The Annals of the Poor | Page 7

of the sea;
and, bending to the south, completed the boundary of the larger valley
before described, to the southward of the hill on which I sat. In many
instances the hills were cultivated with corn to their very summits, and
seemed to defy the inclemency of the weather, which, at these heights,
usually renders the ground incapable of bringing forth and ripening the
crops of grain. One hill alone, the highest in elevation, and about ten
miles to the south-westward, was enveloped in a cloud, which just
permitted a dim and hazy sight of a signal-post, a light-house, and an

ancient chantry, built on its summit.
Amidst these numerous specimens of delightful scenery I found a
mount for contemplation, and here I indulged it. "How much of the
natural beauties of Paradise still remain in the world, although its
spiritual character has been so awfully defaced by sin! But when divine
grace renews the heart of the fallen sinner, Paradise is regained, and
much of its beauty restored to the soul. As this prospect is compounded
of hill and dale, land and sea, woods and plains, all sweetly blended
together, and relieving each other in the landscape; so do the gracious
dispositions wrought in the soul produce a beauty and harmony of
scene to which it was before a stranger."
I looked towards the village in the plain below, where the Dairyman's
younger daughter was buried. I retraced the simple solemnities of the
funeral. I connected the principles and conduct of her sister with the
present probably happy state of her soul in the world of spirits, and was
greatly impressed with a sense of the importance of family influence as
a means of grace. "That young woman," I thought, "has been the
conductor of not only a sister, but perhaps a father and mother also, to
the true knowledge of God, and may, by the divine blessing, become so
to others. It is a glorious occupation to win souls to Christ, and guide
them out of Egyptian bondage through the wilderness into the promised
Canaan. Happy are the families who are walking hand in hand together,
as pilgrims, towards the heavenly country. May the number of such be
daily increased?"
Casting my eye over the numerous dwellings in the vales on my right
and left, I could not help thinking, "How many of their inhabitants are
ignorant of the ways of God, and strangers to his grace! May this
thought stimulate to activity and diligence in the cause of immortal
souls! They are precious in God's sight--they ought to be so in ours."
Some pointed and affecting observations to that effect recurred to my
mind as having been made by the young person with whom I had been
just conversing. Her mind appeared to be much impressed with the duty
of speaking and acting for God "while it is day," conscious that "the
night cometh, when no man can work." Her laudable anxiety on this

head was often testified to me afterwards, both by letter and
conversation. What she felt herself, in respect to endeavours to do good,
she happily communicated to others with whom she corresponded or
conversed.
Time would not permit my continuing so long in the enjoyment of
these meditations, on this lovely mount of observation, as my heart
desired. On my return home I wrote a few lines to the Dairyman's
daughter, chiefly dictated by the train of thought which had occupied
my mind while I sat on the hill.
On the next Sunday evening I received her reply, of which the
following is a transcript:--
"Sunday.
"REV. SIR,
"I am this day deprived of an opportunity of attending the house of God,
to worship him. But, glory be to his name, he is not confined to time or
place. I feel him present with me where I am, and his presence makes
my paradise; for where he is, is heaven. I pray God that a double
portion of his grace and Holy Spirit may rest upon you this day; that his
blessing may attend all your faithful labours; and that you may find the
truth of his word assuring us that wherever we assemble together in his
name, there is he in the midst to bless every waiting soul.
"How precious are all his promises! We ought never to doubt the truth
of his word. For he will never deceive us if we go on in faith, always
expecting to receive what his goodness waits to give. Dear sir, I have
felt it very consoling to read your kind letter to-day. I feel thankful to
God for ministers in our church who love and fear his name: there it is
where the people in general look for salvation; and there may they ever
find it,