ure to
live more worthily of the immortal treasure that was committed to my
charge. Prayerfully and earnestly I studied the Word of Life, and
resolved to devote myself to the ministry. I wrote to my worthy
relative, the rector of Willowdale, for his advice, and found, to my
great joy, that he was your devoted friend. He condemned my rashness
in the avowal I had made to you, and insisted that there should be no
communication between us until I had finished my studies. I consented,
on condition that he should write frequently and inform me of your
welfare. One year ago I had completed my studies, and would have
hastended to you, but my stern Mentor insisted that I should travel
abroad, as he said, to give me a better knowledge of human nature, and
test the truth of my early affection. I have passed the ordeal, and
now, after an absence of five years, returned to you unchanged in
heart."

The rest of the conversation was lost to me, as I reached my home; but
that it was satisfactory to those engaged in it I know from the fact,
that the next day I had the pleasure of congratulating Clara upon her
engagement, with the full consent of her relatives. The remainder of
the tale is quickly told. The old rector resigned his pastoral charge
to Philip Sidney, with the full approbation of his parishioners; and
it was arranged that the old rector and his wife should remain at the
parsonage with the young clergyman and his bride. Deacon Lee became
warmly attached to Philip, and felt a father's interest in the
happiness of Clara, though he sometimes chid her playfully for keeping
their early acquaintance a secret from him. As for Mrs. Lee, she was
so proud of the honor of being aunt to a minister, that she almost
forgot her dislike to prelacy. It is true she was once heard to say to
one of her gossiping acquaintances, that she would have been better
pleased if Clara had married a good Congregationalist minister, even
if he had not preached quite so flowery sermons as Philip Sidney.

One bright day in the month of May following was their wedding-day.
The bride looked beautiful in her pure white dress of muslin, with a
wreath of May-blossoms in her hair. Blessings were invoked on the
youthful pair by all, both high and low, and sincere good wishes
expressed for their future happiness. Here I will leave them, with the
wish that the affection of early years may remain through life
undimmed, and that the Christmas Garland, so linked with t