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allow me to observe, that in my humble judgment you act faithfully in so doing."

MR. HAMMOND. "I am very glad to hear you say so; for I can assure you that it is rather up-hill work to preach these doctrines, necessary as they are. Church-principles have been so long neglected, that a heavy burden is thrown on the present generation of clergymen. It is very difficult to know how to speak on them with plainness, yet without giving offence. If you say any thing which seems to blame Dissenters, one party amongst your congregation exults that the Dissenters are being set down, while the other accuses you of illiberality and exclusiveness. It often costs me a great deal of thought to know how to bring in certain topics with faithfulness, but without offence."

MR. WALTON. "I have often admired the tact and good feeling with which you have introduced these subjects. Your plan is, I observe, not to preach against Dissenters, except when your subject forces you, but to set forth the privileges and duties of Churchmen."

MR. HAMMOND. "That is the plan which I wish to adopt; I conceive it absolutely necessary that Churchmen should know the reason why they belong to the Church, and are not Dissenters;-should be plainly taught that there is but one true Church, and that the Church of England is, in this country, the only true branch of that Church-the only religious community, therefore, to which it is safe for them to belong. It is also fit that they should have a right understanding of the privileges and duties which devolve on them as members of the Church."

MR. WALTON. "There is a great want in the present day of that holy fellowship which existed amongst the first Christians. People talk of each man worshipping God according to his own con

science, and give their hand to the sectarian, or even the unbeliever, with the same cordiality as to their brethren in the faith. I confess I greatly distrust the faith of the religious liberal, who makes no distinction between those who worship with him and those who despise his worship. You have well and clearly shewn, in your sermon of to-day, that Christians are united in a closer bond of fellowship, and admitted to a far higher range of social duties, than any which before existed. For, surely those who worship the same Lord, and eat the body and drink the blood of their Saviour together, are joined in holier and more sacred ties than others. For myself, I feel a great love for those whom I see around me every Lord's day in our parish church. Those old people who sit in the free seats,-I know every one of them personally, and often have a friendly chat with them in their houses; and I do not hesitate to say, that I would do more to serve them than any other poor people in the parish. Does not the apostle say, Honour all men, love the brotherhood;'* 'do good unto all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith?'"+

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MR. HAMMOND. "I remember a curious practice of George Herbert's with regard to his charity—a practice more worthy to be imitated than laughed at. When a poor person came to his door, he would, before giving them any thing, make them say the creed or the ten commandments, and as he found them perfect rewarded them the more. 'This,' said he, is to give like a priest.' So, to seek out as objects of our charity the poor members of the Church, is to give like a Churchman. Of course, if, like the good Samaritan, we found a poor man wounded or starving by the wayside, it would be a mere mockery to ask what religion he was of before we gave him * 1 Peter ii. 17. + Gal. vi. 10.

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relief; our only thought would be, to stanch his wounds, and save his life: but, in our ordinary charities, our list of pensioners, and so forth, I quite agree with you, that it is our duty to seek out poor Churchmen, especially those who live up to their profession."

MR. WALTON. "And I can assure you the obligation is not all on one side; for I find few things more profitable than to converse with good and humble-minded Christians, as many of them are. It is surprising what clear views a regular and attentive, though uneducated, church-goer will acquire. I should like to introduce you to an old friend of mine, for whom, though but a poor old labouring man, I have a greater respect, nay, almost reverence, than for almost any man I know. I am sure you would like to be acquainted with old Ambrose."

Mr. Hammond expressed his readiness to become acquainted with one of whom Mr. Walton spoke so highly.

"What say you, Anna and Elizabeth?" said Mr. Walton, turning to his daughters. "Suppose we dine early to-morrow, and take Mr. Hammond in the evening to see old Ambrose."

His daughters gladly assented to Mr. Walton's proposal; for old Ambrose was as great a favourite with them as with their father: nor can it be denied that, like dutiful children, they also shared their father's predilection for the young clergyman, whose piety and unassuming manner rendered him an agreeable addition to their family circle.

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Oft in life's stillest shade reclining,

In desolation unrepining;

Without a hope on earth to find

A mirror in an answering mind,

Meek souls there are, who little dream
Their daily strife an angel's theme;
Or that the rod they take so calm,
Shall prove in heaven a martyr's palm.
KEBLE.

THE evening was calm and pleasant, when the party set out on their walk, according to previous arrangement, to see Old Ambrose. It was one of those delicious midsummer days, which one almost hopes will never come to a close, like the calm old age of a Christian, when the heat and burden of mid-day life is past.

"Elizabeth must tell you all about our old friend," said Mr. Walton; "for she it was that first became acquainted with him." Elizabeth, however, requested

that her father would relate the circumstances. So he continued::

"We first knew him by sight, from observing him at church, Sunday after Sunday, always occupying the same place in the fifth row of the middle aisle."

"O, you mean the old man with white hair," said Mr. Hammond, "who wears a waggoner's frock, and is so remarkably attentive to the service. I have myself been much struck by his appearance, and intended to take an opportunity of making acquaintance with him."

"It is the same," said Mr. Walton. "For a long time, I never missed him from his accustomed place. There he was seated, generally before we came into church; and if he happened to be rather later, which was very seldom the case (though, by the way, Mr. Hammond, I wish the church-clock was more regular than it is: it puts the congregation out sadly, and is really a serious evil)-however, if old Ambrose happened to be later than usual, the other frequenters of the free-seats used to leave his place unoccupied, being quite sure that he would come. At last, I missed him for two Sundays; so I inquired where he lived, and went to look for him.

"It was a small and poor-looking cottage in the outskirts of the town. When I arrived at the door and knocked, no answer was returned. I raised the latch, and entered; still no one appeared. The hearth was cold, and the lower part of the house was apparently unoccupied. I gently opened the inner door which led to the upper part of the cottage; and on listening, I heard a voice which was familiar to me:—it was Elizabeth reading the Scriptures to the old man, who lay apparently on his deathbed. His daughter was supporting his head, and his grandchildren kneeling by the bed-side; it was an affecting, yet

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