The Dairymans Daughter | Page 7

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 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 lighthouse, 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 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 increasing!"
Casting my eye over the numerous dwellings in the vales on the 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
nor 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 He is 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, for Jesus' sake! May his Word, spoken by you, his chosen vessel
of grace, be made spirit and