d so easy to discover. He did
discover it at last. His wife, with her latest breath, had given him the
clue. He examined himself more carefully. What are the relations between
me and my Maker? Do I recognize any?... When Joel Burns rose from his
sick-bed and could walk abroad, all things wore to him a new and pleased
aspect. The current of his hopes were changed. He no longer revolved
around himself as a centre. He was conscious of his error before God,
and sought and found 'peace in believing.' He now regarded all things in
the light of His providence and felt submissive to His will.

Joel was no longer indifferent to his affairs. There was so much he
could do to benefit every body. What a happy feeling to try to be
working out good for some body all the time! When, however, he was able
actively to engage in business, there was very little difference between
his course of action and in what he did and his old course and what he
used to do. The fact is, Joel _did_ about what was right before. We have
already related that he was kind, charitable, generous, and
public-spirited. The difference, however, was, that Joel _himself_ was
changed. The _springs_ of life and conduct were new: this is why he
seemed to himself to be living so differently. And he _was_ living
differently. There was no similitude between the Joel Burns who,
impelled by an active brain and an energetic purpose, was successfully
prosecuting certain plans with reference solely _to_ those plans, and
the Joel Burns who had learned to feel that the chief _object_ of
existence lay above and beyond, and was centred in the Omnipotent.

* * * * *

Sarah recovered rapidly from the fever, and before her father was
himself convalescent the bloom of health had returned to her cheeks.
Joel's love for his child was increased ten-fold. She became, as she
grew up, an inseparable companion. It was evident he had no thoughts of
marrying. The people of the village decided _that_ at the end of a year.
The widower gave none of the ordinary tokens that he was seeking a new
wife, that is, he did not 'brush up' any, and took no special pains with
his personal appearance, but went about much as usual. It was a great
pity, every body said, for a man as young as he--hardly
three-and-thirty--to live without a wife. Sarah required a motherly care
over her, her father was spoiling her. Yes, it was a great pity Mr.
Burns did not marry. The fact was, st