a participation in these little solemnities. Deeming himself in a high degree responsible for the spiritual instruction of his servants, and looking upon himself, not more as their master than their friend, du Blesne regarded an attention to their eternal wellbeing, as an essential, and not unpleasing, part of the duty of that relation in which he stood to them. And, anxious that, among the members of his household, as elsewhere, he might still conduct himself as one amenable to the gracious commandments of his God, it was his endeavour that he might rule with gentleness, while the law of kindness ever dwelt upon his lips. He remembered, that he had himself, also, a Master in heaven.'-Thus was his house a templea sanctuary, meet for the God of holiness and love. No contest for power, no angry recriminations, disturbed its peaceful region, All was unanimity and harmony, the blessed fruits of that religion, which breathes good will towards men.' Domestic happiness, the sole living record of Eden,

"The only bliss that has survived the fall,'

seemed here, truly, to have taken up its abode. No private gratification was permitted to interfere with the general advantage. 'Not slothful in business,' they yet found constant occasion to serve their Lord with singleness of heart; and you might have traced in their individual deportment, and in their mutual intercourse, the union of the two first great precepts so they walk with God,' and so they affectioned one to another.'

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humbly did kindly were

Uncontaminated by the maxims of a false and insinuating philosophy, which had become but too fatally prevalent around them, their creed was pure as simple. With little else than the unadulterated word of inspiration, and a throne of grace, to direct them, they had experienced the fulfilment of the promise; when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.' They might, perhaps, have failed in some abstruse disquisitions on subjects, which have, unhappily, too long divided the followers of Jesus of Nazareth: yet, able, and not unwilling, to give a reason of the hope

that was in them,' they knew enough to teach them to sorrow, and rejoice. Repentance toward God' was the source of their sacred sorrow: and faith in him, who was delivered' as a victim of propitiation, laid the foundation of their humble, and hallowed, joy.-While without are fightings, and within fears,' to a mind oppressed with the weight of its own corruptions, and mourning over a world that has forsaken the ordinances of its Maker, how grateful is a scene like this! 'Streams in the desert-waters breaking out in the wilderness.'

"About the time of the offering of their evening sacrifice,' it would occasionally happen that some traveller, benighted as he journeyed across the neighbouring wild, would turn aside to the shelter of their friendly abode. The lapse of many an age had established the hospitality of the glen. For a season, it is true, in the absence of its present proprietor, it had been closed against the wanderer: but it had long since retrieved its character. Although, through the de

moralizing influence of the Revolution, which, while it scattered some blessings in its path, had spread with a baneful contagion far and wide, the ancient generosity of the Highlands had been banished from too many an Alpine threshold,* it still found an asylum under the roof, and in the bosom, of du Blesne. To him, the virtuous or unoffending usages, consecrated by immemorial prescription from his fathers, were still dear: and often would he retrace, with much evident satisfaction, the less ostentatious habits, and the nobler principles, of the olden time.' The stranger, consequently, was ever welcome at his abundant board. His appearance at his gates, the sole introduction tendered or required, he was received within them unsuspectingly, and as one who had a claim to protection. Without any affectation of courtly ceremony which du Blesne had long gladly dispensed with, yet with due attention, notwithstanding, to the forms of polished society, there

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* See note l.

was not wanting in his dwelling what was greatly preferable to such frigid formalitythe few simple charities of human kindness, the fruits of genuine politeness, and perhaps the only real urbanities of life. These carry along with them the conviction of sincerity, and speak a language encouraging to the distressed, and easy of interpretation to all.

Among his way-fairing guests arrived, incidentally, some venerable pilgrim, whose edifying conversation more than requited the friendly offices of his hosts. If

'The tattered garment, and the altered form,
Told many a buffet of the mountain-storm ;

it was only that a more lively interest might be awakened in his tale of sorrow. The memories of his hearers were more abidingly impressed; and they were thence led to rejoice with a joy more unfeigned, that they were counted worthy to afford him at refuge, or to offer him, for the sake of his Master, though it had been but a cup of cold water,' ora morsel of bread.' Here, while, in compliance with the solicitations of a natural and pardonable curiosity, he