The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Annals of the Poor, by Legh Richmond

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Title: The Annals of the Poor

Author: Legh Richmond

Release Date: October 30, 2006 [eBook #19671]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANNALS OF THE POOR***

Transcribed from the 1900 T. Nelson and Sons edition by David Price,
email ccx074@pglaf.org

THE ANNALS OF THE POOR

BY
THE REV. LEGH RICHMOND, M.A.,
LATE RECTOR OF TURVEY, BEDFORDSHIRE.

"Thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor."

PSALM lxviii. 10.

London:
T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW.
EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK.
1900

THE DAIRYMAN'S DAUGHTER.

PART I.

It is a delightful employment to discover and trace the operations of
divine grace, as they are manifested in the dispositions and lives of
God's real children. It is peculiarly gratifying to observe how
frequently among the poorer classes of mankind the sunshine of mercy
beams upon the heart, and bears witness to the image of Christ which the
Spirit of God has impressed thereupon. Among such, the sincerity and
simplicity of the Christian character appear unencumbered by those
obstacles to spirituality of mind and conversation which too often prove
a great hindrance to those who live in the higher ranks. Many are the
difficulties which riches, worldly consequence, high connections, and the
luxuriant refinements of polished society, throw in the way of religious
profession. Happy indeed it is (and some such happy instances I know)
where grace has so strikingly supported its conflict with natural pride,
self-importance, the allurements of luxury, ease, and worldly opinion,
that the noble and mighty appear adorned with genuine poverty of spirit,
self-denial, humble-mindedness, and deep spirituality of heart.

But, in general, if we want to see religion in its most simple and pure
character, we must look for it among the poor of this world who are rich
in faith. How often is the poor man's cottage the palace of God! Many
can truly declare that they have there learned the most valuable lessons
of faith and hope, and there witnessed t