accounts of his father's health. He had been suffering from giddiness and an unusual heaviness, and he persisted in taking no advice. When pressed to do so, he appealed to the longevity of his ancestors, and replied, that if Castle Davenant air could not keep a man alive, nothing would.

After a few days his depression went off, and was succeeded by a reaction to the highest flow of animal spirits. He walked all through the valley, and returning as fresh as ever, he urged his wife to go out with him upon another walk. She did so, and that walk was long the sunshine of her life. There was not a cloud upon its joy. Their first love and long tried affection, their children, and especially their beloved boy, were the chief topics of their conversation: not without some allusions to that long union, that eternal home of which their earthly blessings were the shadows.

It was evening: Mr. Davenant sat in the old

high-backed arm chair, which had once and in another mansion, been filled by royalty itself; and with his girls upon low stools at his feet, and with his wife beside him, and her hand in his, the group was a perfect picture of that calm sure happiness which is the heaven of a true home.

Suddenly Mr. Davenant put his hand to his head and complained of pain there. His wife moved his hand gently away, and asked him where it was; but there was no answer. His head sunk forward. He was dead.

Mrs. Davenant was a woman of true piety, and although neither well grounded in the truth, nor calm and constant in her views, she had that sure belief in God's unfailing love through CHRIST, which is the best stay of the failing heart. She was able therefore to bear up in her trial ; and she herself wrote to poor Godfrey, and told him all. Fortunately Barrow was by when the letter was opened, and Godfrey immediately handed it to him, and rushed out into the play-ground. It was empty, for the boys were at breakfast; and whilst Barrow went in to Dr. Wilson's, and asked him to arrange for Godfrey to go home at once, the mourner had the relief of solitude.

As soon as Barrow returned, Godfrey demanded the letter hastily, and read and re-read it, with

out speaking. He was deadly pale and said nothing, so that Barrow felt alarmed for him. He remembered, however, Godfrey's sudden vehemence of feeling, and waited patiently. After a time, he put his arm softly into Godfrey's, and led him away; telling of his own father's death, and of the comfort which he had received under that affliction. Some of his words were heard, and more unheeded; but Godfrey was soothed, and at last found relief in tears.

In two or three hours more Athelling spire had disappeared. The Doctor's voice and Barrow's seemed just dying away, and the meaning of what they said entered for the first time into poor Godfrey's mind.

Mile after mile, and hour after hour, the journey seemed endless: but as home drew near, it appeared all too short; and how to meet his mother, and how to see his father's corpse, was now the great subject of anxiety.

The meeting, and the lifting of the cloth which covered the face which he had loved from childhood, and the first hours of Godfrey's return, and of that renewing of grief which attends the first. meeting of the friends of the departed, must be passed over. They were the same which have wrung, and will wring every affectionate heart.

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