to feel that he is still journeying homeward through paths of pleasantness and peace.'

6

Though they had always lived together on terms of the most amicable intercourse, and in the reciprocal and faithful discharge of every relative duty; yet, when the voice of a Redeemer was heard in their retreat, this happy family found themselves united by a new and dearer tie. His Spirit inducing a ready obedience to the invitations of his love, and a cheerful acquiescence in whatever his Providence ordained, painful though it might be to flesh and blood, and dubious to the eye of sense, their bosoms glowed with a mutual attraction, unknown before. They now regarded one another, not only as sprung from the same earthly, but as children of the same heavenly, Parent: recipients of the same grace, subjects of the same sceptre, purified in the same fountain, heirs of the same promise, and destined for the same eternity of blessedness and repose. Actuated, now, by a principle, celestial in its origin, and diffusive as the habitable globe, their griefs were mitigated by a

fellowship of suffering, while their pleasures were sweetened by being participated with those who were linked to them by an affection, which, they doubted not, would only be matured by that hour, which should behold the dissolution of all mortal relationship.

Although a mournful breach had been made in the little circle, du Blesne had still a numerous offspring. As olivebranches round about his table,' he rejoiced to see them; for, though it had pleased the Sovereign Disposer of human affairs to allot him, in the evening of his days, a more limited portion of the silver and the gold which He distributes as He will, he was tranquil in the thought, that the righteous would not be forsaken, nor his seed beg their bread.' Time was, when he had lived in greater affluence; but the disastrous issue of the struggle in which his country had unadvisedly engaged against the overwhelming force of its unjust and remorseless invaders, had reft from him the greater part of his patrimonial inheritance. Dispossessed;

however, as he was, of the fortune of his ancestors, he was thankful that he had still sufficient, and to spare for the fatherless and widow. If his board was not as profusely spread as once, when his wealth was squandered in luxury and ostentation, amidst the sounds of the tabret and viol,' he had now learned duly to appreciate his mercies, and to taste them with the moderation of a renewed and grateful heart.

How delightful and instructive is it to enter into the secret of such a sanctuary! Here, withdrawn from the allurements of a world that lies in wait to deceive,' sequestered from its noise and tumult, and at a distance from its unhallowed amusements, these disciples of the Saviour had enjoyments, which the sons of violence, and the votaries of dissipation, never knew. Not, that they sprang from that innocence, so unmeaningly talked of amidst the retirements of rural life. Alas, banished from Eden, that, until the times of restitution of all things,' will return no more! Innocence is a flower, too pure, too lovely, now to blossom

on a human soil. No: wild and lonely as they are, the solitudes of Switzerland, and Savoy, afford but too many indications, that man is a fallen creature. Sin has penetrated even here. And the prince of darkness, ever seeking whom he may destroy, even amongst the recesses of the Alps, still rules with a melancholy sway!

The happiness of this favoured family had another source. Sensible of their many deficiencies of those iniquities which had long separated between their God and them,' they confessed and deplored them. But they had been led in humiliation to Calvary. There, while they pondered that mysterious sacrifice which Emmanuel offered in his own body on the tree,' the hand of Divine compassion touched them; and they were enabled to cast themselves in contrition at the foot of the cross. They had sorrowed; but their ' sorrow was now turned into joy.' They saw themselves liable to the just indignation of Him, whose statutes they had infringed, and whose long-suffering they had

* See note h.

treated with such lamentable neglect: but there was One, who had been wounded for their transgressions,' and on whom had been laid the chastisement of their peace.' 'They looked on him,' and believed.

"They heard," "Tis finish'd,' on his parting breath; Beheld him die—and had a hope in death.”

Then, they arose, and went on their way rejoicing.' Relying on the faithfulness of that Conductor, who had journeyed before them through the vale of tears, and had bidden them be of good comfort,' they calmly waited their appointed time. He had himself encountered the hour of temptation, and had had mournful experience of its power. But he had overcome in the conflict; and had left this memorial with them, as an earnest of their own eventual triumph. If, therefore, they had here no continuing city,' they were more than consoled by the reflection, that they had in heaven an enduring substance; and that there they would find another and a better rest.

6

True, they had their troubles, for man is born to trouble;' nor did they expect, per