dges, and cottages.
At its extremity stood, close to the edge of the sea itself, the remains
of the tower of an ancient church, still preserved as a sea-mark. Far
beyond the bay, a very distant shore was observable, and land beyond it;
trees, towns, and other buildings appeared, more especially when gilded
by the reflected rays of the sun.
To the south-westward of the garden was another down, covered also with
flocks of sheep, and a portion of it fringed with trees. At the foot of
this hill lay the village, a part of which gradually ascended to the
rising ground on which the church stood.
From the intermixture of houses with gardens, orchards, and trees, it
presented a very pleasing aspect. Several fields adjoined the garden on
the east and north, where a number of cattle were pasturing. My own
little shrubberies and flower-beds variegated the view, and recompensed
my toil in rearing them, as well by their beauty as their fragrance.
Had the sweet psalmist of Israel sat in this spot, he would have
glorified God the Creator by descanting on these his handiworks. I
cannot write psalms like David, but I wish, in my own poor way, to praise
the Lord for his goodness, and to show forth his wonderful works to the
children of men. But had David been also surrounded with a troop of
young scholars in such a situation, he would once more have said, "Out of
the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength."
I love to retrace these scenes; they are past, but the recollection is
sweet.
I love to retrace them, for they bring to my mind many former mercies,
which ought not, for the Lord's sake, to be forgotten.
I love to retrace them, for they reassure me that, in the course of that
private ministerial occupation, God was pleased to give me so valuable a
fruit of my labours.
Little Jane used constantly to appear on these weekly seasons of
instruction. I made no very particular observations concerning her
during the first twelve months or more after her commencement of
attendance. She was not then remarkable for any peculiar attainment. On
the whole, I used to think her rather more slow of apprehension than most
of her companions. She usually repeated her tasks correctly, but was
seldom able to make answers to questions for which she was not previously
prepared with replies--a kind of extempore examination, in which some of
the children excelled. Her countenance was not engaging; her eye
discovered
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