The Annals of the Poor

The Annals of the Poor, by Legh
Richmond

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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 [email protected]

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 the most striking
demonstrations of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God.
The character which the present narrative is designed to introduce to
the notice of my readers is given from real life and circumstances. I
first became acquainted with her by receiving the following letter,
which I transcribe from the original now before me:--
"REV. SIR,
"I take the liberty to write to you. Pray excuse me, for I have never
spoken to you. But I once heard you, when you preached at --- Church.
I believe you are a faithful preacher to warn sinners to flee from the
wrath that will be revealed against all those that live in sin, and die
impenitent. Pray go on in the strength of the Lord. And may he bless
you, and crown your labour of love with success, and give you souls
for your hire!
"The Lord has promised to be with those whom he calls and sends forth
to preach his word, to the end of time; for without him we can do
nothing. I was much rejoiced to hear of those marks of love and
affection to that poor soldier of the S. D. militia. Surely the love of
Christ sent you to that poor man. May that love ever dwell richly in you
by faith! May it constrain you to seek the wandering souls of men with
the fervent desire to spend and be spent for his glory! May the unction
of the Holy Spirit attend the word spoken by you with power, and
convey deep conviction to the hearts of your hearers! May many of
them experience the divine change of being made new creatures in
Christ!
"Sir, be fervent in prayer with God for the conversion of sinners. His
power is great, and who can withstand it? He has promised to answer
the prayer of faith, that is put up in his Son's name. 'Ask what ye will, it
shall be granted you.' How this should strengthen our faith, when we

are taught by the word and the Spirit how to pray! Oh, that sweet
inspiring hope! how it lifts up the fainting spirits, when we look over
the precious promises of God! What a mercy if we know Christ and the
power of his resurrection in our own hearts! Through faith in Christ we
rejoice in hope, and look up in expectation of that time