t to my mind. This must be my excuse for troubling you to
read verses which others have written. I have intended, if my
declining state of health permit, to go to --- for a few days. I say
this, lest you should call in expectation of seeing me, during any
part of next week. But my dear father and mother, for whose precious
souls I am very anxious, will reap the benefit of your visit at all
events.

"From your humble and unworthy servant,

"E--- W---."

Having read it, I said to the father of my highly valued correspondent:

"I thank you for being the bearer of this letter; your daughter is a kind
friend and faithful counsellor to me, as well as to you. Tell her how
highly I esteem her friendship, and that I feel truly obliged for the
many excellent sentiments which she has here expressed. Give her my
blessing, and assure her that the oftener she writes, the more thankful I
shall be."

The Dairyman's enlivened eye gleamed with pleasure as I spoke. The
praise of his Elizabeth was a string which could not be touched without
causing every nerve of his whole frame to vibrate.

His voice half faltered as he spoke in reply; the tear stood in his eyes;
his hand trembled as I pressed it; his heart was full; he could only say,
"Sir, a poor old man thanks you for your kindness to him and his family.
God bless you, sir; I hope we shall soon see you again."

Thus we parted for that day.

CHAPTER V.

It has not unfrequently been observed, that when it is the Lord's
pleasure to remove any of his faithful followers out of this life at an
early period of their course, they make rapid progress in the experience
of Divine truth. The fruits of the Spirit ripen fast, as they advance to
the close of mortal existence. In particular, they grow in humility,
through a deeper sense of inward corruption, and a clearer view of the
perfect character of the Saviour. Disease and bodily weakness make the
thoughts of eternity recur with frequency and power. The great question
of their own personal salvation, the quality of their faith, the
sincerity of their love, and the purity of their hope, are in continual
exercise.

Unseen realities, at such a time, occupy a larger portion of thought than
before. The state of existence beyond the grave, the invisible world,
the unaltered character of the dead, the future judgment, the total
separation from everything earthly, the dissolution of body and spirit