he splendid mansions which they discover among the woods and
plains around them. The families, titles, fortune, or character of the
respective owners, engage much attention. . . . In the meantime, the
lowly cottage of the poor husbandman is passed by as scarcely deserving
of notice. Yet, perchance, such a cottage may often contain a treasure
of infinitely more value than the sumptuous palace of the rich man; even
"the pearl of great price." If this be set in the heart of the poor
cottager, it proves a jewel of unspeakable value, and will shine among
the brightest ornaments of the Redeemer's crown, in that day when he
maketh up his "jewels."

{picture: Sir Richard Phillips. (From the painting by James Saxon in The
National Portrait Gallery.) Photo: Emery Walker: page82.jpg}

"Hence, the Christian traveller, while he bestows, in common with others,
his due share of applause on the decorations of the rich, and is not
insensible to the beauties and magnificence which are the lawfully
allowed appendages of rank and fortune, cannot overlook the humbler
dwelling of the poor. And if he should find that true piety and grace
beneath the thatched roof, which he has in vain looked for amidst the
worldly grandeur of the rich, he remembers the word of God. . . . He
sees, with admiration, that 'the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth
eternity, whose name is Holy, who dwelleth in the high and holy place,
dwelleth with _him also_ that is of a contrite and humble spirit,' Isaiah
lvii., 15; and although heaven is his throne, and the earth his
footstool, yet when a home is to be built, and a place of rest to be
sought for himself, he says, 'To this man will I look, even to him that
is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word,' Isaiah
lxvi., 1, 2. When a home is thus tenanted, faith beholds this
inscription written on the walls, _The Lord lives here_. Faith,
therefore, cannot pass it by unnoticed, but loves to lift up the latch of
the door, and sit down, and converse with the poor, though perhaps
despised, inhabitant. Many a sweet interview does faith obtain when she
thus takes her walks abroad. Many such a sweet interview have I myself
enjoyed beneath the roof where dwelt the Dairyman and his little family.

"I soon perceived that his daughter's health was rapidly on the decline.
The pale, wasting consumption, which is the Lord's instrument for
removing so many thousands every year from the land of the living, ma