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warmly interested herself in forming various charitable associations, for the benefit of the indigent classes. Such were the little societies, composed of the Christian families of respectability in the neighbourhood, for supplying the poor with clothing, coals, and other requisites, on the approach of winter. These associations were productive of a double advantage, that of economy, on the one hand, and the extension of liberality, on the other. For the principle on which they were founded, was that of requiring each poor family to pay a certain sum, in order to receive back, during the inclement season of the year, twice the amount in value of those articles of which they stood most in need. Those, therefore, who carefully saved their money for this purpose, were rewarded by the additional donation; while those whose improvidence misapplied or wasted what should have formed the required contribution, were not encouraged to expect the assistance rendered to their more prudent neighbours.

Thus, by the judicious application of the subscriptions raised for these purposes, was much good quietly and unostentatiously effected for the more distressed among the poor. The consequence of these benevolent measures was the formation of a contented and cheerful population. For when the lower classes of society perceive a zealous disposition on the part of their superiors to administer to their necessities; when they feel that their more pressing wants are relieved by the supply of food, of clothing, and of fuel, they are inclined to bear, without repining, the minor evils incident to their lot.

A predisposition, thus favourably produced, re-acts on the heart and mind with a corresponding influence. It opens the latter to receive instruction with willingness, which can scarcely be expected when the calls of hunger remain unsatisfied; which is but too often, alas! the case, day by day, and week by week, whether through want of employment, or

sickness, or any of those numerous "ills which flesh is heir

to."

Extreme hunger is sharp as a serpent's tooth; and if it be, possibly, more endurable than the extremity of thirst, (of which the author was in danger of perishing twenty years ago in the Desert of Egypt, when travelling overland was a very different affair to the holiday excursion now,) yet must it inevitably disqualify the mind, while unappeased, to attend to the lessons either of morality or religion. It is emphatically said, that "hunger will eat through a stone wall;" and knowing what is the intensity of its extreme gnawings, the writer has been often and deeply struck with the admirable patience and fortitude with which the labouring classes, when in a state of starvation, have borne their distresses. Instead of rushing forth into acts of wild insubordination and violence, and endeavouring, by brute force, to obtain what their willing but unproductive labour will not procure for them, they will wait with the most exemplary forbearance, well worthy of imitation in their superiors, till the too often tardy and disproportionate hand of charity is stretched forth to their relief.

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The charitable associations, however, to which we have been alluding, were founded on the sound principle of supplying the wants of the body first and then, with the vantage ground of assuaged hunger, and of gratitude superinduced by its removal, to direct their energies to the cultivation of the mind.

Both these offices of pure disinterested kindness were most conscientiously performed by Mr. and Mrs. Gracelove. The endeavours of the latter, especially, -as the practical part of these duties was brought more within her sphere, were unceasing and untiring. Hers was a zeal not "without knowledge," but accompanied by the most enlarged degree of Christian experience. The quiet and unpretending manner,

also, in which her duties were executed, gained for her the respect of her equals and the reverence and affection of her lowly cottagers. Could she have uttered the sentiments and the language of Job, which her habitual humility would have disinclined her from doing, she might truly have said with the patriarch" When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to

sing for joy."*

In addition to these external acts of Christian piety and benevolence, I must not omit to notice, still further, the internal moral economy of Mr. and Mrs. Gracelove's establishment. This excellent woman had organized two Ladies' branch Associations in her house, in aid of those admirable institutions, the Bible and Church Missionary Societies. Of these associations the latter had taken upon herself the office of secretary; and the members of them assembled on two separate days in each month at Derwent cottage, when the various subscriptions obtained by the female collectors were received, and deposited in a box, till they were handed over to the secretaries of the parent society.

In all these works of faith, and labours of love, she was greatly assisted by the wife of the Rev. Augustus Davies, one of the pious clergymen of the district; both of whom united in zealous co-operation in these beneficent designs; the one as a consistent minister of God, and the other as a truly Christian helpmate to her exemplary husband. And never does a woman more gracefully fulfil the obligations of her marriage vows than when, with "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," she lightens the cares, by a willing participation * Job xxix. 11-13.

in them, of her husband's duties. To a clergyman, especially, such a conscientious union of hand and heart must be that drop of sweetness in the mingled cup of life-that solace of his anxieties, and that heightener of his joys, which his arduous functions so much require.

Besides these periodical meetings, with the design just named, an evening was set apart in each month, at Derwent cottage, for the purpose of religious conversation and instruction. Over these prayer-meetings the Rev. Mr. Davies presided, and which were attended by the more serious and well-disposed among the friends and acquaintance of the master and mistress of the house.

The party usually assembled at the hour of taking tea, during which, and for some time afterwards, the subjects that were introduced, and which were proposed by the worthy clergyman for general conversation, respected man's probationary state on earth, and the end of his existence. In the various turns and modifications of thought elicited on these instructive occasions, were comprehended the physical as well as moral works of the Deity. The various doctrines of the Bible, particularly the great doctrine of the atonement by a crucified Saviour; the marvellous love of God in sending his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification, became alternately the edifying topics of contemplation. With these holy and sublime considerations was always united that most comforting assurance, that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance;"*" who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations ;"+ but who declares, at the same time, that He will by no means clear the guilty."

In these conversations Mr. Davies naturally took the
* 2 Pet. iii. 9.
+ Deut. vii. 9.

lead; and was frequently appealed to for his opinion, and for information on various interesting points. After this preliminary interchange of ideas and feelings on the all-important subjects of religion had lasted for some time, the worthy pastor would then open the family Bible, and read a chapter, or some less portion of its sacred contents, and expound and enlarge upon its meaning. The exposition being concluded, which generally lasted about three-quarters of an hour, all knelt down, while the reverend preceptor put up prayers, mingled with praises, on behalf of himself and those around him, to that all-gracious Being in whose hands are the issues of life and death. A meeting thus commenced in the fear and the love of God naturally terminated in the " peace of God;"—that peace which passeth understanding, and which the world can neither give nor take away. Each returned home with a mind composed and edified; pondering the truths of that divine wisdom of which they had so recently heard the inspirations from the very fountain-head-the Bible; and acknowledging, with gratified feelings, that "her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.'

Many persons, however, there are-" wise men after the flesh;" and many wise" women also, who consider such devotional exercises as savouring of what they choose to call "methodistical;" and those who attend them as being "righteous overmuch." And yet, were you but to hint to these persons anything approaching to an imputation that they themselves were not religious, they would imagine you had affronted them in a very grievous manner. Thus does the god of this world delude the hearts of his votaries! and by infusing into their minds carnal attachments to the perishing things of time and sense-giving them up to that "friendship of the world" which is "enmity with God,"†―rob Him of those * Prov. iii. 17.

+James iv. 4.

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